If Ethan's previous status in Hollywood was that of a rising star, then after Inception was released, he became an undeniably recognized director within the industry.
Because after just one month in theaters, Inception officially surpassed the $1 billion mark.
With a North American box office of $380 million and an international box office of $620 million, the total hit precisely $1 billion. And this film was certainly not going to be pulled after only one month. In some regions, it could remain in theaters for around two months.
Even in North America, theater chains wouldn't immediately take it off the screens. By reducing the number of showings, they could continue to absorb residual box office revenue.
But for Ethan and his team, the real profits now lay in home media sales. They had prepared an extensive set of behind-the-scenes documentaries, along with interviews featuring the actors, director, and crew.
Ethan even personally created a director's cut, incorporating deleted scenes from the theatrical version as well as various small details he found interesting.
With a total runtime of over three hours, it was more than enough for movie fans to fully immerse themselves in one go.
However, before the Blu-ray release, Ethan had to first address a question that had been on every fan's mind since the movie's release.
"Ethan, at the end of the movie, did the spinning top stop or not?" The host suddenly asked him while they were recording a TV program.
The audience in the studio immediately focused their attention on Ethan.
"Uh..." Ethan shrugged. "Whether it stops or not depends on what you think. Film as an art form is inherently ambiguous, so I won't give a definitive answer—because that would make the movie far less interesting, wouldn't it?"
"I believe that once a work of art is created, its interpretation belongs to the audience. Any perspective is valid—there is no right or wrong. It just depends on what you want to believe."
Upon hearing this answer, the audience erupted into applause.
In fact, at this very moment, major forums, Hollywood media outlets, and even some serious newspapers were all discussing Inception.
They were captivated by the movie's intricate details and were obsessed with unraveling its enigmatic ending.
"Analyzing Four Key Details: Did Cobb and His Team Return to Reality or Stay in the Dream?"
"99% of Viewers Missed This—Cobb's Real Totem Revealed!"
"Over Twenty Clues That Prove Cobb Did Not Return to Reality!"
"Watched Three Times to Finally Understand—This Year's Most Mind-Blowing Film!"
"Debunking the Dream Theory—The Spinning Top Tilted at the End, So Cobb Must Be in Reality!"
Interpretations and discussions flooded every movie forum, and audiences passionately shared their perspectives.
For instance, Milon posted his own analysis, arguing that Cobb had undoubtedly returned to reality.
"First of all, I compared the spinning top at the end of the film with how it spun in the dream sequences. The angle of deviation and the increasing noise in the final scene suggest that the top was bound to fall, making this a key piece of evidence supporting the real-world theory."
"Moreover, Cobb's totem was never explicitly shown in the movie, but a keen-eyed viewer who watched the film three times noticed that his totem was actually his wedding ring. In the real world, Cobb never wore his ring, but in the dream world, he always did."
"This proves that the ring was his true totem, and the spinning top belonged to Mal. After Mal's death, Cobb adopted it as his own totem."
"So when Cobb passed through customs, he wasn't wearing his wedding ring, which confirms that he was in reality. The only reason people think he was still in a dream is that the film omitted the scene showing how they escaped the dream layers."
Though Milon's argument was compelling, other users quickly countered from different angles.
"First of all, while the top in the final scene wobbled slightly, that doesn't necessarily mean it would fall. I tested this with a small top at home—it can be influenced by various factors. It might have been the wind making it tilt, but that doesn't mean it would actually topple."
"Additionally, there are many pieces of evidence supporting the idea that he was still in a dream. The most striking clue is how dreamlike the final sequence feels. Everything plays out too perfectly—Cobb's return home is as smooth as tossing trash into a bin."
"Furthermore, let's talk about the first dream layer. I rewatched the film twice, and after the team returns to the first level, the movie never shows them actually waking up. There are no shots of them escaping that layer. This suggests they were still trapped in the first dream level, and Cobb waking up was merely another layer within it."
Milon and other netizens fiercely debated whether Cobb was in a dream or reality, and even when he went out shopping with Judy, he was still pondering how to counter the dream theorists' arguments.
