America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 345 Heavy Snow Can't Stop Box Office Success

Los Angeles, the headquarters of the Face Gang, the VIP room of the Nightclub.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicholson, and Wes Craven had just finished a facial and were comfortably leaning back on an armchair, savoring the soft, smooth feel.

"It feels like something's missing," Nicholson said.

Wes Craven seemed to be asleep and didn't say anything.

Leonardo DiCaprio chimed in, "The worst bastard is gone."

Taking advantage of the jerk's absence, Nicholson asked, "Martin's messed with you, and he's messed with me, but we haven't really messed with him yet, have we?"

Leonardo said, "I tried, but it wasn't very successful."

Nicholson suggested, "Next time he's with another woman, let's set off fireworks at him and make him tear his sponge apart!"

"Great idea!" Leonardo exclaimed first, then frowned. "This guy doesn't do outdoor sex; he either does it at home or in a five-star hotel. This won't be easy."

"Trick him out!" Nicholson said. He then asked, "What's that guy doing now?"

Leonardo pointed east: "New York, today is the premiere of his new film."

Nicholson remembered: "Limitless?"

Wes Craven then opened his eyes and said, "This film is especially important to Martin."

Leonardo replied, "That's right, this is the only film Martin has ever made that carries the box office alone. I saw the Warner Bros. screening, and Aniston was at best a supporting actress; Martin was the absolute lead."

Those present are all veterans of Hollywood and understand the significant role these kinds of films play for the lead actors.

Wes Craven added, "If this film is a box office hit, Martin's career will take another step forward, firmly establishing him as a A-list actor."

"If the box office is a failure, it proves that he can't carry the box office on his own." Nicholson automatically chimed in: "If Martin wants to become a superstar or a superstar, the road will be much more winding, and he may never be able to get over that hurdle."

Leonardo recalled reading in the newspaper: "There's been heavy snow in New York recently, and it might snow for several days in the entire Northeast, which will affect box office revenue there."

Wes Craven said, "These things don't matter as long as the film has enough appeal."

…………

On Long Island, New York, Christian Bale, holding an umbrella, walked across a road that had just been cleared of snow and came to a detached house, shaking the snow off his umbrella.

The falling snow piled up into a round mound.

The door opened from the inside, and Michelle Williams exhaled a large puff of white smoke: "Come in quickly, it's snowing so heavily, and you still came."

Bell entered the room, placed the umbrella in a cardboard box against the wall, took off his coat and hung it up, then asked, "Where's Heath?"

Michelle said, "Watching the snow from the study upstairs."

Bell asked, "How has he been lately?"

“He stopped going to the mutual aid society a long time ago, I suspect…” Michelle sighed, tears welling in her eyes, and wiped them with the back of her hand. “He doesn’t know how to keep going, and I don’t know how to keep going either.”

Bell patted Michelle's shoulder: "When his career takes off, his mood improves, and his attention shifts away from this."

Michelle led Bell into the living room and said, "After all that trouble with Martin Davis and Jennifer Aniston, everyone knows what he did on set. Not many production companies want to use him."

Drug use is not uncommon in Hollywood, and nobody really cares, but when it happens on set, and the person gets high and almost bumps into other stars or actors, who would want to use that? Who would take the risk if it happened again?

"I'll figure something out." Bale is a loyal friend and did not distance himself from Heath Ledger after the incident last year. Instead, he has been helping him out of his slump.

He pointed upstairs: "I'm going to talk to Heath."

Going upstairs to the study, Heath Ledger was standing on the inner side of the balcony, watching the snowflakes falling outside.

Bell glanced at him and noticed that after a brief period of weight gain during withdrawal, he had lost weight again, and his face was as white as snow.

"You're not planning to go out to work anymore?" Bell asked.

Heath turned around and forced an awkward smile: "It's not that I don't want to go, it's just that nobody wants me."

He glanced at the newspaper on his desk: "What happened last time really got me into serious trouble."

Bell came over from the desk and saw the picture in the newspaper: Martin Davis's new film was premiering in New York today.

In that instant, Bell thought of Pinewood Studios, unconsciously splayed his legs, and felt something was off somewhere.

Although the police report was issued by Nicholson and Streep, Bell always felt that Martin Davis was involved in the incident.

Those three bastards are best buddies; their appearance together at Pinewood Studios must mean they're connected.

Bell approached Heath Ledger and looked out the window: "Hopefully this heavy snow will last until the weekend, and the temperature will be even lower when the snow melts."

Heath nodded slightly: "It would be best if everyone stayed indoors, couldn't go out, and closed shopping malls and cinemas."

Perhaps he once realized he was wrong and had a relatively peaceful mindset, but from last year until now, he has been unable to find a job, and the relapse after quitting has had a huge impact on his mental state.

