[Chapter 297: Three Projects]
If anyone else had said this, it would have sounded like just a compliment.
But it was Daniel who said it.
The same Daniel who had turned a homeless Superman into a box office disaster and propelled an arthouse actress all the way to the Oscar stage.
"Great!" Isaac Perlmutter pumped his fist in excitement, his usually stern face creased with a wide grin. "I knew it! I knew this gamble was right!"
Daniel strode toward the exit.
As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and looked back at Jon Favreau. "Jon."
"Yes! Boss!" Jon Favreau immediately snapped to attention.
"Add a post-credits scene."
Daniel said calmly. "Have the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. make an appearance. The line is just one sentence: 'Do you think you're the only hero in the world?'"
Jon Favreau blinked, stunned. "S.H.I.E.L.D.? That's..."
Avi Arad's eyes widened instantly as he gasped, "Is that to set up the future Avengers?"
Daniel smiled but didn't explain further. He pushed the door open and left behind three Hollywood veterans, whose scalps tingled with shock from the enormity of his vision.
...
It was a scorching July in Los Angeles.
By the pool at Daniel's villa, sheltered under a parasol, Amanda sported a bikini, waving a check in her hand, grinning ear to ear.
"Daniel, look." She handed him the check. "This is the first dividend from Cars. I only did a few hours of voice acting, and I already made more than I would filming a teen movie. Pixar's merchandise is flying off the shelves."
Nearby, Jessica Alba was applying sunscreen to her legs.
"Me too." Jessica removed her sunglasses, her eyes shining. "My agent said car brands have lined up endorsements for me until next year. They say my voice is sexy and perfect for Porsche."
Cars had been released in early June.
Though critics were divided, both the box office and merchandise sales were staggering.
As the voices of the two main female characters, Amanda and Jessica reaped huge rewards.
Without having to show their faces or endure long filming nights, they'd gained global recognition just through their voices.
Daniel took a sip of ice water. "If it's easy money, just take it."
Buzz buzz.
The phone on the table vibrated several times.
Succubus Chris leaned halfway out of the phone -- of course, only Daniel could see her.
"Master, here are the itinerary reports for the ladies."
Chris reported, "Scarlett's at New York's Central Park, filming that famous song and dance scene for Enchanted. She sent a message saying the dress is so heavy she almost twisted her ankle. She wants you to go... 'comfort' her tonight."
Daniel: "Tell her to tough it out."
Chris giggled. "Megan is at White Sands Missile Range. Michael Bay's an explosion maniac; Megan said she rolled around in the sand for eight hours today. But she's thrilled.
Things are quieter on Monica's side. The Little Children crew is filming behind closed doors. She's very dedicated, saying she wants to give everything for this role because of that promise."
Daniel nodded. Everyone was on track, which was good.
Just then, the courtyard gate opened.
A van rolled in.
Rachel McAdams stepped out, carrying a script bag, looking a little tired but her eyes sharp.
As the newly crowned Oscar Best Actress, her aura now held an unmistakable strength.
She walked to the poolside, kicked off her high heels, and sat on the lounge chair next to Daniel.
"I'm exhausted." Rachel rubbed her temples. "Is this the price of fame? Every day it's either reading scripts or meeting producers. And those scripts... they're all trash."
She casually tossed the script bag on the ground and turned to Daniel, eyes burning with intensity.
"Daniel, I turned down three romantic comedies and two thrillers."
Rachel leaned forward, resting her hand on Daniel's knee. "I don't want to repeat myself or act in bad movies. Do you have anything like Walk the Line?"
Hearing this, Amanda and Jessica immediately stopped what they were doing and looked up in unison.
Voice acting was lucrative, but an actor's foundation was in live-action films.
Especially after seeing Rachel win Best Actress, their ambition could no longer be contained.
"Yeah, Daniel." Amanda swam over, leaning on the pool's edge, gazing up. "After V for Vendetta, all the offers I get are action movies. I want to play something with depth... or a big production like Hancock."
Jessica leaned in too. "Same here. Fantastic Four was a hit, but everyone says I'm just eye candy. Keep an eye out for me too. Even if the pay's lower, that's fine."
Three women, three pairs of eager eyes fixed on Daniel.
One, an Oscar Best Actress winner; and the other two, popular starlets. At this moment, they were like young birds waiting to be fed.
Daniel set down his glass, his gaze sweeping over their faces.
"Of course there are projects." His tone was flat. "But the requirements for the projects I have are very high."
"I'm not afraid of high standards!" Rachel declared immediately. "As long as the script is good."
"Me neither!" Amanda and Jessica said in unison.
Daniel tapped the armrest lightly, mentally running through his list of upcoming films.
Since Iron Man had already started production, the Marvel Universe rollout had to accelerate.
Beyond Marvel, there were plenty of potential box office bombs to detonate early.
"Rachel." Daniel looked at the Best Actress. "Do you know Sherlock Holmes?"
Rachel blinked. "Conan Doyle's novels?"
"Guy Ritchie is preparing to reboot that IP as a major action blockbuster." Daniel said calmly, "The female lead, Irene Adler, is smart, dangerous, and charming. It suits you perfectly right now."
Rachel's eyes lit with excitement. "An action version of Sherlock Holmes? That sounds amazing."
"Amanda." Daniel turned to the woman in the water. "Universal Pictures is planning a musical film -- Mamma Mia! It's adapted from the Broadway musical. They want someone who can sing and dance well, and who's pure and cute."
Amanda nearly jumped out of the pool. "A musical? That's my specialty!"
"As for Jessica..." Daniel met Jessica's hopeful gaze and paused to think. "There's a low-budget thriller-action movie called Taken. Although it's male-centered, the daughter's role is crucial.
And this movie will be a hit."
Actually, the original daughter wasn't that standout, but if Jessica took the role, with Daniel's guidance, it could be expanded into a father-daughter team-up.
Especially with Jessica's figure and looks, even as eye candy, she'd make the film unforgettable.
Though Jessica hesitated at the 'daughter' role, the phrase 'will be a hit' convinced her instantly.
"I'll take it!"
Daniel stood and looked at the three excited women.
"Don't celebrate too soon. I've pointed out these opportunities, but whether you land them depends on your performance tonight."
Rachel smiled, charming and confident. She stood and took Daniel's arm.
"So, what are we waiting for? It's almost dark."
*****
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