章 31: Chapter 29. First Hit
Gal Gadot and Bar Refaeli settled into their new home. Initially, Judy wanted them to live with her, but fearing it might be dangerous, the girls decided to rent an apartment nearby so that Judy could help if necessary.
Although many consider modeling to be an enviable and high-paying profession, this is not entirely true, especially for part-time work. Both girls had just started their careers, and their earnings were quite modest. Coming from middle-class families, they had to save money, so renting together was the best option for them.
However, they couldn't skimp on education. Neither had any acting experience, so they started intensive acting courses, hiring a professional teacher. This was expensive but necessary.
Eric visited them a few times but mostly kept in touch by phone, reminding Gal Gadot of the importance of continuing her dance training. In the entertainment industry, additional skills are always valued, and dancing is one such skill.
Eric was extremely busy. His presence was required for decision-making and coordinating many projects. Therefore, he entrusted Judy with taking care of the girls.
At the beginning of October, the "Sharknado" project started, and the choice of director fell on Anthony C. Ferrante, who, as in the original timeline, became the director of this film. Some things seem inevitable.
Although the project formally belonged to A.K. Pictures, all resources came from MGM: studios, props, staff, and so on. This was done through leasing, which allowed for optimized accounting and tax reduction. In the case of profit distribution among actors and the director, this scheme minimized their share.
Meanwhile, negotiations with Hasbro regarding the "Transformers" contract were in full swing. Eric didn't know the exact details of the internal discussions, but the second round of negotiations had already started, and the contract was expected to be signed within a month.
However, MGM's main task at that time was the upcoming release of "Red Dragon." This film, concluding the "Silence of the Lambs" trilogy, promised to be a major hit and was important for the new MGM. The success of this film was to be the first major triumph for the company under new leadership.
The film's advertising campaign was intensified: purchasing ads, placing them in newspapers and magazines. Even a premiere, initially not planned, was now on the agenda, intended to be conducted on a grand scale.
"Red Dragon," as an MGM and Universal film, received significant attention. It was set to be released in 2,515 theaters across America – an impressive number, considering there were only 3,611 theaters in the U.S. in 2002.
If a film started in over 2,000 theaters, it meant it already had a huge advantage from the start. Its future success depended on audience reactions: if the film was profitable, theaters would request more showings. Otherwise, they would quickly pull it from their schedules.
On the evening of Thursday, October 3, the premiere of "Red Dragon" took place at the legendary Arclight Theater in Los Angeles. This theater, opened in 1963, has been the venue for the premieres of many iconic films. Recently renovated, "Red Dragon" was the first film shown after the restoration.
From 8 PM, journalists, critics, and moviegoers began to gather. The red carpet, like a dragon's tongue, stretched dozens of meters from the road to the theater entrance, ready to welcome the arriving stars.
Around 9 PM, the first cars arrived. Edward Norton, who played the role of Will Graham, the film's main character, was the first to arrive. His appearance sparked a wave of excitement and camera flashes. Norton, being a handsome and talented actor, was adored by both men and women.
"Look over here, Norton!" "Edward, can I get your autograph? I'm your biggest fan!" "Norton, darling, over here, I'm here!"
Scenes like this had long become routine for Norton. Smiling, he approached the fans, signing autographs and taking photos with them.
A few minutes later, Emily Watson, who played the role of Reba, arrived, causing another wave of enthusiastic cheers.
Edward Norton quickly approached her and said, "Emily, you should have come earlier. I can't handle all these lovely fans by myself!"
Emily laughed and joined in signing autographs and taking photos.
A film premiere is a special event, different from ceremonies like the Oscars or the Golden Globes. Although there is a red carpet here as well, it lacks the strict rules characteristic of award shows. Everything happens in a more open and relaxed atmosphere, resembling a fan meet-and-greet with a festive vibe.
When Eric arrived, the red carpet was already filled with many people, including Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Emily Watson, Ralph Fiennes, and Mary-Louise Parker.
All except Anthony Hopkins were around the same age—about thirty—and were close with each other. At that moment, they started dancing joyfully, holding hands, delighting the surrounding journalists and creating great news.
However, as soon as Eric stepped onto the red carpet, all the cameras instantly turned to him, and the fans' gazes shifted his way. His attractive appearance sparked a lot of curiosity.
"Who is that? So handsome!" "Is he a character in the film?" "Was he in the trailer? Heather, you know all the actors, what's his name?" "I don't know. Probably a newcomer. But it's strange, why are the journalists reacting to him like that?" "Hey, Norton and the others have stopped. They're going to this guy."
Under the bright spotlights, Eric approached and greeted the creators of "Red Dragon," shaking their hands.
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