[Chapter 430: Two Kates]
"They went too far. How could they target you over this?"
In a palace-style villa on Kensington Palace Garden Street, Catherine Zeta-Jones angrily slammed down the newspaper and stomped her bare feet a few times. Her chest heaved with frustration, even more annoyed than Link himself.
"It's alright. If I didn't get it this time, I can try next time," Link comforted her, patting her back.
In many countries, the entertainment industry and politics were like twins. The entertainment sector existed partly to serve political purposes -- to consume people's leisure time and distract them, sometimes even to diffuse negative feelings among various social classes.
It was part of the political landscape.
At the same time, advanced political systems, stable public order, and prosperous economies promoted booming entertainment industries. They complemented each other.
Because of Diana's offense to many British citizens, if the British Film Academy were to award all the honors to Link now, the public would be displeased. Between Link's dissatisfaction and the public's discontent, the Academy naturally prioritized the latter.
Link understood the situation, so he wasn't angry.
"Are you really not mad? I saw you frown," Catherine pointed at the furrow on his brow, reaching out to smooth it.
"No, I was thinking about something else," Link said, holding her close to keep her still as he continued reading the newspaper.
...
Last week after returning from the East, Remy Sklar, the VP of Public Relations, reported an update: after the Oscar nominations were announced, the PR departments at Miramax, Universal Pictures, Fox Studios, and others suddenly intensified their efforts to sway Academy voters, frequently inviting them to events to lobby for their films.
Moreover, from February onwards, the exposure and positive reviews for Oscar-nominated films like Fargo, Secrets & Lies, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Shine, etc. increased substantially -- almost doubling.
Originally, the media expected The English Patient to sweep the Oscars in March, taking at least ten golden statues, but the public opinion shifted. Fargo and The People vs. Larry Flynt gained momentum comparable to The English Patient.
Even British newspapers had plenty of positive reviews for these films.
Remy suspected Miramax and Universal were pulling a surprise move. Initially, they seemed resigned, not competing heavily against The English Patient. But in the second round of voting, they ramped up PR, catching Guess Pictures off guard.
Upon learning this, Guess Pictures's PR had to scramble and allocate more funds.
However, the second-round votes just ended yesterday, and their slower response introduced great uncertainty into the March Oscars.
...
"Honey, are you comfortable?"
While reading, the girl in his arms wasn't settled. She started by massaging his chest with her palms.
Gradually, her movements grew bolder, her cheeks flushed, and her gaze turned coquettish.
Link smiled lightly, lifting her chin with the newspaper. "Are you sure you want to do this? Don't beg for mercy if you get into trouble later."
Catherine paused, tense like a startled bird, her slender legs instinctively straightened.
Noticing the teasing in his eyes, she angrily tapped his chest. "You always pick on me. When I'm with Kate, you tease me even more. Is it because I'm easier to mess with?"
"Yes. Because your legs are longer, your figure fuller, and your face more charming."
Link pinched her cheek.
"That's more like it."
Catherine nestled in his embrace with a satisfied smile.
Dating Link for over two years had transformed her. Her once-skinny, underweight frame had become fuller and curvier thanks to him. Her skin was fair and radiant, her features more glamorous.
Combined with her natural British ladylike grace, she had become strikingly beautiful.
Many media called her the 'British Rose.'
But other outlets referred to Kate Beckinsale as the 'British Rose' too, saying Kate had an intellect and elegance Catherine lacked.
This sparked a quiet rivalry between them.
Their battlefield was Link.
Looking at them now, Catherine clearly held the upper hand.
...
Ding dong! Ding dong!
The doorbell rang twice. A servant opened the door, and Kate Beckinsale floated in wearing a white dress, her porcelain complexion and chestnut curls complimenting her LV vintage purse. She radiated charm.
She was stunning, making the living room brighten and filling the air with a subtle floral fragrance.
Kate was followed by a familiar face, Kate Winslet, also in a dress and red mid-heel shoes, with a fuller figure contrasting with Beckinsale's slim elegance.
