America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Long Island, New York, near the docks, two newly constructed roads that had not yet been officially opened were secured by the crew for authorization to shoot some of the street battle scenes.

Because of Martin, many entertainment journalists arrived on the media day, and there were even some who covered socio-political news.

Martin performed all his action scenes himself today.

He climbed high and jumped low, using a military spike, pistols, automatic rifles, and even a sniper rifle, single-handedly breaking into Ivanov's safehouse.

Even laymen could tell that Martin had excellent skills, with standardized tactical movements that obviously came from extensive training.

In this scene, the products of HK Company, the sponsor, once again stood out prominently.

As Martin entered from the perimeter, he used a G22 sniper rifle, an HK416 carbine, and a USP pistol.

Hofmann from HK, who was visiting the site, was extremely satisfied—the guns looked good, the person looked good, and the tactical moves were visually impressive.

As for the performance of the firearms, that was secondary.

With the clapperboard snapped, another scene began to shoot.

Martin rapidly replaced the magazine in his pistol and rushed into the house.

The young actor playing Ivanov, Evans, started sprinting away.

Martin raised his pistol, and with the sound of a gunshot, Evans fell on cue.

Looking up at Martin approaching, he shouted, "It's just a dog, I'll compensate you, give you money..."

Martin didn't waste a single word, shooting Ivanov in the head and turning to stride away.

Chad was very satisfied and shouted, "Good, that's the feeling, this take is passed!"

This shot once again highlighted the element of the dog and showcased the movie's action style: quick and decisive!

The crew then moved to another warehouse to film, and the actors had a longer break.

Martin went to the temporary media area, let the reporters take photos, and then entered the rest area to relax.

That's when Bruce came over and said, "Kim and the others have arrived."

"Let them come over," Old Cloth had already mentioned to Martin yesterday that the Kardashian sisters were going to visit the set.

For Old Cloth's sake, Martin would chat with them for a bit.

As for stirring up publicity, when did he ever care?

Bruce made a call, and Kim and Khloe came over from a distance, followed by a middle-aged woman.

At first, Martin thought she was the Kardashians' assistant or a bag-carrying auntie, but after a few glances, he realized that wasn't the case.

Bruce was also surprised and said, "The one in the back is Kris Jenner, the mother of Kim and Khloe."

Martin looked at Bruce with a bizarre expression, a look of disbelief.

Knowing him well, Bruce quickly said, "It's not what you think; don't say anything rash."

"What am I thinking?" Martin retorted. "It's clear you're the one with the thoughts, yet you're pinning it on me."

He shook his head, "Old Cloth, you've fallen."

Bruce didn't want to explain anymore. The more he tried to clarify with Martin, the more creative insults Martin would come up with, so he simply stayed quiet.

Taking advantage of the distance still between them and not letting Bruce off, Martin taunted, "This experience of yours, it's a textbook male protagonist material in San Valley Industrial Park! When we get back to Los Angeles, should I ask Jenna to come over and make a screenplay based on you? You could collect the book rights money."

"Seems like your experiences would be more suitable, wouldn't they?" Bruce finally couldn't hold back. "I even thought of a name for it: 'Martin's Hollywood Life!'"

Martin didn't respond, but stood up and walked a few steps outside.

Kim quickened her pace and, before she even got close, called out loudly, "Martin, long time no see."

Martin shook hands with her, making small talk: "Kim, you look even more beautiful than before."

Compared to the last time they met, Kim's posterior had significantly grown, whether it was through exercise or through technology and hard work, Martin didn't feel it appropriate to inquire.

Kim introduced the two people behind her, "This is my sister Khloe, and this is my mother Kris."

Martin greeted each of them in turn, chatting and laughing for a bit.

Since the crew wasn't filming at the moment, the journalists were allowed to take photos.

The media area was abuzz with many photographers using telephoto lenses to vigorously capture the scene.

Kim had specially chosen the media day to visit the set.

Neither Martin nor the crew minded because the crew could benefit from the media attention as well.

Ever since the sex tape scandal, Kim's profile in entertainment media and on the internet skyrocketed, completely overshadowing Paris Hilton.

After exchanging pleasantries, Martin said to Bruce, "Old Cloth, show Kim and Khloe around."

Bruce nodded and led them elsewhere.

Many things about Martin went only as far as Bruce, such as matters about Ivan and Kim's sex tape scandal.

Bradt came down from a trailer and approached Martin, asking, "Didn't you mention at dinner yesterday that you'd just obtained the rights to a new novel?"

Martin searched in his bag and handed over "The Prince of Thieves" to Bradt, "You take a look first, if we're adapting it, come up with a preliminary plan."

"I've read this book." Bradt, with a broader reading range than Martin, said, "It involves some community conditions in the Boston area. After this film is done, I'll go to Boston for a field inspection."

