"Don't be too hasty. You've been in the movie industry this long; don't you understand these studios?" Leon said. "Even greenlit movies aren't immune to getting axed."
The copyright for the source material hadn't been secured, Jeff's investment hadn't hit the account, and for now, all promises were just empty talk.
Fickleness was standard procedure in this industry; studios' plans shifted constantly based on profit calculations.
"Alright..." James Wan hung his head. "You'll give this opportunity to me, right?"
"I'll fight for you as hard as I can, but Jeff has his own candidates in mind."
"Fck Jeff! I've had enough of this suppression and deception. That guy is a typical elite old white man; he won't give a chance to an Asian guy like me!" Thinking about his experiences over the years, Wan was full of anger. The stories of him being deceived and played by studios could fill a book.
After the massive success of Saw, Lionsgate released six sequels.
Wan controlled the overall story framework, maximizing his value to the hilt.
In exchange, Lionsgate executives promised to let him direct the big-budget production The Hunger Games, with a budget of $80 million.
But unsurprisingly, these executives, wearing their colored glasses, pulled a fast one on Wan.
Using the excuse that the original author, Suzanne Collins, wasn't satisfied, they handed The Hunger Games to the lesser-known old white man, Gary Ross.
Since entering the industry in the 80s, Gary had only directed three movies, all of which flopped at the box office.
His 2003 film Seabiscuit had a budget of $87 million but only grossed $120 million in the US.
Putting him next to James Wan, even a blind person would know who to choose.
But Hollywood, following convention, discriminated hard against Wan. This was the fuse that broke their relationship.
Wan continued to sell himself. "I've read the original novel of Ready Player One many times. I'm very confident I can tell this story well. To attract young audiences, I'll add some new elements. Like I mentioned before, Japan's Tsuburaya Productions' Ultraman series, Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball... Oh, how about GTA: San Andreas? Adding the main character CJ would be cool."
"Don't worry, buddy. I know motion capture technology and CGI very well. This technology is no longer mysterious; many special effects companies can do it excellently..."
Listening, Leon took a glass of red wine from a waiter. "I trust you 100%. You don't need to prove anything to anyone. Relax, leave this to me."
Hearing him say this, Wan let go of his anxiety. "I don't know how to thank you. This project with a budget over $100 million is very important for my career."
Although they weren't speaking loudly, Grace and Olsen nearby still heard the gist of it.
"$100 million?" Olsen had stars in her eyes. "Oh my God, are you preparing to shoot a superhero movie? That's amazing. Ready Player One... I've decided to read this novel right away."
Leon smirked without responding.
Olsen was undoubtedly a beauty, and a unique one at that.
But she wasn't suitable to play the female lead, Samantha. Her drawback was the same as Amber Heard's—too much "young wife" vibe, not enough "teenage girl" vibe.
Even Grace was more suitable for this role than her.
Ten minutes later, Jeff took the main stage. The chatter and noise in the venue stopped, waiting for this heavyweight to speak.
He cleared his throat. After saying a few polite words for the Film Association, he started bragging about his achievements. "Just now, I got the news that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 has surpassed $1.2 billion in global box office."
"Wow..." The audience gasped.
Just hearing the number didn't convey the weight of this achievement. Put another way, you could feel the shock: this movie currently ranked third in global box office history, second only to James Cameron's Avatar and Titanic.
Seeing the looks of admiration or jealousy from industry insiders, Jeff smiled smugly. "Some people think Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is the final swan song of box office myths because the series ends here... No, this is just the beginning! My colleagues at Warner Bros. know exactly what I want to do. The DC Universe plan we are launching will create more box office myths. Can you imagine Batman vs. Superman? I am turning this into reality."
The guests below applauded as they listened, accustomed to this madman's arrogance.
His speech tonight was actually very restrained; he didn't single out celebrities present to roast them or make dirty jokes.
Then he delivered a meaningful speech. "Some people rely on their achievements, treating themselves as Napoleon, Caesar, or even the Mustache Man..."
"What is he talking about?"
"Did this guy drink too much?"
Guests whispered to each other. The name of the "Mustache Man" was taboo in any public setting in the West.
"I mean, those guys who delusionally want to become emperors will eventually be sent to the gallows. No one can run a dictatorship in this industry. The existence of the Film Association is to try to avoid this situation."
