King of Hollywood

Chapter 127: Chapter 127 Preparation Work

Joyful music echoed around the room, and although the tiny figure twisting with the rhythm was a bit clumsy, her round little face was brimming with smiles, appearing very happy and pleasant. Of course, it would have been even better if she could wear the dress from the first day they met. She would have looked as pretty as a doll. But the short-sleeved tee and baggy shorts that she was currently wearing only made the little girl’s awkwardness more pronounced—yet also more adorable.

Laverne sat in his chair, watching Emma bounce around with a smile, clapping to the music and waiting for the little girl to hop her way over to him. He took her hand and spun her around a few times, enjoying the fun. Perhaps finding this quite amusing, Emma wobbled over to Laverne to spin around, but after spinning too many times, her body swayed, and she nearly fell to the ground, saved by Laverne’s timely embrace.

“Be careful, little one. You wouldn’t want to fall,” Laverne said affectionately, ruffling her hair.

Even though she felt dizzy from all the spinning, Emma chuckled and reached for his collar. Being mischievous was a skill every child possessed. Since he couldn’t stop her, Laverne just let her frolic.

“Ed, let’s dance, okay?” Emma tugged at his collar, her voice milky and sweet in his ears, her bright, wide eyes making it difficult to refuse.

“That won’t do, my waist would suffer,” Laverne pinched her little nose, having already danced with the little girl once before. To prevent dropping her, he had to follow her rhythm very carefully and bend over for a long time. The feeling of that was enough for one time, and besides, he had something else to discuss.

“Alright, Emma, I have something to tell you,” Laverne said, holding the little girl’s shoulders and positioning her in front of him.

“Hmm?” The little girl blinked, not understanding what he meant.

“I might have to go back…” he said hesitantly, and as soon as the words were out, the little one’s face fell, and she started punching Laverne all over with her tiny fists: “No!”

“Can you listen to me, Emma?” Laverne coaxed.

“No! No! Won’t listen! Won’t allow it!” The little girl’s head shook like a rattle-drum, her actions non-stop, and she glared at him fiercely, as if to imply that if he dared to continue, she would ignore him forever.

Laverne couldn’t help but give a wry smile, knowing this was bound to happen. Alright, he didn’t mind spending a few more days with the little girl. After all, when he left at New Year’s, he had promised her that he would return in no more than three months. Although it had been pushed back to the end of May due to unforeseen circumstances, he was the one who had broken the agreement first.

But now he had a compelling reason to return. The premiere of “Pulp Fiction” was one thing, and preparing “Howards End” was another. It took some effort to get Emma Thompson to agree to play the lead actress, and after Laverne sent someone over to sign the film contract with her, officially confirming it, he certainly wanted to strike while the iron was hot and sign Anthony Hopkins too. Laverne had personally expressed to Thompson his commitment to do his utmost to invite Hopkins to play the male lead—a promise that likely solidified her confidence.

As early as the Oscar Night celebration for “Silence of the Lambs,” Laverne had mentioned the movie to Hopkins, who had neither declined nor accepted at the time. Now that he had successfully bagged the Palme d’Or and had already invited Emma Thompson, the chance of convincing him to take a gamble was still very high.

However, Laverne had to act quickly—if Hopkins’ schedule couldn’t be adjusted, that would be a real issue, especially since he was a newly minted Oscar winner, with surely no shortage of producers knocking at his door.

“Alright, Emma, will you listen to me now?” Laverne resumed his coaxing after the little girl had her fill of acting out. Although Emma wanted to continue, her tiny bit of strength was gone. She could only sulk and turn her head away.

“You must understand, dear, everyone has their own work to attend to,” Laverne didn’t concern himself too much and kept talking, “I too would love to spend more time with you here, but sometimes, we can’t just do as we wish, you see? Alright, I promise you here that I will be back in at most two to three weeks, and then I will stay here with you for an entire two to three months, which will be a very, very long time.”

“Liar!” Emma pouted, but when she turned back to look at Laverne, she hesitated.

Laverne laughed, embracing her fully and stroking her hair as he continued, “I know I broke my promise this time, but I’ve kept all my other promises before, haven’t I? You haven’t forgotten those, have you?”

