Chapter 797: Chapter 798: Confidence is Destroyed
Beverly Hills, Ritz-Carlton Hotel
The grand ballroom was buzzing with excitement as the 85th Academy Awards nominees luncheon was about to commence. The chandeliers sparkled above, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed attendees. The stage, set with a large screen and the iconic Oscar statuette, awaited the announcement of this year's nominees.
Academy President Tom Sherak and the ever-graceful host, Natalie Portman, took to the podium. The room fell silent in anticipation as they prepared to reveal the names that would define this year's Oscars race.
In the midst of the crowd, Martin sat at a prominent table, exuding a calm confidence. His smile was genuine, reflecting an air of ease despite the high stakes. Beside him, David Fincher's demeanor was a stark contrast. His face was tense, his palms visibly sweaty. This was his final chance to clinch an Oscar, and the pressure was palpable. The nomination was his gateway to victory.
Graham and Louise, the film's producers, appeared more relaxed. As representatives of the investors, they knew the box office success of "Argo" had already secured their financial triumph. The film continued to perform well in North American theaters, surpassing the $200 million mark and climbing to $223 million. With a production cost of $60 million, the commercial returns were impressive.
However, overseas reception was less enthusiastic. "Argo," a politically charged film, struggled to resonate with international audiences. Despite being released in markets across Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, the overseas box office lagged behind, failing to reach $100 million.
Martin and his team harbored hopes of Oscar glory, knowing that winning a prestigious award could boost the film's international appeal and revenue. Seated nearby was the crew of "Lincoln," led by the legendary Steven Spielberg. Martin cast a glance at Daniel Day-Lewis, who sat beside Spielberg. Renowned for his method acting, Day-Lewis was a favorite to win Best Actor, having already swept numerous awards at the Sentinel Awards. His portrayal of Lincoln was mesmerizing, yet his intense dedication to the role was equally notorious. Rumor had it that he stayed in character off-set, even going so far as to sign an Emancipation Proclamation on set.
Behind the "Lincoln" crew, the team from "Life of Pi" was also present. Director Ang Lee and producer Jill Netter looked visibly anxious. Despite their best efforts at crisis management and their aggressive campaign against "Argo," their initial accusations of false content were met with limited success. The subsequent attempts to undermine their rival had been largely ineffective, leaving them on the defensive.
As Tom Sherak and Natalie Portman began to announce the nominees, the tension in the room was palpable. Each name called brought cheers and sighs of relief or disappointment. For Martin, Fincher, and their team, the moment of truth was imminent. Winning an Oscar could change everything, turning their already successful film into an enduring classic.
Ang Lee glanced at Martin and David Fincher, sitting just ahead of him, and shook his head subtly. Despite the lack of concrete evidence linking Martin Davis to the troubles that plagued "Life of Pi," Ang Lee was convinced that Martin was behind it all. The feeling gnawed at him that Martin was an even more formidable adversary than the infamous Harvey Weinstein.
Up on the podium, Academy President Tom Sherak and host Natalie Portman began the highly anticipated announcement of this year's nominees.
"The nominees for Best Sound Editing are: Skyfall, Life of Pi, Anna Karenina, Django Unchained..."
"The nominees for Best Visual Effects are: Life of Pi, The Avengers, Snow White and the Huntsman, The Hobbit..."
"The nominees for Best Art Direction are: Life of Pi, The Hobbit, Lincoln..."
With each mention of "Life of Pi," Ang Lee and his producer, Gil Netter, felt a surge of hope. The film garnered multiple nominations in technical categories, and their initial anxiety began to lift. As they received nods for Best Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay, the tension eased, and they straightened up, reassured that their film was still in the running.
Ang Lee and Gil Netter exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting the same thought: "Maybe the email scandal and the subsequent reports about visual effects aren't as damaging as we feared."
Gil Netter, who had been firefighting on multiple fronts, felt a flicker of hope. However, his internal turmoil remained unquenched, and he turned to Ang Lee with a hushed urgency. "If we secure nominations for Best Director and Best Picture as planned, I want you to join me in speaking with Martin Davis and David Fincher after the luncheon."
Ang Lee hesitated, frowning slightly. This was out of character for him; he preferred to remain behind the scenes. "Is that really a good idea?" he murmured.
Gil Netter shook his head gently, recognizing Ang Lee's tendency to remain elusive, hiding his true intentions. "Ang, sometimes you have to confront things directly."
As Tom Sherak moved on to announce the Best Actor nominations, the room's tension heightened. "Martin Davis is nominated for Best Actor once again for his role in 'Argo'."
Despite the nomination, Ang Lee and Gil Netter knew Martin's chances of winning were slim. He had just won the award the previous year, and his performance as Tony Mendes, while solid, wasn't groundbreaking enough to secure a consecutive win.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for, the nominations for Best Director and Best Picture.
Ang Lee felt his pulse quicken as he focused on the screen. "The nominees for Best Director are David Fincher, Steven Spielberg, David O. Russell, Michael Haneke, and Behn Zeitlin!"
