Chapter 23: Inspiration from the Rodney King Incident

After finalizing all the collaborations, Kevin left under the pretext of preparing for a new project.

Meanwhile, Dawson continued to work tirelessly for Kevin's old classmates and several newly signed actors.

After the disbandment of the Saw crew, they all signed contracts with CAA and were assigned various projects to enhance their skills while awaiting Kevin's next call.

Of course, the biggest star among them was Clark Gregg, constantly flooded with film offers.

However, none of this concerned Dawson. After briefly meeting with Robert Downey Jr., he hurriedly returned to his hotel in Beverly Hills.

Since he arrived in this world, he had been living in hotels, feeling somewhat lonely.

After all, he had no family, just an orphan.

Fortunately, he always had the company of beautiful women by his side, which made this feeling not too overwhelming.

...

Inside the suite, Angelina Jolie hadn't gone anywhere. She was waiting for him, knowing that Kevin was far more important than her own modeling career.

So she decisively took a long break, intending to spend quality time with Kevin in the hotel.

Even if she didn't end up becoming Kevin's wife, she wanted to be there by his side for his new project. Perhaps she could secure an important role for herself.

It was much better than aimlessly wandering around on her own.

After enjoying a delicious meal in the hotel, Jolie returned to the room and turned on the TV, fully immersing herself in the leisurely moment.

As Kevin opened the door, he saw a disheveled beauty lying on the sofa, exuding an irresistible charm. It instantly rejuvenated him.

Just as Kevin was about to approach Jolie and engage in some mischief, his attention was captivated by the news playing on the television.

"ABC! Bringing you the fastest and best news!"

The TV news program began with its catchy slogan and then proceeded to the main story.

"Reporter Devin brings you the latest updates on the Rodney King incident. Since March 3rd, following the release of the video showing Rodney King being assaulted by the police due to drunk driving, the public unanimously condemns the police's excessive use of force."

"As of now, the four officers involved in the video are still under arrest, and their trial is expected to commence soon..."

Watching the news, Kevin sat beside Jolie, contemplating as he stared at the TV.

Meanwhile, Jolie propped her chin with her hand, attentively observing the man in front of her. She found Kevin's serious demeanor particularly attractive (and wealthy).

The TV news triggered Kevin's memory. The aftermath of the Rodney King incident had far-reaching consequences that surpassed everyone's recollection.

On April 29th of the following year, the four officers who assaulted Rodney King would be acquitted, leading to the onset of the Los Angeles riots.

Even in Kevin's memory, the riots were the largest in the United States since the 20th century. Lasting for four days, they resulted in immeasurable casualties and economic losses.

Inside the house, Angelina Jolie hadn't gone anywhere. She was waiting for him in the house. Compared to her own modeling career, Kevin was undoubtedly more important.

Therefore, she decisively took a long vacation and planned to accompany Kevin in the hotel.

Even if she couldn't become Kevin's wife in the end, she would still be there to witness his new project. Perhaps she could secure an important role for herself.

It was much better than wandering around aimlessly on her own.

After enjoying a delicious meal in the hotel, Jolie returned to her room and turned on the TV to relax.

When Kevin opened the door, he saw Jolie lying seductively on the sofa with her clothes slightly disheveled. She looked extremely enticing, instantly capturing Kevin's attention.

Just as Kevin was about to approach Jolie and have some fun, his attention was suddenly drawn to the news playing on the television.

"ABC! Bringing you the fastest and best news!"

The TV news program began with its usual introduction and then moved on to the main content.

"Reporter Devin brings you the latest developments on the Rodney King incident. Since March 3rd, after the release of the video showing Rodney King being beaten by the police, the public unanimously condemned the police's excessive use of force."

"Currently, the four police officers seen in the video are still under arrest, and the trial is set to begin in the coming days..."

Watching this news, Kevin sat down next to Jolie and pondered, his gaze fixed on the television.

On the other side, Jolie rested her chin on her hand, carefully observing the man in front of her. He looked serious and extraordinarily handsome (wealthy).

The TV news awakened Kevin's memories of the Rodney King incident and its far-reaching consequences, surpassing the recollection of most people.

On April 29th of the following year, the four police officers who beat Rodney King would be acquitted, leading to the arrival of the Los Angeles riots.

Even in Kevin's memory, this riot was the largest in the United States since the 20th century, lasting for four days and causing immeasurable human casualties and economic losses.

Of course, although Kevin was now an American, he didn't care about the life or death of these people. What he cared about was what he could gain from this riot.

Essentially, this riot was just an expression of the black community's frustration with their position in America, an opportunity for them to vent their emotions.

But Kevin could fully exploit this sentiment and create a film that allowed black people to express their emotions. Only Kevin knew the immense power that black audiences could unleash in the cinemas, as demonstrated by the success of the movie "Black Panther" and its Oscar wins.

With this opportunity, Kevin could even establish himself as a champion of equality, an invincible label.

Thinking about this, Kevin recalled a joke. In the future, a transgender, homosexual, animal rights activist, environmentalist, disabled black person could walk confidently anywhere in the United States.

In the future, political correctness would reach obsessive, even perverse levels. It seemed like a good choice to preemptively embrace such a label.

With this thought in mind, he instantly abandoned the film he had planned to make and replaced it with another.

[Get Out]

The plot of "Get Out" is simple. In a small town, people possess a special ability to exploit the bodies of black individuals, granting them eternal life.

And the white woman, Rose, becomes the bait seeking strong black bodies for the town's inhabitants.

The protagonist, a black man named Chris, accidentally uncovers this conspiracy and tries to escape from the town.

The story is simple, but it exaggerates the ways in which white people harm black people to a mind-boggling sci-fi level.

Of course, for Kevin, the greatest significance lies in the ability of this film to stimulate the "G-spot" of black audiences to the maximum extent. It's obvious that with appropriate promotion, it will ignite the passion of black people and achieve explosive box office success.

It might even contend for awards.

Yes, that's also why Kevin chose this film.

With perfect timing, favorable circumstances, and strategic public relations, it's not impossible for him to win an Oscar.

Of course, it might not be for Best Director.

But Best Picture has a great possibility. After all, at such a unique moment, Hollywood also needs to do something to appease the anger of black people...

With these thoughts in mind, Kevin finally decides on his next film.

"Jolie!"

Jolie raises her head, puzzled by Kevin's sudden call. The next moment, her lips are sealed by Kevin's mouth.

Jolie cooperates fully, and the two of them quickly become intimate.

...

A few days later, Kevin arrived at New Line Cinema with the sequel script for "Saw" along with detailed storyboards.

Both parties reached an agreement on the rights.

Shortly after, a sum of $31.1 million was deposited into his account. After deducting $1.55 million for CAA and the $100,000 Kevin had withdrawn in advance, he had a total of over $29 million in his account.

"Kevin, don't forget about taxes. In the United States, only death and taxes are unavoidable," Dean jokingly reminded him.

"Of course, spending it early is also an option," Kevin nodded.

He was well aware of the U.S. tax system. In theory, if he didn't use this money before April 15th next year, various taxes combined could easily reach up to 60%.

High taxes are an indispensable factor in the high welfare provided by developed countries like the United States.

Of course, tax avoidance is also an eternal topic among wealthy individuals in the United States.