He wasn't the only one caught up in this discussion. Fans all over the world were analyzing whether Cobb was still dreaming or had returned to reality.
This ongoing debate only fueled the movie's popularity, overshadowing other films that were released around the same time.
Even their box office revenues suffered due to Inception's overwhelming presence.
Then, when Norton's Eye announced that the Blu-ray release would include a director's cut, the anticipation reached an all-time high. Every movie fan eagerly awaited the home media release.
Meanwhile, Ethan wasn't just sitting around.
Apart from spending time with Anne Hathaway and Jessica Alba, he also completed an acquisition.
This was something he had been asking Carl to track for some time—a small animation studio that had been established earlier that year. They had been working tirelessly on their first feature-length animated film, but as production progressed, they found themselves facing budget shortfalls and cash flow issues.
Without an investor, they would have had to shut down and work out of a garage.
So when Carl approached them, it was nothing short of a financial lifeline. In the end, Norton's Eye acquired a 35% stake in the animation studio for $25 million, officially making it a subsidiary.
And the name of that studio? Illumination Entertainment.
Their first feature-length animation was called Despicable Me.
Some people might not recognize that title, but almost everyone would recognize its wildly successful spinoff—because its characters became a global phenomenon.
The Minions.
This animated franchise would skyrocket in value, turning the Minions into one of the most lucrative IPs in the world. For Ethan, it was also a way to expand Norton's Eye into a genre they hadn't yet explored.
Family films.
At the end of the day, the most profitable movies were always family-friendly films.
Just like Inception.
After securing this deal, Ethan personally took Carl to visit a female author.
Stephanie Meyer.
Her name might not be instantly recognizable, but her work was.
Twilight.
Published in 2005, it had been a massive bestseller.
Many film studios had approached her about acquiring the rights, but in the end, she chose Norton's Eye.
Because she had read Fifty Shades of Grey and loved its love story.
To help close the deal, Ethan even brought his mother, Carmela, to discuss the adaptation with Meyer.
After securing the rights, Norton's Eye didn't immediately announce it.
Instead, they first went public.
This was a long-planned move. For the company to grow, they needed more capital.
Filmmaking wasn't like online gaming, where a single title could generate revenue for years—even decades.
A movie typically had only a few months to make money. After that, the profits became relatively limited.
Unless streaming platforms were immediately available, they wouldn't have a steady stream of revenue.
But at this point in time, the best way to secure financial stability and climb to Hollywood's higher echelons was through an IPO.
Thankfully, Ethan had been preparing for this for a long time. Black Umbrella Consulting had planned everything in advance.
So, riding on Inception's momentum, Norton's Eye's stock market debut went smoothly.
And the investment market responded with soaring stock prices, reflecting their immense confidence in Norton's Eye.
After the IPO, Ethan unveiled Norton's Eye's new plan.
He called it the "24 Plan."
"Within the next two years, we will release the following films."
Norton's Eye – Twilight – Directed by Ethan – Vampire Romance.
Norton's Eye – The Conjuring – Directed by James Wan – Horror/Thriller.
Norton's Eye – Saw III – Directed by James Wan – Psychological Thriller.
"Illumination Entertainment, Despicable Me, directed by Chris Renaud and Pierre Coffin. A family-friendly animated film."
"In four years, we will produce a massive commercial blockbuster, utilizing brand-new 3D technology. Currently untitled."
"There will also be a commercial superhero film, tentatively titled Lucy, with Scarlett already confirmed as the lead."
"Meanwhile, a new sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey is also in progress, expected to be released within four years."
"In addition, we are launching a brand-new series, a gunfight action film titled John Wick."
"We will respond to everyone's expectations with even better films. Thank you all for your support."
After this announcement, Norton Eye's stock price surged. The sequels to Saw and Fifty Shades of Grey alone were enough to generate anticipation from moviegoers, ensuring box office success.
Furthermore, the adaptation of Twilight, a highly popular IP, drew significant attention. With Ethan personally directing, there was virtually no risk of financial loss—only the uncertainty of how much profit it would make.
Thus, while the other films might not yet be well-known, for Norton Eye, a newly listed company, pushing forward so many projects simultaneously was a testament to its considerable strength.
