Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 450 Tortured by Link Once Again
In the afternoon, Monica and Michelle returned from shopping and saw Liu Xiaoli feeding the child with a bottle.

"Lina, didn't you say breast milk is healthier? Why don't you breastfeed your baby yourself?"

Monica asked as she drank from her water glass.

"The doctor said that drinking milk powder provides more balanced nutrition."

"Really?"

Monica's eyes darted suspiciously over her chest. "Why is your chest so deflated? I thought someone had stolen the child's lunch."

"No, don't talk nonsense."

Liu Xiaoli pulled her collar up and glared at her. Her cheeks, which were already flushed with spring, became even redder and more translucent.

Monica and Michelle couldn't help but laugh, and advised Liu Xiaoli to be careful, as having a glutton in the house could lead to her stealing food from the children.

Link was about to go downstairs when he heard them talking about this, so he went back to his study to read.

After finishing filming "American Beauty," he rested in Seattle for more than a month before resuming work on his new film in mid-October.

The new movie "Armageddon" is a science fiction film about NASA scientists who, through satellite monitoring, detect an asteroid the size of Texas heading towards Earth and predicting it will hit the planet within 18 days, causing a mass extinction.

NASA experts' only solution was to send an oil drilling team to land on the meteorite, drill a hole, implant a nuclear bomb, and split the meteorite in two to change its trajectory.

Harry Steinbo, an oil drilling engineer appointed to a critical mission, leads his oil extraction team, including his daughter's boyfriend AJ, on a mission aboard two modified spaceships.

After landing on the meteorite, the team encountered crises such as surface explosions and equipment damage, and several team members lost their lives.

Because the nuclear bomb remote control malfunctioned, it had to be manually detonated to separate the meteorite.

Harry chose to stay and sacrifice himself, giving AJ the chance to survive, and entrusting him with the care of their daughter.

The mission was ultimately successful, and humanity was saved. AJ and Harry's daughter Grace paid tribute to Harry and the other heroes who saved the Earth at the funeral.

The plot of this movie is relatively simple and straightforward, mainly revealing the brilliance of humanity under the apocalyptic crisis. It also tells stories of family and love, dedication and sacrifice, making it a commercial film that blends disaster, action and warmth.

The film was shot in Texas and Florida, as well as at the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

The main cast is also the same, including Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Bieber Thornton, Steve Buscemi, and others.

After three weeks of rehearsals, the actors officially began filming.

"Scene 2, 3 shots, 2 take, begin!"

On an oil drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico, Harry, played by Bruce Willis, is playing golf on the offshore oil drilling platform. More than a dozen environmental organizations approach the drilling platform in motorboats, holding up signs to protest against the oil company that is working there.

"Wow~"

Bruce Willis, playing the oil rig manager, swings his golf club and shouts to the people on the speedboat, "I'll donate $5 to you every year." He then turns to his assistant and says, "Chick, why do you think they do that?"

"I think they probably feel that oil extraction is a sinful thing," said assistant Chick.

Bruce Willis shouted at the sea, "Do you know how much diesel fuel that wrecked ship leaks out every hour?"

Assistant Chick opened the construction drawings and said, "Harry, I've discovered something interesting. We've drilled an extra 180 feet into drilling platform number 2."

"Oh, so who should we thank?"

"Can you guess what happened?"

Chick glanced back in AJ's direction.

"Oh, damn!"

Bruce Willis angrily threw down his golf club.

“John, give me a full view of the back.”

"Good director!"

As requested, cinematographer John Schwartzman used camera position three to film Bruce Willis and Will Patton, who played Chick, from behind. They were facing the sky, and the light behind them was relatively dim, so the shot from behind would result in a black and white film.

"Cut! This one is approved."

"Get ready for the next one!"

The next scene shows Bruce Willis's character, Harry, going to settle accounts with drilling worker AJ, only to find AJ on a date with a girl who turns out to be Harry's daughter, Grace.

