Chapter 131: 123. Meeting At Marvel HQ
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He immediately shared the news with Steve, who let out an impressed whistle. "That's one hell of a news, Dusty. Davina and Rebecca are game-changers for the women's division, and Ashley and Alexis are future stars in the making, well according to Sandro at least and that's something we should believe in." Dusty hearing this nodded. "We're buildin' the future here, Steve. One step at a time."
Meanwhile, across town, Sandro was relaxing at his apartment with his girlfriends, April and Nicole. The three of them had spent the evening watching movies and enjoying each other's company. Despite their closeness, there was an unspoken agreement to keep their relationship private, at least for now.
As the credits rolled on the latest film, Sandro's phone buzzed on the coffee table. He glanced at the screen and froze. "It's my dad," he said, his voice a mix of surprise and apprehension.
April and Nicole exchanged a quick glance but stayed silent, giving him space. Sandro hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Hey, Dad," he said, keeping his tone casual.
"Sandro, good to hear your voice," Jack said on the other end. His voice was brisk, as though he were in the middle of a whirlwind of activity. "Sorry to call out of the blue, but I need your help with something important."
Sandro straightened in his seat. "Of course, Dad. What's going on?"
"I need you to come with me to Marvel's headquarters in New York this Friday," Jack said. "They've invited us to a meeting with their board of directors, creative team, and comic writers. It's about their next slate of movie projects, and I need your input."
"Me?" Sandro asked, genuinely surprised. "Why me? I mean, I know I have talked about Marvel being a passion project and pushing you to acquire it, but I don't have the—"
Jack cut him off, his tone softening. "Because you're the one with the vision, Sandro. You're the reason I acquired Marvel in the first place. Your insights and ideas are what's driving this ship. They need to hear from you, and honestly, so do I to direct Marvel into a ship full of profit for us."
Sandro sat back, a wave of emotions washing over him. His relationship with his father had always been very close, but moments like this, when Jack showed genuine trust and respect for him, were always meaningful to him.
"Alright, Dad," Sandro said after a moment. "I'll be there. Friday, right?"
"Friday," Jack confirmed. "I'll send a car to pick you up when you arrive in New York. And Sandro thank you for agreeing with me, I knew that Friday is usually the FCW house show where you usually have a match or your rest day. This means a lot."
As the call ended, Sandro leaned back with a thoughtful expression.
"What was that about?" Nicole asked gently.
Sandro turned to her and April, a small smile playing on his lips. "Apparently, I'm going to Marvel headquarters in New York with my dad on Friday. He wants my input on their next movie projects."
April raised an eyebrow. "Marvel? Like, the Marvel that your father and your company had acquired? That's huge, Sandro!"
Nicole nodded. "You've always had an eye for storytelling in wrestling. They're lucky to have you involved."
Sandro smiled at the words of encouragement from April and Nicole, feeling their warmth and unwavering belief in him. Pulling them closer with a hand on each of their waists, he hugged them affectionately before kissing each on the cheek. For a moment, he let himself revel in the support and love that these two extraordinary women brought into his life.
But deep inside, he wrestled with thoughts that went beyond their understanding. Sandro knew that his insights and ideas weren't just born of natural talent or youthful brilliance they came from a different reality altogether.
This second chance at life, given to him by divine intervention, came with its own burdens. While his body was that of a teenager, his mind carried decades of wisdom and memories. Balancing the two often felt like walking a tightrope. He enjoyed the exuberance and spontaneity his youthful body brought, but it also made him acutely aware of how much he had to mask the depth of his true self.
Nevertheless, Sandro had learned to live in the moment. He wasn't about to squander this opportunity, whether it was in wrestling, his relationship, or the upcoming meeting with Marvel.
Several days passed, and Sandro found himself boarding a plane bound for New York City. The excitement brewing within him wasn't just about business but also the allure of the city itself.
New York, was a city that had symbolized ambition, power, and reinvention in both his past and current lives. Stepping off the plane at JFK Airport, Sandro felt an unfamiliar thrill coursing through him as he absorbed the buzz of one of the world's busiest cities.
Grabbing his carry-on luggage, Sandro made his way out of the terminal into the arrivals section. He scanned the crowd, searching for the escort his father had promised to send. People milled about, some reuniting with loved ones, others holding signs with names scrawled on them. As Sandro looked around, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
Glancing at the caller ID, he smirked. It was Jack. "Hey, Dad," Sandro said, answering the call as he continued to search the crowd.
"Sandro, just checking in. Have you landed at JFK?" Jack's voice was brisk, his usual mix of efficiency and warmth.
Sandro chuckled at the words he heard from his father. "If I'm answering your call, Dad, it means I've landed, doesn't it?"
Jack laughed on the other end, realizing the absurd words he had just said. "Fair point. Your escort should be right outside the arrivals terminal with a sign. You see him yet?"
"Not yet, but I'll find him, Dad. Don't worry," Sandro assured his father.
"Alright, once you're with them, they'll take you straight to the hotel. Freshen up, rest if you need to, and then we'll meet at Marvel HQ in the afternoon. This meeting is going to be huge, Sandro. I hope you're ready."
