Entertainment: Starting as a Succubus, Taking Hollywood by Storm

The theater erupted in applause.

Clearly, The Avengers wouldn't be Martin's Waterloo.

"We can start phase two," Stan Lee whispered to Avi Arad with a smile.

…

The Avengers swept North America like a hurricane. This popcorn blockbuster showcased extraordinary box-office pull.

By the end of its opening day, it grossed $80.517 million in North America, becoming the highest opening-day superhero film in history, Reviews poured in:

"The Avengers blends heartfelt emotion, humor, and surprises. Beyond a standard comic-book blockbuster, it's infused with the director's unique touch, making everything near perfection." —San Francisco Chronicle

"The Avengers' most incredible feat is making superhero films feel fresh again—a remarkable achievement." —New York Daily News

"The film captures the passion of comic fans while showcasing the director's deep understanding of the genre." —Arizona Republic

"It has everything and more. One ticket gets you six superheroes, exactly as I imagined Marvel's icons uniting. It's a Transformers with brains, heart, and sharp humor." —Rolling Stone

"This $220 million beast of a film is so vibrant, its complex plot makes the nearly two-and-a-half-hour runtime fly by." —Los Angeles Times

"The Avengers assemble, and most of the time, they gel brilliantly. Heroism and humor blend perfectly, preserving each hero's unique traits while elevating the film's overall quality." —Empire Magazine

"It satisfies nearly every superhero fan's demand. With self-deprecating humor, these adults in quirky costumes feel authentic." —Washington Post

"Martin gives every character room to shine, even with uneven screen time, ensuring audience satisfaction. A brilliant approach." —USA Today

In Martin's office, Drew Barrymore gleefully set down a newspaper. "Wow, praise like a tidal wave. Sweetheart, you've launched Marvel to new heights."

Martin chuckled. "Come on, read the bad reviews too."

Drew raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You love the criticism."

"Just want to hear different voices."

"Fine, I'll read." She cleared her throat.

"Whenever the film nears deeper themes, Martin undercuts it with a joke, his eagerness to please audiences ruining the bigger picture." —Entertainment Weekly

"The film's final 30 minutes are a home run, leveraging IMAX 3D action, but so does Transformers." —Miami Herald

"The Avengers starts slowly, with only one standout performance amid lackluster stars, plus unapologetic CGI spectacle, from Transformers-style chaos to alien objects cluttering Manhattan's skies." —Wall Street Journal

"The light, chuckle-worthy gags can't mask the film's noise and emptiness—not a flaw but a hallmark of the genre." —New York Times

Beyond mainstream media, online reviews were a flood of praise and criticism, fueling The Avengers' buzz.

Over the opening weekend, it grossed a staggering $207.4 million, shattering superhero film records and nearly matching Avatar's historic haul.

"Three tickets for The Avengers."

"Five for The Avengers, thanks."

"Four Avengers tickets."

Theaters saw endless lines, almost all for The Avengers. "Add more screens, we need more screens!" executives at major chains shouted.

Competing films suffered, relegated to non-prime slots and smaller theaters.

Will Smith called Martin, congratulating him but grumbling that The Avengers was "sucking the box office dry." His Men in Black 3 was coming, and he wasn't sure how it'd fare. "You owe me, man. You better show up to my premiere."

On May 25, Martin attended the Men in Black 3 premiere with Jennifer Lawrence. With The Hunger Games nearing release, Jennifer's exposure was skyrocketing, already earning her fans. Red-carpet crowds waved Hunger Games posters, chanting her name.

Jennifer, buzzing with excitement, told Martin, "I love this feeling!"

"Stay calm, keep smiling, but don't grin too wide—mind your image, honey," Martin teased.

She quickly toned down her grin.

…

Milan, Italy, suburbs.

In a luxurious villa, Vanessa Hessler wept.

Mutassim's death devastated his girlfriend. Everything she had—this villa included—came from him. Though his death didn't take it away, Vanessa wasn't ungrateful; she genuinely loved him.

Worse, she sensed ill-intentioned people lurking lately, unsure if it was paranoia. Mutassim's brash personality had made enemies who, unable to touch him, might now target her to vent their grudges.