America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 611 Each Takes a Step Back

In late August, Svetlana and Marina arrived in New York one after the other. After passing the audition, they were cast as the female assassin Ares and Jaina, respectively.

The former requires certain motor training.

The glass mirror set conceived and designed by Chad has not yet been completed, and the action scenes between Ares and Jonathan are scheduled to be the last part of the filming plan.

After several training sessions, Chen Hu approached Martin and whispered, "I've observed her carefully, and based on my more than 20 years of experience, I can tell that Svetlana has never had any combat training."

Martin said, "Thanks."

After Chen Hu left, Bruce came over and said, "This alone isn't enough to completely rule it out. Swallow's main task is to seduce and gather information, not to take action."

Martin said, "The chances are slim."

Bruce paused for a moment and asked, "If we really want to find them, what are you going to do? None of the Russian spies we've arrested in the past were real spies; maybe the Russians just didn't take it seriously."

Martin frankly stated, "I haven't decided how to handle this, but whatever the case, we at least need to know who it is."

As for lofty ideas like the seventy-two kinds of torture, he wouldn't share them with someone as vulgar as Bruce for the time being, because vulgar people always like to make distorted associations.

Martin then asked, "What about Marina?"

Bruce said, "Nothing special has been found yet."

Seeing that everything was ready on set, Martin picked up his pistol, went onto the set, and continued filming the action scenes.

Chad found a sumo wrestler from Japan to impersonate a sumo wrestler.

Martin will be filming several action scenes with him.

The two were several levels apart in weight and size, like a ten-year-old child facing a two-hundred-pound fat man.

More than twenty action scenes were filmed over two hours, and Martin was drenched in sweat before the shoot was finally complete.

Jonathan shot and killed the sumo wrestler.

Martin leaves the set and finds Louise there, along with Alan Horn.

The latter came over to greet Martin and said, "The action scenes were fantastic; real filming is definitely the way to go."

Martin shook his hand and asked, "What brings you here?"

Alan Horn stated directly, "John Wick 2 is the first non-Disney film I signed after joining Disney Studios. Its success or failure is related to the two major distribution brands, Disney and Buena Vista. I heard from Ms. Mel that she was coming over, so I came along to take a look."

It was almost noon when Martin pointed to himself and said, "I'm covered in sweat. I'm going to take a shower first, and then I'll treat you to dinner. We can chat while we eat."

Alan Horn said, "Yes."

Martin returned to the trailer. The action scenes for this part of the scene had already been filmed. The afternoon was the crew's media open day, so he went straight to remove his makeup and change clothes.

There was a sudden knock on the trailer door from the outside. Bruce went to open the door, and Louise came in.

The makeup artist and Bruce got off the trailer together.

Louise closed the door and said, "I'll help you with whatever you need to do next."

Martin took off his coat: "I'm going to take a shower."

Louise followed, saying, "I'll scrub your back."

When the two of them went out, Louise's long hair was not completely dry.

But she doesn't care.

The two met up with Alan Horn and Bruce, and went to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

After ordering their food, the conversation quickly turned to movies.

Alan Horn said, "John Wick 2 and Lone Survivor have both signed distribution contracts with Disney Studios. The former is scheduled for release in the first half of next year, and the latter will be released during the holiday season."

Martin said politely, "Allen, thank you for your support."

“We’re old friends, no need for formalities,” Alan Horn said, getting straight to the point: “When you get back to Los Angeles, Robert Iger will invite you to visit Disneyland.”

Martin replied, "No problem, I'm available anytime after filming this movie."

Robert Iger once led Disney to its peak, but his successor almost turned Disney into another Warner Bros.

Alan Horn raised another key point: "Regarding the long-term contract between Disney Studios and Davis Studios, I think ten years is the most appropriate, but you're insisting on five years."

Martin calculated the time and said, "How about this, Allen, we each compromise and sign the publishing contracts until 2019?"

After considering for a moment, Alan Horn said, "Okay, let's each compromise."

He asked, "I heard you also have the rights to several novels and screenplays, including 'The Prince of Thieves' and 'The Martian'?"

Martin said, "There are probably several projects."

Alan Horn confirmed: "Will all of this be put into production in the future?"

Martin revealed some information: "The adapted screenplay for 'Prince of Thieves' is complete, and I have a verbal commitment with Ridley Scott for 'The Martian,' and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Ridley will direct the project."

Alan Horn added, "Ridley Scott's sci-fi films are always reliable."

Martin smiled. "That's what I think too."

Alan Horn said, "Hopefully I can see these movies soon."

