America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 732 I've never hated anyone so much

"As expected, Megan Ellison's first film was a failure."

Driving the golf cart across the lush green lawn, Nicholson said to Martin, who was in the same car, "Your Depp campaign was a complete success."

Martin adjusted his cap: "Actually, I didn't do anything. Depp just put himself in a dead end."

Leonardo pointed to his head: "After more than 20 years of drug use, this part of him is ruined."

He sighed: "Back then, both Depp and Keanu Reeves witnessed River Phoenix's drug overdose and death, but I didn't expect Depp to learn nothing from that."

Martin casually remarked, "Perhaps Depp tried to quit, but he failed."

Nicholson suddenly asked, "Will Depp stage a prodigal son rebirth, the kind of story the media and the public love to see?"

Leonardo scoffed: "Do you think that's possible? The probability of me marrying Martin is higher than the probability of Depp turning over a new leaf."

"If you want to get married, then get married, but don't drag me into it." Martin gets a headache just thinking about marriage. Isn't a free and easy life better?

He quickly steered Leonardo's off-topic conversation back on track: "I read a report this morning that said Depp has fought against alcoholism and drugs his whole life; he's a true fighter."

Leonardo nearly spat out the water he had just drunk, quickly swallowed it, wiped his mouth, and said, "I drink, I do drugs, I'm late, I yell at fans—these are all things I'm fighting against bad habits, so I'm a fighter?"

Martin and Nicholson both burst into laughter.

Nicholson turned the car around and parked it near the hole. He asked, "Was Megan Ellison's film financed through a financing round?"

Martin did his research: "When Annapurna Films was first established, the three projects that Megan Ellison snatched away were Annapurna's first independent productions. Few people invested in them; most of the funding came from Megan Ellison's Annapurna Films."

Leonard understood: "In other words, the losses from the film's failure were mostly Megan Ellison's personal money."

Martin said, "It is said that she brought several hundred million dollars to Hollywood, but the investment in those three projects was too high and she did not have enough funds. She used the returns of her personal trust fund as collateral to borrow money from the bank to support the production budget of 'The Lone Ranger'."

Nicholson parked the car: "If the project fails, Megan Ellison will lose all her own money. Now that you mention it, I'm even more motivated to cause trouble."

Leonardo jumped out of the car, took out his golf club, and looked at Martin: "Depp is definitely a bottomless pit outside of Captain America."

Martin carried the clubs to the caddy, where the caddie had already placed the white golf balls.

He swung his club and hit the ball into the distance.

The ball landed in the sandpit.

Nicholson shook his head, saying, "Your technique hasn't improved at all."

Martin casually offered an excuse: "It's normal to not train much."

Of the three, only Nicholson is slightly better at golf; Martin and Leonardo are both terrible.

He came to the Los Angeles Country Club to play, mainly to have fun with Nicholson.

Martin can't exactly drag the two of them to the Angels Club to practice shooting or spar. Leonardo is fine, but Nicholson is too old, so we need to be more careful.

The old bastard was born in 1937 and will be 75 years old soon.

However, many people born in Hollywood during this era are still active in frontline jobs. Ridley Scott, who was also born in 1937, shows no signs of retirement, and Oki Higashi, who is seven years older than them, is still directing a film every two years.

The three of them had lunch at the country club at noon.

During dinner, Nicholson picked up a newspaper, read it for a while, and said to Martin, "Transcendence only grossed $71 on its opening day."

Leonardo DiCaprio owns a production company and is very familiar with the production and distribution industry. After a quick calculation, he said, "Judging from the current situation, after Warner Bros. deducts all distribution costs, Annapurna Pictures will not receive much return on this film, both online and offline. A loss of more than 1 million US dollars is inevitable."

Martin raised his glass and gestured to his two best friends: "Let's drink to this good news."

Nicholson and Leonardo, both known for their penchant for creating trouble, raised their glasses to toast Martin.

After lunch, Martin left the country club alone because he had to go to the set of "La La Land" to practice piano in the afternoon.

…………

Annapurna Films, President's Office.

Megan Ellison sat alone in the boss's chair, not doing any work all morning.

The huge success of "The Hurt Locker," which she had previously invested in, made her feel that investing in movies was not difficult, and that making a movie on her own was a piece of cake.

Even after the film's premiere, Megan maintained this strong confidence.

Reality dealt her a heavy blow; the North American box office was so low that she thought she was hallucinating.

Megan Ellison was inevitably hit hard by the fact that her first independently funded and produced film was a complete flop.

