Chapter 261: "Martin, I Want to Marry You"
Critics' opinions? The audience didn't know, nor did they care.
Right now, all they wanted was to pour their applause and enthusiasm onto the stage where the cast and crew were walking up. Only this could express the excitement bursting in their hearts.
Jennifer Aniston watched Martin, following behind Peter Jackson onto the stage, his striking presence from the film still vividly lingering in her mind.
Her heartbeat quickened, her face warmed, and she felt an inexplicable emotion welling in her chest, yearning for release.
"Ahhh, Martin! Martin!"
"Legolas! Legolas!"
Hearing the passionate cries of women all around her, Jennifer finally realized what that emotion was.
It was hormones—damn it!
When the entire cast was on stage, the hall was already resonating with chants of "Martin, Martin" and "Legolas, Legolas." The men in the audience couldn't help but get swept up in the excitement too.
Kevin Thomas from The Los Angeles Times sighed and muttered to himself, "Martin portrayed an extraordinary... vase."
Never had he thought he'd one day attach the word "extraordinary" to a "vase" role.
But Legolas—
That was different! Truly different!
During the Q&A session, the reporters almost entirely directed their questions to Martin.
"Martin, why did you choose to play such a vase-like role?"
"Because Legolas... he's truly beautiful. And I like beautiful things!"
"Martin, aren't you afraid this role might typecast you?"
"My next movie will give you an answer."
"Martin, how did you manage to portray the timeless, pure yet melancholic aura of an elf?"
"Uh, I didn't act it out? Haven't you seen online? I am an elf!"
The audience burst into laughter.
"Martin, rumors say you're having an improper relationship with Anne Hathaway. Is it true?"
A World News reporter stood up provocatively.
Having been cornered by Martin multiple times, this tabloid seemed intent on picking a fight with him.
"Didn't you guys spread that rumor yourselves? So why are you asking me?"
Another wave of laughter followed. Even some media professionals present deliberately laughed aloud, expressing disdain for World News's underhanded tactics.
"Martin, you had many action scenes in the film, and you executed them with exceptional grace. How did you achieve that?"
"I owe it to our brilliant stunt team. They did a fantastic job."
"But others had action scenes too. Why weren't theirs as graceful as yours?"
Martin turned to his co-stars Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, and Orlando Bloom, grinning mischievously. "This guy says your moves are ugly. How should I respond?"
The hall erupted in laughter again.
Viggo Mortensen chuckled loudly, "No, our moves aren't ugly. We're the tough-guy style!"
Feigning indignation, Martin furrowed his brows and mimicked drawing a bow. "You dare say I'm not a tough guy? Aragorn, we're done today!"
More laughter followed.
During the audience Q&A session, a lucky teenage girl got her chance. She jumped to her feet, clutching the microphone with trembling hands, her voice quivering:
"Ma-Martin, oh, I'm so excited!" Her hand shook as she held the mic, her chest rising and falling. "I'm not here to ask a question. Martin, I just want to say, one day, I'll marry you and become your wife. Oh, I swear, with everyone here as witnesses, I'll make it happen. Just wait for me!"
Her words caused an uproar, eliciting hisses and mocking voices from women around her.
"Stop dreaming!"
"Martin is mine. Nobody can take him from me!"
"You b*tch, as if Martin would notice you!"
Martin rubbed his forehead awkwardly, his expression sheepish. "Uh, can someone explain what just happened? So this is—um—what exactly?"
His reaction, like a shy young man faced with a sudden confession, was deliberately staged but perfectly appropriate for the moment.
The audience chuckled good-naturedly.
"Martin, do you have anything to say to your future wife?" Viggo Mortensen teased, winking playfully.
Clearly, Aragorn knew how to capitalize on the spotlight in such situations.
"Well, I'd like to start by asking this young lady's name. I can't possibly marry someone I don't know!"
"Martin, my name is Keira Knightley. Remember it!"
Martin froze momentarily before nodding.
Indeed, it was her—the actress who would later play the governor's daughter in Pirates of the Caribbean.
"Miss Keira Knightley."
"Call me Keira!"
Martin chuckled helplessly. "Miss Keira, I wouldn't mind marrying a girl as lovely as you, but today's event is about the movie. Let's focus on that, shall we?"
His words made Keira Knightley blush slightly. Unperturbed by the surrounding boos and mockery, she eagerly nodded and replied:
"Anything you say, Martin. After we get married, I'll listen to you no matter what!"
The crowd erupted into even louder jeers.
Seeing the growing chaos, the host quickly intervened. "Alright, Martin's marital status ends here. Next question!" He gestured for staff to take the mic from the girl.
The next person chosen was a middle-aged man—deliberately picked by the host to avoid further drama.
"I'm Patrick Cusa, a devoted fan of Tolkien's works."
"To be honest, when I first heard about The Lord of the Rings being adapted into a movie, I was skeptical."
"But after seeing the trailer, I changed my mind."
"It's incredible."
"My question is, were all the beautiful landscapes in the film really shot in New Zealand?"
"I think this question is best answered by Director Peter Jackson."
Peter Jackson took the mic, cracking a joke first. "Finally, it's my turn!"
He then replied, "Absolutely! All the exterior shots were filmed on location in New Zealand. It's a country with stunning landscapes…"
He went on to enthusiastically praise his homeland.
[TL/N: If he's praising the China, i wouldn't hesitate to fucking delete all of his dialogue here.]