America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

After a while, Martin prepared to return to the studio. Suddenly, a Lexus drove up and stopped on the right side of the road where "The Martian" crew was located.

Jerry Bruckheimer and Megan Ellison got out of the car one after another.

Although the former had never had dealings with Martin, the circles in Hollywood were small enough that they were acquainted. He nodded at Martin and then headed to the soundstage.

Megan Ellison also saw Martin, but instead of leaving, she smiled in his direction.

Originally, she had no particular feelings towards Martin. Competing for projects was simply a matter of business.

But at the Oscar nominees luncheon, when Martin poached Jessica Chastain right in front of her, Megan Ellison had already placed him on her list of enemies.

Martin ignored her completely, as if there was nothing but a wisp of air before him.

With his acting skills, it was very easy to instill such a clear feeling in the other person.

Megan Ellison considered herself the victor over Martin in both their encounters, in every sense of the word.

Just as Larry Ellison would boast about his victories in Bill Gates' presence, Megan Ellison wouldn't miss the chance to mock the loser right to his face.

The domineering female CEO approached Martin and said bluntly, "You've lost."

Martin couldn't be bothered with her and didn't even respond.

Megan Ellison continued, "In terms of funds and strength, you're nowhere near me." She was especially confident, and turned her head to point at Jerry Bruckheimer, who was about to enter the soundstage, "Even with your production team, you're no match for me."

Martin didn't want to get entangled with a woman in such a place, so he turned and walked toward the soundstage of "The Martian."

Megan Ellison came to stir up trouble. After only a couple of attempts and before she could really enjoy it, he was about to leave. That wouldn't do at all.

Even if he was leaving, she wanted to revel in the moment, "Martin Davis, I haven't thanked you yet. Thank you for giving me such an excellent investment opportunity."

Martin, dedicated to his acting, paused, stopped, and his neck veins bulged. Turning back, the distortion on his face could not be contained, and the anger in his eyes was like bullets shooting out.

Megan Ellison gestured with her hands hidden behind her back, and six bodyguards from two other vehicles got ready to intervene.

Martin was like a volcano about to erupt.

Megan Ellison was hoping that Martin would make a move, and then the bodyguards would swarm in to test the mettle of America's national hero.

This was high-end corporate warfare.

This was the most appropriate manifestation of top-level business competition.

Directly and neatly destroy someone!

Through gritted teeth, Martin squeezed out the words, "No need to thank me."

Megan Ellison, clearly emulating her father's style, said, "I hope I'll have the chance to thank you again."

Without a word, Martin turned and walked towards the soundstage.

At that moment, his departing figure looked desolate, like a defeated man fleeing in panic...

Megan Ellison's fury at being usurped face-to-face seemed to have been vented out significantly, leaving her inexplicably elated.

Although she hadn't enticed Martin into attacking her, the two soundstages were so close together that there would be plenty of opportunities later on.

Upon reaching the entrance of the soundstage, Martin found Louise standing there, having watched the whole drama.

Louise accompanied him into the soundstage and asked, "Was that necessary?"

In a low voice as they walked, Martin replied, "Megan Ellison, no matter how rich, invests in the project in stages. I need to strengthen her confidence in her investment."

Louise reminded him, "Across the way is Jerry Bruckheimer's elite production team, and they've brought on Gore Verbinski as the director. Are you so confident in that project?"

"I have no confidence in the project," Martin repeated his line, "I have immense confidence in Johnny Depp."

The "Pirates of the Caribbean" series brought not only a captain with endless charm but also a superstar capable of driving any crew member insane.

If his movies still managed to be box office hits, these issues were negligible. Even the previous scandals with substance abuse and the divorce case could be managed by the stakeholders. But once the commercial draw faded, these would become major problems.

Martin first visited the set design area to check on the potatoes the crew had planted, which had already sprouted.

Then he went alone to the Martian Camp to experience the feeling of solitude.

In this film, most of the lead actor's scenes were soliloquies. Soliloquies are difficult to perform and even harder to stand out.

Martin planned to spend about ten days living alone in the camp once it was finished, to immerse himself in the experience.

This would also make for a good talking point during later promotion and hype.

Martin could work out, and he wouldn't be bored.

Coming out of the Martian Camp, Martin saw Thomas.

The latter had specifically come to find him, holding an invitation in his hand, "An invitation personally signed by Jon Berg, chairman of Warner Bros., inviting you to attend the global premiere of 'Pharaoh and the Gods' at the end of the month."

Martin took it and looked it over, saying, "Tell Warner Bros. that I will attend."

He added, "After all, it's a film directed by Ridley Scott."

