America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 255: Chapter 252: The Next One Will Be Better

In Burbank Theatre, representatives from the media, cinema managers, and ordinary film fans—over a hundred in total—were enjoying a screening of "Wanted Order" on the silver screen.

The version being tested was temporary, without the added opening or closing credits yet.

In the private room on the second floor, Louise Mel, just back from a vacation abroad, was slightly nervous.

Like Gray Film Industry, Pacific Pictures had invested all the profits from "The Hills Have Eyes" into this film.

If they faced another disaster like "Alexander the Great," Louise couldn't afford it.

Martin sat on the couch and, seeing her pacing back and forth, said, "Dear, you're making me dizzy with all that walking."

Louise adjusted her women's suit and pushed up her black-rimmed glasses, "If this one bombs, I might have to go invest in Korea and Japan."

Martin said offhandedly, "Aren't fat pigs meant to be slaughtered and eaten?"

As gunshots rang out in the theater and the picture froze on the protagonist, Martin, the test screening came to an end.

From the rows of seats reserved for the audience, enthusiastic applause erupted first.

Many were even shouting, "Cool!"

The best part of this film was that the action scenes were cool enough.

The cinema managers also clapped one after another; the film was commercially strong and thrilling, meeting the public's taste.

This was the kind of film they liked, one that wouldn't lose money with a large-scale screening.

By contrast, the reaction from media journalists and critics was somewhat muted.

Todd McCarthy from "Hollywood Reporter" frowned slightly, "Martin is clearly talented, so why did he do another movie that focuses on looking cool and handsome?"

"Actually, he did quite well."

Next to him, Kenneth Turan from "Los Angeles Times" held a different opinion, "He portrayed the main character's transformation from a loser to an avenger, I'd give his performance a 65 out of 100."

McCarthy nodded, "He's better than Angelina Jolie, much better. Jolie... she's finding it hard to focus on being an actor."

Kenneth remembered what Martin once said, "An actor has to make a living. Commerce and art aren't entirely incompatible. Martin's next movie is Scorsese's "Infernal Affairs," I've made inquiries, and Scorsese, as well as Nicholson, rate him very highly."

McCarthy remarked, "That shows he's still a young actor pursuing art."

As the test screening concluded, the general audience returned their questionnaires and were the first to leave.

The media journalists and critics then entered the adjacent lounge, where the cast and crew had gifts for them.

Martin joined the other main creators of the cast in bidding them farewell.

Data from all kinds of statistics were gathered as quickly as possible, and half an hour later, in the theatre's office, Daniel, Louise, Martin, and Director Leterrier were all assembled.

Louise urged, "There are no outsiders now, let's start."

Daniel, the representative of the distributor, picked up the consensus from the screening audience: "The average score given by ordinary viewers is an A."

Martin nodded, "A good beginning."

Daniel picked up the second sheet, "The cinema managers have given an average score of A+!"

Louise immediately smiled, "It seems our distribution won't be bad, 3,000 theaters shouldn't be an issue, right?"

"Though it's R-rated, with the trial screening reputation today from the cinema managers, I can guarantee 3,300 theaters," Daniel confidently assured, "The A+ means that the commercial managers who truly operate on the front lines of the movie market are very hopeful about the prospects of 'Wanted Order'!"

Louise asked, "What about the critics and media?"

Daniel glanced, "Also not bad, mostly positive and moderate reviews, with fewer negative ones."

Martin, who also held the title of executive producer and therefore had a say in many matters, asked, "Can we start a word-of-mouth marketing campaign?"

"Of course!" Daniel exclaimed, "It starts today."

A good reputation for a film is related to its quality, but operation is key as well.

The tag of being the best of a certain something can be considered a signature work. Your next chapter is on m v|l-e'-NovelBin.net

Louise breathed a sigh of relief. As she walked out, she came over to Martin, "Coming to my place tonight?"

Martin had intended to take the evening off for himself. Another round of hosting? The thought gave him a headache, and he said, "Let's not wait for the evening. Let's go now."

Louise, without hesitation, said, "Let's go, to the car."

Martin looked at Bruce, who made a phone call and then shook his head slightly.

The two bodyguards hidden in the shadows had not spotted any paparazzi lying in wait.

Martin drove Louise's Mercedes, heading with her to the southern slopes of Sherman Oaks.

On the way, passing by the Olsen sisters' home, Martin saw the closed gate and asked, "Have they moved?"

"No," Louise said briefly, "The whole family is on vacation in New York."

Martin asked no further, driving into Louise's mansion. As soon as they entered the living room, Louise called Kelly.

Kelly Gray came online cursing, but didn't hang up the call.

That afternoon, alongside Warner Bros. hyping up "Wanted Order"'s leads, a word-of-mouth marketing campaign commenced.

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As soon as Rotten Tomatoes lifted the embargo, the freshness rating hit 84%.

