America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 351 Terminator Tiankeng

Los Angeles Country Club, one of the most famous clubs in California, the golf course here has also hosted the Pan American Open.

Cody Horn drove her father, Alan Horn, and producer Paul Haggis to the beginner hitting area in an electric car.

She entered the separately reserved VIP area, where Martin Davis was swinging the club in an awkward position. Although his position was not standard and the ball flew everywhere, he was handsome and had a good figure, and looked good no matter how you looked at him.

Thomas came over and led the group into the VIP area.

Martin hit the ball away again, turned around and saw someone coming. He put down his club, went over to greet him, and shook hands with Alan Horn first: "I heard from Thomas that Alan is a good golfer. You must give me some pointers today."

Allen smiled: "Okay, I will help you get out of the novice stage as soon as possible and become an amateur master."

Martin shook hands with Paul Haggis again: "Crash is a masterpiece. I hope we can have a chance to work together again."

Paul Haggis said: "Hopefully we can work together this time."

Martin looked at the only lady: "Hi, Cody, we meet again."

Cody picked up the golf club next to him: "Do you want me to teach you how to play golf?"

Martin said, "I'm in need of a teacher."

That being said, the group of people actually did not come here to play golf.

After chatting about golf for a while, Alan Horn quickly turned to film projects.

He said to Martin, "I heard that you haven't decided on your next project or role yet?"

Martin knew his purpose and responded, "For now, we only have a few intentions, but we can't be sure of the details."

Alan Horn is the boss of Warner Bros. He has a natural psychological advantage when facing movie stars: "How about this, Warner Bros. has a project, I think you are very suitable for the male lead, come over and continue to cooperate."

Thomas replied at the right time: "Can I ask about the details of the project?"

Allen looked at Paul Haggis, who took out the script and handed it to Martin: "Take a look first."

Martin took it. There was only a code name T on the cover of the script, but no specific name.

Allen still has the patience to wait, and although he seems nonchalant, what he is thinking about is that "Limitless" has already grossed over 2 million U.S. dollars in North America and even worldwide.

Since The Hills Have Eyes, Martin has proven his market ability one after another. With this film, he even proved his ability to win the box office alone.

The "Terminator" series is a copyright transaction that was strongly promoted by Alan Horn. After Warner Pictures spent a lot of money to purchase the copyright to produce the sequel, if they want to recoup their investment, they must shoot a new movie.

Apart from the third film released by Warner Bros., the profits of the first two films have nothing to do with Warner.

Although Terminator 3 was not very successful, it still made a profit. Alan Horn specially invited Paul Haggis to write the script and produce the film, hoping that the series would return to the peak of the second part.

The reason why Allen took the initiative to find Martin was not only because Martin had strong market appeal, but another key point was that Martin could attract investment!
If you want to make the Terminator series shine again, huge investments are definitely necessary. Back then, Carlock Pictures spent an unprecedented $1 million to create the glory of Terminator 2.

Allen has made a preliminary plan and the film's revenue, including publicity and promotion, will definitely exceed $2.5 million, and may even reach $3 million.

Warner can't bear it alone, the risk is too great.

Martin was flipping through the script, and after reading a few pages he was completely sure that this was a Terminator.

Thinking back carefully, it should be the fourth film, "Terminator 2018", which is a very difficult one to watch.

Martin doesn't remember the exact box office, but knows it wasn't very successful because it was rebooted, and then rebooted again...

Endless Terminator reboots.

If any film is even slightly successful, like the third one, there will definitely not be a reboot.

In the previous life, a big shot in the group said that the Terminator without James Cameron is not the Terminator at all, it’s all some weird stuff.

In an interview, James Cameron said that the story of Terminator will be concluded in the second part.

If most Hollywood sequels are just lame ducks, then the Terminator series, starting with the third film, must be a typical example.

Martin read dozens of pages of the script, closed it, and asked, "A new Terminator?"

Paul Haggis replied: "Yes, Alan and I are going to push for a new one, which will be set after Judgment Day."

Allen thought that Martin would be able to raise funds, so he said, "The production cost is expected to be around $1.8 million. It will be a top commercial production, and you will play the famous John Connor."

He threw out a reward like a gift: "You can bring money into the group, and the salary will be similar to that of the wanted poster, and you can serve as a producer."

Martin looked at Paul Haggis and then at Alan Horn, the latter of whom was the head of a film company under Warner Bros., one of the six major Hollywood companies. Even if he wanted to refuse, it would be better to be tactful.

He said, "Alan, give me some time to think about it. Such a big project is not a small matter."

"Okay." Alan Horn thought for a moment and said, "How about this, give me a clear answer before the Oscars ceremony."

“No problem,” Martin said.

Seeing that both sides were talking happily, Thomas asked, "Paul, are you the director?"

