Chapter 192: The Pit

"The craziest event in the film industry this century, the most impossible scenario in Hollywood, has become a reality—Duke Rosenberg is going to shoot a low-budget art film!"

"We all know that Duke Rosenberg made his name in Hollywood on the back of his 'earth-shattering' explosive skills and dazzling camera techniques. Because he's so good at blowing things up, rumor has always had it that he's the 'man born when a comet struck Earth'! Now, this famous director—crowned with the titles of Explosion Maniac and Duke of Destruction—has officially announced that his new work will be adapted from the Broadway musical Chicago..."

In the mansion's reception room, Tom Cruise flipped through several newspapers, including those from the Big Three Newspapers. They were full of reports about Duke Rosenberg and his new film, occupying the headlines of nearly every entertainment page.

"Penny Kalis and Duke Rosenberg's methods are as brilliant as ever." Pat Kingsley, who had been talking with Nicole Kidman, turned to Cruise. "They used the preconceived notions of the industry and the public to easily spark a media frenzy. No matter what happens, the film Chicago is going to be remembered by a considerable number of people."

Closing the newspapers and setting them aside, Tom Cruise looked up. "Pat, what's the reaction in the industry?"

"Duke's two partners on Saving Private Ryan, Fox and Disney, have explicitly stated they will not participate in this project." Kingsley paused to think for a moment before adding, "Warner is still in contact with Nancy Josephson. Barring any surprises, Jeff Robinov will continue to support Duke."

She looked at Cruise. "Tom, it's time to make a decision."

"Can he succeed?" Cruise asked with a frown.

"No one can guarantee a movie's success." Pat Kingsley shook her head, offering a bit of perspective. "Over the past four years, Duke has been making movies at a pace of one a year. Chicago won't start shooting until after next year's Oscars, or perhaps even later. This obviously isn't an impulsive move on his part; he intends to prepare much more thoroughly."

Tom Cruise nodded. Ample pre-production was the most basic prerequisite for a film's success.

Kingsley continued, "We've all dealt with him many times, and even implicitly clashed with him on several occasions. Is he the kind of person whose bursting self-confidence would make him arrogant enough to lose his head?"

While Tom Cruise was still thinking, Nicole Kidman shook her head. "Duke Rosenberg is coming prepared."

Cruise looked at Nicole Kidman's pale cheeks, a flash of displeasure fading quickly from his eyes.

"This is a risk." This was one of the reasons Tom Cruise had hesitated to make up his mind. "The film's subject matter really appeals to the School, but..."

"Tom, don't forget, this is just a low-budget art film." Pat Kingsley deeply desired to have an Oscar-level client under her name. "Even if it fails, it won't do much damage to your commercial appeal. But what if it's as successful as Saving Private Ryan?"

Kingsley spoke bluntly. "Tom, you have top-tier commercial appeal, but your acting skills have always been criticized. If you want to become Hollywood's top star, surpass Hanks, and become the gold standard for male actors, commercial success alone isn't enough! He has two Oscars. What do you have?"

These words seemed to strike a nerve with Cruise. His brows furrowed tightly, and his hands slowly clenched into fists. Nowadays in Hollywood, when people talked about the most representative male actor, the star with the highest status and salary, or even just someone named Tom, the first person the vast majority thought of was Tom Hanks, not Tom Cruise!

For Hanks to achieve such a status, his collaboration with Duke Rosenberg on Saving Private Ryan had played a massive role.

As her most important client, Pat Kingsley naturally wanted to push Cruise to a higher position. "Tom, I've told you before, I want you to become the best actor in Hollywood, to be number one among all Hollywood actors. If you still want to catch up to and surpass Hanks, you must make a mark at the Oscars."

Her eyes gleamed sharply. "In my view, the reason Duke Rosenberg chose such an obscure subject is to make a run at the Oscars. But based on my understanding of him, he won't stop at these low-budget films. He will inevitably return to the commercial mainstream in the future. If you can build a good relationship with him..." Meeting Cruise's gaze, Kingsley spoke with unprecedented solemnity. "Don't tell me you aren't aware of Duke's capabilities in the commercial realm!"

Tom Cruise was still thinking in silence, but Nicole Kidman's pale blue eyes were constantly shifting. She had read the script that Nancy Josephson had sent over...

Most importantly, she had a solid background in dancing and singing!

"What salary did they offer?" Cruise's words interrupted Nicole Kidman's thoughts.

Then came Pat Kingsley's reply: "Three million dollars!"

It was impossible for this kind of low-budget film to offer a salary matching an actor's worth. Nicole Kidman wasn't surprised by this; when big stars appeared in such art-leaning films, they almost always took a pay cut, and some even acted for free.

"My bottom line is five million dollars!"

