Made In Hollywood

"...Welcome to ABC's Weekly Box Office Report. During the just-passed Independence Day weekend, The Mask of Zorro topped the charts with an opening weekend gross of $22.52 million. However, the most talked-about film this week isn't this new release, but the nearly two-month-old The Matrix."

"Over the weekend, The Matrix earned $5.41 million across 1,455 theaters, bringing its domestic box office total to $301.03 million. This makes it the first film in 1998 to surpass $300 million domestically and breaks the two-year trend since 1996 of no R-rated movie achieving this milestone. Moreover, The Matrix is poised to challenge the $325.79 million domestic R-rated record set by Saving Private Ryan, also directed by Duke Rosenberg."

"Additionally, judging from the release schedule for the rest of the year, The Matrix is virtually guaranteed to claim both the domestic and global box office crowns for 1998. Overseas, the film has already grossed $256.22 million, bringing its global total to over $550 million."

"After switching styles with Saving Private Ryan and Chicago, Duke Rosenberg's return to summer sci-fi blockbusters has proven incredibly powerful. Why is The Matrix so popular with audiences? To delve deeper, we've invited Robert Iger, the head of Walt Disney's Touchstone Pictures, to give us a professional analysis."

"Hello, Mr. Iger. In your opinion, what makes The Matrix such a huge success?"

"Why the success? The Matrix delivers ultra-cool action and visuals unlike anything we've seen before. It profoundly explores the relationship between humans and technology, the virtual world, and the human soul, making it a sci-fi classic. But in my opinion, the film owes much of its success to its extraordinary visual effects. The black trench coats, sunglasses, frozen-time slow-motion sequences—these elements are visually stunning. The exaggerated destruction during explosions hits audiences like a hammer to the eyes."

"Additionally, the 'bullet time' and 'explosion time' techniques are the film's standout features and will undoubtedly inspire countless imitators. The era of action films has been redefined by director Duke Rosenberg."

Sitting before the television, Steven Spielberg maintained a blank expression. His film Deep Impact was in direct competition with The Matrix, and the stark contrast between the two couldn't be more obvious. DreamWorks, in collaboration with CAA, was utterly defeated in this head-to-head competition. Although Deep Impact faced attacks from multiple sides, even Spielberg had to admit after seeing both films that the disparity between the two was glaring.

To even claim they were on the same level would be self-deception.

Sighing deeply, Spielberg came to terms with the primary reason for their failure: Hollywood has only one James Cameron, one Steven Spielberg, and one Duke Rosenberg!

How could a director like Mimi Leder possibly compare to Duke Rosenberg?

This competition had already ended in DreamWorks' defeat. Spielberg, feeling deeply dissatisfied, recognized that this loss could impact DreamWorks' future. Perhaps it was time for him to personally step in.

Should he personally direct a film? Face off against Duke Rosenberg directly in the future?

Perhaps because the loss stung so much, Spielberg couldn't shake this idea from his mind. It grew stronger and stronger.

"Sir, there's a call for you," a maid interrupted his thoughts. "It's from Martin Bob of CAA."

Just hearing the name made Spielberg feel irate. "Tell him I'm already asleep!"

What a loser!

Recalling the projects Martin Bob packaged in recent years, such as Interview with the Vampire and Braveheart, none of which achieved massive success, Spielberg couldn't help but curse himself as a fool. Why had he been persuaded by Martin Bob to greenlight Deep Impact?

He vowed never to collaborate with Martin Bob again!

Spielberg wasn't the only one unwilling to work with Martin Bob. Actors from Deep Impact, who were forcibly included in the project by CAA, shared similar sentiments.

As the sun rose and the workweek began, a young actor with an extremely likable, baby-faced appearance entered the Century City CAA offices, accompanied by his lawyer and guardian. Having scheduled an appointment in advance, they headed straight to Martin Bob's office.

"Elijah, are you sure about this?" the middle-aged man asked the baby-faced actor.

