After July and August, the dust of the North American summer movie season was beginning to settle.
The biggest winner of this summer season was undoubtedly The Return of the King, and Sony Columbia Pictures' Spider-Man also performed impressively.
However, when it came to film companies, the undisputed champions were Disney and Warner Bros.
Thanks to Melon Studio's The Return of the King, The Matrix 3, and The Mystery of Talismans, both companies saw excellent summer performances.
And this summer, with the huge success of several films produced and distributed by Disney, Robert Iger's position grew even more secure.
Michael Eisner officially announced his resignation as Disney chairman in July, completing a smooth retirement. This was quite different from his past life, where Michael Eisner's retirement had been rather humiliating.
It could only be said that with Gilbert's presence, even Michael Eisner's fate had improved significantly.
After Eisner's retirement, Robert Iger officially took over as Disney's chairman, achieving the same as his predecessor full control over Disney.
Of course, one must never forget those who helped them along the way.
In mid-August, Disney held a grand celebration party for the Return of the King crew, while also celebrating Robert Iger's appointment as chairman of Disney.
The celebration was held at Robert Iger's new villa, located not far from Melon Manor a property he had specifically chosen.
At the party, Gilbert naturally became the center of attention. The enthusiastic gazes from the high-level executives of various studios almost seemed ready to devour him.
Gilbert attended the party with Cameron Diaz and Scarlett. The other women had prior commitments and couldn't come.
Naomi Watts hadn't been feeling well lately and had been experiencing frequent nausea, so she stayed home to rest.
Anne Hathaway, being part of the Lord of the Rings crew, naturally came to the party as well. Also attending were the three young leads from Harry Potter.
"Congratulations, Gilbert!" Doug Walter, a close collaborator, of course showed up for such a celebration.
"Thanks," Gilbert clinked glasses with Doug Walter and chatted briefly, mostly about upcoming projects and the Batman film.
"Flipped is a smaller project not suitable for release during the summer season or other heavily competitive periods. I think a November release would be ideal," said Gilbert.
Doug Walter offered his praise: "In my opinion, even your small projects can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with others' blockbusters.
Wouldn't you agree, Michelle, Scarlett?"
Cameron Diaz nodded: "Of course, Gilbert's films are always among the most competitive in the market."
Scarlett pouted and said, "It's not just some small project. I put a lot of effort into it, okay?"
"Hahaha, alright, alright, it's a big project," everyone laughed.
It was obvious to everyone that Flipped was Gilbert's pet project to spotlight Scarlett.
However, the investment was quite low, and Gilbert only took a symbolic fee. Profitability wouldn't be a problem. With Gilbert's star power, even in a slow market the film could easily gross seventy or eighty million maybe even pass the hundred-million mark.
Doug Walter then asked with concern, "I heard Naomi's unwell. My personal doctor is excellent should I have him take a look?"
In North America's upper class, people rarely went to hospitals when sick unless they owned the hospital themselves.
Super-rich individuals like Gilbert usually had trusted private doctors. It ensured privacy and high safety.
"Thanks," Gilbert politely declined Doug Walter's offer. "We already have a private doctor at the estate. But Naomi is very resistant to seeing doctors, so I don't want to force her.
It's not serious anyway mostly just nausea and wanting to vomit."
Doug Walter's wife, hearing this, suddenly lit up: "Director Gilbert, has Naomi been craving sour foods lately, with an increased appetite?"
Gilbert was taken aback: "How do you know that?"
Doug Walter's wife nodded knowingly: "That confirms it. Naomi is most likely pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Gilbert's mind went blank. "Pregnant?"
Seeing Gilbert in a daze, Doug Walter quickly brought him back to reality: "Are you alright?"
Gilbert returned to his senses and smiled: "I'm fine, I'm fine. No, I need to call Naomi right away."
"Hey hey hey, no need to rush just yet," said Doug's wife, experienced as she was. "Let Michelle go back first, and you head back a little later. Tomorrow, I'll send someone over.
Pregnancy brings a lot of trouble leave it to me."
"She's right," said Cameron Diaz, who was clearly envious she also wanted a child. "I'll go back and have the doctor check on her."
Gilbert nodded and said to Scarlett, "Scarlett, you go back with them too."
"Okay!" Scarlett agreed, clearly envious as well. Ever since expressing her feelings to Gilbert, he still hadn't taken that final step.
But it didn't matter. Her birthday was coming up, and once she was legally an adult, nothing would hold them back.
"What's all the excitement about?" Robert Iger had just finished receiving congratulations and came over with his wife.
Doug's wife shared the news about Naomi Watts's suspected pregnancy with the Igers, and Robert Iger's eyes immediately lit up.
