America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 628 Lifting the Curse

"Marriage, like life, is a battlefield, not a safe haven!"

During the promotion of "Gone Girl," Charlize Theron went all out, even using her own experiences to attract attention: "I witnessed my parents arguing fiercely, my father trying to take advantage of me, and what a price my mother paid to protect me!"

Her experiences as a South African girl were once again brought up and sensationalized by the media after "Monster" was nominated for an Oscar.

This is very eye-catching and easy to hype.

And she was indeed a victim of marriage.

When Charlize Theron was 15, she witnessed her mother shoot and kill her abusive father.

From then on, she became a staunch advocate of remaining single.

That evening, the newly installed retractable bridge at Charlize's house suddenly sprang up, with one end stopping on her side and the other end extending into Martin's house.

Martin went up the steps to the bridge, and as he walked on the bridge, he inexplicably felt like he was the neighbor next door.

Fortunately, Stuart Townsend is now with Toni for life.

Martin came down from the bridge and saw Charlize.

Charlize was waiting for him downstairs: "Drinking alone is no fun. Come on, drink with me."

Martin followed her into the villa. In the small living room, there were two bottles of wine and two glasses. He opened one of the bottles of tequila and poured the wine while saying, "The original novel has been at the top of the bestseller list for 12 consecutive weeks. With the appeal of you, me, and Finch, normal publicity is enough. There's no need for this."

"Thank you for your concern." Charlize picked up her glass, downed nearly half of it in one gulp, and said, "I do this because I'm even more eager to succeed than you are."

Martin also took a sip: "You're an Oscar-winning actress, a Dior goddess, a South African diamond—you've succeeded."

Charlize shook her head: "Ever since winning the Oscar for Best Actress, my career has been like it's been cursed. Regardless of whether the films I've starred in are well-received or not, except for 'Hancock,' commercially they've all been a complete mess. If it weren't for Dior's support, I would have been finished long ago, probably even worse off than Nicole Kidman."

She sighed, "You know what? I've already started getting offers to play supporting roles in productions."

Martin heard about it: "The Snow White and the Huntsman you mentioned?"

Charlize nodded: "That's right, I'll play the Queen, and your other neighbor, Kristen Stewart, will play Snow White."

"I can only say this is insane. The casting director and the whole crew are blind and crazy, they've got something wrong with their heads!" Martin shrugged. "The film will also feature a magic mirror that lies through its own eyes."

Charlize smiled. "You don't need to try to make me happy like that. I want something real!"

Martin asked, "What is real?"

Charlize put one foot under the table and landed on Martin's leg: "I'm cursed by Oscar, and only you can lift the curse."

"It's my duty!" Martin took the bottles and glasses from the table, grabbed Charlize's long legs, and threw her onto the table.

He was diligently clearing away the obstacles to lifting the curse when suddenly an idea struck him: "Sally, if I can successfully help you lift the Oscar curse, you must spread the word."

Charlize immediately understood Martin's meaning: "You want those Oscar-cursed actresses to come to you and ask you to break the curse?"

Martin laughed. "You're such a smart girl."

The Oscar curse is a persistent nightmare that hangs over many actresses, causing many to fall rapidly after reaching the top.

Charlize was also deeply troubled.

Martin, of course, had to use the sharpest sword to break this terrible curse.

The curse is too tight; the sword can only keep cutting...

Finally, Charlize let out a wild shout, feeling completely relaxed, as if the curse had been lifted.

The two took a shower and then came back to continue drinking.

Charlize clinked glasses with Martin: "I hope working with you will bring me good luck."

Martin boasted shamelessly: "I always manage to turn bad luck around and bring good luck to the people around me."

Charlize, who had just enjoyed it, said, "The way you twisted it is really special."

Martin said, "If this film is a big hit, your luck will definitely improve."

"Then I'll try my luck," Charlize said directly. "Besides 'Snow White and the Huntsman,' I have two other projects to choose from, both of which are Warner Bros. projects."

Martin gestured for him to speak: "Go ahead."

Charlize said, "One is a project that Warner Bros. president Jon Berg is pushing hard for, the film adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel 'Dark Places,' and I received an audition invitation for the lead role, and my chances of getting the part are very high."

Her tone suddenly changed: "You and Gillian are very close, longtime friends, aren't you?"

"Hey, Sally, don't slander a good person!" Martin said with particular confidence. "We're just neighbors and friends."

Charlize didn't dwell on it and got back to the point: "The other one is a project left over from Alan Horn. George Miller is preparing to film the fourth Mad Max movie, but only as a supporting actress."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "My personal suggestion is that you choose the Mad Max series."

