America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Warner Television Network, "The Helen Show" studio.

In order to promote "The Martian," Martin was preparing to appear on a talk show.

As an old friend who had been through the Burbank Middle School incident together, Helen made a special trip to Martin's dressing room before the show began.

She found out that it wasn't Thomas, his agent, who accompanied Martin, but Leonardo!

"What's this?" Helen was somewhat puzzled.

Martin shrugged, "The content of the communication remains the same, the content Jessica communicated to you was originally devised by Leo."

Leonardo smiled at Helen, "Creative, isn't it?"

Remembering Martin's history in Atlanta, Helen nodded, "It hasn't been easy for Martin."

Martin said, "There are too many people like me in America, it's just that nobody pays attention."

At that point, the stylist brought over a piece of clothing. Leonardo glanced at it and said, "No, this is too luxurious and doesn't fit with today's theme."

It was no easy feat for Helen to have both of them on the program at the same time.

Seeing that Martin did not comment, she simply said nothing.

Leonardo approached a clothes rack filled with garments and carefully searched through it, picking out the most ordinary outfit, and said to Martin, "I think this suits you."

Martin looked it over, a normal jacket, and said, "It'll do."

Helen gestured them: "I'll leave you to it then, see you on stage in a bit."

Leonardo stepped behind Martin, looked at him in the mirror, and told the hairstylist, "The hair shouldn't be so neat, make it a bit messier, more homely."

The hairstylist, seeing Martin nod in agreement, quickly worked on the hairstyle.

After carefully inspecting the results, Leonardo still felt like something was missing. He crossed his arms, pondered for a moment, and then had an idea, "Dark circles, we're missing dark circles! Give Martin some dark circles..."

Martin abruptly flipped the bird over his shoulder, "I'm not some junkie like Depp! Leo, can your sob story strategy be at least a bit reliable?"

"Sorry, I got too into character," though he said that, Leonardo the bastard didn't look sorry at all, "Let's skip the dark circles."

Martin got up and changed into his clothes.

Seeing him a little lax, Leonardo reminded him, "Buddy, stay sharp! We're laying the groundwork for the Oscar Best Actor run, not going out to pick up chicks, get it?"

Martin could only nod his head repeatedly; indeed, they were laying the groundwork for the real plan.

Leonardo looked at him with concern: "Looking at your current state of mind, if you go after the award with this attitude, you'll be running also-ran for ten years!"

Martin frowned slightly, why did that sound so familiar?

Leonardo sighed, "Acting must be taken seriously, and so must publicity and public relations. Do you know why I want you to look pitiful? Because most of those old white men, like Jack and Warren, come from the bottom. You, coming from the same place, can easily win their empathy if you sell your misery right."

Martin gave him a thumbs up, "Leo, you truly are an Oscar campaign expert."

"Of course!" Leonardo arrogantly said, "That's why I have an Oscar for Best Actor, and you don't."

Martin covered his face, realizing he had no comeback.

What a jerk!

It was about time for the shoot, and a director came to remind Martin that it was time for him to go on stage.

Minutes later, Martin was on the stage of the studio, discussing "The Martian" and his times in Atlanta with Helen.

These experiences didn't need to be fabricated, and Helen was very cooperative. All Martin had to do was answer truthfully.

In his youth, he was a jerk. His alcoholic and drug-abusing parents, his mother died in a drug-induced car accident, and his father took off with all the family's money. After growing up, Martin had an epiphany and vividly enacted an American dream of a prodigal son returning home.

"The Martian" was a red-hot hit, and after this episode of "The Helen Show" aired, the response was excellent.

"It's incredible how Martin managed to claw his way out of such a mire."

"His story is so inspiring!"

"Even from a trash heap, a hero can emerge, like Martin!"

In the Davis Studio office, Nicholson lifted his head from behind the computer, revealing a satisfied smile.

Although the scoop wasn't as juicy or large as Emma Watson's, a scoop about one of their own had a flavor all its own.

He glanced at Leonardo, "Well done, that's got some substance."

Martin exposed his game, "This bastard Leo actually wanted me to act like a junkie like Depp, he really should be sunk to the bottom of the sea in concrete."

Leonardo laughed, "Well, a good misery act needs the full package."

Nicholson said to Martin, "Your start is similar to mine, but you've risen much faster."

"Mainly because I used you as a marker," Martin didn't hold back, "I've avoided all the pitfalls you stepped in."

Leonardo laughed, "What was the biggest pitfall Jack ever stepped in?"

Martin replied with a straight face, "Marlon Brando?"

Nicholson said, "I'd like to use butter to shut you up!"

Martin returned to the main topic, "You guys take care of the Los Angeles publicity; anything you need, go directly to the studio and find Jessica. I'm going to be running around the world doing promotions for a while."

