Chapter 690: Godfather

An actor's aura was never innate. It had to be cultivated through professional packaging and training, and honed by time, acting skills, status, and fame. Over a decade ago, no one would have thought Charlize Theron possessed a powerful aura capable of imbuing a character with such an intangible presence.

Don't claim that aura didn't matter; the presence an actor brought to a role could be enough to dominate a film.

Despite winning Oscar Best Actress for Monster and firmly securing her place among Hollywood's A-list actresses, Charlize Theron was still essentially walking the path of a mere "flower vase"—eye candy—both then and now.

Even in today's Hollywood, where special effects were becoming increasingly critical to films and the box-office draw of superstars was declining, Charlize Theron had reached a status where she actually had plenty of roles to choose from. For a vast number of projects, the first choices for casting were still established stars.

It was no exaggeration to say that in any given period, the roles available for Hollywood superstars to choose from numbered more than a dozen.

The idea that simply tossing out a script or a role would have A-listers swarming like ducks was just as unreliable as the notion that Hollywood studios would fight tooth and nail over a screenwriter's original script.

Duke never restricted himself to casting only one specific actor. By the same logic, Hollywood's superstars never tied themselves to only one specific director...

Take Leonardo DiCaprio, for example. Everyone knew he was clinging tightly to Martin Scorsese, but he still starred in films by other directors.

However, a cast featuring a superstar alongside a famous director would attract more media and public attention.

Duke knew exactly why Charlize Theron had agreed to take a pay cut for the role. First, his films were almost always box-office blockbusters. Second, that subversive role would allow her to tear off the "flower vase" label once again.

Furthermore, this character didn't require her to deliberately ugly herself up like in Monster; a subversive performance was all it took.

Ultimately, if an actor wanted to maintain their A-list status and climb even higher, boosting their prestige through charity or fashion wasn't enough. Even relying on winning a Golden Statuette wasn't enough. What they needed most was commercial success.

To make studios willingly offer a $20 million paycheck, they had to demonstrate their box-office appeal.

That $20 million was never just about the money. It was also a symbol of identity and status.

Just like Will Smith, Johnny Depp, and Tom Cruise—they had never won an acting Golden Statuette, but would anyone deny their superstar status? Contrast that with actors like Daniel Day-Lewis and Jeff Bridges, who had won Golden Statuettes but had never proven themselves in the commercial market. Even among their own fans, how many would truly consider them superstars?

Don't claim that outstanding acting alone guaranteed transcendent status. Everyone knew Hollywood was a commercial sphere.

Take a director like Frank Darabont. He directed The Shawshank Redemption, yet he couldn't redeem his own directorial career. Let alone ordinary moviegoers, within the Hollywood circle, he had almost been completely forgotten by producers.

Perhaps this mindset was overly utilitarian, and some had indeed criticized Duke for being too pragmatic, claiming he had no idea what art was.

But don't forget—this was America, a highly commercialized society. This was Hollywood, an incredibly realistic Vanity Fair.

If someone clung solely to art, holding onto the incredibly naive belief that a single script could conquer all Hollywood studios, or that talent alone deserved appreciation and guaranteed success, they would only be swallowed whole by this fiercely competitive and cutthroat circle, without even a crumb left behind.

Look at all the famous directors in Hollywood—which one of them hadn't fought their way up through compromises and battles? Even a figure like Spielberg had his DreamWorks strangled by Hollywood.

The script and character concept art for the new project had long been delivered to Charlize Theron. After returning to Los Angeles, Duke originally intended to have someone reach out to Tom Cruise for a chat, but instead, he received a party invitation from him.

'Looks like Tom is getting ready to publicly reveal his little princess,' he thought.

Upon receiving the invitation, Duke had quickly guessed the true purpose of the party. For a child to be born into a celebrity family was both a blessing and a curse.

She was destined from birth to enjoy material luxuries others could only dream of, yet she would have to grow up under the relentless scrutiny of the media and paparazzi...

Although the law protected the rights of minors, expecting paparazzi to abide by the rules completely was simply unrealistic.

Duke never expected that, because of his past entanglements and grievances with Tom Cruise, Tom would actually make it this far with Nicole Kidman. Not only did they not divorce, they even had a child together.

Furthermore, Duke had heard through the grapevine that over the past year or so, Tom Cruise had barely participated in any Scientology activities. It seemed there were signs he wanted to break away.

However, Scientology certainly wouldn't want the poster boy they used to attract followers to just walk away.

The Rolls-Royce drove into Beverly Hills and wound its way up the Southern Slope, an enclave packed with the wealthy and famous. Tom Cruise's mansion was situated right next to the renowned Hearst Estate. Ever since they collaborated on Chicago, Duke could be considered a regular visitor here.

