MTLNOVEL Chapter 703: Quenched Steel
Making an Oscar bid often doesn't require top-notch roles and acting, as there are many influential factors off the screen. Martin lacked confidence in this so-called "misery campaign."
According to Nicholson, the plan was mainly initiated and devised by Leonardo.
In his past life, it took Leonardo twenty years of being a professional runner-up before he finally won the Best Actor award in an off-year for movies.
The reason Leonardo was able to get an Oscar now had a lot to do with Martin.
On one hand, it was about breaking away from his established image and making a bid for awards by playing ugly; on the other hand, Harvey Weinstein's early downfall created a power vacuum during the Oscar season.
The latter was more critical.
Could a plan formulated by such a Leonardo win him the Oscar statuette?
However, Martin didn't refuse the goodwill of Leonardo and Nicholson. He was neither short of money nor fame, so he decided to treat it like an amusing game and just go for it.
As long as it was fun.
Moreover, the costs of the Oscar campaign would be covered by sponsors, so he didn't need to dip into his own pocket.
Two days later, all scenes for "Escape from Tehran" had been shot. David Fincher announced that the production of the crew was officially complete.
Martin, together with Leonardo and Nicholson, visited WMA to meet with Thomas and Ari Emanuel.
Joined by Jessica and Emily, who had rushed over from Davis Studio, the Oscar campaign team was now fully assembled.
After a round of discussions, everyone's roles were defined.
Thomas was in charge of contacting sponsors.
Leonardo and Nicholson handled the so-called misery campaign.
Jessica and Emily contacted the Rita PR Team that worked on Martin's Oscar nominations every year, assisting them in the step-by-step PR and publicity.
Ari was responsible for mobilizing WMA's connections and resources.
Martin himself mainly had to cooperate well.
This year at WMA, Ari had originally focused on Natalie Portman, hoping to create a strong Hollywood leading lady through consecutive Oscars coupled with commercial success.
But the failure of "Dark Places" was too painful, painful enough that the producer and distributor didn't want to invest another cent in the project.
If Natalie Portman wanted any award, it could only be a Razzie.
Ari had a private chat with Martin.
"I didn't expect that Natalie and 'Dark Places' would fail so miserably," he sighed and said, "This time, you are the company's greatest hope in the theatrical performance awards season, vying for the Oscar for Best Actor, and to ensure winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor as well."
He hadn't seen "The Martian" yet, but he was confident in Martin, with the only question being about the film's genre: "Like previous years, the company will fully support your award campaign."
Martin politely responded, "Thank you for the company's support."
Thinking of his top female client, Natalie, Ari asked, "Do you have any suitable projects and roles that would fit Natalie?"
The failure of "Dark Places" essentially highlighted that Natalie lacked sufficient support among the broadest and most ordinary fan base.
Martin couldn't risk investing tens of millions of US dollars, saying, "I don't have any at the moment."
Ari couldn't press Martin further and didn't say more.
Martin returned to the meeting room. Leonardo and Nicholson greeted him and were the first to leave WMA.
Thomas and Martin headed to his office.
"What's the box office for 'Dark Places' up to now?" Martin had been busy with shooting and stirring things up lately and hadn't kept up with the film.
Thomas opened the office door, let Martin in, and said, "Just over two million US dollars this past weekend, with the North American box office barely over ten million US dollars."
He thought for a moment and added, "This film is likely to have hit the lower threshold of the distribution contract, and I predict it will soon be forcibly pulled from theaters. With such poor box office, international distribution, North American DVD, and TV rights will all fail to sell for a good price."
Martin stated, "If it fails in North America, the movie can only be a failure."
Thomas commented, "Fortunately, you didn't work with Gillian Flynn again."
Martin pulled out a chair to sit down and mentioned, "Gillian has been hit hard. She came to see me a few days ago, planning to travel and gather material for new work. Keep an eye on her."
Gillian was also a WMA client. Thomas responded, "I'll stay in regular communication with her agent and stay updated on her latest situation."
Martin then inquired, "Has there been any news from Warner Bros. lately?"
Thomas had specifically looked into it: "Both Gillian Flynn and Natalie Portman have been blacklisted by Jon Berg at Warner Bros. Also, I hear Jon Berg has learned from the failures of 'Pharaoh and the Gods,' 'Green Lantern,' and 'Dark Places,' and has assembled a panel of experts to review several cuts of 'Jack the Giant Slayer' to suss out the best parts."
Martin understood immediately, "To then edit those best parts into the final cut of the movie?"
Thomas nodded, "Yes, according to the information I've gathered, Jon Berg has described it to his peers as an epic revolution in Hollywood filmmaking!"
