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Chapter 246: Counterattack
🕑 Added 2025-01-15 17:30:55 +0000 UTCCarrying a large suitcase in one hand, Duke stepped out of Catherine Zeta-Jones' rented house, crossed the lawn in the front yard, and arrived at the SUV parked by the roadside. He opened the trunk and placed the suitcase inside. Following him, Catherine Zeta-Jones and her agent, Vivian, each carrying two large handbags, also walked over. Anyone with a bit of experience could tell this was a move.
Nearby reporters and paparazzi, keeping a not-so-distant distance, frequently clicked the shutters of their cameras. Some were even equipped with camcorders, recording Duke and his companions' actions in full detail.
This was precisely the desired outcome of this operation. Some of the reporters were undoubtedly contacted by Panny Kallis. As long as they didn't approach too closely, Duke didn't bother to acknowledge them, instead signaling Zeta-Jones and her agent to get into the car. He started the SUV and headed towards Malibu.
The SUV hadn't even turned the corner when a convoy of motorcycles and cars followed closely behind. The paparazzi, believing they had stumbled upon a juicy scoop, wouldn't let go of them easily.
"It seems we'll be stealing Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's headlines," Duke said, glancing at the rearview mirror and addressing Zeta-Jones, who sat in the passenger seat. "They just made the entertainment headlines today, so I'm sure they won't mind."
Today's hottest gossip revolved around Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman's visit to the hospital. The news unearthed by reporters suggested that Nicole Kidman might be pregnant…
This was undoubtedly explosive news. Everything related to the couple instantly became a hot topic. The media's frenzy even made Duke briefly wonder whether Nicole Kidman was truly pregnant.
If she were, would it change the fate of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a couple?
Frankly, after working together on Chicago, Duke's impression of Tom Cruise had significantly improved. Cruise, who had risen to fame young, certainly wasn't great at interpersonal relations. His arrogance made him prone to offending others. However, no one could deny his hard work. In his professional life, Cruise was a highly diligent and competent actor.
Conflicts between people often stem from interests, deepened by misunderstandings. Prolonged collaboration can lead to change—either sharpening conflicts or easing tensions through mutual understanding.
On Chicago, Duke and Cruise shared common interests, even teaming up to outmaneuver Mel Gibson. Their relationship had somewhat eased. Without any apparent conflicts of interest at present, Duke gradually abandoned the idea of targeting Cruise. As long as Cruise refrained from doing anything foolish, their current relationship could remain stable.
As long as he didn't overstep, they could simply go their separate ways in the future.
Chicago was set to expand its release this weekend. Having Cruise and Kidman dominate entertainment headlines wasn't enough, so Duke was also doing his part to grab the spotlight.
Trailing closely behind, a line of paparazzi followed them all the way to the beachside villas in Malibu. Determined to witness Zeta-Jones moving into Duke's home, they refused to relent. When Duke arrived at the gates of his Duke Manor, he spotted a Fox News broadcast van parked nearby and rolled his eyes.
This was Fox's way of repaying a favor.
The Fox News van had been arranged by Panny Kallis. Duke had delayed collecting some of Saving Private Ryan's box office earnings to ease 20th Century Fox's financial pressure, leaving them indebted to him. Coupled with Fox's penchant for tabloid-style entertainment coverage, they were happy to ramp up the spectacle.
Under countless camera flashes and recording lenses, Duke drove the SUV into the estate. The car stopped in front of the oval-shaped villa, where Panny Kallis and Nancy Josephson were already waiting. The butler, Emma, led a few servants to help with the luggage Duke unloaded.
"Did everything go smoothly?" Kallis asked as she approached.
Walking towards the villa, Duke replied to Kallis and Josephson, who followed behind, "Aside from bringing along a swarm of flies, it was no different from before."
In his downtime, Duke's lifestyle was relatively low-key. However, once work commenced, he spared no effort in promoting his films.
Both his past and present experiences had clearly taught him that while quality was the foundation of a film's success, effective promotion was equally essential. Duke had no desire to end up like The Shawshank Redemption, waiting years for vindication. This industry was unforgiving and forgetful, where even a single failure could lead to unforeseen consequences.
Walking ahead with Kallis and Nancy, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Vivian trailed behind.
"Kate…"
Gazing at Duke's tall figure, Vivian whispered, "Work hard. Your future is right before your eyes."
