Made In Hollywood-Chapter 197: Ambition
"The craziest event in the film industry this century, the most improbable incident in Hollywood has become a realityโDuke Rosenberg is going to shoot a small-budget art film!" ๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฅ.๐๐จ๐
"We all know that Duke Rosenberg made a name for himself in Hollywood thanks to his astonishing explosive skills and dazzling cinematography. Because of his talent for explosions, he has been rumored to be the โman born when a comet struck the Earthโ! Now, this famous director, known as the โDuke of Destruction,โ has officially announced that his new project will be adapted from the Broadway musical โChicagoโ..."
In the reception room of a mansion, Tom Cruise flipped through several newspapers, including the three major newspapers, all of which were filled with reports about Duke Rosenberg and his new film, dominating most of the entertainment sections.
"Penny Kellis and Duke Rosenberg are still as brilliant as ever."
Pat Kinsley, who had been talking with Nicole Kidman, turned to Cruise and said, "They have cleverly leveraged the industry and publicโs preconceived notions, easily igniting a media frenzy. Regardless of the future, โChicagoโ will be remembered by quite a few people."
Putting down the newspapers, Cruise raised his head. "Pat, whatโs the reaction within the industry?"
"Dukeโs two collaborators from โSaving Private Ryan,โ Fox and Disney, have made it clear they will not participate in this project." Kinsley pondered for a moment before continuing, "Warner Bros. is still in contact with Nancy Josephson. As expected, Jeff Robinov will likely support Duke."
She looked at Cruise. "Tom, itโs time to make a decision."
"Can he succeed?" Cruise asked, frowning.
"No one can guarantee a filmโs success," Kinsley shook her head, offering some insights. "For the past four years, Duke has been producing one film a year, and โChicagoโ wonโt even start shooting until after next yearโs Oscars, or even later. This is clearly not a spur-of-the-moment decision; he wants to prepare thoroughly."
Cruise nodded. Sufficient pre-production preparation is the most basic condition for a filmโs success.
Kinsley continued, "Weโve all worked with him multiple times and even had subtle confrontations. Is he the kind of person whose overwhelming confidence turns into arrogance?"
While Cruise was still pondering, Nicole Kidman shook her head. "Duke Rosenberg is well-prepared."
Cruise glanced at Kidmanโs pale cheeks, and a flash of displeasure crossed his eyes.
"This is a gamble."
This was one of the reasons why Cruise hadnโt made up his mind yet. "The subject matter certainly appeals to the academy, but..."
"Tom, donโt forget that this is just a small-budget art film." Kinsley hoped to have an Oscar-level client under her name. "Even if it fails, it wonโt significantly harm your commercial appeal. What if it succeeds like โSaving Private Ryanโ?"
Kinsley bluntly said, "Tom, you have top-notch commercial appeal, but your acting has always been criticized. If you want to be the top star in Hollywood, to surpass Hanks and become the representative of male actors, itโs not enough to just have commercial success!"
"He has two Oscars. What about you?"
These words seemed to strike a nerve with Cruise, his brow furrowing, his hand slowly clenching into a fist. Nowadays, when people talk about the most representative male actors in Hollywood, the top-paid stars, or even just the name Tom, most would first think of Tom Hanks, not Tom Cruise!
Hanksโs status is largely due to his collaboration with Duke Rosenberg on โSaving Private Ryan,โ which had a significant impact.
As Kinsleyโs most important client, she naturally wanted to push Cruise to a higher position. "Tom, Iโve told you before that I want you to become the best male actor in Hollywood, to be the No. 1 actor. If you still want to catch up and surpass Hanks, you must achieve something at the Oscars."
Her eyes sparkled. "In my view, Duke Rosenberg chose such an obscure subject matter because he aims to make a splash at the Oscars. But from what I know of him, he wonโt stop at small-budget films. He will definitely return to the commercial mainstream in the future. If you can build a good relationship with him..."
Meeting Cruiseโs gaze, Kinsley spoke in a serious tone she had never used before. "Donโt tell me youโre unaware of Dukeโs commercial capabilities!"
Cruise remained silent, deep in thought, while Nicole Kidmanโs light blue eyes kept moving. She had seen the script that Nancy Josephson sent over...
Most importantly, she had some dance and singing background!
"Whatโs their offer?" Cruiseโs question interrupted Kidmanโs thoughts, and then he heard Kinsleyโs reply, "Three million dollars!"
For such a small-budget film, it was impossible to offer a salary that matched the actorsโ market value. Kidman wasnโt surprised; big stars who appeared in art films usually took pay cuts, with some even performing for free.