On the MTC side, they also announced a composite media score of 75 for the film!

For an R-rated action movie, that belongs to a rather good media reputation.

In fact, from media reputation, there is a rough standard in judging whether a film is good or bad before its premier.

Films that open up reviews and publish various comment data soon after the test screenings, often won't be too bad.

On the other hand, those that wait until the film opens nationwide before Rotten Tomatoes and MTC lift their embargoes, the chances of being a bad film increase significantly.

The likes of controlling reviews and such tactics are particularly skilled in Hollywood.

Thus, a tide of positive reviews for "Wanted Order" flooded both traditional print media and the internet.

Entertainment Weekly published a puff piece with a bold and enlarged headline.

"Wanted Order is definitely one of the best action movies of the year!"

Similar articles appeared on the internet: "Wanted Order is the best action movie by Martin Davis!"

Kenneth Turan praised the film in his column for the "Los Angeles Times".

"I think, 'Wanted Order' sets a new benchmark for violent aesthetics, and the lead actor, Martin Davis, consistently shines, successfully portraying the character's transformation from weak and repressed to explosive..."

Meanwhile, Jolie appeared on Oprah's talk show, and as the two ostensibly genuine women embraced tightly, their backdrop was the poster for "Wanted Order".

Martin made multiple appearances at promotional events at the University of California, University of Chicago, and Las Vegas, often bringing along Blake to show off their love and gain attention for the film.

Every bit of exposure that the lead actors received before the premiere, every bit of attention they drew, could potentially translate into solid box office numbers after release.

The hero and Mother Mary duo are attractive enough, at least in North America.

At the end of October, the North American Theatre Alliance announced the number of theatres opening "Wanted Order" – a whopping 3,350!

Theatre chains were extremely optimistic about the film's box office prospects.

On Martin's blog, fan groups joined by Jessica and Emily were all mobilized, calling on Martin's fans to see the movie in the theatre the first chance they could.

Jolie had also won a great deal of support over the past six months, similarly boosting the box office.

Even Morgan Freeman had some degree of clout, especially among middle-aged and older audiences.

With Hollywood's mature operations model, the success or failure of a film can basically be determined by the time it premieres.

"Wanted Order" received nothing but positive feedback from the market.

......

Grapevine Estate Bar, because the sky was not yet fully dark, was particularly empty at this time.

Brad Pitt had just walked in when he saw Matt Damon, with whom he had worked on the Rohan series of movies, sitting alone at the bar, minding his own drink.

He strode over, pulled up a bar stool next to Damon, and asked, "Why the solo drink?"

Damon turned his head and took a glance at him before responding, "Suddenly felt like drinking, so I came here. What about you?"

Pitt ordered a drink and raised his glass towards Damon, "I am now a happy bachelor."

Damon, curious, inquired, "Did Jolie really break it off with you?"

Pitt pointed at the TV hanging on the wall, which was broadcasting an interview with Jolie. She was all about refugees, children, and war, her words brimming with deep humanitarian concern, as if Mother Mary herself had descended to Earth.

Damon took a brief look and then mentioned, "I've heard some not-so-good rumors."

Pitt, puzzled, "Hmm?"

"About Jolie and Martin Davis." Damon offered a simple description, "They shot 'Wanted Order' together, and many say that during the filming, Jolie and Martin..."

He shrugged and didn't continue.

But Pitt understood what Damon was implying, "There have been rumors on the gossip media." He thought of Jolie's sudden change and heartlessness, "More than just rumors, so that's how it is."

Damon advised, "Women... we're not short of them. The next one will be better."

Pitt looked back up at the TV and said, "I left Aniston for her, I divorced for her!"

Damon didn't say anything more.

Pitt subconsciously touched his head, feeling a bit off, and just then saw a poster of Martin and Jolie for "Wanted Order" on the TV screen, and muttered, "This pair of bastards!"

Compared to Pitt, Damon was much more conservative in terms of relationships, and couldn't help but think to himself, "Is he insulting himself?"

Pitt said softly, "I damn well served as a stepping stone for Jolie's hype, letting her turn her fortunes around from a loser."

Damon pointed at the TV show, "Looking at it now, she and Martin Davis are about to succeed."

Pitt would have loved for "Wanted Order" to lose so much that the investors went bankrupt, but given the current momentum, that seemed unlikely.

At that moment, Damon said, "I don't like Martin Davis, I hope their film tanks."

The film was distributed by Warner Bros., and Pitt's biggest partner was Warner, so there wasn't much he could do except raise his glass and toast with Damon, "Here's to their failure!"

Damon shared a drink with Pitt and after a thought added, "There's a party in a few days, initiated by Harvey Weinstein. Ben Affleck and I will be attending. Also, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez will be there, you might be interested, you can come along."

Hearing the name Quentin, Pitt was genuinely interested, "I'll be there."

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