Zeta-Jones, looking straight ahead, responded resolutely, "I didn't come here with plans to leave."
Once inside, Duke asked Tina Fey to entertain the guests while he led Zeta-Jones and the servants carrying luggage upstairs. The second floor was mainly a living area, and Duke had already prepared a room for Zeta-Jones.
Opening a guest room that had been redecorated, Duke said to Zeta-Jones, "Kate, this is your room."
"Aren't we going to…" Zeta-Jones began to ask.
Before she could finish, Duke pinched her cheek, interrupting her. "Kate, you're my honored guest. Of course, I'll treat you with proper hospitality."
After the servants placed her luggage in the room, Duke, noticing her flickering gaze, signaled her to follow him. "Let me give you a tour."
After walking her through the second floor, Duke took her to the third. Throughout the tour, Zeta-Jones said very little. Duke could guess what she was thinking but chose not to address it. He was well aware that actresses like her and Charlize Theron, with unrealistic aspirations, existed in the past, present, and would continue to in the future.
Anyone with common sense knew how much being associated with a top-tier director could benefit their career.
Stopping before a room on the third floor, Duke turned to Zeta-Jones and said seriously, "Kate, you're free to go anywhere in the manor except for two places."
Zeta-Jones remained silent, waiting for him to elaborate.
Duke gestured toward the room beside him. "This is my mother's bedroom. She doesn't like anyone entering her room."
Then, pointing to the room at the end of the corridor, he continued, "That's my study. Apart from Tina and Emma, no one is allowed in."
"I understand," Zeta-Jones said softly, nodding.
"Let's head back downstairs," Duke said, leading the way to the staircase. "It's your first day here, so Emma has prepared a little party for you. Zack and John will be coming with their dates later."
Like the rumors surrounding Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, Duke and Zeta-Jones became the weekend's tabloid focus. According to Panny Kallis' promotional plan, this was the final step. As the rumors spread, the next step would involve crafting a suitable excuse to end this publicity-driven relationship officially.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros. was ramping up traditional marketing efforts, creating a complementary strategy. This weekend, screenings of Chicago continued to attract nostalgic audiences, with a noticeable increase in younger viewers.
Aggressive marketing even drew viewers away from other films released simultaneously.
Especially for Miramax's The English Patient, the film's expanded release saw a significant decline in attendance rates. Due to its inherently dull subject matter, very few young viewers were willing to watch it. Moreover, with no heavyweight films released this weekend and the rapidly diminishing popularity of Star Trek: First Contact, many young audiences, influenced by various promotional campaigns, opted to watch Chicago instead.
As media reports and reviews suggest, Chicago is anything but boring. If someone has a bias against musicals, it might be a tough sell, but for those who give it a chance, the dazzling musical numbers and rich black humor are captivating. Furthermore, the film's pacing is tight and brisk, adding to its appeal.
At a Los Angeles theater, a screening of Chicago had just concluded. Jones, along with his companion, walked out of the auditorium, still discussing the movie they had just watched.
"Duke has portrayed shamelessness as an art form through a dark lens, while kindness is overlooked," Jones remarked as he strolled alongside his companion. "Murder is treated as an art, and lawyers are the ultimate actors. That era was terrifying."
His companion reminded him, "Don't forget, the story is set in the sinful city of Chicago."
At that moment, Jones's phone rang. Answering it, he exchanged a few words, his voice gradually growing louder. "You went to see The English Patient? How was it? Extremely boring? Haha, over here? The screening just ended. Chicago was just as fun as the promotions claimed. I'd recommend you watch it."
By Sunday afternoon, after nearly ten days of word-of-mouth buildup and intensive promotional efforts, the latest statistics showed that nearly 40% of Chicago's audience during the afternoon screenings consisted of young viewers.
As the enthusiasm of the nostalgic crowd began to wane, this was undoubtedly good news. Even if the film's overall popularity declined, it would not lack an audience.
Chicago demonstrated surprisingly strong staying power. Although its 1,800-plus theaters were far fewer than Star Trek: First Contact, its attendance rate consistently led over the weekend. Total audience numbers not only surpassed Star Trek: First Contact but firmly established Chicago as the front-runner.
By the start of the new week, Chicago achieved an unexpected comeback.
