271-275

Chapter 271: Dreaming of World Peace

"Mr. Brad, from the trailer of 'Black Hawk Down,' it's clear that this is an anti-war film. So, what are your views on war?" Larry King, the host of the CNN program, asked.

"My dream is world peace. Okay, this isn't the Miss America pageant, so let me add that I long for peace, oppose war, oppose the escalation of war, and even more so, oppose all forms of terrorist attacks," Richard said, crossing his arms.

"So, what's your opinion on the ongoing anti-terrorism military operations?" Larry King asked.

Richard smiled, "Is this a military interview program? What I want to say is, to the guys fighting overseas, your mission is accomplished, remember to come home early."

"Can I interpret that as you advocating for troop withdrawal?" the host pressed further.

"It's not advocating, it's hoping. Before filming 'Black Hawk Down,' we trained with the Ranger Regiment and Delta Force. I got along well with everyone. We boxed, practiced shooting and wrestling together. They're a lovely group of people.

Last year when the war broke out, many of them went to the battlefield. War brings casualties. I pray there are none, and I hope the war ends soon so they can come home early," Richard said.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

There was a burst of warm applause from the audience. The overseas war had been going on for four or five months, and the troublesome organization had been successfully overthrown, but the war continued, with casualties on both sides increasing, including many civilians.

While many people initially supported the war, anti-war voices gradually emerged, suggesting that it was time to stop and that the fighting couldn't continue endlessly.

"Mr. Brad, there are reports that your father was a special agent who died in the line of duty, and that you received special agent training from a young age. So, how did you become a boxer and an actor?" the host quickly asked.

Hearing the host ask this question, the audience and the guests on stage all perked up. At this point, it was no secret that Richard had apprehended terrorists on a plane.

In rumors, Richard always carried an air of legend. He was handsome, powerful, a superb fighter, proficient in firearms, foreign languages, boxing, and those who had seen "The Fast and the Furious" also believed he was skilled at driving. In short, he was portrayed as a superhero-like figure.

Due to the lack of official confirmation and Richard's own evasiveness, speculation about him grew wilder and wilder, with all sorts of stories. Today, during this interview, they had finally managed to ask this question that many people wanted to know, and everyone was eagerly anticipating the answer.

Richard shrugged, "In this movie, I play a Ranger soldier, not a special agent. If you want to see what a special agent is like, you can wait for my next movie, 'The Bourne Identity,' which should be released in June. Haha, okay, Director Ridley, I shouldn't be promoting my next film here. Please don't look at me, I'll stop immediately."

Richard looked at director Ridley Scott, who was sitting on the sofa beside him.

"No, no, Richard, I don't mind you promoting your next film. What I mind is that you're not seriously answering the questions about being a special agent. I, and many other Hollywood filmmakers, are very interested in your experiences.

Your personal story is so fascinating: a super boxing champion, a billionaire, a mysterious special agent, and your father was also a special agent.

Many movies wouldn't dare to have such a plot, but your real life is even more exciting than a movie. We believe your story could at least be made into a series of films, and this is just the information we have on the surface.

We all know that the part of an iceberg below the water is often much larger, so I think hearing your story is more important than promoting a movie."

"Yes, we agree with that," several actors on the surrounding seats laughed.

"We can talk about this later," Richard said, clenching his fist.

"He's threatening us. I know what that gesture means," Orlando Bloom said.

"You know, and you still say it out loud?!" Richard raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, okay, I'll shut up!"

Seeing that Richard was unwilling to elaborate, the host moved on to questions related to "Black Hawk Down." The film was shot in Morocco in May of last year and, after six months of production, was originally scheduled for release in September.

However, the unexpected attacks occurred, and the government decided to send troops. Everyone wanted to see war, but this film was against war, clearly not aligning with the audience's expectations.

In early December of last year, the film had a limited release in four theaters, earning only $183,000, a mediocre result.

By January, with the anti-terrorism war progressing smoothly and the public beginning to reflect on the war, Columbia Pictures decided to expand the film's release, as the current public sentiment coincided with the film's message.

The film was released in 3,101 theaters in the United States on Friday, January 25th, and topped the weekend box office with $3.861 million in its opening three days.

As a serious film that could even be considered a documentary, it naturally couldn't compare to commercial films. Achieving such numbers was quite unexpected.

Firstly, it was due to good timing. Secondly, the casting was appropriate. Richard's popularity was still high, and having him as the lead undoubtedly injected new vitality into this documentary-style film.

The film earned over 56 million dollars at the box office in its first week, with an estimated domestic total of around 150 million. It was a box office success, and its critical reception was also positive, with an 8.8 rating on Rotten Tomatoes and mostly favorable reviews from the media.

