Chương 246: Chapter 246: Conservative Hollywood
It was still scorching hot on the New York streets at noon. Young Ted had just finished a client meeting, parked his car by a convenience store, and stepped inside to grab an ice-cold Coke.
Inside the transparent freezer, new designs adorned the red cans.
Out of the blue, the convenience store owner chimed in, "Blue's not bad, you know."
"Red is my allegiance!" Ted responded. He opened the freezer, selected a red can, and pointed to the fresh Martin image on it, declaring, "He's my hero!" Another young customer in the store chimed in, "Coke God, forever!"
Ted raised his can, echoing Martin's famous blessing, "May the world have Coca-Cola." The convenience store owner muttered to himself, "These Coke God Cult people, all brainwashed by Martin Davis."
Ted grabbed another can, paid for his purchase, and returned to his car. He cracked open the can, taking a refreshing sip that cooled him from head to toe in the sweltering weather.
Glancing at the design on the second can, he noticed that Martin, the leader, had transformed from his usual appearance, donned casual attire, and wielded a can of Coca-Cola in his right hand.
Underneath, the text read: "I control my own life!"
Back at the office, during his break, Ted logged into MSN and joined the New York fan group, where he saw someone had posted some pictures.
The two images were quite astonishing – they were wanted posters!
The first picture featured Wesley!
Below it was an image of Martin.
Ted grabbed the unopened Coke and noticed that the image on the wanted poster closely resembled the can. The only difference was that on the wanted poster, Martin held a gun instead of a Coke.
Another image displayed Fox.
It showed Angelina Jolie holding a pistol with an extended magazine.
Clearly, this was all part of a movie promotion.
Earlier this year, Ted had won the chance to attend the premiere of "The Hills Have Eyes" through a viral marketing lottery. After returning, he joined Martin's New York fan group, successfully bought a commemorative Coke, and became a member of the Coke God Cult.
A colleague rolled over in a swivel chair, picked up an unopened Coke, and said, "Martin's new movie, 'Wanted,' is coming out soon!"
Ted snatched the Coke back, saying, "You go buy it yourself!"
The colleague pointed to the wanted poster on the computer and then to the can image. "We also launched a movie version of Coke."
Ted remarked, "The Coca-Cola Company sure treats our leader well."
"It's all business interests!" the colleague replied. "You haven't seen their latest financial report. After signing Martin, sales increased by 7% in the quarter thanks to the Coke God marketing!"
Ted handed him the Coke. "Forget about that. It's coming out in November, and you're in for a treat!"
As October approached, promotion and marketing for "Wanted" went into full swing, and the main promotional poster was officially released.
Martin and Julie appeared on the poster, with Morgan Freeman, whose image was about two-thirds smaller, standing above the two leads.
All three star actors had their own market appeal and featured prominently on the main poster.
Meanwhile, Jolie had yet to return from Africa, but news about her continued to circulate. She was often seen with war refugees, pictured as a UNHCR Ambassador, and authored articles on the international current affairs scene.
America needed someone like her to stand up during these times, and Jolie's actions aligned well with mainstream American needs.
"Mr. and Mrs. Smith," released in June, had grossed over $180 million in North America and over $340 million worldwide. This marked a successful turnaround for Jolie in her mainstream film career, and her appeal had skyrocketed.
She actively participated in current social affairs, refined her image, and expanded her influence.
At Warner Studios, Martin, wearing a headset, was in the dubbing studio performing lines for several scenes.
"That fat boss is the most awful boss in the world. She makes us do repetitive tasks every day and doesn't want to pay overtime for working late. I'm so frustrated I could explode. It's unbearable!" Martin delivered this line with eloquence.
Director Leterrier, a Frenchman, exclaimed, "Well said, Martin. I almost believe you've been mistreated by your boss!"
Martin removed his headset and stepped out of the recording studio. "What did you say?"
Leterrier repeated his comment.
Martin shrugged. "I've encountered a few unscrupulous bosses in Atlanta."
Leterrier commented matter-of-factly, "If it happens often, you should band together and go on strike. We French people are either on strike or preparing for one."
Martin remarked, "Paris is Paris."
Leterrier agreed, "Parisians have a wealth of experience and tradition in this area."
Curiously, Martin asked, "The PDs in Paris don't crack down on strikes?"
"They're often surrounded," Leterrier said, not joking. "Then they'll lay down their arms and join the strike. Being a PD is also a job, and they have the right to strike."
Martin found it sensible.
As their work for the day concluded, the two left the recording studio together.
A beautiful French actress waited at the door. Seeing Leterrier, she hugged him and then shared a passionate kiss.
