America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The Los Angeles Convention Center, a massive banner hung in front of the main entrance, attracting the endless stream of people coming in and out to constantly look up.

On the poster, Martin is suited up, holding a Samsung S5830 smartphone in his hand.

Inside the convention center, a large number of journalists from entertainment, social, and technology circles gathered, their cameras and video recorders constantly shooting, capturing Martin signing the contract with Samsung people on the stage.

Martin finished signing his symbolic signature on the contract, exchanged agreements with the Samsung side, and stood together in front of media cameras for a handshake and photo op. Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

Jason Lee, representing the Samsung executives, even presented Martin with a hefty gift on the spot.

Several specially designed mobile phones, studded with gold and diamonds.

Both parties then accepted interviews from journalists, Martin, as usual, paid attention to the money he earned for his work, not only switching to a Samsung phone in public appearances but also heaping praise on it.

Jason Lee also gave Martin a spree of business flattery.

In order to capture the increasingly important smartphone market, Samsung spent a huge sum of money to sign Martin to a commercial endorsement contract.

The contract was signed until 2013, with an endorsement fee of 16 million US dollars per year.

In addition to that, Samsung would provide Martin and his relatives and friends with a certain number of new flagship phones every quarter, and if Martin's schedule allowed, they would also offer him two high-value global travel opportunities a year, including multiple companions.

As for the guest list, Martin could freely select from South Korean entertainment publications or TV dramas.

The press conference ended, and the group returned backstage.

Jason Lee was in a hurry to return to South Korea, and before leaving, he specifically found Martin for a brief exchange, "Mr. Davis, I wonder if your Cola Cult accepts South Korean members."

Martin said with a smile, "Of course, Mr. Lee is welcome to join at any time."

Jason Lee took out a commemorative Cola emblem, "Do I need to register on the website as well?"

Martin nodded, "Yes, it's a simple procedure."

"I originally wanted to join the Cola Cult and attend their gatherings while in America," said Jason Lee with a hint of regret, "There's an urgent matter in South Korea, and I need to go back immediately."

He invited, "Last time Mr. Davis went to South Korea, I happened not to be in Seoul and missed the opportunity to host you. I hope Mr. Davis can find the time to visit South Korea again this year and give Samsung the chance to host."

Martin certainly wouldn't refuse the kindness, "This year I have two new films coming out, I should be going to South Korea for the premieres."

Jason Lee said, "Be sure to call me ahead of time, let Samsung handle such premieres."

After chatting for a short while, his assistant came over to remind him that it was time to leave.

Jason Lee left the convention center and went straight to the airport in a car.

His assistant, being his confidant, didn't quite understand, "President, no matter how influential he is, he's just a star in the entertainment circle."

In South Korea, whether it's a girl group or an idol worshiped by thousands, in their eyes, they're not much different from that 'what's its name'.

"He's not just a star; he's also a movie company boss," Jason Lee wasn't influenced by the fixed perceptions of South Korea and looked further ahead, "There are some things you're not in touch with. Martin Davis has huge influence in the American political scene too. He has called for Cola Cult meetings several times, and not just state legislators and senators have attended.

The current Secretary of State and the Great Commander have also personally been on the scene."

The assistant was taken aback, "His connections are that high-end?"

Jason Lee said, "There's a reason why Samsung agrees to an endorsement of 16 million dollars, and why I'm deliberately making a good relationship with him."

The assistant understood, "I've heard this guy is very lecherous, I'll immediately prepare a list for him to choose from when we get back."

Jason Lee instructed, "Make sure this matter is handled properly."

On the other side, Martin got into the Escalade, took a large tote bag containing the phone boxes, took out two, and handed them to Thomas, "Here, give these out as gifts."

Then he placed two on the front passenger seat, "These are for your sisters."

After saying this, Martin realized something was amiss and added another, "And for your Editor-in-Chief Joe."

Bruce, who had seen one of the phones Martin opened, commented, "Samsung is more generous than Nokia."

"Because Finns are, at best, America's godchildren," Martin casually quipped, "The Koreans are America's dogs."

Thomas picked up the conversation, "Actually, the key is still the Cola Cult."

Once this was said, Bruce understood.

Martin simply organized the phones, mailing one back to Atlanta to Elena.

The rest, to Lily, Elizabeth, Jolie, Aniston and so on, one phone each.

Thomas stored the phones away and said, "Speaking of which, today Warner Bros. is hosting an internal screening for 'Pharaoh and the Gods'."

"Ridley's efficiency is unquestionable," said Martin, putting down the tote bag, "I remember 'Green Lantern' is also releasing this summer session, right?"

Thomas replied, "'Green Lantern' comes out in June, 'Pharaoh and the Gods' is released the first weekend of May, one week earlier than 'John Wick: Chapter 2.'"

