Chapter 707: A Different Taste

Warner TV's "The Helen Show" Studio buzzed with activity as Martin geared up for his appearance to promote "The Martian."

Before the show, Helen, an old friend who shared memories of the Burbank Middle School incident with Martin, paid a visit to his dressing room. To her surprise, instead of his agent Thomas, she found Leonardo accompanying him.

Perplexed, Helen inquired, "What's going on here?"

Martin shrugged nonchalantly. "The message remains consistent. What Jessica was supposed to convey was initially crafted by Leo." Leonardo flashed a mischievous grin at Helen. "Isn't it rather inventive?"

Recalling Martin's struggles in Atlanta, Helen nodded sympathetically. "It's been quite the journey for you, Martin."

"There are countless folks like me in America, but few bat an eye," Martin remarked with a tinge of resignation.

As the stylist presented a flashy garment, Leonardo intervened, declaring, "No, this won't do. It's too extravagant for today's theme."

Helen silently acknowledged the challenge of hosting both Martin and Leonardo simultaneously.

Observing Martin's silence, she opted not to intervene.

Leonardo rummaged through the wardrobe, ultimately selecting a simple ensemble. "This will suit the occasion," he declared.

Inspecting the attire—a modest jacket—Martin concurred, "Alright."

With a wave, Helen excused herself, anticipating their rendezvous onstage.

Leonardo, positioning himself behind Martin, instructed the hairstylist, "Don't make it too polished. A hint of dishevelment adds authenticity."

Seeing Martin's approval, the hairstylist adjusted accordingly.

However, Leonardo sensed something lacking. After a moment of contemplation, he exclaimed, "Ah! Dark circles! Martin needs dark circles to add depth..."

Martin playfully flipped him off. "I'm not Depp! Can't your schemes be more dependable, Leo?"

"My apologies, got carried away with the theatrics," Leonardo chuckled unapologetically. "But seriously, no dark circles."

Martin stood to change, feeling a bit more at ease.

"Stay focused, man! This isn't just any appearance; we're gunning for the Best Actor Oscar," Leonardo cautioned.

Martin nodded, realizing the gravity of their endeavor.

Leonardo's concern was palpable. "You need to step up your game, or you'll be stuck in this loop for years."

Martin furrowed his brows, the words sounding eerily familiar.

"Acting, publicity—it's all part of the game," Leonardo remarked sagely. "You want sympathy from the old white guys like Jack and Warren? You gotta play the game right."

Impressed, Martin acknowledged, "Leo, you're a master strategist when it comes to Oscars."

"Indeed," Leonardo agreed smugly. "Hence, I have the Best Actor Oscar, and you don't."

Martin sighed in defeat, unable to retort.

As the director signaled, it was time for Martin to take the stage.

Ten minutes later, Martin engaged in a candid conversation with Helen about "The Martian" and his experiences in Atlanta, relieved that there was no need for embellishments—Helen was a cooperative host, and all Martin had to do was speak the truth.

In his youth, Martin's upbringing was turbulent; both parents struggled with addiction, leaving him to navigate life's challenges alone. His mother's tragic demise in a car accident, coupled with his father's abandonment and theft of the family's estate, shaped Martin's early years. However, as an adult, Martin embarked on a remarkable journey, defying the odds to embody the quintessential American dream—a prodigal son's triumphant return.

Following the airing of Martin's compelling story on "The Helen Show," the response was overwhelmingly positive.

"It's truly remarkable how Martin rose from such adversity," remarked one viewer.

"His journey is incredibly inspiring," another chimed in.

"Heroes can indeed emerge from the depths of despair, just like Martin," added a third viewer.

In the Davis Studio office, Nickel Sen looked up from his computer, a satisfied smile gracing his lips.

"While not as grand as Emma Watson's, this melon has its own unique flavor," he mused, glancing at Leonardo. "Well done, it's quite intriguing."

Martin, candid as ever, joked about Leonardo's unconventional style. "Leo, that idea of dressing me up like Depp's infamous insect, it's a real 'concrete' plan," he quipped, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

Leonardo chuckled, unfazed. "You've got to sell the whole package, Martin."

