Chương 715: Chapter 715: Nomination!
Location: The luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Beverly Hills is abuzz with the anticipation of the 84th Oscar Nominees Luncheon.
Amidst the glitz and glamour, Hollywood has been engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos in the weeks leading up to the Oscars, marking it as the most tumultuous PR season in recent memory.
Within the hotel lounge, Academy Chairman Tom Sherak let out a sigh of relief, remarking on the unexpected level of chaos. "I never anticipated it would be this intense," he admitted, looking slightly overwhelmed.
Vice Chairman Tom Hanks chimed in, acknowledging the difficulty of managing the situation with multiple contenders vying for top honors. "If it were just one production causing a ruckus, we could easily handle it, but with all the major players involved, it's a real challenge," he noted with a furrowed brow.
Kathleen Kennedy, another vice chairman, found a silver lining amidst the chaos, suggesting that the heightened drama had effectively generated buzz for the Oscars. "It's not all bad," she remarked with a smile. "All this attention only serves to amplify the excitement surrounding the event."
Sherak nodded in agreement, emphasizing the importance of stirring up public interest. "If it didn't spark controversy and draw eyes, why would I let them stir the pot like this?" he questioned, his tone indicating a hint of satisfaction.
Hanks understood the underlying message – the Oscars needed the spotlight to reclaim its status as a premier Hollywood event. "With each passing year, Oscar's relevance dwindles. If this continues, it'll become a niche affair for industry insiders," he lamented, realizing the necessity of the chaos for revitalizing the event's image.
Sherak assured his colleagues that once the nominations were announced, the chaos would subside. "Anyone causing trouble will have their credentials revoked," he declared firmly, earning nods of agreement from Hanks and Kennedy.
With the luncheon about to commence, the hall filled with elegantly set tables began to fill with esteemed guests.
Renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg, sporting his trademark round glasses, approached the table reserved for the "War Horse" crew. As he settled into his seat, his attention was diverted by the arrival of director Bennett Miller and actor Matt Damon from the "Moneyball" contingent.
Damon eagerly extended his hand in greeting, but Spielberg's distant demeanor suggested otherwise. Ignoring the outstretched hand, Spielberg exchanged a curt nod with Damon before turning his focus elsewhere, leaving Damon feeling slighted and puzzled by the cold reception.
As Spielberg redirected his attention, the tension lingered, underscoring the simmering rivalries and high stakes of Hollywood's most prestigious event.
At this juncture, not even one Matt Damon, but a whole battalion of them, wouldn't ruffle Spielberg's feathers.
As Matt Damon retreated to his seat, he caught Spielberg's gaze once more, but this time, to his surprise, Spielberg's expression softened into a smile.
Following Spielberg's line of sight, Matt Damon spotted three towering figures: Leonardo, Nicholson, and Martin Davis – a trio synonymous with Hollywood's most notorious troublemakers.
Spielberg beckoned the trio over with a wave, and they eagerly approached, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in animated conversation.
In Spielberg's mind, the focus was on securing the Best Actor nomination for "The Martian," with no direct competition from "War Horse." However, the looming presence of Warner Pictures and their ambitions for "Moneyball" remained a concern.
Spielberg harbored a particular wariness towards Matt Damon, recalling past grievances and perceived betrayals.
Amidst the bustling banquet hall, Spielberg's warm reception of the troublesome trio did not go unnoticed, amplifying the sense of unease surrounding Matt Damon.
Remaining composed, Matt Damon's outward demeanor betrayed no hint of the internal turmoil brewing within him, though his agent offered reassurance, urging him to focus on securing the nomination before strategizing further.
Meanwhile, Martin and his companions returned to their table, joining the sparse "Martian" crew. The absence of Ridley Scott, who was immersed in directing "Prometheus," underscored the gravity of their ambitions for the awards season.
Louise Meyer, seated nearby, pledged unwavering support for Martin's endeavors, promising to leverage all available resources for their cause. Her ultimatum left no room for failure, emphasizing the high stakes of their campaign.
Martin reciprocated her determination, confident in their meticulously crafted plan.
However, Leonardo's cynical remark injected a dose of reality, highlighting the cutthroat nature of Hollywood's pursuits.
Nicholson, ever the sage, offered his reassurance, praising Martin's calculated approach amidst the chaos.
Leonardo, however, cut through the veneer of optimism, bluntly acknowledging the industry's penchant for duplicity.
Meanwhile, Matt Damon couldn't help but notice the neighboring table occupied by "The Martian" crew, his gaze lingering on the troublesome trio seated at its center.