"Hi Link, surprised to see me?" Winslet greeted warmly.
"Very much! Welcome, Kate!" Link smiled, giving her a polite hug.
Winslet teased him for missing his promise to visit the Titanic set last year, expressing disappointment.
Link explained his busy schedule prevented the visit.
Winslet didn't press further, just joking around.
"Kate, welcome! Would you like a tour of our rooms and garden?" Catherine stepped up as hostess and invited Winslet.
"Sure, I'd love that," Winslet said, setting down her bag and wanting to check out the rooms first.
...
"Why is she so excited?"
Beckinsale whispered, pointing at Catherine's back.
"Hardly anyone visits us. Kate's here, so she's happy."
"Really? I thought she won the lottery."
Beckinsale shrugged and winked at Link, "Your zipper's down."
Link looked down, and sure enough, thanks to Catherine's mischief.
Beckinsale chuckled and zipped it up for him.
Link pulled her waist and kissed her softly.
...
Before Winslet left after lunch, Diana's two kids came over with the housekeeper. Link brought gifts from Diana, and the polite children thanked him.
Link had met them once and impressed them at the club with his strength and excellent horsemanship. Plus, he often gave them presents, so they had a good impression of him.
He chatted with the kids about school and life.
The older one was serious and precise, while the younger was more playful and ran to the garden after a while, asking Link to teach him swimming.
Due to their special status, Link couldn't take them out casually and had to stay indoors playing board games.
After lunch, the kids left reluctantly with the housekeeper. Link promised to take them on a summer vacation to Hawaii, which visibly cheered the kids.
...
"Link, you'll make a good dad someday," Winslet said behind him as he saw off the children.
"I hope so," Link admitted, though he doubted it.
His work was too demanding, shooting two to three films a year plus managing companies, leaving little family time.
Also, with many kids in the family, his paternal love wouldn't stretch enough.
"You will," Winslet looked up at him with bright eyes. "You're gentle and patient with kids, and you provide the security they need. They'll love you."
Link smiled and turned toward the living room. "Busy with work lately?"
"Not really. Filming Titanic was exhausting. I rested for half a year but felt no better. Planning to rest a few more months," Winslet stretched, showcasing her curvy figure.
"That's good. No worries. Once I finish my current film, I'll rest some too."
"Your rest means just weekends, right?" Winslet teased with a wink. "I've read your reports and talked with Leonardo and Kate. You shoot three films a year, run several companies, busy from January to December with almost no breaks. If Forbes picked the hardest working billionaire, you'd be number one."
"Not true. If it were, I wouldn't have time to chat with you now," Link laughed, sipping his coffee.
Winslet smirked skeptically. "You don't look as busy or worn out as the reports say. How do you maintain that? Shooting three films, managing companies, dating dozens -- most would be overwhelmed. Got a secret?"
"No late nights, regular sleep, and working out when possible."
"Just that?" she snorted, unconvincing. "No need to tell me -- I'll ask Kate. Since she started dating you, her skin's improved, plus she's 'gained' in the right places. You must've taught her some tricks, right?"
"Yes, better ask Kate for details," Link smiled.
Winslet glanced upstairs, lowered her voice, and asked, "How long have you two been dating?"
"Almost a year."
"A year? How did you win her over? I've known Kate for four or five years. She used to be so proud she barely glanced at guys confessing to her. They called her an arrogant white swan behind her back. Yet you made her your girlfriend -- one of them -- that's unbelievable. How?"
"Charm," Link joked.
...
Footsteps sounded on the spiral stairs. Kate Beckinsale appeared, wearing a casual long dress, holding a crystal vase with three pure white tulips matching her fair face -- a perfect blend of flower and beauty.
Winslet whispered, "Tell me later," and gracefully sat on the sofa opposite Link.
"Link, put the vase downstairs. We're heading back to Los Angeles tomorrow. Keeping it in the bedroom will make it wilt slowly, which is a pity," Beckinsale said.
