Chapter 420: John Wick

Brooklyn Bridge Park, a well-known spot in New York, served as the backdrop for the crew's activities.

Renting several rooms from the Park Service, the crew transformed them into temporary dressing rooms for Martin and the heroine to change attire.

Due to a traffic jam on the Brooklyn Bridge, Martin arrived on the Manhattan side more than ten minutes later than anticipated.

Bruce, upon exiting the car, gazed at the bridge, remarking, "It is indeed a holy place for suicide. I encountered three people lining up to commit suicide."

Martin speculated, "Maybe they are involved in financial securities and using leverage."

Chad welcomed them at the management office, instructing them to come inside.

As Martin and Bruce entered, they noticed Chad, his team, and a girl with long dark brown hair.

The girl turned her head upon hearing them.

Martin, taking a single glance, was struck by two deep impressions: the blue eyes shining like glass and the astonishing mountain-like scale.

She hurried towards Martin, bouncing at a rate that hinted at an earthquake in Manhattan.

Recognizing her from "True Detective," Martin's group recommended her multiple times.

The excited girl approached Martin, requesting his autograph with a trembling voice. Martin gladly agreed, inviting her to come closer.

She proudly revealed her certification from the Coke God Cult, showcasing a pendant with a red Coke bottle.

Martin glanced subconsciously, as if witnessing the snow-white peak of Mount Everest. Unintentionally, the girl's lowered collar revealed the towering mountain peak.

She tentatively asked Martin to write a message for Alexandra Daddario.

"Alexandra?" Martin quickly wrote, saying, "I have a friend in New York named Alexandra."

He mentioned AA.

Alexandra teased, "So, I am a lucky person."

Martin returned her pen and poster, asking, "Are you from New York?"

Alexandra nodded, sharing her dream of going to Los Angeles but lacking the opportunity.

Chad interrupted, signaling the start of work. The photography team, set up on the beach, was ready.

Casual photos were the first order, with Chad taking charge as the photographer.

Due to the need for photos to decorate the hero's home, numerous shots were required.

Chad reminded Alexandra to get closer to Martin, emphasizing their role as a married couple.

An experienced actor involed in this business since 2001, Alexandra quickly got into the groove, grabbing Martin's arm and clinging to him.

Despite Martin's arm feeling like a pile of cotton, his professionalism shone as he portrayed the role of a husband with various intimate gestures.

Chad, particularly nervous during sunset shots, continued to guide the team.

Soon, they changed scenes and continued the photoshoot after entering a temporary dressing room.

Chad, in his directorial debut, remained strict about details like background panels.

While failure wouldn't greatly affect Martin's status, this opportunity to independently direct a film was significant.

After changing outfits multiple times, Martin donned a sleek black formal suit, while Alexandra adorned a low-cut wedding dress for a series of wedding photos.

They also captured a self-portrait video from Martin's perspective. Holding a handheld DV, Martin stood in an open space with the Brooklyn Bridge as the backdrop. Alexandra, wearing a wedding dress, ran towards him as Chad signaled, "Start."

Martin pressed the DV switch, capturing Alexandra's lively run and crazy jumps with the bridge in the background.

Chad, satisfied with the lighting, commented, "This was a good shot." He praised Martin, suggesting he could be a part-time photographer.

Martin casually responded, "Actually, I have always wanted to be the best photographer in the world."

Chad instructed someone to put away the DV, and they took a short break before continuing the shoot.

Observing Alexandra struggling with the long skirt, Martin proactively helped her pull it up and encouraged her to rest.

As Alexandra caught her breath, Martin asked, "Are you okay? Do you want to rest for a while?"

Alexandra smiled, assuring him that she was fine and used to it. Martin nodded, choosing not to press further, and sat down nearby.

Quietly observing Martin, Alexandra found him to be a highly professional Hollywood star.

As the crew wrapped up before dark, Martin prepared to return to the hotel. Alexandra emerged from the next room, inquiring about his departure.

Martin explained the upcoming action scenes and encouraged her to rest early. Alexandra expressed her intention to join the crew in a few days and seek advice from him.

Martin, always available when he has time, welcomed her inquiries.

Exiting the management office together, they exchanged contact information and headed to their respective cars.

Back at the hotel, Martin had dinner, made a call to Elizabeth, and went to bed early, feeling the fatigue from a day of filming.

The following morning, animal actors, including Daisy, the dog named after Chad's adopted pet, were ready.

The film's protagonist, Martin, acquainted with the dog, understood its significance in memory of Marcus's beloved pet.

In preparation for filming, HK Company provided firearms to the crew, and the camera focused on Martin.

He uncovered an iron door, revealing a large black leather suitcase containing a just-developed wedding photo of him and Alexandra. Placing it for the camera's view, he added U.S. dollar bills to his pocket, concealing two guns, a black USP and a UMP45 submachine gun with a folding stock.

With precision, Martin loaded the USP magazine, slid it into the gun bag under his arm, smoothly pressed a submachine gun bullet into the magazine, and stowed it in the adjacent black bag.

The entire process flowed seamlessly, mirroring the actions of a true professional.

In addition to capturing shots of the protagonist Martin and wedding scenes, the camera extensively featured the two weapons.

Hollywood thrives on advertiser funding, and product placement is overt, with no attempt at subtlety. The protagonist's quest for revenge is unapologetically intertwined with the display of firearms.

Even the snipers in the film wielded the G22 sniper rifle manufactured by HK Company.

The success of the first installment will likely pave the way for a sequel, featuring the male protagonist using an array of firearms and weapons. The initial part also serves as an invitation to arms manufacturers in NATO countries, urging them to sponsor the film and showcase their weapons in numerous close-ups.

Hollywood has a history of similar arms advertising, particularly evident in blockbusters sponsored by the Pentagon. Films like "Top Gun" and "Transformers" serve as showcases for American equipment.

The latter even directly influenced the film's content, featuring American soldiers using their weapons against aliens.

For Hollywood crews to use US military equipment at reduced or no cost, they must accept Pentagon guidance on content, even if it's controversial.

Gunshots echo daily at the studio, occasionally accompanied by explosive fireballs as filming progresses, with Mene joining the cast.

For political correctness, the black owner of the Continental Hotel is paired with a white assistant in scenes between Martin and Mene.

Mentions of the high table concept and the setting of the Presbyterian Church are deliberately left blank for the sequel. Success for the first part is crucial; commercial failure would mean no sequel.

In Martin's previous life, his first movie coincided with Keanu Reeves' decline. Despite not being particularly successful at the box office, it relied on popularity and achieved good results offline. A sequel followed, rejuvenating Keanu Reeves' career.

In contrast, Martin is currently at the peak of his fame, with exceptional physical condition, outstanding skills, and popularity. He aims for greater success in business.

With a production cost of $40 million, the film targets a North American box office surpassing $100 million.