Because of Nevada's relatively low production costs, most of Iron Man was filmed there, with only certain specific scenes shot in Los Angeles.
For example, there was a luxurious mansion in Malibu, Los Angeles, built on a seaside cliff — a property Gilbert had purchased several years earlier.
When Iron Man required a mansion to serve as Tony Stark's residence, Gilbert lent his own house to the production crew.
Except for the absence of the AI butler Jarvis, this mansion was practically a model of high-tech architecture.
At this moment, a scene was being filmed inside the mansion — the one where Tony Stark has just spent the night with a female reporter, and Pepper Potts comes in to collect his clothes.
Before heading back to Australia, Gilbert happened to be in Los Angeles, chatting with Kevin Feige and Cameron Diaz, and was present to watch this scene being shot.
"Gotta admit, that reporter's pretty hot," Gilbert commented, watching the barefoot actress run through the living room.
"Tsk, tsk," Cameron Diaz teased. "What? Feeling tempted?"
"Of course not. I'm just appreciating beauty," Gilbert replied, glancing back at Cameron Diaz. "Though honestly, she doesn't have your figure — especially not your chest. Yours has much more… presence."
"Eww," Cameron Diaz pretended to be disgusted, though she was secretly pleased.
Kevin Feige, standing beside them, stared at the floor and kept quiet, pretending not to hear anything.
Cameron Diaz waved to a nearby assistant. "Call Leslie over," she said. "Tell her Director Gilbert wants to see her."
The assistant quickly brought over Leslie Bibb — the actress playing the reporter.
Leslie Bibb looked surprised; she had no idea why Gilbert wanted to see her. But she was visibly thrilled and came running barefoot.
When she saw Gilbert, she eagerly greeted him, "Hello, Director Gilbert!"
Cameron Diaz leaned close to Gilbert's ear and whispered, "There, I brought her over. Want me to give you two some privacy?"
Gilbert raised an eyebrow. "Privacy? With all these people around?"
"It's fine," Cameron said. "It's your house anyway. We can all step out anytime."
Gilbert shrugged and said to Leslie Bibb encouragingly, "Kevin told me you've been doing a great job on set. Keep up the good work."
Leslie Bibb was thrilled, feeling as if she might soar to stardom. She promised excitedly, "Thank you! I'll work even harder!"
"Alright, off you go," Gilbert said, waving her away.
Cameron Diaz smirked. "From the look of it, if you wanted her right now, she'd be more than willing. Right, Kevin?"
Kevin Feige rubbed his ear. "Sorry, wind's kinda loud — didn't catch that."
Gilbert laughed. "Michelle, leave Kevin alone. As for that actress, I don't know if she's willing, but tomorrow's tabloid headlines would definitely be wild."
Cameron Diaz rolled her eyes. "At least you know when to stop."
The other actress in the scene was also getting ready. Compared to Leslie Bibb's revealing shirt and long legs, Kate Beckinsale — dressed in a black business suit, black stockings, and a pencil skirt — was even more alluring.
Her outfit exuded a unique, seductive charm that drew every eye in the room.
After all, she was one of Hollywood's top beauties. Whatever one said about her acting, in terms of looks, few actresses could compare to Kate Beckinsale.
So casting her as the "eye candy" in Iron Man was more than fitting — she was certainly a better choice than Gwyneth Paltrow.
Gilbert still remembered that when Paltrow didn't get the part after her audition, she was furious.
It was said that in private, she cursed Gilbert as a scumbag — forgetting all their past "sentimental ties" for choosing Kate over her.
Gilbert didn't react much when he heard that, but Naomi Watts, upon hearing it, was furious.
At a later event, when she ran into Paltrow, Naomi threw a few sarcastic remarks her way. If others hadn't intervened, the two women might've gotten into a full-blown fight right there.
Stories of women fighting over men are quite common in Hollywood — especially when the man is Gilbert.
There were even rumors that at a certain music awards ceremony, Avril Lavigne clawed the face of a female rapper who had insulted Gilbert.
It's worth mentioning that Avril Lavigne also performed the ending theme song for The Last of Us.
Since the film was a kind of road movie, it also featured a few country songs —specifically tracks by Taylor Swift.
Two iconic young singers, appearing together in one film — it was quite the unexpected crossover.
As for Gwyneth Paltrow, her relationship with Gilbert back then could only be described as "convenient."
Gilbert had gone so long without seeing a woman that even a pig might've started to look charming to him — let alone Paltrow.
The main reason he slept with her at all was to use her connections and secure his first directing opportunity.
Without Gwyneth Paltrow's relationship, Gilbert had no idea when he would have gotten his first directing opportunity.
And in return, Gilbert had already given her the female lead role, so he didn't owe her anything anymore.
Besides, it was Gwyneth Paltrow who wanted to "experience more" and had taken the initiative to dump Gilbert. Even if she hadn't done it, Gilbert was planning to break things off himself.
In any case, even if Gwyneth Paltrow regretted her choice, their story was already over. They were strangers now.
For Spielberg's sake, Gilbert had already done enough by giving her one or two opportunities—that alone showed his goodwill.
But this woman's princess complex had flared up, making her forget all bonds, and she insisted on treating Gilbert as a heartless man. There was nothing he could do about that.
Fortunately, Naomi Watts and Charlize Theron were both masters of the art of social intrigue. Gwyneth Paltrow was no match for them and couldn't get close enough to bother Gilbert.
On set, the artificial intelligence Jarvis was a pre-recorded voice segment. Leslie Bibb, who played the female reporter, wandered around in her shirt, and whenever she touched a button, the voice would play.
"Jon, how's it going?"
"Very well," Jon Favreau replied. "Everything's progressing smoothly. The actors are great."
Gilbert sat beside Jon Favreau, watching the monitor, and motioned for him to continue.
The scene went on. Kate Beckinsale, playing Pepper Potts, appeared. "That's Jarvis—he runs the whole house."
The reporter looked surprised. Pepper spoke rapidly: "I've brought your clothes. They've been dry-cleaned and pressed.
There's a car outside on standby—you can go anywhere you want."
The reporter walked over smugly. "Are you sure you're Miss Pepper Potts?"
"I am," Pepper replied firmly.
Watching through the monitor, Gilbert nodded with approval. "Leslie's smug expression is great."
"She doesn't usually perform this well," Jon Favreau said. "Maybe it's because you're here today."
The verbal sparring between the two women continued. The reporter sneered, "You've been with Tony all these years, and he still makes you do his laundry?"
Most women would have been furious to hear that, but Pepper had learned from her boss's sharp tongue. "I do everything Mr. Stark asks of me," she shot back. "Including occasionally cleaning up whatever trash he leaves behind at night.
Any other questions, miss?"
Gilbert announced that, in terms of dialogue, Pepper had won—but in terms of momentum, the reporter had the upper hand.
.....
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