Ang Lee's heart sank. His name was conspicuously absent from the list. He scanned the screen again, hoping he had missed something, but neither his name nor "Life of Pi" appeared.
The reality of the snub hit hard. The room seemed to blur around him as he absorbed the blow. Gil Netter's face mirrored his own disappointment. The film that had brought them so much hope was not going to get the recognition they had anticipated.
Ang Lee sighed softly, raising his head and then lowering it in defeat. His second attempt at Best Director had ended in failure. The announcement of the Best Film nominations only deepened the disappointment "Life of Pi" was not among them.
Under the table, Gil Netter's hand gripped the armrest of his chair tightly. Despite the film's multiple technical nominations, missing out on Best Director and Best Film meant their Oscar campaign had fallen short. Winning all the technical awards wouldn't hold the same prestige as the top honors.
Ang Lee felt the sting of defeat keenly. To him, this was the second time he had lost to Martin Davis. He still remembered the bitter disappointment when "Brokeback Mountain" lost Best Film.
As the final nomination was announced, Ang Lee turned to Gil. "Let's go," he said quietly.
Gil nodded, his face set in a grim expression. "There's no need to stay here any longer," he agreed. Turning to their table companions, he added, "The nominees will take a group photo later."
Ang Lee stood up, casting a glance at the jubilant "Argo" crew nearby. Instead of heading out the main entrance, he chose the more discreet exit at the back of the banquet hall.
Gil followed him silently. Once they were outside, he muttered, "Nearly 10 million dollars in public relations and publicity expenses."
Ang Lee's expression was dark. They would have to explain this costly failure to the producers and distributors. The film company had invested heavily in their Oscar bid, and now it had come to nothing.
Ignoring the reporters who swarmed around them, Ang Lee and Gil got into their car and instructed the driver to take them back to Century City.
"Argo is going to be the biggest winner," Gil said, breaking the silence.
"It can't be stopped," Ang Lee replied, resigned. He knew they could attempt to discredit "Argo" further, but creating a significant shift in public opinion would require substantial funds, funds the film company was unlikely to provide. And he certainly wasn't going to pay out of his own pocket.
Gil sighed deeply. "After all our efforts, this is the result. It's hard to accept."
Ang Lee managed a bitter smile. "I feel the same way, but what else can we do? We can only wait and see. If an opportunity arises, we'll deal with people like Martin Davis or David Fincher then."
The car sped through the city streets, leaving behind the glittering facade of the Ritz-Carlton and the dashed hopes of the Oscars luncheon.
Gil Netter nodded, resigned. "That's the only way," he agreed. Ang Lee, who had held back for several years before unveiling "Life of Pi," was known for his patience. He understood that without the right opportunity, confronting someone like Martin Davis was a risk he couldn't afford. For now, he would have to swallow his anger and wait.
...
Back in the hotel banquet hall, the atmosphere was electric. The crew of "Argo" was in high spirits, celebrating their nominations. Martin embraced David Fincher, Graham, and Louise, one by one, reveling in their collective joy. He even high-fived Tony Mendes, who had come to support them.
These gestures were more than just celebratory; they were morale boosters for the next phase of the awards season. There was even talk of popping champagne before the night was over.
"Argo" had received five crucial nominations: Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture. Each nomination was significant, with even the technical categories holding substantial weight.
David Fincher, brimming with excitement, turned to Martin. "If I win the Oscar this time, you can count on me for any future projects. It won't be a problem."
Martin grinned. "For now, there's 'Split' on the horizon."
As he spoke, a new idea struck him, the concept of a Joker film seemed perfectly suited to Fincher's style. But there was no rush; they could discuss it further once the project script was ready.
With Martin, the Nolan couple, and Warner Pictures pushing for it, DC Films had decided to produce a standalone "Joker" movie early in 2013. The project was currently under review by the Warner Bros. Review Committee. Once it got the green light, it would be officially announced.
At the luncheon's conclusion, all the nominees, including Martin and David Fincher, gathered in the hotel lobby for the traditional group photo. This annual ritual was both a celebration for the nominees and a source of envy for those who didn't make the cut.
Martin overheard Warren Beatty and his wife discussing potential reforms for the nominees' luncheon. In the future, they suggested, the nominees list would be announced in advance, and the luncheon would be exclusively for those nominated. This would save on banquet expenses and avoid awkward moments.
After the group photo, Martin found himself in conversation with Spielberg and Daniel Day-Lewis. He didn't seek acting advice from Day-Lewis; their styles were too different. Day-Lewis's intense method acting didn't align with Martin's approach.
Spielberg, however, expressed genuine interest. "If the right opportunity comes along, we should definitely collaborate."
Martin, flattered, responded enthusiastically. "Steven, working with you would be a dream. I grew up on 'Jaws,' 'Indiana Jones,' 'E.T.,' and 'Jurassic Park.'"
The two chatted amiably, discussing potential future projects and shared cinematic passions. The day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, but moments like these reminded Martin why he loved the industry so much.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone