Chapter 646: Advanced Business War

In the CEO's plush office at Annapurna Pictures, Megan Ellison, the formidable female boss, paced as she spoke into her phone with Larry Ellison, her father and the real boss.

Larry's voice crackled through the line, "Why the sudden need for over $200 million?"

Megan leaned against her desk, her brow furrowed, "We've landed two massive film projects, Dad. But Annapurna's new, and trust from investors isn't exactly overflowing."

Larry's skepticism was evident, "Two projects costing over $200 million?"

Megan nodded, "Yep, $300 million total, but we've got $100 million on hand."

Larry's tone turned cautious, "Weren't we going for smaller art films initially?"

"We were," Megan admitted, "But these opportunities are too good to pass up. 'Seventh Son' and 'Transcendence have serious industry buzz."

After a moment of silence, Larry cautioned, "Proceed with caution, Meg. Such hefty investments demand careful consideration."

As she hung up, hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor. Derrett burst into the room, panic etched on his face, clutching a Spanish newspaper.

Megan raised an eyebrow, "Calm down, Derrett. What's going on?"

Derrett's voice trembled, "They're dead, President. All of them."

Confusion clouded Megan's features, "Who?"

"The Mexicans who leaked us script info," Derrett explained, placing the newspaper on her desk. "They were gunned down in Tijuana."

Megan scanned the gruesome images, her jaw tightening. "Martin Davis," she muttered. "He's escalating the situation."

Derrett's fear was palpable, "What do we do?"

Megan's eyes gleamed with a calculating resolve, "Davis is playing dirty. It's not personal; it's business. And it's an opportunity."

As Derrett's legs shook with fear, Megan's mind whirred with strategy. Despite the danger, she saw potential amidst the chaos.

Megan's mind sharpened with clarity: "Martin Davis is banking heavily on 'The Seventh Son' and 'Transcendence,' hence his furious retaliation."

Derrett, initially dumbstruck, soon found logic in Megan's analysis.

"This retribution follows significant losses," he remarked, the pieces falling into place.

Megan nodded, casting a reassuring glance at Derrett. "We're in Los Angeles, not Tijuana," she reminded him, a subtle reassurance in her tone.

Derrett's anxiety ebbed slightly.

Contemplating her next move, Megan strategized, "Keep a close eye on Martin Davis. If he ditches these projects, he'll actively seek new ones."

Her mind flashed back to the Oscar luncheon, where funding was hailed as the key to success. "Money talks," she murmured to herself.

Derrett, quick to align with Megan's plan, nodded vigorously.

After her team dispersed, Megan pondered her next move, reaching for her phone to dial her father.

Larry Ellison, a veteran of corporate battles, grasped the gravity of the situation. "I'll send a team of bodyguards," he assured her, his voice firm.

Accustomed to such measures, Megan declined, shifting the conversation to investments.

Larry, unfamiliar with Hollywood intricacies, cut to the chase. "How confident are you?" he inquired.

"70%," Megan responded.

Larry, ever the gambler, challenged, "Make it 50%."

Undeterred, Megan upped the ante, "I'm doubling down. I plan to invest more. The total budget for both projects is now $350 million."

With her father's approval, the deal was sealed.

Megan reached out to Wilson, a Hollywood insider, with a specific task. "Keep tabs on Martin Davis," she instructed.

Wilson, well-versed in Megan's directives, acknowledged her command.

Meanwhile, at Disney Studios, anticipation buzzed as preparations for "The Martian" kicked into high gear. Directed by Louise Meyer and helmed by Ridley Scott, the film starred Martin Davis, cementing the trio's dominance.

This mega-project, with a whopping $120 million budget, marked Davis Studio's largest venture yet. Pacific Pictures, Disney Pictures, and Gray Films all joined forces for production.

As negotiations for the lead role concluded, Martin secured a lucrative deal, buoyed by his previous successes with "Gone Girl" and "Inception."

Dubbed the 20+10 contract, Martin stood to earn up to $20 million in basic salary, with additional bonuses tied to North American box office performance.

With the stage set, "The Martian" promised to be a blockbuster, with Martin at the helm and Mene as the secondary lead.

However, in Hollywood, the pay scale for supporting actors differs significantly from that of lead actors. Despite this, Mene managed to secure a hefty paycheck of $3 million, along with corresponding post-production bonuses—quite the feat among supporting actors.

This sum alone surpassed the combined earnings of all other supporting cast members, highlighting Mene's elevated status in the industry.

Meanwhile, Jessica Chastain's audition in full makeup left a lasting impression on Louise and Ridley, leading to her unanimous casting as the female spaceship commander. Auditions for the remaining roles were also underway, with meticulous attention to detail.

"Several of my assistants have scouted locations in the Middle East and Australia," Ridley remarked. Unlike some directors, he prioritized efficiency in his work, maintaining a consistent pace of one film per year, regardless of budget constraints.

Addressing Martin directly, Ridley emphasized the importance of physical preparation for his role as a Mars-bound astronaut. "You'll need to commit the next two months to intensive training," he instructed.

"I'm ready," Martin affirmed without hesitation.

Louise chimed in, praising Martin's dedication to fitness training over the years. "He's always maintained a rigorous regimen," she added.

Ridley, known for his candid demeanor, couldn't resist a playful jab. "As we age, memory tends to fade. Almost forgot you're Hollywood's most athletic actor," he quipped before turning serious. "And don't forget to brush up on your potato farming skills," he added, alluding to a crucial plot point in the film.

Martin assured them, "I've already taken care of it," revealing a surprising depth of knowledge in agricultural practices acquired from his upbringing in the countryside.

Born in the early 1980s, Martin's rural background had instilled in him a wealth of farming expertise, surpassing even that of seasoned professionals.

The trio delved into discussions about the project's shooting schedule, production logistics, and other pertinent matters, all under Louise's capable leadership. Despite Ridley's legendary status in sci-fi filmmaking, he remained humble about his expertise.

Remarkably efficient preparations were underway, aligning with Ridley's timeline for filming to commence in mid-to-late May, wrap up within two months, and conclude post-production by October's end for a November release.

Afterward, Ridley would embark on a collaboration with 20th Century Fox for a new "Alien" installment.

As their meeting concluded, Ridley floated the idea of future collaborations on epic film projects. However, Martin, mindful of his current commitments, politely declined the offer, citing ongoing projects.

Exiting the conference room, Martin bid farewell to Louise and departed the studio. Moments later, Bruce approached with news from Annapurna Pictures—an unexpected increase in investment for both "Seventh Son" and "Transcendence."

Martin's eyebrows raised in intrigue. "Seems the fierce female president is doubling down on her investment," he remarked, intrigued by the unexpected development.