Most praised it as a classic war film, the best since "Saving Private Ryan," and also a classic anti-war film.

"Congratulations on another successful film," Keanu Reeves said.

"Thank you, it was expected," Richard replied with a faint smile.

"Expected? That confident?" Keanu Reeves glanced at him and said.

"Of course, Director Ridley's films are all good, and with me in it, the film's quality naturally wouldn't be bad."

"Oh, Richard, you're getting cocky, almost floating to the sky," Reeves snorted.

"I'm just being realistic. I heard you're busy filming the 'Matrix' sequels. Ava hasn't seen you for almost a month. How come you have time to come here for coffee?" Richard asked, refilling their cups.

"I finished filming, so I came back to see Ava. I remember you said you really liked 'The Matrix.' Want to make a cameo?" Reeves smiled.

"When? I'll be filming in Europe for the next two months. If I have time, I'd be willing to make a cameo."

"Sure, before June. Let me know when you're available, and the crew will adjust the schedule for you. After all, you're a big shot now, a super boxing champion, a heroic idol, a top agent. Tsk tsk, Richard, I never thought you'd be a special agent. Do you have time to investigate cases while filming and boxing every day?" Reeves looked at him playfully.

Richard chuckled, "You know, the FBI has a habit of trying to recruit useful talents. I'm a boxing champion and a skilled fighter, so naturally, they wouldn't let me go. My role in the FBI is like a consultant, no salary, no missions, as long as I don't cause trouble, it's fine."

"Is that so? I don't believe it. Rumor has it that your father was a super agent, and you've been trained since birth. You even underwent body modifications developed by the agency, altering your genes to become so powerful. They say you're a product of the laboratory.

Hey, Richard, is it true? Was your ability to predict also created through laboratory modifications? How many people like you are there?" Reeves asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

"..."

Richard looked at him, picked up the "XXX" script, and continued studying it.

"Richard, we're friends. Can't you reveal a little bit?" Reeves pressed.

"You can be quiet, or I'll knock you out. Do you want to try?" Richard said calmly.

"Okay, okay!"

Reeves picked up his coffee and took a sip, then fell silent for a moment.

"Richard, if there really is such a gene-altering drug, please help me get a spot. No matter the cost, I'm willing to buy one."

Splash!

Water splashed in the pool, and Reeves disappeared from sight.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 272: Hitting the Ceiling

"The word-of-mouth for this movie is getting better and better," Anthony said, putting down the newspaper in the BAA company office.

"It doesn't have much to do with me. It's a multi-lead film. The success of the movie is the director's and producer's credit. The actors' contribution is minimal," Richard said, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, arms crossed, gazing at the bustling streets of Los Angeles.

"You can't say that. The star effect is still very important. Many people went to see it because of you. This fully proves that your box office appeal is very strong," Anthony laughed.

"It's just temporary popularity. In a few months, it will return to normal levels," Richard turned and looked at Old Hall sitting on the sofa. The old fellow was almost sixty and had been sick recently, looking a bit more aged. "Old Hall, how's your health?"

"Cough, cough, not bad, but I can't be your executive agent anymore. You should choose a new agent team. You've become a top star, and your workload will increase," Old Hall said, holding a teacup.

"No rush. I've been filming for a few years, played more than ten roles, and I'm a bit tired. I don't want to push myself too hard. I'll try to take on fewer roles in the future."

"That's not bad either. Taking the high-quality route, ensuring quality, can go further. Maybe in twenty or thirty years, when your acting skills mature, you'll be the Oscar winner for Best Actor," Old Hall chuckled.

"Twenty or thirty years is too long. Richard is a hedonist at heart. He won't wait that long, right, Richard?" Anthony laughed.

"You're right. I'm a man without ideals, no goals, and no desire to chase various awards and honors. So whether I can win an Oscar or not, I don't really care."

"Haha, you have no ideals? You're a super boxing champion, a world-famous star, a billionaire, a heroic idol, and you say you have no ideals?" Anthony shook his head and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. "Look at this street, hundreds of young people, more than half of them dream of becoming someone like you or achieving one of your accomplishments.

But for them, every one of your achievements is out of reach. It's not that you have no ideals, but that you've achieved your ideals too early, reached the ceiling of life, and can't find any higher goals, thus showing a state of post-coital exhaustion.

You just need to set a new goal, and you'll be full of energy and revitalized. Why don't you try?"

Richard touched his chin. "At my level, is there still room for improvement?"

Anthony curled his lips. "There's plenty of room for improvement. After all, you're just a billionaire. There are still those with billions or tens of billions. Don't you want to strive to be among the top people on the Forbes list?"

