[Chapter 291: Another Oscar-Bait Project]
"I've become even more beautiful."
In front of the bathroom mirror, Monica caressed her cheek, her gaze dreamy and soft. The reflection showed skin that was taut and radiant, glowing with a healthy flush. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes had nearly vanished.
She turned around and looked at Daniel, who was leaning against the headboard, and said with a half-joking smile, "It seems I really have uncovered a treasure trove. Not only does it make me happy; it makes me younger. Daniel, even if you gave me nothing else, I'd be willing to keep going like this."
Daniel smiled but didn't answer, simply reaching out to pull her into a warm embrace.
Still, he had never been one to feel indebted to anyone -- especially not a woman.
Leaving the hotel and returning to his villa, Daniel entered the study and sat down in his chair.
"Chris."
The phone screen shimmered, a swirl of pink smoke coalescing as Chris materialized on the desk. She was still wearing that sexy secretary outfit, holding a virtual clipboard in her hand.
"Master, you're back."
Daniel nodded. "Help me look up a project called Little Children."
Chris didn't respond immediately. She perched on the edge of the desk, swinging her long legs, her tone dripping with obvious jealousy.
"Master, is that old woman really that good? These past few days, you've been running to that hotel every day, barely coming home. Could it be... I'm not as good as her?"
She thrust out her chest, her flawless curves on full display.
As a succubus, her appearance and figure were generated from humanity's deepest desires. Theoretically, she was perfect.
Daniel looked at her seriously.
"In terms of looks and figure, you definitely have the edge," he admitted. "It's hard for ordinary humans to ever measure up to someone like you."
Chris's eyes lit up. "Then why do you... How old is she anyway? Her skin is loose, she has wrinkles..."
"You have the nerve to call someone else old?" Daniel shot back, half-smiling. "How many years have you existed? A few hundred?"
Chris's expression froze, and she quickly fell silent.
Age was a taboo topic for women, and apparently, succubi were no exception.
"Alright," Daniel said. "Men... always crave novelty."
What he actually wanted to say was, in terms of excitement, Monica surpassed her by miles. But there was no need to say that aloud. Chris would only get hurt.
"That reason's somewhat acceptable," Chris grumbled, pouting in dissatisfaction.
She snorted, turned away, and began operating the virtual screen, dropping the subject.
A few minutes later, Chris returned to her professional demeanor.
"Found it, Master."
She projected a document into midair.
"Little Children, adapted from the novel of the same name. The novel was published in 2004. New Line Cinema bought the rights shortly after. The project is currently in the preparation stage. The director is Todd Field. The budget isn't high -- just $26 million."
Daniel scanned the information on the screen, his fingers tapping lightly on the desk.
He quickly ran through the Oscar race for the following year in his mind.
The 79th Academy Awards were shaping up to have a fierce Best Actress competition.
Helen Mirren in The Queen was the clear favorite. Playing the British monarch, combining political correctness with brilliant acting, she was all but untouchable.
But Monica was Italian; she couldn't play the British queen.
Notes on a Scandal was a showcase for two veteran actresses. Monica was too glamorous for that kind of repressed, twisted role.
Volver, starring Penelope Cruz, was a Spanish-language film.
In Hollywood, foreign-language movies were inherently at a disadvantage -- the PR hurdles were too great.
As for The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep had already secured a nomination, but that was Anne Hathaway's territory, and the film was already finished.
All things considered, this Little Children was the most suitable.
In the original timeline, Kate Winslet was nominated for this film.
Although she didn't win, it was due to limited PR and running into Helen Mirren's unstoppable buzz.
But with Chris handling their publicity... As long as they secured a nomination, who took home the statuette was anyone's guess.
"This film is a typical awards-bait project," Chris analyzed. "New Line isn't aiming for a big commercial hit. What they want is critical acclaim and the home video revenue that awards generate."
Daniel nodded. "Contact New Line. Tell them I'm willing to invest $20 million as co-production funding."
Chris made a note. "Do we want the rights?"
"No rights," Daniel said firmly. "Just profit participation. I want a share of the North American and global box office, plus a cut from the streaming rights and DVD sales. We need to negotiate a higher percentage on those parts."
For an arthouse film like this, the box office might barely break even. But once it snagged an Oscar -- even just a nomination -- the offline video rentals and sales would bring in a huge sum. Add TV broadcast rights, and it would turn a profit no matter how you calculated it.
Besides, this money wasn't just an investment -- it was Monica's 'salary.'
"Understood." Chris closed the virtual folder, a glint of red flashing in her eyes. "I'll make them an offer they can't refuse. Also... do you want me to start preparing next year's judges list now?"
Daniel smiled. "No need to rush. Secure the role first. Once we're in production, everything else will fall into place."
...
Two days later, Burbank.
The atmosphere in the New Line Cinema conference room was delicate.
Daniel sat at one end of the long table. Across from him were New Line's president, Toby Emmerich, and two producers.
On the table lay a freshly printed letter of intent.
"Mr. Cross, we're very grateful that you, a successful and well-known producer, value the Little Children project so highly."
Toby tapped his fingers on the table, his expression somewhat troubled.
"The $20 million injection is tempting -- it covers nearly the entire production cost. However, regarding the female lead... Director Todd is very set on Kate Winslet. And Monica Bellucci... her image is too glamorous, too exotic. This is, after all, a story set in typical American suburbia."
Daniel leaned back in his chair, calm and collected.
"Toby, Kate is indeed fantastic. But don't you think an alluring outsider, a 'fish out of water,' would create more tension in this story about repressed suburbia? Toby, awards-bait films are a gamble, and nine out of ten fail. Now, I'm willing to shoulder the $20 million risk. You understand better than I do what that means."
A smile immediately broke across Toby's face.
"Yes, that's a genius idea. The female lead belongs to Ms. Bellucci."
Daniel asked, "What about Kate?"
Toby hurriedly replied, "Don't worry, we'll handle it."
Watching Daniel's retreating back, Toby sighed. "Monica Bellucci really does have good luck, hooking up with this young producer."
The assistant said, "I've heard this Daniel Cross has countless women around him, all extremely beautiful."
Toby smiled. "When you can casually throw $20 million just to get a role for a woman by your side, you can too."
The assistant fell immediately silent.
Forget $20 million -- he wouldn't even part with $20,000.
*****
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