America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 489 Tom Cruise was inspired by Martin

Spring is often the dullest season for Hollywood movies, even inferior to September and October after the end of the summer vacation, when blockbuster movies rarely appear.

But "John Wick" changed this situation. Its booming attendance told all film companies and theater companies that it was not that there were no audiences in the spring season, but that the film was not attractive enough.

Not only ordinary audiences, but also many stars, directors and producers, especially professionals in the field of action films, also went to the cinema to watch "John Wick: Chapter 8".

Tom Cruise and Brad Bird watched the film together in the VIP room of the Cinemark Theater in Century City Plaza in Los Angeles.

The audience on the first floor had already left, but the two had no intention of leaving and planned to watch the show a second time.

Brad Bird, who directed "The Incredibles", had a notebook filled with notes from his recent movie viewing.

"The North American box office on the first day of release exceeded 2000 million U.S. dollars, and the word of mouth was so good that it exploded." Tom Cruise said the latest information he had obtained: "The actual investment in this film was only more than 4000 million U.S. dollars."

Brad Bird nodded and said, "In fact, I almost reached a cooperation with Martin Davis. Tom, you know, my agency is WMA. At that time, Martin Davis was looking for a director for the movie "Wanted". Ali once contacted me and I was also interested, but I didn't have confidence in him and gave up before meeting him."

Tom Cruise said: "I think this film will be helpful for our upcoming Mission: Impossible 4."

Brad Bird said directly: "The action scene design of this film and Martin's personal action design are both worth learning from."

Tom Cruise has been in trouble in the past two years. Several works he starred in, whether "Lions for Lambs" or "Valkyrie", all received mediocre responses. He is about to fall from his superstar position and urgently needs a masterpiece to consolidate his position.

The Mission Impossible series was naturally put on the agenda.

This time, he chose Brad Bird, who directed Pixar animated films, as director.

Brad Bird said: "Tom, I think you need to talk to Martin. Many of the things he showed in this film may be of great help if they can be reasonably applied to our future filming."

Tom Cruise has been keeping fit, but there are some things he has to admit: "I'm not as good as Martin."

Brad Bird glanced at his notebook and said, "What's the most commendable thing about Martin in this film? He was there in person! The Santa Monica Pier incident brought the initial popularity to John Wick: Chapter 11. There are more than a dozen different versions of the pier video, which can be considered part of the film."

He said as he pondered: "Whether it is the dock incident itself or the long action shots used many times in the film, Martin brought a sense of reality, as well as the courage and will that are extremely consistent with the character itself!"

Tom Cruise recalled the video of the dock incident, the movie he had just watched, and Martin's personal experience. Suddenly, he got an inspiration: "Go through these dangerous scenes in person and perform those incredible action scenes in person!"

Brad Bird was stunned for a moment, still thinking.

Tom Cruise is a star who knows the mechanism of the film market very well. He immediately thought of more: "Our film is called Mission: Impossible, which is about breaking the limit. I will personally perform those impossible scenes, which will not only increase the appeal of the film itself, but also bring excellent publicity materials!"

Brad Bird understood and said, "You're a superstar, the publicity will be great."

Tom Cruise nodded slightly and asked, "What if I invite Martin to play a role? Design a role that is slightly less important than Ethan Hunt."

A superstar, a superstar, the combination of the two... Brad Bird resisted the temptation, the roles were too difficult to balance, and he said euphemistically: "The salary budget will explode, Paramount will never agree to it."

Tom Cruise gave up the idea and said, "I'll have someone contact Martin Davis and talk to him in person."

Brad Bird said, "Okay." He added, "It's not just about that. It's also about marketing. A murder caused by a dog has become a hot topic of discussion on the entire Internet in just a few days."

"I specifically asked Warner Bros." Tom Cruise said, "This part of the marketing came from Martin's idea, and it was also managed by his studio team."

Brad Bird laughed: "Martin Davis' dog has become the most untouchable person in the United States."

Tom Cruise laughed helplessly: "An old guy like me actually has to ask a young man like Martin for advice..."

But he has been popular for nearly thirty years, and despite being smeared by the entire media in recent years, he has remained popular. He is indeed unique.

For example, being able to calm down and learn from others' strengths.

…………

At the AMC theater in Century City, Quentin and Harvey Weinstein were leaving the private room and heading to the parking lot.

As Harvey walked, he said, "I never thought that one day I would also contribute to the box office for Martin Davis and Warner Bros."

Quentin smiled strangely: "It's your fault that you don't have a good relationship with them and can't get the free tickets."

Harvey didn't want to talk for a moment.

