Chapter 398: Highest-Grossing Director in the World
[Chapter 398: The Highest Grossing Director in the World]
After finishing his workout, Link returned to the living room to get ready for lunch. Winona, worried about raising suspicion, quietly went back upstairs to her bedroom to rest after they parted ways.
"Winona wanted you to read the script. How's it?" Lily asked in the dining room as she carried a fried fish.
"Not bad, that role suits her well," Link said, kissing her on the cheek and taking the plate to the table.
"Winona's delicate face and her aura really fit an indie film."
Monica lazily pulled out a chair and sat down. She had just woken up from a nap, her long hair tousled, wearing a light slip. Her relaxed posture and curvy figure made her all the more alluring.
"Winona can also star in an action movie," Sofia said as she stuffed a spicy chicken wing in her mouth and sucked her fingers. "It's hard to believe someone so fragile-looking could hold out that long and pull off such difficult stunts unless you saw it yourself."
Suddenly, Jennifer Connelly, Brooke Shields, Julianne Moore burst into laughter.
"Were you spying just now? That's not a good habit," Link shook his head. Winona had tried to hide it, but it seemed pointless.
"If not spying, shall we watch openly next time? If you're into that," Sofia winked mischievously.
"Sofia, don't get too cheeky or Link might punish you tonight," Monica teased from across the table with a flirtatious wink.
"I am not afraid. With all of us here, we don't need to be afraid of him," Sofia challenged Link, puffing out her chest alongside Jennifer and Catherine.
"Stop it! Don't you know how tough Link is? Every time you provoke him, you run away and leave us to calm him down. This time we're not helping -- you're on your own," Jennifer Connelly laughed, pushing away Sofia's hand.
"No loyalty!" Sofia tossed herself onto Jennifer, groping playfully.
"Enough, time to eat!" Link called out as Cici entered rubbing her eyes, telling Sofia to stop messing around.
...
During the meal, they discussed the film industry. After Hachi: A Dog's Tale was released, Jodie's talent as a director received much recognition. She preferred directing to acting now and was preparing a new film.
Link suggested she focus on family and female-centered scripts, since not many filmmakers worked on those themes, and the market potential looked promising.
Michelle Pfeiffer, who produced and starred in Dangerous Minds, had her fame skyrocket and earned over ten million from salary and box office splits. Only a few like Jodie Foster and Meg Ryan rivaled her status.
Hollywood studios offered her scripts with at least a $15 million pay.
Michelle had recently taken three projects: As Good as It Gets, Sphere and A Thousand Acres.
She would be very busy for the upcoming period.
Sandra Bullock, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Milla Jovovich, and Nicole Kidman all had summer hits, rising their fame and paychecks.
Monica Bellucci and Renee Zellweger steadily rose in entertainment circles, solidly in the second tier.
Because the women at home were doing well, other starlets treated Link like hotcakes, always clinging and trying to seduce him.
But his tastes had been spoiled by his women, and ordinary beauties no longer impressed him. Plus, his women were strong-willed; they didn't tolerate random girls, making it tough for average women to enter the circle.
---
In the afternoon, after eating, Link went with Lily and Jennifer to the Hollywood Boulevard cinema for the Rush Hour premiere.
Rush Hour wrapped in March. Link produced, wrote, and edited, with Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Tom Wilkinson, and Michelle Reis starring.
The $30 million budget film told the story of Detective Lee, who, with the help of Hong Kong's governor Han, seized over $500 million in stolen money.
Unfortunately, the mastermind, Juntao, escaped during the bust and gathered remnants overseas to retaliate by kidnapping Han's daughter, Soo Yung, in Los Angeles.
The FBI, not wanting outsiders involved, sent L.A. Police's least effective Black cop, James Carter, to assist Lee.
Due to conflicting cultures, backgrounds, and habits, Lee and Carter's investigation led to thrilling and humorous moments.
After fierce fights, they rescued Soo Yung and arrested the criminals.
The 97-minute film included over twenty minutes of fight scenes that thrilled the audience and received constant applause.
...
After the screening, Link spoke with Jackie Chan, praising the movie and telling him to prepare for many promotional events.
Jackie smiled and promised to follow company arrangements.
"Haha, Link, congrats! This film's fantastic -- I bet it will gross over $100 million in North America," Harvey said, squeezing through the crowd with a pudgy face full of obsequious smiles but cold eyes, giving a two-faced vibe.
Harvey came to support the event. He had called Link earlier to discuss movies, but Link was busy editing.
Hearing Link would attend, Harvey called to show up.
"Thanks, but with three weeks left in summer, fewer people will go to theaters. The box office probably won't be that high," Link replied, shaking Harvey's hand.
"No way, good films always draw fans, especially with you as the screenwriter. No one matches your box office draw," Harvey said, watching Link carefully to gauge his mood.
After a moment without any reaction, Harvey relaxed. After the shooting incident, he was always nervous about Link's revenge.
Seeing Link's unchanged demeanor, Harvey felt he was easier to handle if you played it right.
"Also, Jackie's action scenes were superb, and the main characters' chemistry was great. The box office won't be bad, but a lower result isn't bad either. It means the Big Seven Studios won't be jealous and try to sabotage or use extreme measures against you. They love to do that, very aggressive," Harvey complained, trying to stir up resentment towards the studios.
Link smiled without responding.
Lily and Jennifer approached, and Link hugged them, asking for their opinions.
Harvey narrowed his eyes, suppressing jealousy and greed.
After Link chatted with the ladies, Harvey continued the conversation with a grin.
...
The premiere ended, and Link returned to the villa with his girlfriends. He was going to go shopping, but his girlfriends, worried about assassination, urged him to stay home, read books, prepare new films, and workout with them.
Link agreed.
---
Rush Hour earned $33.15 million in its first week on 2,638 North American screens, topping the box office. With a $30 million budget, it recouped costs immediately -- undeniably a hit.
Second place was the thriller A Time to Kill, making $18.38 million this week and $59.18 million total.
Third was Disney's comedy Jack, making $11.19 million this week.
Fourth was The Mask of Zorro, with $76.64 million in four weeks.
Eighth was The Net, with $2.09 million this week and $183 million total in North America, with hopes of hitting $200 million -- higher than Link's predictions, indicating his new adaptation's success.
The film was releasing in over 60 countries, earning $132 million overseas.
Eleventh was Batman Forever, with $1.39 million this week and $298 million total in North America. It began overseas release in June, earning about $385 million outside North America.
Total earnings hit $683 million, with estimates exceeding $800 million.
...
This week, last year's The Sixth Sense crossed $1 billion worldwide, reaching $1.006 billion, becoming the first film to surpass a billion globally.
Link became the first director to exceed $1 billion for a single film!
Mainstream media covered the story extensively, calling him "Mr. Billion-Dollar Box Office" and "Most Successful Commercial Director."
Others noted his box office achievements in the past five years -- from Buried to The Net and Batman Forever -- seven releases had a total global gross of $3.8 billion.
This beat Spielberg's $3.5 billion and George Lucas's $2.1 billion, making Link the highest-grossing and richest director in the world in the shortest time.
Hollywood media showered praise again, calling Link the "Child of Fortune," "God's Hand," "Young Idol," "Magician," etc.
Link was hot property once more.
*****
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