After Ethan's announcement, Paula Wagner of United Artists also unveiled the studio's release schedule, prominently featuring several of Ethan's films.
This news slightly improved investor confidence in United Artists, and banks started viewing the company more favorably.
When Inception: The Empty Mirror released its Blu-ray edition, Ethan stopped accepting invitations for variety shows and TV programs.
However, there was one media interview he did not turn down.
Time magazine reached out to Ethan, requesting to feature him on their cover.
Naturally, Ethan did not refuse the offer.
"What do I need to prepare?" he asked over the phone.
"No preparation needed. Just wear your favorite outfit."
"My favorite?"
Ethan ultimately chose a black trench coat. It was his most frequently worn outfit, whether on set or in daily life. He disliked the restrictive feeling of suits and preferred the freedom of movement.
When he arrived at the studio, the Time magazine photographer was already set up and ready.
In fact, portraits for magazines like Time were often shot in black and white rather than color.
Many photographers believed black-and-white images had a more classic and sophisticated feel compared to color.
Digital color, digital black-and-white, film color, film black-and-white—this was the hierarchy of prestige in photography, from the lowest to the highest.
Thus, Ethan's photoshoot was done using film.
The photographer chose an interesting pose for Ethan—having him gaze at the sky with a look of curiosity while capturing a close-up shot of his face.
They experimented with various angles, and once the photos were developed, the studio sent Ethan a sample for review.
"Very cool," Ethan praised someone else's photography for the first time.
He liked the photo. It looked natural, as if he were a curious child.
"Thanks for the compliment," the photographer replied briefly over the phone.
Not long after, Ethan's face appeared on the cover of Time magazine.
Accompanying it was an in-depth interview.
"Honey, you look so handsome," Jessica said, lying in bed with a smile.
Her belly was now fully swollen, firm to the touch, a sign that labor was near.
Ethan had been by her side constantly in recent days. Of course, he was also spending time with Anne Hathaway.
However, Anne seemed emotionally unstable since getting pregnant, becoming increasingly hysterical.
In contrast, Jessica remained calm, with little negativity, and was eagerly anticipating the baby's arrival.
Camila often came over to take care of both Jessica and Anne Hathaway.
As for Camila's opinion on Ethan's actions, she didn't say much. Or rather, the situation was already set in stone—bringing it up again would be pointless.
There was still no news from Avril, though Ethan kept tabs on her. He knew she was doing fine—performing during the day and writing songs at night, as if channeling all her resentment toward him into her lyrics.
Meanwhile, Kaiden and Cindy's careers were steadily progressing. Both had appeared in multiple films recently.
However, compared to Cindy, Kaiden had a more limited acting range—her figure was simply too striking.
As a result, she leaned more toward a modeling career.
On the other hand, Taylor Swift was busy planning her new album. She poured her heart into it, hoping for high sales and aiming for the Grammys, determined to make Ethan acknowledge her.
Everyone was busy, which saved Ethan quite a bit of effort.
Taking advantage of this time, Ethan wrote several screenplays.
For example, Lucy and The Hangover.
He systematically wrote down outlines of the films he remembered. Even if he didn't direct them himself, it was always beneficial to secure the copyrights in advance.
After handling these tasks, time quickly approached the eve of the Oscars.
Coincidentally, it was also the eve of Jessica's due date.
Ethan sat in the hospital corridor, waiting for news from the delivery room.
Tom, Carl, and Jimmy sat beside him.
"Hey, buddy, relax, it's going to be fine," Jimmy shrugged and patted Ethan on the shoulder. "I was nervous when I became a dad too, but Liliana came out so fast—ten minutes, and she was here. I barely had time to react."
Jimmy had been an accidental father. He hadn't planned on having a child, but a broken condom led to an unexpected pregnancy.
Since then, he had obsessively researched parenting, consulting every experienced father and mother in the company to understand how hard raising a kid really was.
"You're great at comforting people," Ethan managed a weak smile and lightly punched Jimmy's shoulder.
