Chapter 135: Muse
After meeting with Arthur in New York, Frank Darabont took the $1 million funding from Galaxy to start preparing for his long-awaited movie, The Shawshank Redemption.
Galaxy and Castle Rock teamed up for this production, with Galaxy as the main investor holding North American distribution rights. Castle Rock handled the overseas market due to their partnership with Columbia TriStar, giving Columbia TriStar international distribution rights.
However, because Arthur had promised Frank Darabont the directorial role, the condition was that Galaxy would own the film rights, which was no problem for Frank Darabont.
On the Brooklyn Bridge, Arthur drove a BMW Z1 convertible, taking Sophie Marceau from Downtown Manhattan through Brooklyn to the Canarsie pier on Brooklyn's southeast side.
The Atlantic sea breeze blowing through Jamaica Bay felt refreshing!
In the car, Sophie Marceau straddled Arthur, holding onto his neck. "How come you have time to take me out today?"
Sophie Marceau was wearing a simple blue shirt today, yet she still exuded a wild, genuine, romantic, rebellious, and seductive charm.
Arthur reached out and brushed Sophie Marceau's bangs, kissing her on the cheek. "You've been rehearsing A Few Good Men for days now; it's time for a break. Isn't it good to take you out for some relaxation?"
"Mmm," Sophie Marceau smiled and gave Arthur a passionate French kiss.
After the kiss, they got out of the car. On the nearby Canarsie pier, boats occasionally set sail.
"Last night, I went to the cinema to watch an American movie. I really liked it," Sophie Marceau spoke about the movie while leaning against Arthur by the car.
"Oh, which one?" Arthur asked.
"Thelma & Louise!"
Arthur smiled. "It's indeed a good movie. The box office has surpassed $40 million now with great reviews. The feminist theme definitely appeals to women like you!"
Thelma & Louise had a production budget of just over $16 million. Despite being a drama film, it had grossed over $40 million since its late May release, which was impressive.
It probably wouldn't reach $50 million, but the film had excellent reviews. The subsequent video market should also earn a considerable amount. Ridley Scott's directing didn't disappoint.
"Feminism, homosexuality, resistance," Sophie Marceau laughed and said, "Thelma & Louise isn't your typical Hollywood commercial film. There aren't many artsy films in Hollywood, are there?"
"Not very many. Even if there are, most are dominated by European filmmakers," Arthur rested his chin on Sophie Marceau's shoulder. "This year at the Cannes Film Festival, the Coen brothers were the representatives of American independent directors."
"The brothers who won the Palme d'Or?"
Arthur nodded.
"Hey, now that I'm in Hollywood, I'm basically a newcomer," Sophie Marceau said as she touched Arthur's face. "Do I have a future in Hollywood?"
"Hollywood is highly commercial; box office success is an actor's most important guarantee," Arthur explained. "You can certainly make art films, but you must not give up on commercial ones. Hollywood is the world's movie center.
Making a name for yourself here opens up more opportunities. It's even tougher for European actresses. Most start off as pretty faces!"
In the future, Sophie Marceau would break into Hollywood through roles like the one in Braveheart and as a Bond girl in The World Is Not Enough.
However, Sophie Marceau has a strong personality. Dissatisfied with Hollywood focusing on her looks rather than her acting skills, she left Hollywood and returned to Europe to continue her career.
Sophie Marceau turned around, holding Arthur's face close. "The role in A Few Good Men isn't a mere pretty face, is it?"
"Haven't I told you before? I'm your fan. For your first role, I wouldn't give you something trivial that would be disgraceful," Arthur said while hugging her waist. "I want to make you the representative French star in Hollywood. There aren't many non-English speaking actors making it big here."
Sophie Marceau was three years older than Arthur. "I bet you say things like this to many girls. With your status and position, there aren't many women you can't have. After a while, you might get tired of me!"
Arthur just smiled. "Right now, I'm still very young and focused on my career. My dreams and goals are vast. The road to success has beautiful scenery. Don't you want to see it with me?"
Sophie Marceau laughed, covering her mouth. "There must be many women who want to see the scenery with you. Do I still have a spot?"
"Hey, you're my muse..."
At night, in a suite at the Edison Hotel, a man and a woman were engaged in a vigorous struggle on the bed, their heavy breathing filling the room!
"Sophie, come back to Los Angeles with me tomorrow night," Arthur said, resting on Sophie Marceau's chest, feeling her breathing.
"Hmm, the film starts shooting in late September. Do you want me to stay in the U.S. the whole time?" Sophie Marceau, with her body covered in a sheen of sweat, ran her fingers through Arthur's hair.
"Is that a problem?" Arthur bit Sophie Marceau's chest, right next to a mole on her fair skin.
"Hey," Sophie Marceau exclaimed, "But if I stay in the U.S., I don't have much to do, and how much time can you spend with me?"
Arthur shook his head. "Don't think I know nothing. You signed with the newly formed American agency UTA this year, right?"
"I don't believe they haven't arranged any American activities or work for you!"
UTA, formed from the merger of Bauer-Benedek Agency and Leading Artists Agency, was a mid-sized agency in Hollywood.
While it couldn't rival the big three agencies - CAA, WME, and ICM - it was stronger than the ITA Arthur had joined early in his career.
Sophie Marceau flipped over, pinning Arthur beneath her, and laughed. "Alright, the agency did arrange some ads and magazine shoots, as well as some fashion business events and TV shows."
"I'll go back to Los Angeles with you tomorrow night!"
After saying that, Sophie Marceau began kissing Arthur's chest, and soon, his excited gasping could be heard...
*****
https://www.patreon.com/Sayonara816.