"Yes, Dad. I've already made up my mind!" Elijah's expression was resolute. "Martin Bob is just one of my agents. Besides, I'm under eighteen. According to the contract terms, if he places excessive restrictions on me as a minor, we have the right to request a new agent or even terminate the CAA contract. Don't forget, the penalty fee is negligible for us."

"But crossing Martin Bob..."

Seeing his father still hesitate, Elijah firmly stated, "Dad, don't you understand? The person inviting me to audition is Duke Rosenberg, one of the most successful directors on the planet. Look at the actors he previously invited to auditions: Nicolas Cage, Keanu Reeves, Naomi Watts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Will Smith, Charlize Theron..."

After rattling off a long list of names, Elijah continued, "Not only did these people gain fame through his films, but they also became top stars. Dad, choosing between Martin Bob and Duke Rosenberg isn't hard, is it?"

Their lawyer, an old family friend, chimed in. "Wood, I think Elijah is making the right choice. This is his best opportunity to advance his career."

Wood, the middle-aged man, nodded, falling silent as he followed his son and lawyer into Martin Bob's office. There, in the outer reception room, they met the famed CAA head.

After a few pleasantries, Elijah got straight to the point. "Mr. Bob, I don't understand why you want me to refuse Duke Rosenberg's invitation. Right now, anyone in Hollywood would jump at the chance to audition for him. Why should I give up such a great opportunity?"

Hearing this, Martin Bob's already sour expression darkened further. "I have a clear plan for your future. That role doesn't suit you."

His tone was low and severe. A few years ago, his intimidating demeanor would have silenced anyone, even second-tier actors.

But times had changed.

"No, Mr. Bob." Elijah immediately countered, "I think I should seize this opportunity."

Martin Bob's face grew so dark it seemed about to drip ink. "Elijah, are you sure about this?"

Elijah met his gaze firmly, while Martin Bob's eyes twitched as he suppressed his anger. "You will not attend this audition. I've already arranged for you to join an acting workshop..."

"Sorry, Mr. Bob. I'm not going," Elijah interrupted before he could finish. "I now seriously doubt that you're letting personal grievances interfere with my contract obligations."

Elijah ignored Martin Bob's furious expression and continued, "I demand to terminate our agency contract."

"Boy!" Martin Bob spat through gritted teeth, "Elijah Wood, have you considered the consequences?"

Baby-faced Elijah glanced at his lawyer, who nodded reassuringly.

"I'm still under eighteen and protected by child labor laws," Elijah said with a fleeting smirk. "I understand your point, Mr. Bob. But the person inviting me to audition is Duke Rosenberg. Nobody would be foolish enough to reject his offer. I know you're influential and can affect many productions, but I doubt even you can sway Duke Rosenberg."

Standing up, he declared, "I'll pay the penalty fee. My lawyer will handle the details with you."

Without waiting for a reply, Elijah left the office with his father, leaving only the lawyer behind.

Like any office, gossip spread rapidly within CAA. News of Elijah Wood's demand to terminate his contract with Martin Bob over Duke Rosenberg's audition invitation quickly reached every corner of the company.

For a young actor to openly challenge the authority of CAA's leader, it was clear to everyone that after consecutive failures—especially the disastrous Deep Impact—Martin Bob's influence had plummeted, even losing the trust of his own clients.

"Elijah Wood is just the beginning," remarked Ino Martin, in high spirits in another office, to visiting Pat Kingsley. "More actors will question Martin Bob next."

"I've never liked Duke as much as I do now," Pat Kingsley said with a faint smile. "Was this intentional?"

"Who knows?" Ino Martin shrugged. "If I were in Elijah Wood's position, I'd kick Martin Bob to the curb and choose Duke too."

After some joking, Ino Martin turned serious. "Our partnership system is closely tied to the stars we manage. Martin Bob is being abandoned by his clients. The next partner meeting will be our opportunity!"

....

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