America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 590 Digging another hole

The attendees were all Warner Bros. executives, so it was difficult to keep industry developments from them. Disney Studios also did not hide its contact with Martin Davis, and related news circulated after the Oscars.

Daniel specifically pointed out, "Since Alan Horn took over Disney Studios, he has been in contact with Martin's side. If we don't make adjustments to the distribution, we are very likely to lose 'John Wick 2'."

Hamada and Jon Berg did not respond.

Ultimately, this matter depends on Kevin Tsujihara's attitude.

Kevin Tsujihara has just taken office, and it's unlikely that his first policy would contradict himself. Besides, the leaders of large companies are inherently more aloof than actors and celebrities.

But he also knew that the sequel had commercial value, saying, "Originally, I was thinking of waiting for Martin Davis to return to Los Angeles and then calling him over to talk in person."

Daniel awaits his next installment.

"Forget it, I won't talk to him. I don't want to send him the wrong signal, making him think that Warner Bros. isn't Warner Bros. anymore without him," Kevin Tsujihara emphasized. "I'll say it again: why do those small companies and studios make money? Because they follow Warner Bros.! Not the other way around!"

Having stated his position, he then said to Daniel, "We should try to fight for it if we can. When Martin Davis returns to Los Angeles, you can go and talk to him."

Daniel had a headache, but the path he had chosen was the right one, both in his own eyes and in the eyes of others; his position as a Warner executive was the source of his power.

"I'll go and have a serious talk with him." Daniel still held some hope for Martin, whose work could provide stable revenue: "I'll try to keep him at Warner."

Jon Berg suddenly said, "I have an idea, even if Martin Davis no longer works with Warner Bros.... I mean, the worst-case scenario."

He had just tasted success: "Martin Davis has a very good eye. We can keep an eye on him. As long as he is interested in a script or a novel or comic book, we can talk to him. With Warner Bros.' financial resources and strength, I believe those people will make a wise choice."

In Hollywood, bidding wars for projects are commonplace, especially for those with promising profit prospects. Back then, multiple companies competed for "The Da Vinci Code," but Sony Columbia ultimately won out against a host of Hollywood rivals by offering a high price of tens of millions of dollars.

Kevin Tsujihara made his decision easily, glancing at Daniel and Jon Berg, and said, "You guys should focus more on Martin."

The discussion about Martin and Davis's studio came to an end, and the group moved on to other topics.

After the meeting, Daniel and Jon Berg walked together, with Daniel specifically inquiring about matters related to "Darklands".

…………

Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

The filming of the movie "The Helen Show" came to its final day, and the set was set up to resemble the set of "The Helen Show".

Martin and Helen sat on two single sofas, answering questions like they were on a talk show.

Menez, wearing black-rimmed glasses, stood outside the camera's view during the interview, frequently using gestures to remind Martin, who was in the audience.

He plays Martin's lawyer in the film.

This scene was scheduled for the last day because the production team needed to coordinate Helen's schedule.

Martin and Helen are old partners, and with the script prepared by the crew, their question-and-answer sessions flowed very smoothly. Even though many of the shots were long takes, they were usually done in one take.

"Stop!" David Fincher called a halt to filming. "Prepare for the next scene."

Helen's makeup artist immediately stepped forward to wipe her sweat, and she smiled and said to Martin, "I never imagined that my first movie role would be playing myself."

After his makeup artist left, Martin said, "There's no other way. Helen Show is too famous. Gillian used your talk show name directly in the book, so we had to ask you to come and play yourself."

"I'm not as popular as I used to be. The most popular person is Jody, the deputy editor-in-chief of TMZ." Helen asked in a low voice, "Didn't you see the previous news?"

Martin shook his head. "No, I've been busy filming." He asked, "Did Jody win an award?"

Helen simply stated, "At the Pulitzer Prizes in early May, Jody won the Pulitzer Prize for journalism as a whistleblower."

Martin said, "It's not easy."

Winning the Pulitzer Prize for a Hollywood mogul's scandal seems absurd at first glance, but considering Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize as president last year, the Pulitzer Prize seems a little more plausible.

Helen added, "I really want to invite Harvey to my show, but unfortunately, it's not possible."

Martin understood what she meant and said, "I can't help it. Harvey probably wants to kill me."

David Fincher's voice came from the director's monitor: "Prepare for the final scene. All departments, get ready."

Martin and Helen said no more and leaned back on the sofa to gather their emotions.

Bruce dragged a large suitcase into the rest area outside the film set.

"Is Martin handing out souvenirs again?" Lily asked curiously.

Bruce said, "Traditions cannot be abandoned. These are the words of High Priest Robert, who has always insisted on the Coca-Cola Ritual, making sure that after each of Martin's films, so that souvenirs are distributed as they were in the beginning."

