America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The box office was a huge hit, and the critical reception was excellent. The production team also submitted for the Oscars, focusing on Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

Compared to Martin and Charlize, who both had won Oscars, David Fincher's Oscar journey was much like Leonardo's: he repeatedly fought and failed.

This time, getting a nomination was not difficult; however, winning an award posed a certain disadvantage due to the film's subject matter.

After all, "Gone Girl" contradicted the values promoted by mainstream public opinion.

For Best Actress, Martin saw multiple newspapers and magazines with pictures of a visibly pregnant Natalie Portman appearing on various media, frequently showing affection with her boyfriend.

On the plane, Charlize Theron took the magazine from Martin's hand, glanced at the cover, and with her smarts and understanding of Hollywood, she instantly figured it out, "You can do PR for the Oscars this way?"

Martin picked up a newspaper again and said while reading, "Pregnant women are favored by society, and the Academy is no exception."

"Why do I find this so distasteful?" Charlize mused, having never thought about getting pregnant and having children: "Haha, is it so hard for a woman to take off her clothes and spread her legs?"

Martin looked up at her and said, "Because you are competitors in this round."@@novelbin@@

Charlize ignored Martin's words and instead said, "What kind of person would come up with such a lousy idea?"

Martin said straightforwardly, "Someone like me."

"Uh…" Charlize was quite surprised: "Indeed, ordinary people wouldn't think of this method."

She suddenly thought of a possibility, placed the magazine on the table between them, pointed at Natalie's belly on the cover, and asked, "Is this also your masterpiece?"

Martin was stunned by her words and after a pause said, "How could that be?"

Charlize spread her hands: "You gave her a good idea, she repays you, and by the way, gets pregnant."

Martin shook his head: "Sally, you're greatly underestimating my taste. Natalie lacks a beautiful face and figure; do you think my taste is that bad?"

He simply explained, "Her agent is Ari Emanuel. During my Oscar run, Ari utilized many personal connections. When Ari came to me for help this time, I couldn't refuse."

Charlize said, "This kind of PR is really an eye-opener, Martin, you're a genius!"

During this period, the crew almost turned into air travelers, flying back and forth between major cities in North America, changing locations every two days at most.

With the vigorous promotion of the film's creators, "Gone Girl" displayed an exceptionally stable box office trend.

The movie was very addictive. Despite knowing its perverted, dark style, many people couldn't help but watch it over and over.

The second weekend after release, the North American box office only dropped by 36%, earning another 38.15 million US Dollars.

Including the performance over the previous four workdays, the film's North American box office smoothly broke 100 million dollars, accumulating 122 million US Dollars in ten days.

With "Gone Girl" being a box office hit, all the creators benefited.

Charlize Theron's agent negotiated for "Mad Max: Fury Road" at Warner Bros., quoting 10 million dollars!

It was also thanks to the Oscar Best Actress nomination buzz, and after getting the lead role in "Wonder Woman," it was the first time Charlize could claim a salary in the tens of millions of dollars.

Charlize was well-known, but had never reached the top tier of Hollywood.

On Martin's side, the lead actor for "Escape from Tehran" had a base salary of 20 million dollars, plus box-office bonus negotiations still in progress.

Gillian Flynn benefited immensely as well.

At Warner Bros., her agent arrived at the president's office.

"Mr. President, Ms. Flynn's work has received the most positive market feedback." The huge success of "Gone Girl" gave the agent leverage: "Now countless readers are waiting for her new book to be released, waiting for the adaptation movie to premiere!"

Jon Berg was internally cheering for the decision to lock down "Dark Places" early, smiling as he said, "Gillian's new work 'Dark Places', in partnership with Warner Bros. and 'Random House', has been fully distributed across North America. It will officially go on sale during Thanksgiving, and we've prepared a grand launch event in Los Angeles."

He further stated, "The adaptation work has been steadily progressing, and we've got the genius director Baggett Buchne to direct."

The agent said, "We've always been very satisfied with Warner Bros.'s preparation progress. My visit this time is mainly to convey two points from Ms. Flynn."

Jon Berg took Gillian Flynn's input very seriously: "Please, go ahead."

"First, increase the investment in 'Dark Places', Ms. Flynn hopes the budget can go up to 70 million dollars, aiming to create a production superior to 'Gone Girl'." The agent believed these demands were reasonable and aligned with Gillian's current status.

He brought up the second point, "The lead actress must be a top-tier A-list actress; Ms. Flynn was keen on Charlize Theron, but she has chosen another project."

The success of "Gone Girl" likewise gave Jon Berg tremendous confidence, and the points made by the agent aligned with his own considerations.

