America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 354 He Wants to Dig Up Our Roots

In Warner Bros.' president's office, Alan Horn listened to what Thomas was saying on the phone, his expression somewhat unpleasant.

The invitation I personally extended was rejected.

Although the approach was very subtle, using the excuse of preparing to compete for roles in Nolan and Fincher's projects, Alan Horn was still not entirely comfortable.

This also directly declared his Plan A a failure.

There was a knock on the office door, and Paul Haggis entered, sitting opposite Allen. He asked, "I heard there was some unexpected trouble?"

"Martin Davis replied, saying his schedule didn't fit and he declined our invitation." Allen stated the facts without any emotional bias, as if describing them from an outsider's perspective: "The day before yesterday, Louise Meyer called me, saying that Pacific Pictures wanted to secure an investment in another big Warner Bros. project but couldn't free up funds."

Paul Haggis immediately understood the situation: the absence of the leading man with strong market appeal meant the loss of the Atlanta and Asian funding behind him.

There were many rumors in the industry about Louise Meyer of Pacific Films and Martin Davis. It's not surprising that she declined, and Martin also declined.

Alan Horn tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "Our plans are about to change."

"New actors don't fit our requirements." Paul Haggis didn't want to risk casting a newcomer as the male lead in such a huge investment project: "The investment is too big."

Allen nodded: "They must be A-list stars. We still have time to find them." He frowned: "Actually, the key is funding. In the past, there was always a lot of hot money flowing into Hollywood, and it wasn't difficult for Warner Bros. to attract investment for its projects. But since the end of last year, the situation has changed a lot. The amount of hot money flowing into the industry has decreased sharply. Even Spielberg went to India to attract investment."

Although he excels at film production, his years in a high position have given him a keen sense that something seems wrong with the American economy.

Most notably, Wall Street's enthusiasm for investing in Hollywood has plummeted.

Paul Haggis didn't understand these things; he was a pure filmmaker who only considered things from a film investment perspective: "Could we bypass Martin Davis and connect with the Atlanta and Asian funds behind him?"

Allen is not lacking in decisiveness: "I'll have someone give it a try."

After Paul Haggis left, he called his subordinate Lauren and asked her to contact people in Atlanta and Asia.

Paul Haggis left his office and went down to the lobby, where he met Jon, the creative director of Legendary Pictures.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Haggis asked, "You should know about the new project I'm leading. Aren't you planning to invest in it?"

Although Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures are both under Warner Bros., they are not subordinate to each other but are parallel entities. Jon shrugged: "Legendary Pictures' focus for the next year is the Batman sequel; there's nothing else they can do."

Haggis asked curiously, "Didn't you raise a lot of money from private shareholders and hedge funds on Wall Street?"

Jon casually replied, "Small investors on Wall Street are also short of money."

Footsteps sounded nearby, and Christian Bale came over from Warner Bros., greeted him, and asked, "What were you talking about? You seemed very engrossed."

Jon laughed: "Of course it's money."

Haggis said, "Many big projects are looking for funding."

Bell, unaware of these things, said, "Actually, I'm also looking for money."

The three laughed, and Jon quickly took his leave.

Bell is leaving too.

Haggis suddenly remembered what Allen had just said and quickly called out to Bell, "Chris, let's talk alone for a bit."

Bell pointed to the lounge area: "Over there."

The two sat down, and Haggis said directly, "Warner Bros. and I are working on a new Terminator movie, with an investment of around $2 million. The male lead has not yet been decided."

Bale said, "I'll also be playing Bruce Wayne."

Haggis said, "I asked Jon about the filming dates, and the two don't conflict."

The first Batman movie, "Battle Start," revitalized the Batman franchise, and Warner Bros. and DC are confident about the sequel. Terminator 4 will definitely be released after Batman.

Haggis considered many things in a moment. With the solid foundation laid by the first film, the new Batman movie should be a big hit, thus allowing them to ride on Bale's momentum...

As for salaries, that's not a problem. The reason for such a high budget is to hire A-list celebrities.

Bale was very diplomatic, neither saying yes nor no: "According to industry regulations, I cannot discuss roles and job acquisition in the absence of my agent."

"I'll contact your agent," Haggis said. He opened his briefcase and handed Bell a script and a proposal. "Take a look," he said.

Bell said, "Paul, thank you for your high regard and invitation."

His agent, Patrick, was waiting for him in the car outside.

Bell got into the car, handed him the documents, and said, "I've received an invitation."

Patrick flipped through the pages and said, "I've heard about this project. They supposedly even invited Martin Davis to play the male lead."

Bell immediately became interested: "Martin Davis?"