The conversation went quite well, and after lunch, Alan Horn said goodbye and left for Marvel headquarters.

Louise accompanied Martin back to the studio, saying as they walked, "Jennifer Siebel's project has finished filming and moved into post-production. I've been to the set a few times; the director is very professional. The final film might not be particularly outstanding, but it shouldn't be as bad as Uwe Boll's films."

Martin also received a call from Sibel, who said, "I've spoken with Netflix's director, Greg Peters, about this film. Netflix will buy the rights to it, and we'll discuss the specific price with Netflix based on the film's quality."

Louise immediately understood what was going on: "Sibell's film will be completed in post-production after the results of the California gubernatorial election in November. Netflix's calculations are exceptionally precise."

Martin laughed: "Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown are almost certain to win, and I'm waiting for the results before I talk to Netflix."

He said, "The film production will be completed by that timeframe, which is also the result I wanted."

Louise suddenly stopped and turned to look at Martin.

Unlike others, she can be considered Martin's mentor, witnessing him step by step to where he is today.

Martin noticed Louise had stopped and turned to ask, "What's wrong?"

Louise caught up, gently brushed a speck of dust off Martin's shoulder, took his arm, and said, "Let's go."

As Martin walked, he said, "I'll need you to continue producing my projects."

Louise understood what he meant: "From now on, I'll cling to your leg and wait to count my money."

Martin shrugged: "It might bankrupt you."

Louise remembered something and specifically reminded her, "Hollywood is paying special attention to you now, like Warner Bros., there are people specifically watching you waiting to snatch the projects you like."

Martin nodded: "I know, I've been paying attention to that, and I've even come up with some things that are both real and fake."

Louise asked curiously, "Like Schwarzenegger and Stallone back in the day?"

"Pretty much." Martin had heard about the rivalry between Stallone and Schwarzenegger in the action movie genre.

The two not only focused on their own film projects, but also paid special attention to their rivals' projects. If they heard that a rival was particularly interested in an action film project, they would immediately join the competition.

That's why both of them have pretended to be very interested in a project to lure their rivals into a trap.

Now, the relationship between the two has actually improved a lot.

Martin heard all of this from Stallone's three daughters.

The afternoon was the film crew's media open day. Due to the recent Justin Bieber incident, dozens of media reporters and entertainment bloggers came today.

Martin and Chad, along with all the main members of the production team, participated in the media interaction.

Even the sequels to blockbuster movies still need to be heavily promoted to fetch a good price.

Reporters inevitably asked about the altercation with Justin Bieber that night.

But the focus is not on the conflict itself, but on the relationship between Martin and Taylor Swift.

"We're friends, best friends who can talk about anything." Martin's words were, of course, in his usual tone: "Taylor felt that I could inspire her, so she associated with me quite a bit. That night, a few of us were drinking at a bar near Central Park when we received Taylor's call and rushed over immediately. We thought it was just a bunch of delinquents, but we didn't expect it to be a famous singer."

A reporter asked, "Wouldn't Taylor be very grateful for your heroic rescue?"

Martin didn't answer directly, but instead pulled out a shield from the side: "The one who truly saved people that night was him, this all-powerful tiger!"

Unfortunately, Chen Hu, who was passing by, was dragged into the wolf's den by Martin.

Martin said in a serious tone, "Tiger was a national karate champion and also my boxing coach and teacher. That night, we each only took down one harasser, but Tiger took down two by himself!"

This isn't just idle talk; the reporters have all seen the video from that night, and Chen Hu was the most courageous one.

They immediately changed their target and surrounded Chen Hu.

Martin gave Chen Hu a look and then, quite disloyally, slipped away to the side.

Chen Hu understood Martin's good intentions and worked quietly behind the scenes. Given his status, it was difficult for him to attract attention, and he even faded into obscurity after the series ended.

Martin walked to the opposite side and happened to see Chen Hu looking in his direction. He nodded slightly to him, encouraging him.

Chad came over and said, "Tiger is a man with real skills."

Martin nodded: "You old buddies, I'll lend a hand if I can."

Chad thought of himself and suddenly felt a pang of emotion. He had wasted nearly twenty years in the industry, achieving almost nothing, until he met Martin.

He said gratefully, "Martin, my greatest fortune is meeting you."

"You bastard!" Martin joked deliberately, "What you said was so cheesy. If you want to be gay, go find Menez or Marcus."

Thinking of Marcus, who is now as fat as a ball, Chad joked, "I'm afraid he'll sit down and break the chair and all."

That evening, Martin returned to his hotel from the studio and met a travel-worn Alexandrovich.

(End of this chapter)