This year had truly been a bumper harvest. Several films had made fortunes, but the biggest winner was undoubtedly Universal Pictures.
Thanks to blockbuster hits like Jurassic Park, Speed, The Shallows, and the currently screening Step Up 2, Universal's performance had skyrocketed. Among the Big Seven studios in Hollywood, it now sat firmly at the top, pulling off a dramatic turnaround.
Linton reflected on the massive profits. Just The Shallows and Speed alone had generated over $200 million. And with Step Up 2 expected to bring in no less than $100 million, and Happy Death Day still to come, the total gains were staggering.
Even after acquiring Miramax Films and buying a private jet, tax season next year would bring a monstrous bill. Understandably, Linton wanted to minimize the blow.
After phone consultations with Winnie, and discussions with Robert, Mary, Goodman, and Henry, the team decided to purchase a new headquarters for the film company -- a large office building in either Burbank or Hollywood, with a $150 million budget.
The move was part tax strategy, part future planning. Linton aimed to consolidate his businesses under a single media group.
Besides, since the riots last year, property prices in Los Angeles had dipped to historic lows. Experts predicted a steady 15-year growth ahead. It was the perfect time to buy.
For now, Linton could finally breathe and turn his focus to various ongoing projects.
Filming for The Rock had already begun. As a co-producer of the film, he was actually not qualified. He'd chosen the director and pyrotechnics expert, greenlit funding, secured cooperation from the Pentagon, and participated in early casting. But aside from those decisions, he hadn't even visited the set in the two weeks since filming began.
Michael Bay, the director, was still young and inexperienced. Linton had his concerns.
Parts of the movie were being shot on Universal Studios' sound stages and backlot, but most of the action was taking place on location -- at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco.
Linton finally made the trip, flying in via business jet with bodyguards and joined by Tim, from Universal, to check in on the shoot.
Alcatraz, located just three miles off the Golden Gate, was only 12 acres of rock and cliff-lined shores. Once a military prison, it was shut down in 1963. Today, alongside the Golden Gate Bridge, it was one of the Bay Area's most iconic tourist attractions -- and now the dramatic setting of Linton's next film.
When they arrived, the crew was filming a scene where General Hammer led an assault on an ammo depot. Although the story took place at night, Bay was shooting the sequence in daylight for clarity and intended to shift the lighting in post-production.
Linton didn't interrupt. He quietly observed with Tim by his side. According to producer Robert, Bay had a good temperament but still lacked polish. The shoot so far had been smooth, but the set was visibly chaotic in terms of management.
Despite that, the crew was professional. Lighting, cinematography, and acting all looked solid.
Linton stood by quietly through the morning. The Humvee convoy scene unfolded under a light drizzle from the vehicle-mounted water sprayers, capturing the tension as soldiers stopped General Hammer's vehicle at the checkpoint.
An hour later, Michael Bay wrapped the scene and called for the lunchbreak. He came jogging over.
"Boss, sorry I didn't say hi earlier during the shoot."
"No worries. Directing comes first. You're doing your job -- that's what matters."
Linton added, "How's it going so far?"
Michael gave a quick nod, wiping sweat from his brow. "We're on schedule. Got some great shots this morning. Cast is solid, crew's finding their rhythm -- I think it's shaping up really well."
Just then, Sophie Marceau arrived with two coffees in hand, offering one to Linton. Michael Bay smiled and stepped aside.
Sophie hugged Linton warmly and planted a quick, playful kiss on his lips, unfazed by anyone watching.
During the lunch break, Sophie escorted Linton straight to her private trailer. As a lead actress, she had one of the few solo trailers, but during breaks, she still had to share the makeup area with other cast members.
The two of them finished their lunch quickly, and immediately started the even more existing part of the break. The trailer started shaking in a rhythm...
A few hours later, during the day's wrap-up, Sophie found Linton and leaned close, whispering "Darling, come to the hotel tonight. Let's pick up where we left off at lunch." ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel•fire.net
"Are you shooting tonight?"
"Nope. No night scenes."
Just then, Charlize Theron approached with a big, affectionate hug. Though more reserved in public, her expression said enough.
Inside, Charlize burned with frustration. She cursed Sophie silently -- that woman always took the lead. But Charlize hadn't yet fully committed to Linton's inner circle, so her hesitation kept her from making a stronger move.
"Darling," she asked tentatively, "are you staying the night?"
Before Linton could answer, Sophie turned to her with a mischievous smirk. "Dear Charlize, he has two options tonight. He can either spend the night with both of us -- or, you get the first half, and after midnight, he comes to my room."
Charlize's eyes sharpened. "Fine. I'll take the first half. But I'm not letting him go tonight."
Sophie laughed and handed Linton a key card, pinching his arm with playful force. "You little brat. Sharing you in a single night? You'd better keep your word. Yesterday, Christina called to brag about the wild party at the estate -- so tonight, you must make it up to me today."
She winked at Charlize. "Too bad, though. You only get him in the first half."
In the evening, it is naturally a slow and fun battle with continuous transitions....
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