The first part of the marketing strategy was a big success. It got people to talk about the movie. Now, whenever someone searched about the movie, the articles about the bet would also come up.
The most important thing was that people were talking about it.
Even at ground level, one would hear conversations of the bet when they would see a movie poster. Advanced bookings for the movie were increasing.
Now, the marketing team was sure that the movie would open up to 13-15 million dollars.
That was an excellent number for a R-rated movie.
Now, Aiden was trying to amp it up a bit more.
A lot of people were merely spectators in the controversy. Although they were placing bets themselves on whether the movie would cross that number or not, they weren't obliged to go to the theatres.
But it was changing bit by bit as more and more promos came out from the marketing team. A lot of press interviews also happened but surprisingly, Aiden was missing from them.
Ray Hardy and Zavier attended most of them. It was because the marketing team already knew that the reporters would just ask questions about the bet from Aiden.
Rather than answering them in a press interview that only a small number of people would watch, they decided for Aiden to appear on 'The Rory Chambers Show'.
It was a talk show that a lot of the American public used to watch and the clips of it on MeTube would get tens of millions of views. Aiden had appeared on it before and had even hosted a small comedy segment.
So, he was very familiar with the setup and the host, Rory Chambers, was pretty respectful and good to work with.
The interview was a big part of the second stage of the marketing plan.
"In the last few weeks, a lot has happened in America and around the world. From a prominent world leader accidentally shitting on his pants to the outrage about a black mermaid, there's a lot of cover but before all that, we have a very special guest today whose movie is releasing next month. He had been part of several hugely successful movies in the past three years. Let's welcome, Aiden Silvereye."
Rory Chambers, a brown haired man, said with his iconic smile and Aiden appeared amidst cheers from the audience who was attending the live show.
He shook hands with Rory and sat down on the seat before the interview began.
"So, Aiden, [The Black Saint], people are hugely excited to watch you return as Kai. What do you feel about it?"
"I'm happy that they like me so much as a psychopath." Aiden said, causing a few in the audience to chuckle. "It's the first time I'm going to act in a sequel, so it's a great thing to continue a character's story and reveal it more to the audience."
The first ten minutes of the interview was generally more informative talk about the movie, Aiden's way of playing Kai and how the idea for a sequel had been conceived.
It was a pretty interesting talk as Aiden explained his fears towards returning as Kai and how the character just sucked him in.
It was still a tad too informative for a talk show and soon, Rory moved towards the more juicy bit that every studio audience wanted to listen to.
The bet.
"So, I heard this very interesting piece of news recently."
"Which one?"
"About your bet with Arno Laurent. What's the whole deal about it? There's already conspiracy theories on the internet about how you made it to play a part in Arno's next blockbuster."
Aiden smiled hearing that.
"It would be great to work with him but I would rather not use those sorts of methods to get a role. The bet is as genuine as it could be."
"So, you really believe your movie will cross the mark of 500 million dollars. Genuinely, you believe that with utmost confidence?"
Rory squinted his eyes at him and Aiden didn't hesitate for a second before nodding his head.
"Yes, I do believe that. I understand that people think I'm overestimating myself but I'm very optimistic. It's on me if I lose but I doubt that."
A few people in the crowd whispered among themselves hearing that. Some sentences were heard by Aiden of the people who were sitting in the front row.
"He's a lunatic. I really need his confidence though."
"I thought it was a joke but it's really true."
"I don't think even superhero movies find it easy to earn that much money with all the inflation."
"He's very overconfident. The Internet is gonna chew him alive after the box office results come out."
These types of whispers were something that Aiden had expected. He just focused on the interview at hand.
"What are you going to do if you lose?"
"Do a movie with Arno." Aiden said. "He did like me as a villain during the private screening."
"Villains are the hardest to play though."
"They are but I think I could do a good job. I'm trying my best."
As soon as Aiden said that, a voice came from the crowd.
"You aren't a good villain!"
This time, it wasn't a whisper but a loud shout that everyone in the studio could hear. Both Aiden and Rory turned their heads to look at the man who had shouted that.
'Who is he?'
Aiden thought in his mind.
The man who had shouted looked young, barely in college. At the same time, Aiden recognised that he was wearing clothes from reputed brands.
He had gotten a good eye after sponsoring rich brands.
"Boy, that shout was from you, right?"
Rory asked and at the same time, he looked towards the producer of the talk show that was standing besides a couple other staff members.
The producer shook his head, meaning that he had no idea who the young man was.
It was a random person.
"Yeah, I said that. I feel like Aiden isn't someone who could play a good villain."
He shouted on the top of his lungs.
When he said that, everyone in the studio looked at him. A staff member handed him a mic as they felt like things were becoming good enough for them to continue.
If this didn't get out of hand, then they would have good footage of themselves. Extra TRP without doing anything was always welcome.
"Why do you think so?" Rory asked, tilting his head.
"He just isn't the type. I saw [Black Saints] and he was overdoing a lot in it. Just wasn't upto the mark with his acting. I think he should focus more on other teenage roles in rom coms as those are right for him."
A few people gasped in the audience.
The young man had basically insulted Aiden's acting skills and to add to that, he referenced teenage roles that mostly were considered easier roles that don't need too much acting chops.
A lot of rom com actors also were told that they can't do anything more than that because they are not talented enough.
'He's not using any cuss words and trying to keep it civil but he's just dissing me. Is someone recording it?'
Aiden took a long walk around in the audience but didn't find any camera flashes. He was pretty sure that the guy was either a hater or was doing it for a clout.
The latter was a more possible case.
After all, the internet made everyone think that they could also be famous but never taught them the right way.
Anyway, now that it was happening, Aiden had to do something. Suddenly, an idea came to his mind as he looked at the young man who was talking with Rory Chambers.
"You don't think that I'm a good villain, right? Or a good actor?"
Aiden asked, looking the young man straight in the eye.
"Yes." The young man said without batting an eye.
"What's your name?"
"Thomas."
"So, Thomas, how about I try to prove to you that I'm a good enough actor to play a villain. Why don't you come on the stage?"
Thomas hesitated a bit when he heard that. He was expecting Aiden to say something rude or be angry at his comments but that hadn't happened.
Instead, he looked calm.
'He won't try to punch me or something right? No, that's better.'
Thomas said as he walked on the stage. Rory looked at Aiden as if asking what he was planning but Aiden just gave back a blank stare.
"I'm here."
"Yeah, sit down." Aiden gestured towards a seat. "There's not a lot of ways for me to prove that I'm a good actor as you probably already watched my movies. So, why don't I act out a scene from [The Black Saint] right here. Everyone can judge for themselves like that."
Aiden said and Thomas nodded after thinking for a bit.
In his mind, Aiden felt like it was the best place to use his new skill.
'Domination.'