Suddenly, someone nearby shouted, "Don't steal my dog. Do you want to cause a bloodbath?"

Another shouted, "You are neither Jonathan nor Martin!"

Many people around looked over there, and many of them laughed, obviously understanding the meaning of this sentence.

Harvey shook his head: "A movie with a $4000 million investment has become as popular as a $1 million blockbuster..."

Quentin stopped and looked over there: "If you had given me a Martin, I could have made a $2 million blockbuster for you with Inglourious Basterds."

Harvey thought about Martin's rejection of his invitation, and then looked at the popularity of "John Wick", and felt that he had lost 200 million in vain. What he didn't earn, he lost, didn't he?

Harvey asked, "What do you think of this movie?"

"It's excellent. I think it can become an action classic." Quentin changed the subject and said, "But there is one shortcoming. Martin fired so many shots, but not a single one exploded in the balls!"

Harvey ignored his old friend's crazy talk and said, "Martin Davis' other film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, co-produced with David Fincher, will be participating in the competition unit of the Cannes Film Festival in May. Inglourious Basterds will also participate. You and the main creators should make more preparations."

Quentin and Martin have no personal conflicts, but competing for the award at the Cannes Film Festival is related to the entire promotion plan of the film.

Winning a major award from Cannes, whether it is an acting award or a film award, will be of great help to the subsequent commercial development of the film.

The older generation in Hollywood either analyzed the factors behind Martin's success or expressed envy and jealousy, and all of them cast their gazes over him to varying degrees.

Many people of the new generation are also paying attention to Martin and the movies he starred in, and some of them even regard Martin as an idol.

On Saturday night, Kristen Stewart drove with Dakota Fanning and Sofia Stallone to the Santa Monica Commercial Plaza.

They had already made an appointment to watch Martin's new film together.

The car stopped in the underground parking lot. Dakota took out two silicone bowls, handed them to Sofia, and said, "Hurry, put them inside your clothes. They are bigger and more mature. Don't let people see that you are a little brat!"

"You are the little brat!" Sophia took it and stuffed it into her clothes. The originally ordinary airport immediately turned into a mountain.

Kristen checked the time and urged, “Hurry up! Hurry up! I’ve seen media reports that there are a lot of people who have booked tickets. If you go late, you can only sit in the corner.”

Sophia stuffed the silicone in and took out the makeup mirror. She was wearing heavy makeup and looked very mature.

Dakota said, "No problem. A lot of people are watching Martin's new film. It's OK if they think you're about the same age. Who cares about your specific age?"

Sophia put away the makeup mirror and opened the car door: "Let's go! Let's go!"

The three of them entered the mall together and headed straight for the nearest Cinemark cinema chain.

Dakota and Sofia both greeted their families and said they would stay overnight at Kristen's house.

Although it was a bit late, there were many customers in Cinemark. The front hall was packed, mostly with fans waiting to watch John Wick: Chapter 8.

Christine waited in line for a long time before she got the three movie tickets she had ordered.

There were too many people in the lobby and there was no place to sit. The line in front of the ticket gate was almost as long as the theater entrance.

The three of them went over and lined up.

Dakota said: "When I grow up, I will have the appeal of Martin, and I will wake up with a smile in my dreams."

"You're very famous," said Sophia.

"My fame comes from being a child star, but it's all a burden after I became an adult." Dakota pointed at Kristen and said, "There are very few child stars who have made such a smooth transition like her."

Christine shared her personal experience: “You need someone important to support you.”

Sofia understood and asked Dakota, "Do you want to act with Martin?"

Dakota was noncommittal.

Soon, the three of them checked their tickets.

The ticket inspector just glanced at Sophia's bulging chest and let the three of them in.

When we entered the theater, as expected, there were so many people that it seemed like we were receiving a grand prize for free. The three of us could only sit in the back row, which was packed with people.

Dakota said: "This movie is going to be a box office hit."

Sophia rolled her eyes: "It's already exploded!"

The lights on the screen came on, and Christine reminded him, "Shut up and watch the movie!"

After one day on Saturday, "John Wick" still maintained its high popularity on Friday, earning another 2197 million US dollars in box office in North America.

The film has received great reviews and has become a hot topic.

"A murder caused by a dog" has been ranked first on Google's hot search list for two consecutive days!
The topic extended from this also spread spontaneously among movie fans.

Jokes like "You want my life, I want yours" have become popular topics on the Internet.

With the help of topic marketing and the most critical influence of the Santa Monica incident, "John Wick" took in a box office of 5889 million US dollars in North America in just three days during its opening weekend!
This also set a record for the opening of an R-rated original non-sequel film.

(End of this chapter)