America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Chapter 279: Chapter 276: Exciting

Warner Bros. Studios, inside the improvised screening room of the film crew.

Action director Chad pressed the remote control, and the TV screen began to play the edited gunfight sequence he had meticulously prepared, focusing on realism.

The sounds of gunfire began to ring out, ping-ping-pang-pang.

Martin, like the protagonist Eddie, carefully watched the main character's technique with guns in the film.

In the final cut of "Limitless," Chad's edited footage would also be chosen as a reference for Eddie to learn and imitate.

The first scene up featured Eastwood, the old cowboy in the classic showdown using a revolver in "Unforgiven."

When not filming, Martin practiced with guns at least twice a week, but he used revolvers less frequently.

The screen flashed, switching to the film scenes Martin had watched countless times.

The Wire!

The entire movie paced as slowly as Nicholson's scene in a trailer with a stripper, and for those accustomed to the fast pace of the new era, it was difficult to patiently wait for the inevitable duel.

Thus, many people's preferred method of watching was to fast-forward through it all, starting from the bank robbery to the end of the gunfire, and then maybe watch the ending.

"This gunfight scene can be described as a classic of classics," Chad said briefly, "It's a Warner Bros. production, and we've already got the authorization."

Martin nodded, watching Al Pacino shoot the criminal holding a little girl hostage, pressed the pause button, and began to construct the gunfight scene in his mind.

Chad waited a moment before adding, "This scene is very realistic, highly practical; it's said that during the 98' big heist, the two robbers took inspiration from this film."

Martin thought of Tom Cruise's "Collateral," it seemed Michael Mann had a knack for filming gun battles.

The TV screen jumped again, indeed to a scene from "Collateral."

Chad said again, "I've been studying Michael Mann's approach to gunfights recently and have some insights."

Martin agreed, "I remember his gunfight scenes are stylized with realism."

Chad replayed the gunfight clips from the three movies, waiting for Martin to have a certain memory of them, then the two headed to the nearby training range, to simulate training with prop guns.

Bruce also joined in, acting as Martin's target for training purposes.

The efficiency of the training was undeniable.

During the break, Martin received a call from Thomas, he called Bruce over, briefly explained the situation to him; Bruce was to represent Martin in talks with the agency.

This was also a manager's basic job.

Bruce responded, "I'll go to WMA this afternoon."

The production crew also made extensive use of WMA's clients, such as the veteran actor playing the Wall Street mogul, who was chosen from Ari Emanuel's clients, Robert De Niro.

In the afternoon, Aniston arrived at the studio's workshop.

As the leading lady, rehearsing with the male lead in advance was part of the regular work schedule.

Both actors grabbed their character scripts and entered the same conference room.

Aniston closed the door to avoid being disturbed by unrelated people and asked Martin, "Shall we begin?"

Martin had already collected his emotions, quickly getting into the zone, "Let's begin."

Aniston first discussed her role with him, "Is Linda's character a bit too mercenary?"

"That wouldn't be called mercenary, but rather staying close to real life," Martin's opinion was completely different, "The male lead Eddie is impoverished and struggling, living on writing but unable to focus, not even completing the most basic work, not even able to pay rent; why would Linda accept his pursuit?"

Aniston replied, "After the protagonist takes the 'smart drug' and his intelligence and emotional intelligence skyrocket, and he starts earning money, Linda makes a move on him?"

The screenwriter, Bradt, was a man, the director was a man, and the main driver of the project, Martin, was still a man, so the female lead was entirely designed from a male perspective, which Martin thought was fine.

He continued, "A disheveled greasy man and a polished beautiful woman just don't match. This setting is also meant to highlight the changes in the male lead before and after."

Aniston understood, the female lead existed entirely to emphasize the male lead.

This was a sad reality of Hollywood, where even stars of her caliber struggled to find roles that were purely female-led or films where all plots and characters served the female lead.

Martin added, "The female lead will accompany the male lead all the way to the end, entering politics."

Aniston suddenly laughed, "So, the male lead has had his fun outside, and when he's tired of playing, the female lead takes over?"

Martin objected, "It's true love!"

He emphasized, "One polished and beautiful, the other good-looking and wealthy, aren't they a perfect match?"

Hearing this, Aniston's gaze inadvertently took another look at Martin; if Martin were a greasy, overweight man, would she adopt this strategy against Jolie?

The answer was obvious.

She simply invited him, "Do you have time tonight? I've been meaning to invite you to dinner and haven't found the right time. How about tonight?"

Martin obviously wouldn't refuse, "If Rachel invites, of course I have time, but I must insist on paying."

Aniston smiled, pulled out her phone, and made a call, booking a table at the Italian restaurant in the Marmont Manor Hotel.

This hotel and restaurant was a frequent haunt for Hollywood stars; any time you went there, the chances of running into industry people were one hundred percent.

