Chapter 315: Declaring War

With the release of the primary poster for "The Departed," the film's official promotional campaign kicked off.

In this poster, Leonardo, Martin, and Nicholson took center stage.

The competition for positions on the poster was not intense, and the crew handled it judiciously.

Leonardo occupied the far-left position with his portrait taking the largest space, signifying his lead role.

Martin stood on the far right, his bust one-fifth smaller than Leonardo's.

Nicholson was as prominent as Martin but positioned behind the two protagonists, acknowledging his supporting character role.

The two-minute official trailer aired repeatedly on major U.S. TV stations, and an uncensored version with a generous dose of swear words was available on the internet.

Martin's personal blog and the official website of the Coca-Cola Gods had announced the film's release dates in major U.S. cities.

On the Coca-Cola God Cult's website, there was a preview of Martin's character, featuring the classic scene of using a Coke bottle to fend off an attack. Colin, his character, used a nearby Coke as a weapon against a criminal assault.

Coca-Cola's multi-million-dollar sponsorship was not without its perks for the crew.

Martin, Leonardo, Nicholson, and Scorsese divided into four groups and participated in numerous promotional events, occasionally coming together to support the film.

In October, a month with no heavyweight film releases, "The Departed" was undoubtedly the standout.

In mid-September, the cast and crew set off for the Toronto Film Festival.

Unlike European film festivals, the Toronto Film Festival lacked official awards and primarily served as a platform for film screenings, promotion, and trade.

Due to its geographical location, many American movie fans regarded it as the world's largest international film festival.

"The Departed" had its world premiere during the festival.

At the Four Seasons Hotel bar in Toronto, Martin received his drink from the bartender, raised it towards Nicholson, and remarked, "Do we have an unspoken understanding?" The two had been discussing something special for the next year.

Nicholson sneered, "I'd participate in something fun even without you asking."

Leonardo clinked glasses with Martin, saying, "You're quite the expert at stirring things up."

The three of them shared a drink. Martin pointed to the TV hanging from the ceiling, saying, "Look, our director's interview."

Martin Scorsese had been interviewed by NBC earlier in the day and appeared on the news in the afternoon.

Most of the content was for promotional purposes, with a section concerning the Bastard Trio.

The reporter inquired, "Several media outlets reported that during filming, the three lead actors, Martin Davis, Leonardo, and Jack Nicholson, formed a trio. Did this alliance play a role in the filming? Did it contribute to active promotion?"

Scorsese's expression took an odd turn. He replied, "They indeed formed a rather peculiar alliance, which helped them establish a unique understanding between one another. However, more often than not, they caused chaos on the set, which became quite a headache."

Martin looked innocent and turned to his two companions, asking, "We didn't cause trouble on the set, did we?"

Nicholson and Leonardo shook their heads in unison, both saying, "Absolutely not!"

On TV, Scorsese added, "Sometimes, I didn't agree with their interpretations of the characters. They were as stubborn as mules, and it often took a great deal of time to convince them and reach a consensus. There were also times when the three of them were causing trouble... I thought it would be more economical to use their salaries to hire a few cows for the shoot."

The TV interview concluded there.

Leonardo queried, "Are we as stubborn as mules?" He gestured, "Are we even worse than mules?"

Martin spoke earnestly, "Exceptional actors must possess unique insights into their roles."

Scorsese's sudden comments seemed like a declaration of war against the trio. Nicholson, the trio's unofficial leader, took it upon himself to respond, saying, "Leo, Martin, we've had our share of conflicts, but are we ready to take on Scorsese this time?"

Leonardo considered the matter and replied, "Director Scorsese is older and not as robust as you. We need to stay within his comfort zone."

Martin looked deep in thought.

Nicholson prodded, "You're the one with the most outlandish ideas; come up with a solution quickly. The trio has been challenged by the director, and we need to react!"

Being friends with Scorsese for decades, they were well aware of what to expect. Nicholson stated, "We're going to make Scorsese pay the price."

Martin gradually formulated a plan. "As the most troublesome trio in Hollywood, we should respond to the director's remarks and create some eye-catching controversy. This will benefit the film's publicity and, in return, the crew can cover any expenses we incur."

Nicholson commented to Leonardo, "Look, he's the one with the craziest ideas."

Martin inquired, "This is my first time in Toronto, and I'm not very familiar with it. Do you two know any ranchers here?"

Leonardo replied, "I do. Some are wealthy, and some are friends."

Nicholson expressed disdain, "They're not real friends; they're just after your money."

Martin poured wine for both of them, asserting, "We are genuine friends."