"Not really. After becoming a billionaire, I found that money is just a number to me. A few hundred million more or less doesn't make much difference. As long as I have enough to spend, it's fine. As for the billionaires or tens of billionaires you mentioned, for me, it's just a matter of time, not some great goal." Richard said calmly.

"A matter of time? You really... Okay, for someone whose account balance increases by another zero every year, I believe you can become a billionaire or even a multi-billionaire. Then let me change the goal. How about achieving a Grand Slam of heavyweight gold belts?"

"Hehe, that's even easier than becoming a billionaire. It's also just a matter of time," Richard said with a smirk.

"How about winning the Oscar for Best Actor?" Old Hall laughed.

"That's not a problem either. If I really wanted to win that award, I have at least three ways. One is the money strategy. If Weinstein can successfully lobby those judges with some tricks, why can't I?

I just need to find two good art film scripts, collaborate with a talented director, like David Lynch or Director Ridley, and do more PR when the film is released. Even if I don't win the award for the first one, the second one will definitely be a sure thing.

The second method is even simpler. I just need to change agencies, like CAA. My contract with them would be that they must arrange an Oscar for Best Actor for me within three to five years. I think they would agree and be able to do it.

The third method is more down-to-earth. Act seriously, hone my skills for a few more years, increase PR efforts, and winning an award wouldn't be difficult. It's also just a matter of time," Richard said with a confident smile.

"I don't think you'll do that. You won't invest so much money and energy for a trophy. You're not that kind of person. You also won't sign an unfree contract for a trophy. No matter how heavy the trophy is, it's not heavier than freedom. I know you, and only the third method is suitable for you," Anthony laughed.

"You're right, you know me well. So, do you know that I have two films nominated for Oscars this year?"

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" received thirteen nominations, with the Best Actor nomination going to Gandalf. "Black Hawk Down" received four nominations, but no acting nominations.

"As my agency, haven't you tried to do some PR for me? I'm not asking for a trophy, even a nomination would be nice. I've been acting for five years, played so many roles, and only won the Saturn Award, MTV Award, Teen Choice Award, and a few small film festival awards.

I haven't won any truly significant film awards. If this continues, I might really have to wait until twenty or thirty years later to win an Oscar," Richard complained.

"Richard, it's not that we didn't try hard enough with the PR, but your roles in the movies last year weren't suitable for aiming for major awards. Could 'The Fast and the Furious' make it? In 'The Lord of the Rings 1,' there are too many supporting characters, too many people who performed well. Gandalf, Elrond, and several hobbits were all great, so it wasn't suitable for you to be nominated for Best Supporting Actor either.

'Black Hawk Down' is even more of an ensemble film. You all wear helmets, and it's hard to tell who's who without paying close attention, let alone aiming for awards. So, Richard, don't worry about winning awards. In the next few years, we'll get you some challenging roles, preferably ones that achieve both critical acclaim and box office success. Then, going for major awards would be a good idea." Anthony said, taking a sip of tea.

"Okay, the roles last year weren't suitable, and my three film roles this year aren't suitable for aiming for trophies either. So, have you prepared any scripts for me that are suitable for aiming for trophies?" Richard curled his finger.

"Haha, we actually have prepared a few. There are some big productions and some new projects from renowned directors. You can take a look on your way to Europe. If you like any, just give us a call, and we'll help you get them," Anthony said, taking out a stack of scripts.

"Alright, I'll take a look," Richard opened one of the scripts.

"What are you guys talking about?" Naomi pushed the door open and walked in.

"Haha, Naomi, you came at the right time. Richard says he has no goals, no motivation or passion to strive for. Can you help him think of a goal?" Anthony laughed.

"Goals? How could he have no goals?" Naomi smiled.

Anthony shrugged. "Richard is too outstanding, a billionaire, a world-famous star, a heroic idol. In which direction do you think he should strive?"

Naomi chuckled softly. "With Richard's situation, it seems there's really no room for further advancement. Hey, Richard, why don't you run for president? Your call for an early troop withdrawal in the interview last time garnered a lot of support, even alarming the White House.

They even held a special press conference to address reporters' questions. If you run for office, the entertainment industry might see a second Reagan."

"Yeah, Richard, I support you running for office," Anthony laughed.

"No, I'm not interested in politics. If you run, I can support you," Richard shook his head and smiled.

"Forget it, politicians are cultivated from a young age. I don't have that talent," Anthony shrugged.

"There you have it, it's the same for everyone," Richard put away the script and walked out with his arm around Naomi. At the door, he suddenly remembered something.

"Anthony, how are things going with you and Marshall?"

"Hehe, it's going well. Maybe I'll invite everyone to my engagement party within the year," Anthony grinned.

"Wow, is that true? Anthony, congratulations."

