Chapter 877: Open Fire, Don't Stop

As the clock ticked forward, the year 2015 arrived, bringing with it a fresh sense of anticipation. After a brief pause to celebrate the New Year, Martin found himself back on set with the crew of "The Shallows," ready to dive into the final stages of post-production.

Under the meticulous guidance of Louise and Joel Negron, the film's editors, the footage was carefully trimmed and polished. The result was a lean, 91-minute cut, absent of any subtitles. Martin, ever the perfectionist, watched the film multiple times, scrutinizing each frame with a director's eye. Despite the tight edit, he felt certain scenes could be tightened further, ensuring the narrative flowed seamlessly without unnecessary distractions.

A few days later, the refined version of "The Shallows" was completed. After incorporating the opening and closing credits, the final runtime was reduced to a brisk 88 minutes.

"It's a bit short, isn't it?" Louise commented, adjusting her signature black-rimmed glasses. Her demeanor was as sharp as her edits, always focused and precise. "It's rare these days to see a feature film running just over 80 minutes."

Martin switched off the projector and flicked on the lights, casting a warm glow over the editing suite. "Being short has its perks," he replied, a confident smile playing on his lips. "At least we can fit in more screenings per day."

Louise considered this and nodded thoughtfully. "True. I'll get the team started on cutting the final trailer immediately. We've got less than a month before the release, so I need you to stay put and work with the crew on the promotional push."

"No problem," Martin agreed, feeling the weight of his debut as a director. This project had been his brainchild, a testament to his vision, and he'd enlisted some of the best talents in the industry to bring it to life. With his reputation on the line, he was determined to prove the doubters wrong.

The film had been made on a tight budget, with most of the promotional spotlight focused squarely on Martin and his lead actress, Blake Lively. Given the prevailing social climate, the storyline, a lone woman battling a deadly shark, had a timely resonance, offering a strong hook for the marketing campaign.

In the following weeks, Martin hit the road with the crew, crisscrossing the country from the West Coast to the East Coast, attending a whirlwind of media events. The final trailer for "The Shallows" was released to build excitement, and the marketing machine roared to life.

The film's budget had been modest by Hollywood standards, $25 million for production, matched by another $25 million for advertising. Yet, despite the limited resources, the promotional efforts were relentless. Billboards, TV spots, and online ads saturated major cities across North America, all proclaiming the imminent release of Martin's directorial debut.

"Martin Davis' first film as a director, The Shallows, is about to hit theaters!"

"Watch Blake Lively take on a great white shark with nothing but her wits and courage!"

"From the mind of Martin Davis, starring Blake Lively, The Shallows is coming soon!"

"Gossip Queen takes on the ultimate predator, bare-handed!"

Blake Lively's social media presence became a cornerstone of the campaign, her followers eagerly devouring every update. As the reigning "Gossip Queen," her new film was already a hot topic among fans. Martin, too, engaged his social media followers, though his approach was more restrained, reflective of his status as a rising star rather than a traditional influencer. Nevertheless, as trailers and behind-the-scenes content flooded their feeds, the comment sections of both stars' profiles buzzed with anticipation.

"We've been waiting for Martin's directorial debut for ages. I'm dying to see what he's cooked up!"

"The trailer looks amazing! Blake Lively in a bikini? Say no more, I'm in!"

"Martin's a great actor, but directing is a whole different game. Can he really pull it off?"

Skepticism lingered in the air. While Hollywood had seen its share of actors successfully transitioning to the director's chair, it had also witnessed many high-profile flops. Without a preview screening to sway opinions, the media's response was mixed, with some critics doubting Martin's ability to handle such a significant project.

Todd McCarthy, a seasoned film critic from The Hollywood Reporter, voiced his reservations in a biting column: "Word on the street is that Martin spends more time partying with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson than honing his craft. Now, he's taking on a project with a budget exceeding $10 million. This might be a challenge beyond his reach."

As the release date drew nearer, the stakes couldn't have been higher for Martin. His debut as a director was under intense scrutiny, and the world would soon see whether "The Shallows" would sink or swim.

There were plenty of voices in Martin's corner as well. Variety, for instance, ran an exclusive feature on "The Shallows" that highlighted the impressive lineup of industry veterans working behind the scenes.

"Sure, Martin might be new to directing," the article noted, "but he's surrounded by a powerhouse team. The film is being shepherded by the legendary producer Louise Lane, and his assistants are some of the most skilled professionals Hollywood has to offer. And let's not forget that Martin Davis isn't just another rookie, he's a billionaire with a production company to his name. The resources he can bring to bear on this project are leagues beyond what most first-time directors could dream of."

Variety, which had recently interviewed Martin about his work on "Split," zeroed in on what they saw as the key factor in the production of "The Shallows": the influence of wealth.

