King of Hollywood-Chapter 929 - 334: The Second Trailer

Chapter 929: Chapter 334: The Second Trailer
"I completely understand your thoughts," said Adrian with a smile, looking at the two people in front of his desk. They occasionally exchanged glances, but quickly looked away, their expressions slightly unnatural. "I am very willing to express my support, but the problem is I am a member of both associations, which puts me in a difficult position."
"So we hope you can stand with us," the middle-aged man with a little mustache, who appeared to be over forty-five, immediately spoke up. "We all know you are the most outstanding screenwriter in Hollywood. We also know your first job was as a screenwriter, so we believe you should support us. If you support us, this upheaval will subside quickly."
"In fact, what Mr. Cowell is most renowned for is being a producer. He has produced countless classics that have left a mark in film history," said the man next to him, who appeared slightly older and was bald on a large part of his head, taking over the topic immediately. Initially, he addressed the middle-aged man, then turned to Adrian. "Moreover, you are also the chairman of AC Media, so of course, you should support us. With your support, this storm will calm much faster."
After this statement was made, the expression of the first middle-aged man changed slightly. The implication was simple and did match Adrian’s identity, as a billionaire who has produced countless films, he was naturally inclined toward the producers. Nevertheless, he still didn’t give up, wanting to give it another shot. Although the previous statement was somewhat exaggerated, if Adrian chose to support them, their side would undoubtedly fall into a significant disadvantage.
However, before the first man could speak again, Adrian had already raised his hand: "Alright, Scott, Griffin, gentlemen, please listen to me, okay?"
He smiled calmly, seemingly confident in resolving this dilemma: "Without a doubt, I am a registered member of the Screenwriters’ Guild and in the early days, the guild did help me considerably. At the same time, I am also a part of the AMPTP, which has also provided substantial conveniences in many films I have produced. So facing this conflicting situation, I can only declare that until the negotiation concludes, I will no longer be responsible for any work related to scripts, not even giving opinions; likewise, until the negotiation ends, I will not inquire about any matters related to production and I assure you that Universal will only re-sign with the writers after the dust settles."
Hearing such a promise, the two lobbyists from the Screenwriters’ Guild and AMPTP couldn’t help but be taken aback, and their expressions turned unfavorable. They came here hoping to secure the support of one of the most powerful people in Hollywood to stand on their side and win this war, only to hear such a fence-sitting statement, which certainly did not please them.
However, they quickly recovered after an instant, partly because they were mentally prepared. A big figure like Adrian would not easily make promises—even if he had to face public scrutiny. They each found aspects of his statement that were advantageous to them, which was another reason.
For the Screenwriters’ Guild, the fact that the Miracle Director, who started his legend with screenwriting, promised not to do any work related to scripts before negotiations ended is a form of support. Isn’t the writers’ current action a strike? Aren’t they doing nothing? Similarly, for the AMPTP, although Adrian not producing films is of no help to them, the promise that Universal will re-sign with writers only after the dust settles means that Universal Pictures will stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Even though AC Media owns more than one film company, having the most profitable company in Hollywood in recent years on their side is enough.
At the same time, this doesn’t harm Adrian’s image in the slightest. This move virtually removes him from being forced into a dilemma, allowing him to maintain a neutral stance. In other words, he clearly indicated that given his identity, both the writers and producers should be supported, but due to the sensitivity of his status, it’s inappropriate to support either side openly.
If this seems too much like opportunism, then consider this: Adrian told the writers he wouldn’t support the producers and vice versa, so... you can compete boldly.
To straddle the fence to this level, indeed proves he is one of the most powerful figures in Hollywood. Although many factors contributed to Adrian’s achievements today, it cannot be denied that his own abilities played a significant role.
Since the matter was laid bare, neither the Screenwriters’ Guild nor the AMPTP said anything further and quickly took their leave. In any case, at least half of the goal was achieved, at least... this highly influential tycoon guaranteed his neutrality.
After they left, Adrian also took a long breath. Well, he admitted, though he had anticipated the writers’ strike to some extent since it had "previously" happened, he never expected it to come to this, demonstrating the pros and cons. Although having a foot in the limelight brought him much honor, making it easier to operate certain things, like leveraging his tremendous popularity to pressure the Film Academy, he also bore considerable obligations, like choosing sides now.
As he himself said, in the beginning, the Screenwriters’ Guild provided him many conveniences, not to mention preserving his scripts and even outlines, preventing plagiarism, was already a big help—although that’s their basic duty. If Adrian hadn’t joined the Screenwriters’ Guild back then, the current situation would be much easier, but without joining back then, he wouldn’t have received such services.
