America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 703 Like Tempered Steel

When it comes to competing for the Oscars, top-notch roles and acting skills are often not necessary. There are many off-field factors that can influence the outcome. Martin lacks confidence in this so-called "playing the victim" plan.

According to Nicholson, the plan was primarily initiated and developed by Leonardo.

In his previous life, Leonardo DiCaprio was a perennial runner-up for Best Actor, only winning the award in a year with a relatively weak film industry.

Leonardo DiCaprio's current Oscar win is largely due to Martin Scorsese.

On the one hand, he broke away from his established image and used his ugliness to win awards; on the other hand, Harvey Weinstein's early demise led to a power vacuum during the Oscars season.

The latter is more crucial.

Will Leonardo DiCaprio's plan win him an Oscar?

However, Martin did not reject Leonardo and Nicholson's offer. He was now rich and famous, and would treat it as a fun game.

As long as it's fun, that's fine.

Moreover, the sponsors cover the cost of winning prizes, so he doesn't have to pay out of his own pocket.

Two days later, filming for all scenes of "Argo" was completed, and David Fincher announced that the production was officially wrapped.

Martin brought Leonardo and Nicholson to WMA, where they met with Thomas and Ali Emmanuel.

With the addition of Jessica and Emily from Davis Studios, the awards season Oscar contender team is complete.

After some discussion, the division of labor was clarified.

Thomas was responsible for contacting the sponsors.

Leonardo and Nicholson are pulling a so-called "playing the victim" plan.

Jessica and Emily contacted Rita's PR team, who annually campaigned for Martin's Oscar nominations, to assist them with their systematic publicity and PR efforts.

Alibaba was responsible for leveraging WMA's network and resources.

Martin's main role is to cooperate.

Ali originally focused his attention on Natalie Portman for this year's WMA, hoping to leverage her consecutive Oscar wins and commercial success to create a highly competitive Hollywood leading lady.

But the failure of "Darklands" was so devastating that the producers and distributors didn't want to invest another penny in the project.

Natalie Portman can only win the Golden Raspberry Award if she wants to win an award.

Ali found Martin and spoke with him alone for a while.

"I never expected Nat and 'Darklands' to fail so miserably." He sighed and said, "You are the company's biggest hope for acting awards this season, aiming for an Oscar for Best Actor, and I guarantee you a Golden Globe for Best Actor."

He hasn't seen the finished film of "The Martian" yet, but he has confidence in Martin Scorsese. His only question is about the film's genre: "As in previous years, the company will do everything it can to help you win awards."

Martin politely replied, "Thank you for the company's support."

Ali thought of his top female client, Natalie, and asked, "Are there any suitable projects or roles for Natalie?"

The failure of "Darklands" basically shows that Natalie Portman lacks sufficient support among the broadest and most ordinary moviegoers.

Martin, unwilling to risk tens of millions of dollars in investment, said, "I don't have any on hand at the moment."

Ali couldn't force Martin to say anything more.

Martin returned to the conference room, where Leonardo and Nicholson greeted him before leaving WMA.

Thomas and Martin went to his office together.

"How much has 'Darklands' grossed so far?" Martin has been busy filming and causing trouble lately and hasn't been paying much attention to the film.

Thomas opened his office door, waited for Martin to come in, and said, "The second weekend only grossed a little over $200 million, and the current North American box office is just over $1000 million."

He thought for a moment and added, "This film has probably hit the lower limit of its distribution contract and will likely be forced to be pulled from theaters soon. With such poor box office performance, it won't fetch a good price for overseas distribution, North American DVD, or television rights."

Martin said, "The film's primary audience is North America, and a film that fails in North America can only fail."

Thomas said, "It's a good thing you didn't work with Gillian Flynn again."

Martin pulled out a chair and sat down, saying, "Gillian was devastated. She came to see me a few days ago to prepare for a trip and gather material for her new work. Keep an eye on things with her."

Gillian is also a WMA client, Thomas said, "I communicate with her agent frequently to stay informed about her latest developments."

Martin then asked, "Any news from Warner Bros. lately?"

Thomas specifically researched this: "Gillian Flynn and Natalie Portman were both blacklisted by Jon Berg. Also, it's said that Jon Berg, drawing on the lessons learned from the failures of 'Owls and Gods,' 'Green Lantern,' and 'Darklands,' organized a panel of experts to review several edited versions of 'Jack the Giant Slayer' and extract the best parts."

Martin immediately understood what was going on: "So, we'll use these best parts to edit together a finished film?"

Thomas nodded: "Yes, according to my sources, Jon Berger has described it to those around him as an epic revolution in Hollywood filmmaking!"

Martin could only exclaim in admiration, "Warner Bros. truly lives up to its reputation; when it comes to filmmaking, there's no limit to how outrageous they can get!"

