America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 246 New Projects, New Choices
The next morning, Martin arrived in Century City and entered the WMA office building.

As before, Bruce went to get close to assistant Natasha, and Martin went into Thomas' office alone.

Thomas had a pile of documents on his desk. When he saw Martin coming in, he said, "I'm ready."

Martin got a bottle of water from the cooler and sat on the couch.

Thomas put the information on the coffee table and said, "I have printed out all the scripts and projects that are suitable for the company, as long as there is a glimmer of hope."

Martin saw the first one, which featured one of Hasbro's signature toys: Optimus Prime.

He brought the script.

Thomas said: "Hasbro, DreamWorks and Paramount are working together. DreamWorks is the adaptation producer, Spielberg is the producer, and the director is Michael Bay, who just messed up Escape from the Island. The expected investment is more than 1 million US dollars."

Martin didn't even look at the script and asked directly, "The male lead?"

Thomas took the script and turned to one of the pages. He pointed to a concept drawing of a soldier and said, "Male No. 2, the captain of the US special operations team."

Martin still had some general impression and vaguely remembered which character it was: "Give it up."

Thomas opened his mouth but couldn't help but say, "This is Spielberg and Michael Bay's project."

Martin picked up the script, flipped through it, and said, "The real protagonists are Optimus Prime and Bumblebee. The male lead is at most third. What about the second male lead?"

Thomas put it aside for the moment and picked up the second material, a few pages of paper and a book called "The Last Man".

He gave the book to Martin: "David Heyman, the producer of the Harry Potter series under Warner Bros., plans to remake Warner's old film "I Am Legend". I heard that the plot is different from the original, and he plans to use the plot of "The Last Man"."

Martin knew that the copyright of this movie was completely owned by Warner Bros.

Thomas added: "I haven't got the script yet. I should use the one written in the 90s. At that time, Warner intended to let Ridley Scott and Schwarzenegger partner up, but later gave up because the budget was too high."

He said: "But I am sure that the film is the model of one man, one dog and one gun that you mentioned. Perhaps the success of the same model, The Mountain Eyes, helped Warner Bros. make up its mind."

Martin asked, "What does the leading actor want?"

Thomas said: "The last person, as you can imagine from the name, has to rely on one person to carry the entire film. New actors are definitely not within the consideration of Warner and David Heyman. The male lead must have enough box office appeal."

Martin can recognize himself: "I don't have enough box office appeal."

Thomas said: "If the wanted poster is a big success, maybe we can make some money."

Martin said: "You keep your eyes on this project and strive for it if you can."

According to his understanding, the film was a huge success, partly due to the popularity of the novel and the original film itself, and partly due to the appeal of the leading actor.

Perhaps the latter is more critical.

The latter role comes from "Zodiac Killer", which is confirmed to be directed by David Fincher.

Susan Downey, who changed her last name after marriage, has already secured one of the main roles for Robert Downey Jr., and is recruiting actors for three other heavyweight roles.

This is also an adaptation.

Thomas also prepared the original novel for Martin.

Martin liked David Fincher's style in his previous life. He had seen almost all of his works. Zodiac should be a relatively mediocre one.

Martin looked through the script and said, "The main character's role is not prominent enough, so move him to the back."

Thomas didn't say much, and took another document, also with a novel: "The director you told me to focus on, Christopher Nolan, the director of the new Batman movie, is going to adapt Priest's novel The Prestige into a movie. Warner Bros. has already bought the copyright, and Jonathan Nolan is currently writing the script."

Martin asked the key question: "Did Warner Bros. give the project the green light?"

Thomas nodded: "It has been given the green light. If nothing goes wrong, we will prepare for filming next year and release it in 07."

Martin took the novel of The Prestige and said, "Keep an eye on Nolan's project. If there is a chance, you can contact him or his wife first."

"Emma Thomas has been serving as the production manager for Nolan's projects." Thomas asked, "She seems to be over 35 years old. Should Mene be dispatched..."

Martin shook his head: "Let's figure it out first before we talk about anything else."

Thomas nodded, "I understand."

Martin picked out two books, "The Last Man" and "The Prestige," and said to Thomas, "Focus on I Am Legend and The Prestige, and give up on the others."

In fact, Thomas is very optimistic about Transformers, after all, he can work with Spielberg.

But what Martin said was also very realistic. When there is a project where you can compete for the leading role, why should you play a supporting role for a robot?

"I will make appropriate contact with Warner Bros." Thomas gradually gained confidence now that he had Martin as a client.

Martin took the book and said, "Keep busy, I'm leaving."