Patrick said, "Alan Horn has met with him privately." He mentioned the most crucial point: "The new Terminator movie will have a budget of no less than $1.8 million, and if you can get the role, I can negotiate a minimum of $1500 million in salary for you."

Those who navigate the world of fame and fortune are all interested in money. Hearing this number, Bell's interest grew even stronger: "Try contacting Warner Bros. Paul Haggis has spoken with Legendary Pictures, and their schedules don't conflict."

…………

After receiving instructions from her superior, Alan Horn, Lauren immediately sprang into action, researching all the film projects starring Martin Davis and quickly identifying four major sources of investment funding to support him.

Hollywood's Pacific Films, Atlanta's largest film company Gray Pictures, Beast House Entertainment (also from Atlanta), and Asian tycoon Wu Maoting.

The heads of the first two companies, Louise Mayer and Kelly Gray, are too deeply involved with Martin, who is far away in Asia and cannot be met in person in the short term. Lauren puts them aside for the time being and plans to contact Atlanta Beast House Entertainment first.

They also have an office in Los Angeles.

Lauren learned that one of the owners of Wild Beast House had recently arrived in Los Angeles.

He immediately drove to South Bogdale Street, found the office of the House of the Beasts, went inside, and introduced himself to the person who greeted him: "I am Lauren Conner from Warner Bros., here to visit Ms. Sophia."

"Please wait a moment." The person turned and walked inside.

A moment later, a middle-aged man came out and beckoned to Lauren, "Come with me."

Lauren noticed that the man walked in a very strange way, with his legs turned outwards and his steps wobbling as if his buttocks had suffered some great injury.

Scott suddenly turned around, but Lauren didn't look at him and followed him into a meeting room as if she hadn't seen anything.

"Sit." The woman's words made Lauren's lips twitch.

The sportswear couldn't hide this woman's strong physique; the muscles bulging with every move were even more exaggerated than Dwayne Johnson's today.

Lauren could only find one fitting description: a female version of King Kong!

Then it dawned on him that the head of Pacific Pictures was a woman, the head of Gray Pictures was a woman, and the head of House of the Beasts was also a woman.

Martin Davis has quite the appetite, doesn't he? How can he even go down there? Isn't he afraid of breaking it?

Lauren, a woman of considerable experience, had many thoughts running through her mind, but her expression remained normal. She introduced herself, "Hello, ma'am, I'm Lauren Conner from Warner Bros.' Planning Department..."

Sofia, always direct, interrupted him, "What is it?"

Lauren had prepared beforehand and quickly began talking about Warner Bros.' projects and their sincerity.

Sofia didn't say much, but she listened attentively.

…………

On Boulevard Rodeo, at Brioni's boutique, Martin, having just finished shooting the new season's promotional material for GG, is trying on a formal suit.

This Oscar gown was specially handcrafted by Brioni based on his body measurements and will be worn this weekend.

Store manager Credia, who was standing nearby, carefully examined Martin and said, "Perfect! Martin, you have great proportions, a model-like frame, and you perfectly embody Briony's extraordinary elegance."

Martin smiled and said, "Thank you, I'm very satisfied."

In his eyes, who doesn't have much fashion sense, men's formal attire is nothing special. Someone like him who needs a mature and stable style will definitely choose dark colors in public.

In the rest area, Bruce, holding Martin's phone, answered a call. Upon hearing Sophia's voice, his heart tightened inexplicably, and his legs trembled involuntarily.

But he listened patiently to what Sophia was saying, then quickly hung up the phone and went to find Martin, whispering, "Sophia wants to see you."

Martin asked, "What's up?"

Bruce said, "Warner Bros. approached Sofia, wanting to secure investment."

Martin nodded. "Tell her I'm coming right now."

He went to the locker room to change his clothes.

Bruce had considered making a phone call, but he really didn't want to hear Sophia's voice, so he simply sent a text message.

Martin changed his clothes, greeted Claudia, and went downstairs with Old Brooks to drive to Burbank.

Bruce, knowing that Martin had recently turned down an offer from Warner Bros., asked, "Could it be related to Alan Horn?"

Martin said, "Alan Horn is the president of Warner Bros., and bringing in a new investor will ultimately require his approval."

Bruce frowned slightly: "He wants to uproot us!"

Martin closed his eyes and pondered, considering the situation in Hollywood and the investment returns of Wild Beasts House, before deciding on his conversation with Sophia.

The car soon arrived at South Boway Street, where the Los Angeles branch of Beast House is located.

Martin and Bruce went upstairs and saw Scott first.

More than half a year had passed since I last saw Scott. His legs had stopped spreading to the sides, but his walking style seemed to have become fixed, always with his legs spread apart.

(End of this chapter)