"Fuck you, Martin!"
Early in the morning, as Martin walked into the conference room of the Meyers Film Studio Building, he was greeted by Robert Downey Jr. flipping him off with both hands and yelling an emotionally charged curse.
Martin blinked. "What the hell's your problem? Did I offend you somehow?"
"You sure did. That twisted script you wrote gave me a damn nightmare!"
Martin fired back. "Fuck off, idiot. You're blaming me for your nightmares just because you read my script?!"
"Well, didn't you write the damn thing?"
"That just means you're a coward!"
"Fuck you!"
"Fuck you!"
The two hurled obscenities at each other for a full two minutes, leaving a pair of crew members frozen in the doorway, unsure whether to flee or stay.
Fortunately, the standoff didn't last long. Martin and Robert eventually ended their cheerful "exchange" with wide grins.
Robert chuckled. "Well, I feel much better now. Fuck, that script had me so depressed I wanted to off myself."
Martin grinned. "That's great news—it means you're starting to connect with the material. I can't wait to see what you do with it."
Late May.
Martin first flew to Harvard to take his final exams.
Immediately afterward, he returned to Los Angeles without rest, preparing to lead the production crew to South Africa.
On the flight, Robert Downey Jr. tapped the rolled-up script against his palm and sighed. "I've got a feeling this role is going to be the pinnacle of my career."
Martin shook his head. "Maybe. But the thing that'll change your life? That's definitely Iron Man. Trust me—this franchise is going to bring it all back: the mansions, the sports cars, the high life."
Robert shrugged. "Honestly, I don't care about that stuff anymore. I did a lot of soul-searching during my three stints in jail. What I really want now is a quiet life with the people I love."
Martin smirked. "Really? You've turned over a new leaf? Want me to talk to Marvel and see if they can cut your salary?"
Robert shot him a look. "Don't push it. although i said I don't care much—I still care a little."
Martin burst out laughing.
Robert raised another middle finger in response.
"I heard you went to the Lakers game last night. With two women?"
"Jessica and Lindsay. They're both big Lakers fans."
"So the rumors are true. You're a playboy."
"No way. I don't spend money on anyone—I'm emotionally invested in every single girl who dates Martin."
Martin said this with exaggerated sincerity.
Robert flipped him off again.
"You think Kobe's got a shot at beating the Suns this year?"
"Doubt it. The Suns are stacked, and Kobe's out there on his own."
"Yeah. He needs some real help."
Martin led the crew to South Africa.
To generate buzz for the film, Hollywood Entertainment magazine interviewed Drew Barrymore.
"Yes, Robert is once again playing the lead. He and Martin work beautifully together," she said.
"We're filming in real African slums."
"It's a science fiction film, but District 9 is nothing like traditional sci-fi. It's going to surprise you—think The Dark Knight."
"Will Downey relapse into drugs? Absolutely not. Robert's changed. He was clean all through Iron Man, and Martin runs a tight ship—he doesn't allow that kind of thing on set."
"Am I worried? Not at all. Martin may have only directed one film so far—127 Hours—but its $100 million box office on a shoestring budget speaks volumes."
"What's District 9 about? Haha, I can't spoil that, or Martin will kill me. Just know it's thrilling, gorgeous, and unforgettable. That's all I'll say."
Once that issue of Hollywood Entertainment hit newsstands, curiosity about Martin's new film soared among fans and media alike.
"Our incredible Martin is a machine. No rest, no pause. Fresh off Iron Man, he's diving headfirst into another sci-fi project, District 9. Honestly, the title gives away nothing—but that's Martin for you. The mystery just makes us more eager." —Los Angeles Times
"Drew Barrymore, CEO of Meyers Pictures, kept using words like 'amazing' and 'incredible' to describe District 9, which only adds fuel to the hype." —Los Angeles Entertainment News
"Reportedly, the District 9 crew has flown to South Africa. The film is already a hot topic before its release. Anything tied to Martin turns to gold. That's the trust he's earned with consistently high-quality films. But before District 9, let's see how Iron Man performs—and whether Martin's sci-fi streak strengthens or cracks under pressure." —Entertainment Weekly
Meanwhile, Leonardo DiCaprio was having a rough month.
In May, his environmental documentary The Eleventh Hour premiered. He had poured everything into it—producing, writing, narrating, practically everything but directing.
The film explored a critical question: Why has humanity brought itself to the brink of destruction? How do we live? How do we damage the planet? And more importantly—how can we still change our fate?
Leonardo interviewed dozens of global experts: former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, ex-CIA director James Woolsey, sustainable design visionaries William McDonough and Bruce Mau, and more than fifty top scientists, thinkers, and policymakers.
At the film's climax, Leonardo delivered a heartfelt call to action: "Make changes—before it's too late."
The documentary became a hit in environmental circles.
And then the paparazzi descended on his home like locusts.
They rifled through his trash. Snapped photos of his luxury sports cars. Monitored the air conditioning usage at his mansion. All with one goal in mind: to prove that Leonardo DiCaprio was no environmentalist at all.