"Haha, congratulations to us both!" Anthony laughed heartily.

---

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 273 You're Too Difficult to Please

At the end of January, Richard arrived in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, an Eastern European country, to shoot "xXx".

This movie is about an extreme sports athlete, Xander Cage, who performs stunts at various scenic spots, and he and his team have gained a lot of attention.

In order to gain more attention, they went around causing damage, even stealing the state senator's car to perform stunts, and Cage became a troublemaker in the eyes of the police.

The government agents found him and asked him to cooperate, otherwise they would throw him in jail, Cage could only agree.

The agents are investigating a leak of nuclear weapons information in Eastern Europe.

The previous agent who carried out the mission failed and was killed, and the agents were ready to activate several bad guys to let them infiltrate the troublemakers, a total of four people were selected, Cage was one of them.

After the assessment, only Cage passed.

Cage came to Prague, with the experience of being a bad guy, gained the trust of the head of the criminal organization, and successfully broke into the lair of the troublemakers.

With the help of the Russian beauty agent, he found out the crazy conspiracy of the troublemakers, and at the critical moment closed the deadly nuclear weapon, saving Prague and the world.

The movie title has the label of "extreme", and there are many cool extreme sports designed in the play, such as racing, low-altitude parachuting, riding a motorcycle over the roof, sprinting with a skateboard in an avalanche, and even more powerful hand-dismantling nuclear bombs and so on.

For these extreme projects, the crew said they would come for real.

Before Richard joined the group, the crew had been filming in Europe for more than a month, mainly shooting extreme action shots. Richard originally wanted to train for a while before going into battle himself.

This idea was opposed by everyone, the crew, the agency, the producer, the insurance company, and Gisele, etc.

He is a big star, a sports superstar and a billionaire, even a slight injury is not something the film side can afford.

So the crew found him six stand-ins, six stand-ins who are good at all kinds of extreme actions, to replace him in performing those deadly actions.

Afterwards, Richard only needs to add some close-up shots, and then use the method of splitting shots to add him to the original shots, and those extreme shots become completed by himself.

Without shooting extreme shots, only acting well in the literary drama, Richard also has a lot less work.

He filmed in the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany and other places for two months, completed Cage's scenes, and returned to the United States at the end of March.

"How are the few scripts I gave you last time?"

In the hillside villa, Anthony was lying on a lounge chair in a T-shirt and shorts. After two months of not seeing him, he had gained a little weight, his face was rosy and his complexion was very good. He should have been nourished by love.

Richard smiled, "Talking about work as soon as we meet, you're so annoying, are you living with Marshall?"

"How do you know?"

Anthony blinked his small eyes and grinned,

"Oh, Ellie said it, right? Haha, it's not really living together, she's still working in New York, I'm in Los Angeles, she comes over and stays at my house, I go over and stay at her house, our relationship is progressing very well, you can congratulate me."

"Okay, congratulations, congratulations on you and Marshall getting back together, the lovers finally got together!"

Richard said, holding up his juice glass.

"Haha, thank you, and thank you for your support and encouragement, if it weren't for you, we wouldn't have been able to get back together, Richard, thank you sincerely."

Anthony said, touching his glass.

"Don't say that, you succeeded in digging the wall, this is your ability, it has nothing to do with me."

Richard waved his hand, he didn't want to take any credit for this kind of thing.

"What digging the wall? Their marriage had problems, it was entirely their own mismanagement, it had little to do with me, and it had a lot to do with you. You used to encourage me to bravely pursue happiness, saying that if I loved Marshall, I should continue to pursue her without worrying too much.

The most important thing is that you gave me great help in my career. If it weren't for the success of BAA, if I were still the Anthony I used to be, I wouldn't have the chance to get close to Marshall, let alone catch up with her, so Richard, thank you!"

"No need!"

Richard took a sip of juice, "I wish you and Marshall a long and happy life together."

"Thank you, when I get married, I'll invite you to be my best man."

"OK, it's settled."

Richard laughed.

"Then let's continue to discuss the movie. The few scripts we gave you last time were all very good, not so commercial, and had the potential to win awards, but your reaction was not positive. What is the reason? You don't want to make movies anymore?"

Anthony asked.

Richard ate a grape, "I don't plan to retire for the time being, but what if I'm not interested in these ten scripts? I don't have the excitement of getting the script at all, and I have no motivation to act.

Just like this time filming "xXx", I also finished filming with great effort. I can't guarantee that after taking these scripts, I can seriously complete the performance, so I didn't respond to you."

"Really?"

Anthony took out the script, "According to what you said, we try to choose a good story, and relatively positive script.

For example, this "Seabiscuit", set in the thirties and forties, a thin boxer turned into a jockey, both man and horse are disabled, and finally won various championships, isn't this story very suitable for you?"