"That's great news! Our brilliant director finally has someone to carry on his legacy," Robert Iger said, clapping his hands.
Gilbert gestured for him to keep it quiet: "This is a family matter. I don't want too many people knowing too early."
"Understood," Robert Iger changed the subject: "Gilbert, how about I become the child's godfather?"
Doug Walter wasn't having it: "Hey! Bob, I got here first. You'll have to wait in line."
"In line? I'm Disney's Chairman and CEO I'm more than qualified," Robert Iger started flexing his status.
In terms of position, Doug Walter was indeed at a disadvantage, but he didn't back down: "I can give the child the best education. Whatever the child wants to do in the future, I'll fully support them."
Gilbert quickly stepped in to stop the argument: "Alright, alright, the child isn't even born yet. Let's not argue about this."
The fact that the child might not even exist yet, and already had Hollywood titans fighting to be their godfather, made it clear just how powerful this child's "dads" would be.
By the way, Tom Cruise also wanted to be the child's godfather.
He even joked that if Gilbert had a boy, they should arrange a betrothal. After all, with Suri inheriting Nicole Kidman's looks, she'd surely be a beauty when she grew up.
Suppressing his excitement, Gilbert stayed at the banquet until the very end. Before leaving, he briefly met the trio from Harry Potter, then planned to go home and check on Naomi.
Gilbert was already quite familiar with Haley, who played Harry Potter, but he wasn't that close with the other two young actors yet.
"This year, after Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the franchise will pause for two years to let your voices change. I want to emphasize two things. First, you must keep attending acting classes.
I don't want to see poor performances from you in the next installments. If that happens, I won't hesitate to replace you.
Second, you must maintain your physique and posture don't suddenly become fat or skinny. Also, no drinking, smoking, or drugs. Otherwise, get the hell out, understood?"
The three young actors were instantly cowed, repeatedly nodding and saying they understood.
Among them, Emma Watson looked at Gilbert with her big eyes and sweet voice: "Director Gilbert, I think my acting coach isn't very good.
I'm not like Haley I haven't acted in your films. Would it be okay if I came to Melon Manor to learn from you when you have time?"
It's quite normal for directors to guide actors in performance. With a good director, an actor can deliver a great performance sometimes even award-winning.
But if the director can't guide well or doesn't demand much, the actor might deliver a disaster-class performance.
Hearing Emma Watson's request, Gilbert didn't think much of it and nodded in agreement, "Sure, you can all come."
The other two young actors immediately perked up and happily agreed.
Only Emma Watson, who had made the suggestion, looked a bit disappointed. She had actually wanted to get individual guidance.
Despite her early maturity, Emma Watson was still just a child actor, far from the cunning depths of Hollywood's seasoned actresses.
The bold suggestion tonight actually came from her agent and family.
The reason was simple Scarlett was the example Emma Watson was supposed to follow. Scarlett's story was well-known in Hollywood: she had been frequenting Gilbert's sets since she was a child.
It was thanks to Gilbert's care that Scarlett had risen to become a child star and enjoyed smooth sailing ever since.
Although Gilbert publicly referred to Scarlett as his "little sister," that statement was more for show than truth.
As Scarlett grew up and blossomed into a stunning beauty, logically she should have attracted many suitors. After all, in Hollywood, flashy cars, beautiful women, drugs, parties, and sex were inseparable.
But in reality, no one dared pursue Scarlett, for a simple reason no one wanted to offend Gilbert.
The last guy who dared to touch one of Gilbert's women was a brash fellow named Mel Gibson, who's still doing time behind bars no one knows when or if he'll get out.
Gilbert was no gentleman. In Hollywood, he was known as the "Smiling Tiger" people would be lulled by his smile and unknowingly fall into traps he had set.
Emma Watson's family and agent were well aware that if she could cling to Gilbert's coattails, her career would be a lot smoother.
If she could, like Scarlett, gain Gilbert's affection, then she'd be set for life plenty of film roles and no worries about her future.
But Gilbert wasn't an idiot. Quite the opposite. After surviving in Hollywood for so long, he was definitely a sharp man.
So, he deliberately pulled the other two young actors in as well. Whether or not he gave them real coaching was another matter, but at least Emma Watson wouldn't think it was going to be easy or straightforward.
As for the rest, Gilbert couldn't be bothered to do more.
After all, with his current status and position, it would be beneath him to scheme against a child actor. If he was displeased, he'd just steamroll over everything.
Although the party was still going on, Gilbert couldn't stay any longer. After finishing his social rounds, he hurriedly left.
Back at Melon Manor, the atmosphere was already filled with joyful celebration.
.....
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