Gilbert stepped onto the stage, and under the spotlights, the numerous actors finally saw his face clearly. Soon, actors familiar with young Gilbert gasped in surprise: "It's really Director young Gilbert..."
"Oh my god, Rachel, how do you know him?" An actress close to Rachel Weisz grabbed her arm and pressed for details.
Rachel Weisz glanced at Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was walking over, and smiled, "By chance."
With that, Rachel Weisz deliberately walked over to young Gilbert, took his arm, and began, "Gilbert, let me introduce you to my good friends. This is Ms. Eileen Marltay, and this is..." She went through a round of introductions, seemingly on purpose, leaving Catherine Zeta-Jones for last: "This is Ms. Catherine Zeta-Jones."
As if deliberately showing off, Rachel Weisz ignored Catherine Zeta-Jones's strained expression and proudly introduced to everyone, "This is the director from Hollywood, Gilbert Landrini."
"Hello everyone..." Gilbert gave a simple nod, then shot Rachel Weisz a look, conveying with his eyes: *You're being a bit underhanded!*
Rachel Weisz had clearly intended to steal Catherine Zeta-Jones's opportunity and then flaunt it in front of her. The two actresses' statuses overlapped, creating a natural rivalry. When Catherine Zeta-Jones failed to make it in Hollywood, Rachel Weisz had even mocked her. Most actors in London's West End were like this—they cooperated amidst jealousy and competition. When someone left the West End for Hollywood, they were met not with congratulations, but with curses. If they failed, like Catherine Zeta-Jones, they would be ridiculed. So, her conflict with Rachel Weisz was long-standing, and mutual verbal jabs were common.
However, once Rachel Weisz pulled out the "young Gilbert" card, Catherine Zeta-Jones was at a disadvantage. Of course, Catherine Zeta-Jones didn't know that Rachel Weisz had snatched an opportunity meant for her, or she would have been even angrier. Ah, sometimes fate truly plays tricks on people. If Catherine Zeta-Jones had seized the opportunity, she would be the one showing off today. But unfortunately, she chose to go on a date with the old duke. Hopefully, Catherine Zeta-Jones will never learn the truth, or she might literally get sick from anger.
Most actors are not content with their current situation and aspire to develop their careers in Hollywood. So, young Gilbert's appearance was like a stone thrown into a calm pond, creating not just ripples, but huge splashes, drenching those on the shore.
---
After enjoying the praises from the stage actors, their rehearsal time for the day ended. Rachel Weisz clapped her hands and said, "Alright, alright, we'll chat again another time. Right now, young Gilbert and I are going to dinner."
Hearing that she was having dinner with young Gilbert, the other actors grew even more envious. Had Rachel Weisz and young Gilbert's relationship already reached this level? If they were backstage, the actors' jealous glares would have been intense. But with young Gilbert present, and wanting him to think they were magnanimous, none of the actors dared to show jealousy or make sarcastic remarks. This brought Rachel Weisz great satisfaction. She finally saw these actors taken down a peg, and glancing at the displeased Catherine Zeta-Jones, she thought, *Let's see who's boss now, hmph!*
All of this was surely noticed by the theater manager. With young Gilbert as a powerful ally, the "top actress" rivalry would finally be decided. And the opportunity to develop a career in Hollywood would also have a clear conclusion. Gilbert observed all this, realizing how intense the competition among actresses was. And this was just among stage actors; if it escalated to the Hollywood circle, the fierce competition could even drive people to their deaths. With such immense competitive pressure in the industry, it's no wonder many Hollywood stars gradually become unbalanced in the process. Sometimes, there's just no other way.
---
While Rachel Weisz went backstage to remove her makeup, Catherine Zeta-Jones seized the opportunity to approach young Gilbert. "Director young Gilbert, I'm a big fan of yours. Could I please have your autograph?" As she spoke, Catherine Zeta-Jones genuinely pulled out a notebook and a pen.
"Of course," young Gilbert readily agreed, taking the pen and signing his name.
Other actors still on stage followed suit, asking for autographs and even having theater staff come over to take photos for souvenirs. A large group of actresses scrambled for autographs, each vying to display their beauty in front of young Gilbert. It was truly an enjoyable experience. Power and status are deadly poisons, but even knowing they're toxic, people plunge in without hesitation, precisely because such situations are incredibly enjoyable.
After the autograph and photo session, young Gilbert thought for a moment and handed Catherine Zeta-Jones a business card: "There's an opportunity; come to Hollywood again for development."
Catherine Zeta-Jones's face lit up upon receiving the business card. "Thank you for your encouragement. I will work hard."
Although Rachel Weisz was the one who pulled the stunt, young Gilbert still felt a bit bad. He didn't expose Rachel Weisz's deception, so he compensated Catherine Zeta-Jones in this way. Many actors saw this exchange of business cards, which should prevent Catherine Zeta-Jones from feeling further humiliated. Ah, he was just such a good person, he couldn't stand seeing any beautiful woman unhappy...
When Rachel Weisz emerged, she took young Gilbert's arm, waved goodbye to the actors, and went to dinner with him. Catherine Zeta-Jones felt much more balanced. With the business card in hand, she still had a chance, and this matter wouldn't end so easily.
---
On the way to the reserved restaurant, young Gilbert said, "Rachel, you were a bit naughty, using me."
Rachel Weisz feigned innocence, "I'm sorry, Director young Gilbert, it was my fault. I'll make it up to you."
"Make it up? How?"
"You'll see..."
