Hollywood Director 1992

While the Pacific Theatres were showing "Apollo 13," the ArcLight Cinemas, located seven or eight blocks away, began screening Link's fifth film, "The Butterfly Effect."

The ArcLight Cinemas were one of the largest and most luxurious theaters in Hollywood, boasting over two thousand seats.

The front rows were filled with Hollywood movie stars, from A-list to C-list, numbering nearly a hundred.

The back rows were occupied by a large audience of viewers, movie fans, reporters, film critics, and more.

"Link's influence in Hollywood is truly immense."

Maggie Cheung gazed at the front rows, filled with big names in Hollywood, and couldn't help but exclaim.

"Of course, not just anyone can become the King of Hollywood."

Jackie Chan said, arms crossed.

"It's truly rare for someone as accomplished as him to personally direct movies."

Director John Woo remarked with admiration.

Jackie Chan nodded in agreement. Link's net worth was over three billion dollars. He was the owner of the most profitable film company in Hollywood and a bestselling author. Even if he did nothing but lie in bed, he could earn tens of millions of dollars a year.

Yet, Link still personally directed movies, making two or three a year, more diligent and persistent than other directors.

This was indeed remarkable.

Rosamund Kwan, who was nearby, couldn't help but curl her lips, feeling a surge of pride in her heart.

Although she wasn't exactly Link's girlfriend, she was still kept as a mistress, belonging to Link.

This status, in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, commanded respect even from those who might otherwise disdain her.

People like Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, who used to joke with her and say frivolous things, no longer did so and treated her with great respect.

This feeling was fantastic.

Her biggest dream now was to bear Link several sons, hoping to gain even more favor.

Joey Wong and Michelle Reis were also present, wearing matching limited-edition LV summer dresses, their cascading black hair flowing down their backs, dressed exquisitely and charmingly. Even with their Asian features, the male audience around them couldn't help but turn their heads to look at them.

Knowing they were beautiful, they didn't mind being admired. They stared intently at Link, who was speaking on stage, their eyes gradually softening.

Although their initial motives for offering themselves to Link were somewhat utilitarian, after becoming intimate, they gradually grew to like Link – a handsome, wealthy, talented, energetic, and exceptionally strong man.

Link not only provided them with a wealthy and stable life, long-term career planning, and ample security but also gave them a sense of satisfaction and happiness that others couldn't provide.

They cherished the days spent entangled with Link, hoping there would be more and more of such days.

Clap, clap, clap!

On the stage at the front, the main cast and crew finished their promotional efforts and walked off the stage. The host announced the start of the movie.

"The Butterfly Effect" started with a relatively uneventful plot, and the audience's reaction was calm. But when they saw the male protagonist travel back in time through his diary, they began to discuss it in hushed voices.

"Harvey, if you could travel back in time like the protagonist, which day would you go back to, and what would you do?"

In the front row, Bob Weinstein asked his brother, Harvey Weinstein.

"I…"

Harvey was about to answer but suddenly realized and said unhappily, "We're all adults here. Why ask such childish questions?"

"If I could travel back in time, I'd go back to the 1992 Sundance Film Festival and buy Link's 'Buried,' then sign him to a twenty-movie contract with a hundred-billion-dollar penalty for breach, making him work for us for life."

Bob stroked his double chin and chuckled.

Harvey sneered. If he could go back to the 1992 Sundance Film Festival, he would definitely find a chance to get rid of Link.

Link was too capable, too ambitious, and too restless. It was difficult to control him with contracts, so it was better to get rid of him and cultivate other directors who were easier to buy and control.

Hollywood had no shortage of good movies and directors, only a shortage of geniuses who could discover good movies, and he was precisely that kind of genius.

So, to avoid any surprises, getting rid of Link was the best solution.

"Jodie, if you could go back in time, how old would you want to be?"

"Why not earlier? Wouldn't it be better when you were a teenager, just starting out?"

"Too early, I wouldn't be eligible to adopt."

Jodie Foster said, pursing her lips.

"Adopt? Adopt what?"

Michelle Pfeiffer, Diane Lane, and Meg Ryan looked at her curiously.

"Adopt Link!"

"WHAT?!"

The three were stunned by her answer. Remembering that Jodie Foster was 33 this year, 20 was 13 years ago, when Link was just ten years old, and she would be eligible to adopt him.