Hearing this, Pat Kingsley nodded. It was good enough that Cruise was willing to yield. Salary and other terms could all be negotiated. Her biggest fear was that Cruise would miss the opportunity because of past disputes. In Hollywood, working with someone you didn't like meant practically nothing.

After discussing some related details, Pat Kingsley took her leave, and Nicole Kidman walked her out.

"Pat..." Stepping out of the villa, Kidman finally couldn't hold back. "I read the script..."

"I'll talk to them!"

Seeing Kingsley nod, Nicole Kidman breathed a sigh of relief. Having been in Hollywood for so many years, she was still just eye candy whose existence depended on Cruise. She understood that any opportunity was incredibly important.

On the outskirts of Beverly Hills, in a small villa, Naomi Watts was doing vocal warm-ups in the garden. This was an essential daily routine. The young director who was gradually drifting away from her had only promised her a lead role because of that fire. But given his personality, if she wasn't outstanding enough, she would inevitably be dropped.

Recently, the media had been buzzing with news about Chicago. Naomi Watts had already received confirmation from her agent, Nancy Josephson, that the film was about to begin formal pre-production, and auditions would be placed ahead of all other preparation work, because Duke had required four to five months of singing and dancing rehearsal time for all the actors.

'Will I be able to get this role in the end?'

When it came to Roxie, she had a natural advantage over the others, but Naomi Watts was well aware that securing this role wouldn't be solved just by having slept with the director. She needed to put in even more effort when it came to singing, dancing, and acting.

Having stayed in Hollywood for so long, she actually saw things very clearly. If one's own qualifications weren't enough, heavyweight roles in films definitely couldn't be won just by being willing to take off your clothes and sleep with someone.

In a theater in the West End of London, Catherine Zeta-Jones walked out of the manager's office and returned to the dressing room. Turning a blind eye to the various gazes directed at her from all around, she silently packed up her belongings. She was no longer an actress in this production.

Last week, after receiving the audition invitation from Los Angeles, she put all her eggs in one basket and quit her current job, making up her mind to venture to Hollywood once again. If she didn't succeed, she absolutely wouldn't return to London!

"She's just going for an audition. Competition in Hollywood is fierce; it's very likely she won't get the role." Catching the sound of the gossip, Catherine Zeta-Jones shifted her gaze slightly. The person speaking was Rachel, someone she had completely fallen out with since last year. Even though the woman pretended to be calm, Zeta-Jones could read her face—it was filled with envy, resentment, jealousy, and all sorts of negative emotions.

Seemingly noticing Zeta-Jones's gaze, Rachel didn't hesitate to look over. Meeting her eyes, she sneered, "Did I say something wrong? Even if you've latched onto this connection with Duke Rosenberg, you might not pass the audition. You'll be back soon enough."

Zeta-Jones suddenly smiled and replied in an almost identical tone, "What a pity that you won't even get the chance, Miss Rachel Weisz!"

With that said, she ignored this group of psychologically twisted losers in the dressing room. Carrying a cardboard box, she strode out, walking all the way to the back door of the theater before stopping to get into a waiting car.

"Is it taken care of?" In the driver's seat was a woman not much older than Zeta-Jones. Seeing her nod, she started the car and drove toward the Kensington District. "Kate, are you ready?"

"I've been preparing for this for half a year!" This was her newly appointed agent from America. Zeta-Jones looked straight ahead and said with absolute determination, "From the day Duke Rosenberg found me, I've been preparing for the audition. I will nail the audition for Velma, and I must succeed! I want to become a star in Hollywood, a star that catches the eyes of the whole world!"

"I have a few pieces of advice," the agent chimed in at the right moment. "Want to hear them?"

"Go ahead, Vivian."

"A lot of people aren't optimistic about Duke Rosenberg's new movie, myself included." Vivian turned her head to look at Zeta-Jones. "I know you have your hesitations too, but Kate, for any actor who hasn't become extremely popular yet, working with Duke Rosenberg is a massive opportunity."

Zeta-Jones kept her eyes on Vivian; she knew her agent had more to say.

"I wouldn't dare say that Duke Rosenberg can rival Spielberg, but if I say he's a director standing in the very front row of Hollywood, I believe no one would argue. Even if he misses the mark once, it won't affect his status in the industry. Besides, this isn't his strong suit to begin with. As long as he returns to the commercial mainstream, the production companies willing to pay for his movies will be countless."

Stopping the car at a red light, the agent turned and stared at Zeta-Jones. "Kate, do you know what this means for you?"

Without waiting for her answer, Vivian continued, "As long as you can build a good relationship with Duke Rosenberg and win his favor, you'll have countless opportunities in the future."

"I know what to do!"

Compared to securing a single role, wouldn't conquering a major Hollywood director be far more beneficial to her?