Chapter 160: The Italian Goddess

Arthur waved his hand with a smile. "Hey, I'm just a supporting character, and that role was simple."

"Mike Medavoy is here. I'll go say hello," Arthur said. After all, Mike was the one who sold Orion Pictures to him, and they had a good relationship.

Arthur walked over to chat with Mike Medavoy. "Are you helping with the production of Bram Stoker's Dracula?"

Mike Medavoy nodded, looking at Arthur with some frustration. "It would be great if you could join as a producer and act in it. A lot of the work on this project has been handed over to Roman Coppola. He's one of the assistant directors and producers!"

Arthur was surprised. "Roman Coppola? The eldest son of Francis Coppola, born in France?"

Mike Medavoy shrugged. "You know how meticulous Coppola is about film details. The set design, costumes, and props for Bram Stoker's Dracula are all top-notch."

The film featured excellent actors like Gary Oldman, Julia Roberts, Keanu Reeves, and Anthony Hopkins. With the recent success of The Godfather Part III, director Francis Ford Coppola's influence was still strong. Despite being a vampire movie, it garnered a lot of attention!

"Looks like it's about to start filming?" Arthur asked.

"Yes, the actors are set, the crew is ready, and they've been rehearsing for two weeks. We're about to start shooting," Mike Medavoy said with relief.

"Alright," Arthur said. Since Bram Stoker's Dracula was about to start filming, he had nothing more to ask. After chatting with Mike Medavoy, Arthur took a glass of champagne from a waiter's tray and ended the conversation.

After a while, Mike Medavoy and Roman Coppola were talking, and Arthur noticed a very sexy and attractive woman at the party. She had a classical, exquisite face, seductive eyes, and a slightly weary expression. Her voluptuous and sexy figure could stir any man's heart without them even realizing it.

"Miss, may I have this dance?" Arthur very politely approached the woman and extended his hand.

"Oh, sure," the woman responded with a noticeable Italian accent.

Arthur led the woman to the dance floor. "Let's introduce ourselves first. I'm Arthur Smith, head of Galaxy."

The woman smiled, first showing a moment of surprise before quickly recovering. "I'm Monica Bellucci, an Italian model and actress."

"So, you're also an actress?" Arthur, of course, recognized Monica Bellucci. At 27, Monica exuded charm. "Are you also in Bram Stoker's Dracula?"

Monica Bellucci nodded. "Assistant director Roman Coppola invited me to make a cameo in this film."

"I was a model before. I've acted in two Italian films in the past two years. Bram Stoker's Dracula is my first Hollywood film."

It turned out Roman Coppola introduced her to play one of Dracula's three brides. Roman Coppola, born in France and now a French citizen, frequently traveled between Europe and the U.S.

"No wonder you have such a great figure and are so beautiful," Arthur couldn't help but praise. Who wouldn't admire Monica Bellucci, who was as renowned in Europe as Sophie Marceau?

"Thank you," Monica Bellucci looked a bit nervous. "My English isn't very good, so please excuse me."

Monica Bellucci was a top Italian fashion model. During an event in France, she met Roman Coppola, an Italian-Frenchman. Just when Monica was transitioning into acting, Roman Coppola, the assistant director of Bram Stoker's Dracula, brought her to Hollywood for the role!

"No problem, you'll learn quickly," Arthur didn't mind. He thought about how Roman Coppola, taking advantage of his father's fame, had brought the Italian goddess Monica Bellucci to Hollywood.

"Mr. Smith, I've heard your name in Hollywood. The newspapers and media say you are the most successful young producer in Hollywood right now," Monica Bellucci, a newcomer to the film industry, was on the fringes of Hollywood.

Arthur laughed. "Call me Arthur. I'm also a screenwriter and actor, though my roles are all supporting ones. Do you have a lot of scenes in the movie?" Arthur asked.

"Not much," Monica Bellucci shook her head. "Just a few minutes of screen time."

"Are you planning to develop your career in Hollywood?"

Monica Bellucci nodded. "I don't want to miss this opportunity, so I want to give it a try first."

"Hollywood is tough, especially for newcomers, and you're Italian. You'll need to spend some time learning English," Arthur suggested.

"I understand that," Monica Bellucci looked at Arthur. "I'm already 27. A modeling career isn't long-lasting, so becoming an actress is a well-considered decision."

Arthur looked at Monica Bellucci's face and figure. "You're very beautiful and have a great figure. You should have a chance. There are many great places in Los Angeles. I could show you around if you have time."

"Really?" Monica Bellucci was pleasantly surprised. "I'm not familiar with Los Angeles at all."

"Let's go have a drink first," Arthur said, leading Monica Bellucci to the lounge area next door, where they ordered two drinks.

Meanwhile, Mike Medavoy, chatting with Roman Coppola, asked, "Is the director still not satisfied with Keanu Reeves? Didn't he do well in rehearsals?"

Roman Coppola spread his hands. "My father feels that Keanu doesn't have that instant appeal to women."

"But we think he's good. His rehearsal performance was fine, and he had no issues acting with Julia Roberts."

"My father has accepted it. The film is about to start shooting, so don't worry, it'll be fine!"

Mike Medavoy felt relieved hearing this. After all, Francis Ford Coppola, the director and producer, had a lot of autonomy in his work. Columbia, as the investor and distributor, had to listen to Coppola in many aspects of the film.

*****

https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.