Chapter 538: The Temptation of the Oscar

In the evening, the annual awards season party blossomed all over Los Angeles at the London West Hollywood Hotel.

"Charles, thank you for the arrangements. I visited the The Hunt set in Montreal and I think it's a great movie," Michael Jackson chatted with Charles Capet on the sofa.

Charles smiled. "This movie is based on many real cases, so it's true to life," he said, looking at Michael Jackson's new look and teasingly added, "Michael, it looks like the twenty concerts in London weren't enough to satisfy your fans!"

Michael Jackson was in good spirits and laughed too, "We'll see if we need to hold more concerts after the new album is released."

Michael Jackson had to make money quickly through concerts since he wasn't in a small amount of debt!

Soon after, Michael Jackson stood up to leave. "Alright, Charles, I need to go home now. My kids might be missing me. Enjoy the party," he said.

Charles nodded, stood up and hugged Michael Jackson, and then watched the King of Pop leave.

"Charles," Eva Green approached slowly in a sexy low-cut dress.

"Good evening, darling!" Charles gave the woman a warm hug, "I heard you went back to France after finishing Thor: The Dark World? Did you just get back?"

Eva Green nodded, "Yeah, after wrapping up Thor: The Dark World, I went back to France. Now, post-production sometimes requires actors to be around, so it's more convenient to be in Los Angeles. Besides, I planned to take more European scripts. My style is a bit unconventional for Hollywood!"

Eva Green, like most early European actresses, was known for her sexiness before shifting to a darker style; She was indeed a maverick in Hollywood, mainly because competition in Hollywood was too fierce. Being a European actress, she had to appear unconventional to get resources!

Charles smiled, gently brushing the woman's hair. "You are versatile too, the dark style certainly suits you, it's your signature mark. But you look great in this delicate sexy style too. With enough fame, you won't lack resources!"

Then, Charles and Eva Green went directly up to a room on the third floor of the hotel.

On the sofa, Eva Green straddled Charles. "Is Cracks coming out next year?"

Charles nodded. "Yeah, next year, with Focus Features responsible for distribution." His hands rested on the woman's thighs beneath her skirt.

"I also shot a European sci-fi thriller Womb earlier this year, which should also come out next year," Eva Green said and kissed Charles on the face several times, "But I still prefer the dark character in Cracks!"

"It's just a strong female role. Seems like you enjoy playing villains too. Villains are usually dark characters," Charles said before kissing the woman on the lips.

At the moment, Black Swan was being filmed, and if the lead actress hadn't been set as Natalie Portman, Charles would have given Eva Green the chance; However, Natalie Portman indeed had big advantages. In terms of fame, Eva Green couldn't compete with Natalie Portman, nor could she match her box office appeal!

...

Meanwhile, at a party at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, Evelyn Capet had just finished talking with David Bonderman from TPG Capital. As a major investor, TPG Capital would fully support Evelyn Capet.

"Evelyn, what's up?" Cate Blanchett hugged Evelyn. "Wanna come over to my place for a spa tonight?"

Evelyn nodded and took a sip of champagne. "How's Robin Hood coming along?"

"It's all done, Universal has it scheduled for release next May. But not sure if the date will change, since Universal is mainly focused on Capet now," said Cate Blanchett, starring in this epic war film with Russell Crowe, which Charles wasn't fond of.

"Ridley Scott is preparing the epic series A Song of Ice and Fire based on the novel for a collaboration between Capet TV and HBO!"

"Oh, Robin Hood," Evelyn sighed. As Charles's mother, she knew how much he disliked such war blockbusters.

Before Robin Hood began filming, Charles had predicted Universal would lose $200 million making it. Now, Capet Pictures had acquired Universal, and he had to take over this film himself.

"Don't worry, Capet hasn't made many changes to Universal's release schedule for next year. The layoffs at Capet aren't completed yet, but there's enough manpower for current film marketing," Evelyn said, patting Cate Blanchett's hand. Who could know Capet's internal affairs better than Evelyn?

Robin Hood would indeed be released on time, but like The Wolfman, since test screenings had less than ideal results, marketing investment would be reserved.

Cate Blanchett laughed, "I think it's fine. Robin Hood had a huge investment, so the film company has a lot of pressure to break even."

"By the way, you've been travelling back and forth between Australia and the US a lot lately. Why not quit managing the Sydney Theatre?" Evelyn suggested, "These two years are critical for your career. Your performances in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Elizabeth: The Golden Age received lots of praise. Prepare well, you could aim for an Oscar for Best Actress. Let go of the opera business in Sydney!"

Cate Blanchett looked at Evelyn, then nodded. "Alright, I'll arrange things at the Sydney Theatre soon. An Oscar for Best Actress is very tempting."

Cate Blanchett also yearned for the Best Actress Oscar. This year's The Blind Side was a critical and commercial success.

Charles Capet's abilities were undeniable. As long as Evelyn asked, could Charles refuse? With the support of Capet Pictures and others, winning the Oscar for Best Actress wasn't that hard!

"Alright, let's go soak in your hot tub. There have been a lot of things going on lately," Evelyn said as she stood up.

Cate Blanchett nodded and followed Evelyn as they prepared to leave.

*****

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