Made in Hollywood

"Hi, Duke."

As soon as he entered the VIP lounge of the Hollywood Chinese Theater, someone came over to say hello. Tina Fey stood behind Duke, her eyes drifting over her face, and she immediately got closer.

"This is Andy Hill, the deputy head of distribution at Twentieth Century Fox," she whispered. "People close to him call him Andy."

Upon receiving the prompt from the female assistant, Duke immediately reached out his hand enthusiastically, and shook it on the other's outstretched hand, "Long time no see, Andy."

"Yeah, the last time we met was a preview." The other party naturally didn't notice any abnormality, and said affectionately, "This is really a shocking film, and this must be another successful cooperation between us."

After a few words with the Fox executive, Duke went to the other side. Perhaps it was the reason for the explosion of "Independence Day", or perhaps it was the film's good test screening reputation. There are many people who came to say hello today, among them quite a few. He didn't know some of them, but fortunately, Tina Fey, who had been trained by Panney Kelly, could always send reminders in time.

In the VIP lounge, the stars were shining brightly. Tom Hanks and Eno Martin stood in the corner, their eyes changing directions with Duke's figure.

"Tom, you've seen the movie at the preview," Eno Martin asked Hanks with a smile, "are you relieved now?"

"In addition to worrying about the box office." Tom Hanks showed his signature simple and honest smile.

Eno Martin shook his head, "I think the box office is the last thing Duke's movies have to worry about."

"Indeed."

Hanks obviously agrees with the agent's statement. Why does he want to participate in this film? In addition to being optimistic about the script and the character itself, Duke Rosenberg's success in business is also the focus. The status of Hollywood, just two Oscar winners is not enough, but also enough box office appeal.

Working with a successful commercial director is undoubtedly the right choice.

"It's impossible for the film to have as high a box office as 'Independence Day'." Tom Hanks whispered, "Word of mouth should not be a problem. Many people are worried that Duke will make it into the World War II version of 'Independence Day'. They must have been surprised by the content of the film."

"A director who likes to make popcorn movies suddenly made a movie with great thought." Eno Martin kept his eyes on Duke, "and he did it so well, I don't know those How will the critics react?"

"How will they react?" Tom Hanks put on a light sarcasm on the corner of his mouth. "Unscrupulous attack? Don't forget that this year is the 50th anniversary of the victory of World War II, and the film will be released before Memorial Day. If they attack The subject of the film..."

With a cold snort, Tom Hanks shook his head. If someone is so stupid as to criticize the theme of the film and the ideas reflected in it, then he is really making trouble for himself.

"The film critics probably won't let Duke go." Eno Martin took his words. "They can start with the film technique and bugs. Of course, the smartest way is to keep silent."

Walking into the VIP lounge, Irene Lauder looked around and saw all the familiar faces, many of whom were well-known names like Hao Lai Mei, but unfortunately she was an outsider, she knew others, others didn't know her, plus To introduce the young director to my friends, I have no plans to get close to those big stars.

"Anna, this way."

Sweeping her eyes from the lounge, Irene found the person who invited her to the premiere, pulled her friend, and walked over directly.

"Miss Lauder is here."

Hearing Tina Fey's reminder, Duke turned his head, just in time to see Erin Lauder and another blond woman of the same age approaching, raising his hand to greet her.

"Duke, this is my friend, Anna Prinz, who works as an assistant director in a Hollywood production company." Erin introduced the two sides, "Anna, this is Duke, the director of "Saving Private Ryan" ."

Shaking hands with the young director opposite, Anna calmly watched him talk to Irene. It has been a while since she came to Hollywood. Although this is the first time she has seen a real person, she has heard too many rumors about this young director. Too much.

With "Independence Day" being a big hit, it's no exaggeration to say that a big director who has risen like a comet in the past few years is a legend in Hollywood today, and he is also a role model for young directors like her who dream of success.

Perhaps success cannot be replicated, but some precedents can always be used for reference.

Duke on this side is still busy socializing, and at the entrance of the cinema hall on the other side, many people are queuing to enter.

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan and The Hollywood Reporter film critic Todd McCarthy, old friends, came together and managed to get the premiere even though the organizers didn't offer any free services. The entrance ticket of the type, in order to see Duke? Rosenberg's masterpiece for the first time, and then carry out the targeted judgment.