Thomas walked him out of the office.

Martin waved to Bruce and they went downstairs together.

Midway through, he threw two novels to Bruce: "New harvest."

Bruce glanced at the cover and said, "I haven't finished reading the book "Dark Realm" yet, and you got two more copies." The two of them left the office building and got into the Escalade. Martin asked, "What is Alan's book about?"

Bruce started the car and drove slowly out. When he got on the main road, he said, "The male protagonist is a writer. His personality is similar to yours. He daydreams all day long, but he has no ability. Anyway, he is a loser."

Martin nodded: "A standard loser start. Is there any cheat?"

"Hacks?" After hearing Martin's brief explanation of the word "hacks", Bruce said, "Of course there are hacks. The male protagonist encounters a drug that can stimulate a person's potential, including his stupid brain. He can even learn a foreign language in one day and master a skill, such as finance or fighting."

Hearing this, Martin suddenly became serious: "Continue."

Bruce is not particularly good at telling stories, so he can only express it in his own way: "After taking that drug, idiots become smart people, making money is like picking up fallen leaves in the woods, and they can also exude the charm of Leonardo. I mean Leonardo in Titanic."

He tried to organize his words: "His abnormality was discovered by a capitalist. I haven't watched the rest of the story yet, but I think it should be that the capitalist seized the drugs, and the hero fought back with the ability enhanced by the drugs."

Martin thought of a movie he had seen, which was once particularly popular among losers and a representative work among YY movies.

The Chinese translation should be "Never Ending".

He still remembers watching this movie with a fellow extra. After watching it, that fellow fantasized about taking this kind of medicine for a long time. He was given the nickname "the drug" and could not stop taking it.

The film is very suitable for ordinary people: taking medicine can turn you into a superman, earning a lot of money, and dating many beautiful women.

The author Alan Green works for an entertainment magazine and knows exactly what ordinary people envy most about Hollywood stars.

Isn’t it just luxury houses, luxury cars, beautiful women, and most importantly, money?

As for the original leading actor, he is probably still a minor actor at the moment.

Martin asked, "Where is the novel? Did you take it with you?"

Bruce pointed to the armrest box: "Inside."

Martin opened it and took out the novel Alan gave him: "Let's find a place to read."

Bruce found a nearby coffee shop, parked the car, and went into the shop with Martin. He ordered two cups of coffee and patiently read the novel.

Martin flicked through Dark Fields while Bruce started The Prestige.

The two poor students watched it very seriously.

Martin is not good at writing, but he has no problem with basic reading.

There are of course big differences between the novel and the movie, but the main plot and framework are roughly the same as "Limitless".

Martin was able to confirm that this was the novel the movie was based on.

He took out his cell phone and called Thomas: "Please help me check the sales of a novel called "Dark Realm" written by Alan Greene."

On the day of the wine tasting, Gillian once said that Alan Green had only created this one work so far.

After waiting for more than ten minutes, Thomas called back: "It was published in 2001, and has sold less than 4 copies so far."

Martin was not suitable to come forward in person: "You and Jessica contact the publishing house and the author himself, and buy the film and television adaptation rights of this novel in the name of my film studio."

Thomas didn't understand: "It has a limited readership and little value."

Martin said, "Because of this, it doesn't cost much to buy it. If it can't be adapted, it won't cost much either."

Thomas thought about it and said, "Let Jessica go and talk. I'll be her assistant."

Martin said, "Okay, I'll rest assured with you watching over me."

Thomas moved quickly: "I'll go to the studio right away."

Martin called Jessica first. There was no special business. She and Emily would stay in Davis Studio to deal with fan and online matters.

Bruce had already put down The Prestige and pointed at the novel: "Are you sure it's the next target?"

Martin put away the novel: "It won't be a problem to get the adaptation rights for this one." He filmed the other two novels separately: "If we can get the leading role of one of these two, it can be said to be a surprise."

Bruce said: "Nolan? He's not very famous. I haven't heard of his other works except the new Batman movie."

Martin simply said: "He is now one of the top new directors. Warner Bros. attaches great importance to him, and Legendary Pictures, its subsidiary, strongly supports him because he has brought Batman to life."

Master and Superman are the most important assets of DC and Warner Bros.

Martin picked up the book: "Let's go."

Bruce followed him outside: "Too bad Batman doesn't have super powers."

Martin casually asked, "Does having money count?"

Bruce was stunned for a moment: "If he is rich like him, forget it."

Having money is the most realistic thing, as it allows you to have the entire city play along.

(End of this chapter)