Avalon, one of Los Angeles's most renowned nightclubs, boasts decades of history and consistently sets trends, especially in the glitzy world of Hollywood, where many actors and singers choose to unwind.
Not far away, a lamborghini Murcielago slowly approached, immediately drawing the attention of many.
At this time, a long queue had already formed at the entrance of Avalon, with many men and women eager to enter and explore this famous entertainment venue, including numerous tourists from all over the world.
The car pulled up to the curb, and Eric stepped out, casually tossing the keys to the valet. The bouncers at the door offered no resistance, letting him in directly.
"Why doesn't he have to queue?"
Immediately, someone behind grumbled in dissatisfaction, but the bouncers couldn't be bothered to explain to such a person. Instead, others answered him.
"If you also drove a lamborghini, they would let you in too!"
Laughter immediately erupted around, and the atmosphere became much livelier.
Stepping inside, rock music instantly filled his ears, but it wasn't heavy metal; it was more of a soothing type, and many men and women were swaying on the dance floor.
Seeing Eric, a waiter immediately approached. The two whispered a few words, and the waiter led him to a booth.
"Eric Cooper, you're late, I was worried you were going to stand me up!"
Warren stood up and pulled Eric to the center, and Ryan Reynolds poured him half a glass of wine.
Eric took a small sip and said, "It's not that I deliberately wanted to be late, it's that your call was too late. I was reading a script, and I had to finish it, right?"
Hearing the word "script," Ryan Reynolds' ears perked up like a radar detecting an unidentified flying object: "What script?"
"A TV series, zombie-themed. It's not suitable for you, Ryan. Your face is more suited for the big screen; that's the path you should take. Forget about the small screen."
Hearing it was a TV series, Ryan Reynolds instantly lost interest. He had slowly emerged from the small screen and would rather die than go back, unless he became a first-tier movie star.
It's worth noting that in the entertainment industry, there's a cruel but widely circulated saying: movies are superior to television.
Although no one knows where this saying originated, and no one dares to openly support it, it is an invisible fact, a truth tacitly acknowledged by everyone.
First-tier movie stars and first-tier TV stars sound like two different worlds.
This isn't just a difference in generation; it's a difference in class!
So, it's acceptable for movie actors to act in TV series, but it's very difficult for TV actors to appear in movies.
Until 2002, George Clooney was the only first-tier movie star to emerge from the TV series circle.
Many actors who were already hugely popular on the small screen desperately tried to break through this barrier, but like moths to a flame, they never succeeded.
For example, Eric's favorite, friends, after accumulating popularity in the first few seasons, all six main actors became first-tier TV actors, and Aniston even became a representative of America's Sweethearts with her role as Rachel.
But even with such fame, trying to enter the film industry still met with setbacks everywhere. For instance, in last year's MGM film, hannibal, due to Jodie Foster's resignation, the role of the female lead, Clarice Starling, became vacant.
Aniston naturally wanted to seize this opportunity, but even with connections and acting skills, she ultimately lost to Julianne Moore. There were too many similar situations; even someone of her caliber couldn't make it, let alone others.
Warren clinked glasses with Eric: "Zombie theme, is it the walking dead you mentioned?"
"Yes, this series has been in development for a while. Today, the screenwriter gave me the first draft, but it still needs revision; it lacks depth."
"Just a TV series, and you're demanding so much?"
"This is New MGM's first TV series, and I'm leading it, so we must strive for excellence. Also, the struggle of humanity is a selling point of the walking dead."
Warren shrugged: "You're the boss, you call the shots. But actually, I asked you out today for Ryan."
Eric looked at Ryan Reynolds, who scratched his head awkwardly: "Sorry, Eric, you recommended me to audition for the male lead in saw, but I messed up. I wasted this good opportunity, I'm sorry!"
Warren refilled Eric's drink: "This isn't Ryan's problem. His audition results were actually very good, but that new director, James Wan, found an actor from somewhere and inexplicably replaced Ryan."
"Eric, I know you're very optimistic about this movie, and your judgment is always right. For such a quality project, shouldn't everyone audition together at the same time? I think that director isn't fair, perhaps he has his own selfish motives."
"And what I mean is, why not give such a quality project to our own people? Ryan works very hard; even in a bad movie like sharknado, he works very hard."
Warren didn't continue, but Eric already understood his meaning: he wanted him to pressure James Wan.
With a slight smile, Eric put his arms around their shoulders, drawing them closer: "Warren, Ryan, I understand what you mean, but there's something you don't know: Patrick Wilson was also recommended by me."
Suddenly, the scene became a bit awkward. Neither of them knew what to say, and Ryan Reynolds wished he could immediately make an excuse to leave.
"Ryan, I recommended both of you to James Wan at the time, so I'm very sure he was fair. Perhaps Patrick was simply more suitable."
Ryan Reynolds silently covered his face with his hand. He was still a nobody and didn't dare to question the big boss.
Seeing him like this, Eric also felt a little sympathetic. He had tricked him into acting in a terrible movie like sharknado, and the other party not only didn't slack off but worked very hard, only to have his heart broken again by him. It seemed unfair not to compensate him a little.
After thinking for a moment, Eric said, "I have a big project about to start. I'll reserve the second male lead for you, how about it?"
Ryan Reynolds hesitated slightly: "A big project?"
"Yes, an A-list production standard. The investment won't be less than 500 million US dollars. Interested?"
Hearing the 500 million budget, Ryan Reynolds was completely stunned. In his 12 years in the industry, the largest investment film he had participated in was van wilder, which was reportedly 12 million US dollars. A super blockbuster of 500 million US dollars was something he couldn't even imagine.
"What? Not satisfied with the second male lead? You're not trying to directly reserve the male lead, are you?"
"Ryan, speak, quickly!"
Warren hurriedly nudged Ryan Reynolds, who then reacted and nodded repeatedly: "Interested, very interested! I'll do whatever it takes, just give me this role."