So in the eyes of ordinary people, since he enjoyed the benefits, he should fulfill some obligations, though for a big figure, not fulfilling this obligation might not be a big deal. However, thanklessness can be done but not discussed openly. Adrian, after all, is a public figure, which means some things will be scrutinized under a magnifying glass, and once labeled with a certain term, other media groups would happily fan the flames.
The same is true when facing the AMPTP. In Hollywood, relatively speaking, the AMPTP is the most powerful among several organizations. Generally, labor disputes here are contests between various guilds—screenwriters, actors, directors—and the AMPTP. This place essentially concentrates all the powerful producers in Hollywood. So, as the lobbyist Griffin hinted, as the chairman of AC Media, which owns several good film companies, and as one of the most powerful tycoons in Hollywood, Adrian is naturally expected to side with the producers.
This either-or choice question is not so easy to make. No matter which side is chosen, it would lose significant points with the other side, thus affecting his image. Although the loss isn’t unbearable, who knows what the chain reactions could be? Fortunately, luck was somewhat on Adrian’s side, and even though the strike happened earlier than expected, it was only a year earlier. He had already accomplished what he wanted to do and achieve, conveniently making it ready for negotiation, hence the scene just now.
Although the strike started in late November 2006, at most, it would last until mid-February. Neither the Film Academy nor the whole of Hollywood would allow the strike to affect the Oscar ceremony—that’s why the Screenwriters’ Guild chose this time to strike. So not interfering with script matters for a month and a half isn’t a big deal, and film production is less likely to touch, even if he had a film planned to produce this year. Of course, because this wasn’t sufficient, he included Universal Pictures in his negotiation.
In short, the chips in hand were enough to allow him to remain neutral, while using a strategy of implied support to settle the guild and the alliance, thus, Adrian deftly unraveled the either-or problem without danger.
"Life is like chocolate, you never know what the next one will taste like." Adrian murmured this in front of his desk, and after a few more minutes, he exhaled a long breath as if completely relaxing.
He pushed away his high-backed chair, and immediately, a rustling sound came from under the desk. Indeed, he was playing the game he often played in the office again, but this time it wasn’t Charlize or Ivanka down there, nor had it been Kate or Nicole in the past, but—Natalie.
With corners of her lips marked, a slightly smeared face, and stars and specks in her hair, Natalie came out, coughing lightly a few times, yet her expression remained exceptionally calm with a hint of cold elegance, seemingly accustomed, though her eyes were slightly hollow. However, this did not stop Adrian from pressing her head down again and beginning to move, and Natalie cooperatively rubbed against him with her face, neck, and other parts.
After a moment, Adrian finally let her go, then watched her kneel on the ground to clean both him and herself before pinching her chin again: "Always with that expression, can’t you change it?"
"This way, I can please you to the greatest extent," Natalie, who was kneeling upright in front of him, said in an unusually calm tone. "Keeping this cold expression more arouses your desire to conquer, making you more joyful in toying with me, thus gaining more joy and satisfaction from it."
After pausing for a moment, she added, "Of course, if you’re tired of it, I can change. I can show whatever expression you want."
Saying this, Natalie rubbed her face with her hand, then quickly displayed a foolish smile, as if... completely broken. If something were added behind, it would resemble Anne.
"Very good, use this expression in private from now on," Adrian raised an eyebrow first, then nodded.
Natalie obediently stood up, still with that silly smile on her face. As she prepared to leave after getting everything ready, Adrian called her again: "By the way, how about going for a stroll with Anne next time?"
"Everything of mine, inside and out, belongs to you. Your will is my will," Natalie answered, matching the current expression... quite well.
"Good, then you won’t need the item on your neck, take it off and leave it here," Adrian added.
Without the slightest hesitation, she took off the item from her neck, placed it on the desk, and left the office after getting permission. Adrian’s gaze lingered on that item for a long time; it was a black collar, more than half a thumb wide, with a small sun-shaped decoration on one end, with a smiling face engraved in the middle.
Reshaping a person’s character is not difficult, especially once they’ve been utterly broken. Of course, the newly reshaped personality will be extraordinarily obedient—more obedient than the little pet Britney. Even if Adrian wanted her to walk naked up and down the Walk of Fame, Natalie would do so without hesitation.
The advantage is you can enjoy her fully, no matter where or what the requirement, Natalie can satisfy him, and her shelf in the collection room filled up quickly.
