"The distribution of The Matrix will remain with Warner Bros., and the promotional campaign is about to launch," Martin said, tapping the desk lightly. "I won't be participating in the later stages of promotion. Soon, I'll be on set for Pirates of the Caribbean. Oh, and the matter of Disney shares is nearing resolution. The financial team's audit is already underway."
At this point, excitement lit up Martin's face.
Sitting across from him, Jeff was equally thrilled.
His client becoming a Disney board member—who could've imagined such a thing?
As Martin's influence and status rose, Jeff's own standing in Hollywood's circles naturally elevated alongside it.
If Martin successfully acquired Disney shares, Jeff felt he could boldly claim his position as Hollywood's top agent—who would dare oppose him?
"Jeff, keep a low profile for now," Martin interrupted Jeff's daydreaming. "Keep your mouth shut, and don't let anything slip. We can't afford any mishaps."
Jeff quickly nodded. "I will, Martin."
"Oh, by the way, Charlize's Monster has begun shooting. Lend her a hand if you can. It's her first time juggling acting and producing."
"I'll take care of it, Martin."
"And keep an eye on Miramax. That fat guy's been unusually quiet lately, and it's making me uneasy."
"I'll handle it, Martin."
Jeff had practically turned into a yes-man.
In the two weeks following the Super Bowl game, The Matrix steadily rolled out posters of its main characters.
One featured a pure black background with dense green code rain cascading down. In the foreground stood Martin, Nicole, Laurence, and the other key actors—all dressed in black, exuding cold, high-tech vibes.
Another poster emphasized the cyberpunk aesthetic, featuring a massive, shadowy skyscraper as its centerpiece. A waterfall of white light poured through the middle of the frame, with Martin and Nicole occupying a small portion at the bottom. The overall effect was enigmatic and compelling.
The essence of The Matrix—its "cool" factor and cyberpunk vibe—was vividly captured in these posters.
Cyberpunk's inherent darkness is inherently captivating, and when paired with cutting-edge technology and sleek action sequences, it leaves audiences in awe.
Martin was confident about this.
As The Matrix posters quickly spread across North America, starting with major theaters, Warner Bros.' media outlets and NBC began ramping up promotional efforts.
The Matrix was suddenly on everyone's lips.
Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles.
The premiere of The Matrix was held at the iconic venue.
That evening, the theater's entrance was packed with stars, renowned directors, and high-ranking executives from major studios.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas appeared together, triggering a frenzy of camera flashes.
"Mr. Spielberg, what's your opinion on Martin's new film, The Matrix?" a reporter asked loudly.
Spielberg paused. "My opinion? Well, I'm just about to see it!"
His witty response elicited laughter from the crowd.
Another reporter turned to George Lucas: "Mr. Lucas, do you think The Matrix will be another success for Martin?"
Lucas smiled. "Great question. Of course, I think it will succeed. You see, I once invited Martin to write a script and star in Star Wars. And guess what?"
As the reporters' eyes widened in shock, Lucas continued with a grin:
"After reading the script for The Matrix, I finally understood why Martin declined. He's crafting something extraordinary—a unique world of his own. Once this film premieres, it will undoubtedly usher in a new era of science fiction cinema!"
"A groundbreaking sci-fi masterpiece is in the making!"
Lucas's effusive praise thrilled the gathered reporters.
Moreover, his revelation about Martin rejecting Star Wars added an unexpected twist to the story.
Following Spielberg and Lucas on the red carpet was another Hollywood heavyweight—James Cameron.
Cameron arrived with his tall, elegant partner dressed in a stunning blue gown, flashing smiles at fans on both sides of the carpet.
His companion was his fifth wife, Suzy Amis.
Known as a romantic and talented filmmaker, Cameron had been married five times. Remarkably, he maintained friendly relations with his ex-wives, even after the divorces.
Spotting Cameron's arrival, Spielberg and Lucas, already at the end of the carpet, paused to greet him.
The presence of Hollywood's "Big Three" directors together excited fans and reporters alike.
These three were arguably the industry's most bankable filmmakers.
George Lucas revolutionized Hollywood with his special effects innovations, carving a legacy with his Star Wars series.
James Cameron, inspired by Lucas's Star Wars, left his trucking job to become a director. Now regarded as a master of technical filmmaking, he was constantly pushing the boundaries of cinematic technology.
Steven Spielberg, on the other hand, epitomized the commercial director. Unlike the technically obsessed Lucas and Cameron, Spielberg's use of effects was always in service of storytelling and box office success.
This approach led to his films becoming increasingly formulaic over the years.
Although he had once amazed audiences with Jurassic Park and Saving Private Ryan, Spielberg's career trajectory was on a downward slope.
The decline wasn't glaring at this point, but when The Terminal and War of the Worlds later failed at the box office, the media eagerly declared Spielberg a "spent force."
Afterward, he focused on producing, with few directorial ventures until Ready Player One, which marked a modest comeback.
That film grossed $500 million globally, with nearly half—$204 million—coming from Asia.
Without Asia box office support, Spielberg might have faced yet another setback.
It's a testament to how even the brightest talents can eventually fade.