America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 293: Chapter 290: The Cost of Several Billion

```

At the seaside open-air bar, the waiter brought drinks, pouring for the two customers.

Martin tipped him and asked him to leave, then raised his glass and indicated, "The best Hollywood way to drink, start from the morning and keep going until early in the morning." Experience more tales on M V L

Leonardo clinked glasses with Martin, and before drinking, he said, "Gotta be moderate, man. You'll get fat."

Martin stared at him intentionally, "Got it."

"Hey, what's with that look?" Leonardo defended, "I'll have you know, I'm a man of moderation and planning."

Martin nodded repeatedly, "I know, I know, you're playing a big game!" He pinched his own face, deliberately making it look wider and fatter, "Aren't you intentionally getting into this shape to compete for the Oscar Best Actor?"

Leonardo's eyes rounded in surprise, "That's my plan? How come I didn't know about that?"

Martin grabbed the bottle and poured more drinks for them both.

Leonardo curled his lip, "With my talent, do I need to resort to such a crappy strategy?"

"You're so noble, so incredible!" Martin said as if cursing, "In '98, you were afraid of stealing the spotlight and didn't attend the Oscars, yet you still took all the attention. Those old guys hold grudges; they've become old and ugly and can't stand seeing others who are beautiful and handsome. Without mangling yourself, you won't win an Oscar."

He intentionally dragged out his tone, "Leo, hurry up and become a greasy, fat, middle-aged man!"

Leonardo pointed at Martin, "Others curse behind the back, but you, you bastard, curse right to my face!"

He sneered, "Don't talk about me, don't you see your own situation? With your scumbag looks, can you win an Oscar without ruining your image?"

"You speak the damn truth, I can't even argue!" Martin heaved a long sigh, his face and words filled with deep helplessness, "Handsome guys like us are doomed to a difficult Oscar journey."

Leonardo empathized deeply, "Because those old, defeated, poor guys are envious and jealous of us!"

Martin asked, "Next awards season, are you planning another go at it?"

Leonardo nodded, "Of course I'll continue. I'm not short on money, women or film offers. A man's got to have goals."

Martin felt defeated; the guy opposite him was really something else.

Leonardo enjoyed the sensation of Martin feeling struck down and said with a smile, "I've got two films this year that could contend for Best Actor, apart from 'Infernal Affairs,' there's also 'Blood Diamond.'

Martin said, "I'm preparing for a Best Supporting Actor nomination."

Leonardo, who had made several bids for an Oscar, bluntly said, "Prepare more money. Without an investment above a million dollars, I wouldn't advise you to join in, otherwise you're just throwing money away."

"The agency will invest resources," Martin roughly explained, "And there should be some sponsorship money coming from Coca-Cola."

He sought Leonardo mainly for one thing, "During the awards season, how about we join forces to stir things up, get more judges to notice us?"

Leonardo knew Martin was good at causing a stir and showed interest, "Got any good ideas?"

Martin said, "I only have a rough idea now, let me refine it a bit, then we'll get the team together to discuss."

Leonardo nodded, "Okay."

Martin made a toast to him, "I'll be riding on your coattails then."

"Just don't ride my face!" Leonardo joked, then said earnestly, "You owe me a party!"

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "Is anyone from Victoria's Secret getting married this year?"

Last time, he had inquired in detail; the supermodels' bachelorette parties tended to be wild.

Leonardo's knowledge of supermodels was beyond expectation, "If I remember correctly, AA will get engaged by the end of this year. There'll probably be a bachelorette party, and they always reminisce about your good times..."

Martin, who couldn't forget the last bachelorette party hosted for Heidi Klum, said, "Can you ask about it?"

Leonardo was eager, "I'll let you know."

True to his word, he immediately took out his phone and called Ambrosio.

Ambrosio said they were planning to rent a small island in the Caribbean Sea for a wild bachelorette party.

She specifically asked Leonardo to make sure Martin came, and to have him design a party theme.

The last yacht party was deeply etched in the memory of all the supermodels, they had an incredibly good time.

After hanging up the phone, Leonardo relayed the details to Martin, "Buddy, it's all on you now."

Martin readily accepted, "Don't worry, I've got this."

They had another drink and soon went their separate ways.

After getting into the car, Martin suddenly thought of a key question, What about Gisele Bundchen attending the bachelorette party? What should be done?

These sorts of things seemed quite common in Hollywood?

At noon, Martin arrived at Century City to have lunch with Thomas.

Thomas started with the bad news, "Yesterday, Emma Thomas informed me that you didn't pass 'The Prestige's first round of selection. She expressed her regrets, and then Christopher Nolan called to explain the reasons."

Martin wasn't surprised at the result, as his real target with Nolan wasn't actually 'The Prestige' project.

```

Thomas's words continued, "Director Nolan thinks you are too young and lack that British gentlemanly air..."

Martin asked directly, "Anything else?"

