America: My Time

Chapter 692 A Reminder from John

Chapter 682 A Reminder from John
"You want to join Paramount's blockbuster? You should know that such blockbusters only need pretty faces. Can you accept that?" When John saw Sophie Marceau appear in front of him, he couldn't help but frown. This was something he hadn't expected. For blockbuster projects, they were basically all about beautiful pretty faces, with low requirements for acting skills. Moreover, it wouldn't be of much help to Sophie Marceau at the moment, which was a blow to John's plans.

“I know what you’re thinking. Blockbusters do have a lot of influence, but they’re only suitable for actors who are just pretty faces. You’re no longer just a pretty face. You have acting skills and good looks, so you don’t need such films to enhance your image. Didn’t I say I already had plans for you? Mid-range investment films are the best projects for you to showcase your talents, to carry the show on your own, and to reap both fame and fortune!”

John was quite good to his women, at least he made a lot of arrangements for them. For example, in John's plans, Sophie Marceau would move towards mid-range romantic comedies; with her acting skills and good looks, it was an excellent choice, and Hollywood would soon be entering this era. John had made all the arrangements. Now, with only some uncertain news, Sophie Marceau had made this choice, which John found somewhat unbelievable!

Seeing that Sophie Marceau did not speak, John sighed again, "Of course, I have no objection if you insist, and Paramount will not have any objection either, but this may affect other arrangements. You need to think it through carefully. I respect your choice. If you want this opportunity, I can grant it to you!"

John felt it was a waste to cast a beautiful and talented actress as a decorative figure in a blockbuster. He believed that someone like Sophie Marceau was best suited for romantic comedies, where she could truly shine. Blockbusters simply didn't offer her much opportunity to showcase her acting skills. However, the choice was hers, and John wouldn't force her to do so.

Does Sophie Marceau lack resources in Hollywood these days? Not at all. The two major media conglomerates will consider her first for any suitable roles, so she doesn't lack resources and therefore doesn't need such blockbusters to maintain her influence.

"Okay, I'll follow your arrangements. But I haven't heard of any new plans from Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures." Having been a member of the Hollywood circle, Sophie Marceau has some understanding of the industry. Everyone knows about the slightest movement in this circle and rushes to grab resources. She has witnessed this more than once.

"The company's plans will not be leaked. All you can know is that we, the managers, intend to let you know, but the company's core secrets will not be revealed to you. Even if you are to choose a blockbuster, you must choose one that is beneficial to you. This time, Paramount's blockbuster plan only wants a pretty face. There will be no place for her to show her acting skills. Moreover, this is a series. Once you choose, there is no possibility of getting off."

This is the domineering nature of Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media. Their blockbuster and series projects offer no choice; participation means signing contracts for multiple films, with no opportunity for price increases. The power is firmly in the hands of the film studios. Even Sophie Marceau cannot change this rule. This is John's demand of the two conglomerates. Within these two media groups, even John's woman cannot violate their rules; otherwise, the rules become meaningless.

Sophie Marceau naturally wouldn't test John's bottom line; doing so would only hurt herself. A smart woman wouldn't do something so foolish, at least not for Sophie Marceau. In this industry, she had seen many foolish people who made foolish moves and ruined their promising futures, just like Tom Cruise, who was directly suppressed by Paramount and lost the opportunity to go further.

In Hollywood, if either Universal Pictures or Paramount Pictures tries to suppress you, you will face even more suppression. At the very least, the two major media groups will no longer use you, and even Columbia Pictures will not use you. So no one is foolish enough to take the two major media groups seriously. This is the deterrent power that the two major media groups have fought hard to establish.

"Honey, someone invited me back to Europe to try and win the Palme d'Or. Do you think I should go back?"