"The Martian" had exploded in critical acclaim and box office success in North America, and it was about to start its international release.

Including Martin and Ridley Scott, most of the creative team would be traveling the world for premieres.

Leonardo asked, "Are you going to South Korea as well?"
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Martin nodded, "Of course, South Korea has always been a box office market for Hollywood; we definitely have to hold the premiere in Seoul."

Compared to South Korea, Japan, with a larger population, has a low recognition for Hollywood movies. Science fiction and superhero films there have always received a relatively poor response.

"You're too disloyal!" Leonardo shouted angrily, "You leave me and Jack in Los Angeles to campaign for the awards, and you run off to Seoul to host a silver party? Do you still consider us brothers?"

But Nicholson said, "Remember to call me before you start the silver party!

Leonardo asked in surprise, "Do you want Martin to broadcast it live for you? Jack, won't you feel inferior watching it?"

Martin flatly refused, "I'm not going to broadcast it for you guys."

Nicholson laughed coldly, "Who said I wanted to watch that bastard Martin's broadcast? I'm going to call the police and report to the Korean authorities at that time!"

Martin looked down on them, "That's just envy and jealousy!"

Leonardo said, "We'll wait for your call—if you show brotherly loyalty…"

Martin replied, "Let's discuss this matter later."

Leonardo and Nicholson left, satisfied.

The next morning, Martin joined the crew and took a chartered flight to London to begin the European tour.

This time, there were five premiere events in Europe: in London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, and Berlin.

Then came the East Asia tour.

Naturally, the focus was on South Korea, where the box office share for Hollywood films is not much different from that in North America.

On Thursday, the Thanksgiving holiday arrived, and the crew did not return to North America.

That day, the North American box office surged.

"The Martian" earned $26.87 million in a single day, and in the subsequent three days of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it took in another $46.56 million, bringing the North American box office total to $197 million.

Even so, the film did not achieve back-to-back box office championships in North America.

"Twilight Saga" had its grand finale preview, with the fourth installment "Breaking Dawn" releasing before Thanksgiving, capturing $138 million in the opening and ending the possibility of "The Martian" winning consecutive titles.

The influence and appeal of popular sequels are incredibly strong.

But "The Martian," taking a whopping $197 million in North America in just ten days, was still dazzling.

The film resonated strongly overseas, sparking a movie-going craze.

In its first weekend, the United Kingdom contributed nearly $10 million, France added $8.1 million, Spain brought in over $5 million...

After this week, "The Martian" easily surpassed $300 million in global box office.

Markets like Latin America, East Asia and Southeast Asia, and Australia, which are box office strongholds for Hollywood, would sequentially start showing the film.

Just as hot as the box office were the movie's merchandise sales.

In just ten days in North America alone, $36.8 million worth of merchandise was sold, with products related to Martin's character being the focal point.

Martin could receive half of the profits from merchandise using his likeness as his share.

This film was sure to create a new record for single-film income from Martin's acting career.

After leaving Europe, "The Martian" crew went straight to East Asia and arrived in Seoul in the new week.

The Samsung Group, as a sponsor of the film, warmly received the crew.

After the premiere event with the crew, they organized a grand reception party.

When the core members of the crew, including Martin and Ridley Scott, entered the banquet hall, their eyes were nearly dazzled.

The place was filled with nearly a hundred South Korean actresses, models, and trainees.

Although some of their faces were hard to distinguish, they offered a plethora of styles and qualities.

The aesthetics of the chaebols, and their control over these women, was without question.

Martin easily blended in, chatting and laughing with the women surrounding him.

One of them, with the English name Clara, had an outstanding figure, and Martin talked to her a bit more.

After a while, Ridley Scott came over and said, "I suddenly have face blindness."

Martin looked around and said, "I feel the same, I'm almost having an episode."

Ridley looked exhausted, "I'm old, can't do this anymore, I'll leave first, I have to catch a flight early in the morning."

Martin said, "Let's withdraw together."

Despite boasting to Leonardo and Nicholson about hosting a silver party before coming, Martin was more restrained in Seoul; after all, this place wasn't Los Angeles, and it was too easy to be tampered with.

The Koreans could bare their fangs at any moment.

Martin excused himself using the restroom as a pretext and slipped out of the banquet hall quietly with Ridley.

Clara, however, noticed them and hurried after Martin, proactively stuffing her contact information into his hand.

Facing such enthusiasm, Martin accepted it.

Eager to ensure Martin wouldn't forget her, Clara specifically said, "When you return to Los Angeles, if there's any need, you can call this number anytime. I will immediately take a flight to America."

Martin pocketed the business card, "Perhaps we'll meet again."

Ridley Scott followed Martin upstairs, saying as they walked, "I was as popular as you when I was young."

Martin believed him, "Because you are a director after all!"