America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 217: Chapter 216: Three Years, 15 Million

Saturday, Four Seasons Hotel, Weinstein Films' long-term suite.

Like most producers in the industry, Harvey always kept up with the latest film statistics.

This week, there was also a movie he paid close attention to that was being released.

On Friday's box office statistics, Harvey found the name "The Summer of Jeans."

In North America, on its first day of release, it earned 7.75 million US dollars, second only to "Star Wars Prequel 3," which was released the first weekend of May, ranking second.

Martin Davis was the male lead according to the cast announced by Warner Bros.

Did this mean, another movie starring him was about to succeed?

Harvey recalled the young actor he had once talked to, who had shown no disrespect, appearing very respectful on the surface, but what about in reality?

Martin Davis's agent had rejected his invitation.

Although very tactfully, a refusal was still a refusal.

This annoyed Harvey somewhat and also made him fail to keep his promise to Matt Damon.

At this time, the bathroom door opened from the inside, and a pajama-clad Meryl Streep came over, leaned in to kiss Harvey's chubby cheek, and then sat down on the sofa opposite him.

Though over 50, Meryl was well-preserved and looked closer to 40.

Harvey asked, "When are you leaving?"

Meryl replied, "The afternoon flight. I have a home and a husband; I have to go back to New York to be a good wife and mother."

Harvey watched her for a moment and then asked, "Are you still in touch with Jack Nicholson?"

Meryl didn't answer but instead asked, "Why do you ask?"

"Jack has joined Scorsese's 'Infernal Affairs' crew," Harvey said directly. "Do you know Martin Davis? He's also in the 'Infernal Affairs' crew."

Meryl guessed, "That Los Angeles hero? Did that little actor upset you?"

Harvey said, "You help me pass a message to Jack, don't let Martin Davis be too comfortable in the 'Infernal Affairs' crew, Matt Damon will cooperate with him."

Meryl lit a cigarette, took a drag, and said, "I meet Jack for catch-ups a few times each year, old friends after all; special ways are needed to maintain feelings, I'll convey your message to Jack, but you know him, very peculiar temper, I can't guarantee anything."

She was curious, "A small star, worth all this trouble?"

"He's not just any small star, he can pull in investments, and he's backed by Pacific Pictures," Harvey had recently learned. "Warner also values him a lot."

Meryl exhaled the smoke from her mouth, didn't inquire further, but then said, "What about that next Oscar you promised me?"

"Patience," Harvey said with a trembling chubby smile. "I'm looking for the right project, I will fulfill what I promised you."

Meryl extinguished her cigarette and stood up, opening her pajamas.

To get Harvey Weinstein to act, especially regarding Oscars matters, she always had to show politeness.

Two hours later, a made-up Meryl left Harvey's long-term suite and took the elevator downstairs.

Two floors down, the elevator stopped and opened, and Jolie walked in alone.

The two glanced at each other without any interaction.

Meryl, experienced and almost expert, however, smelled a scent similar to hers on Jolie, the musky scent of a woman after an affair with a man.

A scent that can only be understood but not communicated.

Meryl muttered to herself, had that woman just been with that producer?

The elevator opened, and the two left the hotel separately.

Half an hour later, Martin left the hotel and got into the car Bruce had driven, heading to the California Institute of Technology for a promotional event for the film.

Although "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" mainly targeted the teenage demographic, both audience and media reception were good; the former rated it an 'A' on CS, and the latter gave it an average MTC score of 73.

Moreover, the attractive looks of Martin and Blake also drew the support of many who valued appearances.

In those times, looks still counted as a form of justice in the market.

Had they used an ugly, fat, dark-skinned person as the spokesperson, the product could have crashed directly.

The era of high fantasy was still nearly a decade away from truly beginning.

Martin, although not involved in any special promotions, still fully cooperated with the crew and distributors in the usual activities.

Warner pushed him to the position of leading man, and naturally, he would benefit from the film's big sales.

The second day "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" was released, it still maintained a similar popularity, taking down another 8.07 million US dollars in North America.

Saturday night, Martin invited Blake for dinner, and the two entered a high-end restaurant in Pasadena.

The waiter served the dishes and poured drinks for both of them.

Blake was excited, "Did you see? Those people wanted my autograph; just taking a photo with them made them ecstatic."

Martin raised his glass, "Cheers to your fame; you've made it overnight!"

Blake clinked glasses with him, his head not in the clouds, "I've caught your good luck, Martin. Without you, this film might have earned half as much."

Martin asked offhandedly, "Says who?"

Blake didn't hide anything, "Director Capisce and several executives from Warner Bros. all said so. They mentioned that you and the shooting incident had boosted the film's performance."

