America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz-Chapter 909 - 857 Cheating with Tricks_2

Chapter 909: Chapter 857: Cheating with Tricks_2

Chapter 909: Chapter 857: Cheating with Tricks_2

“I used to think you’d be the sure winner of that bet,” Nicholson shook his head, “but seeing Martin’s money-making tactics, the main issue is you not stepping up your game. After all these years, you’re still frowning, glaring, and raging the same old way, with no improvement at all. Now, I think Martin has a better chance of winning.”

Leonardo pointed towards the pool with a sneer, “Jack, do you really think Martin could get an Oscar for Best Director with such a simple horror movie? What a joke of the century.”

Nicholson shook his head, “It’s not about winning an award or even getting nominated, but you have to understand, this is Martin’s first time directing. He’s mostly familiarizing himself with the profession, the job. As long as he grasps the essence, and then makes a movie suited for awards, just a little better in quality, with his gimmicks and the increasingly bizarre Oscar selection criteria these years, he might actually snag the Best Director award.”

Leonardo, well aware of Hollywood and the Oscars’ changes, had to admit that Nicholson made a lot of sense.

The importance of ability and film quality in winning awards was diminishing.

Nicholson added, “If we’re talking about the strategizing for awards, you’re way behind Martin.”

On this point, Leonardo couldn’t argue. Both aimed for sympathy to win an award, Martin helped him win Best Actor, while he himself became a laughingstock.

“Martin’s playing dirty; I’m a gentleman, I don’t go in for that kind of thing!” Of course, Leonardo was not willing to lose the bet, so he thought of solving a centuries-old puzzle. Looking at the old rascal beside him with three Oscar statuettes, he said, “Jack, you got to help me out!”

Nicholson nodded, “Helping you isn’t out of the question.”

Leonardo suddenly had a bad feeling and led with a disclaimer, “Don’t even suggest I marry Lorraine unless Martin gets married. Otherwise, I’m not marrying in this lifetime.”

Why did that sound so awkward? Nicholson mused internally, but maintained a serious face, “Find a role that’s gay, a transsexual, and black, and the Best Actor Oscar is definitely yours.”

Leonardo was momentarily taken aback, then asked, “Like Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Tropic Thunder’?”

Nicholson replied, “I remember Martin mentioned a new version; transsexual is a bit outdated, perhaps a shopping bag or a helicopter would be more suitable for you.”

Leonardo caught his drift and seriously considered for a moment, “Better not. That would completely ruin the image I’ve cultivated for twenty years. Although you have to ruin your image to get an Oscar, it can’t be ruined like that.”

Meanwhile, the crew took a break from filming, and everyone rested.

Martin left the director’s chair and walked over.

Leonardo greeted him with a punch, “Looking a bit like a great director.”

Martin waved his hand away, “Don’t mention it, this job is much more troublesome than acting.”

Nicholson’s comments dripped with irony, “You just figured that out? Too late! Know why I’ve never touched directing in all these years? It’s tiring, worrisome, and the pay isn’t more than when I’m acting, plus there’s none of the actor’s freedom.”

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Leonardo countered, “Wrong, a director has an easier time attracting female stars.”

Nicholson disagreed on that point, “Seems like you and Martin attract beautiful actresses better than any other directors in the industry, right?”

“Can’t help it, everyone knows I’m a good man with depth,” said Martin as he walked out of the studio, “I need some fresh air; been busy almost a whole day, feeling dizzy.”

Leonardo and Nicholson followed Martin out of the studio and the three of them walked down the main road to the edge of the infinity pool, heading east along the poolside.

“See that? It was right here,” Leonardo pointed to the location of several cranes, “The Titanic, James built it right here.”

Martin inquired, “All torn down? Could have been a tourist attraction.”

“That ship cost over 60 million US Dollars to build,” Leonardo explained, “tearing it down recouped some of the funds. Who would’ve thought ‘Titanic’ would be such a success? 20th Century Fox, to ease financial pressures, sold the North American distribution rights to Paramount Pictures for 65 million US Dollars.”

Martin had heard about these things, too. During the film’s production, Fox’s executives were so pressured by James Cameron that they nearly prostituted themselves for additional investments, given the sinking costs were so high.

After the film’s release, Fox’s executives almost sold themselves again to quell the anger of News Corp and the Murdoch family.

North America’s box office alone brought in over 600 million US Dollars, not to mention videotape sales and television rights.

Nicholson then said, “All the big props and sets in the industry are eventually dismantled and treated as scrap.”

Martin and Leonardo nodded in agreement, saying that the pirate film they shot here had built and dismantled the Black Pearl three times.

It’s almost impossible to figure out how much the shipbuilding cost.

The three reminisced about the time Leonardo was filming here, and Martin, remembering the call he had received from Jonathan Nolan a few days ago, asked Leonardo, “I remember before you shot ‘Shutter Island,’ you went to a mental health treatment center to experience life there first-hand.”

Leonardo recalled, “At that time, I asked you and Jack to visit me often, but you two disloyal bastards ended up leaving me there, and I nearly really developed a mental problem.”

Martin said, “The two of us had confidence in you.”

“That’s right,” Nicholson launched a mental attack, “We all knew you were dumb, not likely to be influenced by those mental patients.”

Leonardo simply flipped his middle finger in front of Nicholson’s sunglasses.

After Nicholson teased Leonardo, he didn’t forget Martin, “So, are you planning to experience life at a mental health treatment center too?”

Martin said, “I mentioned to you guys before, the movie about Billy Milligan with split personality, based on his life, is expected to start shooting in the second half of the year.”

Leonardo remembered, “The guy who claims to have 24 personalities?”

Martin nodded, “Yes, that’s the one. Jonathan Nolan has finished the script, and after I wrap ‘Shark Beach,’ I’ll be moving onto this project quickly.”

Nicholson asked, “You’re not planning to direct and star in it, are you?” He reminded, “Given your acting, controlling such a chaotic character like Joker isn’t hard for you, but such films really test the director’s ability.”

Martin understood his point, “Such a complex project is out of my league to direct and star in. I’ve reached out to David Fincher. He will direct this project.”

Leonardo said, “David Fincher is the best for these types of films.”

Martin looked at Nicholson, “There’s a psychologist role in the film, you could say he’s Billy’s life mentor. I think it’s perfect for you, are you interested in a cameo?”

Nicholson outright refused, “Aren’t the Lakers games more exciting, or is Jennifer Lawrence not fun? Why would I want to suffer by playing a role in such a dark film?”

He said, “I’ve retired and I have plenty of money, I won’t be playing any more roles.”

Leonardo said, “You’re too lazy. Look at Ridley Scott and Clint Eastwood, your contemporaries, they’re still working hard.”

Martin remembered, it seemed that ten years later both were still continuously making films, not showing any sign of stopping.

But everyone has different pursuits, Nicholson just wanted to enjoy his retirement and have fun.

However, he and Leonardo came to watch Martin’s hustle but didn’t find any.

The whole crew was extremely stable.

Louise Mel stayed on Rosarito Island, managing the crew’s everyday logistics, providing all the support Martin needed.

Martin led the crew, moving back and forth between the sound stage and the bay, continuously directing according to his vision.

The crew, full of experienced behind-the-scenes staff, was responsible for fulfilling Martin’s demands.

Although they encountered a storm once and had to shut down for four days, the schedule was not delayed, and by the end of April, all shots were completed.