America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 181 Actors and Investments All Arrive
On Monday morning, in a seemingly ordinary studio, Ellen DeGeneres was preparing for a new episode of her show.

While getting her hair done, she was bored, so she picked up the Hollywood Reporter next to her and started flipping through it.

As a newspaper specializing in reporting on Hollywood news, the North American box office chart every Monday is indispensable and published in a prominent position.

Allen saw it at a glance. The first one was "The Hills Have Eyes", and the related picture was the main poster of the movie - Martin Davis!
"Shit." She suddenly lost the mood to read the newspaper and threw it on the ground.

When the assistant came to pick them up, Allen yelled, "Take away all the entertainment newspapers and throw them in the trash!"

Like most actors, she is also known for being two-faced.

The others were very cautious, fearing that they would accidentally upset the boss.

Alan's face remained gloomy.

She felt upset whenever she thought about how that little bastard who didn't cooperate with her actually won the North American box office championship.

The guests who participated in the recording of the show today were unlucky and were made difficult by Allen in every way.

After returning, he complained to other media, saying that Ellen DeGeneres was vicious and mean.

…………

In the villa's entertainment room, Angelina Jolie sat on the floor and played building blocks with her son.

Every time she built a house, the child would pick up a big building block and throw it at her, knocking her house down.

Julie continued to build and the child continued to smash, and the two of them had a lot of fun.

The nanny knocked on the door gently and reminded: "Mr. Guyer is here."

This is the agent. Jolie currently has no manager because she fired her manager last month due to poor film selections in the previous few times.

The babysitter came to replace Julie and played with the child.

Julie went to the living room and nodded to Guyer: "I was just spending time with my son."

Gaye opened the bag, took out a document and handed it to Julie: "The second adoption procedure has been completed, and the person can be brought back at any time."

Julie took a quick look at it, put it aside, and asked, "I was so busy accompanying my son that I didn't have time to check the latest situation of The Hills Have Eyes. How was the box office in the first week?"

"It's a big hit!" Gaye said simply, "It was the No. 3415 box office hit last week, with over tickets sold in a single theater, and a total box office of $ million."

He specifically added: "The film has a very good reputation in the horror genre, with an average Cinema Score of A- from the audience and a 7.5 from IMDB users."

Jolie paid special attention to some public data. The production cost of The Hills Have Eyes was 1600 million US dollars. Even the publicity and promotion cost a similar amount of money. Judging from the box office and reputation in the past two days, it is estimated that the North American box office can recover the cost.

"Where's Martin?" Julie asked the point.

Gaye brought a clipping made by his assistant: "Most of the media praised his acting skills. WMA and Warner Bros. contributed to this, but he did a good job in the film and the critics praised him."

Julie took it and quickly flipped through it. As she read, she said, "The box office is really booming. Counting "Zombie Gigolo", Martin has had three consecutive successful films as the leading actor."

Gaye said: "I specifically asked someone to check the Internet feedback. Not only was it a box office success, but Martin also gained a large number of supporters, his personal supporters."

The whole of Hollywood is chasing after successful people, and Jolie is no exception. She pondered for a moment and said, "Have you read the first draft of the script for Wanted? What do you think of it?"

Gaye knew that Jolie was very opinionated, so he spoke directly about his true feelings: "The plot is just so-so, the standard is a little higher. This kind of movie mainly depends on the action design."

"I talked to Martin about action design, and it sounds cool." Julie thought of the first "Tomb Raider" and said, "Martin has succeeded again. I think he is more reliable in selecting films, and he also understands marketing and hype. I am ready to work with him."

Guyer agrees: "Although Alexander failed, Louise Maier has a good track record of investing in medium-sized projects. You have a good relationship with Louise, and she is willing to..."

There are some things he is embarrassed to say directly.

Julie continued, "Louise is willing to help me in difficult times. It's rare. I understand."

Guyer is well aware of Julie's current situation. Without any effective works to save the situation, she is heading straight for the third line.

From now on, she can only play supporting female roles or villains.

Jolie added: "I can accept a $500 million salary, but the crew has to pay the nanny and leave me time to spend with my son. As for the rest... that's it."

When filming her last movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Jolie was paid $1000 million.

After that, the two films failed at the box office and his pay was immediately cut in half.

“I’m going to Pacific Pictures today,” Gaye said.

Julie stood up and prepared to accompany her son: "When the deal is done, notify me to sign the contract."

…………

At Pacific Pictures, the company's few employees are all busy.

After Louise took over the preparation of the "Wanted" compilation, nearly half of the company's staff were involved in this new project.

Early this morning, Martin came to Pacific Pictures because Wu Maoting was coming to discuss investment.

Wu Maoting came to the reception room, greeted Louise first, then came over to shake hands with Martin, and said with a smile: "Congratulations, the movie is a big hit and has become the box office champion!"

Martin smiled and said, "I have finally reaped the rewards of the past year's work."

Wu Maoting also laughed: "I heard that this is your second box office champion, it's amazing!"

Now is not the time to be modest, Martin said directly: "I believe there will be a third and fourth box office champion in the future."

