Chapter 711: Upright Competition

Under the bright Los Angeles sun, Matt Damon, alongside his agent, made his way through the grand entrance of Warner Pictures. They had arrived earlier than the morning light, eager and prepared for the discussions that lay ahead. Upon entering the sophisticated reception room, designed with sleek lines and adorned with posters of cinematic legends, they were warmly greeted by Jon Berg himself.

Jon Berg, with a welcoming smile and a firm handshake, greeted the duo personally, expressing his enthusiasm about their recent project's success. "Gentlemen, our film has not only soared at the box office but now stands on the cusp of awards season glory. It's a thrilling time for all of us," he remarked, his eyes alight with anticipation.

The agent, seizing the moment, didn't miss a beat to highlight his client's unmatched charm and screen presence. "Matt's appeal on screen is undeniable. His contribution is a significant part of this success."

Indeed, "Moneyball," a cinematic gem released in September, had by mid-December captivated audiences, amassing over 70 million dollars in North America alone and surpassing 100 million globally against a modest production budget of 50 million dollars.

Matt, with a mix of humility and a touch of shyness, shared his aspirations, "It's been a while since I've been in the spotlight during awards season. I'm hopeful that, with Warner Pictures' backing, this time will be different."

Jon Berg reassured, "Rest assured, Warner Pictures is fully committed to championing 'Moneyball' throughout the Oscars campaign."

He then touched on the evolving landscape of the film industry, noting that despite a downward trend in physical disc sales post-"Avatar," DVD sales remained a critical revenue stream, with "Moneyball" positioned to bolster their financial outcomes significantly.

The journey to bringing "Moneyball" to the silver screen wasn't without its challenges. After Jon Berg's appointment, his decisive move to bring on board Mike DeLuca as a producer breathed life into the project. For Berg, "Moneyball" was more than just another film; it was a labor of love, akin to a child he had nurtured to fruition.

The agent, with a tone of confidence, declared, "CAA is gearing up for a strong Oscar campaign for Matt. If Leonardo's talent has been recognized with an Oscar, it's high time for Matt's excellence to be celebrated in kind."

Matt inquired about how he could contribute to the film's promotional efforts, to which Jon Berg responded, "It's a team effort. Beyond our company's initiatives, your active engagement in publicity and PR will be invaluable."

As their meeting came to a close with Jon Berg excusing himself for another commitment, Matt and his agent were left to reflect in the guest room. The agent soberly noted, "While Warner's support is crucial, it alone doesn't secure us the accolades. The competition may not seem daunting this year, yet formidable contenders remain."

Matt, drawing on his two decades of industry insight and past accolades, including a Best Screenplay Oscar, recognized the challenge ahead. "Lately, Martin Davis and 'The Martian' have dominated media headlines. Their campaign is aggressive, aiming not just for Best Picture but likely for Best Actor too."

In this moment of introspection and strategy, Matt Damon and his agent were not just contemplating their next move but were gearing up for a battle of talent and charisma in the heart of Hollywood's awards season.

He grinned mischievously, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Have you seen the latest news? It's like Martin Davis has shouldered the weight of the world's suffering all by himself. Who would've thought that scoundrel could turn into the prodigal son overnight? Quite the redemption story, isn't it?"

The agent leaned back, nodding knowingly. "It's quite the narrative the media and the public adore."

Matt Damon couldn't hold back his disbelief. "It's absurd! Last year, Leonardo won the top prize just by looking ugly. And now, Martin Davis wants to win Best Actor by capitalizing on his misfortunes? Is this an Oscar race or a circus?"

The agent considered Matt's words carefully. "Winning for Martin seems unlikely, doesn't it? I mean, 'The Martian' is a sci-fi flick, after all."

Matt shook his head firmly. "No, Martin's the frontrunner here." He paused, conviction in his voice. "It's not about the genre; it's about who he is."

The agent, steeped in old-school Hollywood wisdom, raised an eyebrow skeptically. "How can a sci-fi flick compete with our biopic? Martin Davis' Oscar isn't about talent or performance; it's a nod from Hollywood, perhaps even from the entire country."

Matt Damon interjected, his tone darkening. "But isn't that even scarier? He's got the PR game down to an art. It's downright chilling."

After a moment of contemplation, the agent conceded, "We can't afford any surprises at this stage."

Matt Damon grimaced, thoughts drifting to the darker side of Hollywood. "Remember what happened with the Affleck brothers and Weinstein? Martin Davis is like a rabid dog, sinking his teeth in and never letting go until it's too late."