In Hollywood, money talks, and in many cases, it can smooth over a multitude of challenges.

---

At the Warner Building in Burbank, a different kind of conversation was unfolding. After the usual group meeting, Kevin Tsujihara lingered to chat privately with DC co-chairman Hamada. Warner Bros. had a lot riding on their Justice League plan, and the stakes were high.

As they wrapped up discussions about "Batman v Superman," Kevin shifted the focus to another project, one that sat outside the Justice League's orbit.

"So, what's the latest on the Joker project?" Kevin asked.

Hamada, though not deeply involved, knew the basics. "Martin found a screenwriter, and they're working on a script based on his vision. He initially wanted to bring in Christopher Nolan or David Fincher to direct, but they both passed."

Kevin leaned back, fingers tapping thoughtfully on the armrest. He'd been following the buzz around "The Shallows" and a thought occurred to him. "Is he planning to direct this one himself?"

Hamada hadn't considered it much until now. "It's possible."

"That would be overly ambitious," Kevin remarked, his tone skeptical. "Martin's a talented actor and a major draw at the box office, but directing is a whole different game. He could end up wrecking the Joker character."

Hamada nodded, adding his own concerns. "I've seen the trailers for 'The Shallows.' The setups are minimal; few characters, simple settings, straightforward storylines. It feels like Martin's playing it safe, almost like he's gambling on a sure thing rather than taking any real risks."

He paused, weighing his next words carefully. "Even though Warner Bros. has given the green light to the project, we still have some leverage. Should we step in and advise them that Martin shouldn't take on writing, directing, and starring roles all at once?"

Kevin shared Hamada's unease about Martin's directorial skills. After a moment of contemplation, he offered a pragmatic solution. "Let's wait and see. 'The Shallows' is about to hit theaters. We'll let the box office and critical reception do the talking. The market will decide if he's got what it takes."

Hamada agreed. "I'll keep an eye on how 'The Shallows' performs."

Though he didn't voice it, Hamada secretly hoped Martin would stumble, there was a lesson to be learned from overconfidence.

---

Meanwhile, in the lush garden of a sprawling mansion on Sunset Boulevard's North Side, a different kind of drama was unfolding. Oscar ballots, mailed out by the Academy just before the New Year, were strewn across a wooden table, with only a few categories filled in. Unsurprisingly, Martin Davis was penciled in for Best Actor.

Jack Nicholson bustled back and forth from the storage room, arms laden with metal targets. "Lorraine, get these shuffled up and have the servants hang them on the iron racks over there on the west side," he instructed, with a mischievous grin.

Lorraine eyed her father skeptically, then glanced at his two equally enthusiastic brothers. "

Leonardo casually swung a homemade iron pipe over his shoulder, a handle welded to it for ease of use. He grinned mischievously and said, "Just wait until you see how we ensure the fairness and justice of our Oscar selection. No politics, no studio influence, just pure, unadulterated merit."

Lorraine skeptically flipped over one of the small, disc-shaped targets, noticing it had the name of a film, along with the names of the director, screenwriter, and key actors printed on it. She handed it off to their trusted chauffeur, who promptly grabbed a ladder and began hanging the targets on a series of bare metal trees, each branch holding a hook.

The scene resembled a twisted garden where the fruits were Hollywood's finest films, each dangling expectantly, waiting to be judged by the most unconventional means. Martin, ever the ringmaster of this peculiar circus, opened a sturdy wooden box to reveal the special ammunition inside, firework shells custom-ordered by Nicholson himself.

"Jack, you sticking with the old method?" Martin asked as he examined one of the colorful shells.

Nicholson strolled over, inspecting the firework shell before picking one up. "It's a little different this time. These won't explode on impact; they'll just leave a colorful mark wherever they hit."

Martin grinned, pocketing a few shells. "Who's up first?"

Leonardo, always eager for the spotlight, donned a helmet and gave the homemade launcher an affectionate pat. "Naturally, I'll be the one to kick things off!"

The driver finished hanging the last of the targets, and a shout from across the garden signaled that everything was ready. Leonardo, limbering up with exaggerated stretches, stepped into the circular launch area Nicholson had chalked out on the ground. He raised the launcher, aiming it with practiced precision at one of the iron frames.

These three had become experts at launching such "fireworks," having honed their skills during Johnny Depp and Amber Heard's wedding, where they provided a particularly memorable display.

"Martin, loader duty!" Leonardo barked.

Martin obliged, lighting the first firework with his windproof lighter before stuffing it into the barrel. He gave Leonardo's helmet a good slap and yelled, "Fire!"

Leonardo adjusted his aim slightly, paused, then pulled the trigger. A dull thud echoed as the firework arced gracefully through the air. It struck its target dead on, exploding in a vibrant burst of color that painted the iron frame with a cloud of red smoke.

