America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 262: Chapter 259: The First Consecutive Championship

As time passed, more and more people watched "Wanted Order," and it became increasingly difficult to control the reviews, inevitably leading to a decline in the film's word of mouth.

The IMDB rating fell below 8 points.

Many negative and aggressive soft articles also began to surface.

After all, with new films being released continuously, competitors also needed market space to profit.

Various hype marketing strategies, including those of Martin and Jolie, aimed to attract audiences to theaters as much as possible during the opening weekend, and a subsequent drop-off was inevitable.

In the second weekend of November, the box office drop for Wanted Order reached nearly 60%, but the $27.2 million in box office was enough to ensure its back-to-back championship in North America!

The widely released "Off-track Pursuit" during the same weekend only took in $12.21 million, securing second place on the box office charts.

Hollywood producers also realized a reality; Clive Owen had an ordinary commercial appeal, and Jennifer Aniston similarly couldn't carry a movie's box office on her own.

It seemed that the audience's perception of Aniston was still fixed on Rachel, and she had yet to break free from the concluded Friends.

Martin had won his fourth North American box office champion in his life and his first back-to-back championship.

Ten days after its North American release, Wanted Order's box office smoothly surpassed one hundred million as expected, reaching $116 million!

At the same time, the film was released in overseas markets such as Western Europe, South Korea, Australia, and Mexico, and like most Hollywood movies, once the North American box office was a big hit, the overseas box office was similarly impressive.

In the first week overseas, the film brought in $48.6 million.

With two consecutive starring films grossing over one hundred million in North America, Martin's reputation was on the rise.

Inside WMA, Martin easily crossed the threshold of a level-four client and was internally defined as a famous movie star.

"Congratulations, Martin, another box office champion."

In the meeting room of Coca-Cola Los Angeles Branch, Justin shook hands with Martin with great enthusiasm, "Now among the actors born in the '80s in Hollywood, you are at the forefront."

Martin humbly said, "Compared to Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Hayden Christensen, Elijah Wood, and others, I still have a long way to go."

Justin said with a smile, "In Coca-Cola's assessment, you are the most valuable of the younger generation."

Martin replied, "For me, Coca-Cola is irreplaceable."

The two exchanged mutually flattering business pleasantries and together toured Coca-Cola's Los Angeles Branch.

A photographer naturally followed the entire tour to take pictures, as part of the publicity event.

Martin's words were not just an act of modesty; not to mention acting skills, just in terms of box office alone, those individuals indeed ranked ahead of him.

Even a single movie of theirs could easily surpass all of his combined.

Justin asked, "I heard your next work is still set in a modern context?"

Martin briefly said, "It's a story set in modern New York."

The novel rights had already been purchased, and he got a copy of "Dark Domain" from Bruce and handed it to Justin, probing, "Are you interested in continuing the advertisement sponsorship?"

"Wanted Order's" outstanding box office results made Coca-Cola even more confident in Martin, and Justin directly said, "I've discussed it with the higher-ups, as long as the background setting is appropriate, Coca-Cola will continue to provide advertisement sponsorship."

Martin also smiled, "With your support, I can talk to any company in Hollywood with great confidence."

This was not a mere courtesy but a part of his strength.

Justin said with a laugh, "In Hollywood, you can tell everyone that Coca-Cola fully supports Martin Davis!"

Afterward, someone took Martin to the top floor to taste Coca-Cola's new cocktail in a bottle, developed by Atlanta.

Thomas, who caught up later, had a private talk with Justin. He straightforwardly said, "According to our endorsement agreement, for each movie where Martin is the lead and the North American box office surpasses one hundred million, he automatically receives a one million US Dollar incentive."

Justin said, "Of course, the bonus will be paid by no later than the end of this month at the latest."

He shifted his tone suddenly, probing, "The headquarters in Atlanta would like to renew a two-year endorsement contract with Martin."

"Martin's intentions are very clear, we are strategic partners, and that will never change," Thomas confidently replied, "But we've only signed the contract for half a year, there's no need to rush, let's talk next year."

Justin thought for a while and then said, "Then we'll talk next year."

Success makes cooperation more pleasant and firm.

In the afternoon, coming out from the Coca-Cola branch, Thomas and Martin rode in the same car, and Thomas roughly explained the situation.

Martin agreed with his strategy, "Extending the contract is not in a hurry, let's wait until next year."

Thomas then said, "There are also brands like BOSS and several others contacting the company, hoping for endorsement deals."

Martin considered long-term development, "You can choose one or two high-end brands from them, forget the ordinary ones."

Thomas agreed, "You are not a comedian who follows the scatological route; the brands you endorse must match your own positioning, at the very least they shouldn't lower your own standards."

He opened his briefcase and took out a receipt, "The serial publication in World News Report has all ended."