Martin prepared to leave.
Leterrier disengaged from his female companion and introduced, "This is my girlfriend, Ella."
Ella was tall and had a great figure.
She extended her hand and greeted, "Hello, Martin."
Martin shook her hand and exchanged pleasantries.
Prominent directors, like celebrities, never find themselves lacking in female companions. Martin recalled that when filming began, Leterrier had a different girlfriend. During production, he switched boyfriends, and by the end of filming, he was back with his girlfriend.
Now, here he was with a new girlfriend again.
Leterrier gave Ella a reassuring pat on the back. "Head to the front hall and wait for me. I need to talk to Martin."
Ella nodded obediently and left for the front hall.
Leterrier gestured toward Ella's departure with his eyes. "Quite enticing, isn't she?"
Martin offered a compliment, "You certainly have excellent taste."
However, what Leterrier said next took Martin by surprise, "Interested in spending the evening with her?"
Martin raised an eyebrow in astonishment.
Leterrier remained nonchalant, "We could have a good time together."
Martin, having a regular girlfriend he loved dearly, couldn't accept such an informal invitation, "I am in a committed relationship right now, and I care deeply for her."
Leterrier seemed somewhat disappointed, "Alright."
"Let's talk about it another time," Martin replied before leaving.
Bruce emerged from around the corner and followed him.
Leterrier couldn't help but frown, "Is Hollywood really that conservative?"
Martin went to another conference room and awaited the arrival of Thomas and the Warner Brothers representatives.
Bruce joined him, and with no one else in the room, he remarked, "The director seemed quite let down, What did you say to him."
Martin reminded him, "Don't forget, he's bis**ual and had a boyfriend during filming, he just asked me for a threesome."
Bruce responded, "There are all sorts of people in this industry with their own peculiarities."
"Fame and wealth amplify people's desires," Martin said, patting Bruce on the back. He then noticed a newspaper nearby, which had Julie's picture. Upon picking it up, he found an article by Jolie in The New York Times.
The title was quintessentially Jolie: "In the Future, Our Response to the Refugee Crisis Will Be the Measure of Freedom, Democracy, and Human Rights."
The article featured data gathered by Jolie during her visits to the Middle East and Africa.
It was undeniable that the media could turn her into a revered figure, and while the social climate played a role, her own marketing was key.
As the conference room door opened, Thomas and Daniel entered and took their seats.
Daniel noticed the newspaper in Martin's hand and mentioned, "I've been in touch with Jolie. She's planning to return in the middle or end of next month. Currently, she's maintaining her phone conversations with Pitt, trying to keep the relationship going until she's back in Los Angeles to officially announce the breakup."
Martin understood the plan, "That will generate quite the buzz, and the media will go wild."
Daniel added, "Jolie has a solid reason for the breakup. In the future, aside from her work in movies and her children, she'll devote herself entirely to charity and refugee relief. There's no room for personal relationships."
Martin confirmed that Jolie had woken up.
Daniel continued, "So, the focus of publicity during this period will shift to you."
Martin was ready to cooperate, "Sure, any specific plans?"
"Your relationship with Blake Lively is crucial," Daniel said. "I've fully coordinated with Blake's agent and her father, Ernie. As soon as Blake returns to Los Angeles, we'll make your relationship public. Ernie's new project will also be announced simultaneously."
Martin inquired, "Should it coincide with me picking Blake up from the airport?"
Daniel shook his head, "That's not suitable. It's too chaotic, and there are too many uncontrollable factors in airport photos."
He clarified, "The first photos we release need to be stunning to grab maximum attention. So, we've planned a controlled street photoshoot."
Martin knew that "street photoshoot" was code for staged photography. He agreed, "Alright, you can handle the details."
Daniel asked, "When you start living together with Blake, please inform the team promptly."
Martin had embraced the life of a celebrity and understood, "I'll give you at least three days' notice."
The rights to the photos belonged to Martin and Blake, and they would sell them to the media. These were standard publicity tactics. Daniel presented detailed plans, including using events from the film shoot to create publicity and buzz.
For instance, Martin had humbly sought acting advice from Morgan Freeman and inquired about his experiences playing various roles.
Martin thought of something that could be used for publicity, "Next month, my Cotis community is organizing a shooting competition. If I perform well, we can use that for promotion."
"That works," Daniel nodded. "It aligns with the character's image."
As they left the studio, Martin encountered action director Chad, who lived near Malibu, not far from the Angel Shooting Club.
Martin quickly made plans to practice shooting with him over the weekend.
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