America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 152: Chapter 152 The Public Loves Gossip Most

The area where the Los Angeles mansions are located is essentially known for having few cars, few people, and few houses.

The schoolgirl, dressed in her uniform, stood alone by the roadside, her right hand extended with her thumb up, waving at Martin.

Martin had seen her once before; he stopped the car beside her and wound down the passenger-side window.

The girl bent over to look inside, confirmed that she hadn't mistaken the person, and waved at Martin, "Hey, handsome, we've met before."

Martin glanced at the slightly chubby-faced girl and asked, "Are you Elizabeth from the Olsen family?"

Elizabeth Olsen smiled sweetly, "Are you going to Louise's place? Can you drop me off at home on your way?"

Martin opened the passenger door, "Get in."

Elizabeth got into the car and placed her backpack on her lap, "Thank you."

Martin drove and said, "You just flag down cars like that? Aren't you afraid of running into bad people?"

"Are you a bad person?" Elizabeth turned to look at Martin, "I recognize your car, that's why I dared to flag it down."

Martin was surprised, "We haven't seen each other that much."

Elizabeth reminded him, "You often go to Louise's place, you always have to pass in front of my house."

Martin asked, "Are all girls as smart as you nowadays?"

Elizabeth giggled at the flattery, "Handsome guy, you are really sweet-talking. By the way, I still don't know your name."

"Martin Davis."

"Sounds familiar, I think I've seen it in the newspapers recently," Elizabeth thought for a moment, "The male lead in a horror movie."

Martin nodded and asked, "The few times I've seen you weren't you always picked up by your sister in a car?"

Elizabeth explained briefly, "They are very busy today. I took a sudden leave and came back by bus to this area. There's no public transportation further on, and I was planning to walk home, but then I ran into you."

Martin said, "You're quite lucky."

Perhaps the privileged upbringing gave her unusual confidence, Elizabeth said, "Of course, I'm always lucky."

Martin drove up the hill to the south, and Elizabeth said, "You don't need to stop, just head to Louise's place, there's no one at my house."

"Really?" Martin didn't listen to her and instead called Louise first.

Louise said on the other end, "The whole Olsen family has gone to a business event, let her come over."

Elizabeth said, "I'm not familiar with Louise, but my sister knows her well."

Martin drove straight into Louise's gate and parked beside the villa.

Elizabeth got out of the passenger seat and greeted Louise, who was standing at the villa's entrance, very politely, "I don't have anywhere to go for the time being, may I stay here for a while?"

Louise invited her, "Come have lunch with us."

Martin took a gift from the glove compartment and handed it to the butler, Mary, inside the villa.

Louise asked, "What is it?"

Martin replied, "It's some wine I ordered for you from overseas. Drink it in moderation, a single glass can knock a donkey out."

Louise nodded her head, "Got it."

Ten minutes later, the three of them sat down at the dining table.

Elizabeth saw the exquisite roast meat and said, "Meat, my favorite."

Louise said, "Help yourself, don't be shy."

Martin didn't talk much, the roast meat was more appealing.

It was like the last time; Louise had specially requested a chef to prepare the roast meat.

After lunch, they chatted for a while, and Elizabeth, who had a habit of taking a nap, was arranged by Mary, at Louise's direction, to rest in the guest room until her family next door came back to take her home.

Louise got into Martin's car, and they headed to Warner Bros. Studios together.

As they passed the next door, Louise pointed and said, "The real rich lady lives here."

"The Olsen sisters? They're richer than you?" Martin asked curiously.

Louise said, "Who knows, they could become billionaires any day."

Martin laughed, "I'd still rather you take care of me."

Louise changed the subject, "Is the wax museum promo over?"

Martin answered, "It's finished. The distribution company didn't arrange for any overseas promotion. Yesterday's wrap party was the last public event."

Louise, sitting askew in the passenger seat, inquired, "What's next?"

Martin thought for a moment, "These next few days, I have to go to The Hills Have Eyes crew for post-production, some scenes need to be dubbed." He merged into the main lane, "Originally, Zomi told me a horror story, and he received the first draft of the script yesterday. He showed it to me at the bar, too bad it's not suited for me anymore."

Louise asked, "The story about the murderous dwarf you mentioned?"

Martin briefly said, "A script by Zomi's friend, its core is a psychotic main character with dwarfism, and the female and male supporting roles aren't remarkable, and in the end, the male gets killed by the main character."

Had it been during the shooting of the wax museum, Martin would have been interested, but having played a lead role, he wouldn't consider such parts anymore.

Louise gave a bit of advice, "Whenever possible, choose the lead role first. Even when picking a supporting role, go for one with character, not the foolish sidekick that's just there to highlight others."

Martin then remembered "Alexander the Great," "If you're interested, you could have a look. I think the script is quite interesting, and Zomi's directing isn't bad either."