Hearing this, even the dullest person understood who Jeff was mocking. This was equivalent to openly declaring war on Spielberg.
Phil, while flirting with the hem of a third-rate actress's skirt, teased, "I know why you can be friends with this guy. Your styles are exactly the same..."
After finishing his posturing, Jeff concluded by thanking a list of guests, specifically mentioning Leon. "This genius young man broke into the film industry with Straight Outta Compton. The success of this movie is definitely not accidental. Earning more box office is not the only meaning of movies; speaking for vulnerable groups and exposing those dark corners where sunlight doesn't reach is the greater meaning."
Leon felt nothing inside, even wanting to laugh a little.
Fat cats talking about sentiments with serious faces, completely without blushing or heartbeats skipping a beat.
"Mr. Leon, on behalf of the Film Association, I salute you and thank you for your contribution to the black communities across America." Saying that, Jeff stood in the center of the stage and pointed over.
Leon stood up, and the two acknowledged each other from a distance.
Being publicly thanked by the President of Warner Bros., the eyes of the whole venue immediately focused on him.
His status was maxed out.
After Jeff's speech ended, the event completely entered garbage time.
New directors and actors eager for fame gathered around investors, their postures resembling both hunters and prey.
"Let's go." Leon patted Phil's shoulder.
The shameless old geezer was using his title as Leon's manager to get hot and heavy with third-tier actresses, showing a wretched smile while exploring under their skirts.
The suit-clad industry elites frowned upon seeing this scene. Even if they were essentially birds of a feather, they rarely saw someone like Phil who completely disregarded decency.
He wouldn't even pretend.
"Wait a while... Let me teach these girls how to shoot intimate scenes properly."
Leon couldn't be bothered with the old geezer, glanced at his watch, and got up immediately.
"Leaving now, Mr. Leon?" Olsen quickly got up to see him off. "Want to go somewhere else to chat? I have many questions to ask you..."
Leon understood immediately; this girl had some questions she wanted to consult on one-on-one in bed.
He hesitated for two seconds but chose to refuse. "Sorry, Miss Olsen, I'm a bit tired. There is a very important event tomorrow night."
The MTV Video Music Awards were imminent; he didn't want any mishaps at this time.
Walking the red carpet with Taylor, he would be pestered endlessly by tabloid media about what was in his pants.
---
At 7 PM the next evening, Leon arrived at the Nokia Theatre in a stretch limo.
Katy Perry's hit single Firework was playing on the car stereo. This was a major contender for Video of the Year.
"Such nutritionless bubblegum pop can win awards; the committee's taste is hopeless." Phil complained incessantly. "Have you seen her MV? That girl always loves to pose like a queen. She thinks she can become Madonna just by wearing a thorn bra."
Leon had no mind to deal with the old geezer, his head full of how to deal with reporters later. Attending such an occasion with Taylor was no different from an official announcement.
With Robbie present, ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend on the same stage, this was more interesting to the media than who won the Video of the Year tonight.
Just thinking of Taylor, he received a call from her.
"Honey, I'm right behind you."
"Really?"
Leon looked back, only seeing the black driver of the car behind. The limos provided by the officials for each guest were about the same.
"I only got one nomination this year." Taylor sighed. "It seems the organizers planned this long ago, using our relationship to hype up topics."
This was the first time in nearly two years she was a bystander at a major award ceremony. Even Leon had one more nomination than her.
The order of stars walking the red carpet was also very particular. Generally, higher-status singers appeared last to ensure attention during the red carpet segment.
Ahead, Lady Gaga attracted the cameras of all reporters as soon as she stepped on the red carpet.
Not to mention her iconic white bangs, her outfit was even bolder. To hype up topics, she didn't wear a gown but chose a "meat dress."
She draped raw meat over her body, important parts looming visibly.
"This woman is the focus wherever she appears." Phil sneered while watching. Madonna started the era of persona singers.
And Lady Gaga took this gameplay to the extreme. A singer's value was no longer measured solely by works; a large part was the packaging of their persona.
Lady Gaga's outrageous looks became popular globally. Imitations of her makeup and styling could be seen everywhere on the internet; this had become a cultural symbol in the pop music world.
She stayed on the red carpet for a full ten minutes before the reporters' enthusiasm faded. The convoy began to move slowly, and the limo Leon was in was about to enter the red carpet area.
"Oh my God! Leon!"
