"I believe Transformers will definitely be a big hit, just like The Dark Knight." Warner Bros. CEO Doug Walter walked over, raised his glass to Duke, and said, "Cheers, Duke."
Duke raised his champagne, took a sip, and replied, "I think so too."
The two laughed at the same time.
In the spacious and luxurious banquet hall, there were over a hundred guests not only members of The Dark Knight’s crew and Warner Bros. executives and media representatives, but also quite a few people who had entered the hall through connections.
At gatherings , they either evolve into wild parties or become networking events.
Given Duke’s current status and position, the party was obviously not going to head in the former direction. Not long after it began, deals and socializing became the main theme of the evening.
Eno Martin, looking sharp and shrewd, walked over. "I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you another film of yours has surpassed one billion dollars at the box office."
"Thanks," Duke replied politely.
Eno Martin was now in charge of CAA, but ever since Michael Ovitz and Martin Bob left CAA, Duke’s relationship with the agency had gradually eased. While he still wouldn’t accept any agency’s package deals, he occasionally used actors or crew from CAA.
After clinking glasses with Duke, Eno Martin asked, "Haven’t seen Leo around lately?"
He was referring to Leonardo DiCaprio, which Duke clearly understood. "We had dinner together two months ago. Don’t worry, the ballot in my hand will definitely go to Leo."
Perhaps due to the changes he’d brought, Martin Scorsese only completed The Departed this year, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who had gradually turned into an awards-season maniac, was once again eyeing the Best Actor award.
"Thank you on Leo’s behalf," Eno Martin said politely.
Duke shook his head lightly. "There’s no need for that between him and me."
If Duke had any friends in the acting world, Leonardo was one of the few. And as a member of the Academy, Duke always preferred to vote with his conscience and when it came to acquaintances, they naturally had the priority.
Although people kept coming over to greet Duke, Eno Martin showed no intention of leaving. Meanwhile, Scarlett, who had been holding Duke’s arm, spotted a familiar figure and said, "Sophia’s here I’ll go say hi."
After Duke nodded, and Scarlett had just walked off, Eno Martin asked, "Are you really not interested in the Oscars anymore?"
A lot of media were speculating about whether The Dark Knight would receive Best Picture and Best Director nominations, but industry insiders knew—it was impossible.
"Let it be," Duke said calmly.
"If you’re ever interested in the Oscars again, don’t forget Leo."
From this angle, Eno Martin was a very competent agent. But for an actor like Leonardo DiCaprio, even a powerhouse like CAA could only treat him like a treasure.
Thinking that CAA just treated Leonardo as a puppet would be utterly naive.
Just as Eno Martin finished speaking, another man walked over. He seemed to have overheard the earlier conversation. After greeting both Duke and Eno Martin, he also brought up a similar topic.
This was Martin Miller from William Morris. He also had heavyweight actor clients. "Duke, Nat has always wanted to work with you. Are there any roles in your upcoming projects suitable for her?"
"If Miss Portman doesn’t mind playing a vase in a commercial film," Duke shrugged slightly, "then I’d be happy to work with her."
Martin Miller chuckled but didn’t say anything more.
A greeting came from behind, and Nancy Josephson walked over. "Didn’t expect to see you all here."
Although there was fierce competition between CAA, William Morris, and the company Nancy represented, she wouldn’t bring rivalry into the open at an event .
Duke looked at the three of them. Of the Big Four talent agencies in Hollywood, three key figures were standing right in front of him.
The companies behind these three controlled nearly 85% of the Hollywood market. Even in an era when media conglomerates ran the town, their weight was impossible to ignore.
However, seeing them, Duke had a new thought—he and the faction Michael Ovitz represented had been at odds in Hollywood for years. Now that he had grown powerful enough and the other side was gradually aging, perhaps it was time to end this struggle and focus on the real powerful enemies instead.
Duke lightly tapped the rim of his glass, and the crisp sound caught the attention of the other three.
"Martin, Eno..." Duke looked at the two men and didn’t bother beating around the bush—there was no need. "You want to work with me just to gain more benefits and market share for yourselves and your companies."
This was North America—there was no need to shy away from talking about interests. Duke continued, "Actually, I think approaching it from another angle might be more effective."
"Duke, just say what you mean," Eno Martin said.
