Chapter 269: Jim Carrey

The death of Brandon Lee did not make much of a splash in Hollywood. The Oscars continued to be the main topic of interest. Soon, the police announced it was an accident, and no one was charged.

Arthur and Winona drove from Naples to Miami's Little Havana, soaking in the Cuban atmosphere.

"There are indeed many Latinos here," Arthur thought, with his arm around Winona's shoulder. Miami, close to the Caribbean, could influence the entire Central America region.

"There's a movie set ahead," Winona Ryder suddenly pointed out.

"Let's head back to the hotel early!" Arthur, feeling a bit tired, had no interest.

Winona Ryder smiled, "Alright, we'll eat something and then go back."

"Oh, that actor's facial expressions are really vivid," Winona Ryder commented as they passed the set.

Arthur also looked over. The hairstyle and expressions caught his attention. Then he glanced at the crew's name: Jim Carrey's movie "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective!"

Arthur had forgotten about him. Jim Carrey was now playing the lead?

"Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" was Jim Carrey's first starring movie. Jim Carrey started in comedy clubs and then moved to television. Over the past few years, he had taken small roles in films and gained some recognition. But Jim Carrey was still a minor figure in Hollywood.

"By the way, buy the movie adaptation rights for The Mask from Dark Horse Comics and start working on the script immediately," Arthur said, sitting on the hotel sofa and talking to his assistant, Anna Walker, on the phone.

"Got it. And Jim Carrey?"

"Sign him for a three-movie deal with Galaxy. I think The Mask suits him well," Arthur said, stroking Winona Ryder's hair, feeling a shift in his emotions.

Warner Bros. had invested only $12 million in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and it was Jim Carrey's first lead role. 

Arthur couldn't miss out on the rising star Jim Carrey. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was set for release next year, and The Mask hadn't started yet, so it had to be secured!

Arthur remembered that Jim Carrey would have three movies released next year, all successful. They had to collaborate before his asking price went up. 

"Got it. I'll make sure to get the adaptation rights for The Mask and negotiate with Jim Carrey's agent."

After hanging up, Arthur felt a rush of excitement. The future comedy king, Jim Carrey!

A while later, Winona, came out of bathroom and snuggled into Arthur's arms.

"Did you ask the company to contact Jim Carrey?" Winona asked softly.

Arthur nodded, caressing Winona Ryder, "Jim Carrey's slapstick style has great market potential. This comedy approach will be well-received by audiences."

"But didn't I hear Jim Carrey's been just playing minor roles in Hollywood, doing impressions for laughs?" Winona Ryder asked, puzzled. "And you're planning to make him the lead?"

Arthur smiled, "He's the lead in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, a Warner Bros. project!"

"Alright, your judgment has always been good," Winona smiled too. In the afternoon, after Arthur discovered Jim Carrey on set, he immediately had someone investigate Carrey's situation.

Now, by evening, he had decided to make a minor figure the lead?

"This time, your luck was good. If you hadn't brought me to Florida, I wouldn't have discovered this talent," Arthur said, stroking Winona's face.

With so much going on, Arthur couldn't always remember everything. Often, he needed to see or hear something to recall it!

...

After spending more than a week in Florida, Arthur and Winona Ryder returned to Los Angeles.

The recent Oscars had not yet lost their buzz. The large-scale Oscar charity celebration held at the Bel-Air Hotel still had a significant impact, with various entertainment channels, newspapers, and magazines covering it extensively.

At East Hollywood's Galaxy Studios, a screening of The Shawshank Redemption, now renamed to Redemption, took place. Galaxy invited some critics and media personnel to watch the film.

"Birds trapped in cages yearn for freedom outside. The oppression in the cage makes them curious about the world outside. Their nature makes it impossible for them to accept confinement," narrated Morgan Freeman's magnetic voice. 

The screening of The Shawshank Redemption received high praise from critics.

"A humanistic film, depicting the cold, cruel, and violent Shawshank prison in dark tones. The protagonist Andy added a brilliant touch to this hell on earth. The film vividly illustrated his faith and pursuit of redemption, freedom, and hope, bringing out the best of human nature."

"This is a gripping yet simply kind film, with enough darkness on the edges to provide contrast and relief to its optimistic view of humanity." — The New York Times.

However, some believed a slow-paced, literary film might not become a sensational hit.

Regardless, Frank Darabont's The Shawshank Redemption was a movie Arthur loved.

*****

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