Paul Levitz was not pleased.
He stood in Gregory Noveck's office with his hands clasped behind his back, staring at a production schedule pinned to the corkboard. The latest animated Green Lantern proposal lay open on the desk between them.
"It's too much," Paul said, voice controlled but firm. "We're barely stabilizing quarterly losses. Animation is the only arm keeping us respectable. We can't gamble with experiments and expanded budgets."
Gregory leaned back in his chair, unfazed. "We can't keep repeating the same formula either. Marvel's ahead in comic sales. If we don't evolve creatively, we'll become irrelevant."
Paul shook his head. "There's evolving, and then there's reckless."
Gregory was about to respond when something outside his office window caught his attention. He stepped closer to the glass and frowned.
"What is it?" Paul asked.
Gregory didn't answer immediately. Instead, he watched as Harry Jackson crossed the courtyard toward the main conference hall. James walked beside him. A third man followed a step behind.
Paul moved beside Gregory and saw the same thing.
"He didn't schedule anything," Paul muttered.
Dan Didio appeared moments later, having sensed movement in the corridor. "Why do you both look like someone's about to announce layoffs?"
Gregory pointed subtly toward the courtyard.
Dan raised an eyebrow. "Unannounced?"
Paul exhaled. "Let's go."
By the time they entered the conference room, James was already laying out printed documents at each seat. Harry stood at the head of the table, hands resting lightly against the back of a chair.
"Gentlemen," Harry said, nodding once. "Thank you for coming on short notice."
Paul took his seat and picked up the folder. The title on the front page made him pause.
DC Cinematic Universe — DCCU
Dan flipped open his copy first. "Cinematic universe?" he asked. "You're going to have to explain that."
Harry took his seat calmly.
"It means interconnected films," he said. "Shared continuity. Characters appearing across multiple movies. One consistent timeline."
Greg was the first to ask, "Like everything in same city or country, or planet?"
Harry smiled, "Yes. And it also means we can do multiple Superhero films where they can meet and appear."
Dan blinked. "You mean..... Batman showing up in a Superman film?"
"Yes."
"And vice versa?"
"Yes."
Gregory's eyes sharpened. He could already see the storytelling possibilities.
Paul, however, remained cautious. "That assumes audiences want to follow multiple films tied together. It assumes they'll stay invested long enough to understand crossovers."
"They will," Harry said evenly.
Paul's expression didn't change. "We don't have a live-action film division. Our comic sales trail Marvel. Our financial cushion is thin. Animation is carrying us. And you're proposing a multi-year live-action strategy."
Harry nodded. "Yes."
Richard Bruning leaned forward, intrigued. "From a branding standpoint, a connected slate creates synergy. Merchandise alignment. Cross-promotion. Consistent iconography."
Dan's fingers tapped against the table. "It would require long-term narrative planning. Script oversight. Character tone consistency."
"That's the point," Harry replied. "We build toward something. Solo films first. Establish heroes individually. Then gradually introduce connective elements. Eventually, a team-up event. Against a big bad villain."
Gregory almost smiled. "Like Justice League? Or Titans?"
"Yes they will be our main attractions," Harry continued. "Imagine Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Flash and Wonder Woman sharing the big screen."
Paul leaned back in his chair. "You're talking about hundreds of millions in development over several years."
"Yes."
"With what capital?"
Harry met his gaze without flinching. "Mine."
The room went quiet.
Dan frowned. "I thought you were in debt."
Harry didn't elaborate. He knew how tight his liquidity actually was. Blind Man's Gambit profits had largely been reinvested into No Country for Old Men and The Prestige. Fun Time Theatres expansion had absorbed more than anticipated. Debt servicing hovered constantly in the background.
He didn't have blockbuster-scale budgets available right now.
He needed time.
He needed returns in May.
From stock plays.
From sports bets.
"That's why this plan is still not for now. For 1-2 years in future. But we have to start preparing now." he repeated calmly.
Paul studied him carefully. "This can't be rushed."
"It won't be," Harry said. "We begin with development. Scripts. Universe mapping. A structured roadmap."
Gregory's shoulders dropped slightly. Dan looked similarly deflated.
Paul, on the other hand, appeared relieved. "Good. Because rushing would destroy us."
Harry nodded. "We do this properly. Or not at all."
Richard tapped the folder thoughtfully. "If we commit, marketing must be unified. Audiences need clarity."
"They'll get it, and not just the regular comic boy nerds, but also general audience. They will also want to learn more. It will drive comic book sales." Harry said.
Richard's eyes turned glassy.
The meeting ended without a formal plan being formed. DCCU was still in its early development, but the idea had been planted.
Later, Toni drove through downtown traffic while James reviewed notes in the passenger seat. Harry sat in the back, watching the city move past the window.
Toni broke the silence. "You realize that pitch sounded ambitious."
"It is," Harry said.
James glanced back at him. "Is it really feasible?"
Harry gave a small nod. "Yes."
He didn't mention that he had seen a version of it work before. No one in the car knew the reference point living quietly inside his head.
James shifted topics. "No Country for Old Men is nearly done. Final shooting days."
"Good."
"Coens are satisfied. Cormac's cautiously optimistic."
"Cautious is fine."
Traffic slowed near a light.
Harry leaned forward slightly. "James."
"Yes?"
"Get me Shakespeare's works."
James turned. "All of it?"
"Collected works."
Toni laughed softly. "Planning to stage something? I heard many directors start from theatre plays."
"Just reading."
James frowned. "Any specific play?"
Harry thought briefly.
"Macbeth."
James nodded. "I'll have it delivered."
There was a pause.
"What brought that on?" Toni asked casually.
Harry didn't answer immediately. He watched the red light turn green.
"Just feel like revisiting some classics."
James nodded, though he sensed there was more to it.
Harry leaned back into the seat as the car merged onto the highway.