The car pulled to a stop at the entrance, and someone immediately came over to open the door. Duke straightened his suit slightly, stepped out, and walked into Cruise's mansion under the glare of countless flashing camera lights.

News like Tom Cruise and his wife welcoming a new baby was impossible to keep secret. Photos of that little princess were already the target of high-priced bounties from numerous media outlets.

This was a very private party. Everyone invited by Tom Cruise was someone he maintained a good relationship with.

"Congratulations, Tom."

Stepping into the banquet hall, Duke gave Tom Cruise a light hug, then asked, "Where is our little princess?"

Hearing Duke's teasing remark, Tom Cruise laughed and led the way. "Over here."

Guided by Tom Cruise, Duke arrived at a corner of the banquet hall. Quite a few people had gathered there, especially women, all crowding around a baby's bassinet.

"Hi, Nicole."

Spotting the tall woman standing by the bassinet, Duke offered her a hug. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Nicole Kidman replied, clearly in a fantastic mood.

The other people were presumably Nicole Kidman's friends. Seeing Duke approach, they quietly stepped aside. Duke stood by the bassinet and leaned down to look at the infant inside. Barely a few months old, the little one had blue eyes similar to her mother's, and she was currently staring at him with curiosity.

"Hi there, sweetheart." Duke gently grasped her tiny hand and gave it a little shake. "I'm Duke. And who are you?"

The little one obviously couldn't answer.

Nicole Kidman spoke up from the side, "Her name is Suri. Suri Kidman Cruise."

"Suri?" Duke's gaze shifted toward Cruise on the other side. "Tom, this wouldn't happen to be your masterpiece, would it?"

Tom Cruise nodded and said, "Of course. I'm the one who named her."

Thanks to their years of collaboration, Tom Cruise's relationship with Duke had deepened significantly. Without beating around the bush, he said, "Mary and I have talked it over, and we'd like to ask you to be Suri's godfather."

It was just being a godfather. Duke pondered for a few seconds before agreeing. "No problem."

Being a godfather nowadays was far from what it originally meant; it was more of a symbolic title.

When Duke let go of the little one's hand and stood up, Nicole Kidman added, "With a godfather like you, Suri will definitely be thrilled."

Who knew that the moment she finished her sentence, Suri Cruise would let loose with her loud vocal cords and start wailing.

Duke and Tom Cruise laughed in unison. After Nicole Kidman wheeled the bassinet away, the two men walked off to the other side of the room.

"No upcoming work plans?" Duke asked as they walked.

Tom Cruise shook his head. "My main job right now is spending time with my family."

"Looks like Mary won't be welcoming me then." Duke took two glasses of soda from a passing waiter, handed one to Tom Cruise, and raised his glass in a toast. Before taking a sip, he asked, "Do you remember the collaboration we talked about last year?"

"So you're saying there's a role suited for me in your new project?" Tom Cruise's eyes instantly lit up.

Although his other films had performed decently, he was still most famous for the Mission: Impossible franchise. No actor wanted to tie their entire future and career to a single film series, and he was no exception.

Tom Cruise glanced toward the area of the banquet hall where the agents had gathered. "I'm sure Pat won't stop me from taking a role in your movie."

Taking a sip of soda, Duke lightly patted his arm and said, "I'll have someone send the script over as soon as possible. I'll also have my people discuss the relevant terms with Pat."

"I'm really looking forward to working with you again," Tom Cruise said, holding out his hand.

Duke clapped his hand against it. "Likewise."

Duke glanced toward the banquet hall entrance, where more guests were arriving, and said, "I won't keep you from entertaining your guests."

With that, he walked over to a lounge table by himself and found a seat. He had just finished the soda in his glass when someone came over to say hello.

"Hey, Duke. Long time no see."

"Hi, Pat."

Duke stood up to shake her hand and gestured to the seat across from him. "Have a seat."

Pat Kingsley pulled out the chair and sat across from him. This female agent, who shared equal renown in Hollywood with Nancy Josephson, certainly hadn't come over just to make small talk.

"I just heard Tom mention that you invited him to join your new project?" she asked.

"That's right." Duke gave a slight nod.

Pat Kingsley smiled faintly. "I've been looking forward to you two collaborating again."

Duke smiled as well but remained silent. He was confident Pat Kingsley hadn't sought him out purely for this matter.

"I hear Nancy's ICM is poaching people all over the place." Pat Kingsley didn't beat around the bush. Lowering her voice slightly, she got straight to the point: "Duke, Leonardo DiCaprio is a friend of yours. Don't you want him to join ICM?"