Best Director in Literature Department of Huayu

Chapter 123 A Gathering of Big Shots

On the morning of September 8th, Toronto was drenched by a blanket of clouds that stretched across from Lake Ontario. The nearby streets were covered with a layer of darkened maple leaves, and a chill could be felt in the air when you went outside.

But this chill could not suppress the intense heat that simmered within a kilometer radius of the Princess of Wales Theatre, a heat so intense it seemed to ignite the air.

In the afternoon, outside the Princess of Wales Theatre, two hours before the premiere.

The entire King Street was packed with media and movie fans, and the area behind the railings on both sides of the red carpet was crowded with spectators holding up posters.

Some people were holding stills from "The Devil Wears Prada," while others were holding DVD covers of Matthew McConaughey's past works such as "Wedding Crashers" and "Sahara," as well as CDs from Jared Leto's band.

But many more people were holding up newly printed promotional posters for the Dallas Buyers Club.

"Old Li, pull up the lens cover, don't let it break down later."

In the media area at the forefront of the red carpet, a reporter from the domestic film magazine "Film Biweekly" grabbed the arm of his companion, breathing out white vapor as he desperately peered out.

The veteran photographer, known as Lao Li, wiped the rain off his face, adjusted his Canon telephoto lens, and exclaimed, "What a source of pride! Look at those foreigners over there, aren't they reporters from The Globe and Mail and Variety? They usually think they're so high and mighty, but today they've been squatting in the Toronto rain for three hours just like us."

Indeed, as he said, the media stands on both sides of the red carpet were filled with the most prestigious media outlets from across the United States and even Europe.

The logo of the media.

Searchlight has taken mystery marketing to the extreme over the past week, leveraging Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

The stark contrast between the image of a Chinese-American business genius and the decision to make an independent film has sparked intense curiosity.

Just as the two domestic reporters were carefully covering their cameras with specially made rain covers, a low commotion suddenly arose in the distance on the red carpet.

A discreet, extended GM van pulled up in the VIP drop-off area on the red carpet. The door opened, and Feng Xiaogang, wearing his signature baseball cap, alighted alongside Wang Zhonglei, Zhang Ziyi, Ge You, and others from Huayi Brothers.

The crew of "The Banquet" had no publicly announced schedule today; they were here purely as private guests to support their hometown director.

"Wow, this is quite intimidating." Feng Xiaogang pulled his hat brim down further.

"Ziyi, look over here! It's the camera from the domestic side!" In the media area at the forefront, Lao Li and his companion, with their sharp eyes, immediately shouted at the top of their lungs.

Zhang Ziyi quickly put on an impeccable international smile, took the arms of Feng Xiaogang and Ge You, and gracefully stopped at the starting point of the red carpet, posing for the cameras.

However, before domestic reporters could take more photos of the "The Banquet" team, the flashbulbs at the starting point of the red carpet suddenly went off wildly without warning!

A silver-gray Aston Martin came to an elegant stop. The door opened, and the first thing that caught everyone's eye was a pair of long, beautiful legs wearing classic Chanel high heels.

"Oh! It's Emily! Emily Blunt!"

"Emily, the first assistant on 'The Devil Wears Prada'!"

The North American journalists in the room instantly went wild. Emily Blunt was wearing a well-tailored suit, looking both dashing and incredibly stylish.

With her previous film, "The Devil Wears Prada," directed by Lin Ruiyang, Emily is now a rising star in Hollywood.

More importantly, she is not only one of Lin Ruiyang's protégés, but also a close friend of Amy Adams, one of the stars of "Dallas Buyers Club".

As soon as Emily stepped onto the red carpet, facing countless cameras practically piercing her face, she showed no signs of restraint. Instead, she slightly raised her chin, displaying the unique confidence of a British actress.

"Emily! Are you here today to support Ryan, or to cheer on your best friend Amy?" a reporter from Entertainment Weekly shouted.

"Is that even a question? I'm here to keep an eye on Ryan, of course. I want to see if he manages to make Amy look as glamorous as I do after he leaves the fashion shows in Manhattan and takes her into the Texas dust storm," Emily replied humorously.

The domestic reporters listening nearby were secretly astonished. Old Li frantically pressed the shutter button while muttering to his companion, "Look at the confidence he has, constantly talking about supervising Director Lin."

Before Emily Blunt had even finished walking the first half of the red carpet, the roar of engines echoed from the drop-off area behind her.

Woody Harrelson walked the red carpet. He is a well-known Hollywood tough guy actor and also Matthew's best friend of more than 20 years.

"Hey Woody! What brings you here? Will Matthew surprise us today?" North American film critics, clearly very familiar with this veteran, immediately joked.

Woody Harrelson waved wildly to both sides while yelling in his signature Texas booming voice, "Surprise? Oh, believe me, guys, what you're about to see is not a surprise, but a shock!"