Paul Haggis shook his head: "I am a screenwriter and producer. The director will choose someone who is more suitable for science fiction."

Next to him, Cody Horn said to Martin: "I'll teach you how to play golf."

Martin exchanged a few pleasantries with Allen, picked up his clubs and followed Cody to the practice court. He followed Cody's instructions and played golf in a very harmonious atmosphere. Not long after, Allen and Paul Haggis said goodbye and left.

Cody specifically exchanged contact information with Martin.

Martin and Thomas then left the country club.

After getting into the Escalade driven by Bruce, Martin handed the script to Thomas and said, "Think of a suitable reason and excuse to turn down Alan Horn's invitation."

Thomas was slightly surprised, but not too shocked: "You don't like this series?"

Martin made up an excuse: "I'm not interested in being a savior."

Thomas didn't ask any more questions, which was one of his great qualities. If Martin didn't accept, he wouldn't keep trying to persuade him.

Besides, judging from the current situation, Martin has a good eye for selecting films and there is no need for him to make random comments.

What Thomas was thinking about more was how to reasonably reject Alan Horn. After all, the other party was the head of Warner Bros. Pictures. If he turned down the invitation, it might be embarrassing.

Martin threw the most difficult part to Thomas and stopped thinking about it. He found his cell phone and called Chad Stahelski to ask about the progress of the project.

Chad said directly: "The design of the gunfight scene is almost done, and the next step is to connect the literary scenes. I found Bradt and asked him to participate."

Bradt has worked with Martin on "Wanted" and "Never Here Again". Martin knows his ability and has confidence in him. He said, "I'll let Jessica call him."

Chad added: "For close combat, I need a more professional action instructor."

"I'll try to find it." Martin thought for a while and said to Thomas, "Do you know Yuan Heping?"

Thomas nodded. "Action director of The Matrix series."

Martin said: "Find a way to contact him and send him an invitation."

Thomas knows something: "He probably won't take it. Hollywood hasn't been kind to him and his team."

Martin had heard from Chad that many action directors secretly filmed the action routines of Yuen Woo-ping's team and used technological means to analyze them frame by frame.

He said, "Try it. If it doesn't work, find someone else."

Thomas took note and went back to what happened just now: "Although The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is not led by Alan Horn, it is also a Warner project. If we can reach a cooperation with David Fincher's crew, we may be able to use the conflict in schedule to turn down Alan's invitation."

Martin said, "That's fine, try to be more tactful."

This heavy burden was on Thomas' shoulders, and he might have been thinking a lot. The sunlight shone on him through the car window, making his forehead sparkle.

Martin had just returned to Burbank when Louise called and asked him to have lunch with her.

After a short rest, Martin went to the smoke house near Warner Studios.

Louise arrived a little earlier than him and was waiting for him in the booth.

The waiter brought over the menu.

Martin discovered that it was Mia from the cold drink shop in the studio.

"Why are you here?" Martin asked.

Mia whispered, "My part-time job made too little money, so I found a new one." As she spoke, she looked at Sebastian who was playing the piano on the stage, "Also, I want to be able to hear his music more often."

Martin finished ordering and said, "I wish you all the best."

"Thank you." Mia replied politely and left.

Louise also recognized Mia and said, "There are probably hundreds of thousands of girls like her in Los Angeles."

Martin said: "There are more and more second-generation stars in the industry now, and it is too difficult for ordinary actors to stand out."

"Ability, opportunity, courage, determination..." Louise said, "Your success story is hard to replicate."

"I'm just lucky to have met you." Martin asked, "What do you say?"

Louise said, "I have something to ask for your opinion." She felt that Martin had a unique vision in selecting films: "Yesterday, Alan Horn of Warner Pictures invited me and asked if I was interested in investing in a big project, the fourth film in the Terminator series."

Martin couldn't help but laugh: "What a coincidence, he made an appointment with me this morning and invited me to play the leading actor John Connor. He also made a promise that if I join the crew, he would give me the opportunity to bring in funds."

"The production cost could reach $1.8 million. If it's successful..." Louise reacted and said, "You rejected Alan Horn?"

Martin said: "I asked Thomas to find a way to decline the invitation as tactfully as possible."

Louise understood: "You don't think highly of this sequel?"

Martin easily found an excuse and said, "Is the Terminator still the Terminator without James Cameron?"

Louise nodded: "I am also worried that it will become the next Alexander the Great. I was thinking about the fame and appeal of the Terminator series..."

Martin said, "Aren't you going to invest in the sequel to the new Batman? Can you spare the funds to invest in other projects?"

Louise thought about everything that had happened in the past three years and said, "Forget it. Let's not consider such complicated things. I'll just turn down the invitation."

(End of this chapter)