America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 680 Those who fail to keep up with the times will inevitably be eliminated.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall of the Bowen Castle Hotel was exceptionally lively tonight.

John Wick 2 was a global box office smash, and many people, from the film crew to Disney Studios, gathered together.

Robert Iger was also present.

"The film's North American screenings went smoothly, and the box office performance has been consistently strong." He specifically sought out Martin for a drink and briefly said, "I suggested holding the celebration party at the end of its North American run to promote the film's DVD release."

Martin smiled and said, "You've thought this through very thoroughly. Although box office revenue sharing is what makes us profitable, if the DVDs sell well, our profits will be even more substantial."

Robert Iger said, "I'm really looking forward to The Martian."

The film is in its final stages of production, and Martin is confident: "The film will not disappoint Disney."

Alan Horn came over from the side, laughing, and said, "Martin's movies are now a guarantee of box office success."

Then a multi-tiered celebratory cake was brought out, and Martin, Alan Horn, and Robert Iger all stepped aside to let the main creative team of the film crew cut it.

Chad led Bradt, Chen Hu, and Marcus onto the field.

On the top layer of the large cake, two numbers were sprayed in colored buttercream: 242.6M and 587.8M.

This corresponds to the North American box office and the global total box office of "John Wick 2".

With $2.426 million in North America and $5.878 million worldwide, the film made a fortune for everyone from the producers and distributors to the creative team.

Chad and the other three made the first cut simultaneously, leaving the rest to the service staff.

Just as they were cutting the cake, Menez arrived late, bringing a woman with him.

Marcus had intended to smear a piece of cake on the face of this latecomer, but upon seeing Celine Dion arrive, he quickly stopped.

Menez looked apologetic: "I'm sorry I'm late."

Celine Dion took two steps forward, linked her arm with Menez's, and said, "I came to Los Angeles unexpectedly, and Menez picked me up at the airport."

Martin smiled and said, "It's alright."

Menez then introduced everyone present, including Celine Dion.

Celine Dion shook hands with everyone.

Leaving aside Robert Iger and Alan Horn, she knew everyone else was Menez's close friend in Hollywood.

While Celine Dion and Robert Iger were talking, Martin asked, "Are you planning to go public?"

"Just within the circle of friends," Menne explained in detail. "Celine came to Los Angeles this time saying she wanted to enter my social circle. I originally wanted to take her to her hotel first, but she heard there was a party going on and asked to come over."

Martin laughed: "That's a good thing. It means Celine cares about you a lot."

Menez scratched his head: "I've lived freely for over thirty years, and suddenly things have changed, so I'm a little unaccustomed to it."

Chad, who was standing nearby, was speechless at the scumbag's remarks and said, "You did what we all dream of doing."

Martin saw Celine Dion walking towards them, coughed lightly, and Chad and Menez immediately changed the subject.

Celine Dion came over, exchanged a few pleasantries with Martin and Chad, and asked Menez, "Honey, I have an idea, what do you think?"

Menez responded, "Feel free to say whatever you want to say."

Celine Dion looked at Martin and Chad: "How about we throw a party this weekend and invite all your friends from Los Angeles?"

Unable to refuse, Menez replied, "Yes."

Celine Dion asked Martin and Chad, "May I invite you to join us?"

Martin said, "It's my honor."

Following tonight's party, there will be a press conference where Chad, Martin, and Menez will appear before a large group of media reporters to announce that the DVD of "John Wick 2" will be officially released tomorrow.

In the following days, the Martian crew focused on filming the supporting actors' scenes, while Martin temporarily left the Disney studio to run DVD signing events for John Wick 2 with Chad.

Besides fans of the Coca-Cola cult and the film, some people also held up banners or posters at the autograph session.

"Never mess with Martin's dog!"

This has become one of the most famous memes about Hollywood movies on the internet worldwide.

In recent years, Davis Studios has done a lot of online hype, taking this meme out of North America and to the whole world.

The John Wick series has attracted a large following worldwide.

These people are all potential DVD consumers.

At more than ten book signing events, Martin signed thousands of CDs.

However, the film's DVD sold $4850 million in its first week of release in North America alone.

Due to differences in copyright laws and anti-piracy efforts in various countries, John Wick 2 sold less overseas, but it still grossed over $2000 million in its first week.

This is also the highest single-week disc sales in North America since the beginning of 2011.

After Avatar generated over $10 billion in DVD sales, Hollywood's DVD market peaked and then began to decline, with overall sales falling since last year.

Davis Studios has communicated with Disney Studios, and the revenue sharing for the production company and the creative team will be fully received by the beginning of next year.

