Chapter 634: Popular all over the world!

As the photos of Leonardo from yesteryear were juxtaposed with his present-day shots, the difference was glaring.

Lorraine chimed in, "Leo's still as dashing as ever."

Leonardo interjected, "Uncle Leo, remember?"

Meanwhile, Nicholson and Martin were engrossed in editing the video, deftly selecting and saving clips.

Lorraine eagerly grabbed the storage disk. "Looks like I'm cashing in big this time. I've got a month's worth of pocket money!"

Leonardo glanced at Lorraine, the money-savvy enthusiast, then at Martin and Nicholson, deep in conversation. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was the butt of their joke.

Were these guys messing with him?

Martin, focused on his task, inquired, "Jack, do you use social media?"

Nicholson shook his head. "Not my cup of tea."

"Pass me a copy of those two photos," Martin requested, pointing at the screen. "I've got a sizable following on Twitter, Facebook, my blog, and the Coke God's official website. I'll share them to drum up attention for Leo."

Nicholson promptly complied.

Leonardo scratched his head, feeling torn. These two were helping him chase that Oscar dream, but were they also using the opportunity to have a laugh at his expense?

For the sake of that Best Actor statuette, he'd have to grin and bear it. But once he had it in hand, he swore to turn it into juice and make them drink it!

Martin pocketed the USB drive and switched to another computer.

Lorraine inquired, "Which website should we send the video to?"

Martin, already prepared, replied, "My team did a survey. Guess which site gets the most hits from Academy members?"

Lorraine ventured, "Rotten Tomatoes or MTC?"

"Nope," Martin divulged. "It's TMZ."

Nicholson chuckled. "Yep, even we enjoy some celebrity gossip."

Martin decided, "Let's get the video on TMZ's front page."

Leonardo, risking life and dignity, asked, "Just my water gun blooper on the headlines?"

Martin instructed Lorraine, "Pass the video to Bob. Let him handle the sales, and the profits are yours."

Lorraine darted off. "Off to find Bob!"

Martin fired up his official Twitter, posting Leonardo's water gun photo with a playful caption: "Behold, Hollywood's most handsome gent!"

Next, he shared a snap of Leonardo as Jack, with the caption: "Former heartthrob alert!"

Leonardo, feeling deflated, sank into the couch, not keen on conversation.

Martin replicated the posts across his blog, Facebook, and the Coke God Cult's website.

Nicholson sauntered over, beaming. "Excellent work. Text and visuals in perfect harmony." He gestured at the screen. "Check out the replies."

One comment caught their eye: "Oh my God, is this Leonardo?" It was from Annette Bening, who'd tagged Jolia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Meryl Streep, and Sandra Bullock. "Ladies, come see your former heartthrob turned into a greasy uncle!"

Sandra Bullock wasted no time chiming in, her trademark playful tone evident in her comment: "What's happened to Leonardo over the years? How did he end up like this? Is this still the Jack we all know and love?"

Martin swiftly pulled out his phone, rallying support with a quick text.

Soon, Kate Winslet appeared on Martin's Twitter, responding to the comments: "Leo's paid his dues, shedding his old image to hone his craft. He's been pushing boundaries for years."

Annette Bening added her voice: "Leonardo's work ethic is vastly underrated."

Martin beckoned Leonardo over. "Check this out. They're singing your praises."

Leonardo, eyeing the positive feedback, remarked, "Looks like it's paying off. If I clinch the prize, Martin, I'm throwing a bash with a bevy of Asian actresses—all expenses covered!"

He added, "I know a Malaysian gal. Her investor's like your Burmese buddy—loaded and well-connected in Southeast Asia."

Martin pondered. "Let's scout Korean actresses. Those Korean always have an eye for talent."

Leonardo vowed, "With the Best Actor win, nothing's off the table."

Martin mulled over potential attendees. Zhang Yizhen? Jeon Ji Hyun? Song Hye Kyo?