After some thought, he added, "The social background of the novel is quite realistic, so I feel the screenplay background can't stray from reality either."

Martin nodded, "Have your agent talk to Jessica about salary and other issues later. The studio will also allocate some initial funds."

Bradt responded, "I'll call my agent right now."

Twenty minutes later, the assistant director came over to notify that it was time for Martin to enter the set and continue filming.

Before noon, after the Kardashian mother and daughters had gotten enough exposure in front of the crew and media cameras, they prepared to leave. A young girl who came after them approached Martin for a photo and autograph.

"My name is Kendall, Kim and Khloe's little sister." The girl, in her early teens and noticeably slimmer than Kim and Khloe, said, "Martin, can you sign my T-shirt?"

"No problem." Martin first had Bruce take a photo of him with Kendall, then took the marker she handed him and signed his name on the back of her white T-shirt.

Kendall asked Martin to sign the front of her T-shirt, but Martin wasn't foolish enough to agree.

When Bruce returned after seeing them off, Martin gestured to his chest and said, "This family, not a single one is simple, even a girl in her teens has a thousand tricks up her sleeve."

Bruce replied, "Khloe is somewhat better."

Martin cautioned, "Don't let them fleece you."

"How could I?" Bruce understood the subtext of Martin's words and said, "Don't forget what I used to do. Dealing with them, heh..."

Martin said, "Of course, I know what you used to do, Sophia's..."

Bruce turned and walked away, swearing not to speak to Martin for the rest of the day.

In the afternoon, Martin had fewer scenes than in the morning, spending most of his time waiting,

The scenes he did shoot were mainly focused on showcasing cars.

The film had not yet been released but had already recouped its $12.5 million investment, all from advertising sponsors.

Martin acted very seriously, and the director, Chad, was equally earnest in his filming.

The story was originally about dogs and cars, so the Cadillac ad certainly wouldn't be out of place.

While shooting a gas station scene, Taylor Swift and her agent arrived at the set.

After that scene wrapped up, Martin introduced them to the production team and Chad and mentioned the situation regarding the film's songs.

The specifics would still have to be negotiated between the production team and Taylor's side.

Martin merely made the introductions. If both parties didn't align and couldn't agree, he wouldn't interfere.

Taylor's agent went to discuss with the production team while she stayed in the resting area to chat with Martin.

"How much longer will you be in New York?" Taylor asked.

Martin calculated, "The rest of my scenes, at most ten days to finish shooting. After that, I'll return to Los Angeles, there are many things there I need to handle."

Taylor frowned, "Such a short time together, you won't be able to inspire me. It would be difficult to compose a good song with you as the theme."

Martin inquired, "Where do you spend most of your time?"

Taylor scratched her curly hair, "Nashville. It's the holy land for country music."

Martin suddenly remembered, she's a country starlet.

Taylor felt she should take the initiative, since she wanted to leverage Martin's popularity, "I could come to Los Angeles. I saw the special feature you did for 'The Dark Knight', you were amazing as the Joker, mesmerizing."

"Thanks," Martin replied politely.

Taylor asked, "May I have the honor of attending 'The Dark Knight' premiere?"

Martin had multiple invitations for the premiere that he didn't need and said, "Leave your contact address with me, and I'll have someone mail you the invitation."

Without much thought, Taylor left her Nashville home address with Martin and also said, "I'll stay longer in Los Angeles then. The more I get to know you, the more naturally inspiration will come."

Martin smiled and said, "I'm really looking forward to becoming the leading man in your songs."

Taylor was also very much looking forward to it. Though she couldn't think of anything too specific yet, she felt she would benefit greatly from the process of composing a song for Martin.

The production team reached a preliminary agreement with Taylor's agent, though the specific terms still needed further discussion.

The film's incidental music and ending song were still undecided, and which one would suit Taylor's style couldn't be determined yet. Stay connected through empire

On the ride back, Taylor discussed the songwriting for Martin with her agent again.

Her agent said bluntly, "This is a great opportunity for you. If managed well, your next album could receive a lot more attention."

The country starlet was also gradually expanding her horizons and thought processes. "I won't let the opportunity slip away."

Taylor planned to bake some small pastries to give to Martin and the key members of the crew, to leave a good impression first.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

In the following days, Martin received baked goods from Taylor on set twice, and many people from the crew praised the neighborly gesture.

That afternoon, after wrap-up, the main creators of the production had a meeting at the studio, and Martin came out a little late.

Getting into the car, he felt he had forgotten something important. He asked Bruce, who was driving, "Did I forget to do something crucial?"

"Didn't go see Angela and KK?" Bruce replied offhand.

"They came to look for me at the hotel on the night you had a secret meeting with Khloe," Martin said. From Angela and KK, he remembered the day at the hotel lobby and suddenly one thing came to mind, "Leonardo has been in the psychiatric hospital for over a week for an immersive experience. I forgot to call and ask how he's doing."