Jon Berger is an absolute genius!

After chatting with Thomas for a while, Martin prepared to go home and went to the lobby on the first floor, just as Natalie Portman came in from outside.

The Jewish actress looked worried, clearly under a lot of pressure lately.

When she saw Martin, she immediately went up to greet him and said, "Let's chat for a bit if you're not in a hurry."

Martin nodded slightly and went to the rest area on one side of the hall.

There was no one else around for the moment. After Natalie Portman sat down, she took out her cigarette case: "You don't mind, do you?"

Martin said, "Do as you please."

Natalie lit a cigarette and said, "I've been under a lot of pressure lately, constantly anxious, and suffering from insomnia. I never imagined that after putting in so much effort, the results would be so dismal."

Martin reassured him, "We'll just get it back in the next one."

Natalie turned her head and blew the smoke aside, saying, "I'm completely lost about what to choose next."

Martin no longer speaks casually about matters involving other people's careers, mainly because it's impossible for him to cast Natalie as the female lead in his projects.

Natalie thought of Charlize Theron and felt an urge to ask Martin for help.

After all, Martin helped Charlize Theron break free of the Oscar curse.

If she could, she would go with Martin right now, and let him do whatever he wanted.

If Martin wants, she can call Benjamin Millepied over.

But thinking back, Natalie Portman ultimately didn't speak up, because she had realized that she wasn't Martin's type.

Natalie stubbed out her cigarette and threw it into the nearby trash can, saying, "I hope to have the opportunity to work with you in the future."

Martin nodded. "I hope that opportunity will come."

Natalie smiled and said, "I'm going up."

Martin said, "Goodbye, Nat."

This Jewish actress, who lacks audience appeal in the mainstream film market, will find it difficult to develop further in the commercial film field; independent art films may be more suitable for her.

Martin's phone rang at that moment; it was Blake Lively calling.

As soon as he answered, he heard Blake's voice: "I just saw you go to the elevator upstairs, you haven't left yet, have you?"

Martin said, "No, it's in the lounge area on the first floor."

From Blake's direction came the clatter of high heels on the floor: "Wait for me a moment, I'll be right down."

Martin waited less than three minutes before Blake Lively rushed over.

She wore skinny jeans, a short top, and a well-fitting white sweater underneath, with her long, flowing golden waves accentuating her figure.

Even though Martin had measured it from top to bottom and inside to outside, he still took a few more glances.

Blackla pulled up a chair and sat opposite Martin. She smelled a faint fragrance and a distinct smell of smoke. She knew Martin didn't smoke, so the fragrance clearly came from a woman who smoked.

Martin asked, "Did you need something from me?"

Blake smiled brightly: "I met Taylor Swift a while ago, and I didn't expect we'd have so much in common. We started talking about you."

Martin shrugged but didn't reply.

Blake leaned closer and asked deliberately, "Do you know what we talk about most?" She didn't need Martin to answer; her gaze automatically moved downwards. "Length, width, hardness, heat—like freshly quenched steel, so useful."

Martin asked, "Are the girls talking so openly?"

"Of course, girls should help girls," Blake continued. "I also talked to Taylor about which angles and directions are more effective when we're together."

She couldn't stop laughing: "Taylor invited me to join her group of girlfriends, and I agreed. But Taylor had a test that I had to pass. The only test was you. But I've been tested by you many times, but she won't admit it. She says that the test has to be done in person."

Martin, ignoring these seemingly trivial details, went straight to the point: "How did you end up hanging out with her?"

Blake said, "Taylor is famous, and I am famous. When we walk together, we attract a lot of media attention, which can achieve a synergistic effect greater than the sum of its parts."

Martin wasn't surprised; he was the one who first told Taylor Swift about the idea.

"The tempered steel that was originally mine has to be shared with others, sigh..." Blake felt that she was really out of her mind back then. She thought that sleeping with her idol would be the end of it, but she didn't expect her idol to develop even better, which made her admire him even more.

I could have slept soundly and enjoyed myself, but now I have to be mindful of other people's opinions.

Blake added, "When do you have time? Get me through Taylor's group of girlfriends' test; they're all waiting for me to contact you, my ex-boyfriend."

Martin said, "I'll call you when I have time."

"Okay." Blake still had something to say, but decided to wait until after the test.

If the issue had been raised then, Martin would have been much more likely to agree than he is now.

Blake made a phone call gesture and went back upstairs.

She needs to choose a new role with her agent.

Martin went out of the WMA gate alone and waited for Bruce to drive over.

Three people in a Chevrolet SUV parked on the side of the road ahead were staring intently at the entrance of WMA.

They waited for a long time, and finally saw people.

(End of this chapter)