Chapter 299: Chapter 296 I Love Blanchett

Three days later, at Davis Film Studio in Burbank, Martin signed project agreements on behalf of the company with both Chad Stahelski and Marcus Luttrell.The latter's experiences were first published as a memoir and then the film adaptation was to be discussed.

Over the past few days, Chad had had several discussions with Martin and had completely clarified his thoughts. While continuing to polish his directing skills, he would devote all his energy in the next two years to creating a brand new action film series.

From the early stages of the project, the style and concept had been crystal clear—simple, brutal action flicks!

Martin found Thomas and handed him the Afghanistan materials provided by Marcus. He asked him to assist Marcus and Bruce in contacting relevant service providers to rescue the men who saved Marcus from Afghanistan.

This would be an explosive point when the memoir's marketing and promotions took place.

Another task was to find an appropriate ghostwriter to help Marcus complete the memoir.

Unsuccessful writers and screenwriters were common in Hollywood, similar to the situation with actors. There were many capable and talented individuals without opportunities.

In this industry, opportunities were far more important than skills and talent.

It was also a norm in the industry to use ghostwriters for memoirs.

Since the early stages of a project needed time, Martin had enough patience. As for the financial aspect, as long as he didn't consider projects with a production cost above 50 million US dollars, attracting investment was not very difficult.

In the office, Thomas carefully reviewed the information and said to Martin, "There are many writers under contract with the company who are waiting for opportunities and are quite capable. I will contact a suitable one."

This was much easier than finding star actors. His conversation shifted to another matter, "The latest developments about Bale, Blanchett, and Heath Ledger, whom you asked me to keep an eye on, are also in."

Martin feared stagnation more than trouble; it was as uncomfortable as having no beautiful women to flirt with, "Tell me, what have they been up to recently?"

Thomas first talked about the one involved in a direct conflict, "Under pressure from his fiancée Michelle, Heath Ledger has joined a support group for addiction and won't be taking on new work for a while. He will probably be depressed for some time."

He moved on to the other two, "Bale is preparing for 'The Prestige,' and if everything goes as expected, his next project would be the sequel to New Batman, continuing his role as Bruce Wayne."

Martin instructed him, "Keep a close eye on that project."

Thomas nodded and added, "Blanchett has returned to Australia after the Oscars. I've inquired in detail, and she's interested in the female lead for David Fincher's new project."

Martin recalled a project he had seen at the agency last year, "Zodiac Killer?"

"That film has already finished shooting," Thomas explained. "David Fincher is planning to make 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' into a movie."

Martin had seen all of David Fincher's films and immediately understood that this was the one translated into Chinese as 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'.

He remembered that the lead roles were played by Pitt and Blanchett.

Thomas asked, "Should we find a way to mess it up for her?"

Martin asked, "Do you have a method?"

Thomas replied, "The simplest is to spread the information around to various companies. David Fincher's projects are very popular, and there are plenty of actresses who want in. Let them compete. Even if we lose, it's no loss to us, and we can enjoy the spectacle."

Martin said offhandedly, "Just take care of it."

After Thomas left, Bruce asked, "How old is Blanchett now?"

Martin, not paying much attention, said, "She should be under forty, right?"

Bruce didn't speak but murmured to himself, "A bit young, not so easy to handle."

According to Mene's feedback, the older the successful lady, the better the response to Mene's oral skills.

Meanwhile, Thomas returned to the company and summoned his assistant Natasha, speaking to her briefly.

At lunchtime, a bunch of female assistants gathered together, and during casual conversation, Natasha mentioned that David Fincher was preparing a new project and wanted to adapt 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button'.

By the afternoon, the news had spread throughout WMA and soon to other companies.

Although his movies weren't much for box office success, similar to Quentin and Scorsese, Fincher's movies could really boost actors and elevate a star's prestige.

Many were interested.

The competition among actresses for roles was much more exciting than among actors. Searᴄh the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

That evening, Face Gang held their regular meetup at Night Color Club.

In attendance were not only the Trio of Scoundrels, but Craven was also there.

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Cleansed by the soothing touch of the car wash, the young, middle-aged, and old LSP members looked refreshed, as if the things clogging their minds had been crushed by the soft brush.

Craven let out a sigh, "Haven't come out in a while. I really miss these little beauties."

Martin, temporarily free from the car wash's onslaught, said, "Leo is planning to throw a big party. You coming?"

Craven, who had clearly not been as well these past few years compared to when he filmed 'The Hills Have Eyes', shook his head, "The doctor told me to moderate myself. I'm afraid of dying amidst women."

That old scoundrel Nicholson said, "What's there to fear? When I'm close to dying, I'll throw a party with a bunch of pretty girls."

Leonardo scoffed, "Why didn't you say that when you were hospitalized? I was going to send twenty girls your way then."

Martin teased, "Because he's afraid of dying, that's why!"

Nicholson flipped off Martin and Leonardo each with his middle finger, "Assholes, there's a rumor going around now because of 'Brokeback Mountain' that you lost Best Picture. What's up with that?"

