American fame and fortune.

Chapter 703: Like quenched steel

In many cases, roles and acting skills may not necessarily be top-notch when competing for the Olympics. There are many off-field influencing factors. Martin lacks confidence in this so-called plan to sell out.

According to Nicholson, the plan was primarily initiated and developed by Leonardo.

In Martin's previous life, Leonardo worked as a professional escort for 20 years before he won the Best Actor in a film year.

Now Leonardo can win the Oscar, a big factor lies in Martin.

On the one hand, it is to break the inherent image and show off one's ugliness in order to win awards; on the other hand, Harvey Weinstein's premature death has resulted in a power vacuum during the Oscar awards season.

The latter is more critical.

Can Leonardo win an Oscar with such a plan?

However, Martin did not refuse the good intentions of Leonardo and Nicholson. Now that he is not short of money or fame, he just treats it as a fun game.

Just have fun.

Moreover, the money for winning prizes is paid for by sponsors, so he doesn’t have to pay for it himself.

Two days later, all scenes of "Escape from Tehran" were filmed, and David Fincher announced that the crew had officially closed filming.

Martin took Leonardo and Nicholson to the WMA and met with Thomas and Ali Emmanuel.

Together with Jessica and Emily who came over from Davis Studio, the team for the awards season was completed.

After everyone discussed it, the division of labor was clarified.

Thomas is responsible for contacting sponsors.

Leonardo and Nicholson engaged in a so-called sell-out plan.

Jessica and Emily contacted Rita's public relations team, which fights for Martin's Oscar nominations every year, to assist them in step-by-step public relations.

Ali is responsible for mobilizing WMA’s connections and resources.

Martin himself mainly cooperates.

Ali's focus for this WMA session was originally on Natalie Portman, hoping to create a highly competitive Hollywood star by virtue of her consecutive Oscar wins and commercial success.

But "Darkland" failed so miserably that the producers and distributors didn't want to invest another penny in the project.

If Natalie Portman wants to win, she can only get a Razzie.

Ali found Martin and had a chat alone.

"I didn't expect Nat and "Dark Place" to fail so completely." He sighed and said: "You are the company's biggest hope in the acting awards during the awards season. If you win the Oscar for the leading actor, then you can guarantee that Win a Golden Globe for Best Actor."

He hasn't seen the finished film of "The Martian" yet, but he has confidence in Martin. His only doubt comes from the type of film: "The company will do its best to help you win the prize, just like in previous years."

Martin said politely: "Thank you for the company's support."

Ali thought of his number one female client, Natalie, and asked: "Are there any suitable projects and roles that would be suitable for Nat?"

The failure of "Darkland" can basically make people see clearly that Natalie lacks sufficient support among the most extensive and ordinary fan groups.

Martin couldn't risk tens of millions of dollars in investment, saying, "I don't have any at the moment."

Ali could not force Martin to say no more.

Martin returned to the conference room. Leonardo and Nicholson greeted him and left WMA first.

Thomas goes to his office with Martin.

"How much is the box office of "Darkland" now?" Martin has been busy filming and doing things recently, and has not paid much attention to this film.

Thomas opened the office door, waited for Martin to come in, and said: "The next weekend it will only be over 200 million US dollars, and the current North American box office is just over 1000 million US dollars."

He thought for a while and added: "This film should have hit the lower limit of the distribution contract. It is expected to be forced to be taken off the production line by the theater soon. The box office is so bad that overseas distribution, North American DVD and TV rights, all It can’t be sold at a high price.”

Martin said: "The main audience for this film is still North America. Films that fail in North America can only fail."

Thomas said: "It's a good thing you're not working with Gillian Flynn again."

Martin pulled up a chair and sat down and said: "Gillian was shocked. She came to see me specifically a few days ago to prepare for a trip and collect materials for a new work. Please pay more attention to her."

Jillian is also a client of WMA. Thomas said: "I will communicate with her agent frequently to understand her latest developments."

Martin asked again: "Is there anything going on at Warner Bros. recently?"

Thomas specifically learned: "Gillian Flynn and Natalie Portman were both blacklisted by Jon Berg from Warner Bros. Pictures. Also, it is said that Jon Berg attracted the attention of "Pharaoh" "With the lessons learned from the failures of "With the Gods", "Green Lantern" and "Darkland", we organized an expert viewing group to review several edited versions of "Jack the Giant Slayer" to find the essence."

Martin understood what was going on as soon as he heard it: "Use these highlights to edit into a finished film?"

Thomas nodded: "Yes, according to the information I found, Jon Berg called it an epic revolution in Hollywood film production to people around him!"

Martin can only admire, as expected of Warner Bros., the movie operation is not the best, only more awesome!