Mentioning this to Louise wasn't because his previous life's "The Orphan's Grudge" received great feedback.

Many Hollywood films that were hyped on the other side of the internet often flopped at the North American box office.

There are too many films with explosive critical acclaim but dismal ticket sales.

Martin's judgment was based on the fact that this film had sequels made.

Louise showed some interest—after all, Zomi had just achieved success: "When his script is finished, have him send a copy to Pacific Pictures."

Arriving at Warner Bros. Studios, Martin made a call to Zomi, reminding him to finalize the script and send a copy to Pacific Pictures.

When Martin and Louise came to the post-production studio where The Hills Have Eyes crew was located, next to the Alexander crew, they saw Angelina Jolie.

Louise seemed quite familiar with her and even chatted for a bit.

Earlier this year, gossip media published rumors about Pitt cheating with Jolie, but it didn't attract much attention and hadn't blown up yet.

When Martin entered the post-production studio, he turned back to take another look at Jolie.

It was said that this woman never hired professional publicists; all her PR and self-marketing plans were devised by herself.

In Jolie's case, one thing became clear: no matter how good the film is made, it's not as effective as good publicity.

Martin found the director Aga and went to the post-production dubbing studio, where many scenes filmed on-site were compromised by environmental noise and couldn't achieve the desired effect, so they had to be resolved through dubbing.

He stayed in the dubbing studio for half an afternoon, working quite efficiently, re-dubbing more than thirty shots.

When Martin came out, Wes Craven had just returned from a meeting at Warner Bros.

Together with Aga, the three of them entered the producer's office.

Craven started with the important news: "The wax museum has had a good box office response, earning you a lot of points, Martin. Warner Bros. takes this film, where you are the absolute protagonist, very seriously. Originally planned for an April release, the decision was made to bring it forward to early February, the weekend after the Super Bowl."

Martin asked, "Will the film have ads during the Super Bowl?"

Craven replied, "I've mentioned it, but the specifics depend on Warner Bros.'s arrangements."

Aga flicked his hair, saying, "I've heard the Super Bowl ads are very effective."

"The program with the highest viewership in America," Craven, who watched every year, said: "Just talking about TV ads, there's nothing better than the Super Bowl."

Martin thought for a moment and said, "Regarding the promotion of the film, I have some ideas."

Aga was curious: "I heard that for the wax museum's promotion, many of your suggestions were used?"

Martin was not modest about this matter: "Partially."

Craven, experienced and shrewd, said: "Definitely not the usual promotional stuff, those have been overdone. Are we talking about Paris Hilton?"

Martin just smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Craven went on: "In a few days, Warner Bros. will hold a marketing meeting for the film. You two, one a director and the other doubling as a production manager, should attend together."

Martin replied, "No problem, just call me when the time is confirmed."

Having been a producer countless times, Craven reminded him: "Martin, The Hills Have Eyes is centered entirely around you; you are the main focus of media attention."

He put forth a suggestion similar to Thomas's: "The wax museum brought you some heat; try to maintain this momentum as it will benefit your next film."

Aga's mind was quick: "How about I throw a party and invite some French actresses? Martin, you pick one up?"

Martin was steadfast: "Why is it that when it comes to creating heat and topics, the first thing you think of is women?"

Aga spread his hands: "Because the public loves gossip the most, and male-female issues are the simplest and most effective when it comes to creating gossip."

Martin said, "Unless you invite Sophie Marceau over."

Craven, with decades of experience in the industry and understanding the market and audience better than Martin and Aga, said, "That's pointless; it's best to find a Hollywood actress. Sophie Marceau doesn't have much pull or heat in North America."

Martin realized that not only Sophie Marceau but also Monica Bellucci lacked strong appeal in North America.

After all, it wasn't Europe.

Then, the three of them entered the post-editing room together to watch the rough cut of the film.

Craven and Aga discussed how to proceed with the second cut.

Martin listened attentively on the side without saying a word.

Though he wasn't a complete outsider to this aspect, he had less experience with it than Craven and Aga.

The final editing rights of the film were in Craven's hands.

The title of the godfather of modern horror films in Hollywood wasn't just for show.

After spending two days in the post-production studio, Halloween was fast approaching. Every year at this time, Hollywood and the whole of America would be crawling with monsters and ghosts.

Martin had wanted to invite Louise to join the Halloween parade, but Louise wasn't interested.

After thinking for a bit, he called Annie-Hathaway.

"I remember your crew hasn't started shooting yet. Are you free for Halloween?" Martin invited, "Let's join the Halloween parade together."

Following her principle of non-refusal and non-responsibility, Annie said, "The crew will have a break during that time, I've participated in the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, but never in Los Angeles."

Martin immediately said, "My princess, may your loyal guard accompany you to survey your realm?"

Annie laughed: "Sure, but you're in charge of the princess's costume and dress."

Martin replied, "No problem."