Martin commented, "The competition this summer session is fierce."

Thanks to the box office and DVD sales success of the first installment, Disney Studios specifically scheduled the release of "John Wick: Chapter 2" for the summer slot on May 13th.

Securing this release date was not easy. Kevin Feige even had a falling out with Ellen Horn because Disney at one point wanted to reserve this slot for Marvel's superhero movie "Thor".

However, "Thor" received terrible feedback during an internal screening, and Disney asked Kevin Feige to re-edit it for a July release.

Martin had ended his cooperation with Warner Bros. and wasn't eligible to attend Warner Bros.' internal screenings, hence he didn't know the specific situation.

However, a historical epic directed by Ridley Scott should not have any surprises.

......

In the largest screening room of Warner Bros. Studios,

a group of Warner executives, headed by Warner Bros.' President Jon Berg and Distribution Director Daniel, were watching the internal screening of "Gods of Egypt".

Ridley Scott sat in the back row, filled with confidence.

This was the type of film he loved to make, and despite many setbacks, he never gave up.

Ridley Scott always believed that he would once again create an epic film like "Gladiator" that would garner acclaim, box office success, and awards.

The movie reached the scene where Moses parts the sea, where every second of special effects budget was burning crazily, but the effect and the momentum were quite astonishing, as if recreating the biblical story.

Vast scenes, outstanding special effects, tremendous momentum, overturning the seas and mountains...

This film was worthy of the title of a super epic, a perfect visual representation of the biblical story!

Finally, the screening came to an end.

Jon Berg nodded slightly, quite satisfied with the film itself, but the only issue was that it was a bit too long.

He glanced at his watch; the film had run for nearly three hours.

After watching it, Daniel felt something was off, but after giving it some thought, it seemed like there wasn't any actual problem.

The film was serious, the pacing was good, it respected the original biblical story, and it adhered to Hollywood's key success formula of a three-act structure: it set up when it needed to set up, turned when it needed to turn, and climaxed when it needed to climax.

It was definitely an extremely well-crafted Hollywood movie.

Daniel directly asked Jon Berg, "What do you think?"

"Everything else is fine, but the film is too long, nearly three hours; audiences will become impatient," Jon Berg's concern was not unfounded, as numerous market surveys by Hollywood had found that most viewers' concentration span could only last around 120 minutes.

He also considered from a business perspective, "A duration of over three hours will seriously affect the scheduling: a cinema hall would have to show one less screening per day, which can seriously impact box office revenues."

Daniel, a traditional Hollywood movie distribution producer, agreed with the latter point, "It's indeed too long."

After some thought, Jon Berg said, "Let's collect some opinions and re-edit the film, removing some of the unnecessary shots and scenes to bring the runtime down to within 130 minutes."

Daniel reminded, "Ridley Scott might not have the final cut, but he is still one of the old-school directors; you better talk to him in advance."

Jon Berg nodded, "I will."

Warner Bros.' staff began to gather feedback from the screening attendees, while Jon Berg chatted with Ridley Scott briefly and asked him to wait in the reception room for a while until they could talk more later.

As soon as Ridley heard that, he understood that the production company had comments about the film.

In Hollywood, the number of directors who hold the final cut can be counted on one hand, and Ridley was not among them. He had no choice but to follow an employee to the nearby reception room.

Once Ridley left, Jon Berg convened an internal meeting right there to discuss the possible issues with "Pharaoh and the Gods" to further refine the film.

Without Ellen Horn's restraint, many of Warner Bros.' executives were already past the point of no return on the path to self-indulgence.

Jon Berg's suggestion that the film was too lengthy and needed to be cut down to within 130 minutes gained widespread support.

Some even believed that shortening the film to 110 minutes would suffice, making it possible to squeeze in an extra two screenings a day.

Ridley didn't have to wait long; Jon Berg soon entered the reception room.

"'Pharaoh and the Gods' is superbly filmed, a masterful epic!" Jon Berg began with praise and then changed his tone, "But it is indeed too lengthy, I hope to re-edit it down to within 130 minutes."

Upon hearing this, Ridley was somewhat displeased, "The current version is a complete story. Cutting such a large portion will affect the flow of the narrative."

Jon Berg had his reasons, "The story can be more concise. This is the Exodus and the parting of the Red Sea, whose details the audience is very familiar with, trimming some of the non-essential content won't impact the viewing experience. Besides, what do the viewers first and foremost look for in this story? The special effects and the grand scenes!"

Strictly speaking, Jon Berg was not wrong.

Ridley made a concession, "I agree to reduce it to 150 minutes, but any shorter..."

Jon Berg dismissed his rebuttal.

Ridley was helpless, without an alternative, because this was Hollywood, and he lacked the final cut authority.