Chapter 275: Doubts

Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Doubts

After that, other stars arrived one after another to show their support.

In the media area, the lenses of journalists from various countries were aimed at the red carpet, and the sound of shutters rose and fell one after another.

Marion from Chicago Reports, holding a camera, watched Tom Hanks walk calmly across the red carpet in a dark suit and couldn’t help but sigh to the colleagues beside him:

"This scale is considered top-tier in Hollywood. To be able to get so many big names to stand for her, Irene Coppola’s connections and influence are indeed not to be underestimated."

Gary, an entertainment reporter for the Los Angeles Times, said:

"Behind the grandeur is real money. According to our company’s professionals, Disney spent no less than $2 million on this premiere alone. As of last week, the global promotional investment for this film has reached nearly $60 million. You have to realize the production cost of the movie itself was only $140 million. Adding the two together, the total cost has already exceeded $200 million."

"$200 million?" Marion couldn’t help but click his tongue. "This is simply a massive gamble."

Carmen from The Hollywood Reporter, hearing this, let out a cold laugh:

"They really have some courage to smash so much money on a pirate movie. Have they forgotten the disaster of Cutthroat Island? Back then, it invested nearly $100 million, and the final box office was only a little over $10 million, directly bankrupting the production company. If this film follows in those footsteps, Irene Coppola might have to quit the industry and apologize to appease the investors’ fury."

Marion turned to look at Carmen: "You’re that pessimistic about Irene Coppola? Her previous films like Legally Blonde and My Big Fat Greek Wedding were both hits that made big gains from small investments; her eye has always been very accurate."

"As you said, those were all small-budget movies. I admit she does have a talent for market control, otherwise she wouldn’t frequently pick up niche subjects," Carmen curled her lip dismissively.

"But the pirate theme has long been proven by the market to be a dead end. The audience is narrow, the scenes are complex, and plus Johnny Depp’s crazy performance—who’s going to buy it? And they weren’t thinking straight choosing this time slot; there’s a new 007 movie coming out next week. It’s a death slot. I bet its first-week box office will be $20 million at most, and the final global box office will be $100 million at best."

Mentioning the painful lesson of Cutthroat Island, the reporters present all fell into silence.

The failure of that movie back then was too absolute; it remains a negative textbook example in the Hollywood investment world to this day, and it also makes everyone naturally wary of the pirate theme.

Moreover, Carmen had a point. The 007 movie being released next week would surely crush this film, and the prospects for Pirates of the Caribbean were truly worrying.

Just then, a sudden burst of even more intense cheering erupted from outside, interrupting the discussion in the media area.

Everyone quickly looked up and saw Henry Cavill in a white suit, standing tall like a pine tree, leading Keira Knightley by the hand onto the red carpet. Keira was in a pale blue gauze dress with a trailing hem. The two were a handsome man and a beautiful woman, looking like a couple out of a fairy tale, instantly attracting the spotlight of all cameras.

"It’s Henry and Keira!" Gary immediately raised his camera and pressed the shutter repeatedly. "They play a couple in the movie, and their interactions in reality have always been very ambiguous. Maybe they’ve been together for a long time."

The two stopped in front of the media area, posing cooperatively in various stances with decent smiles on their faces.

After the photo session ended, the reporters immediately swarmed them, microphones almost reaching their mouths.

"Keira! Henry! May I ask if you’ve really developed feelings for each other during filming?" a reporter from Us Weekly was the first to ask, her tone urgent. "The studio has been hyping your chemistry, and your private interactions are very close. Can you respond to your relationship status?"

This question was exactly what the media wanted, and everyone held their breath waiting for the answer.

Henry Cavill, hearing this, gave Keira a gentle look and handed the right to answer to her, a doting smile on his lips: "I’ll let Keira answer that; after all, a girl’s thoughts are more delicate."

Keira took the microphone, her smile shy but composed: "Thank you all for your concern. Henry and I did indeed establish a very deep friendship during filming. He is a very gentlemanly and professional actor, and working with him was a great pleasure."

She paused, looking at the camera with sincere eyes: "At this stage, we are still very good friends. I hope everyone can focus more on the movie itself. Pirates of the Caribbean is a very wonderful work. The adventure story and the charm of the characters inside are all worth everyone going to the cinema to support."

These words neither directly denied nor explicitly admitted anything, leaving enough room for imagination. It perfectly aligned with the response strategy they had discussed beforehand, satisfying the media’s curiosity for gossip without over-consuming the work’s hype.

The reporters were clearly not satisfied and continued to press: "Then is there a possibility of becoming lovers in the future?"

Keira smiled and shrugged, her tone playful: "No one can say for sure when it comes to feelings. Just let nature take its course. Right now, the most important thing is the release of the movie. I hope everyone can support our work."

Seeing that the two were unwilling to talk more about their relationship, the reporters had to change direction.

Gary immediately seized the opportunity to ask: "Henry, Keira, are you confident in the box office of this movie? There are many doubting voices outside right now, believing that the pirate theme is hard to succeed."

Henry Cavill stopped smiling, his tone firm: "I am very confident. During the filming process, I saw the dedication of the entire team with my own eyes and felt the charm of this story. It’s not a pirate movie in the traditional sense. It has adventure, love, friendship, and the unique character of Captain Jack Sparrow. I believe the audience will be moved by it."

Keira echoed: "Yes, I was very shocked after watching the first cut. The visuals, soundtrack, and plot of this movie are all top-tier, especially Johnny Depp’s performance; he simply brought Captain Jack to life. I believe as long as people walk into the theater, they will find that it’s different from all previous pirate movies and will bring a brand-new viewing experience."

Their answers were confident and appropriate, both responding to the doubts and skillfully praising Irene and the film, leaving the reporters no room for rebuttal.

After the interview ended, Henry took Keira’s hand and walked towards the lounge, followed by the continuous sound of shutters and cheers.

In the media area, Carmen looked at their departing figures, her face still sour, but she didn’t say anything mocking again.

Gary put away his camera and said thoughtfully, "Seeing how confident they are, maybe this film really will have surprises?"

Marion didn’t speak. A thought suddenly popped into his mind: Perhaps, Irene Coppola really could create a miracle this time and let the pirate theme flourish again in Hollywood.

At this moment, Irene was feeling the gaze of countless eyes behind her—expectant, doubting, and jealous.

But there was no hesitation in her heart because she knew that the legend of Pirates of the Caribbean had only just begun.

The total cost of $200 million seemed like a massive gamble, but for the upcoming box office craze, it was just a negligible prelude.