America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz-Chapter 766 - 759: The Middleman Earns the Difference

After finishing the bank scenes, the crew moved to the streets of Boston to shoot a series of exterior scenes.

In the bustling metropolis, filming exterior scenes was rather troublesome as they needed to coordinate with local government departments and account for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, as well as timing.

In Charlestown, an outdoor café was rented by the crew for an entire day to shoot two scenes.

Martin, Alexandra Daddario, and Jeremy Renner appeared on set one after another, engaging in a probing conversation around a coffee table.

Villeneuve occasionally called cut and came over to direct the trio personally.

"Your state is off, both your emotions and expression have issues!" Villeneuve stared at Alexandra and emphasized, "Lacey, the relationship between your character and the male lead is not the inexplicable sentiment between a robber and a hostage, you don’t know Martin is a robber! You think it’s a perfect love affair!"

He plainly pointed out Alexandra’s mistake: "The emotion you’re showing is like that of someone with Stockholm syndrome!"

Hearing this, Alexandra instinctively retorted, "I don’t! Absolutely not!"

Villeneuve glared at her.

Alexandra blinked her ice-blue eyes and looked towards Martin, asking, "Do I?"

Villeneuve identified the problem, "Right now, your demeanor, coupled with your appearance, resembles that of a Stockholm syndrome patient."

Martin sized up Alexandra briefly and said, "Don’t let your eyes be too wide, don’t blink too frequently, try to maintain a calmer state."

Villeneuve took over, "Let’s try again."

Alexandra slightly adjusted her mindset and emotions, saying, "I can do this."

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Filming began once more, and while Martin and Jeremy Renner were consistently in character, Alexandra, after some adjustments, also gradually found her groove.

A crowd of fans and journalists had gradually gathered around the temporary set.

Producer Graham King had a brief talk with Villeneuve and Martin, and after the shoot ended, they gave a short interview to the press.

With the filming underway, naturally, the marketing and promotion had to keep pace.

After lunch, Martin sat down in the café and conducted a joint interview with a dozen media reporters.

One blonde female reporter was the first to inquire, "Hello Martin, I’m Pever from ’The Boston Globe.’ Why did you choose a movie set in Boston?"

’The Boston Globe’ is the largest newspaper in Massachusetts. With the movie’s source novel already published and on the market, Martin chuckled and said, "I’ve shot ’Infernal Affairs’ in Boston and really like this city with a rich backdrop. After reading the original novel, the male protagonist’s background also resonated with me because I have a similar experience, I come from the slums of Atlanta, and I was very close to taking a wrong path."

Another reporter immediately followed up, "Can we know what kind of wrong path?"

Martin shrugged and said, "During my youth, many of my peers from the same neighborhood joined gangs."

His tone turned slightly grim, "Many of them left this world just as they reached adulthood..."

"I’m very sorry," the reporter responded.

Martin shook his head, as if to shake off certain emotions and said, "Back then I faced a choice and struggle, just like the protagonist of this novel, it’s the painful struggle of a man."

Many reporters had read the source material and nodded at Martin’s words.

Martin continued, "We were all trapped in a place we desperately wanted to escape from at a particular time, trying everything to change our lives. I’m deeply drawn to such themes and, in my opinion, many people can resonate with it, especially when trying to leave a criminal environment."

Among the reporters were those who came from the lower classes themselves and understood how difficult it was in America to break away from such environments.

Innumerable forces around you try to drag you into the abyss.

He said, "Martin, you made it."

Martin smiled, "I hope many more people across America can make it too."

The brief joint interview concluded, and by the afternoon, there was extensive related coverage on internet media.

"’Thieves of the City,’ Martin Davis’s painful struggle!"

"Martin Davis’s new film sets Boston as the backdrop once again."

"While women conquer men with their stockings, Martin Davis conquers banks with them!"

The media coverage helped to further increase the film’s notoriety, allowing more people to learn about Martin’s new film in the making.

Naturally, the crew’s promotional efforts didn’t stop there.

During a break from shooting in the afternoon, Graham had a chat with Martin.

"We’re helping Chuck Hogan work towards winning an award," he said to Martin. "The Hammett Prize awarded by the International Association of Crime Writers has significant influence within the literary circle."

Martin wholly agreed, "With greater recognition of the original work, the adapted film will benefit accordingly. I will get in touch with Disney Studios and have them assist the crew."

Graham added, "With their help, we’ll have a better chance."

Martin got a phone from Bruce and immediately called Jessica to ask her to communicate with Disney Studios regarding the matter.

Once these arrangements were made, Martin returned to the external set to continue filming.

After adjustments in the morning, Daddario’s performance had visibly improved. The shooting went smoothly in the afternoon, and all the scenes were completed by four o’clock, allowing the crew to finish work ahead of schedule.

