America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 216 Three Years, 1500 Million

Saturday, Four Seasons Hotel, The Weinstein Company's long-term suite.

Like most producers in the industry, Harvey stays up-to-date with the latest film statistics.

This week, a film he's been paying close attention to is also being released.

Harvey found the name of "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" in Friday's box office statistics.

It grossed $775 million on its opening day in North America, ranking second only to Star Wars Episode III, which was released on the first weekend of May.

Martin Davis is the lead actor in the cast announced by Warner Bros.

If that's the case, then the film he starred in is going to be a success once again?

Harvey recalled the young actor he had spoken to once. There was no disrespect in his words; he appeared respectful on the surface, but what was he really like?

Martin Davis's agent declined his offer.

Although it was phrased tactfully, a refusal is a refusal.

This annoyed Harvey and caused him to break his promise to Matt Damon.

The bathroom door opened from the inside, and Meryl Streep, wearing pajamas, came over, leaned down and kissed Harvey's chubby cheek before sitting on the sofa opposite him.

Although she is over 50, Meryl is well-maintained and looks only about 40 years old.

Harvey asked, "When are you leaving?"

Meryl said, "My flight is this afternoon. I have a family and I need to go back to New York to be a good wife and a good mother."

Harvey stared at her for a moment, then asked, "Are you still in contact with Jack Nicholson?"

Meryl didn't answer, but instead asked, "Why are you asking that?"

"Jack joined Scorsese's The Departed," Harvey said directly. "You know Martin Davis? He's in The Departed too."

Meryl had a guess: "That Los Angeles hero? He's just a nobody actor, did he offend you?"

Harvey said, "You pass a message to Jack for me: don't let Martin Davis get too comfortable on the set of The Departed. Matt Damon will cooperate with him."

Meryl lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said, "I meet with Jack a few times a year. We're old friends, and we always need some special ways to maintain our relationship. I'll pass on your message to Jack, but you know how eccentric he is, so I can't guarantee anything."

She wondered, "Is a minor celebrity really worth all this?"

"He's no ordinary star; he's able to secure investment because he has Pacific Pictures backing him." Harvey recently learned that "Warner Bros. also values ​​him highly."

Meryl exhaled the smoke from her mouth, didn't ask any more questions, and instead said, "What about the Oscar you promised me?"

"Be patient." Harvey's chubby face twitched with laughter. "I'm looking for suitable projects, and I'll definitely keep my promise to you."

Meryl stubbed out her cigarette, stood up, and unbuttoned her pajamas.

Whether it's getting Harvey Weinstein's help or something related to the Oscars, she always has to make some polite gesture.

Two hours later, Meryl, now made up, left Harvey's long-term private room and took the elevator downstairs.

Two floors down, the elevator stopped and opened, and Julie walked in alone.

The two glanced at each other, but neither spoke to the other.

Meryl, an experienced and expert woman, smelled a similar scent on Julie—the pungent smell of someone who had been having an affair.

A flavor that can only be understood intuitively, not described in words.

Meryl thought to herself, "Which producer did this slut just sleep with?"

The elevator doors opened, and the two left the hotel separately.

Half an hour later, Martin left the hotel and got into the car Bruce had driven, heading to Caltech for a promotional event for the film.

Although the main target audience for jeans is teenagers, they have received positive reviews from both the audience and the media, with the former receiving an A rating from CS and the latter an average score of 73 from MTC.

Moreover, Martin and Blake's outstanding physical appearance has attracted a lot of support from those who value looks.

These days, good looks still hold sway in the market.

If you hire a dark-skinned, fat, and ugly person as a spokesperson, the product will immediately fail.

The era of super-magical magic is still nearly ten years away from truly beginning.

Although Martin didn't do anything special for publicity, he still fully cooperated with the production team and distributors during normal activities.

Warner Bros. put him in the lead role, and he naturally benefited from the film's box office success.

On its second day of release, Jeans maintained a similar level of popularity as the previous day, grossing $807 million in North America.

On Saturday night, Martin invited Blake to dinner, and the two went to an upscale restaurant in Pasanadi.

The waiter brought the food and poured drinks for the two of them.

Blake was thrilled: "Did you see that? People were surrounding me asking for autographs. They were ecstatic just from taking a picture with me."

Martin raised his glass: "Congratulations on becoming famous! You've made a name for yourself!"

Blake clinked glasses with him, his head still spinning: "I've benefited from your good fortune, Martin. Without you, this film's success would probably be halved."

Martin casually asked, "Who said that?"

Blake made no secret of it: "Director Carpis and several Warner Bros. executives said the same thing. They said you and the shooting incident added value to the film."

Thinking of the danger Burbank High School was in back then, Martin sighed: "I'd rather not have the bonus than experience something like that again."

