America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 641 Hollywood Star Income Ranking

The endorsement deal was off, and Nokia's representatives quickly took their leave.

"The mobile phone endorsement deal has opened up, so I've prepared a few new candidates." Thomas already knew Martin would only endorse Nokia for two years, and handed him some documents: "Take a look?"

Martin took it on, and commercial endorsements now account for more than a third of his annual Hollywood income.

In the past year, Martin held five major commercial endorsements.

Coca-Cola endorsements have risen to $1500 million a year, Cadillac, Cartier men's watches, and Nokia phones are all $1200 million, and Briony's is $600 million.

Excluding the dividends from the Coca-Cola cult commemorative edition, his pre-tax income from endorsements alone is as high as $5700 million per year.

Now the mobile phone segment is empty.

Martin quickly flipped through the information and found that the three mobile phone brands were BlackBerry, Samsung, and Lenovo.

Thomas explained in detail: "BlackBerry and Samsung approached the company last year about the possibility of mobile phone brand endorsements, but at that time you still had a contract with Nokia and hadn't given them a reply yet."

He worried that Martin didn't understand the last brand: "Lenovo is the largest PC manufacturer and seller in Asia and wants to fully open up the world market. A few years ago, they hired football star Ronaldinho to endorse their personal computers. Michael Bay is an Alibaba client, and he has confirmed that Lenovo also spent a lot of money to sponsor DreamWorks' blockbuster 'Transformers 3' last year."

Martin remembers this last point: although Transformers 3 also had a blatant product placement, it was much better than Transformers 4.

Martin considered for a moment and said, "Let's not consider BlackBerry and Lenovo."

The former will soon be swallowed up by the tide of the times and become a niche frenzy, while the latter, although it once became the number one mobile phone brand across the Pacific, fell at a frightening speed.

Most importantly, endorsing them is neither welcomed in the American market nor across the Pacific.

This is no longer just a matter of money.

Thomas added, "Lenovo is willing to offer $1500 million..."

Martin waved his hand.

Thomas stopped talking and then said, "Samsung offered a contract worth $1300 million per year for three years."

His expression suddenly turned strange, and his voice lowered: "The Samsung executive who contacted me privately told me that if I wanted any Korean actresses, I could just ask, and they would send them to Los Angeles. I wouldn't have to worry about anything afterward; they would take care of sending them away."

Martin thought to himself, "What do those Korean bastards mean? They're so damn cunning, daring to use sugar-coated bullets!"

He thought for a moment and said, "We can talk to Samsung, but it can't be less than $1500 million."

Thomas suggested, "Don't reject BlackBerry and Lenovo yet. It's better to have competition first."

Martin waved his hand: "You're in charge of the specifics." He then asked, "What about Apple? Apple's market share is constantly increasing."

Thomas said, "Apple's real spokesperson is Steve Jobs, but his health has been declining since last year."

He remembered that Martin held a considerable amount of Apple stock and reminded him, "Steve Jobs' condition is serious, and if he passes away, it could have some impact on Apple's stock price."

Martin nodded: "I understand. Keep an eye on Apple's situation, and you can start negotiating with Samsung for now."

He had just carefully recalled that the Samsung phone turning into a bomb incident seemed to be another five or six years away.

Thomas then mentioned another thing: "Vanity Fair informed the company that you've made it into the top three of their next annual list of Hollywood stars' highest-paid actors, which only includes film and television salaries, royalties, and merchandise revenue, excluding business investments and endorsements."

Martin has been on various magazines' lists of highest-paid celebrities since 2008, and his ranking has improved every year. He said, "Only in the top three. I thought I could be number one."

Thomas pointed out, "The first two are both captains."

Martin remembered: "Johnny Depp and James Cameron?" He changed the subject: "But all my income is fictitious. Apart from my salary, the post-production revenue from 'Inception,' 'Gone Girl,' and other films has never been received."

Thomas said, "Warner might drag it out until the last day of next month, until the end of next month."

Martin stated, "If Warner fails to pay on time, demand a penalty plus interest."

After finishing their work discussion and leaving the meeting room, Martin received a call from Nolan, and the two then met at a coffee shop in Century City.

Nolan asked directly, "I heard you also have a space-themed science fiction film project in mind?"

"The Martian, the novel will be published and released soon." Martin gave a general overview of the story, then added, "Ridley Scott has already started preparations, and filming is expected to begin in April or May."

Nolan took out a script and handed it to Martin: "The space epic I told you about a while ago, Jonathan has finished the first draft of the script. Take a look."

He added, "The project plan is attached."

Martin took it, flipped through a few pages, and confirmed it was *Interstellar*. He asked, "Has the filming schedule been set?"

