America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 681 Comedy Turns into Biography

Just three days after filming wrapped, Ridley Scott assembled the post-production team and began post-production work on "The Martian" at Disney Studios.

Even Martin, the investor, couldn't stand it anymore and said, "You can take another week off."

Ridley, still going strong, said, "I don't have time to rest. I'll be working with 20th Century Fox early next year to start filming a new Alien movie."

Martin had seen all the Alien movies and said, "I've been looking forward to your Alien movie for a long time."

Ridley said, "It's a pity that the new Alien movie didn't have a prominent male lead, and the most appealing part of the movie wasn't the human characters, otherwise I would definitely have invited you to star in it."

Working with Martin is really worry-free; there aren't many messy things happening during filming.

Martin politely replied, "There will definitely be opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Ridley, though speaking without thinking, took it to heart and said, "After we finish this Alien movie, I'm planning to make another big-budget epic. Martin, how about we continue to work together then?"

Martin thought to himself, "I was just being polite, you wouldn't drag me into this mess, would you? A burning mess at that!"

But he wouldn't be foolish enough to say something like, "You're not suited for epics," since epics are Ridley's true love.

Martin asked, "Which period of history are you planning to film this time?"

Ridley clearly had considered it: "I plan to bring the epic life of French Emperor Napoleon to the big screen."

Martin found a reason and an excuse: "I might not be suitable." He gestured to his height: "His height isn't convincing."

Ridley glanced at Martin, who was significantly taller than him, and nodded: "We'll see."

Martin didn't want to talk to Ridley anymore, lest he drag him into another mess, and said, "I'll go check out other departments."

Ridley waved his hand, indicating he also needed to start working, and went into the editing room.

Martin quickly withdrew. In the meantime, he tried to avoid Ridley unless absolutely necessary, so that he could have a legitimate excuse to refuse him once his schedule was arranged.

After leaving the studio, Martin went to the set of "Napoleon's Beauty" at the same Disney studio.

Filming for this movie has also wrapped up, and post-production is currently underway.

Marius and Alexandrovich were busy editing, and Martin didn't disturb them, chatting with Olina for a while.

The latter took out the completed script of "Servant of the People" and handed it to Martin for review.

Martin carefully read the first third and said, "The script's concept is consistent with what we initially discussed. It has a strong comedic atmosphere and a great deal of satire. Although I don't know much about the social situation in Ukraine, I have high expectations for the finished film after reading the script."

Olina was surprised by Martin's high praise and quickly said, "It's mainly because everything that happened in Ukraine was so surreal that it provided us with excellent creative material."

Martin, seizing the irony, asked, "Wouldn't it cause trouble if we broadcast it in Ukraine?"

"No problem." Olina is not only a screenwriter, but also a producer: "Alexandrovich and I can handle it."

She looked at Martin: "Besides, we have the support of you, an American hero."

Martin smiled and said, "Your talent deserves support."

There was a knock on the door, and Alexandrovich pushed it open and came in. He saw the two discussing the script for their next project, so he went up, shook hands with Martin, and said, "After we finish producing 'Napoleon's Beauty Gate,' we'll immediately start preparing for this new TV series project."

He clarified a few things beforehand: "This is a series entirely set in Ukraine and will need to be filmed there."

"Okay." Martin remained the same as before, with his people overseeing the crew's financial expenditures, while the actual filming and production were handled by Alexandrovich and two others.

Alexandrovich added, "My plan with Marius is to register the series studio in Los Angeles and film it in Kyiv under an American name, which will save us a lot of trouble."

Martin understood his thoughts and replied, "I will have someone assist you."

Alexandrovich believes that Martin is the key to his future development and offered, "Boss, you mentioned last time that you wanted to invest in Ukraine. This studio can be registered as a comprehensive company, and I will help you develop your business in Ukraine step by step."

Faced with such a warm invitation, Martin felt embarrassed to refuse: "Sure, I'll send someone over to investigate the investment."

Alexandrovich smiled warmly and introduced Martin to a lot of information about Ukraine, even giving the impression that it wouldn't be impossible to sell the country to Martin if the opportunity arose in the future.

Martin discussed the matter of "Servant of the People" in detail with the two men. It was quite amusing to see a comedy turn into a biopic and make some extra money on the side.

Is Alexandrovich the first actor in history to play a president and then become a president himself?

Martin eagerly anticipates the day when Alexandrovich will become a world-class player.

Davis Studios has signed a contract with the Alexandrovich trio, giving them full control of the show's rights. If the first season is successful, a second season will definitely be made.

