บท 518: Chapter 518: Accompanying Batman to His Funeral
[Chapter 583: Accompanying Batman to His Funeral]
Los Angeles, Westwood, in Catherine Zeta-Jones's villa.
"Alright, I'm going to take a shower first," Nicole Kidman said as she rose from the couch.
"Just wear my pajamas, Nicole," Catherine Zeta-Jones reminded her from the couch.
Arthur chuckled, "You don't have to wear anything!"
"You're so bad," Catherine Zeta-Jones leaned into Arthur's arms, "Isn't Mr. Bean doing really well at the box office?"
Arthur nodded, "It grossed $46 million in North America, and over $200 million overseas. British humor certainly has its market, but it's mainly thanks to Rowan Atkinson."
Catherine Zeta-Jones gave him a peck on the cheek, "Trainspotting and Mr. Bean really represent British cinema. MGM's UK division is collaborating more and more with British filmmakers these days."
"Of course, they have some really great talent over there," Arthur said, his hand running softly over the lady in his arms, "I just sent Richard Curtis a concept for a romantic comedy; it shouldn't be long before he writes the script. And next year, there's also another British comedy coming out, a low-budget British parody titled Naked Gun, produced by MGM in association with Channel 4."
"Really?" Catherine Zeta-Jones knew who Richard Curtis was; he wrote and produced Four Weddings and a Funeral and Mr. Bean, so he was quite a big deal!
"What's the premise of this romantic comedy? You started your career with romantic films."
"Hmm," Arthur leaned down and kissed the lady in his arms, "It's about a Hollywood superstar who meets a handsome, brooding bookstore owner on the streets of Notting Hill and sparks fly. And through various twists, they eventually find true love."
Catherine Zeta-Jones perked up, "It's not going to be Hugh Grant again as the lead, is it? Since Four Weddings and a Funeral, he's done quite a few of these romantic films."
"What do you think? There aren't too many good-looking new British actors these days," Arthur mused, seemingly recalling Ewan McGregor from Trainspotting, who was still relatively unknown at that point; there was also Jude Law, both handsome British stars, though it was too soon for them to carry a film's lead role.
The 90s hadn't yet seen a downgrade in aesthetics; a far cry from the future's influx of "Dutch Bros" and "Sweet Teeth" types flooding Hollywood.
"Arthur, am I not suited for romantic films?" Catherine Zeta-Jones rested her head on the man's chest.
Arthur shrugged, "Today's chick flicks are filled with blonde-haired, blue-eyed American sweethearts; just look at Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston. They all have one thing in common: that sexy, all-American charm!"
"They're all American actresses," Catherine Zeta-Jones shook her head, "And don't forget Sandra Bullock, who rose to fame with While You Were Sleeping. I competed for a film script with her once and lost."
"Don't worry, you're just getting started in Hollywood. By the time The Mask of Zorro is out next year, you'll have your foot firmly planted in Hollywood," Arthur reassured, "Look at Nicole; she only gained fame after shooting Speed here in Hollywood. Then I'll prepare a commercial blockbuster for you."
Arthur quickly recalled the future collaboration between Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sean Connery in the action-packed Entrapment; that was definitely going to be a thrilling film that could rival The Mask of Zorro, except that Sean Connery might be too old for the role, and they needed a younger lead.
"Really?" Catherine Zeta-Jones seemed intrigued.
"Of course," Arthur said as he swept the lady into the bedroom.
Before long, Nicole Kidman walked into the bedroom fresh from her shower, only to find Arthur leaning against the headboard, enjoying Catherine Zeta-Jones's attention.
"Nicole," Arthur relaxed his hands from Catherine's hair and called out.
"Hmm," Nicole Kidman came to the bedside, and Arthur pulled her into his arms to kiss her.
"Over the next few days, we'll begin some promotional events for The Peacemaker, and we still have some scenes to shoot," she said, shedding her robe and leaning onto Arthur's chest, planting kisses on him.
Arthur stroked her back, "Has The Peacemaker wrapped up?"
"Not yet. George Clooney went to shoot Batman & Robin for Warner Bros. before he could start this one," Nicole Kidman smiled, "I was the lead in Batman Forever, and now George Clooney is the lead in Batman & Robin."
"Batman & Robin," Arthur shook his head. "That should be the end. Batman Forever didn't have a great reputation, even though it performed well commercially. Now the shooting style of Batman & Robin might just overwhelm any good reputation it had."
George Clooney might have also jumped on the Batman & Robin bandwagon at his own peril. He was originally a television actor; after messing up such a big production, he likely wouldn't get many chances again.
After all, there wouldn't be a Harvey Weinstein from Miramax around to throw him a lifeline for his reputation.
A moment later, Catherine Zeta-Jones raised her head and lazily rolled onto her side, "I'm so tired!"
Arthur merely chuckled before swiftly pouncing on Nicole Kidman, initiating a new round of passion amid her screams.
"By the way," Nicole Kidman held onto the man tightly, her breath rapid, "The vacation villa on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, has finally been renovated. We can head there for a getaway anytime."
Catherine Zeta-Jones chimed in, "It should be summer over there now, right?"
"Yeah, Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, opposite from here," Nicole Kidman responded, seemingly recalling something, she asked, "By the way, Catherine, how's your film The Phantom doing at the box office?"
At that time, that film had also filmed scenes in Australia.
Catherine Zeta-Jones shook her head, reaching out to caress Arthur's back, "Don't mention it; it released in summer and grossed just $17 million, and the reviews weren't great. Let's see if we can recover the production costs from the home video market."
With that, Catherine Zeta-Jones leaned down and kissed Arthur on the back.
"Hmm," Arthur cut off what Nicole Kidman was about to say with a kiss...
*****
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