Chapter 230 - Lady Snowblood

When it came to "Kill Bill," there were many scenes with a Japanese influence. Even the antagonist, a female boss, was dressed in a kimono and wielded a Japanese sword.

It was said that director Quentin paid tribute to and remade a Japanese swordplay film called "Lady Snowblood." The so-called swordplay film was focused on combat and aimed to provide thrilling entertainment, often referred to as a "fighting scene."

Typically, such films were imbued with a historical setting, showcasing the spirit of the samurai and the culture of swordsmanship. They were an essential component of Japanese cinema.

In the final battle scene, set in a Japanese courtyard covered in white snow, the pristine ground was splattered with dots of fresh blood, creating a visually striking contrast that evoked a sense of awe-inspiring beauty. This was the direct embodiment of violent aesthetics.

That scene was one that Laila remembered vividly, and during the preparations for filming, she had worried about capturing its charm perfectly. If she failed to portray its essence accurately, the movie might become her "Waterloo."

Arriving at the entrance of the theme park, Laila saw the park's manager, Billy, standing there with his rotund belly, smiling like Maitreya Buddha.

"Billy, it's been a while. You seem to be doing well," Laila said as she got out of the car.

Billy took a few steps forward with a hearty laugh and joined her side. "All thanks to the boss's care. I've made a little fortune recently."

He was referring to the "weighty" information that Laila instructed him to release to the media. To get him to spill the beans, the reporters had shelled out a considerable amount of cash.

However, those reporters had a good deal as well. The information they bought from Billy for $100,000 was easily worth several times or even ten times that amount to any news outlet. So, when he talked about a little fortune, he meant a genuine fortune.

"Moderation is key. Just be careful," Laila reminded him to avoid him getting addicted to selling information. She didn't want a deluge of random and chaotic information flying around. Otherwise, when she released genuine news, nobody would believe it.

Billy patted his chest—or more accurately, his stomach area. "Rest assured, I might be dim-witted, but I won't do anything that harms the company!"

"That's good." Laila gave him a meaningful look and headed into the theme park.

She knew that as long as Billy wasn't foolish, he would understand the benefits of playing the long game. It was vastly different to earn money in one go and to earn a steady income over time. Was Billy stupid? Definitely not!

"The front area is almost ready, and the main section in the back is also under construction," Billy accompanied her, reporting on the progress, "You know, many people are paying attention to our project. For the sake of secrecy, we've wasted a lot of time on covert actions, which has slowed down our progress."

Laila nodded in understanding. "We're not in a hurry. You can continue building as we film. The main construction needs to be detailed. Don't worry about the budget; we can earn it all back later anyway."

The front area was quite simple, resembling a large desert. They transported a significant amount of sand and built a rudimentary desert church, creating the entirety of the front section's scenery.

Despite the apparent lack of technical complexity, this part played an essential role in the film since it was the origin of the entire story.

Once the film was completed and the entire theme park transformation was finished, the theme park would have another inexhaustible goldmine. So, she didn't mind spending a bit more on the budget than the original version.

While the front area allowed visitors to experience desolation and desert landscapes, the main section would let them immerse themselves in Japanese culture. Guests could enjoy the scenery while feeling the exotic atmosphere, fulfilling their anticipation of the film's settings. Laila believed that nobody would dislike such a place!

"Have you seen the design plans? The main section was designed by experts we specially invited from Japan, ensuring authenticity!"

"I've seen them, and the design is quite impressive. Just keep an eye on the construction progress. I hope to see results by September at the latest."

Billy smiled confidently. "Rest assured, even if I fail in September, you're free to fire me!" Everyone knew he loved this job, and his willingness to use it as a wager showed his full confidence.

Laila followed Billy as he showed her around the main construction site. Currently, only the outlines had been erected, yet a strong Japanese ambiance was already emanating from the area. Regardless of how many people disliked Japan due to its historical wounds, they had to admit that the country had done a good job preserving its traditions.

The most noticeable aspect was that one could occasionally spot people dressed in kimonos walking the streets in Japan. However, in their home country, not to mention hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing), qipao (traditional Chinese dress) was nearly extinct. However, in Laila's reincarnated world, there were already some individuals advocating for the revival of hanfu. She hoped that one day, they could truly promote and revitalize their national clothing.

As Hollywood moved past the cold of May and transitioned to warmer temperatures, evenings might still be somewhat chilly, but daytime was suitable for walking around in lightweight clothing. While the wide temperature difference between day and night might be uncomfortable for some tourists, for Laila, who had lived in regions with much larger fluctuations, the warm weather was quite pleasant.

And as the end of May approached, after reaping the remaining box office earnings of "Final Destination," Laila, with her blonde secretary, Theron, and others, boarded the Moran family's private plane, accompanying her family to the top-tier American Express [AmEx] gathering.

The box office earnings this time didn't reach $400 million, which left Laila a bit disappointed.

However, there was no way around it. May was already the summer movie season, and the films being released were getting stronger one after another. To compete against those big-budget blockbusters with a film like "Final Destination," especially one that had been screening until its later stages and was an R-rated horror movie, was like using a pebble against a boulder. Laila wasn't so short-sighted.

But it was about to arrive—her era of blockbusters!

Laila's hand clenched, her gaze looking out of the aircraft's round window. She watched the city under the clear sky and the clouds drifting by, feeling her emotions surge. The vast sky symbolized a larger stage, and once all preparations were complete, she would make another wave of impact on Hollywood, on the United States, and the whole world!

"Darling." Janet walked up to her. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Not at all." Laila smiled at her. "I just don't like flying."

"I know that." Janet covered her lips as she smiled. "After 'Final Destination' finished airing, the passenger rate on planes reportedly dropped significantly. Some people even went to complain to your grandfather."

Laila had come across related news stories about this, but she didn't pay them much mind. In the vast expanse of the United States, airplanes were incredibly convenient modes of transportation. Even if some people were scared off by tales of air disasters for now, once they forget and the impact wanes, they'll be back.