Richard waved his hand and said, "You must have only read the script without specifically understanding the sport of horse racing. There are strict height requirements for jockeys, and most are under 170 cm, with slender builds. Do you think I'm suitable? Even if I lose fifty pounds, I can't change my body type."

"Alright then, how about 'Phone Booth,' directed by the great Joe Schumacher? It’s about a man who confesses to being a scumbag under the threat of a sniper rifle. Isn’t that role perfect for you?

When I saw the script, I immediately thought of you. I believe you can perform well and might even use this film to aim for an Oscar. What do you think, Richard?"

Richard looked at him coldly, "Do you think I'm a scumbag?"

"Aren’t you?" Anthony blinked in confusion.

"I'm not. A scumbag is a man who’s unfaithful. I'm not, and I've never hurt any woman," Richard said seriously.

"Alright, alright, you're not a scumbag. But isn't this script good?"

"The script is excellent, and the story is compelling. But I'm not confident I can perform well. This role is like a stage play, where I would be performing alone in a phone booth for over an hour. It requires a lot of internal acting.

I'm an action actor, more skilled in using body language, so after much consideration, I've decided to pass," Richard said.

Anthony stared at him for a moment and then said slowly, "Your acting isn't bad, and you could do well. Are you worried that if you perform too well, it might reveal your true nature?"

"I have no idea what nonsense you're talking about!" Richard shook his head.

"Okay, so these two aren't suitable. What about 'The Hulk'? Directed by Ang Lee, with a budget of over 100 million."

"Too many special effects, leaving no room for the actor to shine. I don't like it," Richard shook his head.

"What about 'Pirates of the Caribbean'?" Anthony asked.

"I'm more suited to the second male lead, but playing a second lead would be too unfair to me. Sigh, it's tough. When I was still a third-tier actor, I would take any role. Now, I can't. My reputation is too big, and there are too many constraints. I have to consider all aspects. It's really difficult!" Richard sighed.

"Yes, it's tough for me too. We've spent months looking for scripts for you, but you don't want to do any of them," Anthony said, feeling wronged.

"It's not that I don't want to; they're just not suitable. Maybe I should take some time off, and you can focus on grooming other actors like Naomi, Jessica, or Frank. They're all second-tier now and could move up to first-tier. Why not focus on them more?" Richard asked.

"They're different from you. You're one of Hollywood's most influential male actors and one of the most bankable. You've made it to the top tier, earning a paycheck of $15 million, and the producers are still willing to pay.

They're different. Although they've starred in some popular films and TV shows in recent years, their influence and box office draw are still small. They can only handle so much, and giving them too much isn't good either.

Besides, the combined paychecks of all the actors in the company don't add up to what you earn for one film. When you get a role, we all get bonuses. Now you understand why we do what we do?" Anthony explained.

"I get it. You're using me as a money-making tool," Richard said unhappily.

"Haha, you're right. 'Black Hawk Down' grossed $120 million domestically, and it probably made $80 to $90 million overseas. That's $200 million total. Many people think the box office success was significant, and you contributed a lot. Everyone saw your box office appeal and is willing to work with you.

Currently, your pay is stable at $15 million, just a little shy of the top-tier $20 million club. Maybe two more blockbuster films, and you'll make it. Isn't that your goal?" Anthony said, spreading his hands.

"You're right. I do want to become a top star, but there's no need to rush.

We took our first job in the winter of '97, in Daniel's 'In the Name of Love,' where I played a small-time boxer. Haha, it feels like a dream when I think about it. In less than six years, we've achieved this. The speed has exceeded many people's expectations.

Now, we can slow down a bit and take it easy. Like mountain climbing, the closer you get to the top, the more cautious you have to be. We'll take it step by step, and in a couple of years, we'll reach the summit. Don't forget, I still have a few movies yet to be released."

Anthony nodded, "You've been too busy these past two years. You can take this time to rest and adjust your state."

"I’m planning to do just that," Richard said, standing up and stretching.

"Let's go play basketball. You've gained quite a bit of weight recently, so you need more exercise."

"Really? Marshall said she likes my chubby figure," Anthony said, twisting his large waist and laughing.

"You two deserve each other."

"Haha, you're right!"

——

(End of chapter)

### Chapter 274: The Next Movie

"Did Anthony leave?" Gisele walked out of the gym, sweat glistening on her skin, her tank top clinging to her body, accentuating her incredibly hot figure.

"Yeah, he left. He's too busy. We barely played a couple of rounds before he got pulled away for work," Richard said, shaking his head as he put down his racket.

"Have you decided on the next movie?"

