America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The time came to mid-November, and amidst a barrage of publicity, "Gone Girl" premiered at the Hollywood Chief Stone Theater in North America.

In addition to the movie fans and members of the Cola Cult, a large number of Gillian Flynn's book fans had also arrived.

Although she had experienced the enthusiasm of book fans at many signing events, walking on the red carpet of the premiere and hearing so many people shouting her name still made Gillian Flynn so excited that she was trembling all over.

She had been a journalist and had observed similar occasions countless times, but observing was truly a world apart from being the main character up there.

Reaching the media area and faced with the cameras and microphones of reporters, Gillian was so excited she felt faint. She babbled, "I'm really so happy. I fantasized countless times about my work being adapted into a movie, but when this moment came to fruition, I found I simply couldn't control myself."

The reporters quickly asked questions to control the pace: "Who would you like to thank the most?"

"Martin, Martin Davis!" Gillian gave this answer without a moment's hesitation, and she calmed down a bit, at least returning to reality: "When this novel was still just an idea, I told Martin about it. We were neighbors at that time. He encouraged me to turn the idea into a novel, and with the initial drafts and adaptations, all of it was completed with Martin's help.

Without him, there would be no 'Gone Girl'."

A thunderous cheer erupted on the red carpet behind her, and Gillian turned her head, unsurprised to see Martin stepping onto the red carpet.

He was too popular. He didn't need to do much; just turning his head towards the crowd made the cheers pierce the sky.

Gillian didn't care about the interview anymore, watching Martin cross the red carpet, watching him sign autographs for the fans, and then watching him interact with the members of the Cola Cult.

She also grabbed a commemorative bottle of cola, and at the moment Martin raised his glass, she joined in shouting, "Forever Cola Cult!"

On the second floor of the theater, Jon Berg stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, looking at the throngs of people red along the carpet, listening to the roar like a tidal wave, and couldn't help shaking his head, saying to Daniel, "He signed a distribution contract with Disney?"

Even now, Daniel still felt that letting go of Martin and Davis Studio was a major regret. He said, "We couldn't meet the distribution terms he demanded, so negotiations fell through, and he switched distributors."

He said with regret, "The Cola Cult is an excellent consumer group."

Jon Berg said, "A loose group that can't even be counted as a commercial organization, if Martin Davis experiences just a couple of setbacks, they'll discard him without hesitation."

Daniel didn't respond.

Jon Berg continued, "We are Warner Bros., Hollywood's number one entertainment media group, and the world's number one too. Even if all the superstar actors refused to work with Warner, Warner would still be Warner."

Daniel asked, "How is the filming progress for 'Gods of Egypt'?"

"Ridley Scott is an efficient director. He's about to finish shooting and will be able to lead the crew back to Los Angeles this month," Jon Berg said, emphasizing, "This is a project we put together, so we have to push hard in distribution."

Daniel, reminded of the project they had snagged from Martin, felt confident, "I can't guarantee anything else, but opening in 4,000 theaters is absolutely no problem."

As the two spoke, the main creators of the film crew had gathered, took photos together, and entered the theater.

Upon entering the foyer, Martin saw Ellen Horn waiting there, with her daughter Cody Horn standing beside her.

It seemed like the latter was specifically waiting for him, coming over and saying, "The film's test screenings have explosive word of mouth, I wish you blockbuster sales."

Cody Horn stepped forward and said, "Martin, I've bought tickets to support every single one of your films."

Martin smiled and said, "Thank you for your support."

Ellen Horn knew very well that as long as Martin's films continued to succeed, once Disney Studios' "John Wick: Chapter 2" hit theaters, it would undoubtedly be a box office smash.

Suddenly, someone came down the stairs next to them, and Cody Horn gently tugged at Ellen Horn's sleeve.

Ellen Horn turned her head, just in time to see Jon Berg and Daniel descending from the second floor.

Martin also saw the two men. Daniel nodded in their direction and Martin nodded back.

Jon Berg quickly walked over and initiated a handshake with Ellen Horn, saying, "We haven't seen each other since the handover of work, and I didn't expect to meet you here today."

Ellen Horn smiled politely, "We both have busy jobs."

Jon Berg glanced at Martin, "It's Martin's film that has brought the two of us busy people together."

Former and current incumbents always have much to say. Jon Berg added, "Starting next year, Warner Bros. will release a number of big-budget films. You must grace us with your presence at the premieres."

Ellen Horn replied, "And you are welcome to attend Disney Studios' premieres."

Jon Berg said, "Let's agree on that."