"Artists Management Group." Duke turned to Martin Miller. "Although Martin Scorsese left Michael Ovitz’s camp for William Morris, Artists Management Group still has a lot of high-quality clients..."
Martin Miller and Eno Martin understood Duke’s meaning and fell into thoughtful silence.
"Michael Ovitz is not someone you can ignore. The fact that Artists Management Group has lasted this long is largely due to him," Duke spread his hands, "But even a lion ages. He... is outdated."
Nancy Josephson, well in sync with Duke, timely added, "If only one company steps up to poach Artists Management Group’s clients and market, Michael Ovitz might still have the strength to resist. But what if all three of us act together?"
Competition among agencies was as fierce as it was in Hollywood. The market was only so big if they could kick one company out, it would only benefit the others.
Michael Ovitz had long been an old rival of William Morris, and after Eno Martin took over CAA, he too had been working hard to erase Ovitz’s influence...
Besides, even if they had good relations with Ovitz, it didn’t necessarily mean they wouldn’t get involved—just like how the six major Hollywood studios treated DreamWorks, which Spielberg had invested in.
Martin Miller and Ino Martin both laughed. Though they didn’t say anything explicitly, anyone could guess what they and the companies behind them might do.
If Michael Ovitz during his time at CAA was an insurmountable mountain in Hollywood, standing tall at the very top of the industry and practically a king in the world of entertainment agents, then after choosing to join Disney, he exposed another side one of incompetence which allowed all of Hollywood to see that Michael Ovitz wasn’t all that special after all...
At the time, Disney indeed had intense internal power struggles, but is there a single company in the business world where personnel struggles are simple?
Michael Ovitz fell from the mountaintop, and even without Duke’s presence, he would’ve gradually declined all the same.
This is an era of rapid change. No matter how unwilling Michael Ovitz may be, faced with a full-scale assault from the younger generation, his chances of survival are extremely low.
After Martin Miller and Ino Martin left, Duke said to Nancy, "Retirement is the best option for Michael Ovitz and Martin Bob."
"What if they don’t want to?" Nancy asked.
Duke shrugged. "I’m sure you’ll find a way."
At a certain point, if they still refuse to retire, the future will only get bleaker.
After all these years of battling in Hollywood, Duke had never been someone with a soft heart or overflowing sympathy.
"What were you talking about?"
Scarlett Johansson returned arm-in-arm with Sofia Coppola and saw Duke and Nancy Josephson sharing a knowing look, prompting her to ask curiously, "Who are you scheming against now?"
"We’re planning to sell you to Africa, Scar," Nancy joked on purpose. Thɪs chapter is updated by novel※fire.net
"I’m going to Africa next month," Scarlett Johansson immediately locked eyes with Nancy. "You’ll come with me, right?"
Just last month, Scarlett had become a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations. Hollywood stars usually used this role to elevate their own image, but taking on such titles also meant attending regular events.
Nancy agreed, "As long as there’s nothing too urgent, I’ll go to Africa with you."
One of Duke’s charitable foundations was also conducting relief efforts for hungry children in Africa. Using charity to boost one’s image wasn’t limited to stars—it was also very popular among billionaires worldwide.
However, since Duke was about to start filming Transformers, he wasn’t going to go in person. Having Scarlett represent him would be enough.
"I’m planning to take a vacation next month too," Sofia Coppola chimed in. "Perfect timing—let’s visit the African savanna together."
Sofia then turned to Duke and said, "Nicolas asked me to say sorry. He’s really grateful for your help and regrets not being able to attend the party."
"It’s fine," Duke didn’t mind.
He had only helped Nicolas Cage because Sofia Coppola had personally asked for a favor.
This former king of box office flops had seen his career take a turn after starring in The Dark Knight, and he had now landed a major A-level blockbuster with an investment of over a hundred million dollars, currently filming on location in Eastern Europe.
But whether The Dark Knight could really help Nicolas Cage escape his predicament, even Duke couldn’t be sure. He didn’t know just how bad Cage’s financial situation actually was.
Since he had to continue working the next day, Duke didn’t stay long at the party. When he left, he was inevitably stopped at the hotel entrance by a few reporters who asked him a few questions. He took the chance to reveal a bit about Transformers.
Starting the next day, the crew resumed filming at the Warner Bros. Studios and Hughes Aircraft Hangar sound stages.