America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 760 Good Man Martin Helps Depp Get Out of Trouble

Early in the morning, Martin left his room alone. At that moment, the door to the suite diagonally opposite opened, and Catherine Daddario peeked out and greeted him warmly.

"Good morning, Martin. Heading straight to the film set?"

"I have scenes to film as soon as production starts, so I need to get there early." Martin smiled and nodded. "Do as you please, I'm off."

Catherine asked, "Where's my sister?"

Martin pointed back to the room: "She didn't have any scenes this morning, she's still sleeping."

Catherine tentatively asked, "May I go in and see her?"

Martin hesitated for a moment, then swiped his card to open the door: "Go ahead."

"Thank you." Catherine slipped into the room.

Martin glanced at her retreating figure, closed the door, and went to the dining room for breakfast.

The room was a mess, with women's clothes scattered on the living room floor. Catherine knew her sister's size and immediately recognized that it belonged to Alexandra.

In some places, traces of war still remain.

Catherine stared at these places in a daze, as if paying homage to the places where Martin had fought.

In the bedroom, Alexandra had just finished washing up when she heard a noise outside. Thinking it was Martin, she came out in her bathrobe and saw her sister staring blankly. She simply leaned against the door and stared at her.

Catherine turned around and noticed that her sister's robe was open at the collar. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Martin was right, you are indeed more talented than me."

Alexandra didn't mind showing off her superior abilities in every way to her sister, who was eager to compete with her at this moment. She swaggered over to the sofa, sat down, and said, "How did you get in?"

"Martin let me in." Catherine carefully examined Alexandra. Her sister had smooth, radiant skin, a rosy complexion, and was full of energy. She looked almost exactly the same age as her 20-year-old self.

Alexandra warned her to be wary of fire, theft, and her sister: "If you see me, go back early and register for acting classes. I'll let you know if there are suitable roles."

Catherine instantly flew into a rage. What right did she have to kick her out? Just because she has big breasts?

She stepped onto the bra on the floor, grinding her high heel a few times before sitting down on the single sofa next to her: "I came to visit you on set, and you're kicking me out? What kind of sister are you?"

Alexandra crossed her arms and said, "Did you come here to see me? When I was filming on the previous sets, did you ever think of visiting me? You didn't even call me! Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. The reason you came all the way to Boston to visit the set is because the male lead is named Martin Davis."

Catherine kicked off her high heels, crossed her legs on the sofa, and said, "Even if that's the case, do you really need to do this? As far as I know, there are no fewer than five actresses in Hollywood who have maintained long-term relationships with Martin."

She stuck out her tongue and deliberately licked her lips: "You'd rather share with other women than let your own sister taste it? Ha, there are still sisters like this in the world, preferring to give it to outsiders rather than share it with their younger sister."

Alexandra was furious, so furious her chest seemed to swell by a size: "Is this something I can share with my sister?"

Catherine was prepared. She jumped up, grabbed Alexandra's arm, and said, "We're sisters, we should stick together! Lacey, think about it, Martin's resources are limited for a certain period of time. Those actresses, whether it's reputation or roles, will definitely share resources with Martin."

Alexandra fell silent.

Catherine added, "Instead of letting others take these away, let's take even more! You and I are sisters; if we work together, the synergy will be several times greater. Sisters like sisters, how many men can resist?"

Alexandra muttered, "You're insane!"

Catherine, however, saw it very clearly: "It's not that I'm crazy, it's that society is crazy. From the entertainment industry to the business world to the political world, isn't it all like this?"

Alexandra was speechless for a moment, because in her understanding, her sister was right about everything; this was the rotten state of society.

She even thought that Martin sometimes made some very accurate statements, such as the idea that the world had entered an era of competition for the worst.

It doesn't matter if you don't do well; as long as others do worse, you can easily win.

Catherine stared at Alexandra for a moment, then said, "It would be the most shameful waste for us to ignore the advantage of having twin sisters!"

She emphasized, "I'm your own sister!"

Alexandra considered it seriously for a while, then nodded slightly: "I can try, but if Martin objects, we must stop immediately."

Of course, she wouldn't give up her promising future in Hollywood for her sister: "And you have to listen to me on these matters."

"Of course, you're the older sister." Catherine laughed happily.

Alexandra stood up and went to the dressing room to change her clothes, saying, "We need to find a suitable opportunity. Actually, it would be good to have you help me share the burden. It's a bit difficult for me to deal with Martin alone. His needs in that area are exceptionally strong."

Catherine's eyes lit up: "Like Tiger Woods and NBA or NFL stars?"

Alexandra nodded, somewhat annoyed: "Unfortunately, I'm not Madonna."