"Jodie, so you love Link that much? I've always seen it. But your suggestion is very interesting. If I could travel back in time, I'd adopt Link too, give him the best life, and hear him call me Mommy. Haha, it's fun to think about."

Michelle Pfeiffer covered her mouth and laughed.

"Are you guys into such heavy stuff?"

Diane Lane raised an eyebrow at the two, knowing they were close to Link and loved him, but wanting to adopt Link and have him call them Mommy was too perverted.

"I don't want to take care of him. I want to discipline him properly, make him study hard, direct movies, and become a great director, not a playboy."

Jodie Foster curled her lips, a hint of mischievousness in her smile.

"No! Link can't be too focused. If he's too focused, his partner will die, and he'll suffocate. You can't harm him."

Michelle Pfeiffer said.

"Why?"

Jodie Foster and the others looked at her curiously.

Michelle Pfeiffer smiled slightly, telling them they would know in the future.

"Honey, Michelle said she wants to adopt you. That sounds like a great idea. I have the same thought."

Monica smiled charmingly.

Link's face darkened. It seemed he had been too gentle with them, to the point where they were becoming more and more presumptuous, daring to say anything.

He would definitely teach them a lesson tonight.

The movie continued, and the closer it got to the end, the more enthusiastic the audience's reaction became.

Some praised Leonardo DiCaprio for being very handsome in a suit in the film, predicting he would become a huge star after the movie's release.

Some praised Julianne Moore and Renée Zellweger for their excellent performances, with Renée's portrayal of a streetwalker being particularly shocking.

Others marveled at the film's premise of the male protagonist repeatedly traveling back in time, trying to change the present, only to make things worse and worse.

At the end of the movie, the male protagonist realized he couldn't save anyone, and he himself was becoming increasingly terrible. To prevent things from getting worse, he traveled back into his mother's womb and committed suicide by wrapping the umbilical cord around his neck.

When the movie reached this point, many people in the audience exclaimed in shock, 'Oh my god, that's terrible!' and 'Unbelievable, this setting is brilliant!'

"Link's movies never disappoint."

Juliette Binoche exclaimed in admiration.

"Yes."

Sophie Marceau smiled.

"His films are always so real, profound, and cruel. A great movie."

Film critic Rüdiger Suchsland said to his companion, who nodded in agreement.

"Amazing. Link not only has a solid foundation but also continues to improve through innovation. He has a chance to compete with us for the Academy Award for Best Director in the future."

Director Martin Scorsese said to director Francis Ford Coppola.

Coppola's reply was a 'Humph'.

He admitted that Link's ability to direct movies was getting better and better, and he was a leading figure among the younger generation of directors, but Link was also a troublemaker. Sophia had been by his side for more than three years, but she still didn't seem to want to break up. If this continued, Sophia would be delayed by him for the rest of her life.

Clap clap clap!

The movie ended, and the lights in the cinema came back on.

A tidal wave of applause and cheers erupted from the audience, and Juliette Binoche, Rudin Bacheler, and others also stood up and applauded.

"This movie is great, the most interesting movie I've seen this year."

Lawrence Bender clapped his hands excitedly.

"It's really great, it seems even better than the preview version."

Robert Rodriguez also clapped his hands.

"I bet this movie will gross no less than $100 million at the North American box office."

The latest novels are first published here!

Ben Affleck clapped his hands and said.

"Is there even a need to bet on that? Apart from Link's debut film 'Buried,' which of his movies hasn't broken $100 million at the North American box office?"

Joaquin Phoenix said.

"Leonardo, your performance in the movie was wonderful, congratulations."

Edward Norton looked at Leonardo DiCaprio beside him.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

Leonardo thanked him excitedly.

"The Butterfly Effect" was the first movie he starred in, and he was overjoyed to hear so many people praising it.

"Renee, did you hear that? Everyone loves this movie."

Jennifer Lopez, who played a minor role in the film, clapped her hands vigorously and shouted excitedly to Renée Zellweger beside her.

"Yes, I heard, we acted in a great movie."

Renée Zellweger smiled.

"We also have to thank Link for this."

Julianne Moore looked at Link in front of her, her eyes full of tenderness.

"It seems Link has succeeded with another movie."

Susan Sarandon clapped her hands and said.

"That's Link, it would be strange if his movies weren't successful."

Tim Robbins smiled.

The guests in the audience were discussing animatedly, their words full of love and admiration for the movie, only Quentin Tarantino sat in his chair, frowning, his expression unusually solemn.