Back in the studio, Martin went into his office, where Jessica brought him an invitation—it was for a NASA investor conference.

This exhibition will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Martin carefully put away the invitation and called Disney Studios to inquire about the release date of "Napoleon's Beauty".

Although this film will be completed earlier than "The Martian", its release will be later. Disney has reserved it for release at the end of January or the beginning of February next year, depending on the scheduling.

The three of them, including Alexandrovich, are full of enthusiasm and will be able to truly break into the North American entertainment market by then.

The success of "John Wick 2" has set a good precedent for the collaboration between Martin Scorsese and Disney.

Martin opened the company's film library to check the latest submitted scripts and novel manuscripts.

Although the number of items received has increased recently, as in the past, the vast majority are of questionable quality.

Every year, only one out of a thousand scripts that flow into Hollywood can make it into the censorship process, and Martin understands that it is normal not to encounter such a situation.

Needless to say, many of the novels submitted were rejected by various publishers. They only decided to try their luck with Martin after seeing the success of "The Martian".

These people all dream of becoming the next Gillian Flynn or Andy Weir.

Martin, however, was not their mentor.

Martin spent half a day reading the beginnings of dozens of scripts and novels, but he found nothing of value. The quality was so poor that they couldn't even be used to scam people.

The kind of scripts that can really rip you off are often quite well-crafted, or even outstanding, in the early stages of scriptwriting.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Martin had Bruce drive a minivan to Los Angeles International Airport on time.

Not long after, Elizabeth Olsen and Lily walked out of the terminal together.

Upon seeing Martin who had come to pick her up at the airport, Elizabeth immediately ran over and, ignoring the paparazzi and onlookers who had gathered around, hugged Martin and gave him a passionate kiss.

Lily waited for a while before the couple separated. She whispered, "Let's finish the rest at home, so we don't have to watch the spectacle."

Martin glared at Lily, put down their luggage, and pulled Elizabeth into the car.

Once in the car, Elizabeth snuggled right into Martin's arms.

Lily took out her phone, adjusted the camera, and said, "You guys continue."

Martin didn't mince words with her, asking directly, "Haven't seen you in a while, you've missed my punches, haven't you?"

Elizabeth grabbed his hand: "We just got back, and you're threatening people again."

Lily said, "Old Brooks, I heard you guys had another gunfight?"

"Ask Martin!" Bruce raised the front and rear barriers without bothering to argue with the three of them.

Martin looked at Lily: "What's wrong with you today? Did you eat some explosives?"

Lily shrugged: "I met an idiot on the plane."

Martin asked in surprise, "What's going on?"

Lily remained silent.

Elizabeth briefly stated, "On the plane, someone was discussing politics with Lily, and Lily, unusually, was defeated by magic."

Martin looked at Lily: "Women engage in politics too?"

"It was that woman who started it; she's a Jewish designer," Lily explained in detail. "Because of my work in sculpture, I took a course in classical art history, and she happened to have studied it too. So we started talking about ancient Rome, Canaan, King David, and the Middle East, and we had a disagreement."

Martin said, "You guys are so boring."

Elizabeth laughed heartily.

Lily said, "We were having a pretty good conversation, but then she suddenly said that the entire eastern Mediterranean coast was Israeli territory. I naturally objected and asked her what legal basis she had. Then she held up a Bible and said that was the evidence."

Martin asked, "And then?"

Lily added, "I told her about the UN's division of responsibilities back then, and she told me that the UN is an illegal organization."

Elizabeth laughed so hard she almost fell over.

Lily was quite exasperated: "No matter what she says, she always has a point, so in the end I just couldn't be bothered to pay any more attention to her."

"Nobody can convince anyone else on these kinds of things," Martin said casually. "Next time you encounter this, don't argue with people."

Lily nodded: "Yes, she always has a point and thinks what she says is the truth."

Martin laughed too: "Isn't that right? Truth is only within the range of cannons. Israel's cannons have the longest range and the greatest explosive power, so naturally they have grasped the truth."

Back at Davis Estate, Martin had just brought in Elizabeth's luggage when Elizabeth hurriedly pulled him upstairs. Before they even reached the second floor, she was clinging to Martin.

Martin picked her up and carried her straight away.

Elizabeth said, "I want to know what the truth tastes like."

Martin carried the person into the master bedroom.

Lily, who was downstairs, dragged two heavy suitcases in. She didn't see Martin or Elizabeth, and guessed where the two scoundrels had gone. She couldn't help but give the middle finger to the second floor.

She also secretly cursed Elizabeth for not being a sister and not inviting her to join in the fun activities.

(End of this chapter)