That night, in the presidential suite on the top floor of the hotel, Rachel Weisz changed into the costume she wore for rehearsal that afternoon and winked at young Gilbert: "Sir, am I beautiful?"
Gilbert hadn't expected this trick from Rachel Weisz—she even brought the costume, a traditional medieval noblewoman's dress.
"Beautiful, Rachel, you're exquisite," young Gilbert praised, patting the sofa beside him. "Come here..."
Her way of coming was also unusual. Rachel Weisz, in that dress, laboriously knelt. Then she crawled over, knelt before young Gilbert, unbuckled his pants, and then...
"Hey! Darling, this dress is a bit hard to unfasten!" Gilbert searched for a flaw in the dress but couldn't find a way.
Rachel Weisz chuckled, unfastened a button on her dress, and it automatically fell away, revealing her delicate body underneath.
"Darling, you're still not very skilled. It seems you'll have to practice more with me in the future!"
"Of course, I can be quite eager to learn."
Thus, under Rachel Weisz's enthusiasm, young Gilbert studied British English all night. The learning process was thoroughly enjoyable.
---
The next day, after bidding farewell to Rachel Weisz, young Gilbert returned to Los Angeles, intending to immediately dive into the post-production of "Saving Private Ryan." Before that, Robert Iger, as previously arranged, traveled to Cantaloupe Ranch in Malibu to meet with young Gilbert.
"The board of directors is getting more and more contentious now, young Gilbert," Robert Iger complained to young Gilbert as soon as they met.
"What? Are the two Michaels about to come to blows?" young Gilbert chuckled.
"No, but it's close. They've reached the point of drawing swords. In the recent board meeting, Michael Ovitz already fired the first shot," Robert Iger briefly explained the situation.
"Mr. Ovitz won't be a match for Mr. Eisner. I'm certain Mr. Ovitz's days at Disney are numbered," young Gilbert asserted. Although he hadn't interacted much with either of them, young Gilbert believed Michael Eisner would definitely win. He didn't know the specifics of Disney's internal power struggles in his past life, but he knew that after Michael Eisner, it was Robert Iger, and he had never heard of a Michael Ovitz succeeding Michael Eisner.
"So you're saying? You support Mr. Eisner?" Robert Iger asked.
"I support the winning side. As long as it doesn't interfere with my crew and my control over film projects, anyone will do." Then, young Gilbert changed the subject, looking at Robert Iger. "Compared to the two of them, I'd rather support you, Bob. If you become Disney's president, my collaboration with Disney can last for a long time."
Robert Iger's heart tightened; his hidden ambition seemed to have been seen through by young Gilbert. "Don't joke, young Gilbert. Mr. Eisner personally promoted me to lead Touchstone Pictures. How could I betray Mr. Eisner?" Robert Iger's words sounded forced.
"Bob, you and I both know how ridiculous your words just now were. In Hollywood, is there any loyalty to speak of?" young Gilbert chuckled, shaking his head, then added, "I'm serious. I support you becoming the head of Disney."
Hearing young Gilbert emphasize it again, Robert Iger asked seriously, "Gilbert, are you serious?"
"Of course," young Gilbert began to analyze the situation for Robert Iger: "I don't know if you're familiar with Chinese fables. There's a story that goes: one day, a clam opened its shell to sunbathe, and a snipe went to peck it, then got its beak clamped by the clam's shell. Neither side would give way. When the fisherman came, he caught them both. Now, the two Michaels are the snipe and the clam, and you are the fisherman. So, just wait for your opportunity."
"Didn't you say that Mr. Eisner would eventually drive Michael Ovitz out? How can I be that fisherman?" Robert Iger asked again.
"Opportunities are for those who are prepared," young Gilbert patted Robert Iger's shoulder. "Get ready, Bob. After Mr. Ovitz is gone, Mr. Eisner will also be severely weakened. He's old, and no longer suitable to lead Disney forward."
---
Fired up by young Gilbert, Robert Iger left Cantaloupe Ranch with a surging heart. The ambition he had buried deep inside was thoroughly unearthed.
As for young Gilbert, this was a move he had planned long ago. In his years in Hollywood, young Gilbert had been wondering what kind of identity he should carve out for himself – a collaborative director, or someone who emulates Spielberg. After some deliberation, young Gilbert decided to take a middle path, transforming himself into a mogul. By leveraging the conflict between the two Michaels, he saw an opportunity to insert himself.
As for why he chose Disney, and not MGM/United Artists, or waiting decades for 20th Century Fox, the reason is simple. Many industries are seen as rising, not falling, and the film industry is no different. MGM/United Artists was plagued by internal problems, too deeply ingrained to fix. In his previous life, as a mere small director, young Gilbert only had a general understanding of Hollywood and lacked the ability to manage a giant company. If he had forcibly intervened, the outcome would not have been better; at most, he would have prolonged MGM/United Artists' existence for a few more years.
Film is not just about making movies; it also involves media groups, political backgrounds, cultural contexts, distribution channels, and various other factors. Look at Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures: to be honest, if Sony hadn't kept pouring money into Columbia Pictures, Columbia Pictures would have long since exited the ranks of the giants. Thinking that simply making good movies can save a film company, without understanding how to manage it, exists only in fantasy and novels.
Conversely, the currently briefly chaotic Disney is set for smooth sailing and very successful development in the future. Seizing this opportunity is far better than toiling to save MGM/United Artists. With Robert Iger, a strong individual, at the forefront, young Gilbert can comfortably make films from behind the scenes, which is much more enjoyable than managing a film company himself.
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