"I'd love to, but unfortunately, I don't have that much clout," Martin spoke briefly of his connection to Heath Ledger, "Him not getting the Best Actor nomination might be related to me; isn't it normal for 'Brokeback Mountain' to lose to a typical Los Angeles movie for Best Picture?"

He then asked Nicholson, "Where did these rumors come from?"

People Craven knew were enough, "It started circulating from the Australian circle."

Martin thought of two names, Heath Ledger and Blanchett.

When all the dancers had left, he turned to Leonardo with a nose flattened by a tire, "Leo, how about I introduce you to a beautiful woman, what do you say?"

Leonardo dismissed the idea, "If you know her, how could I not?"

Martin ignored the comment and continued, "What about Blanchett? Have you seen 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy? Queen Galadriel was radiant with beauty."

Leonardo shook his head straight away, "Too old. Way beyond my red line of 25 years old." He then teased Martin, "I'm not like you, able to stomach those over 30..."

"You don't understand," Martin held up a finger and shook it, "The smoothness, you know what I mean. Moreover, they know more, have more tricks, it's all about enjoyment!"

Leonardo said, "I am a man of fidelity."

Martin sighed, "I was hoping you could help me out, use your big stick to severely punish that Australian woman!"

Leonardo, aware of this rotten man's bad ideas, answered, "If you want to punish her, do it yourself."

Martin looked helpless, "The problem is, seeing that face as hard as a rock's lines just turns the stick into a whip."

Nicholson volunteered, "Blanchett, ah, I remember her, that face is very distinctive, very recognizable. Here's the deal; I'll give it a try and get her."

Martin asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"Plans for this kind of thing are bullshit," Nicholson bragged, "Don't doubt Old Jack's abilities. What kind of woman hasn't Old Jack played with, hasn't trained?"

Leonardo uncovered a raw wound, "Trained? You mean being trained. I remember on the yacht, Naomi Campbell was behind you..."

Nicholson suddenly clutched his heart, "No good, I can't take it! Do you believe I might have a heart attack if you keep talking?"

Martin continued, "We all believe you could be that shameless, so don't have an attack."

Craven raised a hand, "Stop, stop! You three bastards are going to give me a heart attack."

The four of them laughed merrily and drank together.

When the party was over, Wes Craven was taken away by his driver; his body wasn't what it used to be, and he rarely went wild outside anymore.

The Trio of Scoundrels got into the same car, ready to enjoy the second half of their night.

Nicholson asked, "I heard you two bastards are gunning for Oscar nominations?"

"You've got two Best Actor and one Best Supporting Actor," Martin seriously asked, "Do you have any tricks for winning?"

Nicholson spoke nonsensically with a straight face, "Sleep with the female judges; if they're satisfied, they'll naturally vote for you! Then sleep with the male judges' wives. If they enjoy the sight, they'll do the same. Whether you use a gun or your hand..."

Martin looked distressed, "How long is the awards season? With nearly 6000 members in the Academy, that's too tough a task."

Leonardo laughed, "With your skills, you'd drop dead after one-tenth of the way."

Martin retorted, "Still better than running a 100-meter sprint in 11 seconds."

Leonardo lunged at him, grabbing Martin by the throat and shaking him violently, "You bastard; I'm going to throw you into the sea to feed the fish!"

Nicholson couldn't stand these two jerks, slapped his chair, and shouted, "I have some sway with the folks on the nominating committee, you two better sweet-talk me, and I'll put in a good word for you."

Martin immediately became the eager underling, "You're our boss, you've got to speak for us. Jack, I'm even giving you Blanchett."

Nicholson's nose nearly bent out of shape from irritation, "Is there anyone more shameless than you in this world?"

"Sure is!" Martin pointed at Leonardo and Nicholson, "These two!"

Leonardo was furious, "We have to get him drunk tonight!"

Around 11 o'clock, the three of them left Avalon, with Martin supporting Leonardo with his left hand and propping up Nicholson with his right; these two jerks couldn't throw a punch.

After getting them into the car, Martin cautioned the driver, "They're drunk, don't listen to their nonsense, take them straight home."

Leonardo shouted, "I'm not drunk; call me fifty models, I want them to line up on the street so I can..."

Martin clamped his hand over Leonardo's mouth and pushed him into the car.

In just a short while, the heavily intoxicated Nicholson suddenly yelled at the paparazzi following them, "I love Kate Blanchett! I love Blanchett!"

Martin, not caring whether he was really drunk or pretending, shoved him into the car as well.

He waited until the stretch Lincoln had driven away before getting into his own car.

If Blake was in Los Angeles, Martin would always return by midnight at the latest; he wouldn't stay out all night.

A new week began, and Martin boarded the helicopter provided by the Coca-Cola Company, heading to Parker Town, near the Mexico border in Southern California.

The commercial crew had been preparing there for nearly half a month, just waiting for him, the director and star, to arrive and start shooting.