Chapter 148

The next day, filming was underway.

Peter Jackson looked at Cate Blanchett and praised, "Cate, you're looking great today."

Then, with some confusion, he added, "And this new necklace of yours—it matches the Elf Queen's temperament perfectly. When did you get it?"

Cate Blanchett touched the necklace around her neck casually and smiled. "I bought it a long time ago, but I never wore it."

"You should've worn it earlier," Peter Jackson murmured.

In the temporary rest area of the studio, Martin, dressed as an elf, sat quietly reading the script while waiting for his next scene.

According to the original timeline of The Lord of the Rings, even if all three trilogies were combined, Legolas, the elf prince, wouldn't have had much screen time. But after Peter Jackson's revisions, while the general storyline remained the same, Legolas' role was greatly expanded.

It could be said that Legolas' role now rivals that of Frodo Baggins, played by Elijah Wood.

Because the movie requires many complex sets and large models as backgrounds, the production is cumbersome, and the filming process cannot be rushed. Even though Martin is focused on his "Legolas" scenes, he estimates it will take at least three months to complete his work.

For Martin, who has the memory of his previous self and has already read the full script, he understands the direction of the trilogy and Peter Jackson's vision. Reading the script now is just for show—he's mainly organizing his plans for the upcoming year.

Next year, the second installment of the Harry Potter series will be released. At the same time, he'll release the first part of The Twilight Saga, hoping to ride the coattails of Harry Potter's popularity.

Additionally, his negotiations with Warner Bros. regarding the Harry Potter franchise will continue, and he's aiming to secure a contract as good as Tom Cruise's deal with Paramount.

There's also Pirates of the Caribbean. Disney, the "tyrant," has relented, and filming should begin next year. However, Martin isn't eager to challenge Johnny Depp's iconic role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

As for The Island and Hide and Seek, both have potential for multiple Oscar nominations in March. Perhaps they can push for an Oscar win for Nicole Kidman first—after all, Nicole hasn't publicly split from Cruise yet, and this could benefit the interests of Cruise Films, which has invested in these projects. With Harvey Weinstein's Miramax behind it, Nicole has a solid chance at winning.

Martin briefly wonders about The Matrix and whether Warner would be willing to invest in it. If not, it might actually work out in his favor, as Meyers Pictures could either go it alone or sign a distribution deal with Warner.

It's not that Martin doesn't want to go solo; he simply can't at this stage.

In Hollywood, apart from the six major film companies—Warner Bros., Disney, 20th Century Fox, Sony, Columbia, and Paramount—it's nearly impossible for independent studios to stand on their own.

Take DreamWorks, for example. Founded by Steven Spielberg, David Geffen, and Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks was a powerful alliance in the mid-'90s. The studio's market value hit $2 billion in just five years, positioning it as a potential "Seventh Giant of Hollywood" and a competitor to the struggling MGM.

However, when DreamWorks ventured into distribution after 2000, it faced brutal opposition from the "Big Six." The very companies that had once cooperated with DreamWorks now sought to crush it. Amid mounting obstacles and internal conflicts, the three founders ultimately sold DreamWorks to Viacom in 2005. What had once been a dream became a shattered reality.

Martin knows that distribution is a line the Big Six won't allow others to cross. Therefore, for the time being, he won't touch it.

As for his own commercial blockbusters, he'll aim for joint ventures with the major studios. He doesn't particularly care whether Meyers Pictures can become Hollywood's seventh giant; the film and television industry isn't his most profitable venture. He entered the entertainment business to gain influence, ensuring that he isn't easily manipulated or oppressed. For now, that's enough.

But if the opportunity to rise to the top presents itself, he won't hesitate to seize it.

As he reviews his plans for the next year, Martin's attention is drawn to the opposite side of the camera, where Liv Tyler, dressed as an elf princess, is arguing with Elrond, played by Hugo Weaving.

Liv Tyler's performance, portraying an elf princess in a decorative role, is adequate, but not as impactful as Martin's. After all, she's not playing the lead, and her charm lies more in her appearance, costumes, and makeup. With her talent and years of experience, she handles the role effortlessly.

As Peter Jackson calls, "CUT. Alright, everyone take a break," Liv Tyler walks directly toward Martin without hesitation.

Given Martin's age, no one doubts the nature of their relationship.

"Hi, Martin," Liv Tyler greets him and sits down beside him.

"Hey, Liv. You're doing great today!" Martin casually compliments her.

"Ha, thanks," Liv replies with a sly smile, then adds, "The kiss scene between Arwen and Aragorn is about to be filmed. Should I talk to the director about borrowing the filming location?"

"You decide, I don't mind," Martin shrugs nonchalantly.

He truly doesn't care. The "romance" has already been established, and Liv will undoubtedly make the "right" decision.