After a busy week of DVD signings, Martin returned to Los Angeles and joined the final stages of filming for "The Martian".

The crew moved to a studio specifically for filming wire stunt scenes.

During most of the day of filming, Martin wore a thick white spacesuit, suspended by wires, and kept spinning in front of the green screen.

Many of the space scenes were created using post-production special effects.

Ridley Scott is a typical pragmatist director. He doesn't have as many practical considerations as Nolan. Whether it's film or digital photography, whether it's shooting on models or using CGI, he uses whichever is most convenient.

This year, Nolan launched a campaign calling on Hollywood directors to use more film for shooting in order to save Kodak's film production business.

But there were very few responses from Hollywood.

The production companies had absolutely no interest.

Compared to digital technology, film was far too expensive.

Based on his age and professional experience, Ridley Scott should be considered a conservative director, but he is not a supporter of film. During breaks in filming, he talked with Martin and others about film and digital technology.

"Whenever a new film technology flourishes, an old technology is always replaced." He gestured to his name as he said, "For example, silent and black-and-white films. Digital technology has given shooting more possibilities, and it is most convenient for directors, improving their shooting and production efficiency."

Martin added, "And the original release copy."

Jessica Chastain asked, "Is there a significant cost difference between the two?"

Martin gave an example: "When The Dark Knight was released, it used traditional film prints, each costing around $1500. Later, Warner Bros. released Watchmen, directed by Zack Snyder, which used digital prints and cost just over a third of the price of The Dark Knight."

Jessica Chastain did a quick mental calculation: "Based on the scale of a global release, the cost difference could be tens of millions of dollars."

Ridley Scott said, "So, even God couldn't save Kodak. Kodak failed to keep up with the times and was destined to be eliminated."

Martin chimed in, "I've heard Nolan say that Kodak has a lot of film stock left, enough for Hollywood to use for a long time."

Ridley revealed the truth: "Because there aren't many directors left in Hollywood who still insist on shooting on film."

The people around him laughed.

Ridley checked the time and reminded him, "Get ready to go on set and start filming."

Martin and Jessica Chastain left the rest area together, changed into bulky white spacesuits, and were once again suspended by wires to film the space rescue scene.

Filming began, and Martin kept spinning in the air. After filming a scene that lasted only a dozen seconds, he had to come down and rest for a few minutes before he could go back on set.

More than an hour later, Jessica Chastain joined the filming.

The two were connected by a seatbelt.

Martin, suspended by wires and pulled by the orange seatbelt, swung forward.

Jessica Chastain was also pulling hard on her seatbelt.

The two drew closer and closer until they finally collided.

Perhaps they were both using too much force and neglecting their helmets, because with a muffled thud, Martin's head and Jessica Chastain's head collided through the helmet visor.

They held hands, appearing extremely excited.

Driven by the wires, the two people spun around, with colorful safety belts floating around them, creating an unusual aesthetic.

Ridley yelled from behind the director's monitor, "That's a good take!"

He stood up: "I hereby declare that filming for 'The Martian' is now complete!"

In the makeshift film set, Martin and Jessica Chastain landed slowly, and the stunt crew came over to help remove the wires.

Ridley made a gesture, and an assistant next to him turned on a safety switch.

The green screen at the top of the set moved to one side, and with a bang, the package on it suddenly exploded, and countless colorful ribbons and sequins fell like snowflakes.

Martin and Jessica Chastain, having removed their wires and spacesuits, were right in the center of this colorful storm.

The latter held his arms outstretched, face up, seemingly enjoying the moment.

Martin caught a waft of ribbons, tossed them up, and landed on Jessica Chastain's head.

Jessica Chastain turned around and smiled at Martin.

With makeup on, the hardworking model sister has fair skin and a rosy complexion, giving her a unique beauty.

Martin said, "I'm treating tonight to celebrate the wrap-up of filming. Remember to come."

Jessica Chastain stared at Martin, then decided to follow her heart and said, "I'll participate."

The two men came out of the film set. Martin clapped his hands, and Bruce pulled out a few suitcases.

Jessica Chastain, working with Martin Scorsese for the first time, asked, "The legendary finishing touch from Scorsese?"

Martin opened the box, took out a box from it, and handed it to her: "This is for you."

Everyone on the crew, including director Ridley Scott, received a final gift from Martin Scorsese after the film's completion.

Filming for "The Martian" has now wrapped up. After completing the remaining wrap-up work, the crew, led by Martin, went to the nearby Castle Hotel for a celebration party.

After the party, Martin and Jessica Chastain did not leave the hotel; instead, they went to the luxury suite on the top floor together.

The story of Snow White and the Prince begins.

(End of this chapter)