At this point, he paused and inwardly let out a sigh with a touch of amusement. Can a child really reason with you? Adrian then cradled the little girl’s face, looked into her bright eyes and said seriously, “Anyway, I promise, this time I’ll follow through.”

Emma pouted her lips and, although still seemingly reluctant, nodded anyway, “Got it.”

Finally having managed to convince the little girl, Adrian laughed heartily and planted a kiss on her rosy cheek. He didn’t see Emma huffing and puffing as she struggled out of his arms, secretly waving her little fist, her eyes spinning mischievously, obviously plotting something.

The next day, Adrian flew back to Los Angeles, which was an indirect way of declaring his vacation over. He plunged back into work. In truth, there wasn’t much to be busy with; most of it was making decisions and then leaving the details to others. Still, even if most things only required a cursory glance, it could be exhausting when there was a pile of them.

Of course, the most important thing at the moment was the premiere of “Pulp Fiction.” Following the Cannes Film Festival, the entertainment media began to hype up the film. Although the Palme d’Or was not as well-known in the United States as the Oscar, it was still the most famous international film festival, with significant influence among critics and the independent film circle.

Add to that Adrian’s breaking of records to become the youngest Palme d’Or winner, and the fact that the movie was a cult-style work filled with violence and dark humor, plus earlier debates over his artsy films being shelved, “Pulp Fiction” had been on the media’s front pages for a long time.

But any hot topic can only last for so long, and since Adrian, the spirit of the film, had disappeared or rather gone to handle personal matters after the close of the Cannes Film Festival, the media, wanting to interview him, couldn’t find him. So they had to keep rehashing side stories and gossips, such as “John Travolta’s comeback” and “The genius director’s Italian Muse.” Therefore, now that the heat from Cannes was starting to wane, Laverne seized the opportunity to hold the premiere.

All premieres were much the same: show up at the event, let the press snap a few photos, answer a few questions, then mingle with the guests attending the premiere, and continuing to field questions at the post-screening press reception.

For Adrian, who had been to several premieres and walked the red carpet multiple times, the first and third parts were not very appealing. After all, it was the stars who were the main targets of the press at such times. Although Adrian had a reputation as a genius director and was newsworthy, he still wasn’t the same as the stars.

So, his main focus was on the middle part, as sometimes surprises can be found at premieres.

“I saw the movie you mentioned; it was indeed interesting, but the French clearly squandered the idea, both overlong and missing the point in the plot,” James Cameron spoke fluently to Adrian, who had invited him to the premiere because Fox was distributing “Pulp Fiction.”

“So you’re saying you’re willing to remake this film?” Adrian then asked.

“Why not? I’ve already played out many possibilities in my head. The scene you mentioned last time, the one where Arnold pilots a Harrier jet through skyscrapers,” Cameron shrugged, “don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind.”

“How could I,” Adrian laughed heartily, “that’s a deal then, I’ll have someone sign the film contract with you tomorrow, and then we’ll try to have the screenwriters churn out the script in half a month.”

He paused, then added, “However, considering your track record, I do believe we need to bring another film company on board for the investment. What do you think—Fox or Paramount? Or some other company?”

“You really think I’m that much of a big spender?” Cameron asked, somewhat irritated as he spread his hands.

“Exactly, and I’d bet the film’s budget will reach a hundred million dollars. You’ll definitely rent a Harrier from the military,” Adrian said unabashedly, “even if the given budget isn’t a hundred million, you’ll eventually ask for more. And, I believe, no matter how much funding you are given, you’ll spend it all on the movie.”

“That’s surprising, you really seem to know me well,” Cameron laughed as well, a mix of self-mockery and pride, and then he waved his hand, “Alright then, I’ll wait for your good news.”

Watching him leave, Adrian chuckled lightly. In his previous life, he remembered quite well the costs and box office of these blockbusters; although “True Lies” had raked in 400 million worldwide, compared to its hundred million dollar budget, the film company didn’t earn that much. That’s why he wanted to pull other film companies to share the investment. Firstly, it reduces the risk, and secondly, it helps build relationships. Going it alone depends on circumstances, like Cameron’s film later which he intended to secure exclusively.

While Adrian was contemplating, an ambiguous and somewhat familiar voice reached his ears, “Have you come up with another great idea, Ed?” (To be continued. For more, please visit www.qidian.com. More chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)