America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 605 The Shortcut to Wealth

Brooklyn Studios, New York.

The John Wick 2 crew came here in July to film some scenes that didn't require Martin and Menez to appear.

Chad Stahlsky even made a cameo appearance as a mob boss.

In the studio, Martin sat on the camera track, personally operating the camera to film Chad's scenes.

"Attention, all departments!" he shouted. "Script supervisor, get ready!"

The script supervisor came in front of the camera lens and clapped the clapperboard.

Martin began filming intently, the camera focused entirely on Chad's face.

"That man is a mystery, a legend, a madman. He killed three top assassins in a bar with just a pencil!" Chad made no attempt to hide his fear. "He's Jonathan, a living legend!"

The subordinate on the other side said, "If that's the case, why don't we let go?"

The following lines are key, echoing the most explosive moment of the first film, where Chad's fear transforms into ruthlessness: "He killed my nephew, he killed my brother, all for a dog!"

He roared, "Just for a dog, you killed my only two family members!"

The topic of dogs is something that can never be skipped in this series.

Phrases like "a dog caused a bloodbath" and "I'll take your dog's life" have long been popular internet slang.

The saying "Don't mess with Martin Davis's dog" is a global consensus.

As for what to provoke, there's the bloody "John Wick" in the movies, and the Santa Monica Pier incident in real life as a warning.

"Cut..." Martin called a halt to filming, looked up from behind the camera, and yelled at Chad, "You overdid it with the last two lines!"

Chad raised his hand: "My question."

Martin shouted, "All departments, back to your positions!"

The crew got busy, and filming resumed a few minutes later.

When it came to Chad's angry outburst, Martin called for a stop again, saying, "Too much force, too much focus on outward expression, eyes, old man, your eyes are lifeless!"

The third attempt still didn't work.

Martin simply got off the slide and went onto the set, deliberately asking, "Chad, did Leonardo teach you acting? You didn't learn his strengths, but you picked up all his glaring, frowning, and roaring."

Chad said, "I'm good at action scenes..." Then, seeing Martin across from him, he smiled sheepishly, "I wouldn't dare say I'm good at action scenes in front of you."

Martin cautioned, "This is a close-up shot; pay attention to conveying emotions through your eyes."

Chad replied, "I'll give it a try."

The crew reshot the scene seven or eight times before Martin, the temporary director, finally called it a success.

Chad's performance was far inferior to Leonardo DiCaprio's, but it was adequate for the dramatic scenes in an action movie.

The director's performance was really bad before.

Martin only directed a few scenes, indulging in his role as an interim director, before returning to his regular job.

This can also be used as a topic in future promotions.

He has limited talent as a director, and the shots in these scenes were filmed entirely according to Chad's plan.

In the afternoon, Martin joined the filming.

In the film set, which was set up as a used car warehouse, Chen Hu reminded everyone, "Let's warm up first."

Martin nodded and followed Chen Hu in doing warm-up exercises.

After warming up, he took the pistol Bruce handed him, a Glock.

As a sequel to a blockbuster film, the production team raised their bid on GG, but ultimately failed to reach an agreement with Heckler & Koch. Glock, an Austrian company, seized the opportunity and secured the film's gun-themed GG sponsorship.

In this installment, the protagonist Jonathan will use Glock pistols throughout the entire fight.

In light of the shooting incident on the set of "Inception," the "John Wick 2" crew implemented stricter regulations on the use of firearms. All prop firearms are not only managed by designated personnel, but also undergo three rounds of inspection before being handed over to the actors, with the actors themselves also having to conduct a final inspection.

Because the film crew used only real firearms.

Safety first.

After checking the gun, Martin went onto the set and began filming the action scenes.

The sound of a ping-pong starting gun rang out.

Gunfight scenes remain one of the highlights of this film, and Martin has been training hard, displaying agility, precise tactical movements, and near-perfect execution of standard action sequences.

Compared to the first film, this one features more car chases and fight scenes.

However, most car chase scenes are performed using stunt doubles.

After filming another action scene, Martin returned to the rest area, took the water glass handed to him by Bruce, and drank a few sips.

Marcus, the gun handling instructor, passed by nearby.

Martin called him over and asked, "When did you get back?"

Marcus, who was getting increasingly overweight, sat next to Martin and said, "I'll be back in North America in early July. Filming for 'Lone Survivor' in Jordan is going very smoothly, and I estimate we'll wrap up this month."

His face bulged with fat as he laughed: "Mark Wahlberg is a good actor and listened to a lot of my advice."

Martin said, "I'm having people discuss the film's distribution and release; it should be released next year without any major issues."