"You don't think Gillian's new book is good?" Charlize asked, recalling that Warner Bros. had snatched the novel from Martin. "Did you deliberately give up on it?"

Martin would never admit this, no matter where he went: "Of course not, I was waiting for Gillian to finish the book, and then Warner Bros. came along." He found a suitable reason: "I say this because I think Alan Horn's ability and vision are far superior to Jon Berg's."

Charlize nodded slightly: "I don't trust Alan Horn's judgment, but I do trust yours. If you can turn things around from this slump, Martin, I'll reward you handsomely."

Just in case, Martin asked, "You don't actually want to marry me, do you?"

Charlize rolled her eyes and kicked Martin under the table: "Haven't I suffered enough from marriage? I will never get married!"

She recalled painful memories: "It's actually quite good as it is now."

Martin squeezed her hand tightly: "After everything you've been through, you're the most beautiful diamond blooming amidst thorns!"

Charlize said, "Our relationship is fine right now. When either of us gets tired of it, it'll end."

She glanced at Martin: "You won't stop for anyone; you'll keep going until you achieve your goal."

"I didn't expect you to know me so well." Martin poured more wine and raised his glass to Charlize. "I hope we'll only have happiness in the future."

Charlize said, "That depends on your hardness and technique."

Martin replied, "I never let people down."

After finishing a bottle of wine, the two went straight upstairs to their bedroom.

The following morning, after Martin left via the retractable bridge, Charlize drove to the brokerage firm.

Upon arriving at her agent's office, she stated directly, "Turn down the role in 'Darklands,' I'm not interested. Also, tell George Miller that I'm willing to audition for the role of Furiosa in 'Mad Max.'"

The agent was quite surprised: "Sally, are you sure? 'Darklands' is definitely the female lead, a role that truly carries the entire film. You just worked with Gillian Flynn on 'Gone Girl.' If you just go to the audition, you're almost guaranteed to get the role."

He advised, "Mad Max is just a B-movie, and Furiosa is only a supporting actress. Your choice..."

Charlize interrupted her agent, "I've made up my mind. You don't need to say anything more."

For a star of her caliber, once she makes a decision, it's very difficult for her agent to change it.

The agent added, "Sally, you're wasting your time and your talent."

Charlize said, "Do as I say."

"Okay, I'll let them know." The agent added, "Even if you pass the audition, negotiations will have to wait until after 'Gone Girl' is released. The chances of this film being a success are too high, and it can help you negotiate better terms."

Charlize nodded: "Okay."

With the North American premiere of "Gone Girl" just around the corner, the promotional campaign is in full swing. Both the production company and the distributor have invested considerable resources, and the film's promotion can be seen on various platforms in North America, including television and radio, the internet, newspapers and magazines, and outdoor advertising.

In addition, Gillian Flynn's original novel became a huge hit, topping the bestseller list for more than ten consecutive weeks, which attracted a large number of potential viewers for the film.

The news of David Fincher and Martin's film adaptation boosted the novel's popularity, and the novel's success, in turn, fueled the film's success. Warner Bros. is exceptionally adept at this, having used the same method to create the Harry Potter series.

Martin, David Fincher, Charlize, Léa Seydoux, Menez, and Gillian Flynn, the main creators, simply went through the motions of promotional activities. Apart from Charlize's self-disclosure of news to attract attention, only the rumors of a love triangle between Menez, Isabelle Huppert, and Sophie Marceau caused some ripples.

According to Menez, Isabelle Huppert and Sophie Marceau had a public falling out over the right to use his services, and almost slapped each other.

Martin and his ilk could only admire him.

Menez, meanwhile, was filled with a deep sense of satisfaction. He privately told Martin and Bruce, "They forced me to choose between kicking out Sophie or kicking out Isabel, but I can't bear to part with either of them."

Martin said, "Nothing to talk about?"

Menez shook his head: "It's impossible to talk about it. Women falling out is more terrifying than men falling out."

Bruce said, "Dude, you're such a jerk, can't you even handle this little problem?"

"I'm prepared to settle this once and for all," Menez said fiercely. "I won't choose any of them! I'll only choose Celine Dion."

Martin understood: "You made the right choice!"

Bruce didn't quite understand: "Why?"

"I truly love Celine!" Menez spoke without reservation in front of his family, adding, "Celine Dion has assets exceeding $4 million, and I've received news that René Angeli's throat cancer has recurred."

Bruce exclaimed, "Ménez is the real winner in life!"

(End of this chapter)