Wu Maoting waved to the back and waited for someone to bring over a photo album. He handed it to Martin: "All of these are my inventory. There is nothing too high-end. High-end goods are rare in recent years. Just tick the ones you like. I will give them to you at cost price and ship them directly to Los Angeles."

Martin took the album and said, "You're welcome." He wouldn't choose high-end items, after all, they were going to be shipped back to Atlanta as gifts, mainly for Lily to practice with.

Wu Maoting turned to Louise and said, "Ms. Mel, let's talk about investment. During this period of time, I have seen Hollywood's world-leading production model, witnessed the broad market prospects of Hollywood movies, and also seen how you operate a movie."

He thought of Hong Kong City: "I have to say that Hong Kong City's films are lagging behind in all aspects and have no chance to catch up. I decided to participate in your investment package."

Louise pushed up her black-rimmed glasses and said, "Pacific Pictures and Warner Bros. are long-term partners, and the cooperation has basically been agreed upon... Oh, yes, the adaptation project of Scorsese and Leonardo is named The Departed."

She asked directly: "I wonder how much Mr. Wu plans to invest?"

Wu Maoting said: "1500 million US dollars will be received in two months."

Louise stood up and shook hands with Wu Maoting who also stood up: "Happy cooperation."

The two people only need to reach an agreement, and professionals will naturally take over the specific negotiations.

After Wu Maoting finished talking about investment, he talked about another matter: "I have a small request. My daughter Dani, who has just been given an English name, will live in Los Angeles in the future. I hope Ms. Mel can take care of her. She is preparing to study college preparatory courses and wants to enter the USC School of Cinematic Arts..."

Louise said directly: "I will write a letter of recommendation to Dany personally."

Wu Maoting said: "Thank you."

He waved to the back again, and someone handed over two gift boxes: "You must accept the gift from your friend."

The other party was so enthusiastic, how could Martin and Louise refuse?

As a return gift, Louise presented commemorative posters of all the movies the company had invested in.

Martin also prepared a return gift and asked Old Bu to come in and give it to Wu Maoting's men.

Of course, there is the crocodile tooth pendant that he hunted himself and the clown carving in the shape of Martin.

Not expensive, but full of sincerity.

When friends give each other gifts, isn't it the sentiment behind the gift?

After Wu Maoting and his daughter said goodbye and left, Martin opened the gift box and took a look. Inside was a full green jade pendant, the quality of which was obviously better than last time.

Louise's was a string of pendants.

Martin casually handed it to Bruce and asked Louise, "1500 million dollars, is that enough for me to get the role?"

"I have also raised some investment in Cambodia." Louise did not say the specific amount, but told Martin: "I will raise 2000 million US dollars to participate in Martin Scorsese's project platter."

This is a complete case of using someone else's chicken to lay eggs. Pacific Pictures itself does not need to invest, but can profit from management fees and profit sharing.

Louise is not a philanthropist, and she would not go to so much trouble just to help Martin.

Martin was in a very good mood at the moment. He followed Louise into her office, took out the wine and glasses from the wine cabinet, opened them and poured each of them a glass.

First, "The Hills Have Eyes" was a huge hit at the box office and topped the box office charts. Even if the outlook is not optimistic, it is very likely to reach $8000 million in North America.

Now that we have secured Wu Maoting's investment and can take 2000 million US dollars to discuss cooperation with the crew of "The Departed", what else is there to be dissatisfied about?

Martin clinked glasses with Louise: "I still rely on you for the crew's negotiation intentions."

Thomas's words don't carry enough weight, and he still needs Louise's push. After all, the $2000 million is an investment from Pacific Pictures.

Louise took off her glasses, drank the whole drink, and reminded him, "You are in debt again."

It is only natural to pay back debts, and Martin understood this and said, "I will go to Sherman Oaks tonight and pay my debt."

Louise was very satisfied with Martin's positive attitude towards repaying his debts: "Remember to come before dinner."

As a cattle farmer, she is also conscious that she has to feed the cattle first so that they can have strength.

Nikki knocked on the door and said, "Angelina Jolie's agent is here and wants to discuss cooperation."

Louise went to the reception room to meet Guyer and came back soon.

The specific negotiations will be handled by the associate producer assigned to the "Wanted" studio.

Martin knew that there was no problem with Angelina Jolie joining the cast of "Wanted".

The success of a movie is enough to change the choices of many people.

Only successful people have the capital to make better choices.

Louise said: "500 million dollars for the film, this is Jolie's bottom line." When she gets ruthless, she doesn't care about friendship at all: "I will wait for her for two months. If Jolie and Pitt still don't expose themselves, I will have someone expose them."

Martin thought of the love triangle he had in the past: "It must have been exciting."

Louise had a bad taste in her mouth: "Why don't you have an affair? Julie actually has a crush on you, and then it will be a love quadrangle... No, you seduce Julie and Aniston at the same time, wow, that's exciting!"

Martin's cell phone rang at this time, and he went to the window to answer it.

The call was from Thomas, and his agent was obviously excited: "Man, we won the box office championship again!"

Martin asked, "Aren't you going to celebrate for me?"

Thomas said, "I'll treat you at noon. Come to the company first and come quickly."

"I'll be right there." Martin hung up the phone, said something to Louise, left Pacific Pictures and rushed to WMA.

(End of this chapter)