This was an agreement Martin made when he was knighted in Washington; World News Report invited Martin to write ten articles, paying $120,000 per article.

Martin verbally expressed that it was not an issue; even the dead could be made to appear alive.

But writing was beyond his capabilities, and in the end, the task fell on Thomas's shoulders.

"The draft isn't bad, I've read some," Martin offered encouragement at the right moment, "I will personally pay you a fee for it."

Thomas had put in the work and was certainly entitled to compensation, and he was not shy about it, "You have my account information."

Along the way, Bruce parked in Century City to drop off Thomas, and then went back to Cody Community.

As soon as Martin's door opened, neighbors immediately came to visit.

The Jones father and daughter were there.

Martin invited both to the living room and asked, "What brings you here today?"

Jones set down a gift, a peculiarly shaped metal sculpture, "We're neighbors after all, so of course we should visit each other more."

Martin smiled, "I've been too busy with the recent movie release, once I have some time, I'll arrange a get-together for drinks."

Jenna Jones set down a wrapped gift box and said, "You're too kind, Martin. 'Wanted Order' was my first Hollywood premiere that I attended, and I was so excited I didn't know what to do...."

Jones stopped speaking and let his daughter interact with Martin instead.

Jenna continued, "That movie was so cool, everyone around me is talking about curved bullets and adrenaline rushes."

Her eyes fell on Martin's waist, "Especially the concept of an adrenaline rush, with increased speed, stronger impact, more sensitive feelings...."

Martin listened and felt something was off. Certainly, Jenna's words carried ambiguity, and it wasn't him thinking wrongly.

Indeed, Jenna went on to say, "Martin, I think this film is perfect for a Sacred Valley adaptation, with the adrenaline rush, a big scuffle between the male and female leads."

Martin understood, "You plan to shoot a Sacred Valley version of 'Wanted Order'?"

That was indeed Jenna's purpose for today's visit, smiling she nodded, "Yes, I plan to direct and take on the lead role."

Martin was not averse to these ideas, it was too common for hot Hollywood movies to be adapted into Sacred Valley versions.

Jenna wasn't finished, "I plan to use the same movie title and similar poster and plot design, not the kind that seems like a rip-off."

Many Sacred Valley adaptations of Hollywood movies don't buy rights and what comes out can't even be called COSPLAY.

Jenna was ambitious and had ideas, "So, I wanted to ask if you could give me authorization?"

"Authorization is no problem," Martin wasn't one to give charity, "Jenna, 'Wanted Order''s rights revenue involves several companies, you should go to Pacific Pictures at Warner Bros. Studios and talk to Louise Mel about the authorization."

Bruce, in a perfect cooperation, handed over Louise's assistant's business card.

Jenna took it, quickly saying, "Thanks."

Mr. Jones spoke up then, "Martin, you are a good neighbor who's great at communicating."

Martin didn't mince words with him, "I heard you know a lot of heavyweights at the California Institute of the Arts?"

Jones understood what was up right away, "If it's a letter of recommendation, just come to me, it's a simple matter."

Martin said with a smile, "I'll be sure to pay a visit when it's time."

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The Jones father and daughter didn't linger for long, soon saying their goodbyes and leaving.

On the living room coffee table, there remained an unopened gift box.

Martin, after seeing off the guests, undid the ribbon tied into a bow on the gift box, revealing neatly packaged discs within, on which the most eye-catching was undoubtedly the lead actress Jenna.

The film titles were all artistic-sounding like "Battle of the Beasts" and "Best Couple".

Bruce came over, picked up one, and said, "It's my first time seeing someone bring this kind of gift when visiting."

Martin gave them all to Bruce, "Old Cloth, they're yours, enjoy."

Bruce accepted without being polite, "I'll pass them on to Mene." But then he reconsidered, "The lead actress might be too young for Mene."

Mene had charmed his way into becoming the new favorite of Scorsese's usual casting director and had snagged himself a new role.

Bruce's phone rang, and after a brief conversation, he looked at Martin, "The goods from Australia have arrived."

Martin was the first to step out of the villa, "Finally."

A truck stopped in front of the door, where two workers began unloading several wooden crates, and after Bruce paid the fee, carried them into the storage room next to the garage.

Martin pried open the crates to check, and box after box were filled with Bay Crocodile fang pendants.

Bruce opened the largest crate and said, "I hope crocodiles in Australia won't go extinct because of us."

Martin replied offhandedly, "That place is vast with few people and no large predators, so it shouldn't."

Inside the crate Bruce opened, along with Australian wild buffalo feet, were Bay Crocodile bones.

Martin glanced at it only once and said, "Send those two crates to Lily Carter in Atlanta, and remember to leave a note reminding her that I want a similar number of carved products in return."

Bruce confirmed, the guy really didn't consider himself human anymore.