With no more to say, Jon Berg glanced at Martin and headed straight for the entrance to the screening hall.

As he walked he whispered to Daniel, "One 'Terminator 2018,' lost so much money, and the Walt Disney Board of Directors must be out of their minds to dare hire him as president of Disney Studios."

Daniel, being more familiar with Ellen Horn, said, "He's very capable still. Warner wouldn't be where it is today without his contributions."

Jon Berg didn't like to hear this and couldn't be bothered to talk more with Daniel, so he walked straight into the screening hall.

Martin walked with Ellen Horn and her daughter.

Ellen Horn asked, "I heard that you and Louise signed an agreement with Graham King's GK Films to work on a new film?"

"Yes," Martin answered frankly. "The primary producer is GK Films, and my and Louise's company mainly participate in the investment."

The sides had already reached an agreement, with a production budget of 65 million US Dollars.

Ellen Horn said, "Let's find an opportunity to have a chat with Graham, this film is very suitable for Disney Studios distribution."

Martin directly said, "I plan to push this film for the Oscars, we'll need to invest a lot of resources during the award season."

Ellen Horn had confidence in both Martin and Louise, and with Graham also being a gold-medal producer in the industry, he said without hesitation, "None of these are a problem."

Entering the cinema, Martin bid farewell to the father-daughter duo and headed straight to the first row to take his seat.

Charlize Theron had already arrived, and her seat was right beside his.

Seeing Martin coming over, she whispered, "The film is about to premiere, and whether the method to break the curse works or not, we'll soon find out."

Martin asked, "What if it doesn't work?"

Charlize glanced down and said softly, "Cut it off. You'll have fewer troubles in the future and more time."

"Indeed, women who don't want to get married are scary," Martin said on purpose.

Charlize hit back, "Men who don't want to get married are all scumbags."

Martin was unfazed and said, "What if the method to break the curse does work?"

Charlize thought seriously for a moment and said, "That would mean you've saved my career, as a compensation..."

Martin reminded her, "I can go to your place anytime now, so that's not a compensation."

"I'm not a scoundrel." Charlize had already thought it through and said, "Whenever we are together, whatever you want me to do, or whichever part of me you want to use, just come at me."

Martin wasn't surprised, "You've completely stepped out of your confines."

Charlize said, "I wasted nine years, how much joy could I have enjoyed in those nine years? I want to take it back from you."

She leaned in closer, lowering her voice even more, "I've heard you often play threesomes with Jolie and Aniston, such fun things, I could join in as well."

Martin said, "The two of us would suffice."

It was then that Mene came over and took the seat on the other side of Martin, saying, "Boss, I kicked them all out."

The several key members of the crew were aware of Mene's situation, and Charlize, curious, asked, "You broke up with Isabel Huppert and Sophie Marceau?"

"Yes," Mene declared earnestly, "From now on, I'm going to devote myself wholeheartedly to Celine Dion; she's my true love."

Martin didn't believe a word because there was still Emma Thomas.

David Fincher, Gillian Flynn, and others began to arrive, and the theater that could accommodate thousands quickly filled up.

Many audience members still had the original novel of "Gone Girl" in their hands.

Reporters in the media section gradually entered the seats reserved for them, and before the screening started, there was a brief Q&A session with the media and fans.

All these together lasted only ten minutes.

Besides the red carpet, the focus of the premiere was naturally the screening itself.

After the ceiling lights went out, the theater quieted down quickly, and the screening of "Gone Girl" began.

This was a film that created a high level of engagement, divided into two parts.

The first half was the chapter of the husband, Nick Dunne, where a variable narrative approach tightly linked multiple events together.

The second half revolved around the wife, Amy, with climax after climax, and every frame was full of intrigue, constantly suffused with an asphyxiating tension, as Amy always walked the line between a goddess and a hysterical woman.

Amidst the tension, there was also plenty of fun.

Many in the audience started laughing from the scenes where Amy runs away from home.

For a film with such a serious subject matter of social and marital thriller, normally, it would be horrifying if the audience laughed, as it would indicate a serious problem with the film.

But this was not the case with "Gone Girl."
Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

When the audience saw the scenes of a bitch and a bastard, they felt a joy coming from deep within, and just couldn't help but laugh.

It was a joyful laughter, a laughter brought about by being infected by the film.

At the end of the film, when a couple who were at odds and even desired to stab each other were presented to the public and the media as a perfect family, many in the audience found it funny yet couldn't help but shudder.

The line "This is marriage" resonated with many people.

Marriage was not happy, but still, they chose to go on together.