"I wasn't that nervous when I became a dad," Carl said, sitting across from them. "Because I was away on a work trip, managing a small-time singer on tour."
"And?" Jimmy raised an eyebrow.
"I found out over the phone that my wife had given birth to twins," Carl said, finally revealing a proud grin.
"FXXK YOU! Damn it, show-off!" Jimmy cursed in mock annoyance.
"Haha, I know you're jealous," Carl grinned mischievously, making everyone laugh.
"So, did the doctor say if it's a boy or a girl?" Carl asked.
"A girl," Ethan replied.
"Good, as long as it's not a boy. Little boys are too mischievous. Mine runs around spraying everyone with water guns every day."
"I agree—girls are better," Jimmy, also a father to a son, chimed in. "My wife got kicked and bitten while breastfeeding… SHXT. When he grows up, I'm definitely going to discipline him."
"Hahaha, better do it while he's young—before he grows up and starts disciplining you," Carl teased.
"Screw you, Carl! You jinxing bastard!"
"Hahaha!"
Ethan and Tom watched Jimmy and Carl bicker and couldn't help but laugh.
Just then, the door suddenly opened, and the doctor walked out.
"How is it?" Ethan immediately stood up and asked.
"Congratulations, it's a healthy baby girl," the doctor removed his mask as the nurse wheeled out an incubator.
Ethan quickly approached. The newborn was tiny, reddish, wrinkled, and hairless—like a little creature.
Seeing her delicate hands and tiny mouth opening and closing, Ethan instantly felt an inexplicable connection binding them together.
"She's beautiful."
"You sure you can tell if a newborn is pretty?" Tom quipped.
"Of course!" Ethan laughed, placing his hand on the incubator's glass. "I'm sure she'll grow into a beautiful young lady."
"You and Jessica have great genes—I doubt you'd be wrong," Carl said before glancing at Jimmy. "Can't say the same for you, though."
"Get lost!"
After the baby was taken away, Ethan went to see Jessica.
Her face was pale—almost whiter than her clothes. But when she saw Ethan, she squeezed his hand tightly.
"Is she pretty?" Jessica asked eagerly.
"Of course, absolutely beautiful," Ethan described their daughter in detail.
"Really? The doctor said it's too early to tell."
"Trust me, I have an eye for these things."
"Alright then."
For the next few days, Ethan stayed by Jessica's side.
But his mind was also on Anne Hathaway—her emotions had become increasingly erratic, almost like postpartum depression.
In his past life, he never heard of her having such an issue. It seemed his presence had caused unintended ripples.
He tried to take care of Anne, but she rejected his help. She insisted on raising the child alone, refusing assistance from anyone else.
At this stage, Ethan had no choice but to hire enough nannies and security personnel, entrusting Camila to watch over Anne.
At least Anne wasn't as resistant to Camila's presence.
Meanwhile, the Oscars were finally about to take place.
This year, Ethan's two films carried high expectations:
First, No Country for Old Men, which had won the Golden Bear at Berlin.
Second, Inception, which magazines hailed as the most artistic sci-fi film of the year.
Both had strong chances of being nominated for Best Picture and Best Director.
Naturally, people eagerly awaited Ethan's potential victory.
However, The Hollywood Reporter was less optimistic in its predictions.
"No Country for Old Men subverts traditional storytelling structures, but its radical narrative might be too much for Oscar voters to accept."
"Inception, while thrilling and suspenseful, is ultimately just an exceptional commercial film. It lacks the artistic depth and thematic weight needed to win major awards."
"And Ethan's age remains a significant barrier. The Oscars are something many directors wait decades to receive."
"Those expecting Ethan to take Best Picture or Best Director will likely be disappointed."
"The most probable outcome is two nominations, with No Country for Old Men having a slim chance of winning Best Picture."
This analysis quickly gained widespread support—most agreed Ethan needed more years before winning such prestigious awards.
What they didn't know was how much Ethan's company, Bernay PR, had spent lobbying Oscar voters.
That amount could easily fund another No Country for Old Men.
Thus, when Scarlett Johansson walked the red carpet, holding Ethan's arm, his calm expression concealed an inner storm of emotions.
....
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