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Chapter 167: Lauder
🕑 Added 2024-11-24 17:37:08 +0000 UTCAfter the party started, Duke became the busiest person, constantly moving around the garden lawn, socializing with the arriving guests. Besides the actors and crew members, there were also representatives from several film companies. For instance, Robert Iger represented Walt Disney, Tim Fisher represented Fox, and Clark Muller represented Warner Bros.
There was also George Lucas, who had specially come from San Francisco.
"Where's your mother, Duke?"
Hearing George Lucas ask about his mother, Duke quickly ended his conversation with Sofia Coppola and said, "She brought some other guests. She just called and said she'll be a little late."
"It's been a while since I last saw Leah."
Lucas gestured for Duke to walk with him to a quieter spot. Behind them, Tina Fey discreetly blocked people who wanted to come over to greet them.
The two of them gradually walked to the edge of the lawn, and only after there was no one else around did George Lucas stop.
"Uncle Lucas..."
"Call me George!" George Lucas corrected him again, then looked at Duke with a sigh, "When I was your age, I was just a student dreaming of being a director, not knowing what the future held, with your mother and father... let's not talk about that jerk..."
He gently patted Duke's shoulder. "Duke, you're already standing among the top directors in Hollywood, achieving what most people can never do in a lifetime. There's never been a director like you in Hollywood before."
"I just got lucky," Duke said humbly.
George Lucas smiled, but then his expression turned serious. "Like Steven and me, every director who rises to the top will inevitably step on many people's toes. There will be countless people wanting to pull you down from your pedestal!"
"In fact, many are already trying."
George Lucas nodded at Duke's words. "That's why you need to keep your vision clear and your goals firm. Don't stop, keep moving forward! Even if the temptation is too great to resist, you must keep pushing ahead!"
"I understand!"
Lucas suddenly smiled again, rubbing his chin. "Are you interested in *Star Wars*?"
"*Star Wars*?" Duke didn't quite understand what Lucas was getting at.
"Fox and Lucasfilm are planning to restart the *Star Wars* series. I've already finished the first draft of the script." Lucas was staring at Duke like he was eyeing prey. "In the next two to three years, it'll enter the pre-production phase. I'm getting older and starting to feel a bit worn out."
"George..." Duke suppressed his surprise, "You don't mean you want me to direct it, do you?"
"I think you're the right fit!" George Lucas didn't deny it. "Independence Day proved your ability to handle large-scale sci-fi productions. Honestly, *Star Wars* is still essentially popcorn entertainment, and isn't that what you're best at?"
As Lucas said this, Duke's mind automatically conjured up images of a *Star Wars* film directed by him: fast-paced spaceship chases, Obi-Wan surviving explosion after explosion... and those soft, light battles in *Star Wars* that didn't match his taste at all. He would have to turn them into hard-hitting, intense combat sequences...
But then, would that still be *Star Wars*?
"George, this is your film..."
Before he could finish, George Lucas interrupted him, "Don't rush to reject it. Take some time to think it over and then give me your answer."
Duke could only nod, agreeing to think it over. At the same time, he couldn't help but reflect. Not long ago, he had been taking scripts around, offering to work for free, and no one would invest. Now, after a string of successes, even a series like *Star Wars* was being offered to him.
Hollywood truly is a place where reality hits hard.
"It seems someone's coming to find you."
After George Lucas pointed this out, he walked back toward the lawn, saying, "I'll take my leave now."
After a few polite words, Duke turned to see Tina Fey approaching him. She asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Leah has arrived," she said. "There are other guests too, and Sofia asked you to come quickly."
Returning to the party, Duke continued to chat with guests as he made his way to the rest area where his mother was. When he saw the familiar figures of his mother and Sofia, he also noticed another woman, who seemed to be the guest his mother had brought along.
She was a woman who couldn't have been more than twenty-five years old. Her brown hair was neatly tied back, framing an oval face with distinct features, showing subtle signs of Jewish heritage. Her slightly upturned lips held a gentle and polite smile.
Compared to Charlize Theron or Sophie Marceau, this woman wasn't extraordinarily beautiful, but the elegance with a touch of scholarly charm made her instantly likable. This aura, radiating naturally from within, appeared genuine and unpretentious.
Her outfit, a pale blue silk taffeta gown embroidered with ivory flowers, paired with a white evening clutch, and accessorized with earrings and bracelets adorned with moonstones, platinum, gold, and diamonds, highlighted her elegance and stood out even more.
