America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

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The Los Angeles Country Club, one of the most famous clubs in California, has hosted the Pan-American Open on its golf course.

Cody Horn drove an electric cart, pulling her father Ellen Horn and producer Paul Haggis, to the beginner's hitting area.

She entered the privately reserved VIP section, where Martin Davis was awkwardly swinging a golf club. Although his stance was unorthodox and the ball flew erratically, his handsome appearance and good physique made him look appealing from any angle.

Thomas approached to lead the group into the VIP area.

Martin hit the ball once again, and as he turned to see people walking toward him, he put down his club and went over to greet, shaking hands with Ellen Horn first, "Thomas told me you're quite a golfer, Ellen. I'll need your help to guide this newbie today."

Ellen smiled, "Of course, I'll make sure you get out of the rookie phase and become an amateur expert in no time."

Martin then shook hands with Paul Haggis, "Crash is a masterpiece. I hope we'll have a chance to work together."

Paul Haggis responded, "I'm hoping that opportunity could come today."

Martin looked at the only lady present, "Hi, Cody, we meet again."

Cody picked up a golf club nearby, "Do you want me to show you how to play golf?"

Martin replied, "I'm in need of a teacher."

Though they spoke such words, the real reason the group was there was not for golfing.

After a brief talk about golf, Ellen Horn quickly shifted the conversation to movie projects.

He said to Martin, "I hear you haven't decided on your next project and role yet?"

Martin knew his purpose, responding, "I have a few prospects, but nothing's been finalized."

As a Warner Bros. executive, Ellen naturally held a psychological advantage when dealing with movie stars, "In that case, we have a project at Warner that I think you'd be perfect for the lead role. Come over and continue working with us."

Thomas chimed in at the right moment, "May I ask for details about the project?"

Ellen looked toward Paul Haggis, who took out a script and handed it to Martin, "Take a look at this first."

Martin accepted it; the script cover bore only a code name T, with no specific title.

Ellen, patient as ever, appeared nonchalant, but was actually thinking about "Endless" breaking the $200 million mark at the box office not only in North America but worldwide.

Martin had proven his marketability with consecutive successes starting with "The Hills Have Eyes," and by "Endless," he had even demonstrated the ability to carry a film's box office on his own.

The "Terminator series" was a rights deal heavily facilitated by Ellen Horn. After Warner Bros. spent a significant sum to buy the production rights for the sequels, they needed to produce a new movie to recoup the investment.

Disregarding the third installment distributed by Warner Bros., the earnings from the previous two had nothing to do with Warner.

Although "Terminator 3" wasn't very successful, it still made a profit. Ellen Horn specifically brought in Paul Haggis to handle the script and production, aiming to push the series back to the peak of its second installment.

The reason Ellen had taken the initiative to approach Martin wasn't just because of Martin's strong box office pull, but also because Martin could attract investment!

To reignite the "Terminator series," substantial investment was imperative. Carolco Pictures had previously splashed an unprecedented $100+ million to create the glory of "Terminator 2."

Ellen had done preliminary planning; this installment would surely exceed $250 million including marketing, possibly reaching $300 million.

It wasn't feasible for Warner to shoulder that alone—the risk was too great.

Martin flipped through the script and after a few pages, was completely certain it was a "Terminator."

He recalled carefully; this should be "Terminator 2018," a difficult-to-watch sequel.

Martin didn't remember the exact box office, but he knew it must not have been very successful, as it was soon followed by a reboot, then another restart...

"Terminator" was stuck in an endless cycle of reboots.

Any modestly successful film, like the third installment, certainly wouldn't have been rebooted.

In a previous life, someone in the group had mentioned that, without James Cameron, "Terminator" simply wasn't "Terminator"—it was all a bunch of nonsense.

James Cameron said in an interview that the "Terminator" story concluded with the second movie.

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If sequels in Hollywood are typically diminishing returns, then the "Terminator series," starting from the third movie, surely exemplified this.

Martin read dozens of pages and then asked, "The new 'Terminator' installment?"

Paul Haggis answered, "Exactly, Ellen and I are preparing to launch a new one, set after Judgment Day."

Considering Martin's ability to bring in funding, Ellen stated, "The production cost is estimated at around $180 million, a top-tier commercial endeavor. You would play the well-known John Connor."

He offered what seemed like a reward, "You can bring in investment, and have treatment similar to that for 'Wanted Order,' serving as one of the producers."

Martin looked at Paul Haggis, then at Ellen Horn, the boss at one of Hollywood's big six studios subordinate to Warner Bros. Even if he wanted to decline, it was best to be tactful.

He said, "Ellen, give me some time to think about it. Such a big project isn't a small matter."

"Of course," Ellen Horn thought about it and added, "Just give me a definite answer before the Oscar ceremony."

Martin replied, "No problem."

Seeing the pleasant exchange between the two, Thomas asked, "Paul, are you directing?"

