America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 419 An Unsolvable Problem

"The nominees for Best Actor are George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Martin Davis..."

On stage, last year's Best Actress winner, Helen Mirren, looked at the large screen behind her, introduced the nominees, opened the envelope in her hand, and read out the name: "Best Actor is Daniel Day-Lewis."

Applause erupted, and Martin clapped along. The result had already been announced when the Screen Actors Guild Awards were presented.

Daniel Day-Lewis, the most admired actor by the Academy, went on stage to accept the Best Actor Oscar.

Leonardo didn't forget to tease Martin, consistently adding, "Just keeping you company, good luck!"

Martin remained calm and said softly, "If I win an Oscar and you don't, Leo, I will definitely give it to you publicly."

Leonardo DiCaprio, not believing he would win an Oscar later than Martin Scorsese, said, "If you dare to give it to me, I dare to accept it."

Martin couldn't help but ponder how to really mess with Leonardo, making him retreat automatically at the mere mention of the clock, just like someone who runs 100 meters in 11 seconds.

Elizabeth leaned closer to Martin, comforting him: "Everyone at the academy likes you very much. Once you've gained enough experience, you'll soon be able to win an award."

Martin nodded: "I'll definitely win before Leo."

Nicholson, upon hearing this, agreed: "Leo might win after another ten years of being nominated, but I believe Martin will win an Oscar within five years."

Leonardo DiCaprio was emotionally traumatized and didn't want to talk about it anymore, just as last year's Best Actor winner, Whittaker, came on stage.

Kate tensed up and instinctively turned to look at Martin.

She felt this year was the best opportunity.

Martin eliminated her biggest competitor, Cate Blanchett, early on; none of the nominees on the list were as good as her.

Similarly, this award was hardly a surprise.

Whittaker announced the final answer: "The Best Actress award goes to Kate Winslet!"

Kate cupped her face in her hands, opened her mouth wide in disbelief.

Martin and the others around him applauded and congratulated him.

Kate gave Sam Mendes a light hug, then stood up and walked toward Martin.

"Congratulations on making your dream come true," Martin said.

Kate opened her arms and hugged Martin tightly, overwhelmed with emotion.

Then, she released Martin and went to stand in front of Leonardo.

The camera lenses all turned to this side, and everyone's attention turned to this side as well.

Across ten years, Rose and Jack embrace tightly.

Kate let go, raised her arms high, waved to the surroundings, and walked onto the stage to receive the Oscar.

Whether it was a genuine outpouring of emotion or a performance that went to the very core of a star actor's being, Kate's eyes were red and filled with tears.

At this moment, the entire audience stood up and applauded in respect for her.

Kate thanked the Academy judges, the team, her parents and family, and Leonardo DiCaprio, before turning to Martin.

"I also want to thank Martin. He helped me get into character in many scenes during filming. Without Martin, I wouldn't have been able to give such an outstanding performance, nor would I have had such a wonderful role."

Kate pointed towards Martin, as if recalling Oscar's previous outburst, and exclaimed, "Martin Davis, you're the best partner ever!"

Martin raised his hand in response.

Kate, holding her Best Actress Oscar, went backstage.

The final two awards went to "No Country for Old Men," and the Coen brothers also won Best Director.

The awards ceremony is over, but Oscar night is just beginning.

Almost everyone flocked to Beverly Hills for the Vanity Fair Oscar Night party.

Thomas and his respective agents were also present at the party.

"Cheers!"

The cast and crew of The Reader raised their glasses together, and Kate laughed heartily.

After finishing two drinks, Sam Mendes left quietly.

Ignoring Elizabeth's presence, Kate put her arm around Martin's shoulder and placed the Oscar in his hand: "This award is half yours!"

Martin called out, "Come on, everyone, come on over! Let's take a picture with the Oscar-winning actress!"

A photographer from Vanity Fair came over with his camera.

Kate was incredibly domineering, with one arm around Martin and the other around Leonardo, and an Oscar statuette on her lap. She truly deserves to be the biggest female winner of the night.

After taking the group photo, Georgina came over to congratulate Kate, and Harvey followed her.

Georgina pulled Kate aside to talk, while Harvey approached Martin: "Let's chat for a bit."

Martin replied, "Harvey, we're old friends, feel free to speak your mind."

Harvey's biggest trump card is Quentin. Quentin is planning a big project, which means high investment risk. He will definitely increase the project's risk resistance.

"Quentin is preparing a new project, but he's missing a male lead." Harvey knew that Quentin had a certain appeal to stars: "The male lead is the tough guy type, the kind who can lead a task force to take down Hitler."

