Chapter 297: Mathilda

Arthur bought the Los Angeles Clippers, prevented Coach Larry Brown from resigning, and changed the general manager, thereby revitalizing the Clippers.

At the same time, Galaxy's new film Se7en grossed $30 million in ten days, and its good reputation gave everyone confidence in its box office performance.

David Fincher's directing abilities were fully showcased, and the failure of Alien 3 definitely couldn't be blamed on him.

In a bar by the Hudson River in the Chelsea district that night, Jennifer Aniston was talking to Arthur while hugging him.

"Is it the Venice Film Festival? Blue from the Three Colors trilogy won the Golden Lion, and its box office in France isn't bad, even higher than Fanfan!"

The other person asked about the recently concluded Venice International Film Festival.

"However, French films don't do very well at the box office in America. Fanfan has already been released, and its results were just so-so, mainly relying on the European market. As for the Three Colors trilogy, it's a Gaumont Film production. Galaxy's Orion is just the North American distributor. Not every movie can have a high box office."

Arthur could only ensure that the movies he focused on had decent box office returns. Cooperation with French Gaumont, British PolyGram, or Australian Village Roadshow - they were the investors and producers, so it didn't matter much!

Aniston pouted, "That Redemption is not bad, but unfortunately, it's a bit dull and slow, failing to attract audiences to the cinema."

Arthur smiled, nuzzling his face against Aniston's, "It doesn't matter. Galaxy's performance has been good enough this year. It's just that Universal's Jurassic Park was insanely good, with a global box office exceeding $900 million, making it the highest-grossing film in history!"

"Well no wonder you were so envious when you found out Michael Crichton sold the adaptation rights to Spielberg and Universal," Aniston wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck and kissed him.

"Didn't Michael Crichton collaborate with Galaxy on ER? Why didn't you let me act in it back then, but now you're offering me TV roles?"

"ER was good, but it can't compare to the current one. With sitcoms taking off, everyone will know about it. Moreover, ER was to be broadcast on Galaxy's own cable channel, USA Network, while the sitcom would be directly on ABC's network television!"

Arthur's Galaxy had a cooperation agreement with ABC TV. Even if ABC wasn't optimistic, Arthur wasn't worried that other networks would miss out; There were still CBS, NBC, and FOX, one of them would definitely be interested.

In previous life, Friends was produced by Warner Bros. Television and premiered on NBC. Warner Bros. made a killing off Friends, not just from the premiere and reruns, but also from international broadcasting and VHS, DVDs, and everything else.

After saying all this, Arthur kissed Jennifer Aniston passionately on the dance floor amid the dimly lit bar and the heart-stirring music.

Under the influence of music and alcohol, the two, exuding hormones, grew increasingly passionate!

"Alright, darling, let's go rest for a bit," Arthur's lips whispered softly into the lady's ear, "Take your hand out, or you'll get it when we get back."

Jennifer Aniston laughed, pulled her hand from Arthur's belt, and playfully tightened his face, "In this setting, who would notice? Your bravery is getting smaller and smaller. Haven't you had many flings? I bet other women have tried the same with you?"

Arthur rubbed his forehead, "My bravery is small? I just don't like this kind of setting."

With that, Arthur pulled Jennifer Aniston to the lounge area and pointed to the couples in the corridor corner, "Look at those guys! This is a high-end club. At least find a room. Even if you can't afford a room, going to the bathroom can save on room costs!"

Aniston nearly spat out her whiskey, "Arthur, you forgot our time in Northridge, Los Angeles. Back then, didn't you also want me to help you in the bar's bathroom?"

Arthur chuckled, "Absolutely not, given the circumstances in those bars, with junkies in the bathroom, I definitely wouldn't have such thoughts. I can't stand that kind of environment!"

"Alright, I'm going to the restroom," Arthur said and stood up.

Blinking, Aniston asked, "Want me to go with you?"

"Just sit there. Behave yourself when we get back," Arthur shook his head and headed to the restroom.

...

In Chelsea High Line Park, near the Hudson River, there was an apartment that Arthur had bought for Jennifer Aniston a few years ago. Arthur hadn't been there in a long time.

Early in the morning, after getting out of bed, Arthur found Aniston preparing breakfast in the kitchen.

"You're awake. It'll be ready soon," Aniston called back when she heard the sound.

"Oh," Arthur rubbed his shoulders as he went to the kitchen and saw her frying ham, wearing a white shirt loosely draped over her, revealing her long legs.

Arthur walked over and hugged Jennifer Aniston from behind. "Why did you wake up so early?"

As he spoke, his hands moved under the loose shirt, caressing her curves, "Darling, you are so sexy right now!"

"Mm," Jennifer Aniston softly hummed, quickly putting the cooked ham onto a plate. She turned off the burner and then turned around to kiss Arthur.

After getting cozy for a bit, Aniston reminded Arthur, "Go put on some clothes and get ready for breakfast."