"No, not yet. There were no roles before, and I was always looking for opportunities. Now, with so many roles being offered to me, I don't feel like acting. Darling, do you think I've become lazy?" Richard asked, holding her close.

"Haha, stop it, I'm all sweaty. It's not laziness; it's called taking a well-deserved rest. You've been acting, training, and preparing for fights since '97, busier than anyone else.

You’ve been scheduling your days completely full, 24 hours a day. You should take a proper break, or else your body will wear out when you get older," Gisele said as she walked into the bathroom, speaking while she started her shower.

"You make a good point. That's why I've decided to take on less work—maybe two or three fights and two or three roles a year, and spend more time with you."

"Haha, that's what you said—spend more time with me. Stop it, I'm showering."

"Together!" Richard walked into the bathroom.

---

Although Richard hadn't accepted the scripts recommended by the company, he was still thinking about his next movie.

He was used to being busy, and stopping now made him feel bored and a bit anxious. In Hollywood, with thousands of actors and a new crop of talent emerging every year, if you don't keep pushing forward, you'll get pushed aside and become one of the older actors.

He wasn't planning on leaving the industry just yet, so he needed to continue acting.

This year, he filmed XXX and X-Men was about to start shooting, though his role in that wouldn't take more than two weeks to complete.

Director David Twohy and Universal were preparing to shoot a sequel to Pitch Black, but Richard's paycheck had risen from a few million a couple of years ago to $15 million now, with even a share of the profits being considered. Universal was thinking about replacing him.

Richard had discussed this with Director David Twohy and agreed to the idea of being replaced, suggesting that more funds be allocated to the special effects. He also recommended Vin Diesel for the role.

A couple of years ago, Richard suggested to Anthony that they sign Vin Diesel, but Vin didn't agree at the time. Last year, after not getting any good opportunities, he eventually joined BBA.

During the filming of XXX, many of the stunts were performed by Vin Diesel, and he did very well, showing that he had the potential to be an action star.

David Twohy was also considering Richard's suggestion, and negotiations were currently ongoing.

There was also another project, the sequel to The Fast and the Furious. The first Fast movie was a huge hit, earning $220 million at the box office worldwide on a production budget of under $40 million and $15 million for marketing.

Universal had big ambitions for the Fast sequel. They planned to shoot two movies back-to-back, Fast 2 and Fast 3, with a production budget increased to $150 million. They offered Richard a $30 million paycheck plus 5% of the North American box office.

Neal H. Moritz was still the executive producer.

After reading the script, Richard didn't refuse.

The second movie's plot was centered entirely around Richard's character, tailored specifically for him.

In the film, Dom Toretto continues racing and becomes a legendary figure on the racing circuit.

Paul Walker's character, Brian O'Conner, becomes the supporting role, still working as a detective in the police department. During an operation, they discover that some troublemakers are using street racing as a front for illegal arms deals, hiding three warheads in an underground racing crew. The consequences would be disastrous if they were detonated.

It is said that the screenwriters drew inspiration from last year's attack when designing this plot.

O'Conner finds Dom and asks for his help with the investigation. In the first film, Dom was supposed to be captured by the police, but at the last moment, O'Conner gave him his car, letting him go.

Grateful for O'Conner's gesture, Dom agrees to help and brings him into the racing crew. Together, they race while investigating the whereabouts of the warheads.

In the final race, they defeat the troublemakers' crew and narrowly recover the three warheads. In a critical moment, Dom drives into the ocean to successfully destroy the warheads, barely surviving and saving the entire city.

At the end, O'Conner wants Dom to come forward and accept a reward, offering to help clear his criminal record. Dom refuses and drives back into the underground racing scene.

The plot of Fast & Furious 3 picks up from the second film. Just when the police believe the warheads have been successfully destroyed, two identical warheads suddenly appear on the black market. The police suspect O'Conner of negligence and covering up, leading to his suspension and an investigation.

O'Conner is frustrated. He believes Dom didn't deceive him, but the police discover a large sum of money in Dom's account, transferred from the original arms dealer.

O'Conner begins to doubt Dom and goes to the underground racing scene to find him, only to see Dom with the arms dealer, seemingly preparing to smuggle weapons for him.

Angry, O'Conner chases Dom through the streets, vowing to arrest him.

On the other side, Dom faces his own crisis. His girlfriend has been kidnapped by the arms dealer, who forces him to deliver the weapons to a specified location within a limited time, threatening to kill her if he fails.

With O'Conner hot on his trail, Dom drives like a maniac, but eventually, O'Conner and a group of police officers block his way. Dom explains the situation to O'Conner, who decides to trust him.

Dom successfully rescues his girlfriend, and in the end, he and O'Conner join forces to capture the arms dealer and retrieve the two warheads.

