Director in Hollywood

Gilbert walked onto the stage, and under the lights, many actors finally saw Gilbert's face clearly.

Soon, an actor who knew Gilbert exclaimed, "It's really Director Gilbert..."

"My goodness, Rachel, how do you know him?" An actor who was close to Rachel Weisz grabbed her arm and asked.

Rachel Weisz glanced at Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was walking over, and smiled, "It was a coincidence."

After saying that, Rachel Weisz walked over to Gilbert, linking her arm with his and said, "Gilbert, let me introduce you to my good friends. This is Miss Erin Malte, and this is..."

After introducing everyone, almost intentionally, she left Catherine Zeta-Jones to be introduced last: "This is Miss Catherine Zeta-Jones."

It seemed like she was deliberately showing off, and without paying attention to Catherine Zeta-Jones's pale face, Rachel Weisz proudly introduced, "This is Gilbert Landrini, a director from Hollywood."

"Hello..." Gilbert nodded simply, then glanced at Rachel Weisz, signaling with his eyes: You're being a bit underhanded!

She took the opportunity to take away Catherine Zeta-Jones's chance and deliberately showed off in front of her. Rachel Weisz was clearly being mischievous.

The two of them already had overlapping positions and competition. Catherine Zeta-Jones had failed in Hollywood, and Rachel Weisz had even mocked her for it.

Most actors in London's West End were like this—cooperating amid jealousy and competition. When someone made it out of the West End and into Hollywood, they weren't congratulated but cursed.

If they failed, they would be mocked like Catherine Zeta-Jones. So, the conflict between Rachel Weisz and Catherine Zeta-Jones had been ongoing, with verbal barbs being the norm.

But once Rachel Weisz played the Gilbert card, Catherine Zeta-Jones was at a disadvantage.

Of course, Catherine Zeta-Jones didn't know that Rachel Weisz had taken the opportunity that should have been hers. Otherwise, she would be even angrier.

Sometimes, fate truly played tricks on people.

If Catherine Zeta-Jones had seized the opportunity, she would be the one showing off today.

But unfortunately, she had gone to meet the old baron.

Hopefully, Catherine Zeta-Jones would never know the truth. Otherwise, it might make her sick with anger.

Most actors weren't content with their current situation and wanted to develop in Hollywood. So, when Gilbert appeared, it was like a stone thrown into a calm pond.

Instead of ripples, it caused huge splashes, splashing water all over those on the shore.

After enjoying the flattery from the stage actors, the rehearsal time for the day had come to an end.

Rachel Weisz clapped her hands and said, "Alright, alright, we can talk more next time. Now, Gilbert and I are going to dinner."

Hearing that they would have dinner with Gilbert, the actors were even more envious. So Rachel Weisz and Gilbert were that close?

If this were backstage, the jealous looks from the actors would have already come.

But with Gilbert there, the actors didn't dare to be envious or say anything sarcastic to make Gilbert feel uncomfortable.

Rachel Weisz enjoyed this, finally seeing these actors get put in their place, and looked over at Catherine Zeta-Jones, whose face was quite unhappy, secretly thinking: Let's see who the boss is now, hmph!

All of this was certainly noticed by the theater manager, and with Gilbert as a flag, the battle for the top actress position would soon have a clear outcome.

And the opportunity to go to Hollywood would also have a clear verdict.

Gilbert observed everything, realizing that the competition among female stars was so intense. And this was just stage actors; if it were Hollywood, the competition could even drive someone to madness.

With such intense competition, it was no wonder many Hollywood stars became abnormal over time. Sometimes, they just had no choice.

When Rachel Weisz went backstage to remove her makeup, Catherine Zeta-Jones seized the chance to approach Gilbert.

"Director Gilbert, I'm a big fan of yours. Could you give me your autograph?" Catherine Zeta-Jones said, pulling out a notebook and pen.

"Sure," Gilbert happily agreed, took the pen, and signed his name.

Other actors still on stage followed suit, asking for autographs, and even had the theater staff come to take photos and group pictures.

A large group of actresses scrambled for autographs, each showing off their beauty in front of Gilbert. The process was quite enjoyable.

Power and status were deadly poisons, but even knowing they were toxic, people still pursued them because it felt so good in such situations.

After the signing and photo session, Gilbert thought for a moment, and handed Catherine Zeta-Jones a business card: "If there's a chance, come to Hollywood to develop."

Receiving the business card, Catherine Zeta-Jones's expression brightened, "Thank you for your encouragement, I will work hard."

Although Rachel Weisz was the one behind it, Gilbert still felt a bit guilty. He didn't expose Rachel Weisz's lie, so he tried to make it up to Catherine Zeta-Jones in this way.

Many actors saw the act of Gilbert handing over the business card, and it should prevent Catherine Zeta-Jones from feeling embarrassed anymore.

Sigh, that's just how he is—a good person who can't stand seeing any beautiful woman upset…

When Rachel Weisz came out, she linked her arm with Gilbert's, waved goodbye to the actors, and they went together to have dinner.

Catherine Zeta-Jones felt much more balanced. Now that she had the business card, she still had a chance. This wasn't over yet.

On the way to the restaurant, Gilbert said, "Rachel, you're a bit naughty, using me."

Rachel Weisz pretended to be pitiful, "Sorry, Director Gilbert, it's my fault. I'll make it up to you."

"Make it up? How?"