Upon hearing this, Martin knew what movie it was, since he had seen all of Quentin Tarantino's films more than once.

Although he didn't get along with the foot-cutter, he still liked Quentin Tarantino's early and mid-career films.

Martin, lost in thought, said aloud, "Hitler? A World War II subject?"

Harvey simply stated, "You could say it's Quentin Tarantino's version of The Dirty Dozen. The male lead is outstanding and could help you contend for an Oscar again."

Martin beckoned to Thomas with his hand behind his back.

Thomas, who was standing nearby and had been listening intently, immediately came over and shook hands with Harvey.

"Harvey, you can't do this!" Thomas was completely different from before when facing Harvey; he was much more confident and said, half-seriously and half-jokingly, "My agent is right here. You cast Martin in a role but didn't call me?"

Two years ago, Harvey would have dared to tell him to get lost, but things are different now. He could only smile and say, "I've heard that Martin always makes the decisions on his own when it comes to casting."

That is indeed the case, but his purpose in saying it to my face was not pure.

Martin glanced at Bruce with a discreet look, and Bruce immediately pulled out his phone and walked over.

He waved his phone: "Emergency call."

Martin patted Thomas on the arm: "You should talk to Harvey about the specifics first. You know exactly what I'm asking for."

He does like Quentin Tarantino's movies, but liking movies and commercial collaborations are two completely different things.

Martin took his phone and went somewhere else.

Thomas stood up straight in front of Harvey, because he knew he represented Martin, and said directly, "Harvey, we're old acquaintances, no need to beat around the bush. Everyone in the industry knows Martin's salary, $1500 million or $500 million plus a share."

If the salary can be negotiated, then we can talk about other things; if the salary is not suitable, there is no need to discuss anything else.

Harvey cursed under his breath and said, "$500 million, plus North American box office revenue share."

"No, not North American box office revenue sharing, but offline revenue sharing." Thomas, after years of experience in Hollywood, said, "Quentin's films have never been known for their box office success. If it's just North American box office revenue sharing, it's extremely unfair to Martin. We want offline DVD and television rights revenue sharing."

Harvey shook his head: "That's impossible."

Thomas was blunt: "Then $1500 million."

Harvey frowned: "This male lead is Oscar contender; many actors would be willing to take a pay cut of several times for the role..."

"Martin has no shortage of Oscar contenders." Thomas understood. This fat man wanted Martin's commercial appeal but didn't want to pay the market price. Although he didn't say a specific number, it seemed like he'd be lucky to get two or three million dollars.

Harvey's big-name stars who work with him invariably receive 20-30% of their pay when they join his projects. He's used to this practice and emphasized, "Don't forget, this is Quentin's project."

Thomas laughed: "Martin got his full pay for appearing in Scorsese's project."

Harvey couldn't continue the discussion at this point.

They wanted to leverage Martin Scorsese's strong market appeal for the "Inglourious Basterds" project, but were reluctant to pay the multi-million dollar salary; there was no solution.

Seeing that Georgina was still chatting with Kate, Harvey left alone.

Back at his table, Ben, who had been observing, leaned over and asked, "Didn't reach an agreement?"

Harvey shook his head: "They don't know their place, they actually asked me for $1500 million in salary."

Ben Affleck muttered, "The Weinstein Company has never paid anyone this much since its inception, has it?"

Harvey said, "This is the first time someone has asked me for so much."

Casey looked dejected: "If Martin Davis sets this precedent, you'll have to pay a huge price to invite other big-name stars in the future."

Harvey had already considered this: "Give up."

Cassie wanted to say more, but Ben kicked her under the table.

Harvey picked up a glass of wine and fell into thought.

Meanwhile, Martin and Elizabeth were preparing to go back.

Kate came to see her off and took the opportunity to whisper, "Do you have time tonight?"

Martin glanced at Elizabeth and said, "Some other time."

Kate said directly, "I'll be waiting for you at the usual spot at the hotel tomorrow morning. You have to come."

Martin nodded, left the banquet hall, met up with Elizabeth and Thomas, and together they got into the Cadillac that Old Brooks had driven.

Thomas briefly recounted what he had discussed with Harvey.

Elizabeth asked in surprise, then scoffed, "Why doesn't he let you act for free?"

Martin said, "It's not that he doesn't want to, it's just that he knows I won't make money for him for free."

Bruce said earlier, "They've already been very kind by not making you pay to act. I remember when you were in Atlanta, you had to pay to get a role."

The following morning, Martin drove Elizabeth home and then went to the hotel to congratulate Kate on winning the Oscar for Best Actress.

(End of this chapter)