In the final moments, Dom steals a large sum of money from the arms dealer and escapes with his girlfriend to Rio de Janeiro, the city of crime.

The storylines of the second and third films are closely connected, so the producers decided to film them back-to-back. This decision carries some risk, but if it succeeds, the rewards will be substantial.

The success of the first film made Fast & Furious one of the most popular movies among American teenagers in recent years. The DVD sales of Fast & Furious were also impressive, with many fans eagerly awaiting a sequel.

This gave the producers confidence to shoot the films back-to-back. Another reason was Richard’s incredible popularity—not only in the film industry but also in various circles domestically and internationally, where he enjoys high recognition.

With Richard on board, along with the original cast, and a theme that carries a positive message, the risk of losing money is minimal.

The films were officially greenlit at the end of March. Since they were using the original cast, the casting process was skipped, allowing production to move faster, with shooting expected to start around May or June.

"I signed on for two films at once, and earned $30 million. You should be satisfied now, right?" Richard said as he put down the documents.

"Haha, very satisfied!" Anthony laughed, showing his back teeth.

Richard shook his head. "How are the negotiations with Vin Diesel and Pitch Black going?"

"Pretty well. Besides Pitch Black, I’ve lined up a few other action films that you turned down for Vin Diesel. Now I finally understand why you wanted me to sign him—you’re looking for a stand-in."

Anthony laughed.

"Vin Diesel is good. He's got a lot of potential, and I saw that he could be profitable."

"Yes, but he’s quite ambitious. It won't be easy to keep him."

"Ambition is good. It gives people the drive to succeed. As for keeping him, I trust you can handle that."

"Haha, of course!" Anthony replied with confidence.

BAA's Los Angeles branch was established in 1998, and in just five years, it had grown from a small talent agency to a mid-sized company. Although Richard and Norman played important roles in this growth, most of the work fell on Anthony's shoulders.

Over these years, Anthony had learned a lot and was now confident in managing BAA.

Ring, ring~

Richard's phone rang. It was producer Copeland, calling to discuss a new project. Crash had been completed and was scheduled for release in mid-April.

From the preview screenings, the movie seemed to be doing well.

A new film project had also been put on the agenda, and the company had selected a few promising projects for Richard to review.

Just as he was about to leave, Gwyneth called him. She had received a good script and wanted to collaborate with him. Richard agreed and invited her to join him at New Century Company.

"Anthony, I'm heading out. Call me if anything comes up."

"Okay, don't forget to consider our company's talent for any new projects."

"You sure know how to seize an opportunity," Richard said, waving as he left.

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(End of the Chapter)

## Chapter 275: Deep Pockets

New Century Film Production Company.

"Look at these scripts the production department picked out. Let's decide which one to film first," Kopesen, the producer, said.

"They must be all good. Maybe we can shoot two at once," Richard replied, opening a script.

"We thought about that too, but Crash hasn't been released yet, so we haven't recovered the funds. Starting two projects would put a lot of pressure on us," Frank Marshall said, pouring tea.

"Need funds? How much?" Richard asked.

Two years ago when we started New Century, I invested 15 million dollars. With Gwyneth and Norman's investment, we had 23 million to start several departments.

The first film cost 5 million and made a small profit, so there wasn't much income in the past two years.

Last year, Crash cost 7 million and didn't break even. We also spent millions to build a distribution channel. Now, the company doesn't have much money left.

If we wait to start new projects after Crash is released, we'll waste several months.

"All departments are set up now, and we can handle two small projects at once. If we do both, we'll need around 20 million. The company has 14 million in liquid assets. You can invest more, or we can borrow.

Our company is in good financial shape after two years, so borrowing 2-3 million is no problem.

Many small production companies use this model. They use film copyrights as collateral and repay the loan after the film is released. It's like real estate – borrowing to buy a house, then using the house as collateral for another loan," Frank Marshall explained.

"Subprime mortgage?" Richard smiled. That policy started last year for low-income people to help them during economic downturns, mainly in real estate.

After that policy, the real estate market boomed. Ellie helped me buy real estate stocks, and I made a few million.

"It's the same in film investment. It can help small companies and boost the market. What do you think?" Frank Marshall asked.

Richard thought, "No need. I have enough money and no financial pressure. 20 million more is fine."

Frank laughed and looked at Kopesen. "How does it feel to have a boss with deep pockets?"

"Great!" Kopesen said, reading the newspaper. "The news says you bought a 100 million dollar mansion. You still have money? You're richer than the magazines say."

Richard shrugged. "It's about 60 million. I'm renovating it. I'll invite you when I move in."

"Okay, let's decide which script to film first. Even if we do two a year, we need to do them one after the other," Frank Marshall said.