Who the hell wants to face a gun?

Blake forked a piece of green vegetable and ate it, saying with regret, "We can't reach the top of the box office."

Martin smiled and reassured her, "There's nothing we can do. Last weekend, Star Wars Episode III was released. Even if it's the second weekend, we can't compete with Anakin."

Blake said enviously, "Martin, you've topped the box office twice, and I've never done it."

Martin said, "Take your time, don't rush."

Anyone familiar with the North American film market knows just how powerful George Lucas's claim of the final Star Wars film is—a true box office bomb.

However, thanks to the lingering popularity of Star Wars, the jeans still achieved decent box office results.

…………

Monday, Atlanta, Coca-Cola headquarters.

Thomas, accompanied by his assistant Natasha, once again entered the conference room used for negotiations.

Justin, the commissioner in charge of the negotiations, was waiting in the conference room.

The two sides shook hands and sat on opposite sides of the conference table, ready for a new round of negotiations.

Thomas spoke first, saying, "I've brought some new information, and I hope you'll take a look."

Justin nodded: "Okay."

Natasha opened her laptop, connected it to the projector, and opened a file. The information inside was immediately projected onto the silver-white screen.

Thomas pointed at the screen with a laser pointer and said, "This past weekend, my client's film, 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,' starring Martin Davis, opened in North America and grossed $2087 million in its opening weekend. The film was a huge success!"

Justin had already seen the relevant news and statistics; Martin Davis continued his upward trend and his future influence would be even greater.

Thomas then clicked on an excerpt from an interview: "Warner Bros. executives said that Martin's personal influence boosted the box office numbers by at least a third, which contributed to the box office success in North America in its opening weekend."

He made a gesture to Natasha.

Natasha switched to the next page, which mainly featured pictures, including photos and videos from the premiere of the jeans-themed film.

She clicked on the video, and immediately a jumble of noises began to play.

"Cola Cult!"

"Cola Guru!"

In the video, Martin stands on the red carpet, amidst a chorus of similar shouts.

Hundreds of fans pulled out Coca-Cola cans, raised them high, and paid tribute to Martin, the leader of the Coca-Cola cult.

After the video finished playing, Natasha clicked the mouse again, and the screen switched to screenshots of internet forums and various news reports.

The page is filled with various short comments and gossip from netizens and media about the Coca-Cola Cult.

"Although the Cola Cult has never been officially established, it has gained widespread recognition, and Martin's reputation as its leader has spread throughout the United States." Thomas was confident and spoke with particular self-assurance: "Furthermore, Martin is only 24 years old now, his career is just beginning, and it will only rise higher and higher in the next three years."

Justin, seemingly ignoring Thomas's words, stared at the projection screen and said, "Cola Cult, this is hilarious."

Thomas said with a smile, "No one expected that Martin's unintentional act would have such a big impact."

He tactfully shifted the focus back to the negotiation: "For someone as unique as Martin, a star with widely promising future prospects, isn't a 3-year, $1500 million endorsement deal worthwhile?"

Actually, this number did not exceed Coca-Cola's limit. Justin opened his laptop and once again browsed various news articles about Martin online.

Martin received many positive reviews and has a very good public image.

As for Anne Hathaway's die-hard fans attacking Martin for alleged infidelity and womanizing, as long as it doesn't involve breaking the law, it's never a problem for celebrities when it comes to commercial endorsements.

Conversely, if someone can create a sensational story that garners nationwide attention, like a big-name celebrity such as Leonardo DiCaprio, they'll even give them a push behind the scenes.

Justin then went to look at Martin's future work plans.

Coca-Cola consulted experts at CS Company, and the movie "Wanted," currently being filmed in Atlanta, has the backing of this year's major events. As long as it doesn't turn out too badly, the chances of success are very high.

His next job was the second male lead in "The Departed," acting opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in a Martin Scorsese gangster film. Even Justin, an outsider to the industry, knew that the chances of success were far greater than failure.

There's also the Presidential Medal of Freedom in July.

In other words, even if Martin Davis has bad luck in the next two or three years, the chances of him falling from grace are very small.

Justin didn't hesitate any longer and said, "We accept a three-year, $15 million endorsement deal."

Thomas breathed a sigh of relief; the most crucial point had been agreed upon.

He stood up and shook hands with Justin across from him: "Look, we're reaching more and more consensus."

Justin squeezed his hand tightly: "I hope things will go as smoothly as they did today."

The hardest part is settled, but that doesn't mean it's over. There are still dozens of other items to discuss. For professional brokers like Thomas, even details like the time Martin attends a Coca-Cola event and the vehicle he uses are specified in the contract.

My wife and daughter's fevers have subsided, so they don't need my care anymore. I can focus on writing today.

(End of this chapter)