Chapter 39: Success Across the Board and the Jewish Mogul
Grant had a knack for keeping the atmosphere lively, but surprisingly, Martin was even better at it.
Throughout dinner, Martin kept Miranda laughing with his clever jokes, while simultaneously participating in the adults' discussions. Sometimes his comments, though playful or childlike, carried a touch of insight that left everyone momentarily thoughtful.
As a succubus, knowledge was essential, and Martin had inherited the vast reading habits of his otherworldly counterpart. Since arriving here, he hadn't stopped devouring books, drawing wisdom from every genre. With his growing magical power came a sharper memory and an unparalleled capacity to comprehend, allowing him to process information at remarkable speed.
He didn't merely skim—he read to remember and understand. His knowledge now likely rivaled that of a university professor, at least in terms of breadth.
Kris was impressed, but also finally understood how Martin had achieved so much at such a young age. Eleven years old, and already so knowledgeable. He truly was a prodigy!
Dinner was a joyful affair for everyone.
As they were leaving, Martin gifted Miranda the sketch he'd drawn of her, complete with his signature and a warm note: "May Miss Miranda always live in sunshine and joy. —Martin"
Seated in the car, Miranda held the rolled-up sketch carefully. She even refused to let her sister see it.
"Wait till we're home, okay? If the car jerks or brakes hard, the sketch might wrinkle," she reasoned.
From the driver's seat, Frank grumbled, "Hey, little lady, you don't trust my driving skills?"
Kris watched her sister, a hint of concern in her gaze. Could Miranda really be smitten with this young prodigy?
But then she reconsidered. If the two did end up together, Miranda certainly wouldn't be getting the short end of the deal!
The children's book Kung Fu Panda had sold nearly a million copies, undergoing its second reprint.
The movie The Parent Trap had nearly reached $99.76 million in North American box office sales. It would likely cross the $100 million mark before going out of theaters. Including its overseas revenue of $32.4 million, the film had already surpassed $100 million globally.
Martin realized that he'd initially misremembered the details. In his original memory, the figure was global box office, not just North America. There was no way The Parent Trap with him in the lead could only outperform Lindsay Lohan's version by a mere few million.
Most surprisingly, Martin's album Martin 1 had sold over 1.2 million copies worldwide in just three months, achieving platinum status.
This success was in large part due to Diana's enthusiastic support. But what truly set the album apart was the succubus magic Martin infused into it, enhancing its emotional resonance and immersive power.
For succubi, voice magic was one of their greatest strengths.
With his three chosen paths—writing, film, and music—all progressing smoothly, Martin was well on his way.
"Jeff, how's my new script doing? Any studios interested in investing?"
"Disney turned it down; it doesn't fit their usual style."
"Warner Bros. and Paramount haven't responded."
"Universal also passed. They don't think there's a strong market for this type of horror film."
"20th Century Fox is on the fence, but they're out of funds at the moment. If they decide to invest, it won't be until the year after next. Their budget is fully committed to Titanic."
Titanic? That big ship?
Martin recalled James Cameron's iconic line at the Oscars: "I'm the king of the world!"
But few knew that before the movie's release, Cameron had reportedly considered preparing razor blades—just in case of failure.
20th Century Fox, too, had doubted the massive $200 million production, which was why they brought Paramount on board. That decision later became a source of regret for several Fox executives, as Titanic ultimately grossed over $1.8 billion globally and, after multiple re-releases, eventually surpassed $2.26 billion.
If memory served him right, Titanic was due to release in December 1997, just two months away.
"So, it's all bad news?" Martin asked, somewhat surprised.
The Sixth Sense, in his memory, had been a massive hit, setting box office records for horror films at the time—records that stood until the arrival of James Wan.
He hadn't expected it to face so much skepticism before production even began.
"Not all bad news. Harvey from Miramax is actually very interested in the script."
"Miramax? Harvey Weinstein?"
Martin's mind conjured an image of a rotund Jewish man with a large presence.
Weinstein's reputation, regardless of his personal character, included an undeniable knack for spotting box office gold. Known for turning low-budget films into blockbusters, he was often hailed as the "God of Hollywood" and the "savior of modern cinema."
One celebrated actress had even tattooed his name on her lower back as a tribute.
Unfortunately, Weinstein's later years saw him become brazen, speaking and acting without restraint. His manipulation of the Oscars earned him widespread resentment, and he ultimately ended up in prison following the #MeToo movement.
Of the ninety-plus actresses who accused him of assault, a significant portion had initially consented—it had been a transactional arrangement, after all.
Martin had no particular fondness or disdain for Harvey. As a succubus, he came from a realm where moral standards were low.
Weinstein's interest in the script only confirmed his eye for talent.
What Martin didn't know was that, in the original timeline, The Sixth Sense had also caught Weinstein's attention, leading to Miramax's investment.
"Yes, it's Harvey Weinstein. He'd like to meet with you."
"Alright, when and where?"