The agent, ever the voice of reason, reminded them both, "No matter who the competition is, we can't back down. Opportunities like this don't come around often."

Matt's expression softened as he mulled over the agent's words. He knew the stakes. Martin Davis had been nominated for Best Actor several times without a win, while others had smooth sailing in their careers. Suddenly, a strategy he'd heard whispers about for years came to mind.

After a brief silence, Matt spoke up. "Facing someone like Martin, we can't rely on just being ourselves."

The agent's gaze met Matt's, understanding dawning in his eyes. "You're suggesting we play dirty?"

Matt nodded solemnly. "If that's what it takes to win."

Matt Damon pondered over the strategies Harvey often employed during awards season. "We need to hit 'The Martian' where it hurts. Get some critics and retired astronauts to tear into its technical flaws. There are flaws everywhere. And what our adversaries are trying to do is the exact opposite of what we stand for. Martin Davis may have suffered in the past, but he's hardly a pauper now, with a net worth in the hundreds of millions and a legion of well-connected paramours."

After a moment's reflection, he continued, "It's not hard to dig up this dirt. Expose his wealth, his tangled web of relationships. Make it impossible for him to play the sympathy card!"

The agent nodded in agreement. "Consider it done."

"Handle this discreetly," Matt emphasized. "We can't afford any leaks."

The agent assured him, "I'll be discreet."

As they conversed in the reception room, there came a knock at the door, and a representative from Warner Pictures entered.

Following the meeting, Matt's agent wasted no time in reaching out to media contacts and consulting firms.

Though well aware of Martin Davis' reputation as a notorious playboy, the agent was taken aback by the sheer magnitude of scandalous information gathered.

"Real girlfriend Elizabeth Olsen, along with long-term paramours Louise, Jolie, Aniston, Charlize, Daddario, and more," the dossier revealed. "Rumors swirl about involvement with several fashion supermodels and Taylor Swift's inner circle."

While lacking concrete evidence, such rumors held weight in the cutthroat entertainment industry.

Upon reviewing Martin Davis' asset portfolio, the agent's shock only deepened.

"Since 2004, this small-town boy's amassed wealth surpasses even yours, Matt," the agent exclaimed.

Rushing to share the revelation, the agent presented the findings to Matt. "Take a look at this, it's astounding!"

Matt skimmed over the list of lovers and focused on the assets. "I didn't realize he had stakes in Apple and Netflix. Clever move, considering their soaring stocks value."

The agent nodded in agreement. "Indeed, quite unexpected."

"Keep this under wraps for now," Matt instructed. "The Christmas break is over, and Oscar ballots will soon be mailed out. It's crunch time for Academy members to cast their votes."

As an Academy member himself, Matt Damon had a clear plan in mind. "We need to find someone to critique 'The Martian.' Let's kick it off after the Christmas holiday. Give it a few days to brew. As for Martin himself, let's start the scrutiny on December 30th."

The agent nodded in agreement. "History has shown time and again that this timeframe is optimal for influencing the judges' decisions."

Since their opponents' primary strategy relied on manipulating sympathy, Matt Damon aimed to disrupt it. "I want everyone to know that Martin Davis is a billionaire. His life is far from miserable!"

---

In Burbank, at Davis Studio, Bruce entered Martin's office with a slight limp.

Martin peered up from behind his monitor, eyes widening in concern. "What happened? Were you in a terrorist attack?"

"It's worse than that," Bruce grimaced, easing into a chair. "Ever been beaten up by a twig of a woman?"

Martin chuckled. "You're the rusty old car, and she's the fertile land."

As Bruce settled in, he winced and pulled out a cushion. "One more night and my pelvis will be toast."

Martin, sympathetic but pragmatic, changed the subject. "How's the plan going?"

Bruce reported, "Judy sifted through old footage, found clips implicating Matt Damon. Turns out, several women Harvey coerced were later pressured by Damon. They're ready to speak up."

Handing Martin a storage disk, Bruce continued, "Judy's in touch with them. They trust her, especially after she helped them get compensation from Harvey. They're willing to go public."

Martin reviewed the contents and passed it back. "Find Jessica. Have her reach out to the media. But steer clear of TMZ. Aim for talk shows or mainstream print."

Such tasks were routine for Davis Studio now.

Bruce inquired, "When's the big reveal?"

"End of the month," Martin declared. "Fully expose it on December 30th."

Before Christmas, Martin headed back to Atlanta for three days before returning to LA to gear up for Oscar season.

He was ready to vie openly and honestly for that Best Actor Oscar.