America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 259: First Consecutive Championship

As time goes by, more and more people have watched "Wanted", it has become more difficult to control reviews, and the film's reputation has inevitably declined.

IMDB's rating fell below 8 points.

Many negative reviews and offensive articles also began to emerge.

After all, new films are released one after another, and competitors also need market space to make profits.

The various hype marketing strategies, including Martin and Julie, were intended to attract as many audiences as possible into theaters during the first weekend, so it was inevitable that there would be some weakness afterwards.

In the second weekend of November, Wanted's box office dropped by nearly 11%, but the box office of 60 million US dollars was enough to ensure that it would continue to top the North American box office chart!

"The Chase," which premiered on a large scale this weekend, only earned $1221 million on its opening weekend, ranking second on the box office list.

Hollywood producers have also seen the reality that Clive Owen's commercial appeal is mediocre, and Jennifer Aniston is also unable to carry the movie box office alone.

It seems that the audience's understanding of Aniston is still stuck on Rachel, and they have not yet gotten over the ending of Friends.

Martin won the fourth North American box office championship in his life, and achieved consecutive box office championships for the first time.

Ten days after Wanted was released in North America, the box office exceeded 1.16 million US dollars as expected, reaching million US dollars!
At the same time, the film was released in overseas markets such as Western Europe, South Korea, Australia, and Mexico. Like most Hollywood movies, once it does well at the North American box office, the overseas box office will also be good.

It grossed $4860 million overseas in its first week.

Martin's fame soared after two consecutive films he starred in grossed over 100 million in North America.

According to WMA’s internal customer rating, Martin easily crossed the threshold of Level 4 customer and was internally defined as a famous movie star.

"Congratulations, Martin, another box office champion."

In the reception room of Coca-Cola's Los Angeles branch, Justin shook hands with Martin very enthusiastically: "You are at the forefront of Hollywood's post-80s actors now."

Martin said modestly: "Compared to Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Hayden Christensen, Elijah Wood and others, I am still far behind."

Justin smiled and said, "In Coca-Cola's evaluation, you are the most valuable one among the younger generation."

“For me, Coca-Cola is irreplaceable,” Martin said.

The two exchanged business compliments and visited Coca-Cola's Los Angeles branch together.

Naturally, a photographer followed behind to film the whole process, which was also part of the promotional activity.

Martin's words were not modesty. Putting aside his acting skills, if we just look at the box office, those people are indeed ahead of him.

Even one movie is enough to kill him all.

Justin asked, "I heard that your next work will still be set in modern times?"

Martin said simply: "It's a story that takes place in modern New York."

The copyright of the novel has been purchased. He asked Bruce for a copy of "Dark Realm" and gave it to Justin. He asked tentatively: "Are you interested in continuing the advertising sponsorship?"

The outstanding box office performance of Wanted gave Coca-Cola more confidence in Martin. Justin said directly: "I have communicated with the higher-ups. As long as the background and subject matter are suitable, Coca-Cola will continue to provide advertising sponsorship."

Martin also laughed: "With you guys standing behind me, I am confident when discussing projects with any company in Hollywood."

This is not just a polite remark, but part of his strength.

Justin smiled and said: "In Hollywood, you can tell everyone that Coca-Cola fully supports Martin Davis!"

Afterwards, someone took Martin to the top floor to taste Coca-Cola's new drink, a bottled cocktail developed in Atlanta.

Thomas, who came over later, had a private chat with Justin. He said directly: "According to our endorsement agreement, if Martin stars in a movie and the North American box office exceeds 100 million, he will automatically receive a million US dollar incentive."

Justin said: "Of course, the bonus will arrive no later than this month."

He suddenly changed the subject and probed, "The Atlanta headquarters wants to renew Martin's endorsement contract for another two years."

"Martin's meaning is very clear. We are strategic partners and this will never change." Thomas said calmly, "But it has only been half a year since we signed the contract. There is no need to be so anxious. Let's talk about it next year."

Justin thought for a moment and said, "Let's talk about it next year."

Success makes cooperation more pleasant and firm.

In the afternoon, after leaving the Coca-Cola branch, Thomas and Martin took the same car and talked about the relevant situation briefly.

Martin agrees with his strategy: "There is no rush to extend the contract. Let's wait until after next year."

Thomas added: "There are also several brands such as BOSS that are contacting the company, hoping to take on endorsement advertising."

Martin considered long-term development: "You can choose one or two high-end brands, and forget about the ordinary ones."

Thomas agreed: "You are not a comedian who talks shit and piss. The brand you endorse must be consistent with your own positioning, at least it cannot lower your own style."

He opened his briefcase and pulled out a receipt: "The serialization of the News of the World article has been completed."