Nolan stated roughly, "Filming took place in 13, and the film was released in 14, but I haven't decided yet which company I'll be working with."

Martin wouldn't offer any opinions on this, only saying, "My schedule should be about right."

Nolan smiled. "With you in the lead role, I'm half relieved about this project." He then asked, "Have you received your profit-sharing payments for your previous projects with Warner Bros.?"

"No," Martin shook his head, then continued, "The money used to arrive at the beginning of the year, but now it's a few months late. The interest from that time is enough for me to buy several luxury cars."

Nolan showed no displeasure on his face, but his words carried a hint of resentment: "My studio participated in the investment of 'Inception,' and lost even more in interest."

Martin picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Nolan added, "Warner Bros. has changed."

Martin said, "Things have definitely changed."

Nolan paused for a moment, then said, "I hesitated for a time about whether to continue working with Warner Bros. on this space epic."

"I can't offer you any advice on that," Martin said, putting down his teacup. "I gave up Warner Bros. The offer from my old friend Alan Horn was pretty good."

Nolan did not elaborate further.

This year, which has just begun, may bring many changes for him, such as the expiration of his three-year contract with CAA and his decision not to continue working with CAA.

The reason for this is that CAA's management and senior executives are all Jewish, and in the Moroccan kidnapping incident, they not only did not support him, but also put enormous pressure on him.

This is why Nolan has a very poor impression of CAA.

He has done everything he could to fulfill this three-year contract.

The two then discussed Interstellar extensively, including the project's complex copyright and investment situation.

On his way home from the coffee shop, Martin carefully read through Nolan's script. The theme of the story was very cliché, a typical Hollywood formula—love and family.

Of course, all of this was within Martin's expectations.

While Hollywood film investment is increasing, the overall development direction is becoming more conservative.

Moreover, the real initiator of this project was Steven Spielberg, not the Nolan brothers.

Before the Nolan brothers joined, Spielberg had been working on the project for four years and even considered directing it himself.

According to Nolan's statement, the first half of the script was basically based on the ideas of Spielberg and his writers, while the latter half was based on the Nolan brothers' concept.

The actual copyright to the script belongs to DreamWorks. After DreamWorks' downfall, it abandoned independent distribution and has now signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, making it similar to a subsidiary of Paramount.

Paramount Pictures has also signed a cooperation agreement with Warner Bros. for this project.

Therefore, the current situation is that Nolan is extremely dissatisfied with Warner Bros., but if he wants to direct this project, he still has to work with Warner Bros.

Martin was well aware that, despite his and Nolan's inclination to collaborate again, the project was subject to change.

Fortunately, it's still early, so Martin doesn't need to worry about these things for now.

…………

In January, Hollywood's main theme is the Oscars and awards season.

In recent years, the Oscars have seen declining viewership and have been criticized for their conservative style, with many young people having already abandoned the Oscars.

The movies they like often don't even get a nomination, let alone a major award at the Oscars, so why bother watching the awards ceremony?

Is it that online games aren't fun, or that using social media to pick up girls isn't interesting?

This year's awards ceremony saw the organizers make a change, no longer inviting comedians or talk show stars to host, but instead choosing the pairing of Anne Hathaway and James Franco.

With more than a month to go before the awards ceremony, the organizing committee has already begun its busy work.

Anne arrived in Los Angeles, the place of her heartbreak, early to prepare, and went to the Kodak Theatre on time every day.

His partner, James Franco, was equally dedicated to the job.

In the morning, after rehearsing a section of their lines, the two sat in the front row to rest.

James Franco picked up a copy of Vanity Fair magazine to clear his head.

Anne texted her friend Emily Blunt a few times, then turned around and saw the magazine in Franco's hand, just in time to see the three people on the cover.

They are James Cameron in the middle, Johnny Depp on the right, and Martin Davis on the left!

Franco noticed Annie's gaze and asked, "What's wrong?"

Anne asked, "Can I borrow this magazine?"

Franco handed her the magazine.

"Thank you." Annie took it and immediately turned to the title page corresponding to the cover. The title of the article immediately caught her eye.

The 2010 Hollywood Celebrity Earnings Ranking.

The top spot goes to renowned director James Cameron, with a staggering $2.57 million.

Of that, nearly 2.4 million came from the movie "Avatar," with the remainder coming from the copyright revenue of older films.

Next up is Johnny Depp, with earnings of $1.15 million.

Alice in Wonderland and Pirates of the Caribbean 4 earned Captain Sparrow nearly $1 million.

Then, Anne saw Martin's name.

(End of this chapter)