"Which one do you think?" Richard asked.

"We plan to start a small project before Crash is released. Lost in Translation is Sofia Coppola's second film."

The first film, "The Virgin Suicides," was released last year. Although it didn't make much money, it was critically acclaimed. Her second film only needs an investment of $4 million. I watched it and it's not bad, no worse than "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." Richard, you should take a look and let us know what you think. Copeson, the producer, said.

"Okay!" Richard carefully read the script. It's about two Americans who meet in Tokyo, Japan, and become friends. They embark on an adventurous journey in Tokyo, encountering people from all walks of life, which leads them to reflect on life and their own existence.

The film is quite literary. Richard had spent a few days in Tokyo, and certain scenes in the script resonated with him. However, the script is overly artistic and niche, so the box office performance is likely to be average.

Just like "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," it won awards at Sundance and the Berlin Film Festival, and even received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor this year. However, it was critically acclaimed but not commercially successful, with a global box office gross of less than $12 million.

However, the purpose of independent production companies is to maintain the artistic integrity of films, make low-budget art films, and pursue awards. If "Lost in Translation" can also win a few film awards, the benefits would definitely outweigh earning a few million at the box office.

In the initial stages of an independent production company, they often operate at a loss to gain recognition. They make art films to win awards and attract the attention of investors and filmmakers. Once the company's reputation grows, people will actively seek collaboration.

Miramax rose to prominence in this way, and so did New Line Cinema. In its early days, New Line Cinema was unknown in the industry. However, after "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" won several film awards, more and more people started approaching them for collaboration.

From this perspective, investing in "Lost in Translation" seems necessary.

"Arnold, the script is excellent. We can consider it for our next project," Richard said, putting down the script.

"Well, actually, I know Sofia Coppola. I've worked with her father, director Coppola, a few times. She knew I was at New Line Cinema's production department, so she approached me with the script and asked if I was interested. Since you've agreed, I'll contact her."

"Great!" Richard picked up another script, "The Butterfly Effect," and read it. He didn't understand it the first time, so he read it again and roughly grasped the story.

The film is about the male protagonist who experienced many terrible things in his childhood, leading to a chaotic life. He tries to go back in time through a black hole to change the past, but ends up making things worse.

The script seems fragmented, and the plot is disjointed. The screenwriter tries to convey many things through the script, wanting the reader to appreciate his intellect. However, he tries to express too much, which can be distracting and ultimately weakens the impact.

From this, it's clear that the screenwriter is a newcomer. However, the script's concept is creative, and the core of the story is excellent, indicating that the screenwriter is talented.

"Richard, this script was submitted by a new director who is also the screenwriter. He previously made a small-budget film that won the Best Picture award at the New York International Independent Film Festival. I watched that film, and it was quite good.

This project requires an investment of over ten million. If we take it on, it will be our first project with an investment exceeding ten million. There's some disagreement within the production department. They think choosing 'The Butterfly Effect' is too risky, and we should choose this one instead, which is safer," Copeson, the producer, said, pointing to the third script.

Richard picked it up and read it. The script was titled "Control," a thriller and suspense film. He read it carefully and found it to be quite good as well.

"Arnold, what are your thoughts?"

"Haha, Richard, we're not just looking for investment. We also want to ask if you're interested in any of the roles in these scripts. If you're willing to play the male lead in 'The Butterfly Effect,' the film's box office performance is guaranteed to be good," Frank said with a smile.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "I probably don't have the time. I recently signed a contract with Universal for two films, '2 Fast 2 Furious' and 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.' I won't have time for other roles in the second half of the year."

"That's a shame. So how should we choose our fourth project?" Frank looked at the two of them.

Richard suggested holding a meeting to discuss and gather everyone's opinions.

Frank and Copeson agreed. After a while, Gwyneth arrived, and Jane Wilson, the third in command, also joined. They all gathered in the production department's conference room for a meeting.

New Line Cinema's production department had twelve people, including producers and production assistants. The younger staff supported "The Butterfly Effect." They thought it was cooler, and although there was a risk of losing money, there was also a chance of it becoming a hit.

The older staff supported "Control." They believed the script was good, and the director was experienced. Choosing it as the company's first project with an investment exceeding ten million would be safer.

Copeson didn't express his opinion and finally looked at him. Gwyneth also looked at him.

"Richard, what are your thoughts?"

"Hmm, let's go with 'The Butterfly Effect.' We're a new company, and we need to be daring and try new things. Even if we lose money, it's okay. Consider it a learning experience, how about that?"

"Haha, paying over 10 million for a learning experience, you're quite extravagant."

Richard made up his mind, and the fourth project was decided: "The Butterfly Effect."

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(End of Chapter)