Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 725 - 527: Nominated for the Cannes Film Festival

Steven Biggs listened to him and couldn't help but admire his words, proclaiming him a real genius actor, who would achieve no less than Spencer Tracy, Marlon Brando, Daniel Day-Lewis, and others, if he were willing to spend more time in film acting.

Link just smiled and accepted the praise.

Before he could move on from the topic, his phone on the table rang. It was a call from Jennifer Lawrence. President Biggs saw that he was about to take a call and took the initiative to leave the office.

Link answered the call and asked Jennifer what's up?

Jennifer asked where he was and brought up the Cannes Film Festival on her own accord. She had been invited to be a jury member in Cannes and had heard that his new movie "Rust and Bone" would be participating. She asked if he wanted to get in through the back door.

Link said there was no need. It was Jennifer's first time being a juror at such an international film festival. During the selection process, she should stick to the rules and not leave any grounds for criticism. He didn't need to win the Best Actor award at Cannes through such means.

Jennifer agreed and asked when he and Ivanka were going to head back; she would come over later.

Link checked his watch and said he'd be back soon.

While waiting in the office and reading the newspaper, once Ivanka finished her work, Link stood up and left with her to head home.

On the way, they discussed the summer blockbusters.

This year's summer slate was packed with blockbusters, including Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man 3", Disney's animation "Monsters University", "Oz the Great and Powerful", "Star Trek Into Darkness", "Man of Steel", "Fast & Furious 6", "World War Z", "The Hangover Part 3", "The Lone Ranger", and more, all multi-million-dollar productions.

For Lionsgate Films to achieve a good box office success amidst such fierce competition is no small feat.

This is also why Lionsgate cannot yet compare to the Big Six Studios. The Big Six have robust capital and greater risk resistance; they have many popular franchise movies and a highly capable animation department.

On the annual box office charts, there are always several high-grossing animated films.

Here, Lionsgate falls short. For now, Lionsgate can only produce more low-cost films to win with quantity.

Speaking of animated films, Ivanka asked if they should establish an animation department and delve into producing animated films.

Link pondered on the suggestion and felt it was unnecessary.

Currently living in the age of 3D animation, establishing an animation effects department requires a considerable investment, and Lionsgate doesn't have the necessary capital.

Additionally, the animated film market is trending toward saturation, with fierce competition. The main contender is Disney, which started with animated films and has a significant advantage in this domain. Fox's Blue Sky Studios and DreamWorks Animation have also performed well in recent years.

Lionsgate isn't adept at producing animation, and it wouldn't be a good idea to blindly enter the field and compete with the Big Six in an area where it is weakest.

Ivanka nodded in agreement and brought up the issue with the film crew. Influenced by racial and LGBT groups, the casting process now has to consider more factors to avoid criticism, which will surely affect the filming of the movie.

"In the current environment, these issues are unavoidable. We can only consider them as much as possible during filming and cater to the market," Link said.

"The more I understand the industry, the more I realize how hard it is to do well," Ivanka leaned back in her seat, propping her cheek with her hand.

Dressed in a silver-grey suit and straight skirt, wearing high heels, her golden hair pinned up, and white gold earrings dangling from her earlobes, she exuded a nice scent, projecting an image of elegance, intellect and nobility.

"No need to be too anxious. Lionsgate Films is doing quite well. The Big Six are under pressure. If we improve on our current foundation, they'll feel more pressure. Even if we fall back to where we started, it won't have much impact. This is called freedom to advance or retreat; don't make it too hard on yourself," Link paused and then smilingly said. "Besides, babe, we're billionaires now. Even without Lionsgate Films, it wouldn't affect our business. So, don't take it too seriously, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Treat managing the company like playing a game, keep playing if it's fun, and hand it over to professional managers if it isn't. We just need to enjoy life."

Ivanka smiled lightly, brushing the golden hair by her ear: "Husband, with just over nine billion in net worth you're already thinking of indulging yourself. If it was hundreds of billions, you probably wouldn't want to do anything at all. That's called degeneration, lacking ambition."

"Just over nine billion? You really are my wife. Such grandeur, not even seeing over nine billion as significant," Link joked.

"Don't try to change the subject. I'm saying your mindset is wrong. Lionsgate Films is under competitive pressure. What we should do is face the challenges, find ways to defeat all rivals, and become the ultimate winners of this game. Not relax when faced with difficulties or handle it passively. That will surely lead to a loss. I hate losing, so we can only win," Ivanka said, sitting upright and shaking her fist.

"Why are you so competitive, too?"

"Is that a problem? We are husband and wife; it's only natural to be the same."

Ivanka laughed, holding his arm.

"Yes, with a wife like you, it would be hard not to make progress," Link kissed the back of her soft hand but was stopped by Ivanka, reminding him to focus on driving.

