A little earlier than Real Steel, James Cameron's True Lies quickly moved into its preparation and filming stages.
The "set tyrant" chose to work again with his old partner Arnold Schwarzenegger and also invited Jamie Lee Curtis, a Hollywood A-list actress, to co-star.
The film's production budget soared to an astonishing 115 million US dollars, an absolutely massive investment in 1990s Hollywood.
A project of this scale was bound to capture the attention of all of Hollywood, with every agency eager to get involved.
It's worth noting that the "set tyrant" originally intended to make Spider-Man, but due to technical issues, it was eventually replaced by True Lies.
Meanwhile, shortly after Gilbert's unpleasant meeting with Martin Bob, the "set tyrant's" furious roar echoed through the True Lies production meeting.
"I will absolutely not be a puppet of CAA! As long as I'm in Hollywood, that will never happen!"
Following this, the "set tyrant" affectionately greeted Michael Ovitz and Martin Bob, as well as their families, using a colorful vocabulary that included "fuck" and "shit."
Martin Bob, whose face was ashen after being thoroughly rebuffed by James Cameron, returned to CAA and furiously denounced James Cameron's rudeness in Michael Ovitz's office.
"That short-sighted, useless director! His achievements will only go so far; I bet he'll go back to being a truck driver someday."
James Cameron was even more difficult to deal with than Gilbert. Gilbert, no matter what, always maintained a polite and graceful demeanor.
But the "truck driver" wasn't like that; he used the most arrogant and crude language, publicly cursing Martin Bob until he couldn't lift his head.
Compared to him, Gilbert actually seemed quite charming.
Michael Ovitz comforted his right-hand man: "Don't worry, Martin. If True Lies doesn't work out, we have another project ready."
"What project?" Martin Bob asked curiously.
"How about Interview with the Vampire?"
"Interview with the Vampire? Wasn't that shelved by Warner?"
Michael Ovitz explained: "Warner and Universal Pictures did some resource swapping. This project now belongs to Universal, and Universal has handed it over to us. I'm entrusting it to you."
A cold sneer appeared at the corner of Martin Bob's mouth: "Don't worry, Michael, I'll put together a super-豪华 cast for the film."
After discussing with Michael Ovitz, Martin Bob personally went to Pat Kingsley's office. He wanted Tom Cruise to star in Interview with the Vampire.
For Pat Kingsley, this was also an opportunity, and she nodded, agreeing to Martin Bob's request.
So, the two acted separately: Martin Bob went to persuade Universal Pictures, while Pat Kingsley visited Tom Cruise at his estate.
Tom Cruise was naturally very interested in the project. When he heard that the film was intended to counter Gilbert's new work, he readily agreed.
He had expressed his desire to collaborate with Gilbert, but the young director had shown no reaction whatsoever.
Didn't collaborating with the great Tom Cruise warrant extreme excitement from Gilbert?
Gilbert's lack of respect greatly angered the great Tom Cruise.
He decided to teach that young director a lesson, hoping he would then eagerly seek a collaboration.
After Pat Kingsley left, he told his wife, Nicole Kidman, "Using Interview with the Vampire to target Real Steel is clearly a smart move.
Interview with the Vampire has a broad fan base from the original novel. Compared to Real Steel, which fewer people have read, our chances of winning are much higher."
Nicole Kidman, however, didn't agree. She had a good relationship with Naomi Watts and was often in touch.
From Naomi Watts, she had learned about Gilbert's character and abilities.
He was a talented director full of ideas, and his professional skills were very strong. They had no conflict with Gilbert, so it was best not to offend him rashly. Otherwise, given Gilbert's personality, he might just make a note of it.
But Nicole Kidman also understood her husband's proud and arrogant nature. At this critical moment, he wouldn't listen to any advice.
So Nicole Kidman decided to ask her friend Naomi Watts about the situation to understand what was going on.
The next day, at a cafe, Nicole Kidman met a radiant Naomi Watts.
"Naomi, you seem to be doing well lately, much better than when you first came to Los Angeles," Nicole Kidman greeted Naomi Watts warmly.
Naomi Watts, beaming with success, replied, "I'm doing well, Mary, thanks to you. I'm doing quite well now."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Nicole Kidman began to subtly extract information: "Naomi, I heard Gilbert's latest work is in preparation. Will you be involved?"
"Mm," Naomi Watts nodded excitedly, not suspecting Nicole Kidman's motives for asking these questions.
She herself didn't know much; she hadn't even received the script, but she had received Gilbert's promise.
"I'll be playing the female lead. Although the screentime still isn't much, my salary has increased significantly, and it's for the lead female role."
Naomi Watts' excited tone stirred a ripple in Nicole Kidman's heart.
This petite woman, who had once needed her care upon arriving in Los Angeles, had now, with Gilbert's help, carved out her own path.
And what about her? She had struggled to become Tom Cruise's wife, only to be treated as an appendage.
Nicole Kidman carefully concealed this ripple of thought, smiling as she congratulated her: "Naomi, congratulations! I'm so happy for you."
Naomi Watts seemed unaware of Nicole Kidman's subtle thoughts, maintaining her sweet smile: "Thank you, Mary."
After their meeting, Naomi Watts immediately went to see Sheena Boon and told her about their encounter.
Sheena Boon also had contacts within CAA and inquired about the situation. Although she didn't know the full picture, she at least knew that CAA was coming prepared.
So, Sheena Boon quickly went to see Gilbert, who was busy preparing Real Steel, to warn him.
"You're saying CAA is planning to use Interview with the Vampire to target me?" Gilbert asked.
"Exactly," Sheena Boon said, pointing to Naomi Watts, who had come along: "Naomi discovered it first and told me in time."
"Naomi, well done," Gilbert praised.
Gilbert's approval made the petite woman very happy: "It's what I should do, Gilbert."
Nicole Kidman was her good friend, and she turned around and "sold out" her good friend. But there was no helping it; she relied on Gilbert.
Besides, Nicole Kidman's intentions weren't pure to begin with, so neither of them could accuse the other.
Gilbert was also quite curious. With so many directors in Hollywood, why was CAA only hounding him, even preparing a major move to deal with him?
Didn't the "set tyrant" just publicly humiliate Martin Bob? Why weren't they targeting the "set tyrant" instead?
Even though he couldn't figure it out, Gilbert couldn't be careless.
After all, it was the combination of CAA and Tom Cruise, and he remembered Brad Pitt being involved as well, making it a significant threat.
But Gilbert wasn't panicking. From the moment he entered Hollywood, he had anticipated similar situations.
Nothing ever goes smoothly, and every A-list Hollywood director has fought their way up through intense competition.
Since the atmosphere was already set, he might as well prepare for a showdown...