Aniston had specifically chosen there so that the news would spread within the industry circles, letting certain people know she and Martin were on a date.

Martin, ever the professional, held up the script and shook it, "Let's run the lines."

Aniston gathered her emotions, temporarily set aside the messy thoughts, and rehearsed scenes with Martin. Experience tales at mvl

Director Danny Boyle had already taken some of the crew to New York to prepare for the shooting there.

......

At the entrance to Warner Bros. Studios, Bruce returned from WMA in Century City, parked his car in the parking lot, and walked into the studio area. As he prepared to start up a golf cart, someone nearby called out to him.

"Old Cloth, Old Cloth!" Jolie sat at a wooden table nearby, waving over: "Come over and talk for a bit."

Bruce glanced at the time, then sat down across from Jolie and greeted, "Good afternoon."

Jolie asked, "Did Aniston go to Martin's crew today?"

Bruce knew all about the mess surrounding Martin and nodded, "She is the leading lady, so she has to rehearse and act with Martin."

Jolie paused, then asked, "Just rehearsing?"

"What else could there be?" Bruce was no saint himself and deliberately said, "The production studio is small and crowded with people, what else could two people do?"

Jolie started laughing.

Bruce asked, "Do you have a lot of free time?"

Jolie answered casually, "I don't have any films to shoot recently, nor do I have any work." She asked seriously, "Old Cloth, is there a suitable female role for me in 'Limitless'? The size of the role doesn't matter, nor does the pay; I just want to be part of it."

Bruce thought about it from a manager's perspective. Martin plus Jolie plus Aniston, the promotion for this movie would inevitably explode.

Yet he said, "You're asking me, and my answer is I don't know."

Jolie understood and didn't pursue the topic, instead she asked, "Does Martin have time tonight?"

Bruce took out his phone, texted Martin about running into Jolie, and after a few minutes, he received a reply. He said, "Aniston has arranged to have dinner with Martin at the Italian restaurant of the Marmont Manor Hotel."

Jolie nodded, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Seeing that she had nothing more to say, Bruce stood up to take his leave.

Jolie watched Bruce for a moment, saying nothing more.

Bruce got on the golf cart and drove to the studio side.

On the way, he made another phone call to Martin.

Jolie turned and went into a nearby cold drink shop, found a spot near the glass window to sit, and watched as anyone leaving the studio area had to pass by here.

She thought for a moment, then specifically made a phone call to book a table at the restaurant in the Marmont Hotel.

But still, something was missing.

Suddenly, her phone beeped with a text message notification; the message contained just one word: Pitt!

Jolie immediately understood, she was missing a key figure!

Without Pitt, wouldn't this game lose half its thrill?

"Just thinking about it is thrilling!" Jolie licked her plump lips, took out her phone, and called her assistant, "Find a way to let Pitt know that Martin has arranged to meet Aniston tonight at the Marmont Hotel."

After hanging up the phone, a smile spread across her face as she talked to herself, "Tonight is going to be so exciting! Am I a bit twisted? No, I'm just enjoying all of this!"

Jolie's legs shook with excitement, her hand holding the cold drink, unable to grasp the cup for a while.

Latter, she frequently checked her watch, feeling for the first time that time was passing incredibly slowly.

......

Century City, Death Star Building.

Famous talent agent Bryan Lord was in his office receiving Brad Pitt.

The former smelled the strong scent of alcohol and asked, "Did you drink a lot at noon?"

Pitt waved his hand, "Just a few drinks."

Lord didn't dwell on the issue as heavy drinking was common among Hollywood stars. He said, "I had someone talk to Martin Davis, let the past be the past and do not be impulsive if you run into him."

Pitt felt annoyed just hearing that name and said, "I haven't thought about provoking him, but what he does disgusts me. He stole Jolie when she and I were dating, and when I wanted to get back together with Aniston, he went after her too. How am I supposed to bear that? What man could?"

Lord reminded, "This is a personal grudge; the company won't take sides for you! Don't forget, Aniston is also one of the company's most important clients!"

There was something he didn't say out loud, to avoid hurting Pitt's pride: just in terms of revenue and importance to CAA, Aniston blew Pitt out of the water.

"I know." Pitt shook his head, "I'll try to win Jen back."

Despite the heavy drinking lately, Pitt's mind wasn't completely muddled. Without a heavy-hitting female companion, he couldn't maintain his current status and appeal.

Without Jolie, Aniston was the best choice; as for the others?

Pitt couldn't think of a suitable candidate for the moment.

"Don't get physical with Martin Davis." Lord knew it wasn't nice to hear, but he didn't want to see Pitt get stepped on again: "You're no match for him."

Pitt nodded and stood up, leaving the office.

He hadn't left the Death Star Building when he received a call from his manager, and his expression suddenly tightened.