No matter what the commercial prospects of the film were, Warner had invited him, and he was still working on a new film with Ridley, so it was proper for him to attend.

Thomas then said, "DC Films held an internal screening of 'Green Lantern,' and the internal response was extremely positive. Warner even leaked word, claiming it to be the most lavish and outstanding superhero movie made to date in terms of special effects."

Martin asked, "Universal praise at the internal screening?"

"Universal praise," Thomas said. "In an interview, Hamada from DC Films claimed it was a superhero film that could rival 'The Dark Knight.'

Martin had not seen the screening, so he couldn't judge.

But the next morning, he saw the poster for 'Green Lantern' released by DC Films, which looked almost exactly like the Ryan Reynolds he remembered, except the female lead beside the male protagonist had been replaced by the Australian actress Abbie Cornish.

Blake Lively, after listening to Martin's advice, had not accepted the role for this project and instead played the female lead in 'Pitch Perfect.'

This movie wasn't coming out until the end of the year or next year.

As the interior set of the Martian Camp was completed, Martin went through all the work he needed to handle before he sequestered himself to experience a life of solitude.

He also made a special trip to the 'Napoleon's Beauty Pass' studio.

Marius and Alexandrovich were preparing for the film, and the latter's fiancee, Orlina, temporarily without work and being a producer as well as a screenwriter, began trying to create the presidential script her fiancé talked about.

Not a movie, but a television series.

The three of them took it very seriously and specifically consulted Martin for his opinion on the basic setting and the main storyline of the first season.

After all, they would need Martin's studio to invest in and shoot the script they wrote.

In the conference room, Martin sat in the sofa chair and read the outline written by Orlina. The story was basically about a television star preparing to run for election.

Although the initial idea was also about a star becoming president, after reading the earlier content, Martin felt something was not quite right; the story and characters were constantly drifting aloft, creating a sense of distance from ordinary people.

He quickly realized that in any sense of the word, stars were no longer ordinary people.

This setting was not very good.

Martin asked, "Are Ukrainians satisfied with those in power? Or do they strongly reject them?"

Alexandrovich took over the conversation, "Ukraine is now an oligarchic politics, with the country and its economic lifelines controlled by a very small number of oligarchs, making life quite difficult for ordinary people. The outflow of young Ukrainian women explains a lot."

Martin nodded and said, "Our previous approach was flawed. The setting of the male protagonist as an entertainment star is too detached from the audience. Listen to my current idea - an ordinary person, but not too low in social status, ideally possessed of certain knowledge and insight, who slowly rises from the ordinary class and then competes in the high-end political arena."

Upon hearing this, Marius understood immediately, "A small figure climbing upwards, changing not only his own fate but also that of the country, giving the audience a greater sense of immersion and anticipation?"

"Exactly," Martin said. "It starts with an average, somewhat pathetic middle-aged man, tormented by family and life to the point of anxiety, yet able to represent the interests of ordinary people, and then against all odds becomes president."

Since arriving at the dream's lighthouse, Alexandrovich's thinking had become especially active, saying, "I have thought of a profession, a simple teacher, and specifically, a history teacher."

Martin thought for a moment, "The setting of a history teacher is good, understands history, more likely to criticize the times."

Inspired by Martin's earlier words, Alexandrovich's creativity was now flowing like a spring, "He's honest and full of courage, and once he gains a certain fame, the oligarchs who rule the country try to buy him, but he does not shrink from danger, deciding to become the spokesperson for the people, to truly change the country!"

Marius said, "The absurd corruption of oligarchic politics and social turmoil can provide us with ample material and attract the attention of Ukrainians!"

Alexandrovich added, "Ukrainians are filled with fear for their country, but within that fear lies hope. The people of Ukraine have been waiting for the change they're fighting for, waiting for a wise leader to bring them up to be the nation of their dreams."

Martin could imagine that this show had a great chance of success, "If this show can show Ukrainians another world, one where they can laugh to their heart's content, it is bound to be a huge success."
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His eyes swept over everyone, "The three of you, I have full confidence in you, you are Ukraine's finest."

A key question arose from Alexandrovich, "Can we shoot and broadcast it?"

Martin said, "I guarantee it. All profits from 'Napoleon's Aphrodite' will be invested in the production of this series, at the very least it can be broadcast on North American video websites, but for Ukraine, you'll need to figure it out on your own."

Marius said, "As long as it's played in North America, getting it on Ukrainian television channels shouldn't be a problem."

"Write the script according to this approach," Martin told Orlina, then stepped out to take a phone call.

Orlina looked at Martin's departing figure, "He's a generous and charismatic man!"

After Martin came back, the four discussed and decided that the show would be called 'Servant of the People.'