America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 859 Three steps, one kill; ten steps, everyone lies down

Chiefstone Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles.

On the poster that covered the entire theater wall, Martin held a gun in one hand, coldly staring at the world.

Below the poster, a sea of ​​black and red had already formed.

The people in black are fans of the "John Wick" series. Nowadays, the concept of "suit-wearing thugs" is deeply ingrained in people's minds. These people came to the premiere wearing black suits and white shirts.

The red characters represent members of the Cult of Cola, a pan-faith organization with tens of millions of members across the United States. Whenever Cult leader Martin Scorsese has a new film released, they are his largest supporters.

Even if only one-fifth of the audience watches the film, it can still bring in nearly $100 million in North American box office revenue.

Martin's success is like winning major Oscars, not just success in film.

All the male members of the film crew who walked the red carpet were dressed in black tuxedos.

Martin, dressed as Jonathan, walked the red carpet with a cool and aloof demeanor.

"The eternal Cult of Cola, the eternal God of War of Cola!"

After finishing their Cokes, they arrived at the theater entrance, where Martin met up with Menez. After waiting for a short while, director Chad came up from behind, and the three of them entered the media area together.

Ahead, Blake Lively is being interviewed, where she talks about the movie "John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum" and her new film with Martin Scorsese, praising it as a thriller that will scare everyone.

Martin, Menez, and Chad came over, and the host immediately turned to them.

"I heard that after this film, you're planning to expand the John Wick universe?" The host asked questions that had been discussed beforehand: "When did these ideas first come to mind?"

Martin pushed Chad forward: "Our director had this plan a long time ago."

Chad smiled and said, "The first one was a huge success and brought us a great surprise."

His words were also prepared in advance. The success of "John Wick 3" was inevitable, and the most urgent task now was to increase the attention on the follow-up "Continental Hotel, New York": "After the first movie was finished, Martin, Menez, Marcus, Chen Hu, and I got together to discuss how far the film's world could be expanded. Besides the male lead Jonathan, could we explore the stories of other characters?"

The host asked, "Was the decision made at that time to make a film starring Winston?"

"Not back then." Chad pulled Menne over again: "At that time, we didn't really realize that the biggest driving force came from the audience. Menne's portrayal of Winston was very popular. The audience's love for the series and for the character of Winston made it possible for us to continue making films."

The host then asked Menez, "I understand you're Martin's biggest fan?"

"That's right, I've known Martin for ten years. We were friends ten years ago, and I was also Martin's first fan." Menez's words conveyed sincerity: "Because of Martin, I joined this series, dreaming of challenging the limits of the body in a completely new way, just like Martin did, and wanting to recreate everything Martin did."

His words were full of Martin: "I have worked with Martin for so many years. In every action movie, Martin personally performed more than 95% of the action. In today's world where computer CG technology is ubiquitous, actors only need to make a gesture and the computer can do everything for them. But Martin still insists on doing those actions himself. Martin makes people look at action movies in a completely new way."

The host continued, "Are you ready for the new film?"

"Yes, I've been doing a lot of preparation work all these years." Menez was telling the truth: "It's a huge challenge to play this role well. I not only have to do a lot of action training, but I also can't separate the drama from the action. This is the most difficult and rigorous preparation work I've ever done for any of my roles. I hope I can reach half of Martin's level."

After being interviewed, the three of them came to the sponsor's backdrop and took a group photo with the other main members of the production crew.

Clara walked over automatically and took Martin's left arm.

Blake Lively cursed under his breath, pressing close to Martin's right side.

No one was surprised, or even taken aback. The cast and crew members and media reporters present were all well aware of the Hollywood ecosystem.

After taking a group photo, everyone went into the theater together.

Clara stayed by Martin's side the whole time, asking as they walked, "Are you coming to my house tonight?"

Martin thought for a moment: "Go to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, the same room as last time."

Seeing Clara nod, he asked again, "Is filming for Avengers: Age of Ultron finished?"