Thinking of the danger at Burbank Middle School at the time, Martin sighed, "I would rather not have that boost than to encounter such an incident again."

Who the hell would want to face the barrel of a gun.

Blake forked a piece of greens into his mouth, with a tinge of regret, "We can't make it to the top of the box office charts."

Martin comforted him with a smile, "Can't be helped. The Star Wars Prequels III was released last weekend, and even this weekend, we can't outdo Anakin."

Blake said enviously, "Martin, you already got two box office chart-toppers, I haven't had one."

Martin replied, "Take it slow, no rush."

Anyone who understood the North American film market would know just how powerful the proclaimed final chapter of Star Wars by George Lucas was—a true box office bomb.

But The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants still managed to earn a decent box office under the shadow of Star Wars.

......

Monday, Atlanta, Coca-Cola headquarters.

Thomas, accompanied by his assistant Natasha, walked into the negotiation meeting room once again.

Justin, the commissioner in charge of the negotiations, was already waiting in the room.

Both sides shook hands and took their respective seats at the conference table, ready for a new round of negotiations.

Thomas was the first to speak, "I've brought some new material that I hope your side will consider."

Justin nodded, "Okay."

Natasha opened her laptop, connected the projector, and opened a file. The contents were immediately displayed on the silver-white screen.

Thomas pointed at the screen with a laser pointer and said, "This past weekend, my client Martin Davis starred in 'The Summer of Jeans,' which was released in North America. It made 20.87 million US dollars on its opening weekend. The film was a huge success!"

Justin had already seen the relevant news and statistics. Martin Davis's career was on an upward trend, and his influence was only going to grow.

Thomas opened an excerpt from an interview, "An executive from Warner Bros. said when talking about the box office that the North American opening week's success owed a third of its numbers to Martin's personal influence."

He gestured to Natasha.

Natasha switched to the next page, which mainly showed photos and videos from the premiere of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

She played a video, and immediately, a cacophony erupted.

"Cola Cult!"

"Cola Cult Leader!"

In the video, Martin stood on the red carpet, and such shouts were heard in succession.

Hundreds of fans pulled out Coca-Cola cans, raising them high to pay tribute to Martin, the Cola Cult Leader.

After the video ended, Natasha clicked the mouse again, and the screen changed to screenshots from internet forums and various news reports.

The pages were filled with short commentary and gossip from netizens and the media about the Cola Cult.

"The Cola Cult, although never officially established, has already gained widespread recognition, and Martin's reputation as the Sect Hierarch has spread across America," said Thomas, full of confidence, "Furthermore, Martin is just 24 years old, his career is only beginning, and in the next three years, he's expected to reach even greater heights."

Justin looked as if he hadn't heard Thomas, fixated on the projected screen, "The Cola Cult, that's really interesting."

Thomas said with a smile, "No one expected Martin's unintentional action to have such a huge impact."

He timely switched back to the main topic of the negotiation, "For such a unique Martin Davis, a star widely anticipated to succeed in the future, doesn't he deserve an endorsement deal with Coca-Cola worth 15 million US dollars over three years?"

In reality, this amount did not exceed Coca-Cola's maximum, and Justin, opening the laptop in front of him, browsed through various news articles about Martin on the internet once more.

Most feedback was positive, and Martin had a very good public image.

As for attacks from Annie-Hathaway's die-hard fans regarding Martin's alleged cheating and philandering, as long as it didn't involve breaking the law, it was never an issue in celebrity endorsements.

On the contrary, if one could create nationwide gossip like Leonardo and other major stars, they would even help push it from behind.

Justin checked Martin's upcoming work schedule.

Coca-Cola had consulted with experts from CS Company, and the filming of "Wanted Order" happening in Atlanta, with the backing of this year's big events, was very likely to succeed, as long as it wasn't a complete disaster.

The next project was a leading role in "Infernal Affairs," acting opposite Leonardo, a mob film by Martin Scorsese. Even Justin, not in the film industry, knew the chances of success were far higher than failure.

There was also a Presidential Medal of Freedom in July.

That meant, even if Martin Davis were to be unlucky and falter in the next two or three years, the chances were very slim.

No longer hesitating, Justin declared, "We accept the 15 million US dollar endorsement fee for three years."

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Thomas breathed a sigh of relief as the most crucial point was agreed upon.

He stood up and shook hands with Justin across the table, "See, we are reaching more and more common ground."

Justin shook his hand firmly, "I hope the rest will go as smoothly as today."

Even though the toughest part of the negotiation was done, it didn't mean the end. There were dozens of smaller items to discuss, such as the specifics in the contract for Martin's attendance time and the vehicle he would use when making appearances at Coca-Cola events. As an agent from a professional agency like Thomas, details mattered.