"My bottom line is five million dollars!"
Upon hearing this, Kinsley nodded. As long as Cruise was willing to negotiate, they could discuss the salary; what she feared most was that Cruise would miss the opportunity because of past conflicts, working with someone he disliked in Hollywood, which would be a huge loss.
After discussing some related details, Kinsley took her leave, and Kidman voluntarily walked her out.
"Pat..."
Once outside the villa, Kidman finally couldnโt hold back. "Iโve read the script..."
"Iโll talk to them!"
Seeing Kinsley nod, Kidman breathed a sigh of relief. After being in Hollywood for so many years, she was still just a vase dependent on Cruise, understanding how crucial every opportunity was.
On the outskirts of Beverly Hills, in a small villa, Naomi Watts was warming up her voice in the garden. This was an essential part of her daily routine. The young director, who had gradually become distant due to that fire, had only promised her a lead role if she excelled. But given the otherโs personality, if she didnโt perform outstandingly, she would surely be dropped.
Recently, the media buzz around โChicagoโ had been intense. Naomi Watts had received confirmation from her agent, Nancy Josephson, that the film was about to enter official preparation. The auditions would take place before all other preparations, as Duke had scheduled four to five months of singing and dancing rehearsals for all the actors.
Would she be able to secure this role?
On Roxie, she had a natural advantage over others, but Naomi Watts knew very well that securing such a significant role was not just about past connections with the director; she needed to put in more effort in both singing and acting.
Having been in Hollywood for so long, she understood very clearly that if she didnโt have the necessary conditions, she wouldnโt be able to land weighty roles in films just by taking off her clothes and sleeping with someone.
In a theater in Londonโs West End, Catherine Zeta-Jones walked out of her managerโs office and returned to the makeup room, ignoring the various gazes around her, silently packing her belongings. She was no longer an actress in this play.
Last week, after receiving an audition invitation from Los Angeles, she made a bold decision to quit her current job, determined to venture into Hollywood again, refusing to return to London unless she succeeded!
"Itโs just an audition. Hollywood is fiercely competitive. You might not get the role."
Catherine Zeta-Jones caught the voices of others discussing her. The speaker was Rachel, with whom she had had a falling out since last year. Even though this woman feigned calmness, she could see from Rachelโs face that it was filled with envy, resentment, and jealousy.
As if noticing Zeta-Jonesโs gaze, Rachel unabashedly looked over and met her eyes, sneering, "Am I wrong? Even if you climb into Duke Rosenbergโs bed, you might not pass the audition!"
Zeta-Jones suddenly laughed, mimicking Rachelโs tone. "Too bad you wonโt even have the chance to climb into his bed, Miss Rachel Weisz!"
After saying this, she ignored the twisted minds of the failed actresses in the makeup room, picked up a cardboard box, and strode out, stopping only when she reached the theaterโs back door to get into a waiting car.
"Did it go well?"
The driver was a woman who was not much older than Zeta-Jones. Seeing her nod, she started the car toward Kensington. "Kate, are you ready?"
"Iโve been preparing for this for half a year!"
This was her new agent from America. Zeta-Jones looked straight ahead, speaking with unwavering determination. "Since the day Duke Rosenberg found me, Iโve been preparing for this audition. I will get the role of Velma! I must succeed! I want to become a star in Hollywood, a star that the whole world pays attention to!"
"I have a few suggestions," the agent said at the right moment. "Do you want to hear them?"
"Go ahead, Vivian."
"Many people are skeptical about Duke Rosenbergโs new film, including myself." Vivian turned to Zeta-Jones. "I know you have your doubts too, but Kate, for any actor who hasnโt become a big star yet, working with Duke Rosenberg is a huge opportunity."
Zeta-Jones kept her eyes on Vivian, knowing the agent still had more to say.
"I canโt say Duke Rosenberg is on par with Spielberg, but no one would argue that he is at the forefront of Hollywood directors. Even if he occasionally misses the mark, it wonโt affect his status in the industry this is not the genre he is good at. As long as he returns to the commercial mainstream, there will be countless production companies who want to pay for his movies. "
The car stopped at a red light, and the female agent turned to stare at Zeta Jones, "Kate, do you know what this means to you?"
Without waiting for her answer, Vivian said, "As long as you can establish a good relationship with Duke Rosenberg and please him, you will have countless opportunities in the future."
"I know what to do!"
Compared to getting a certain role, it seems to be more beneficial to her if she can conquer a big Hollywood director?
.....
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