Jon Berg is an absolute genius!

After chatting with Thomas for a while, Martin was about to go home and came to the lobby on the first floor, when Natalie Portman came in from outside.

The Jewish actress had a frown on her face and was obviously under a lot of pressure recently.

When she saw Martin, she immediately stepped forward to say hello and said, "If there's nothing urgent, let's have a chat."

Martin nodded slightly and went to the resting area on the side of the hall. There was no one else here for the moment. After Natalie Portman sat down, she took out her cigarette case and said, "Do you mind?"

"It's up to you," Martin said.

Natalie lit a cigarette and said, "I've been under a lot of pressure lately, I've been anxious, and I've been suffering from insomnia. I never expected that after putting in so much effort, the results would be so dismal."

Martin said with relief: "I'll just get it back for the next one."

Natalie turned her head and blew out the cigarette to the side and said, "I'm confused about what to choose for the next movie."

Martin no longer speaks casually when it comes to other people's careers. It is mainly about the projects in his hands, and it is impossible to use Natalie as the heroine.

Natalie thought of Charlize Theron and had the urge to ask Martin for help.

After all, Martin helped Charles Theron escape his Oscar curse.

If she could, she could go with Martin now and do whatever he wanted.

If Martin likes, she can call Benjamin Millepied over.

But before thinking about it, Natalie Portman didn't speak in the end because she had already seen clearly that she was not the one Martin liked.

Natalie put out the cigarette, threw it into the trash can next to her, and said, "If there is an opportunity in the future, I hope to cooperate with you."

Martin nodded: "I hope there will be such an opportunity."

Natalie smiled: "I'm going up."

Martin said, "Goodbye, Nat."

It is difficult for this Jewish actress who lacks popularity in the first-tier film market to develop in the field of commercial films. Independent art films may be more suitable for her.

Martin's cell phone rang at this time, but it was Blake Lively calling.

As soon as he connected, he heard Blake's voice: "I just saw you upstairs going to the elevator, haven't you left yet?"

Martin said: "No, it's in the rest area on the first floor."

There was the sound of high heels hitting the ground from Blake's side: "Wait for me for a while, I'll be down right away."

Martin waited for less than three minutes when Blake Lively hurried over.

She wore leg-fitting jeans, a short top, and a fitted white sweater underneath, with big golden waves hanging down, which showed off her figure.

Even though Martin measured it up and down, inside and out, he still took a few more glances.

Blake pulled up a chair and sat across from Martin. She smelled a faint fragrance and the obvious smell of smoke. She knew that Martin did not smoke, and the fragrance obviously came from a woman who smoked.

Martin asked: "What do you want from me?"

Blake smiled brightly: "I met Taylor Swift some time ago. I didn't expect that the two of us had a lot in common and talked about you together."

Martin shrugged and didn't answer.

Blake came closer and asked deliberately: "Do you know what the topic we talk about the most is?" She didn't need Martin to answer, her eyes automatically moved downward: "The length, width, hardness, and heat are like newly quenched steel. It’s so useful.”

Martin asked: "Is the topic so open among girls?"

"Of course, girls have to help girls." Blake continued: "I also communicated with Taylor which angle and direction is more useful when I am with you."

She couldn't stop laughing: "Taylor invited me to join her best friend group, and I agreed, but Taylor has a test that I must pass. The only test is you, but I have experienced many tests from you, but she refused to admit it and said It needs to be tested in person.”

Martin suddenly made these irrelevant remarks and asked directly: "Why did you end up playing with her?"

Black said: "Taylor is famous and I am famous. When we come together, we attract media attention and can achieve the effect of 1+1 being greater than 2."

It’s not a surprise to Martin, as he first told Taylor Swift about the idea.

"The tempered steel that originally belonged to me has to be shared with others, hey..." Blake felt that there was something wrong with her mind at first. After sleeping, she thought she was done with the idol she admired. Unexpectedly, the idol developed better and made her admire her even more. .

I could have slept happily all the time, but now I have to look at other people's faces.

Blake added: "When do you have time? Give me the test of Taylor's girlfriends group. They are all waiting for me to contact you, your ex-boyfriend."

Martin said: "I will call you when I have time."

"Okay." Blake still had something to say, but after thinking about it, he decided to wait until he had passed the test before speaking.

If it were said at that time, the probability of Martin agreeing would be much higher than now.

Blake made a phone gesture and went back upstairs.

She has to choose a new role with her agent.

Martin walked out of the WMA gate alone and waited for Bruce to drive over.

In the street parking space in front, three people in a Chevrolet SUV were staring at the WMA entrance.

They waited for a long time and finally saw someone.

(End of this chapter)