Walking into the theater, sitting in the adjacent seats, the two chatted while waiting.

"I'd love to see an Independence Day-style pure popcorn movie," says Todd McCarthy, "preferably a typical Duke movie."

"Don't you really hate movies like this?" Kenneth Turan asked with a little doubt, "Why?"

"Because 'Independence Day' was so successful, that success simply couldn't be replicated or sustained."

Hearing Todd McCarthy's words, Kenneth Turan nodded, "Indeed, Duke has reached the limit of sensory stimulation on Independence Day, and it is impossible to surpass it."

"So, if 'Saving Private Ryan' is still pure popcorn." Todd Maxey narrowed his eyes slightly, "It also uses explosions as a selling point, it will definitely be compared with 'Independence Day', and then …”

"Causes aesthetic fatigue." Kenneth Turan took his words, "The box office failed to meet expectations, or even failed at the box office?"

Todd Maxey laughed. "Haven't we been waiting to see him fail?"

"It's you, not me." Kenneth Turan quickly distanced himself from the relationship, "I've always liked his movies, and if he hadn't done too much last time, I wouldn't have followed you..."

"Kenneth, criticizing Duke Rosenberg is the consensus of the entire film critics!"

After the old friend's words, Kenneth Turan stopped saying anything, but quietly waited for the film to start. According to the information he got, Duke Rosenberg already had a lot of styles in this film. This is a very bright young director who clearly understands the problems he may face after Independence Day.

The commercial performance of "Independence Day" is really terrifying. Even now, there are still some overseas markets showing it. The global box office has reached an infinitely close to 910 million US dollars, and the box office record of "Jurassic Park" is getting closer and closer. .

In Kenneth Turan's view, Duke Rosenberg has achieved the ultimate in business, and he will not be able to break through this achievement even in the next ten or twenty years or even longer. For the director, this is both an honor. , is also imprisoned. If you make a change in style in an inappropriate time, your life's achievements may be limited to this.

Just a few rows behind him, there are more and more ordinary fans, and Allen, Jones and Kunites, who have now graduated to work, reunited and appeared in the premiere theater.

"Old rule, no water, no popcorn."

Kunites muttered as he sat in his chair, "Although Duke's movie is a standard popcorn movie, it's also the worst movie for popcorn."

Allen and Jones didn't bother to pay attention to him, and whispered together. Instead, a young student-like audience member next to Kunites asked curiously, "Why?"

"You haven't seen a Duke-directed movie before?" Kunites turned to ask, the student shook his head, "I have, I have seen Independence Day."

"When you bow your head to eat popcorn or drink water, do you miss the wonderful scene?"

"Like... yes."

"Know, my name is Kunites, the standard Duke Rosenberg film lover."

"My name is Owen, and I absolutely love Independence Day..."

There are more and more people in the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, who are waiting for the release of the movie they are looking forward to, not particularly far away. There is also a large audience in the auditorium of the Holy Citizen, who are also waiting for the release of the movie.

The two big premieres were held concurrently, bringing out the bustle of Hollywood on the surface and the competition behind it.

Getting rid of the entanglement of media reporters, Mel Gibson walked into the theater and found his agent, Martin Bob, and the two walked to a quiet corner with a tacit understanding.

"Contacted?" Mel Gibson asked.

"With Paramount and Viacom to help, it's easy." Martin Bob lowered his voice, "We helped those people get tickets to the premiere of "Saving Private Ryan", and they were already seated at each other. in the theater."

The theater chain does not have an advantage, he can only start from other places. Mel Gibson does not want to lose to the young director who caused him huge trouble. There is no psychological burden to do this, not to mention that the other party is behind "Braveheart" The hands and feet are no less than they are.

With Mel Gibson walking into the theater, the screening here is about to begin.

In the Hollywood Chinese Theater on the other side, the lights are going out row by row. Sitting a little back, Luther's eyes are looking straight at the screen, as if he wants to find out the flaws in the movie now.

He is a black man, and he is a representative of a black rights organization. Today, he will put on his colored eyes and take a good look at the movies made by those white guys!

At the same time, Rodriguez in the first two rows has the same idea. How can the mainstream society ignore the Latinos who made huge sacrifices for World War II?

The iconic soundtrack features Twentieth Century Fox's intro, followed by Warner Bros. and Walt Disney, followed by an old star-spangled banner flying in the wind!