Nicholson quickly brought a telescope to his eye, squinting as he focused on the target. "Best Picture nominee... 'The Theory of Everything!'"

Martin, now fully embracing his role as the loader, called out to Lorraine, "Mark that down under Best Picture, first slot!"

Lorraine, still wrapping her head around their bizarre method, grabbed a pen and obediently filled in the nomination. She had just finished when another dull thud rang out.

This time, Leonardo's aim was off, the firework missing its mark. Martin, undeterred, lit another shell and handed it over. "Keep going! No time to waste!"

A third shot rang out, another explosion of color. Nicholson checked through the telescope once more and called out, "Best Actress nomination: Reese Witherspoon!"

Lorraine jotted down the name, shaking her head in disbelief. As Martin prepared the next round, she muttered to herself, "So this is their idea of fairness and justice for the Oscars?"

But in a strange way, it was. Each movie, actor, and director stood the same chance as any other. There were no backroom deals, no studio politics, just a game of chance.

After seven nominees were chosen in this unorthodox manner, Martin switched places with Leonardo, taking his turn as the shooter while Leo became the loader. The muffled sounds of explosions continued to echo through the garden as more films found their place on the Oscar ballot, one colorful burst at a time.

Martin's shooting accuracy far outshined Leonardo's. While Leo would need two or three shots to select an Oscar nominee, Martin was nearly flawless, hitting his targets with an impressive 90% success rate.

Lorraine couldn't help but think that if she secretly filmed these three rascals as they decided on their Oscar nominations and sold it as an exposé, she'd make a fortune. But that was just a fleeting thought. She knew better. After all, her father, Nicholson, wasn't just a Hollywood icon; he was practically the Academy's poster boy, a symbol of its prestige. Martin and Leonardo were also influential figures within the Oscar circles. If word got out about their little "selection process," the Academy's credibility would take a nosedive.

Once Martin finished his turn, it was Nicholson's time to take the stage. But the old man's accuracy was a far cry from Martin's. It took the three of them until sunset to finalize the Oscar nomination ballot.

To keep things "fair," Martin instructed Lorraine to seal the completed ballot and mail it out immediately.

Nicholson stretched his aging body and sighed with satisfaction. "Another year, another Oscar carnival behind us."

Leonardo, ever the instigator, chimed in with a mischievous grin, "We need to up the ante next year. Something more... thrilling."

Martin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Got something in mind?"

Leonardo, with a gleam in his eye, quickly proposed a devious plan. "How about this? Each of us hires a team of female models. We hide Morse code messages representing the nominees inside their clothing. Then we randomly pick one, and she has to strip down to reveal our choice..."

Nicholson, waving off the idea, chuckled and shook his head. "I'm too old for those kinds of games, Leo."

He dragged a chair over, sat down with a weary sigh, and added, "Besides, it's about time I let go of Jennifer Lawrence."

Martin caught the implication and asked with a smirk, "What's the matter, Jack? You losing your edge?"

"A real man never admits defeat!" Leonardo jumped in, giving Nicholson a playful slap on the shoulder. "So, are you saying you're the weakest among us?"

Nicholson, ever candid, replied, "I'm 77, and I can still manage once a week, at least." He shot Leonardo a look of mock disdain. "You, on the other hand, are barely good for 30 seconds. You won't last past 60."

Martin couldn't help but shake his head. "Jack, you've got it wrong."

Leonardo, feeling vindicated, threw an arm around Martin's shoulders. "Finally, someone speaks the truth!"

But Martin wasn't done. With a smirk, he delivered the punchline: "Leo's got maybe until he's fifty if he's lucky."

Leo pushed Martin away, pretending to be offended. "You're a complete bastard!"

The three of them continued their banter, teasing and ribbing each other until the sky darkened. Martin eventually looked around and said, "Alright, let's go grab some dinner, then freshen up. My treat tonight."

Nicholson and Leonardo exchanged glances, a wicked grin spreading across their faces. They decided they'd take full advantage of Martin's generosity, planning to dine somewhere outrageously expensive to put a dent in his wallet.

With the Oscar votes safely mailed off, Martin redirected his focus to promoting "The Shallows." He joined the crew in a whirlwind of publicity events, leaving no stone unturned in the lead-up to the film's release.

By mid-January, Disney Studios had organized three special screenings of "The Shallows": one for the media, one for fans, and another for theater managers. The response was generally positive; maybe not as overwhelmingly enthusiastic as Martin's past projects, but solid enough to suggest the film had potential.

As the screenings wrapped up, Disney lifted the embargo on reviews, allowing the public to finally get a glimpse of the film's reception. "The Shallows" debuted with a freshness rating above 80% on Rotten Tomatoes and an initial IMDb score of 8.2.

These numbers were a good sign. While it might not break records, at least it wouldn't be a box office disaster.