Chapter 52: Premiere

Arthur originally thought Mike Medavoy might have sold Sleeping with the Enemy, but he only asked about the preparation progress.

The preparation for Sleeping with the Enemy was going smoothly. With Hugh Grant, Brad Pitt, and Meg Ryan, the anticipation for the movie was high!

Meanwhile, the promotion for Sleepless in Seattle had fully started, with TV stations, newspapers, publicity parties, and giant posters everywhere.

The focus of the movie promotion was, of course, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. As the first movie released by Sony after acquiring Columbia TriStar, it received significant attention.

Columbia TriStar had two main labels: Columbia Pictures and TriStar Pictures, and internationally, they were simply known as Columbia TriStar International.

Sleepless in Seattle and next year's Terminator 2: Judgment Day were both under the TriStar label. However, now both belonged to Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Arthur attended two test screenings for Sleepless in Seattle and then went with the crew to New York for the premiere a week early.

Arthur only played the unfortunate fiancé of the female lead in the film, with limited screen time. As a newcomer, no one interviewed him.

However, Arthur wasn't just there for the premiere. He specifically found director Nora Ephron backstage to inquire about Castle Rock Entertainment's attitude towards The Silence of the Lambs.

"Arthur, no need to rush. Castle Rock is busy with this film right now," Nora Ephron pointed to the crowd outside.

"I've already submitted your proposal. You'll probably have to wait until Sleepless in Seattle officially releases."

Arthur nodded, "I understand!"

Although he was anxious, Arthur remained calm. Sleepless in Seattle was set to premiere in North America next Friday.

However, Arthur was leaving for Iowa tomorrow to join the Sleeping with the Enemy crew. The film was finally starting production!

As for Meg Ryan, she would join the crew on Monday for the opening ceremony, but Arthur needed to go ahead of time.

"By the way, do you have any other romantic comedy scripts?" Nora Ephron suddenly asked.

"How about a horror comedy?" Arthur had Scream on hand, "It's a high school horror comedy, a teen movie!"

"I don't deal much with horror. I've always been in the romance and comedy genres," Nora Ephron said, shaking her head. She looked at Arthur, "Aren't you at the age where you're surrounded by love?"

Arthur smiled, "There are too many romance stories. It takes a fresh idea to move people!"

"True," Nora Ephron agreed with Arthur's perspective, "If you have any ideas later, let me know. We can discuss the script details together."

"Sure," Arthur didn't object. Nora Ephron had personally participated in the adaptation of the Sleepless in Seattle script!

When the movie started, Arthur and Jennifer Aniston sat together in the theater seats. "Your movie is finally releasing!"

"I only appear for a few minutes," Arthur patted Jennifer Aniston's hand, "The main thing was providing the script and participating in the production."

"The director kept praising my work!"

As the movie played, Tom Hanks' character, prompted by his son, began to tell the radio about his late wife.

Far away in New York, Meg Ryan's character was moved by the story she heard on the radio. She lay in bed with her fiancé but kept thinking about the story.

"The story is so touching," Jennifer Aniston loved the film, "It's very sincere and funny!"

Arthur whispered, "A woman, about to marry her fiancé, travels across the country just because she heard a story on the radio and fell in love with a man through it. Don't you think that's absurd?"

Jennifer Aniston pinched Arthur's thigh, "This is your script. How can you think that? Arthur, it's such a warm and tender love story. Don't you like it?"

Arthur smiled, "You really like it?"

Jennifer Aniston nodded, "Of course, I think many people will love it!"

"That's good," Arthur felt relieved. Essentially, it was infidelity, but the movie made it seem refreshingly pure!

"Let's see how it performs at the box office when it officially releases," Arthur was mainly concerned about that, as it was closely tied to his income.

As the movie concluded, the lead characters finally met at the observation deck of the Empire State Building.

The audience erupted into applause.

"Arthur, the response is great," Jennifer Aniston kissed him.

That night, after attending the Sleepless in Seattle premiere party, Arthur left with Jennifer Aniston.

In the bathtub, after kissing Jennifer Aniston, Arthur asked, "Have you been on a diet recently?"

"Yes, do I look better than before?" Jennifer Aniston looked up from Arthur's chest.

Arthur touched her face, "You were always beautiful," Jennifer Aniston had lost some baby fat, making her features more defined.

"Are you heading to the Sleeping with the Enemy set tomorrow?" Jennifer Aniston asked, holding Arthur's neck.

Arthur nodded, "Yes, we'll shoot in Iowa first, then back to Los Angeles. You'll need to join us for a few days then!"

"That'll be my first movie role, with lines, screen time, and scenes with the lead actress. It's great!"

Although it was just two or three minutes of screen time, Jennifer Aniston was satisfied, being a complete newcomer.

"Don't worry. Your roles will become more important over time. First, gain some acting experience," Arthur said as he touched Jennifer Aniston's chest, "What's going on with your TV role in New York?"

"It's a minor role, but my dad recommended me for a supporting role in another show. I have an audition in a few days," Jennifer Aniston said, half sitting up, offering her chest to Arthur, "If I get it, I should be filming for a while!"

"That's good," Arthur said, kissing Jennifer Aniston's chest.

*****

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