Paul Haggis shook his head, "I'm the screenwriter and producer. The director will be someone more suited for science fiction."

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Next to him, Cody Horn said to Martin, "I'll teach you how to play golf."

Martin exchanged pleasantries with Ellen, picked up a club, and followed Cody to the practice field where, following Cody's instructions, he played golf quite harmoniously.

After not too long, Ellen and Paul Haggis said their goodbyes and left.

Cody specifically exchanged contact information with Martin.

Soon after, Martin and Thomas also left the country club.

Once inside the Escalade Bruce had brought, Martin handed the script to Thomas and said, "Think of a suitable reason and excuse to turn down Ellen Horn's invitation."

Thomas looked a bit surprised but not too shocked, "You don't like this series?"

Martin made up an excuse, "I'm not interested in playing a savior."

Thomas didn't ask further, which was one of his strong points. If Martin declined, he wouldn't persistently persuade him.

Besides, judging from the current situation, Martin had a good eye for choosing films and didn't need Thomas's random opinions.

What Thomas considered more was how to politely refuse Ellen Horn, who, after all, was the mainstay of Warner Bros. Rejecting a direct invitation might offend her.

Martin left the hardest part to Thomas and stopped considering it, took out his phone, and called Chad Stahelski to ask about the progress of his project.

Chad said directly, "The design of the gunfight scenes is almost done, and next up is linking the drama scenes. I've got Bradt involved."

Having worked with Martin on "Wanted Order" and "Limitless" previously, Martin knew Bradt's capabilities and had confidence in him. He said, "I'll have Jessica call him."

Chad added, "For the close combat scenes, I need a more professional fight choreographer."

"I'll find someone," Martin considered for a moment before asking Thomas, "Do you know Yuan Heping?"

Thomas nodded, "The fight choreographer for 'The Matrix' series."

Martin said, "Try to contact him and send him an invitation."

Thomas knew some details, "He might not accept because Hollywood hasn't been very friendly to him and his team."

Martin had roughly heard from Chad that many fight choreographers secretly recorded Yuan Heping's team's movements and used technology to analyze them frame by frame.

He said, "Give it a try; if it doesn't work, we'll find someone else."

Thomas took note of this and then went back to the previous topic, "Although 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' isn't led by Ellen Horn, it's also a Warner project. If we can cooperate with David Fincher's crew, maybe we can turn down Ellen's invitation due to scheduling conflicts."

Martin replied, "That could work, try to be as diplomatic as possible."

With this significant burden on Thomas's shoulders, he seemed to think more, sunshine through the car window shining on him, making his forehead glisten.

Martin had just returned to Burbank when Louise called to invite him for lunch.

After resting for a short while, Martin went to Smoky House near Warner Bros. Studios.

Louise had arrived a bit earlier and was waiting for him in the booth.

The waiter brought over the menu.

Martin noticed that it was Mia from the studio's snack bar.

"How did you end up here?" Martin asked.

Mia spoke in a low voice, "One part-time job doesn't pay enough, so I found another." As she spoke, her eyes glanced towards Sebastian playing the piano on stage, "Also to be able to listen to his music often."

After Martin finished ordering, he said, "I wish you all the best."

"Thank you," Mia replied politely and left.

Louise also knew Mia and mentioned, "There are probably hundreds of thousands of girls like her in Los Angeles."

Martin remarked, "With more and more second-generation celebrities in the industry, it's getting very hard for ordinary actors to make it."

"Ability, opportunity, courage, determination…" Louise said, "Your path to success is hard to replicate."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I've mainly been lucky, knowing you," Martin said. "You mentioned you had something to discuss?"

Louise spoke up, "There's something I want to ask your opinion on." She felt that Martin had a unique eye for selecting movies, "Yesterday, Ellen Horn of Warner Bros. reached out to me, asking if I was interested in investing in a big project, the fourth installment of the 'Terminator series'."

Martin couldn't help but laugh, "Coincidentally, she approached me this morning, inviting me to play the lead role of John Connor. She even promised that if I joined the cast, she would offer me an opportunity to bring in capital."

"With a production budget that could reach 180 million US dollars, if it's a success…" Louise caught on, "You turned down Ellen Horn?"

"I asked Thomas to find a way to tactfully decline the invitation," Martin explained.

Louise understood, "So you're not optimistic about this sequel?"

Quickly finding a reason, Martin said, "Is it still 'Terminator' without James Cameron?"

Louise nodded, "I'm also worried it might turn into the next 'Alexander the Great'. I was initially thinking about the fame and pull of the 'Terminator' series..."

Martin mentioned, "Aren't you preparing to invest in the 'New Batman' sequel? Can you still invest in other projects?"

Remembering everything that had happened in the past three years, Louise said, "Forget it, I won't consider such complicated matters. I'll just turn down the invitation."