The car returned to Half Mountain Villa, where Link and Ivanka walked home hand in hand. The nanny, Daphne, was in the nursery playing with little Margarita. She told them Margarita just started calling out for daddy and mommy.

"Really?"

Link and Ivanka immediately got excited, holding Margarita and teaching her to call out daddy and mommy.

Margarita blinked her round eyes and wobbled on her little legs that just learned to stand while looking at them.

After three or four repetitions by Link and Ivanka, the little one made bubbling sounds with saliva and called out 'daddy mommy'.

Eva happily hugged the little one and kissed her several times.

She even decided to throw a party to celebrate little Margarita learning to talk.

Link naturally wouldn't oppose this fine suggestion.

——

By May, "The Expendables 2" had been released for over two months, with a North American box office total of $162 million US Dollar, and international box office of $286 million US Dollar, reaching a global box office of $448 million, which is more than four times the return on investment, not too shabby.

"Identity Thief" currently has a North American box office of $145 million US Dollar, international box office of $42 million, and is expected to hit $200 million total box office by the end of its run.

"Battlefield Earth 2" didn't fare as well, with a North American box office of $50.57 million and an international box office of $92.5 million after three weeks, barely breaking even.

At the beginning of May, Lionsgate Films released its eighth film of the year, "Tyler Perry's The Marriage Counselor," which earned $20.74 million US Dollar at 3112 theaters in North America over the first three days of release, slightly lower than the previous film.

But for a movie that cost less than $20 million to produce and market, these numbers were still decent.

This week's box office champion was Robert Downey Jr. starrer "Iron Man 3," which raked in $175.3 million on its opening weekend, second only to last year's "The Avengers," which set the record with $207 million US Dollar, making it the second-highest grossing film opening in history.

The film added a lot of Huaxia elements, including Huaxia actors Fan Binbin and Wang Xueqi, and it achieved impressive box office results in Huaxia region, with nearly $20 million US Dollar in revenue on the first day from mainland cinemas alone, and with Hong Kong and Taiwan included, the box office gross exceeded $30 million.

Due to the overwhelming box office performance of "Iron Man 3," several films released in the same period suffered greatly.

Including Tom Cruise's "Oblivion," Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson starrer "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," and Leonardo's led "The Great Gatsby," all of which had box office returns far below expectations.

As the North American movie market entered the summer season, the Cannes Film Festival also announced its opening.

"Rust and Bone," starring Link and Marion Cotillard, was released in the France during the Cannes Film Festival, the film caught the attention of the judges, smoothly entered the main competition section, and received four nominations including Palme d'Or for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

To promote the film, Link had to make time in his busy schedule to take a trip to France.

Leonardo and Tobey Maguire's "The Great Gatsby" was invited by the Cannes Film Festival as the opening film, and they were also going to attend the festival.

The three of them agreed to travel together.

"Link, I heard you bought a super luxurious private jet, why not travel by private flight?"

Leonardo asked while holding a glass of wine in first class.

"The payment's just been made, haven't gotten it yet."

"That's really impressive, owning a private plane at 24, no one can match that."

Leonardo said.

"Yes, Link, you are really impressive. At 24, you've achieved what many cannot even dare to imagine. Every time we get together and talk about you, everyone admires you."

Tobey Maguire said with a laugh.

Link shook his head and put down the French edition of "Vogue" he was holding, smiling, "Stop flattering me, I'm just luckier."

"And very modest," added Tobey Maguire.

"Hold on, don't talk yet, I remember there was something I wanted to ask Link, what was it?"

Leonardo scratched his stubbly chin, then suddenly turned towards Link and said, "I remember now, I want to ask about your womanizing, like at the Golden Globes dinner the last time, Eva, Taylor, Jennifer Lawrence, they seemed to get along very well sitting next to you, how did you do it, any tips?"

Link was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "Does it need any tips?" ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"It doesn't? Women are good at being jealous, how could they possibly sit together calmly to chat, especially Eva, she knows very well that you have a somewhat ambiguous relationship with Taylor and Jennifer, yet she can still stay composed facing them, not being in conflict with you over this, it's so rare, I really would like to learn, Link, what do you say?"

Leonardo asked eagerly.

Link shook his head, "It's not what you think, Eva and I are husband and wife, Taylor is a good friend, a confidante, and I'm also good friends with Jennifer, there's nothing messy between us, so there's no conflict."

"Heh, not even a three-year-old would believe that," Leonardo replied with a wry smile.

"That's the truth," Link said.

"Leonardo, that's Link's private life, you shouldn't ask so much," Tobey Maguire interjected.

Leonardo shrugged, "I know, I just wanted to exchange some womanizing experiences with Link, too bad he's not willing to share."

Link shook his head and didn't stoop to his level but instead started talking to Tobey Maguire about raising children.

The more the two of them talked, the darker Leonardo's face turned, and finally, he pulled down his eye mask to enter dreamland ahead of time.