The phone rang suddenly.

Megan Ellison finally snapped out of her daze and answered the phone. Her father's voice came through the receiver: "This little setback won't break you, will it?"

"No, I can handle it." Megan tried her best to stay strong.

Larry Ellison retorted, "A small failure is nothing. Think about how many times your old man failed when he started his business. Learn from this experience and make up for the money you lost next time."

As Megan thought about her father's experience, her confidence gradually returned.

After the father and daughter talked for a while, Megan Ellison regained her radiant spirits.

She regained her confidence.

Once her confidence returned, Megan was able to think clearly again. After some thought, she quickly figured out why Transcendence had failed.

The main reason is Johnny Depp!

Megan recalled that there were indeed some minor issues with the film's production, but the messes Depp made during the promotional period were far more problematic.

As for whether the project itself would have problems, Megan immediately dismissed the idea, because judging from the way it was obtained, it was clearly impossible.

Megan called her own subordinate, Dreit.

A few minutes later, Dreit entered the CEO's office, glanced at Megan's face discreetly, and seeing that it wasn't as gloomy as before, breathed a slight sigh of relief: "CEO?"

Megan asked, "I remember Depp still hasn't been paid his final $800 million salary for 'The Lone Ranger'?"

Dreit said, "Yes, payment will be made after the entire film is completed."

"Don't pay Depp this salary yet. I remember there's a clause in the supplemental agreement that says if there are any problems with Depp's side, we have the right to postpone payment until after the film's North American release," Megan Ellison decided. "You're in charge of communicating with Depp's team and informing them that if Depp does anything excessive in the promotion of 'The Lone Ranger,' they can forget about getting this salary!"

Dreit replied, "I'll arrange a meeting with Depp's agent, Wheatham, right away."

Megan Ellison waved her hand: "Go ahead."

She completely regained her confidence and aura as a domineering female CEO, picked up the phone and dialed Amber Heard's number: "It's me. How's it going with what I asked you to do?"

Amber Heard, on the other hand, said, "I've collected a lot of things that are bad for Depp."

Megan said, "Keep going, I want more! And you have to be on my side when I need you."

Six months into their marriage, Amber was on the verge of a breakdown. Depp was a good person, but also a terrible one in real life. He couldn't stand anyone, not even someone as abnormal as her.

"Madam, I've always been on your side." She asked softly, "What about the promise you made to me?"

Meghan downplayed it: "You know very well that those are minor things to me. Would I say something I shouldn't?"

Amber thought about it and realized that made sense: "I'll collect more."

Megan hung up the phone. The failure of "Transcendence" was inevitable, with losses potentially approaching $100 million. The main reason for the failure lay with Depp.

Regardless of whether "The Lone Ranger" succeeds or fails, she will make Depp pay the price he deserves!

Megan discovered that she had never hated anyone so much.

…………

Oriental Columbia Building, penthouse.

Amber put away her phone, walked down the corridor to the study, and glanced through the window. Depp was chatting with investment manager Joel Mandel, and they seemed to be having a good time, with laughter coming from time to time.

She didn't stay long; she went to the dressing room, found some key evidence in her collection, and looked through it one by one.

If these revelations are made, Depp will inevitably face enormous trouble.

Amber read through everything and put it away, then pondered Megan's new request.

For married women who want to accuse their husbands of domestic violence, domestic violence is undoubtedly the best reason and excuse.

In the study, Joel Mandel took out an investment agreement and handed it to Depp: "This is the investment plan I was talking about. Take a close look. I can't guarantee a 100% high return, but the chances are at least 90%."

The failure of "Transcendence" had no effect on Depp. Half-drunk, he said, "Perfect timing. I just received two payments from my film salary. Have Robert transfer them to you so you can invest directly."

Robert Mandel is Depp's accountant and Joel's older brother.

"Remember to call Robert." Joel made sure everything was legal: "Take a good look at the business plan and investment agreement."

Depp grabbed a pen, opened the plan, and without even looking at the contents, flipped to the section that required a signature and signed his name.

Then he opened the investment agreement and signed it as well.

He also casually asked Joel, "How did those previous investments go?"

Joel carefully put away the two contracts and said, "The investment went very smoothly and the returns were considerable."

Depp laughed heartily, "That's good." He invited, "You stay, let's party together tonight."

Joel pointed to the two contracts: "I'll handle these first to guarantee a return on investment."

Depp didn't try to keep him; after all, he needed money to live a carefree life.

(End of this chapter)