As a doting father, Harry was furious and chased after AJ with a double-barreled shotgun. He was eventually stopped by Grace, and the father and daughter had a heated argument.

At this point, a military representative approached Harry, hoping he would go and save the world.

"Excuse me, which one of you is Harry Stanbo?"

U.S. military representatives arrived at the drilling platform by helicopter and found Harry busy at work.

"I am Harry Steinbo!"

Bruce Willis stepped forward and shook hands with the military representative.

“Mr. Stanbo, I have been entrusted by General Montgomery, the Air Force Commander, and the Secretary of Defense to send me here to authorize you to carry out a national security mission signed by the President of the United States.”

"Hahaha~"

Bruce Willis burst out laughing. "Did Madman Willie send you here to play a trick on me?"

“Sir, I’m afraid I don’t know any Madman Willie. I’m talking about something absolutely serious.”

The military representative said with a solemn expression.

"cut!"

Link glanced at the camera lens, asked the crew to adjust the lighting, and continued filming the next take.

While filming in the Gulf of Mexico, Link receives a call from Greg Davis, who claims that MGM is considering a sale, but his offer is too low. Kirk Kerkelian offers two prices:
First, Guess What Pictures invests $52 billion to acquire MGM Studios, including $38 billion in debt. Upon successful acquisition, Guess What Pictures will own 100% of MGM. Second, Guess What Pictures invests $25 billion to acquire a 49% stake in MGM Studios. Upon successful acquisition, Guess What Pictures will have control over the management of MGM Studios. If Guess What Pictures can help MGM turn a profit within ten years, then, depending on the company's performance, Guess What Pictures may transfer an additional 5%-15% of its shares to Guess What Pictures.

"Link, what do you think of these two conditions?"

"Greg Davis asked."

"Not good at all. Guess what? If Guess what, they don't necessarily have to acquire MGM. With over five billion dollars, they could have acquired Universal, Columbia, or Paramount instead of a company like MGM that's on the verge of bankruptcy. Greg, you're also a shareholder of Guess what, representing the company in negotiating the acquisition with MGM. Is this the price you came up with? Disappointing."

Link expressed his dissatisfaction directly.

Greg Davis hesitated for a moment, looking quite embarrassed. "Link, I know Kirk Kocorian's two offers are quite high, but this is negotiable. We can negotiate."

"Okay, what price do you think would be appropriate to acquire MGM?"

“45 billion. I think it’s more appropriate to acquire MGM Studios for 45 billion. I can also convince Kirk Koccorian at this price.”

“45 billion is too much. MGM is not worth that price. Even if the acquisition is successful, it will drag down the company’s development. My offer is 45 billion for all shares, or 1 million US dollars for 49% of MGM’s shares and liabilities.”

If we help MGM pay off its loans and become profitable within the next ten years, Kirk Kocorian will transfer no less than 15% of MGM's shares again. This is my condition. If Kirk Kocorian agrees, we can continue negotiating; if not, we can stop negotiating, and we can acquire other film companies in the future.

“Okay, I will continue to talk to Kirk Koccorian and hopefully he will accept one of these two conditions.”

"No need to rush, take it slow. MGM has been in a bad situation in recent years and there is a high probability of bankruptcy. So at this time, it is not us who are anxious, but the shareholders of MGM Studios."

“I understand that I can persuade Kirk Kocorian to give me a suitable offer.”

Greg Davis said goodbye and hung up the phone.

Link put down the phone and continued filming.

After being recruited by the US government, the protagonist Harry Stanbo and his daughter went to NASA to learn about the current situation: a huge meteorite is heading towards Earth and will reach Earth's atmosphere in 18 hours. If Earth is hit, humanity is expected to be destroyed within ten days.

Harry realized the gravity of the situation and agreed to be drafted to travel to space aboard the space shuttle, drill a hole in the meteorite, and then destroy it with a nuclear bomb to save Earth and humanity.

