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Chapter 83: Setting the Stage
🕑 Added 2024-10-12 20:39:46 +0000 UTCSoon after "Real Steel," James Cameron's "True Lies" quickly entered the preparatory phase for filming.
The set tyrant chose to collaborate once again with his old partner Arnold Schwarzenegger and invited Hollywood A-list actress Jamie Lee Curtis to co-star.
The film's production cost reached a staggering $115 million, making it a massive investment in 1990s Hollywood.
Such a project was undoubtedly a focus for all of Hollywood, and every agency wanted to get involved.
Notably, the set tyrant originally planned to shoot "Spider-Man," but due to technical issues, it was ultimately replaced by "True Lies."
At this time, following an unpleasant meeting between Gilbert and Martin Bob, the sound of the set tyrant's furious shouts echoed in the "True Lies" preparatory meeting.
"I will never accept being a puppet of CAA! As long as I'm in Hollywood, this will absolutely never happen…"
Afterward, the set tyrant graciously greeted Michael Ovitz and Martin Bob, as well as their families, with a colorful assortment of vulgarities.
Returning to CAA with a grim face after being rebuffed by James Cameron, Martin Bob lambasted Cameron's rudeness in Michael Ovitz's office.
"That blind fool of a director has achieved nothing in his lifetime. I bet he'll be back to driving trucks in the future."
James Cameron was even more difficult to deal with than Gilbert; at least Gilbert maintained a polite demeanor regardless of the circumstances.
But a truck driver is not that kind of person—he used the most arrogant and rude language to belittle Martin Bob publicly.
In contrast, Gilbert appeared much more charming.
Michael Ovitz reassured his right-hand man: "Don't worry, Martin. If 'True Lies' doesn't work out, we can prepare another project."
"What project?" Martin Bob asked curiously.
"How about 'Interview with the Vampire'?"
"'Interview with the Vampire'? Wasn't that shelved by Warner Bros.?"
Michael Ovitz explained, "Warner and Universal did some resource swapping, and now this project belongs to Universal. They've already handed it over to us, and I'm assigning it to you."
A smirk appeared on Martin Bob's lips: "Don't worry, Michael, I'll assemble an ultra-luxurious lineup for the film."
After discussing with Michael Ovitz, Martin Bob personally visited Pat Kingsley's office, hoping to persuade Tom Cruise to star in "Interview with the Vampire."
For Pat Kingsley, this was also an opportunity, and she readily agreed to Martin Bob's request.
Thus, the two parted ways: Martin Bob went to persuade Universal, while Pat Kingsley went to visit Tom Cruise at his estate.
Tom Cruise was certainly interested in the project; upon hearing that this film was aimed at countering Gilbert's new work, he readily agreed.
He expressed his willingness to collaborate with Gilbert, but that little director didn't seem to react at all.
Wasn't it worth getting excited for Gilbert to collaborate with the great Tom Cruise?
Not receiving any acknowledgment made the great Tom Cruise quite angry.
He decided to teach that little director a lesson, hoping he would come to him for collaboration.
After Pat Kingsley left, he said to his wife Nicole Kidman, "Using 'Interview with the Vampire' to counter that 'Real Steel' is clearly a wise move.
The original novel of 'Interview with the Vampire' has a broad fan base; compared to the little-known 'Real Steel,' the chances of winning are much greater."
Nicole Kidman, however, didn't share that view. She had a good relationship with Naomi Watts and kept in touch with her regularly.
From Naomi Watts, she had gotten some understanding of Gilbert's character and abilities.
He was a talented director full of ideas with strong business acumen. They had no conflicts with Gilbert, so it was better not to offend him recklessly.
Otherwise, given Gilbert's personality, he might just remember it and hold a grudge.
But Nicole Kidman also understood her husband's nature—he was proud and arrogant, and at this moment, he wouldn't listen to any advice.
So, Nicole Kidman decided to consult her friend Naomi Watts to find out what was really going on.
The next day, at a café, Nicole Kidman met the radiant Naomi Watts.
"Naomi, it seems like things are going well for you lately, much better than when you first came to Los Angeles," Nicole Kidman began to chat.
Naomi Watts replied, "Not bad. Thanks to you, Mary, I'm doing well now."
After a brief exchange, Nicole Kidman began to probe, "Naomi, I heard that Gilbert's latest work is in preparation. Will you be involved?"
"Um," Naomi Watts nodded excitedly, not suspecting Nicole Kidman's motive for asking these questions.
She didn't know much either and hadn't received the script yet, but she had already secured Gilbert's promise.
"I'll be playing the female lead. Although my role isn't very big, my salary has gone up a lot, and I'm still the lead actress."
Naomi Watts' excited tone stirred something in Nicole Kidman.
The once delicate woman who needed her care when she first came to Los Angeles had now carved out her own niche thanks to Gilbert.
And what about her? She had worked hard to become Tom Cruise's wife but was still treated as a mere appendage.
Nicole Kidman carefully hid this stir of emotions, smiling as she congratulated her, "Naomi, congratulations! I'm really happy for you."
Naomi Watts seemed unaware of Nicole Kidman's underlying thoughts, continuing with her sweet smile, "Thank you, Mary."
After their meeting ended, Naomi Watts immediately went to see Sheena Boone, informing her of their conversation.
Sheena Boone, having connections within CAA, asked around for information. Although she didn't know everything, she at least understood that CAA was prepared for battle.
So, Sheena Boone hurried to find Gilbert, who was busy preparing "Real Steel," to warn him.
"You mean CAA is preparing to use 'Interview with the Vampire' to target me?" Gilbert asked.
"Exactly," Sheena Boone confirmed, pointing to Naomi Watts, who had followed her, "Naomi noticed it first and told me in time."
"Naomi, well done," Gilbert praised.
Gilbert's acknowledgment made the petite woman very happy: "It's what I should do, Gilbert."
Nicole Kidman was her good sister, but she had no choice but to betray her. After all, she relied on Gilbert.
Moreover, Nicole Kidman's intentions were not pure either, so who could blame her?
Gilbert was also curious as to why CAA was fixating on him, preparing such a big move against him when there were so many directors in Hollywood.
Didn't the set tyrant publicly embarrass Martin Bob earlier? Why not target the set tyrant instead?
Though puzzled, Gilbert could not afford to be careless.
After all, it was a combination of CAA and Tom Cruise, and there was also Brad Pitt in the mix, which posed a significant threat.
But Gilbert was not panicked; from the moment he entered Hollywood, he expected similar situations.
After all, nothing goes smoothly; every leading Hollywood director has fought their way through fierce competition.
Since the atmosphere had reached this point, why not set the stage and go all out this time…