"You'll know..."

That evening, in the presidential suite on the top floor of the hotel, Rachel Weisz changed into the costume she had worn during the afternoon rehearsal and threw Gilbert a flirtatious glance, "Sir, do I look beautiful?"

Another routine, Gilbert didn't expect Rachel Weisz to bring out the costume. It was one of those traditional medieval noble girl outfits.

"You're beautiful, Rachel, you're stunning," Gilbert praised, patting the sofa next to him, "Come over here..."

The way she came over was also unusual. Rachel Weisz, in the gown, struggled to kneel down, then crawled over to kneel in front of Gilbert, unbuttoned his belt, and then...

"Hey! Darling, this gown is a bit difficult to undo!" Gilbert looked around for a way to undo the gown but couldn't find a way.

Rachel Weisz chuckled and unbuttoned one of the buttons, and the dress automatically came off, revealing her delicate body.

"Darling, you're still not very skilled. Looks like you'll need to practice with me more!"

"Of course, I can be quite the eager learner."

So, under Rachel Weisz's passion, Gilbert spent the whole night learning English in the British style. The learning process was quite enjoyable and fulfilling.

The next day, after saying goodbye to Rachel Weisz, Gilbert returned to Los Angeles, planning to dive into the post-production of Saving Private Ryan.

Before that, Robert Iger, as agreed earlier, went to the Melon Manor in Malibu to meet with Gilbert.

"The board's internal struggle is getting fiercer, Gilbert," Robert Iger complained as soon as they met.

"What's going on? Are the two Michaels about to fight?" Gilbert laughed.

"No, but it's pretty close. Both sides are at the sword-drawing stage. In the last board meeting, Michael Ovitz was the first to fire the shot," Robert Iger briefly explained the situation.

"Mr. Ovitz won't be Mr. Eisner's opponent. I'm sure Ovitz will leave Disney soon," Gilbert made a judgment.

Although he hadn't had much contact with either of them, Gilbert believed that Michael Eisner would win.

He didn't know the exact internal struggles at Disney in his past life, but at least he knew that after Michael Eisner came Robert Iger, and he hadn't heard of Michael Ovitz becoming Eisner's successor.

"So, you support Mr. Eisner?" Robert Iger asked.

"I support the winning side. As long as they don't interfere with my film crew, I don't care who controls the film projects," Gilbert said, then changed the subject and looked at Robert Iger.

"Compared to those two, I'd rather support you, Bob. If you become Disney's president, our cooperation with Disney will last long."

Robert Iger's heart tightened. It seemed that Gilbert had seen through his hidden ambition.

"Don't joke, Gilbert. It was Mr. Eisner who promoted me to manage Touchstone Pictures. How could I betray Mr. Eisner?" Robert Iger said this reluctantly.

"Bob, we both know how laughable your words are. In Hollywood, is there such a thing as loyalty?" Gilbert laughed and shook his head, then said, "I mean it, I support you as the head of Disney."

Hearing Gilbert emphasize it again, Robert Iger looked serious and asked, "Gilbert, are you serious?"

"Of course," Gilbert analyzed the situation for Robert Iger: "I don't know if you read Chinese fables.

There is a story like this: one day, a clam opened its shell to sunbathe, and a sandpiper came to peck at it, then the clam's shell snapped shut, trapping the sandpiper's beak, and neither would give way.

A fisherman came and caught both of them.

Now, the two Michaels are like the sandpiper and the clam, and you are the fisherman, so just wait for the opportunity."

"Didn't you say that Mr. Eisner would eventually get rid of Michael Ovitz? How can I be the fisherman?" Robert Iger asked again.

"Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared," Gilbert patted Robert Iger's shoulder: "Be ready, Bob, after you get rid of Mr. Ovitz, Mr. Eisner will also be seriously weakened.

He's old, not suitable to lead Disney forward anymore."

Robert Iger, stirred by Gilbert's encouragement, left the melon farm, and the ambition that had been buried deep in his heart was completely unearthed.

For Gilbert, this was a move he had already planned.

Over the years in Hollywood, Gilbert had been thinking about how to blend into Hollywood, whether as a cooperative and pleasant director or by learning from Spielberg.

After some thought, Gilbert decided to take the middle route and turn himself into a giant, using the battle between the two Michaels to insert himself in.

As for why he chose Disney instead of MGM or even 20th Century Fox decades later, the reason was simple.

Many industries are about looking at the rise, not the fall, and the movie industry is the same. MGM had internal issues, and it was beyond saving.

In his past life, Gilbert, just a small director, had a rough idea of Hollywood and lacked the ability to manage a giant company.

If he had forced his way in, the result wouldn't have been better, at most, it would have allowed MGM to survive a few more years.

Movies are not just about films; behind them, there are media groups, political backgrounds, cultural contexts, and channels, all kinds of factors.

Take Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures, to be honest, if Sony didn't have money to continually invest in Columbia, Columbia would have long exited the ranks of the giants.

Not understanding how to run a movie company and only thinking about making good films to save a company, that only exists in fantasies and novels.

On the other hand, Disney, despite its temporary internal strife, has a smooth future and development ahead.

Seizing this opportunity is much better than spending energy and effort trying to save MGM.

With Robert Iger, a strong figure, leading the way, Gilbert can focus on making films behind the scenes, much more carefree and happier than managing a movie company.

...

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