Nicholson interjected, drawing parallels between his own beginnings and Martin's rapid ascent. "Your start mirrors mine, but you've outpaced me by miles. Mostly thanks to you guiding the way," he remarked, though Martin didn't hold back in his response.

"I've managed to sidestep all the pitfalls you've stumbled into," Martin retorted.

Amidst the banter, Martin delegated publicity duties to Leonardo and Nicholson, instructing them to liaise with Jessica at the studio for any needs while he embarked on a global promotional tour for "The Martian."

With the film's North American success paving the way, Martin and the creative team, including Ridley Scott, prepared for premieres worldwide.

As plans for the Asian leg of the tour unfolded, Leonardo inquired about South Korea, prompting Martin's affirmation of attending the Seoul premiere.

Despite Japan's lukewarm reception to Hollywood fare, Martin remained committed to the region's promotional efforts.

Leonardo and Nicholson, though tasked with managing affairs in Los Angeles, couldn't resist expressing their discontent at Martin's decision to prioritize Seoul over their awards campaign.

"Are we still brothers to you?" Leonardo grumbled.

Nicholson, ever the prankster, jested about reporting Martin's antics to the Korean police.

Undeterred, Martin dismissed their jests, asserting his independence.

As Leonardo and Nicholson departed, Martin turned his focus to the impending European tour, marking the beginning of an exhilarating chapter in his career.

The following morning, Martin joined the crew for a charter flight to London, kicking off a whirlwind tour across Europe before venturing eastward to captivate audiences in South Korea and beyond.

As Thanksgiving arrived, the crew of "The Martian" remained abroad, igniting a surge in North American box office earnings.

"On this special day, 'The Martian' raked in a staggering $26.87 million," the industry buzzed.

"Within the next week, it continued to amass an additional $46.56 million," one report detailed, culminating in a formidable total of $197 million in North America alone.

Yet, despite its remarkable performance, "The Martian" fell short of clinching consecutive box office victories.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" unveiled its highly-anticipated trailer, amassing a staggering $138 million in its opening weekend, eclipsing any hopes of "The Martian" maintaining its lead.

While sequels like "Twilight" carried considerable clout, "The Martian" continued to captivate audiences worldwide.

With an overseas reception just as fervent, the film saw tremendous success across the globe.

"In the UK, it grossed nearly $10 million in its debut weekend, while France and Spain pulled in $8.1 million and $5 million, respectively," the reports lauded.

Within a week, the film's global box office surpassed the $300 million mark, paving the way for screenings in burgeoning markets across Latin America, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

Complementing its box office triumph, "The Martian" enjoyed lucrative sales in peripheral products, with $36.8 million worth sold in North America alone, primarily featuring merchandise adorned with Martin's likeness, a venture set to redefine his earnings as an actor.

After concluding their European tour, the crew descended upon East Asia, with Seoul serving as their next destination.

As proud sponsors, the Samsung Group extended a warm welcome, culminating in a lavish reception following the film's premiere.

Entering the banquet hall, Martin and Ridley Scott were greeted by a sea of Korean actresses, models, and trainees, each exuding charisma under the watchful eye of chaebol aesthetics.

Amidst the glamour, Martin effortlessly mingled, engaging in light-hearted conversations with the women present, including Clara, whose English name belied her alluring figure.

As Ridley approached, jesting about his inability to recognize faces amidst the throng, Martin chuckled in agreement, sensing the onset of fatigue in his mentor.

"We should make our exit," Martin suggested, acknowledging the constraints of their surroundings.

Though Martin had teased about a lavish gathering prior to their arrival, he exercised caution in Seoul, aware of the potential for manipulation in unfamiliar territory.

Quietly slipping away under the guise of a bathroom break, Martin was followed by Clara, who eagerly passed him her contact information.

Touched by her enthusiasm, Martin accepted the gesture, promising to keep in touch.

Before parting ways, Clara emphasized her availability upon his return to Los Angeles, a sentiment Martin reciprocated with a smile.

Ascending the stairs alongside Ridley, Martin reflected on his rising popularity, to which Ridley humbly attributed to his directorial prowess.

"Because you're the director," Martin quipped, acknowledging the symbiotic relationship between actor and director that had propelled them to success.