Leonardo assumed a vigilant expression and asked, "What are you scheming against me?"

Martin reassuringly patted his shoulder, "Don't worry, I have no plans against you."

Nicholson intervened with a raised hand, "Wait! You're going off-topic."

Leonardo redirected the conversation, "So, what's your idea?"

Martin proposed, "It's quite simple. Since the premiere is approaching, should we give Director Scorsese a grand gift at the event?"

Nicholson laughed, "That's a fantastic idea!"

Leonardo agreed but added, "Martin, is this a publicity scheme you cooked up with the crew?"

Martin neither confirmed nor denied but stated, "Aren't we known as the most mischievous trio? If we're going to stir up trouble, let's make it a sensational, headline-grabbing incident. Those small skirmishes are dull."

Leonardo recalled something, "After Jack and I left Pinewood Studios, we heard that Emma Watson was pranked with firecrackers in the restroom. I laughed so hard I almost wet my pants. Did you do it?"

Martin, believing he had the highest moral standards among the trio, declared, "I swear, it wasn't me. How could I pick on a young girl?"

Leonardo pulled out his phone, made a few calls, and urged Martin and Nicholson, "Let's go! Head to the suburbs. There's a vast ranch over there, and the owner is the cousin of one of my exes."

Martin followed Leonardo, telling Nicholson, "Having many ex-girlfriends does have its benefits!"

On that very day, the news of Scorsese's TV interview spread rapidly. Even though his remarks were made in jest, gossip media cared little for that and fabricated stories where none existed. Entertainment media immediately began to sensationalize it.

"The crew of 'The Departed' in turmoil, with director and lead actors at odds!"

"Scorsese criticizes the three top actors' acting abilities!"

"Shocking! The three major Hollywood stars fall short..."

However, the newly-established TMZ website challenged the usual gossip tabloids. It prominently featured numerous photos on its homepage, all related to "The Departed" crew. Publicly and privately, the relationship between the Bastard Trio and Martin Scorsese remained harmonious, devoid of any apparent conflict.

TMZ was gradually distinguishing itself from typical gossip media, even earning the moniker of the internet version of The Sun.

Both parties refrained from addressing the matter until the premiere of "The Departed."

The Ryerson Theater in Toronto served as the primary venue for the film festival, and the movie's premiere was hosted there.

Given the presence of A-list directors and superstars within the crew, as well as the previous reports of disputes, a large contingent of media reporters gathered at the premiere.

The media area was swarmed with hundreds of people.

Fans attending the film festival had "The Departed" at the top of their list, making the red carpet jam-packed.

Members of the Toronto Diocese of the Coca-Cola Church displayed posters of their leader, eagerly anticipating Martin's arrival on the red carpet for the famous Coca-Cola-drinking scene.

Director Martin Scorsese appeared, smiling and unfazed by media reports.

The leading lady, Vera Farmiga, arrived and drew significant attention as the sole heavyweight female in the main creative lineup.

Matt Damon, who had been notably absent from most promotional events, came from London, England, to attend the premiere. He maintained a low profile, performing the red carpet routine without engaging with fans or granting media interviews.

During the film's publicity planning, Matt Damon had sought the crew's support to compete for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar with his role as Ding Konan, but the crew's choice for nomination was Martin Davis.

One of the two main stars vied for a Best Supporting Actor nomination, leaving Matt Damon's role abandoned.

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Jodie Foster attended to show their support and walked the red carpet.

Fans and media reporters began to notice that the three lead actors of the film had yet to make an appearance.

"Could it be true? Are they really in conflict?"

"Aren't they going to participate in the premiere?"

The media area buzzed with speculation, on the verge of bursting.

On the red carpet platform in front of the theater, Robert De Niro approached Scorsese. He was well-acquainted with Martin and Leonardo and inquired, "Is it true that you've had a falling out with them?"

Scorsese simply chuckled.

Robert De Niro sensed something was amiss, "Martin likes to stir up trouble, but he's a smooth and sociable guy, and as for Leo..." Suddenly, a truck horn blared, and a van adorned with posters of the three male protagonists from "The Departed" approached from a distance.

The eyes of everyone, fans, and reporters alike, fixated on it.

The van parked before the red carpet, and Martin, who was behind the wheel, stepped out first. Then, Leonardo and Nicholson alighted on the other side.

The trio moved to the back of the vehicle and opened the cargo compartment's rear door. An iron plate descended, forming a ramp connecting the compartment to the road.

Martin entered the compartment and pulled out a cow!

The entire place erupted in astonishment!