Aaron glances down at his phone, already scrolling.

Tina turns slightly in her seat, tablet in hand. “I went through Alphaville’s last five action films this morning. Combined, we spent well over six hundred million dollars across those projects.”

Aaron gives a noncommittal hum.

“Two of them flopped outright,” Tina continues. “Didn’t come close to recouping their budgets. The other three barely broke even once you factor in marketing and distribution.”

Aaron scrolls, unfazed.

Tina presses on. “That’s not a sustainable pattern. We’re pouring money into spectacle without building anything that holds long-term value.”

“We’re not reinventing the wheel here, Tina,” Aaron says, still not looking up.

Tina exhales but keeps her tone measured. “I’m not saying we need to reinvent it. I’m saying we need to stop repeating the same mistakes. Right now, Firestorm Protocol is tracking exactly like those films, and we’re moving faster than we did on any of them.”

The cart turns a corner, passing a soundstage with massive double doors flung open. Inside, a full set is being dressed, with military gear, desert props, and controlled explosions being prepped.

Aaron finally glances up. “You know why we’re moving fast on this?”

Tina looks at him. “No. That’s actually what I’ve been trying to understand.”

He tilts his phone slightly, showing her a headline. “Streaming deal. International co-financing. Pre-sales already lined up.” He looks back at her. “This thing is already making money, Tina. Before we even shoot a frame.”

Tina frowns slightly. “That doesn’t mean it’s going to last.”

“It doesn’t have to last,” he replies plainly. “It has to open.”

The cart slows as they pass another set, this one fully in motion. Actors in costume hit their marks, a director shouting notes, cameras rolling.

Tina watches it for a second, then looks back at him. “So, we’re just banking on spectacle?”

Aaron shrugs. “We’re banking on what sells.”

Tina tightens her grip on her tablet. “What sells is already showing cracks. We’ve seen it in our own numbers. If we don’t adjust now, we’re just setting ourselves up to repeat the same cycle–”

“The numbers say we’re still in the game,” Aaron cuts in, sharper now.