"Look, the scumbag is getting out. Robbie is right in front of him!"
Fans on both sides of the aisle screamed frantically. Someone shouted this, and the reporters came back to their senses one after another, turning their lenses away from Lady Gaga.
"Damn it..." Leon muttered. As expected, the organizers played a trick, arranging for him, Robbie, and Taylor to walk the red carpet at the same time.
Ahead, Robbie stepped onto the red carpet in a white gauze dress.
The stylist ingeniously spent some effort on her ears, presenting pointed elf ears using silicone.
Her overall aura was like an elf walking into reality.
"Robbie's team is getting more professional." Leon sighed.
As a Hollywood agent, Maggie's business ability in the film and television industry was professional, but she wasn't good at building a singer's image.
Now it seemed she had figured it out.
Robbie had a sweet smile and fair skin. Since her debut, she had been given nicknames like "Real-life Barbie" and "Elf."
Faded was an ethereal electronic work; with a little packaging, the persona would be established quickly.
"Miss Robbie, let's talk about your relationship with Mr. Leon!"
"Do you know when he hooked up with Taylor? Is there a third-party plot here?"
Facing spicy questions, Robbie remained silent.
Her smile seemed frozen on her face, constantly striking various poses.
"Let's get out."
Leon's limo stopped in front of the red carpet, and bodyguard Jorge opened the door for him.
After getting out, he first waved to the distant fans, then walked calmly to Robbie's side.
"You look stunning tonight."
"Thanks, you look great too."
Attending the award ceremony this time, Leon didn't wear his iconic Adidas sportswear but rarely wore a suit.
And it was a white suit with full "Diddy" vibes, looking like he was ready to go to Diddy's freak-off party.
At first, he was quite dissatisfied with the stylist team's decision, but finally accepted the white suit combination under Bonnie's suggestion.
Her reason was: You are already a big shot. Always dressing like a hoodlum will make fans lose freshness. Occasionally, you have to use styling to highlight your status.
The intimate interaction between Robbie and Leon dumbfounded the reporters. The expected cold shoulder and mutual tearing didn't happen.
The drafts they had prepared long ago might have to be scrapped entirely.
After more than ten seconds of silence, a bold reporter couldn't hold back and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Mr. Leon, when did you get together with Miss Taylor? Is Miss Robbie a victim of this relationship?"
"How long do you think your relationship with Taylor will last this time? A year? Or half a year?"
More and more media joined in the jeering. Driven by traffic, who cares about the notoriety of "Street Jesus"?
Just then, a scene that made the reporters drop their jaws happened. Robbie actually took the initiative to hold Leon's arm.
Although it was just a polite gesture and the two still maintained a certain distance, showing such intimacy after breaking up shocked everyone.
Let alone the reporters, even Leon himself was stunned.
He turned to look at Robbie's expression—calm, confident, and even with a hint of stubbornness.
"She's grown a lot..." Leon was sure Robbie had changed, no longer the reckless girl who first entered the entertainment industry.
Between her brows, there was even a hint of "blackening" (becoming ruthless/calculating).
Just then, the limo Taylor was in stopped in front of the red carpet. She was wearing a silver long dress with a deep V-neck, plunging all the way to her abdomen.
The media rarely saw her wearing such revealing clothes and took photos non-stop.
Best friend turned love rival. Taylor was a bit awkward at first, but unexpectedly, Robbie took the initiative to welcome her.
"Baby, you look so beautiful." The two hugged.
"Thanks... you too..." Taylor was still in a daze. A few seconds later she reacted. "These pointed elf ears are cute. Your stylist is a genius."
"What is this situation..." The more Leon looked, the more wrong it felt. The whole plot didn't go according to his imagination at all.
These two girls chatted about styling and outfits on the red carpet as if nothing had happened.
The media were greatly disappointed. Someone cursed directly, "Fck... my drafts are all wasted."
"This shouldn't happen. The plot should be like between Aniston and Angelina Jolie... Shouldn't best friends turned love rivals tear each other apart directly?"
The next scene made their jaws drop even further, cameras almost falling to the ground.
Taylor stood on Leon's right, holding his arm tightly.
Robbie stood on the left, also hooking his arm.
Accompanied by two beauties, Leon in a white suit walked into the main venue, looking like a winner in life.
The back view he left for the media became a legendary scene in the history of the MTV Video Music Awards.