"Quentin, what are you thinking? Why aren't you expressing your opinion?"

Lawrence Bender turned his head and looked at Quentin beside him.

Quentin shook his head, frowned and looked at Robert Rodriguez, "You just said this version is better than the preview version, is that so?"

"That's right, this version is better. Link probably did some fine-tuning to the movie after the preview."

Robert shrugged and said.

Quentin then looked at Richard Linklater, Steven Soderbergh, and the others, asking for their opinions. Several directors who had attended the preview also felt that the live version was more refined than the preview version, and the viewing experience was better.

"Is there a problem with that?"

"The problem is big."

Quentin frowned and looked at Link in the front row, "Link is already very good at making movies. After each movie is finished, he doesn't hesitate to spend a lot of time carefully polishing every shot in the movie to make the movie better. Who can compare to him in making movies so meticulously?"

Robert, Steven, and the others couldn't help but frown when they heard his words.

Anyone who has been a director knows that carefully polishing shots after a movie is finished is a very mentally and time-consuming task.

The more refined the polishing, the more time it takes.

"The Butterfly Effect" already looked perfect at the preview, but Link was still not satisfied and still wanted to spend a lot of time polishing the shots, like a tireless top sculptor.

His serious attitude towards movies is undoubtedly a commendable thing, but it is not good news for his peers.

If everyone learns this approach, they will have to spend a lot of time on post-production after each movie is finished, greatly reducing the efficiency of making movies.

But if they don't imitate him, the movies they make will definitely not be as good as his, and the word-of-mouth and box office will not be as good as his.

Over time, they will only be left far behind by him.

"The reason why Link's movies are good is not only because he is capable and has a keen sense of the market, but also because of his spirit of striving for excellence in movies and his persistent pursuit of perfection. We should learn these points from him."

Director Richard Linklater said with a serious expression.

"I know, it's just that polishing a 100-minute movie shot by shot like Link takes more than a month. Doing so is not only costly, but also time-consuming and labor-intensive. It's too difficult."

Robert Rodriguez spread his hands, revealing a painful expression.

"Link is so good at making movies and he still does this. Would you feel at ease if we didn't?"

Steven touched his bald head and smiled bitterly.

Robert was silent.

It is difficult to learn from Link;

If he doesn't learn, he is unwilling to watch Link continue to move forward on the road of movies, leaving him far behind.

"This guy is too good at making trouble for us."

Quentin looked at Link in front of him angrily.

"Haha, Link, this movie is great, both innovative and profound. I immediately wanted to watch it a second time after watching it the first time."

"Thank you! If you like it, watch it a few more times, don't be polite with me."

"Link, "The Butterfly Effect" is wonderful, I wish you a big hit with this movie."

"Thank you! I'm glad you like it too."

After the premiere ceremony, Guess Who Pictures held a party at the hotel, inviting all friends, colleagues, and media people to participate, to exchange ideas about movies and share recent entertainment news.

At the party, Link was once again praised and congratulated by Martin Scorsese, director Ang Lee, and others. He was also complained about by Quentin, Robert, and others, harassed by women such as Nicole Kidman and Madonna, and received expressions of goodwill from Maggie Cheung, Diane Lane, and Sharon Stone.

However, Link was busy with the distribution of "The Butterfly Effect" and had no time to pay attention to other things for the time being.

Considering that the movie's publicity channels were being suppressed by the Big Seven film companies, he found Harvey Weinstein, a partner in the movie, and invited Miramax to participate in the movie's publicity and distribution, offering to give him an additional 8% of the box office revenue.

As a result, Harvey refused.

Harvey said that Miramax also had several movies to be released during the summer season, and the company's resources were only enough to distribute its own movies, and it was unable to participate in the publicity and distribution of "The Butterfly Effect."

Link expressed his regret, but he was not disappointed.

He sought Harvey's help to take the opportunity to win over Miramax and gain more support in the fight against the Big Seven film companies.

Since Harvey was unwilling to get involved, he would not force it. With Guess Who Pictures' current material and financial resources, even if it could not defeat the Big Seven film companies, it would not lose too much.

After being busy all day, Link took the women home to rest after the party ended at more than eight o'clock in the evening.

The things that should be done have already been done. What happens next with the box office, whether it can achieve good results under the suppression of the Big Seven film companies, depends on the performance of the audience.