---

Meanwhile, TMZ's deputy editor, Judy, dashed out of the office, drawn by Bruce's call. Spotting his familiar Volkswagen, she slipped into the passenger seat.

Bruce handed over a USB drive. "Hot stuff, straight from Leonardo."

Judy, ever the pro, plugged it in, expecting juicy material. To her surprise, it wasn't quite the exposé she anticipated—just Leonardo goofing around in floral pants.

"Is that it?" she asked, underwhelmed.

Bruce gestured to the screen. "Isn't this enough? Belly, fat face, water gun—prime TMZ material."

After viewing, Judy was puzzled. "Why post this? Isn't Martin Leo's buddy?"

Bruce clarified, "Martin's gunning for Leo's Best Actor win."

Judy was perplexed but saw the gossip potential. "I'll take it. Price?"

Bruce, briefed by Lorraine, quoted, "3,000 bucks, plus a homepage headline."

"Deal. I'll cut you a check later," Judy agreed, powering down.

Bruce winced as Judy got grabby, his discomfort evident. "Tonight. Promise."

Judy glanced at her watch. "No waiting. Nearby hotel. Now."

Bruce, bracing himself, trailed after her, grumbling, "Can't you go easy?"

Judy, proud of her figure, shook off the suggestion. Exiting the hotel, Bruce clutched his waist, feeling the impact.

Meanwhile, armed with a slew of "charming" Leonardo photos, Lorraine blitzed the media.

It traversed the bustling streets of Los Angeles, fetching thousands of dollars in total.

Coupled with Bruce's $3,000 check, Lorraine's pocket money skyrocketed this month.

The following day, trendy photos of Leonardo adorned many entertainment media outlets, from "The Hollywood Reporter" to "Entertainment Weekly," wielding substantial influence in Hollywood.

"Vanity Fair," beloved by Tinseltown's elite, boldly featured Leonardo's water gun photo on its cover!

Accompanying it was a meticulously crafted article penned by Leonardo's seasoned PR team.

The crux of the article echoed Martin's sentiments.

"In his pursuit of artistic innovation, Leonardo shattered his on-screen persona and underwent profound personal transformation. Today, he stands as a consummate actor..."

Backed by compelling visuals comparing past and present, the article exuded confidence, leaving readers with the impression of Leonardo's undeniable prowess and authenticity.

Leonardo's water gun photos became the talk of the town overnight, rapidly disseminating across the globe.

Just like his iconic portrayal of Jack, the water gun snapshot became one of Leonardo's most iconic images.

In a subsequent issue of "Time" magazine, Leonardo graced the cover once more.

Yet, he remained a contender, not yet ascending to the title of Man of the Year.

Amidst the New Year's approaching, Oscar PR campaigns kicked into high gear.

With Martin eyeing a Best Actor nod, he found himself somewhat at ease. Aside from attending "Gone Girl" screenings and aiding David Fincher's vote canvassing efforts, he focused on strategizing with Nicholson to bolster Leonardo DiCaprio's campaign.

Leonardo spared no expense on publicity and PR for "Shutter Island," re-released in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

Nicholson and Warren Beatty rallied support, identifying and promoting key competitors such as Javier Bardem in "The Mistake," Jeff Bridges in "True Grit," and James Franco in "127 Hours."

Despite their merits, none matched Leonardo's stature, with "Shutter Island" lacking the backing of a powerhouse like Harvey Weinstein.

With the Oscar power vacuum, Leonardo emerged as the frontrunner for Best Actor.

Meanwhile, the most sought-after Best Actress contender was Natalie Portman, gracing events with her prominent baby bump and garnering special treatment.

Utilizing unprecedented PR tactics, she effortlessly captivated attention, culminating in an engagement ceremony with Benjamin Millepied just before Christmas—an event Martin couldn't afford to miss, especially for the sake of Ali Emmanuel.