"Filming is finished," Clara said simply. "Dr. Zhao doesn't have many scenes, but he will be an important character in the new season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Both Marvel Studios and Disney want me to continue playing this role."

Martin said, "I've spoken to Disney. You should focus on your work and not get involved in any of the messy things on set."

Marvel and Disney are now embroiled in a series of conflicts with Joss Whedon, the director of the Avengers series, involving huge interests on both sides, and the conflict could escalate at any time.

Clara's agent was Natasha, and having received Natasha's instructions, she quickly replied, "I understand."

Blake Lively, who had been talking to Martin's agent in the back, quickly caught up, took Martin's arm, and said, "Let's talk alone for a bit."

Clara was very clear about her own position and tried her best not to cause Martin any trouble, so she took the initiative to let go: "I'll go ask the director if I'll have any scenes in the next movie."

Having dated Martin for a while in a normal romantic relationship, Blake asked, "Honey, could my character stand alone in a movie?"

In this film, she plays an extremely powerful female assassin who is also the manager of the Casablanca Continental Hotel, and she will fight alongside Martin in the movie.

Martin had considered the role of Black. Black was different from Halle Berry in his previous life. Although the latter was an Oscar-winning actress, at this point in time, apart from Storm, she had no other notable roles, and her actual status in the industry could barely be considered second-rate.

She has limited appeal, and several precedents have shown that she cannot carry a film.

If the Hunt for God wants to expand its universe, it will naturally no longer consider the role of Halle Berry.

But Blake's situation is different. At 27, she is in the prime of her Hollywood career and has the most online fans among Hollywood actresses.

Her films have a certain audience base, and if managed well, profitability is not impossible.

Blake's biggest problem is that his acting skills are quite average, but action movies don't need great acting skills; what they do need is Blake's good physique.

The positive impact of a young Scarlett Johansson on Black Widow is undeniable.

Martin thought for a moment and said directly, "If your character in 'John Wick 3' is well-received, I'll consider making a new movie with her as the main character."

Blake said, "I knew it, you're the best to me."

Martin walked along, lost in thought, and then said, "Actually, there are more and more movies in Hollywood these days with women as the absolute protagonists, including many action films. Darling, your acting talent is mediocre, and it's hard for you to achieve anything significant if you take the art film route. Perhaps the role of an action star is more suitable for you."

Blake made no attempt to hide anything from Martin: "Awards don't matter. I just want to be a star, to shine brightly, to make lots and lots of money, and to enjoy the best life."

This side of you is so real, Martin said. "You're going to be even more famous in the future."

Blake laughed happily and said, "If you break up with Elizabeth someday, how about choosing me to be your official girlfriend again? Don't worry, I won't care how many women you have outside. Even if you want to bring them along with me, I'm fine with that."

Martin simply replied, "It's fine as it is."

Blake couldn't help but sigh. He was also one of the witnesses to the Burbank High School incident. How could he have given up so easily? It really was because he didn't know the importance of money and fame when he was young. He only wanted to pursue new and exciting love. By the time he realized it, the best one had already been taken by someone else.

The audience entered the premiere venue one after another, with guests and media reporters taking their seats in the front row, and the main cast and crew entering the screening hall last.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, Martin and his entourage arrived at the front row.

Several VIPs were present at today's premiere.

Not only did Alan Horn, co-chairman of Disney Studios, walk the red carpet, but Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger also made a personal appearance.

The latter shook hands firmly with Martin and said, "I have read Allen's report on the collaboration on 'Beauty and the Beast,' and many of your suggestions are excellent."

Martin said with a smile, "Actually, we can collaborate on more live-action Disney fairy tale movies."

Perhaps because of him, Alan Horn was more affected. After the failure of the live-action fairy tale film "Into the Woods," Disney Studios did not touch this type of film again until "Beauty and the Beast."

"Into the Woods," a live-action fairy tale film with an investment of over 100 million and a cast of many big-name stars, was a complete commercial failure.