Therefore, Jon Berg quickly responded, "Gillian has yet to complete the script for the project, and preparations have just begun; we're not in a rush for the cast. Given the current award season trend, Natalie Portman is highly favored. If she can win the Oscar for Best Actress, we can invite her to audition."

After some thought, the agent said, "If she wins Best Actress, indeed, she would be a good choice."

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Jon Berg added, "I've already submitted a report to the review committee, the filming budget for 'Dark Places' will increase to 80 million dollars!"

"It's a wise decision." The agent inwardly sighed in relief. Worthy of Warner Bros., the best-performing company in Hollywood, they conducted affairs with grandeur and decisiveness.

Jon Berg watched as the agent left, then his office phone rang. Assistant McDonald reminded him that Ridley Scott had wrapped up the filming of "Pharaoh and the Gods" and had led the crew back to Los Angeles, where they were now starting the intense post-production at Warner Bros. Studios.

Ridley Scott's efficiency blew David Fincher out of the water; from preparation to the completion of filming, it took just over ten months.

This was the first major project Jon Berg had personally driven since he took office, and naturally, he gave it great importance.

He left the office and made a special trip to the post-production studio, where, at the entrance of the studio, he ran into Christian Bale.

Jon stopped to chat with Bale for a few moments, asking, "How did it go shooting in Morocco? Was everything smooth?"

Bale smiled a bit shyly, replying, "This shooting was very pleasant."

Jon offered some encouragement, "I have high hopes for you; I'm sure the film you starred in will be a huge box office hit!"

Bale's smile faded into seriousness as he said, "I am confident."

Jon patted him on the shoulder and entered the studio to find Ridley Scott.

The latter had just completed an editing session and was taking a rest.

Jon walked over and sat beside Ridley, noting Ray's red eyes and messy beard, he asked, "I've reserved the best slot for next summer's lineup. Can you complete post-production before the Oscars?"

Ridley promised with conviction, "The special effects were done concurrently with the filming, and the main thing left is editing, which I can finish by February."

He had the typical style of directors from that era; making a movie each year was basic for him: "But we'll need to work overtime. Additional investment is needed for the post-production."

Jon, wanting to finish early and start the formal promotion said, "I will submit an additional investment report to the review committee, increasing the project's production investment to $170 million."

He also made a request, "Before this year's Super Bowl, I need a quality advertisement clip."

Ridley assured him, "No problem, I'll submit it to you on time."

Jon extended his right hand, "It's a deal."

"It's a deal!" Ridley grasped his hand firmly.

Ridley also wanted to finish this epic production early so he could dive into the preparations for a new project. The novel for "The Martian" was already completed, and the screenplay was being adapted; he hoped to start filming around June of the next year.

Martin Davis had also promised him that Davis Studio, Pacific Pictures, and Disney Studios would all cooperate fully.

...

Thanksgiving arrived, and the entire crew was given a holiday.

Martin, as in years past, would spend either Thanksgiving or Christmas in Atlanta.

But this year, Harris was on a business trip to Australia, Holle was traveling with his sports team, and only Elena and Lily were at the Carter household.

"Can you imagine? Sophia proposed to Scott..." Lily animatedly recounted the recent events to Martin.

She proudly admitted, "But I ruined it. I made them watch your 'Gone Girl,' and after they saw it, they stopped talking about marriage."

Martin poured sparkling wine for Elena and Lily and asked, "No word from Emma?"

Elena shook her head, "After she followed that black guy from South City, she disappeared without a trace."

Lily commented, "Better she never comes back for good."

Martin nodded slightly, then asked, "Any news about Jack?"

Elena replied, "The last news about Jack was that Emma was abandoned by him in Hawaii."

Martin said, "No news is good news."

At that moment, Lily asked, "Everything's settled in Los Angeles?"

Martin nodded, "All the threats have been dealt with, you can go back anytime."

After dinner, the three of them went for a walk.

In Atlanta, far from the clamor of the entertainment industry, Martin felt especially at peace and longed for some alone time with Elena.

But no matter where they were, Lily was always there.

Martin decided to turn back home early, Elena sternly warned Lily to sleep on the first floor tonight, then went upstairs with Martin.

Lily, seething, picked up sofa cushions and tossed them toward the stairwell.

But after years of her sister's care, she didn't dare follow them upstairs.

In the days following Thanksgiving, Martin stayed in Atlanta, first visiting Coca-Cola headquarters, then catching up with old friends, and even met with Sophia and Kelly Gray.

Before December arrived, he left Atlanta to return to Los Angeles as Harvey's case was entering the trial phase.