Heath said, "The weather was bad, so nobody bought tickets to see Martin Davis's new movie."

Bale inquired within Warner Bros. and the film received very positive reviews from test screenings. The only thing that could prevent this film from becoming a box office hit is probably the bad weather.

"Let's not talk about that bastard anymore." He changed the subject: "I have a role here, a Warner Bros. project, where I'll be acting opposite someone. Filming starts this year, and the director is Nolan, whom I've worked with a few times. If you're interested, I'll strongly recommend you to him."

This rare display of friendship revitalized Heath Ledger's dejected spirits, prompting him to exclaim, "Warner Bros. would use me?"

Bale said, "They wanted me to continue playing Bruce Wayne and to star in the Batman sequel, so of course I had to make some conditions."

In sequel projects, the lead actors have some autonomy.

"Thank you, Chris." Heath Ledger knew very well that this opportunity was too good to pass up: "I will definitely seize this opportunity, take this role, and change how people in the industry and around the world view me."

Bell patted him on the shoulder and said encouragingly, "I believe in you."

…………

At the Metropolitan Theatre, Ted was completely immersed in the film.

All his companions around him were the same.

Ted didn't know why, but this movie was particularly immersive, making viewers feel as if they were the down-on-their-luck protagonist with incredible luck.

He started out destitute, but stumbled upon a "smart drug" that transformed him. He easily completed commissioned articles, earning his first paycheck. He then invested his earnings in stocks, leveraging his strong data analysis and information gathering abilities to easily make his first fortune.

He's adept at mingling in upscale places, picking up girls, and conning people; he remembers everything he's learned perfectly and can master a foreign language or other skill in a single day.

Although the smart drug has side effects, when the protagonist is clear-headed after taking the drug, he not only makes money and enjoys himself, but also invests in hiring people to research the drug, and even studies chemistry and biology on his own to conduct research.

During the story, a series of villains were also introduced, such as gang members who wanted to share in the protagonist's success and a near-death tycoon who had also used "smart drugs."

The protagonist always manages to defeat them by using the intelligence and agility granted by the smart drug.

Even Wall Street tycoons can be dealt with by the protagonist.

Ted felt like he was the protagonist, his life was like having a cheat code in a game, climbing all the way up and living the life he could only dream of.

Movies are like a daydream, an endless daydream, which makes them even more immersive.

At this moment, every viewer felt that Martin on the big screen was themselves, and they felt a special sense of exhilaration as they watched the protagonist's meteoric rise to power.

Never Ending doesn't have a profound plot, nor does it explore human nature or life, nor does it contain philosophical speculation or highbrow art, yet it captures the daydreams of countless people.

The dream of taking off like this after a stroke of luck is something that all the audience members, including the wealthy, have probably dreamed of countless times.

Alan Grylls' original novel tells the story of a man's predicament, or the protagonist's dilemma.

But the film script was completely changed according to Martin's ideas.

The film's plot is closer to the online novels that Martin read in his previous life.

The mainstream American audience is not necessarily more discerning than audiences in other markets. Popcorn originated in North America and has remained popular ever since.

Not to mention toilet humor comedies that are only popular in North America.

This kind of daydream-like exhilaration is more likely to resonate with people.

Martin's plan and goal are simple: for the average viewer, there's no need to think about anything else; just immerse yourself in the movie and enjoy it.

As for what critics will glean from it, Martin has no way of knowing, since their thinking is not like that of ordinary people.

Perhaps, it can reveal profound ideas that the screenwriter and director never considered.

Kelly Grey and Louise were sitting in the second row. As the credits rolled, Kelly said, "This movie is great. Even though I'm a woman, there are many things in the film that I fantasized about when I was a teenager..."

Louise nodded gently: "Me too."

Daniel from Warner Bros. chimed in, "Everyone wants to be the lead!"

Louise said, "You've thought about these things too?"

“Yes.” Daniel smiled. “From an ordinary kid, he quickly became a super-rich and intelligent man, and from then on, he enjoyed life, easily navigating the world of important people, and even being able to control them.”

An extremely enthusiastic round of applause suddenly erupted, coming from the general audience seating area, interspersed with cheers.

The cast and crew members in the front row stood up. Martin first hugged Aniston, then high-fived Boyle, and then shook hands with the other cast and crew members one by one.

The audience applauded enthusiastically the whole time.

Led by directors Boyle and Martin, the main cast and crew went on stage in front of the screen to take a bow.

Even after three consecutive curtain calls, the applause continued unabated.

Hearing the prolonged applause, the heavy snow that had been weighing on Louise's heart suddenly stopped. She said, "Even if the box office in the Northeast doesn't go well, this film will still be fine."

Daniel agreed: "The heavy snow in New York won't stop this film's box office success!"

(End of this chapter)