Chapter 1569: Take a Dive?

"Scarlett, I'm sorry, but I don't think you're right for the role of Pepper Potts."

Zhao Fusheng looked at Scarlett Johansson and said bluntly.

Although he really wanted to help her, in Zhao Fusheng's view, if Scarlett Johansson played Pepper Potts, wouldn't that mean Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow, would have to be recast? That wouldn't do!

Marvel movies might not be classics, only standouts among commercial films, but the Black Widow was definitely a classic character. Zhao Fusheng didn't want to ruin that beauty because of himself.

"This..."

Scarlett Johansson looked at Zhao Fusheng, trying to find some reason on his face, but unfortunately, Zhao Fusheng gave her no information.

Sighing inwardly, Scarlett Johansson looked at Zhao Fusheng: "Respected Zhao, may I speak with you alone?"

Speak alone?

Looking at Scarlett Johansson, who was dressed in a low-cut blouse and looked sexy and alluring, Zhao Fusheng frowned.

He wasn't stupid. Earlier, when Scarlett Johansson had asked to meet him without her agent, he had found it a bit odd, which was why he had Wu Sijie stay by his side.

Now she was asking to speak with him alone. If Zhao Fusheng still didn't understand what was going on, he would be too foolish.

Blinking, Zhao Fusheng sighed silently to himself.

To be honest, he was a normal man. Having a seductress like her offer herself was undoubtedly a very proud thing for a man.

But his precious daughter had just had her full-month celebration not long ago. Zhao Fusheng didn't want to do anything to betray Fan Baobao.

With that in mind, Zhao Fusheng smiled and gently shook his head: "Scarlett, you might have misunderstood something."

Scarlett Johansson was taken aback, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

She didn't believe that this Easterner hadn't understood what she had just meant. After all, they were both adults; some things could be expressed with just a look.

Her previous sentence had basically been a hint to him.

But Zhao Fusheng said she had misunderstood something. What did he mean?

Was he humiliating her?

With that thought, Scarlett Johansson's face immediately reddened.

After all, she was a woman. Even if she offered herself to get a role, she still had a sense of shame.

Although Westerners took this lightly, they valued face even more.

Seeing Scarlett Johansson's expression turn sour, Zhao Fusheng knew she was overthinking. He smiled and explained: "To be honest, don't you think that role isn't suitable for you?"

"What do you mean?"

Scarlett Johansson looked at Zhao Fusheng, confused.

Zhao Fusheng shrugged: "Pepper Potts is Tony Stark's lover. Do you think you and Robert Downey Jr. look good together?"

Ah?

Scarlett Johansson was stunned by this, then fell silent.

She naturally knew that the male lead for Iron Man had been confirmed as Robert Downey Jr. Now that Zhao Fusheng brought it up, she realized that she and Robert Downey Jr. really didn't match.

"Pepper Potts is supposed to be sharp and capable, and also tall..." Zhao Fusheng glanced at Scarlett Johansson lightly, shrugged, and didn't continue.

But Scarlett Johansson already understood his meaning.

Height was a fatal flaw!

Despite her impressive chest, Scarlett Johansson had to admit that she was indeed a bit short, not meeting the requirements of a tall, sexy blonde.

That was why she had come to Zhao Fusheng. Because Scarlett Johansson knew very well that compared to the others, she had no advantage.

According to what she knew, her competitors for the role of Pepper Potts included Angelina Jolie. If she didn't use underhanded tactics, she couldn't win against them.

"Zhao, I..."

Scarlett Johansson opened her mouth to say something, but Zhao Fusheng didn't give her the chance. He waved his hand and said: "Personally, I think you really aren't suitable for the role of Pepper Potts."

Pausing, he smiled: "Do you know the Black Widow, Scarlett?"

"Black Widow?"

Scarlett Johansson was startled, looking at Zhao Fusheng in surprise.

She had read Marvel comics and naturally knew who the Black Widow was, but what did that have to do with Iron Man?

"Scarlett, I think you have a similar temperament to the Black Widow. If you're willing, I hope we can collaborate in the future." Zhao Fusheng said to Scarlett Johansson with a smile.

Scarlett Johansson was completely stunned.

She never expected Zhao Fusheng to tell her that he hoped she would play the Black Widow.

In other words, he was thinking ahead!

"I can only say this much." Zhao Fusheng smiled at Scarlett Johansson and said lightly: "I can guarantee that when Marvel films Iron Man 2, you will be the only choice."

Scarlett Johansson looked at Zhao Fusheng. She found that when he said these words, his attitude was very sincere. It wasn't a joke; he truly meant it.

Strange, was he so sure she would agree?

Or rather, he seemed to believe that she was the best choice for the Black Widow.

"Zhao, can I take this as a promise?"

After a long while, Scarlett Johansson looked at Zhao Fusheng and asked seriously.

Zhao Fusheng nodded calmly: "Of course, you can take this as my promise."

After all, in the original timeline, Scarlett Johansson was definitely going to play the Black Widow. Zhao Fusheng was happy to do her a favor.

"Alright."

Scarlett Johansson nodded and stood up: "Thank you very much for your regard."

Since things had come to this, the other party's attitude was very clear. Even if she went all out, it would be meaningless. So be it.

After Wu Sijie saw Scarlett Johansson out, Zhao Fusheng stood by the window and suddenly laughed.

"Boss, she just now seemed..."

Returning after seeing her off, Wu Sijie stood behind Zhao Fusheng, hesitating.

Zhao Fusheng laughed and waved his hand: "Don't worry about that. She's not having an easy time either."

He understood Wu Sijie's meaning. Since Scarlett Johansson had tried to offer herself to him, what if she approached Kevin Feige and Shawn Levy? That could affect Zhao Fusheng's plans.

But Zhao Fusheng believed that Sister Widow wasn't that casual, and the two Feiges weren't that foolish.

Iron Man was Marvel's hope for a comeback. No role would be given away lightly.

The female lead was especially important. If they didn't find an actress of comparable status, it absolutely wouldn't work.

"Okay."

Wu Sijie nodded and said nothing more.

As an assistant, he had merely raised his doubts. Since the boss didn't adopt his suggestion, it meant his task was done, and no further words were needed.

...

...

The matter with Scarlett Johansson did not affect Zhao Fusheng's plans. He didn't intend to interfere too much in the first Iron Man film.

Leaving Wu Sijie in the US to act as a liaison between Ye Jing and Kevin Feige, Zhao Fusheng himself, along with Hu Donghai and others, flew back to China.

With the New Year approaching, Zhao Fusheng didn't want to spend the Spring Festival in America. He preferred to spend it with his family.

"Why are you back?"

Fan Baobao looked at Zhao Fusheng in surprise: "Didn't you say there were still some things to deal with over there?"

Zhao Fusheng nodded: "Mostly done. Wu Sijie is staying there as a liaison. If anything comes up, he'll call me."

"Alright."

Fan Baobao nodded.

"By the way, how are we spending the New Year? Are we going back?" Zhao Fusheng said to Fan Baobao.

Fan Baobao thought for a moment and said to Zhao Fusheng: "Call Dad and ask him to come over. Our daughter is too young for a long trip."

Zhao Fusheng smiled: "Okay, I'll call right away."

He didn't want his wife and daughter to go through the trouble either. The Spring Festival travel rush was the busiest time in all of China. Even with bodyguards, Zhao Fusheng was still uneasy.