However, what’s most interesting is when double-playing with Natalie and Keira after that night, Keira, after being handled by Adrian, returned to her usual self but would instantly have red eyes whenever Natalie appeared before her. It makes sense; she always regarded Natalie as her best friend, one of the few people she could talk to in the entire circle, but she betrayed herself so blatantly! With Keira’s twisted character, how could she tolerate such a thing?
What’s more, Adrian redirected all her hatred onto Natalie, so it’s no surprise that whenever Natalie appears, she would show an expression of extreme hatred and disgust, without any concealment. So, when Keira and Natalie face off in bed, it becomes exceptionally intense. Unless one is exhausted, neither will stop—Adrian being exhausted is almost impossible.
Of course, Keira herself did not want to compete with Natalie on the same bed, but after that night, she became increasingly unable to refuse Adrian’s requests. Anyway, her character is basically shaped by him, even if it had an originally twisted side, the weaknesses in her character are firmly grasped by him, and under his teasing over the years, erupted amidst Natalie’s provocation, with all negative emotions concentrating on her, making it impossible to resist him.
It can be said that Adrian used Natalie, leveraging her ambition, to control both her and Keira entirely.
It’s very marvelous. To be honest, Adrian had played with many sister pairs: the Simpson Sisters, the Duff Sisters, the Hilton Sisters, the Hearst Sisters, the Danischet Sisters, and the Olsen twins and recently the Nordgreen twins, each with its own uniqueness. But what he savored most was this pair of not-sister sisters.
When two extremely similar yet unrelated faces alternate service beneath him, filled with mutual anger, each wanting to overwhelm the other, that isn’t something other sisters can provide. Natalie, too, is filled with disgust and hatred for Keira. This might sound strange; how could she have the right to loathe and resent Keira?
But that’s the truth; when someone cannot or does not wish to bear the responsibility for their colossal mistake and does not wish to collapse entirely, they will shift all blame onto others. Yes, it’s this state of "it’s not my fault, it’s hers, it’s the world’s", a psychological protection mechanism for humans, or rather a psychological protection mechanism for the selfish. That’s the biggest difference between Adrian and Natalie; with cheats in hand, he clearly defined his goal from the beginning and moved forward steadfastly, impeded by none.
Of course, Adrian admits that he gave Natalie a little push during her transformation, as he sculpted her character, however, without a foundation, there wouldn’t be a mansion, no?
So when Natalie faces Keira in bed, she is equally intense, which explains why this war never ends until one collapses from exhaustion. It’s precisely for this reason that when the Four Darlings of Hawaii went into battle together, Scarlett evaded a calamity, as out of the four girls, three follow his command, if not for the intricate entanglement between Natalie and Keira, she would face attacks from three people simultaneously.
Alright, let’s not mention these anymore. This is the end. After being lost in thought for a long time, Adrian eventually grabbed the collar Natalie left on the desk when she left, looked once more at the smiley-faced sun decoration, and placed it into the drawer. Well, an occasional reminiscence is fine; after all... getting her a bell to hang around her neck might be nice.
As expected, after Adrian officially declared absolute neutrality through a spokesperson, both the Screenwriters’ Guild and AMPTP did not bother him anymore, despite the considerable discussion stirred by his statement. Some criticized him for evading, but others praised this as a wise move. However, there wasn’t much impact on the overall situation, so it was quickly extinguished by him.
Then, on February 12th, the day before Valentine’s Day, both sides finally reached an agreement, marking the end of this strike storm. Many people breathed a sigh of relief. Before this, many awards ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, were canceled due to the strike—either to show support or simply being unlucky and got affected—if it didn’t get resolved quickly, the world’s most-watched awards ceremony would be in jeopardy.
AC Media wasn’t much affected by this turmoil, although Universal Pictures was the last to sign with the writers, because due to Adrian, the welfare offered by its subsidiary film companies to writers had always been good, so many writers who still had contracts could only wait for negotiations to end. Moreover, Adrian had made preparations long ago, having writers, especially for TV shows, complete a few more episodes. Even though this was for a strike that was supposed to happen next year, and they were caught off guard because of the early occurrence, some losses were still recovered.
With the calmness of the strike waves, the public’s attention started to shift elsewhere, like this year’s Oscar nomination list, or some gossip and scandals.
Then, at this time, Marvel and Universal released a second trailer for "Iron Man", set to premiere this summer, which was entirely different from the first trailer! (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets, your support is my greatest motivation.)