Sandro grinned. "Always, Dad. See you soon."
Ending the call, Sandro finally spotted a sharply dressed man holding a sign that read, Alessandro Zhang. He approached the man, who greeted him with a courteous nod and immediately led him to a sleek black car waiting just outside.
The car ride to the hotel was smooth, giving Sandro his first glimpse of New York City. Skyscrapers loomed overhead, and the energy of the city pulsed through every street and avenue.
That afternoon, Sandro found himself standing in front of a towering building emblazoned with the Marvel logo. The sight was surreal, even for someone with his unique perspective.
He knew what Marvel had accomplished in his past life, its groundbreaking cinematic universe and iconic storytelling with the financial power of Disney backing them. Now, standing on the cusp of influencing that trajectory, he felt a mix of excitement and responsibility.
Jack greeted him at the entrance alongside Jack's personal team of secretaries, assistants, and bodyguards, exuding his usual commanding presence. "You ready for this, Son?" he asked, clapping Sandro on the back.
Sandro nodded, a confident smirk on his face. "More than ready, Dad. Let's do this."
The two were led into a sprawling conference room filled with Marvel's top executives, creative minds, and comic writers. Sandro recognized some of them from behind-the-scenes interviews and articles he'd read in his past life, especially the great Stan Lee. The room buzzed with animated conversation that fell silent as Jack and Sandro entered.
Jack took the lead, introducing Sandro as not only his son but someone with a deep understanding of storytelling and creativity. "Sandro's insights have already proven invaluable in Nexum Core's other ventures, and it was also he who pushed for Nexum Core to acquire Marvel," Jack said, his voice steady. "I wanted him here today because I believe he can offer a fresh perspective on how we move Marvel forward."
There were mixed murmurs of approval and confusion, as everyone turned their attention to Sandro. Some approval because Sandro was the one who had pushed for Jack to acquire Marvel, saving Marvel from bankruptcy in the end.
At the same time, those who were confused felt that Jack was just boasting because Sandro was too young to understand things like this in their mind. Feeling the eyes on him, Sandro took a deep breath, channeling the confidence he exuded in wrestling promos in the meeting room.
"Thank you all for having me," Sandro began. "I won't pretend to have all the answers, but I do have a passion for storytelling, stories that connect with people on a deep level. And that's what Marvel has always done best in their comics and achieve success in your first movie, Iron Man ."
Sandro's confident opening and clear admiration for Marvel's legacy earned him immediate attention. For a moment, the room remained silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Even those who had initially doubted his presence at such a critical meeting found themselves reevaluating their stance. The young man standing before them exuded a calm yet commanding presence, as if he belonged there as much as anyone else in the room.
Among those in the room, Stan Lee's face lit up with curiosity. The legendary creator, who had seen countless individuals come and go in the entertainment industry, recognized something genuine in Sandro's demeanor. Stan could tell this wasn't just a carefully rehearsed speech or empty flattery—this was someone who cared about storytelling and understood its significance.
Sandro continued without hesitation, addressing the room like a seasoned professional. "Before we dive into specific ideas and projects, I think it's important to establish some ground rules moving forward—something my father and I are fully aligned on. These aren't restrictions but rather guiding principles to ensure that Marvel maintains its core identity while reaching even greater heights."
He paused for effect, meeting the eyes of the room. "First, every adaptation of a Marvel comic to the big screen must stay true to the original story. The heart and soul of Marvel lies in its comics. The characters, their struggles, and their triumphs have been meticulously crafted over decades, and it's imperative that we honor that legacy. Deviating from these core elements risks alienating the very fans who have kept Marvel alive through thick and thin."
A wave of murmurs swept through the room. Sandro's words resonated with some, while others—particularly the more ambitious and profit-driven executives—bristled at the implied constraints.
"Second," Sandro said, his voice firm, "casting decisions must reflect the characters as they are portrayed in the comics. This isn't about exclusion; it's about authenticity. The actors chosen to bring these characters to life must embody their essence. Whether it's their appearance, personality, or backstory, the audience needs to believe that they are watching the same heroes and villains they've come to love on the page."
He let that point settle before moving on. "Third, there will be no agendas—political, social, or otherwise—that compromise the integrity of the story. Marvel's strength lies in its ability to tackle complex issues within the framework of compelling narratives. Forcing an agenda that detracts from the story or alters it beyond recognition does a disservice to the characters, the fans, and the legacy of Marvel."
Sandro's words struck a nerve with several individuals in the room. A few executives, particularly those who had grown accustomed to creative freedom and pushing their own initiatives, began to shift uncomfortably. One of them, a senior executive seated near the center, leaned forward, his expression skeptical.
"With all due respect," the man said, his voice measured but firm, "Marvel has thrived because of its creative freedom. Restricting that freedom could stifle innovation and limit our ability to adapt to changing times. If we can't operate independently, how do you expect us to compete in such a dynamic industry?"
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Name: Alessandro Zhang
Age: 19 (2009)
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida USA
Brand: FCW
Wrestling Style: Mixed Of All Style
Faction: Dragon Boom (Tag Team)
Championship History: 1x FCW Tag Team Champions