If Hollywood actresses were fashion icons curated by publicists and stylists, this woman was fashion and elegance personified.
She was completely different from the Hollywood actresses, standing out even with her light makeup.
"Mom..."
As he approached, the few people sitting at the table stood up. Mrs. Leah nodded and introduced both sides.
"This is Duke."
"Duke, this is Irene Lauder from the Estée Lauder group."
Even if Duke was somewhat out of touch with fashion, he had heard of Estée Lauder. Besides, Sofia had quite a bit of business dealings with them. Based on her name, she seemed to be a descendant of the Lauder family.
"Nice to meet you, Ms. Lauder."
"Nice to meet you, Director Rosenberg..."
They shook hands briefly, and Duke couldn't help but feel that Irene Lauder's hand was trembling slightly. Was she nervous or excited?
"Just call me Duke."
As they sat around the oak table, Duke gestured to a waiter, who immediately brought over four glasses of champagne. Irene Lauder took one, maintaining her composed smile as she said, "You can call me Irene. I've known Aunt Leah for a long time."
While Irene Lauder chatted with his mother, Sofia leaned over and whispered in Duke's ear, "She's the granddaughter of the Lauder. She only has one cousin above her and seems to be the focus of the family's third generation."
Though Sofia had business connections with the Estée Lauder group, Duke still found it odd that they would seek him out.
Sitting across from him was none other than the notorious explosion fanatic and destroyer-in-chief, and Irene Lauder couldn't help but feel a bit excited. She was, after all, a fan of his, having followed his last three films closely. There was a bit of that fan-meeting-their-idol energy, which made her hand tremble slightly when they shook hands earlier.
But she quickly regained her composure. She was here for business, not as a fan meeting her favorite director!
As a prominent figure in the third generation of the Lauder family, Irene knew what to say and do at any given time. Socializing had been part of her training since she was young.
"You all go ahead..."
Mrs. Leah stood up and said to Duke, "Sofia and I will help you mingle with the other guests."
Sofia tactfully followed Mrs. Leah, leaving Duke and Irene alone.
Seeing this, Duke understood that his mother was signaling her non-interference in the business discussions that were about to take place.
Looking at the always-composed, elegant woman across from him, Duke got straight to the point. "May I ask the reason for your visit, Ms. Lauder?"
This was America, and they were about to discuss business, so being direct was the best way to save time.
"Would Director Rosenberg be interested in entering the advertising industry?"
Like Duke, Irene Lauder wasted no time. "The Lauder group is interested in inviting you to direct a commercial for our new youth skincare line launching next year."
"Why me?" Duke didn't commit to an answer.
"Let me put it this way, Director Rosenberg. I've seen all three of your films, not just once." Irene Lauder said earnestly. "To me, they're visually stunning. You could almost say they're extended commercials! I don't mean that negatively; I really love this style of film, which is why I recommended you to the group."
"Thank you." Duke raised his glass to her, taking a sip of champagne before saying, "In some sequences, I did use advertising techniques to create the scenes."
This was a well-known fact in Hollywood, and Duke never considered it unprofessional.
"So..." Irene Lauder asked directly, "Are you interested in our offer?"
"You can talk to my agent."
If the price was right, Duke would definitely be interested. Shooting luxury product commercials was a side gig often taken on by top directors.
Seeing that Duke hadn't outright refused, Irene Lauder felt a sense of relief. She raised her glass and clinked it with Duke's. "Here's to our successful collaboration! And may your films continue to be hits!"
"Thank you," Duke replied politely.
Having settled the business matter, Irene seemed a bit more relaxed. She glanced at Duke and asked tentatively, "Is *Saving Private Ryan* finished?"
"It's still in post-production," Duke replied casually.
"I mentioned this to Aunt Leah when I came here." She seemed a little disappointed. "If possible, I really want to see your movie earlier."
Duke couldn't help but be a little surprised. He originally thought that the other party was just being polite when he said he liked his movies, but now it seems to be true?
The Lauder Group is an important client of Santa fia, and Duke immediately made the most appropriate choice, "Irene, if you have time, can you come to Los Angeles to attend the premiere?"
"Is it okay?"
The woman, who had been smiling faintly, showed a flash of surprise. Duke nodded, "Of course!"