I'm here today because I want to see with my own eyes what kind of black magic this Chinese director used to turn my sexiest Texas guy into that monstrous state!

Woody's quip drew good-natured laughter from the audience, but it also gave the film critics present a jolt. Rumors of Matthew's dramatic weight loss had been circulating for some time, and Woody's comment undoubtedly raised everyone's expectations for the male lead's image to their absolute peak.

Just as Woody Harrelson stepped into the theater's main entrance, two black Cadillacs pulled up one after the other on the VIP passageway where the red carpet began.

When the two figures emerged from the car, the media and viewing areas lining both sides of King Street erupted in a volcanic eruption.

A scream like a thunderbolt!

"Oh my God! Brad Pitt!!"

"Ryan Gosling!! What are they doing here?!"

"Quickly! Adjust the focus! Everyone, throw all the film at me!!"

Approaching us were none other than Brad Pitt, a top Hollywood star currently at the peak of his looks and popularity, and Ryan Gosling, an art-house film heartthrob who has recently risen to fame in the North American independent film scene with a series of independent movies.

The appearance of these two people completely blew up the roof outside the Princess of Wales Theatre.

It's worth noting that when "Dallas Buyers Club" was first conceived, rumors circulated within Universal that both of these actors would play the lead role of Ron Woodruff.

Although the script was eventually bought by Lin Ruiyang for various reasons, the combined support of these crucial lead actor candidates at the premiere was enough to generate amazing appeal.

"Brad! May I ask what your capacity is for attending Ryan's premiere today? Is it because you regretted missing the script?" The reporters frantically shoved their recording pens into the cordon.

Brad Pitt smiled casually at the camera: "Regret? To be honest, a little. But I'm here today as a simple film fan and colleague. As for the future... I believe Ryan and I will definitely have the opportunity to sit down for coffee and discuss the script."

On the other hand, Ryan Gosling was quite candid when asked by reporters about missing out on the role: "I read the script, and it's as perfect as a modern Texas poem. Although I didn't get to be in the movie, I'm very curious to see how Matthew and Jared portrayed their characters."

The commotion on both sides of the red carpet did not subside after Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling entered the theater; on the contrary, it seemed to be gathering its final strength.

Five minutes later, another van, escorted by security personnel, slowly pulled up at the end of the red carpet.

The reporters and movie fans in the audience seemed to have received some kind of signal and instantly held their breath.

First to appear was Lin Ruiyang, dressed in a custom-made dark gray suit. After he stood still, he turned around and led out Amy Adams, who was wearing a dark green velvet backless dress.

Today, Amy King's long, red, curly hair cascaded over her shoulders. As a representative of Hollywood's middle-aged actresses with outstanding acting skills, she smiled gently and gracefully as she took Lin Ruiyang's arm, instantly captivating countless photographers on both sides of the red carpet.

However, before everyone could cheer for the female lead's stunning appearance, another van arrived.

A tall and slender figure appeared in everyone's sight, and the scene was briefly quiet for a moment.

Then, boom!

"Jared!!!"

"My God! That's Jared Leto?!"

"Damn it! How did he become like this?!"

Countless photojournalists pressed their shutters simultaneously, all stunned by that unique aura that was somewhere between masculine and feminine, carrying a touch of eerie beauty that made it hard to look away.

If people didn't know the cast list beforehand, they would find it difficult to immediately associate him with the gaunt young man in "Requiem for a Dream".

"God..."

'

In the media area, Old Li stared at the viewfinder and muttered to himself, "The changes are just too drastic."

The reporters standing nearby were equally stunned.

"Now I finally understand why Searchlight Studios has been so reluctant to release stills from the film."

"If this thing is released early, all the topics will be snapped up."

Jared clearly enjoyed the shock; he waved to the media on both sides and then deliberately struck a dramatic pose, immediately eliciting screams from the crowd.

Jared's popularity hadn't faded yet, and the last shoe on the red carpet finally dropped with a thud.

As the last black Lincoln sedan came to a smooth stop, all eyes and long lenses instantly locked onto the slowly opening car door.

When Matthew McConaughey was finally revealed, a collective gasp of surprise erupted from both sides of the red carpet.

Although several months have passed since filming wrapped, thanks to the dedicated care of a professional nutritionist, Matthew has passed the most dangerous stage of becoming skin and bones and has regained some of his visibly healthy complexion.

But he still looks much thinner than the Texas bodybuilder who used to be known as "America's sexiest body" on screen.

"OMG, Matthew hasn't fully turned back yet..." A reporter covered his mouth, his eyes filled with shock.

"What on earth happened to this guy?"

"But the artistic quality he exudes now is absolutely terrifying."

Yes, although he hasn't fully regained his former weight, this slightly thinner physique actually exudes an unprecedented sense of conviction as a top-tier actor.