America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 351 Terminator Pit

The Los Angeles Country Club is one of California's most famous clubhouses, and its golf course has even hosted the Pan American Open.

Cody Horn drove her electric scooter, with her father Alan Horn and producer Paul Haggis, to the beginner's hitting area.

She entered the private VIP area, where Martin Davis was swinging his club awkwardly. Although his form was off and the ball was flying around wildly, he was handsome and had a great physique, so he looked good no matter how you looked at him.

Thomas greeted them and led the group into the VIP area.

Martin hit the ball away again, turned around and saw someone walking towards him. He put down his club, went over to greet him, and shook hands with Alan Horn first: "Thomas told me that you're a good golfer, Alan. You'll have to give this newbie some pointers today."

Allen laughed: "Sure, I'll make sure you get past the beginner stage as quickly as possible and become an amateur expert."

Martin then shook hands with Paul Haggis: "Crash is a masterpiece, and I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together sometime."

Paul Haggis said, "Hopefully, we can work together this time."

Martin looked at the only woman: "Hi, Cody, we meet again."

Cody picked up a golf club from the side: "Want me to teach you how to play golf?"

Martin said, "I'm in need of a teacher."

That's what they said, but in reality, the group didn't come to play golf.

After chatting about golf for a while, Alan Horn quickly turned to the movie project.

He said to Martin, "I heard you haven't decided on your next project or role yet?"

Martin knew his purpose and replied, "There are only a few intentions at the moment, and we can't be sure about the specifics yet."

Alan Horn, as the head of Warner Bros., naturally has a psychological advantage when dealing with movie stars: "Here's what we're doing: Warner Bros. has a project where I think you'd be perfect for the lead role. Come on over and let's continue our collaboration."

Thomas then chimed in, "Could I ask about the specifics of the project?"

Allen looked at Paul Haggis, who pulled out the script and handed it to Martin: "Take a look first."

Martin took it; the script cover only had the code name T on it, no specific name.

Allen was patient, seemingly nonchalant, but his mind was on the fact that "Limitless" had already grossed over $2 million in North America and around the world.

Starting with The Hills Have Eyes, Martin Scorsese has repeatedly proven his market prowess, and with this film, he has even demonstrated his ability to carry the box office.

The Terminator series was a copyright deal strongly promoted by Alan Horn. After Warner Bros. spent a lot of money to purchase the production rights to the sequels, they had to make new movies in order to recoup their investment.

Aside from the third installment released by Warner Bros., the revenue from the first two films had nothing to do with Warner Bros.

While Terminator 3 wasn't a huge success, it was still profitable. Alan Horn specifically brought in Paul Haggis to write the script and produce, hoping to bring the series back to the heights of the second installment.

Allen approached Martin not only because Martin had a strong market appeal, but also because Martin was able to attract investment!

To revive the Terminator series, a huge investment is definitely necessary. Back then, Carlock Pictures invested an unprecedented $1 million to create the glory of Terminator 2.

Allen has made preliminary plans, and this film, including marketing and distribution, will definitely exceed $2.5 million, and may even reach $3 million.

Warner cannot take on this alone; the risk is too great.

Martin was flipping through the script, and after reading just a few pages, he was absolutely certain that this was a Terminator film.

Thinking back carefully, it should be the fourth one, "Terminator Salvation," which was a very bad one.

Martin doesn't remember the exact box office figures, but he knows this film probably wasn't very successful because it was subsequently rebooted, and then rebooted again...

Terminator keeps rebooting.

If a film is even slightly successful, like the third one, it will definitely not be rebooted.

In my past life, a big shot in the group said that the Terminators without James Cameron were not Terminators at all, but just a bunch of weirdos.

In an interview, James Cameron said that the Terminator story ended completely in the second movie.

If most Hollywood sequels are disappointing additions, then the Terminator series, starting with the third installment, is a prime example.

Martin read through dozens of pages of the script, closed it, and asked, "The new Terminator?"

Paul Haggis replied, "That's right, Allen and I are preparing to move on to a new movie, set after Judgment Day."

Allen, thinking that Martin could secure funding, said, "The production cost is expected to be around $1.8 million, a top-tier commercial production, and you'll be playing the famous John Connor."

He offered what seemed like a generous reward: "You can bring your own investment to the production team, and your salary will be comparable to that of a wanted poster, serving as a producer."

Martin glanced at Paul Haggis, then at Alan Horn, the head of Warner Bros.' studio, one of the Big Six Hollywood studios. Even if he were to refuse, it would be best to be tactful.

He said, "Allen, give me some time to think about it. This is a big project, not a small matter."

"Okay." Alan Horn thought for a moment and said, "How about this, give me a clear answer before the Oscars."

Martin said, "No problem."

Seeing that the two sides were having a pleasant conversation, Thomas asked, "Paul, are you directing?"