Harry Steinbo disagreed with the personnel NASA assigned, believing they were incapable of drilling holes in the meteorite. Therefore, he requested that his original team, along with a group of oil exploration workers, be sent into space to destroy the meteorite.

“Link, my role is too small. I’m just a decorative vase, there’s no challenge at all.”

During a break on set, Liv Tyler sat down next to Link and said something.

“There’s nothing wrong with being a decorative figure. Many people want to be one but don’t have the opportunity. Besides, your role isn’t just for show. Grace’s role is very important in the film. She is Harry’s most beloved person, his belief, and the person he wants to protect the most. Harry is willing to accept this mission in order to protect Grace.”

And then there's AJ, who also loves Grace. He's willing to clash with Harry for her sake. Grace is a crucial character in the story; without her, the story would lack many of its comedic and emotional moments. So you can't be negative just because Grace has less screen time.

“I know, I don’t dislike the role, I just feel that playing Grace is not challenging enough. I prefer the roles in ‘The English Patient’ and ‘Primal Fear’ to Grace. Remember to call me next time you make a movie like this. My acting skills are great now, aren’t they?”

Liv Tyler smiled sweetly, pursing her lips.

"Yes, you're great!"

Link kissed the girl's cheek. Liv Taylor was only 21 years old and still had some willfulness and spoiled nature. He would be more patient and tolerant with a young girl like her.

Liv Tyler kissed him on the cheek, and seeing that Link was busy filming, she didn't disturb him any further. Instead, she sat under the awning with her script, studying her character intently.

While he was reciting his lines, Ben Affleck quietly approached, holding two cups of coffee.

Liv Tyler gave him a strange look. Everyone knew she was Link's woman, and no matter what film crew she was on, almost no one dared to harass her. But now Ben Affleck dared to come over; he really had some nerve.

"Liv, there's something I've been thinking about that I need to discuss with you."

Ben Affleck carefully and politely handed over the iced coffee.

"Thank you, what's up?"

“Liv, you know I’m a method actor. When filming, I often immerse myself in the role to play it well. I did the same during this shoot. I’m trying to treat you like my lover.”

"So, what does this have to do with me?"

“It’s a big deal. I consider you my lover. In my heart, you are perfect and flawless. It’s just that you often get intimate with Link during filming. Seeing these scenes makes me very uncomfortable, and it makes it difficult for me to immerse myself in the role. So I would like to ask you not to be too intimate with Link during filming so that I can play the role better. Can you help me?”

Ben Affleck asked with a pleading look on his face.

Liv Tyler couldn't help but laugh when she heard his words. "Wouldn't it be painful for you to film like this? I mean, treating the actresses like lovers, breaking up with them after filming, is that a good idea?"

“It’s not good, but this way of filming makes me feel more connected and gives me more confidence to act well. It’s the only option I have.”

Ben Affleck shrugged, looking helpless.

"Okay, I promise you, I'll try my best not to be intimate with Link in public on set."

Liv Tyler laughed.

"Thank you! Liv, you're so kind."

Ben Affleck got up and left, but couldn't help feeling a little depressed.

When filming "Seven," he immersed himself in the role of Detective Mills to portray him well, and even fell in love with the character's wife. Unfortunately, the actress who played the wife, Jennifer Connelly, was Link's woman.

Watching Jennifer Connelly and Link being intimate on set every day caused him immense pain and mental anguish.

While filming "Batman Forever," he immersed himself in the role of Batman and fell in love with Dr. Chase. However, Dr. Chase was always clinging to Link and looked down on him as Batman, which was a huge blow to him.

He's currently filming a new movie, and he finally has a new girlfriend, but Liv Tyler, who plays his girlfriend, is yet another one of Link's women.
Ben Affleck couldn't help but sigh that working with Link was too difficult; each collaboration was the start of a new round of torment.

"Ben, hurry up and get ready, it's your scene next."

"The production assistant shouted."

"I know, I'll come right away."

Ben Affleck sighed and walked onto the set with a long face.

(End of this chapter)