Chapter 251 - Don't Underestimate Hollywood

American Express doesn't restrict how long guests can stay on the island, but Laila has already lost interest. The reason she stayed on the island is for her future movies.

That's right, what caught her eye is Golden Island and its golden beaches! While everyone thinks she's sitting under the umbrella to enjoy the waves and sea breeze, she's actually merging everything in front of her with the imagined scenes from her movies. Otherwise, why would she lie on the beach for hours on end?

Over the next few days, she stayed in her room organizing her inspiration and insights. If it weren't for Al Nadeem and his eccentric fiancée, she might have extended her stay. But with those two around, no matter how beautiful the island is, she feels a bit disgusted.

So, on the fourth day after the party ended, she finally decided to return to Hollywood.

Her decision was fully supported by Oswald. He had to return to New York after the party due to company matters, and this worried him about leaving Laila on the island. He feared that his delicate flower might be taken away by some dirty beast when he wasn't looking.

As for Janet, who was also staying on the island for inspiration, he couldn't care less. With his past "experience," he knew he couldn't control his daughter, so he might as well let her go and see if any unlucky guy could manage her.

"You're leaving?"

As Laila and her group were packing, Prince Al Nadeem excitedly rushed into her room. His expression of "finally getting rid of the jinx" made Laila quite displeased.

"You're happy?"

"Of course!" The prince grinned like a radiant sunflower at the thought of not having to be around her every day.

"As long as you're happy." Laila smiled insincerely and pushed him aside. "You're in my way."

Only then did the prince remember his purpose for coming over. "Oh, are you going back to shoot a new movie?"

"Yes."

"The rumored action film?"

"Yeah."

The prince felt frustrated. "Can't you give a more detailed answer? I came to you as soon as I heard important information."

Laila put down the manuscript she was about to put in her suitcase. "Has your fiancée found a movie to beat me down?"

"How did you know?" Al Nadeem widened his eyes as if he had seen a ghost. He had just overheard the news and rushed over to report it, so there was no way she should know earlier than he did. "Did you plant a bug in her place?"

"You're overthinking it." Laila was speechless about his speculation. He mentioned the movie first, then important information, and he was well aware that the young lady didn't like her. It was too simple to guess the truth.

"And then?" she asked.

Al Nadeem's triumphant mood from before vanished, and he sighed as he sat on a couch. "Aren't you worried at all?"

"What do I need to worry about?" Laila retorted.

"Of course, it's about Faiza's investment! I've heard that the action film she's investing in is being produced by a very talented director and editor working together."

Laila chuckled and shook her head, repeating what she had said before: "Don't underestimate Hollywood."

Why does Hollywood churn out a bunch of copycat films after a successful movie? It's because even powerful film companies and professionals can't predict audience interests accurately. This leads to a frenzy of making similar films when one film becomes profitable.

Before Laila took over the Phoenix Films, Reynolds and his crew followed a similar pattern, albeit more crudely. Not only did they copy, but they copied cheaply. B-movie production companies don't just get called that for nothing. They could make a movie for tens of thousands of dollars, using props and sets that cost only a dollar or less.

Al Nadeem wasn't part of the film industry, so he naturally didn't know these rules. But like many, he believed that as long as money was poured in and a great director and writer were found, they could make a movie that might not be as grand as Titanic but could still make hundreds of millions, right?

He didn't consider that if movies were so easy to make money from, and investments brought returns as long as they were made, why would so many wealthy magnates leave such a big piece of cake untouched?

"Don't doubt it. I overheard their conversation, and it's a formidable movie!" Al Nadeem glanced toward the door, then lowered his voice to a volume only audible to them both. "You know John McTiernan, right? The movie Faiza is investing in is directed by him!"

"Oh?" Laila certainly knew him, the one who directed "Die Hard" and "Die Hard with a Vengeance." His skills were definitely on par with top-tier directors.

Al Nadeem continued, "And the writer, he's known for high-tech thriller novels and has penned numerous bestsellers. One of his novels was turned into a movie by a very capable director and made a lot of money. What was it called again?"

He pondered while looking down, then suddenly clapped his hands. "Got it! It's called 'Jurassic Park'! It was turned into a movie by that incredibly talented director Spielberg!"

"Really?" Laila raised an eyebrow and emitted a single, surprised syllable again.

It was truly an extraordinary combination. Both the director and the writer were exceptionally talented. The director was one thing, but the writer was indeed remarkable, having written many award-winning novels. Not only "Jurassic Park," but he even created the series "ER." That series was a shortcut to stardom for many, including George Clooney, who emerged from it.

Her nonchalant demeanor made the prince worry for her. "Haven't you figured out the situation yet? I've heard that the budget for that movie is at least 150 million dollars. Just think about it, when Faiza releases such a powerful movie simultaneously with yours, do you think your film made on a shoestring budget can compete with theirs?"

Laila smiled faintly. "I understand, and I'll keep it in mind." It was rare that he had the heart to report to her in advance, regardless of whether it would affect her. At the very least, his intentions were there, and she couldn't be completely ungrateful, right?

"Do you really understand?" Al Nadeem looked at her skeptically. Her words seemed like she was pulling his leg.

"I really do." Laila couldn't be bothered to explain Hollywood's operating rules to an outsider.

Even the most successful directors have their failures, like John Woo's "Windtalkers," or Spielberg's "Always." A successful director just has a few more chances to fail than a regular one. Only outsiders would claim that those who have made good films wouldn't fail again.