Martin could only admire, true to Warner Bros.' style – there is no limit to the audacity in movie arrangements!
Jon Berg was definitely a genius!
After spending some time chatting with Thomas, Martin prepared to head home. As he reached the first-floor lobby, he encountered Natalie Portman coming in from outside.
The Jewish actress looked worried, clearly under a lot of stress recently.
She spotted Martin and immediately approached to greet him, saying, "If you're not too busy, let's have a chat."
Martin nodded slightly and went to the rest area on one side of the hall.
With no one else around for the moment, Natalie Portman sat down and took out her pack of cigarettes. "You don't mind, do you?"
Martin said, "Suit yourself."
After lighting her cigarette, Natalie began, "The pressure has been quite intense lately. I've been anxious and frequently suffering from insomnia. I never expected that after giving so much, the returns would be so meager."
Martin consoled her, "Just make it up with the next one."
Natalie turned her head and exhaled the smoke to one side, "What to choose for the next one, I'm utterly lost." Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire
Knowing it involved someone else's career, Martin did not speak carelessly, mainly because the projects in his hands could not possibly star Natalie as the lead actress.
Natalie thought of Charlize Theron and felt an urge to ask Martin for help.
After all, Martin had helped Charlize Theron break the Oscar curse.
If possible, she would join Martin right now, letting him have his way with her.
If Martin liked, she could bring Benjamin Millepied over.
But thinking back, Natalie Portman ultimately did not ask because she had clearly seen that she was not the type Martin favored.
Natalie stubbed out her cigarette and tossed it into the nearby trash can, "If there's an opportunity in the future, I hope we can work together."
Martin nodded, "I hope there is such a chance."
Natalie smiled, "I'm heading up."
Martin said, "Goodbye, Nat."
This Jewish actress, lacking appeal to moviegoing audiences, would find it hard to advance further in the field of commercial cinema. Independent arthouse movies might suit her better.
At that moment, Martin's phone rang—it was Blake Lively.
He had barely answered when he heard Blake's voice, "Just saw you heading to the elevator lobby upstairs. You haven't left, have you?"
Martin said, "No, I'm in the rest area on the first floor."
The sound of Blake's high heels clicking came through the phone, "Wait for me a bit. I'll be right down."
Martin waited less than three minutes before a hurried Blake Lively approached.
She was dressed in skinny jeans and a short top over a snug white shirt, her golden waves cascading down her back, accentuating her figure.
Even though Martin had sized her up and down, inside and out, he still took a few extra glances.
Blake pulled out a chair and sat opposite Martin, catching the faint scent of perfume and the unmistakable smell of smoke. She knew Martin didn't smoke; clearly, the aroma came from some smoking woman.
Martin asked, "Did you need me for something?"
Blake's smile was radiant, "I got to know Taylor Swift recently. Surprisingly, we had a lot to talk about and ended up discussing you."
Martin just shrugged, not indulging the conversation.
Leaning in closer, Blake teasingly asked, "Guess what we talked about the most?" She didn't need Martin to respond as her gaze naturally drifted downward. "Length, width, firmness, heat—just like freshly tempered steel, so functional."
Martin inquired, "Is that what girls talk about?"
"Of course. Girls have to help each other out," Blake continued, "I even shared with Taylor which angles and positions work best with you."
Unable to help herself, Blake chuckled, "Taylor invited me to join her squad, and I agreed, but there's a test I must pass, and that test is you. I've been tested by you many times, yet she doesn't recognize it, saying the test must be in person."
Martin quickly lost interest in these trivial details, directly asking, "How did you end up hanging out with her?"
Blake explained, "Taylor is famous, and so am I. Together, we attract media attention and achieve an effect where 1+1 is greater than 2."
Martin wasn't surprised; after all, it was originally his idea he had told Taylor Swift.
"My very own tempered steel that was once all mine now has to be shared with someone else... sigh." Blake felt she had been foolish to think that after sleeping with her idol, it would just be goodbye. To her dismay, her idol was doing even better, deepening her admiration.
She could have kept enjoying it, but now she had to watch someone else's face.
Blake then said, "When do you have time? Help me pass the test with Taylor's squad. They are all waiting for me to get in touch with you, my ex-boyfriend."
Martin replied, "I'll call you when I have time."
"Alright." Blake had more to say, but she decided to wait until after the test.
By then, the chances of Martin agreeing would be much higher.
Blake mimed a phone call gesture before heading back upstairs.
She had to choose new roles with her agent.
Martin left the WMA building alone, waiting for Bruce to drive up.
In the parking spot up ahead, three individuals in a Chevrolet SUV had been watching the WMA entrance intently.
They had been on the lookout for a long time, and finally, they saw their person.