Martin had just finished removing his makeup and was descending from his trailer when a girl suddenly appeared beside him.

She had the same chestnut brown long hair as Daddario, but her light blue eyes were much duller, and her chest was not as impressive.

"Hey, Martin, remember me?"

"You are..." Martin certainly remembered but deliberately pondered for a moment, "I remember now, you’re Catherine, I saw you a few times when I was filming ’John Wick’ in New York a few years ago."

The smile in Catherine’s pale blue eyes became a squint, "That’s me, it’s me! We even took a photo together, so many classmates were jealous that I got to take a picture with you."

Martin asked, "I heard from your sister that you’re also an actress now?"

The smile faded somewhat from Catherine’s face, "Yeah, I saw how easily she became a big star and thought this industry was easy to mix in, so I became an actress, only to end up in a few minor roles."

Martin recalled his limited interactions with this younger sister and said, "The competition in this industry is fierce; it’s not easy for your sister to succeed."

"If she can succeed, why can’t I?" Catherine protested, "I’m no worse than she is."

Martin smiled without responding.

Realizing something, Catherine looked at Martin and said, "I understand now why she’s successful! It’s not because she’s so capable on her own, but because she has your support!"

She grew more certain of this, "Martin, you are the key to her success!"

Yet Martin disagreed, "Your view is incorrect. First of all, your sister’s talent is exceptional, something most people simply don’t possess... "

Features like Daddario’s eyes and figure are very rare throughout Hollywood.

Though not abundantly fruitful, Alexandra’s body was perfectly proportioned where it was small and where it was large, all at a top-notch standard.

If you don’t believe me, you can go be a "True Detective".

Catherine stepped forward and said, "My talent is also really good, truly."

But Martin remained silent.

Alexandra Daddario was running towards them.

When she ran, it seemed as if the earth itself was shaking.

Catherine saw her sister approaching and curled her lip slightly. These little tricks to attract men, who couldn’t do them?

It was just that... when she ran, she wasn’t as stunning or attention-grabbing as Alexandra.

As soon as Alexandra got down from the trailer, she spotted her sister and ran to Martin’s side, hugged his left arm, and asked while looking at Catherine across from her, "When did you get here? Why didn’t you call me?"

Catherine, seeing Martin’s arm wrapped up, felt some jealousy over her sister’s talent and said annoyedly, "You were filming, if I called you, would you have come to the airport to pick me up?"

"What’s going on with you?" Alexandra asked. "Did you come from New York just to argue with me?"

"No, not at all," Catherine replied. She turned around and took her sister’s arm, "I came especially to please you, to have you help me find a few roles."

Alexandra stealthily glanced at Martin and said, "I’ll keep an eye out for you."

Martin didn’t get involved in the sisters’ subtle rivalry; their fighting was called sisterly love, but it would change in nature if he got involved.

Catherine forcibly kept herself from looking at Martin and muttered to herself, "Even if you don’t say it, I know full well that the roles you can find all come from Martin."

Martin pulled on Alexandra’s arm, "Let’s go back to the hotel, dinner is on me."

Catherine, feigning the innocence of a fan girl, exclaimed, "That’s great, can I take a photo with you during dinner? Those jealous bitches will be so envious!"

Martin chuckled, "Of course, you can."

The trio got into the Escalade that Bruce had driven and returned to the hotel where the crew was staying.

Having asked the Daddario sisters for their preferences, Martin treated both to a French meal that evening.

Taking advantage of Martin’s trip to the restroom, Catherine whispered, "Are you staying in a suite? Can I come to your room to stay the night?"

Alexandra openly pulled out her room key and handed it to her sister, "The room number’s on it; just go there after dinner."

Catherine was sharp, "You brazenly staying with Martin in the same room in front of the whole crew?"

"Is that strange?" Alexandra flaunted, "Living a high-quality life every day, waking up refreshed, makes work go better."

She pinched her own cheek, "Have you noticed my skin looking even better?"

Without close inspection, Catherine could still see her sister was radiant, seemingly only twenty years old.

Alexandra boasted, "Martin provides me with the seafood high protein tailored for me—it’s highly acclaimed by all who use it."

"Oh really?" Catherine mocked, "Be careful not to eat too much and get an allergic reaction, struggling to breathe!"

When Martin returned, Alexandra stopped discussing those matters and changed the subject on her own initiative.

The three of them conversed and laughed together, the atmosphere seemingly very amicable.

After dinner, Alexandra followed Martin directly to his suite.

Catherine went alone to Alexandra’s room and sat on the sofa drinking water. The thought of those roles from Martin, with Alexandra as the intermediary making a profit, made her feel really upset.

She hated middlemen skimming off the top the most.