…………

The film crew is still shooting outdoor scenes on the streets of Boston today.

Martin and Jeremy Renner, following a pre-arranged script, staged a scene of brothers turning against each other.

After a brief brawl, Martin knocked Jeremy Renner to the ground. Renner pulled out a gun and threatened him. The two exchanged words for half a minute before director Villeneuve, watching from the sidelines, called for the film to be completed.

The long take has ended.

Martin came out of the film set, took off his dirty costume jacket, and handed it to the crew assistant. He then noticed that Thomas had arrived.

The two went to the makeup trailer to talk.

Thomas brought good news: "Hamlin's lawyers have reached an out-of-court settlement with Warner Bros.'s lawyers. Warner Bros. is willing to pay you $1758 million in personal royalties owed from last year, as per the contract. The payment has already been made to the agency and should arrive in your account in the next couple of days."

Martin said, "Warner Bros. really got things done this time."

Thomas smiled and said, "Jon Berg has been fired. The newly appointed Daniel is going to turn Warner Bros. around and wants to continue working with A-list stars, directors, other companies, and investment funds. He will inevitably have to rebuild Warner Bros.' reputation."

Martin said, "Daniel has called me several times recently, repeatedly stating that Warner Bros. wants to work with you again."

Thomas cautioned, "We have a deal with Disney Studios."

"The agreement with Disney was signed by Davis Studios," Martin said simply. "Film projects produced by Davis Studios are, of course, subject to the contract and distributed by Disney. But I am also an actor, and I will not turn down other companies, including Warner Bros., as long as the project and salary are right."

Thomas completely agreed: "Not being tied to one company is a wise decision."

Martin added, "If Warner Bros. has a monopoly in Hollywood, would Daniel choose an out-of-court settlement?"

In the current Hollywood climate, unless it's like Mel Gibson, Brad Pitt, or Ben Affleck, A-list stars won't face major problems even if they have a falling out with a company.

If a company has sufficient commercial value, other Hollywood studios will also offer contracts.

With Jon Berg's departure, the dispute between Martin Scorsese and Warner Bros. has temporarily come to an end.

Thomas continued, "Jack the Giant Slayer's daily box office fell below $30, triggering the relevant terms of the distribution contract, and it has now been forcibly pulled from theaters across North America."

Martin asked, "What was the final box office figure in North America?"

"$2741 million." Only then did Thomas realize how incredibly risky the film industry was; a single project could lose hundreds of millions.

The next moment, a question suddenly arose in his mind: what made him think that movies were not a high-risk investment?

Thomas's eyes immediately fell on Martin; he had grown accustomed to Martin's success over the years...

He composed himself and continued, "Overseas, the film's market response has been very lukewarm. Basically, moviegoers all over the world are criticizing the film's content and the protagonist's schizophrenia. Currently, in the more than 60 countries and regions where it has been released, the cumulative overseas box office is only around 30 million US dollars. It's impossible for the film to gross more than 100 million US dollars worldwide."

This film isn't a sequel to a successful movie, so its poor reception in the North American market was entirely predictable overseas.

Martin nodded slightly and asked about something else: "What's the situation with Depp?"

"The two sides are still exchanging words in the media, but public opinion is almost unanimously on Amber Heard's side," Thomas said succinctly. "Amber Heard's lawyers have filed for a total of $6500 million in domestic violence settlement and property division in the divorce proceedings."

He unconsciously shook his head: "Depp still has to pay his overdue taxes and fines on time, and Amber Heard's life will be miserable from now on."

Martin said, "He'd better declare bankruptcy and go homeless."

Thomas understood what Martin meant: once Depp, the alcoholic and drug addict, declared bankruptcy, he would no longer receive any offline revenue sharing from the films he starred in. The drug addiction alone would make Depp's life a living hell.

He said, "If Depp had any brains, he wouldn't have declared bankruptcy; he would have just held on."

Martin also believed that Depp would pull through. He recalled seeing news reports about a Hollywood actress who declared bankruptcy and had to live in the sewers.

Thomas said, "However, one thing is certain: Depp's career in Hollywood is over. He will basically sell off all his assets and will be left with huge debts. Any future share he receives will be used to pay off those debts."

Martin suddenly had an idea: "It's a pity that Depp has fallen to this state. Shouldn't we, as good people, lend him a hand?"

Bruce, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke: "What are you planning to do now?"

"Once Amber Heard and Depp divorce, help Depp find a stable job." Martin was genuinely considering his enemy's best interests, offering help without expecting anything in return: "If Depp and Pitt went to the San Gabriel Valley to film a movie about men and men, wouldn't it cause a sensation and sell like hotcakes?"

(End of this chapter)