"Go back? Are you crazy! The influence of the three major European film festivals can't compare to Hollywood, let alone the Oscars. There's no need to care about those art awards; they're meaningless. What's art in Europe now, besides nudity? All film artists have become nude artists! Europe is outdated; it's Hollywood's era now. Even if you win one of the three major European awards, it means nothing to Hollywood because we're not on the same path! You can travel and relax if you have time, but don't participate in those award-winning European film projects. It's pointless. Hollywood doesn't care about art awards; Hollywood cares about box office and the market. Don't ruin the foundation you've just built because of a momentary impulse. The competition in Hollywood is fiercer than you see." Since John took control of Universal Pictures, Hollywood has been changing rapidly, with a stronger commercial atmosphere. This is what many old guys in the industry criticize him for, but it doesn't affect the decisions of the two major media groups. Moreover, the Oscars don't have the right to confront the two major media groups. Even if they have grievances, they wouldn't dare to speak out. If the two major media groups were to boycott the Oscars, they would be in serious trouble; the influence of the two major media groups is too great now.

Sophie Marceau knew all too well how fierce the competition in Hollywood was. While Europe was already crazy, Hollywood was even crazier. Deals were made openly. Without connections or background, you had to make deals to get a role. However, many people who got roles didn't gain anything because many independent films didn't even have a chance to be released. There were far too many people struggling in this industry.

Sophie Marceau knew deep down that if it weren't for John, she would likely have ended up in the same situation. That's Hollywood—if you're unwilling, there are plenty of others who are. The competition here is far more brutal and insane than in Europe. It was precisely because she understood the cruelty of Hollywood that she actively sought to participate in Paramount's blockbuster projects. It wasn't that Sophie Marceau lacked confidence in her own charm, but rather that John was surrounded by too many women, making her feel insecure.

Of course, the bigger reason is that there are far too many beautiful women vying for this opportunity. Hollywood is a place of fame and fortune, and no one wants to miss out on a chance to soar to the top. Moreover, they don't care about such a transaction at all. This is already out in the open in Hollywood. Everyone knows that if you want to get something, you have to give something. If you don't give anything, you'll go back to where you came from, and no one will care about you.

“I understand, but who do you plan to bring into this project? There are quite a few beauties in Hollywood who want to participate. Do you want me to introduce you to a few?” Sophie Marceau said with a faint smile.

"You should probably give up. This plan isn't as simple as you think. Even if we're choosing a 'flower vase,' we'll choose one that's more advantageous to us and can gain more influence. You don't think Paramount's big-budget film project is just a standalone one, do you? If you think so, then you're just too slow to react. This is the start of a plan by two major media groups. We either don't do it, or we do it the best and get the most benefits. If you hadn't already laid a solid foundation and made arrangements, there would still be some advantages to participating in this big-budget film project, at least you'd get a lot of advertising."

At this moment, Sophie Marceau suddenly realized that this was a big-budget film project sponsored by a company, so it needed to be discussed with the company and not entirely managed by the film company. After all, even if they were looking for a "pretty face," they would look for a "pretty face" that matched the company's brand image, rather than one of those ubiquitous "pretty faces" in Hollywood.

Seeing Sophie Marceau's thoughtful expression, John smiled calmly and said, "Do you understand now?"

Sophie Marceau nodded and said, "I understand. No wonder Paramount made such a big fuss. This kind of role really doesn't require any high level of acting skills, and it's really not suitable for me."

"Good that you understand. You are my woman. Do you think I wouldn't have made arrangements for you? If it weren't for your rebellious nature, I would have made comprehensive arrangements for you from the very beginning. Only when you witness the darkness of this circle and understand its ruthlessness will you stop making such rejections and doing such foolish things. This is a cannibalistic circle! Spend more time thinking about your own problems and stop having so many naive ideas!"

Upon hearing John's words, Sophie Marceau nodded thoughtfully. She wasn't foolish; she naturally understood John's intentions, even if she hadn't fully grasped them yet. She knew John's words held another purpose, a reminder to herself to be cautious. She understood this concerned her future; if she were careless and didn't take his words seriously, she might regret it. After all, getting John to do this wasn't a simple matter. To think that way would be foolish, and a hint of shock even crept into Sophie Marceau's mind. However, she didn't have time to ponder it now and could only put it aside for the time being.

(End of this chapter)