"It won't wilt downstairs? You're such a fuss," Catherine came down too.
"Servants are downstairs to care for it, so it won't wither quickly."
"They can care for it in the bedroom too, but it disrupts the living room's setup."
"Enough!" Link stood up, pulling both women close, asking them to sit and stop fighting over a vase.
They huffed, sitting on either side of him without looking at each other. Winslet covered her mouth, snickering.
---
After the awards ceremony, Link returned to Los Angeles with his girlfriends and dove into new movie projects.
He currently had five films lined up: Guess Pictures' Pirates of the Caribbean and American Beauty, MGM's 007, Disney's Armageddon, and Paramount's The Truman Show.
...
MGM was pressing hard for him to shoot 007 quickly, ideally finishing by June for a year-end release.
MGM's performance had been poor lately, with a $3.5 billion deficit and assets under $3 billion, teetering on bankruptcy. They hoped Link's 007 could save the studio.
He agreed and started storyboarding based on MGM's script.
After over a month, the draft was finalized.
...
Tentatively titled Tomorrow Never Dies, the plot revolved around a British warship sinking in the Pacific after a suspected torpedo attack. The military planned retaliation but was stopped by M.
M sent Agent 007, James Bond, to Asia to uncover the truth and prevent war.
Bond discovered media mogul Elliot Carver masterminded the scheme to spark global conflict for monopolizing worldwide media.
Bond joined forces with female agent Wai Lin, foiling Carver's plan and averting war.
...
The movie's budget was $110 million. MGM offered him a $10 million base salary plus 15% of global box office -- a generous deal among the Hollywood Big Seven Studios.
"Link, about the female lead Wai Lin, do you have any recommendations?" Daniel DeVito, aware Link had many actress friends in China, asked during casting.
Link considered. Wai Lin was a skilled secret agent with many action scenes, aged 30+, to match 44-year-old Pierce Brosnan.
Most women around him didn't fit: Gong Li and Maggie Cheung weren't action-oriented; others were either too young or lacked action skills.
He decided to ask his girlfriends if anyone wanted the role; if not, he'd look elsewhere.
"Let's cast other roles first. I'll handle Wai Lin's part."
"Okay!" Daniel nodded and updated him on the February and January releases.
...
Guess Pictures had two films out in January and February: the French art film Ponette, and Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights -- both niche art films.
Ponette had run six weeks in North America, grossing $1.26 million and just breaking even.
The young star Victoire Thivisol received acclaim for her adorable appearance and spirited acting, earning the nickname 'Twin Star' with Haley Joel Osment from The Sixth Sense.
Boogie Nights, rating R, debuted in early February. It chronicled adult film star Dirk Diggler rising in the '70s and struggling with the industry's decline in the '80s, battling drug issues, then rebooting via videotape films.
Starring Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Don Cheadle, it won the Special Jury Prize at Berlin Film Festival and Audience Award at Sundance.
In three weeks, it grossed $18.35 million with a $15 million budget -- profitable for an indie film.
...
Several films from last year's end were still gaining momentum.
The English Patient ran nine weeks in North America, earning $182 million, expecting $220 million by Oscar season. A big Oscar night would boost ticket sales further.
Toy Story, now week 15, had brought in $191 million in North America, with growth slowing but expected to exceed $200 million.
The Net, over six months in theaters, grossed $184 million, with minor box office growth, also expected to hit about $200 million.
Other titles like Dangerous Minds, Hachi: A Dog's Tale, and Dead Man Walking saw notable box office bumps thanks to awards season.
Guess Pictures had a strong start this year, with no outright flops like last year -- making staff happy and ensuring double bonuses by year-end.
...
Meanwhile, Hollywood Big Seven Studios executives were worried.
Last year Guess Pictures struggled early but exploded in the second half, topping annual box office charts.
Would they continue strong in the second half this year, or collapse with losses?
Many hoped for the latter; insiders like Michael Ovitz and Harvey Weinstein, familiar with the 'poison pill plan,' believed it was the likely outcome.
*****
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