Chapter 749: Within the Mask!

Rewrite the following, enrich the dialogue, add in the details.

As the Escalade glided away from the bustling DreamWorks compound, Martin juggled his phone, dialing into the latest theater scene through his connections within the studio.

Bruce's curiosity piqued as he leaned forward. "Any takers for the film rights?"

Martin sighed, stashing his phone. "Not yet. The offers aren't hitting the mark," he admitted. "The bigwigs have bailed, leaving us in the lurch. I pitched it at $30 million."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. "Thirty mil for a $150 million production? That's peanuts."

Martin waved off the concern. "It's not just about buying rights; it's the whole marketing dance. Adding another $30 million won't guarantee a wide release."

Bruce looked puzzled. "You still want in?"

Martin chuckled. "I lowballed for a reason. I'll jack up the price by $10 million and flip it to Nai. Fly."

Bruce couldn't resist a quip. "Netflix, a dumping ground now?"

Martin laughed.

Their banter lightened the mood as they cruised back to Burbank, the weight of negotiations momentarily lifted.

Meanwhile, within the somber confines of the DreamWorks Theater, Megan Ellison sat in silence, her gaze fixed on the gleaming alloy curtain.

"Seventh Son" failing to garner interest wasn't unexpected, but the insulting offers stung.

The audacity! One bidder even regressed, matching Martin's paltry $30 million bid.

What did Martin Davis's involvement signify for Megan Ellison? Thirty million seemed standard, but the implications puzzled her.

Externally confident, internally the situation gnawed at her.

Turning to Wilson, Megan sought solace in action. "Where's your Hollywood network? Keep pushing 'Seventh Son'."

Wilson hesitated, a truth lingering on his lips. "My connections aren't enough for deals worth tens or hundreds of millions."

Undeterred, Megan pressed on. "Can we salvage this with a new distributor?"

Warner Bros. had cut ties with Annapurna, complicating matters further.

Wilson's silence echoed the uncertainty gripping Hollywood. The industry's assembly line model, once a surefire bet, now faltered amidst a shifting landscape of audience tastes and market trends.

In Larry Ellison's discerning gaze, "Seventh Son" epitomized the cookie-cutter formula churned out by Hollywood's assembly line.

"Not a single top-tier distributor's biting," Wilson lamented, frustration lacing his words.

"Martin's got too much sway," he added, shaking his head.

Megan Ellison, her resolve visibly crumbling, nodded in silent acknowledgment. "Keep the private channels open. If there's a chance, aim for $300 million..." She gritted her teeth, adjusting her expectations. "$200 million will have to do."

Wilson, well aware of the uphill battle ahead, resolved to give it his all. Annapurna's tenure in the cutthroat film industry was fleeting, and he needed to secure his next move.

With a heavy heart, Megan rose from her seat, her demeanor a stark departure from her father's steely resolve. "Grab the reels. We're out."

...

In the tranquil confines of a Japanese-style mansion in Woodside, San Francisco, Larry Ellison lounged in the tea house, his attention fixed on his son, David.

Initially skeptical of his son's reliability, Larry couldn't help but compare him to his daughter, Megan, whose persona mirrored David's in many ways.

"Meghan's in a tight spot, huh?" Larry inquired, his gaze probing.

David, well-versed in Hollywood's machinations, treaded carefully. "It's all over the media."

Larry nodded knowingly. "Any solutions on your end?"

"My Sky Dance lacks distribution capabilities. I can't just swoop in and bail out Megan's movie," David explained, reluctant to entangle himself in his sister's affairs. "I've shifted focus away from independent productions. Sky Dance only backs projects from established players."

Larry grasped his son's stance. "Fair enough. Your sister's affairs are her own. Just ensure she's safe in Hollywood."

David reassured his father. "Hollywood may be cutthroat, but they won't mess with the Ellisons."

"And what of Martin Davis?" Larry probed further.

"A man who climbed from Atlanta's streets to the top, riding on the coattails of influential women. A textbook case of success by cozying up," David remarked, devoid of disdain.

Larry pondered silently. If circumstances were different, would he have the same tenacity as Martin Davis?

According to Hollywood gossip, Martin juggled the affections of two female producers with ease.

David Ellison grappled with the daunting task ahead, his expression tense.

Larry's brow furrowed in concern. "Is he that formidable?"

David nodded grimly. "Extremely. He's deeply entrenched in the political arena, with ties to the Donkey Party. He wears the mask of a national hero but harbors the agenda of a corporate puppeteer, capable of swaying crucial votes. Publicly, he's a saint; privately, a ruthless opportunist. Like a rabid dog, he'll bite his enemies and relish the attention it brings, regardless of the cost."

"Moreover," David continued, "he's a master manipulator of public opinion and obscenely wealthy." He leaned in, his tone grave. "Reports suggest his net worth exceeds $1 billion, possibly even $2 billion, with investments in Tesla, Apple, and Netflix."

Larry nodded knowingly. "I'm aware."

With a nod of farewell, David sipped his father's meticulously prepared tea and departed swiftly.

Larry wasted no time, dialing a number. "Keep a watchful eye on Megan. That's all for now."

...

In the heart of Burbank, within the confines of Davis Studio's plush screening room, Martin, Louise, and Jennifer Siebel huddled together, engrossed in the final scenes of Jennifer's latest project.

A year prior, Jennifer had embarked on this venture with Martin's generous support, delving into the dark underbelly of the Weinstein scandal.

Titled "Inside the Mask," the documentary meticulously chronicled the scandal's origins and aftermath, amplifying Jennifer's voice as a champion of women's rights and condemning Harvey Weinstein as a symbol of depravity.

As the credits rolled, Jennifer breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze flickering between Martin and Louise.

Though she had departed from the glitzy allure of Hollywood, Jennifer's aspirations as an actress and director persisted, yearning for validation from industry stalwarts.

Louise rose from her seat, enveloping Jennifer in a tender embrace. "Thank you for lending your voice to countless women. This documentary is a triumph."

Jennifer's fervent nod conveyed her dedication. "It's the least I can do."

Martin observed Louise's heartfelt gesture, remarking on the powerful impact of women's solidarity. Approaching Jennifer, he extended his hand. "I intend to give this documentary a theatrical release and submit it for the Oscar documentary category next year."

Louise chimed in, admiration evident in her tone. "As expected of Martin. With Gavin Newsom as California's Lieutenant Governor now, perhaps you'll be handing him an Oscar statuette soon."

Considering Hollywood's prevailing political climate and Martin's seasoned approach to Oscars, competition for Best Documentary seemed futile once "Inside the Mask" hit theaters.

Jennifer was taken aback by Martin's ambitious plan. Initially content with a Netflix release, the prospect of theatrical distribution and Oscar contention exceeded her expectations.

Grateful for Davis Studio's investment and her own dedication, Jennifer recognized the potential impact of Gavin's involvement, extending her gratitude cautiously. "Martin, let's tread carefully."

Martin assured her with a grin. "This is a Davis Studio production. We'll handle it with utmost care."

Jennifer acquiesced, affirming her commitment. "As the director, I'll follow your lead as producer."

Louise glanced at her watch, redirecting the conversation. "It's almost lunchtime. Let's continue our discussion over a meal."

Jennifer agreed nonchalantly. "Sounds good."

Leading the trio, Martin suggested a unique eatery on Bowei Street where he had already secured a reservation. "We'll hash out the specifics of 'Inside the Mask' distribution and awards redemption over lunch."

For Oscar consideration, the film must grace Los Angeles screens, a task well within Martin's reach. With theaters at his beck and call, audience turnout and box office revenue were secondary concerns for this groundbreaking documentary.