Robert Iger nodded slightly but did not respond; instead, his gaze turned to Alan Horn.

Alan Horn chimed in, "Beauty and the Beast has an important production meeting in a few days. Martin, as the producer and second-largest investor, you'll be attending. We'll discuss it in detail then."

Martin said, "Okay."

Disney's major investment projects also seek external financing, and companies like Davis Studios are more popular with Disney than ordinary investors.

The greatest advantage of Robert Iger is that he lets professionals do professional things and doesn't interfere arbitrarily.

Neither Disney Studios nor Marvel Studios will interfere with normal operations as long as they don't cross Walt Disney's warning lines.

The movie screening was about to begin, and everyone took their seats.

Blake then moved closer to Martin and whispered inquiries about his collaboration with Disney.

Martin gave a few perfunctory replies, then reminded him, "Watch the movie carefully."

As the ceiling lights went out, the premiere of "John Wick 3" began.

This is a top-notch action-visual feast.

Martin's exceptional skills ensured that the film's action sequences, from hand-to-hand combat to gunfights and horse battles, were realistic and visually stunning.

Compared to other action movies that use dazzling, fast-paced editing, the "John Wick" series prefers to use stable, wide-angle shots to provide viewers with a comfortable and smooth viewing experience.

The wide shots not only demonstrate the director's choreography skills, but also place higher demands on the actors' fighting abilities.

In the past, Hollywood action movies often used handheld camerawork and ultra-short shots with rapid editing to create a pseudo-realistic feel. This shooting technique is not bad, but it was a measure that was forced to be used in order to cover up the actors' action skills.

This is not the case with Martin, which is why the John Wick series frequently uses long takes.

In the third installment, there was even a nine-minute-long, single-take action sequence.

Its effect far surpasses those seemingly sharp short shots and rapid editing, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained.

These were certainly not Hollywood's original creations; strictly speaking, Chad learned from Hong Kong action films.

In the Hong Kong action film industry of the 1980s and 90s, there were many actors with martial arts or acrobatic skills, unlike Hollywood which relies heavily on editing.

The actors' own qualities determine the shooting mode of action scenes.

Besides close-quarters combat, the gunfight scenes in the John Wick series are also very elaborate, which also relies on Martin's own marksmanship.

Thus, in the film, Martin is unstoppable, ruthless and invincible.

Three steps, one kill; ten steps, everyone down; every punch lands with flesh; every shot draws blood.

As long as the plot and basic logic are plausible, the audience will like it as long as the fight scenes get more and more exciting.

No moviegoer who chooses this film expects to find lofty ideas about the meaning of life or philosophical reflections in it.

In fact, if these elements are added to a film, its reputation may collapse.

The feeling that John Wick 3 brings to the audience can be summed up in one word—awesome!

When dealing with enemies, you should kill them all in one go!

He swung his throwing knives in quick succession, turning the assassins into pincushions!

The sight of a dagger stabbing someone in the eye sends chills down your spine.

He recreates his pencil-killing prowess, killing three people with a single pencil.

Horseshoes are not only efficient killers, but also so cool they have no friends.

For American audiences, this kind of action-packed movie is like taking drugs, instantly transporting them to a blissful state.

When the film ended and the credits flashed on the screen, the audience was so excited that they could hardly contain themselves. Their applause was like the waves of a super hurricane, both violent and long-lasting!

This film may not be very memorable, but the viewing experience and the period immediately following it will leave you feeling excited – it's simply exhilarating.

Amidst thunderous applause, the film crew rose to their feet. Martin first embraced Chad, saying, "See? They love your movie!"

Chad was overjoyed and excited, but his head wasn't spinning. He said, "No, they love you!"

As the director and producer of the film, after releasing Martin, he hugged each of the other key members of the production team and loudly thanked everyone.

Martin then invited everyone to come on stage for a bow.

The cast and crew took three consecutive curtain calls before the applause finally subsided.

The North American screening tour of "John Wick 3" has only just begun.

(End of this chapter)