"Mm," Arthur had to attend a charity dinner hosted by New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and others later that day.

When Arthur left, it was already noon. In his office at Galaxy Tower, he met with Luc Besson, who had come to the United States.

Besson's Leon: The Professional was in the process of casting for a suitable young actor.

"Liv, are you here for the audition too?" Arthur found it unbelievable and looked at the surprised Liv Tyler standing in his office.

"Yeah, the director said I'm too old. He wants a little girl," Liv Tyler, who had gotten to know Arthur while filming Silent Fall in Los Angeles, explained.

Arthur nodded, "Indeed, he wants a girl around ten years old!"

Looking at Liv Tyler, although she was only 16, her figure and looks didn't resemble a child at all.

Liv Tyler waved her hand nonchalantly and sat on Arthur's lap, "Anyway, I just came to give it a shot. My father made me come."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, feeling the warm beauty in his arms, "You're still young and there aren't many roles suitable for you right now."

Tyler smiled and leaned in to kiss Arthur's ear, "I'm not here to talk about movies. I've just finished one and haven't planned that far ahead yet.

Ever since last time, I've been missing you. Do you want to come to my place tonight? My dad won't bother us!"

Facing the temptation of the sexy and beautiful young lady before him, Arthur found it amusing. He touched the woman's softness and leaned in for a deep kiss...

"Don't tempt me. Go out now. Your agent is waiting for you outside. When I get back to Los Angeles, I'll find you," Arthur relaxed in his chair.

Liv Tyler blew Arthur a kiss, "I'll be waiting for you in Los Angeles!"

Then, she left Arthur's office.

Arthur lit a cigarette. Indeed, she was quite the fiery little temptress!

In the afternoon, Arthur seemed to see another familiar young actress, Christina Ricci. At 13, she looked quite young. She had previously collaborated with Winona Ryder in Mermaids and played Wednesday in The Addams Family, gaining some fame.

"Is this one also not okay? Even though she doesn't look mature, her acting skills are very seasoned," Arthur pointed to Christina Ricci's resume.

Luc Besson looked at the resume, "Her resume is indeed impressive. Out of so many girls I've seen, her performance is indeed the best. She's indeed good. Once Jean Reno and Gary Oldman arrive, we can have a joint audition!"

Considering both her age and experience, Christina Ricci was undeniably the best choice, and she already had some popularity.

Arthur nodded, "The New York set is almost ready, and the studio is sorted out."

As for the original lead actress, Natalie Portman, who knows when she was brushed off; according to Luc Besson's requirements, she wasn't even qualified to audition. Besson wanted someone with acting experience.

Many young actors came to audition, but only those who had passed several rounds of selection reached this point. There was hardly any Jewish influence in the Galaxy, and Natalie Portman had no acting experience, her advantage was purely her authentic Israeli Jewish identity!

"Is the set ready?" Luc Besson looked up at Arthur, "And the scenery built?"

Arthur nodded, "You can check it out yourself. After all, it's the first film you're shooting in Hollywood."

"Mm, I'll go now," Luc Besson was a bit eager.

Arthur was puzzled. Frenchmen were supposed to be the epitome of laid-back and lazy attitudes, right? Look at Sophie Marceau; she didn't even put on makeup when she had nothing to do and dressed purely for comfort!

Shaking his head, Arthur went to the top floor where his luxury residence was and found a just-woken-up Sophie Marceau.

"Mm, what's up? Has Besson's little actor been finalized?" Sophie Marceau asked as she poured herself a glass of wine.

"The casting director mentioned she's seen around 2000 little girls," Arthur laughed and walked over to plant a kiss on Marceau's face, "You've spent quite a lot of time getting involved this time. The experience from working on Fanfan was useful."

Marceau sighed, "Coming to Hollywood, I have to endure your antics, help with work; do American bosses really love to exploit their employees this much?"

Arthur hugged the woman, "Next, Three Colors: Blue is set to participate in a festival in Toronto and then prepare for the public release. You'll be busy. These are all French films, promoting cultural exchange. You're also marketing French cinema!"

Sophie Marceau rolled her eyes, "You said the same thing during Fanfan, and now you're saying it for Leon: The Professional."

Arthur awkwardly smiled, "You're the face of France now. How about this? My yacht will be ready by Christmas. Let's go to the Caribbean for a few days?"

"You plan it," Sophie Marceau wrapped her arms around Arthur's neck, "I don't want to just drift around. Bring Christiana Reali along!"

Arthur blinked, feeling pleased internally, but said, "Do you want to come with me to the charity dinner in New York later?"

"Troublesome, not interested. Find another actress as your date," Sophie Marceau kissed him on the lips, "Gaumont is holding a film exchange event in New York, and I'll be meeting people from Montreal tonight."

Fine, Montreal in Canada is a North American French enclave.

"Alright, I'll go take a shower first," Arthur didn't care much about having a date. Jennifer Aniston wasn't interested in politics either...

*****

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