Paul Haggis shook his head: "I'm a screenwriter and producer; the director will choose someone who's better suited to science fiction."

Beside him, Cody Horn said to Martin, "I'll teach you how to play golf."

Martin exchanged a few pleasantries with Allen, picked up his clubs, and followed Cody to the practice range. Following Cody's instructions, he began playing golf with practiced ease, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Not long after, Allen and Paul Haggis said goodbye and left.

Cody specifically exchanged contact information with Martin.

Subsequently, Martin and Thomas also left the country club.

Once inside Bruce's Cadillac, Martin handed the script to Thomas and said, "Think of a suitable reason and excuse to turn down Alan Horn's invitation."

Thomas was slightly surprised, but not particularly astonished: "You don't like this series?"

Martin offered this excuse: "I'm not interested in being a savior."

Thomas didn't ask any more questions, which was one of his great strengths; if Martin didn't accept it, he wouldn't keep trying to persuade him.

Moreover, judging from the current situation, Martin has a good eye for film selection, and there is no need for him to make random opinions.

Thomas was more concerned with how to politely decline Alan Horn's offer. After all, Horn was the head of Warner Bros., and turning down an invitation he had extended might hurt his reputation.

Martin left the most difficult part to Thomas, stopped thinking about it, and took out his phone to call Chad Stahelski to ask about the progress of the project.

Chad said directly, "The gunfight scenes are almost finished. Next is connecting the dialogue scenes. I've asked Bradt to get involved."

Bradett has already collaborated with Martin on "Wanted" and "Never Again." Martin knows and has confidence in his abilities, saying, "I'll have Jessica call him."

Chad added, "For close-quarters combat, I need a more professional action director."

"I'll try to find out," Martin said to Thomas after a moment's thought. "Do you know Yuen Woo-ping?"

Thomas nodded: "Action director for The Matrix series."

Martin said, "Find a way to contact him and send him an invitation."

Thomas knows some of the details: "He probably won't accept it; Hollywood isn't friendly to him and his team."

Martin had vaguely heard Chad say that many action directors secretly filmed the action routines of Yuen Woo-ping's team and used technology to analyze them frame by frame.

He said, "Give it a try, and if it doesn't work, we'll try someone else."

Thomas noted it down and then went back to what had just happened: "Although 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' isn't directed by Alan Horn, it's still a Warner project. If we can reach an agreement with David Fincher's crew, we might be able to use scheduling conflicts to decline Alan's invitation."

Martin said, "That's fine, just try to be as tactful as possible."

With such a heavy burden on his shoulders, Thomas was probably thinking a lot. Sunlight streamed through the car window and fell on him, making his forehead gleam.

Martin had just returned to Burbank when Louise called to invite him to lunch.

After resting for a while, Martin went to the smoke room near Warner Bros. Studios.

Louise arrived a little earlier than him and was waiting for him in the booth.

The waiter brought over the menu.

Martin discovers that it is Mia from the film studio's ice cream shop.

"How did you get here?" Martin asked.

Mia said softly, "One part-time job doesn't pay enough, so I found a new one." As she spoke, she looked at Sebastian, who was playing the piano on stage, "Also so that I can hear his music more often."

After ordering, Martin said, "May all your wishes come true."

"Thank you," Mia replied politely, and left.

Louise recognized Mia and said, "There are probably hundreds of thousands of girls like her in all of Los Angeles."

Martin said, "There are more and more second-generation stars in the industry now, making it too difficult for ordinary actors to make it big."

"Ability, opportunity, courage, boldness..." Louise said, "Your success story is hard to replicate."

"I was mainly lucky to meet you," Martin said. "You said you needed something?"

Louise said, "There's something I want to ask your opinion on." She felt that Martin had a unique eye for choosing films: "Yesterday, Warner Bros.' Alan Horn extended an invitation to me, asking if I was interested in investing in a big project, the fourth installment of the Terminator series."

Martin couldn't help but laugh: "What a coincidence, he contacted me this morning, inviting me to play the male lead, John Connor, and even made a promise that if I join the cast, he'll give me the opportunity to bring my own funding to the project."

"The production cost could reach $1.8 million, and if it's successful..." Louise realized what was happening and said, "You turned down Alan Horn?"

Martin said, "I asked Thomas to find a way to politely decline the invitation."

Louise understood: "You don't think this sequel will be successful?"

Martin easily found a reason to say, "Is a terminator without James Cameron still a terminator?"

Louise nodded: "I'm worried too. It'll become the next Alexander the Great. I was thinking about the Terminator series' reputation and appeal..."

Martin said, "Weren't you planning to invest in the new Batman sequel? How can you spare funds to invest in other projects?"

Thinking about everything that had happened in the last three years, Louise said, "Forget it, let's not think about such complicated things. I'll just decline the invitation."

(End of this chapter)