This was the agreement reached when Martin was awarded the medal in Washington. The World News invited Martin to write 10 articles, with a remuneration of $12 for each article.

Let Martin say that it is not a problem, the dead can be said to be alive.

But writing was beyond his ability, so it ultimately fell to Thomas.

"The manuscript is well written. I've read some of it." Martin gave timely encouragement: "I will personally give you a fee." Thomas worked hard and deserved to be paid. He said without hesitation: "You have my account."

On the way, Bruce stopped the car in Century City, dropped off Thomas, and then returned to the Coty community.

As soon as Martin opened the door, neighbors came to visit him.

The Joneses came over.

Martin invited the two to the living room and asked, "How come you have time today?"

Jones put down the gift, a peculiarly shaped metal sculpture: "We are neighbors, so of course we should visit each other more often."

Martin smiled and said, "My movie is coming out soon, so I'm too busy these days. I'll invite everyone out for a drink someday when I have time."

Janet Jones put down a wrapped gift box and said, "You're very welcome, Martin. Wanted was my first Hollywood premiere and I was so excited I didn't know what to do..."

Jones stopped talking and let his daughter communicate with Martin instead.

Jenna added: "That movie was so cool, everyone around me was talking about the curved bullets and the adrenaline rush."

Her eyes fell on Martin's waist: "Especially the concept of adrenaline burst, people's speed increases, the impact is stronger, and the senses are more sensitive..."

Martin felt that this was not right. It must be that Jenna's words were ambiguous, not that he was thinking wrongly.

As expected, Jenna continued, "Martin, I think this film is very suitable for Shenggu to adapt. The adrenaline will burst, and the male and female protagonists will fight in a mess."

Martin understood: “Are you going to do a Sacred Valley version of Wanted?”

This was the purpose of Jenna’s coming here today, and she nodded with a smile: “Yes, I plan to be the director and the leading actress.”

Martin is not opposed to these, as it is very common for Hollywood hit movies to be adapted into Sacred Valley versions.

Jenna didn't finish her words: "I plan to use the same movie title and similar posters and plot designs, but not the kind that is specious."

Many Hollywood movies that are adapted by the Holy Valley do not purchase copyrights, and the resulting effects are not even good enough for cosplay.

Jenna is ambitious and has ideas: "So, I want to ask if you can give me authorization?"

"Authorization is no problem." Martin is not doing charity: "Jenna, the copyright income of Wanted involves many companies. Go to Pacific Pictures of Warner Studios and talk to the person in charge, Louise Mayer, about the authorization."

Bruce cooperated tacitly and took Louise's assistant's business card.

Jenna took it and quickly said, "Thank you."

Mr. Jones then said, "Martin, you are a good neighbor who is good at communicating."

Martin didn't mince words with him: "I heard that you know a lot of important people at the California Institute of the Arts?"

Jones immediately understood what was going on: "If it's a letter of recommendation, just come to me. It's a simple matter."

Martin smiled and said, "I will definitely visit you then."

Lily must come to California to go to college. The California Institute of the Arts has a major suitable for her.

The Jones father and daughter did not stay long and soon said goodbye and left.

There was an unopened gift box on the coffee table in the living room.

Martin came back from sending the person away and removed the ribbon tied into a bow on the gift box, revealing the beautifully packaged discs inside. The most eye-catching one on the discs was undoubtedly the heroine Jenna.

The titles of the films are all very artistic, such as "War of the Beasts" and "The Best Couple".

Bruce came over, picked up one, and said, "This is the first time I've seen someone come to my door and give me this kind of gift."

Martin pushed them all to Bruce: "Old Bruce, this is for you, enjoy it slowly."

Bruce put it away without hesitation: "I'll give it to Mene later." But after thinking about it, he decided it was inappropriate: "The heroine is too young for Mene."

Menet used her tongue to convince Scorsese's favorite female casting director and has landed a new role.

Bruce's phone rang. He answered it and said a few words. Then he looked at Martin and said, "The goods from Australia have arrived."

Martin was the first to leave the villa: "Finally here."

A truck stopped at the door, and two staff members unloaded several wooden boxes one after another. After Bruce paid the bill, they moved them to the utility room next to the garage.

Martin pried open the cargo boxes and checked them one by one. Each box was filled with saltwater crocodile tusk pendants.

Bruce was unpacking the largest box and said, "Will the crocodiles in Australia become extinct because of us?"

Martin said casually: "That place is vast and sparsely populated, and there are no large carnivores, so it shouldn't happen."

In the box that Bruce opened, there were not only the feet of the Australian bison, but also the bones of the saltwater crocodile.

Martin took one look at them and said, "Send both boxes to Atlanta, to Lily Carter, and put a note in there to remind her that I want a similar number of sculptures."

Bruce was sure that this guy was really not a human being.

(End of this chapter)