Nicholson's keen observation didn't escape Matt Damon's notice, prompting an unsettling exchange that hinted at the simmering tensions lurking beneath the surface of Hollywood's glitz and glamour.
Just like the Joker he once portrayed, Matt Damon turned away, determined not to let the antics of the troublesome trio consume him. Inwardly, he repeated a mantra, reminding himself that they were nothing more than three fools, their antics akin to rabid dogs with nothing but chaos in their minds. He knew he had to maintain this psychological fortitude, lest he succumb to their provocations.
Meanwhile, Martin remained aloof, pointedly ignoring the "Moneyball" crew as if they were mere apparitions. The tension between the two camps was palpable, each side employing their own tactics in a bid to outmaneuver the other.
As the banquet hall buzzed with activity, an air of unease hung over the proceedings, punctuated by occasional squabbles erupting amongst crew members.
Nicholson, ever the provocateur, remarked to Leonardo, "Did you witness that, Leo? Martin's strategy is proving more effective than your plans to sell out. It's all about flaunting wealth now!"
Martin chimed in, shifting from his previous strategy of selling out to a more ostentatious display of affluence. "Who needs logic when you've got opulence?" he mused, shooting a pointed look at Leonardo. "Do you have any idea how many NGOs and charities have been hounding me for donations lately? They want me to liquidate my entire estate! I've even been blacklisted from some charity events, all because I refuse to conform to their expectations."
Leonardo, ever the opportunist, seized Martin's sleeve, suggesting, "Donate your entire fortune to my environmental foundation, and you'll never face such troubles again."
Nicholson interjected with a grin, "The most shameless one here is Leo, hands down."
Martin, undeterred, countered, "After all, every man for himself…"
Before the banter could escalate further, Leonardo interjected with a stern reminder, "The luncheon is about to commence."
As Academy President Tom Sherak and host Jessica Chastain took the stage, the atmosphere grew tense with anticipation. With the nominations unveiled, it became apparent that this year's Oscars lacked the usual fanfare, with only a handful of films commanding attention.
For Martin, aside from "The Martian" and "War Horse," the other contenders barely registered on his radar.
As the nomination lists were unveiled, they mirrored the predictions made by the media, owing to the significant overlap between Hollywood industry awards and the Oscars.
Finally, attention turned to the four most coveted awards, the culmination of months of speculation and strategizing.
Tom Sherak's voice resonated through the banquet hall as he announced the nominees for Best Actor.
"The first nominee is: Martin Davis, for his role in 'The Martian'!"
A wave of subdued cheers erupted from Martin's crew, with Nicholson and Leonardo exchanging triumphant high-fives.
Leonardo couldn't resist a cheeky remark, leaning in to whisper to Martin, "I suppose my failed plan had its silver lining – it paved the way for your success over my dismal failure."
Martin, ever gracious in victory, replied with a smirk, "I owe you a debt of gratitude. Perhaps I'll arrange a special thank-you party with a bevy of beauties from Thailand just for you!"
Leonardo responded with a playful gesture, eliciting a chuckle from Martin.
As Tom Sherak continued reading the list of nominees, Matt Damon's anxiety mounted with each name mentioned. After all the trials and tribulations, he hoped there would be some recognition for his efforts.
Finally, the last nomination for Best Actor was announced, and Matt's heart skipped a beat in anticipation.
"Demian Bichir, for his role in 'A Better Life'."
Another round of applause filled the hall, but Matt remained stoic, his disappointment palpable.
While Martin reveled in his victory, Matt sat motionless, his dreams dashed in an instant.
His agent noticed his despondency and offered words of encouragement, "We'll try again next year."
"Failed," Matt murmured softly, resigned to his fate.
As Matt grappled with his defeat, he couldn't help but reflect on the recent turmoil surrounding the Weinstein scandal and its impact on his chances.
Meanwhile, at the neighboring table, Leonardo was quick to congratulate Martin on his success, gleefully noting Matt's absence from the nominee list.
Nicholson chimed in, acknowledging Martin's reliability compared to Leonardo's more erratic tactics.
Leonardo, undeterred, boasted of Martin's prowess in bringing down formidable opponents to his level, if not lower, leveraging his wealth of experience as a seasoned antagonist.
Martin seized the moment, rallying his cohorts to leverage all available resources in their pursuit of victory.
As Matt rose to leave, he passed by Martin's table, his gaze deliberately avoiding the trio of troublemakers, his disappointment palpable as he exited the hall.
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