Marcus nodded: "This will fulfill a great wish of mine and let Americans know that my teammates are true patriots and what price they have paid for America."

Martin reassured him, "Just focus on your work."

Marcus hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Martin asked, "Anything else?"

"After my autobiography was published, a lot of rumors about me appeared online," Marcus seemed troubled: "Many people even said I deserted or something..."

Martin waved his hand and said, "Don't pay too much attention to the gossip in the media and on the internet. You should have seen it; there are even people on the internet slandering me for being gay with Leonardo and Nicholson. Is that even possible? Some things are best ignored. If someone goes too far, just have someone send them a lawyer's letter."

Marcus's smile held a hint of bitterness: "Maybe I'm not mentally strong enough. Seeing those things always makes me angry, and I want to beat them up."

"I was like that at first too," Martin said, adding, "but think about it carefully. You're a celebrity now, a rich man. Those people would love for you to beat them up; it's their shortcut to wealth!"

Upon hearing the last sentence, Marcus scratched his head, thinking of Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, and Harvey Weinstein—all typical figures who serve as cautionary tales.

He said, "I will try my best to adjust and ignore those negative comments as much as possible."

Martin got up to go to the set and patted Marcus on the shoulder: "Come to the hotel bar for drinks tonight. I've invited Chen Hu, Chad, and Mene."

Winston doesn't have any scenes today, and Menez isn't on set.

Marcus said, "I'll be there on time."

Martin struck a pose upon entering the film set.

As soon as the order to start filming was given, stuntman Lewis ran towards him, holding a wrench in his hand.

Martin dodged, grabbed his arm, and kicked him between the legs.

Lewis screamed, dropped the wrench, and collapsed, clutching his groin.

Martin rolled over, picked up a gun from the ground, and fired another shot at Lewis's head.

The scene ended with a crisp gunshot.

Martin got up from the ground, went over to Lewis, and asked, "Are you alright?"

Lewis said, "Luckily, I had a special crotch guard in my pants."

Martin pulled him up and said, "I can control my strength."

The two had worked together before on "The Hills Have Eyes" and had a good relationship. Lewis jokingly said, "I don't want to let you use my only two testicles to test your skills."

Martin laughed heartily: "At most, it's just a touch of sadness."

The day's filming came to an end, and on the way back to the hotel after work, Chad got into Martin's car.

He asked, "You asked me to reserve the roles of the female assassin and Jaina. When will their actresses arrive?"

Martin slapped his forehead and said, "My bad. I've been busy with the overseas promotion of Inception and the Coca-Cola Cult's Washington gathering lately, and I forgot about it."

Chad was speechless: "Can you hurry up and let me see the actors?"

Bruce, who was driving, reminded him, "You had me notify Splinterna, who plays the female assassin, to come to New York for an audition."

Martin had truly forgotten about it and said, "Old Brooks, you should also notify Marina Alexandrova to come to New York for an audition with her agent."

He asked Chad, "When will Gianna's scenes be filmed?"

Chad explained, "The underground castle scene has already been set up in the studio. Once the right people are present, we can start filming at any time."

Martin said, "Marina is a classically trained actress who has played many important roles in Russian television and films, so there shouldn't be any problem."

"The role of Jaina isn't too difficult." Chad's character was originally designed as a minor character who triggers conflict, with limited screen time: "She's not key; we can start filming whenever she arrives."

He emphasized, "The female assassin Ares has action scenes, so she needs to undergo some necessary training."

Martin was straightforward: "Let's have an audition first, and if it's not a good fit, we can find someone else."

Thomas has other roles to choose from.

Upon arriving at the hotel and getting out of the car to enter the lobby, Martin reminded him, "Don't forget to come out for a drink tonight."

"I remember." Chad glanced at Martin, noticing the girl approaching from the rest area, and said, "I'm going up first."

Martin turned around, saw Lily, and asked, "What are you doing in New York?"

Lily said, "I'm here to attend an art exhibition."

Martin asked curiously, "Do you have any works exhibited?"

"Of course," Lily said with a touch of pride. "My work is very popular right now."

She specifically said, "When do you have time to come and see my art exhibition? It would be best if you brought a few friends with you."

Martin readily agreed: "No problem, but... you'll have to treat us today."

Lily asked, "What do you want to eat?"

Martin called her upstairs and said, "Dinner's on me. I'm treating my friends from the film crew to drinks tonight, and you'll have to pay the bill."

Lily wouldn't refuse Martin: "It's fine to treat him, but it can't exceed $3. If Elena finds out about it during an audit, she'll smash my head in."

Martin laughed. "A few thousand dollars at most."

As he went upstairs to his room, his phone rang; it was Taylor Swift calling.

(End of this chapter)