Lily said, "That big-headed guy was talking nonsense all day long in Atlanta, like a charlatan."

Elizabeth, who was standing next to him, didn't recognize Robert. When she heard the name Atlanta, she suppressed her curiosity and didn't ask.

Lily then asked, "Are those the fish-shaped stones you just got inside?"

"It shouldn't be," Elizabeth replied. "It's probably still a bull horn statue."

Bruce said, "They're all bull horn statues. The fish stones are limited in number; I gave them all to Lily before."

Filming was about to begin, and the three of them fell silent.

This final long take mainly focuses on close-ups of Martin, featuring a long string of lines. Martin's emotional and expressive performance was not easy to pull off, and there were two takes in the middle.

On the third take, David Fincher shouted, "That's a wrap!" He then announced, "All scenes for 'Gone Girl' are now filmed. Filming is closed!"

The remaining crew members were not many, and it wasn't particularly lively. David Fincher and Danu were both rather reserved people, so there were no special arrangements made for them.

Martin does enjoy a lively atmosphere, but he still respects the director on set and didn't even prepare confetti or streamers.

Applause erupted from the audience.

Amid applause, the filming of this movie was completed.

Martin called Bruce over and personally presented him with a souvenir.

Due to copyright issues, apart from the Dark Knight crew, all other statues were sculpted based on Martin.

Over the years, Martin's statue, like Tom Cruise's cake, has become a very iconic thing in Hollywood.

When they were alone, Bruce said in a low voice, "If the Australian bison ever go extinct, you will be the culprit."

"In a place like Australia, bison can't possibly go extinct." Martin changed the subject and said in a low voice, "I have good news for you: Jody won the Pulitzer Prize for Journalism."

Bruce felt a dull ache in his pelvis at the thought of Jody and said, "I saw the news."

Martin said with ill intent: "When you get back to Los Angeles, remember to congratulate people; this is a major life event."

Bruce didn't want to talk to Martin anymore.

Martin wouldn't let him off the hook: "Jordi is very beautiful, with delicate features. With a little makeup, she's prettier than many Hollywood actresses."

Bruce picked up the empty box, turned around, and left.

Elizabeth came over from the side and asked, "Did you attack Bruce again?"

Martin smiled and pulled Elizabeth out of the studio: "Come on, come with me to remove my makeup. I've rented a private jet, and we're heading back to Los Angeles today."

Elizabeth took Martin's arm and smiled sweetly, "Let's go home."

Before 6 p.m., Martin and his group boarded a chartered business jet and returned to Los Angeles.

Elizabeth was scheduled to shoot a GG photoshoot for Estée Lauder the following day.

Martin also wanted to come back as soon as possible and finalize the distribution details before filming "John Wick 2".

Because of the promotion and distribution of "Inception", this film will not start shooting until the second half of the year.

The following day, Martin went to Davis Studios, called Jessica and Thomas, asked about the progress of the negotiations with Disney Studios, and then called Alan Horn.

Alan Horn has just joined Disney and wants to establish himself as quickly as possible. Bringing Martin on board would be a huge achievement.

He offered the maximum concessions within his authority: Disney's distribution commission in North America would be 27% of the box office revenue, and overseas it would not exceed 40%. The specific details would be discussed in more detail, similar to the commission rates for offline distribution.

In addition, Alan Horn agreed to include corresponding guarantees in the contract, which will not change within five years.

Martin wants the next decade.

Compared to Warner Bros.' 30% cut of North American distribution, Disney Studios is more sincere.

Martin had just hung up the phone with Alan Horn when his cell phone rang.

The caller was Daniel, who, upon learning of his return to Los Angeles, wanted to schedule a time to visit him with Jon Berger of Warner Bros.

Martin made an appointment for the afternoon.

Seeing that the call had ended, Bruce reminded him, "Warner Bros. held a press conference a few days ago, hosted by Jon Berg himself, with Gillian Flynn, who had returned from the set early, also in attendance. The press conference mainly introduced Warner Bros.' upcoming new project with Gillian."

Martin said, "It seems Jon Berg considers this a major achievement."

Bruce said, "After all, it's a project you've been optimistic about."

Martin simply shrugged.

"What's he doing here with Daniel?" Bruce asked curiously. "Is he here to demonstrate?"

Martin shook his head: "Who knows? The people Kevin Tsujihara promoted don't give off a very good impression."

Bruce thought for a moment and asked, "Are we really going to do nothing? Just stand by and watch someone steal Gillian's project without doing anything? Leonard and Nicholson would laugh at you for the rest of their lives if they knew."

Martin thought about it carefully and realized that it made sense.

He pondered for a moment and said, "How about we dig another hole and see? They're coming to visit anyway, so it won't matter if they don't step on it."

Bruce agreed: "We won't lose anything anyway."

(End of this chapter)