"I've heard some rumors," Thomas mentioned, having several informants on that film set, "The male lead who has been confirmed, Christian Bale, had a meeting with the Nolans this week. After that, the Nolans decided to use Hugh Jackman for another leading role."

It reminded Martin of his time in New York, "Bale seemed to get along well with Heath Ledger, and Hugh Jackman is a member of the Australian Gang."

Thomas then said, "In Hollywood, it's not about right or wrong, only where you stand."

Martin of course understood this; he had taken advantage of Heath Ledger's drug driving to take care of a lot of things early on to pave the way for the next step, but there were also negative impacts.

After some consideration, he said, "Keep in touch with the Nolans."

"I will," Thomas brought up new information, "Mene had said at the last Warner party that he got along well with Emma Thomas, who also mentioned that Mene has a good reputation within the small circle of female producers and directors."

Bruce suddenly chimed in, first saying to Martin, "You don't have to worry about this." He then looked at Thomas, "We'll discuss any developments."

Martin glanced at Old Cloth but said nothing more.

Thomas smoothly moved on from the topic and mentioned the next item, "I've communicated with the Coca-Cola Company. Coca-Cola has agreed to sponsor your push for significant awards during the award season. They also hope you can go further and secure an Oscar nomination."

With a smile, Martin said, "That's good news."

Thomas continued, "Ali has talked with Warner Bros. and Pacific Pictures. Both will assist you in gunning for the nomination, but that's as far as they'll go because 'Infernal Affairs' is prioritized for Best Director and Best Picture during the award season."

"I'll have a chat with Louise this afternoon." Martin was very clear that it may cost tens of billions.

For a male star to climb the ranks is damn hard!

On this path, who knows how many tunnels need exploring and how many intriguing ways to research exploratory cable paths.

Martin knew very well that if he ever wrote an autobiography, there was one thing he couldn't avoid – Martin Davis had slept his way to the top!

Thomas opened his briefcase, took out a very thin script, and handed it to Martin, "Coca-Cola's advertisement for this year. As soon as the specific filming time and director are confirmed, they will contact me first. The ad script is finalized and unlikely to change."

Signing with Coca-Cola for Martin included commercials, which was like a simplified version of the signing ceremony, and he needed to find time to shoot it. This was just the first one.

He put down his cutlery, opened the script, and started reading carefully.

The opening was scorching sun, barren west, chaotic bar, and a handsome cowboy.

The plot was simple. A Sect Hierarch spreading the gospel of the Cola Cult in the west encounters a local scoundrel up to no good, who attempts something nefarious with the saintly women around the Hierarch. After a beating by the Hierarch, the scoundrel is subdued and pinned on the bar counter, with an ice-cold Coca-Cola awakening his conscience.

This was an ad to be played on public television and such, so naturally, there could be no scenes like a Coke bottle shattering a skull.

Martin read through quickly and said, "Isn't this an adapted version of my bar fight with Pitt?"

"That incident had a huge impact; it's still a hot search on Google," Thomas had, of course, read the script, "Coca-Cola conducted targeted market research, and the vast majority are quite repelled by Pitt over this matter."

He roughly explained, "Aniston is America's sweetheart, and Pitt, the adulterer who divorced her, has also interfered with Aniston's freedom after the divorce."

Martin closed the script and put it away, "Pitt probably won't be happy to see the ad."

"What's there to fear!" Thomas seemed very confident, "Coca-Cola's leading shareholder, Warren Buffett, has come out to speak for you; with this level of an ad, let alone Pitt, even CAA would have to keep its mouth shut."

Martin felt somewhat regretful, "Too bad I didn't get to meet Buffett in New York."

Thomas consoled, "There's always a chance."

Checking the time, Martin sent a text to Louise, asking where she was.

She texted back quickly, asking him to come to her house in Sherman Oaks.

Martin told Thomas he would go, then went home to change into a different outfit and drove alone along Cody Avenue toward the hills.

Reaching the south slope of the hill, he saw Elizabeth Olsen walking out of her house with a golden retriever and parked his car by the roadside.

Elizabeth recognized Martin's Volkswagen right away and quickened her pace, pulling the dog with her.

Martin rolled down the passenger window and asked, "Walking your dog?"

"Yeah," Elizabeth had developed more maturely; she leaned low, resting her arms on the car window, "I haven't seen you in a long time."

Martin gave an excuse, "I'm always busy with this job, always having to travel around."

Elizabeth's sisters were stars, so she understood, "Stars are always busy people."

Martin glanced aside, because as she was leaning on the car window, the neck of Elizabeth's hoodie had slipped down.

He turned his head back, "I'm on my way to your neighbor's house. We'll catch up when I'm free."

Elizabeth stood up, went back to the sidewalk and waved goodbye to Martin.

Martin, familiar with the place, drove into Louise's home to discuss support from Pacific Pictures and Louise herself for the next award season run.

A few billion as a down payment was essential.