Pacific Palisades borders Brentwood. This afternoon, Ye Wei drove for less than half an hour to reach his destination, the Hanks family villa on the beach.
The Hanks family owns many properties, and this one is absolutely quiet and beautiful. It covers a wide area and is surrounded by green gardens. It is a classical house built in the 1920s with a sophisticated layout, a pavilion and a middle The courtyard, while the interior decoration is both classic and luxurious, with fireplaces, ceiling chandeliers, spiral staircases
There is also a sea-view balcony with a view of the Pacific Ocean. The sea breeze blows in waves in summer. Living in a place like this will help you live a few years longer.
This was Ye Wei's first time visiting Hanks' house, and it was also the first time he met Hanks' wife Rita Wilson. He almost shouted "Wilson". He didn't know what the volleyball was like, but Rita Wilson gave it to him. Her impression is that of being kind and friendly, just like her husband.
The couple raised four children. Colin, 6 years old, and Elizabeth, 2 years old, born to Hanks and his ex-wife, have all moved on to independent lives and are naturally not here today. Chet, who is about to turn 15, is also not here with him. Friends went on a trip; only B-year-old Truman Theodore was there.
This kid is okay. Although he has the pride of a second-generation star, he is not as arrogant as Belle and can communicate.
The Roberts family has not yet arrived. There are wooden tables and chairs in the tree-lined courtyard. Ye Wei Zheng and Hanks are laughing and talking about the amazing performance of "Wedding Day is Coming".
¡°The current results are really beyond everyone¡¯s expectations.¡± Hanks¡¯ generous face was very cheerful.
"It doesn't include me, I'm not surprised." Ye Wei said and laughed.
Hanks also burst into laughter: "You are a surprising person. After everyone knew about the plan of "Little Miss Sunshine", many people told me, you are so crazy, but I can hear their envy." Now I am willing. There were so many companies investing in Ye Wei that they had to queue up, but Pretong had already gotten it, so majestic and happy.
Ye Wei had a task today, and now was a good opportunity. He asked half-jokingly: "Tom, I did a good job, isn't it more likely that you will star in 'Richard?'"
"It's indeed a bit higher." Hanks nodded and tapped his fingers on the wooden table, "Yi, your professional ability is no longer doubtful. It's just that my acting career is in a bit of trouble. I have to Think more carefully about the next two or three film offers.¡±
After "Lady Killer" and "The Terminal", Hanks's net worth has declined. A superstar like him really can't afford another failure or mediocrity. That would cause him to be defined by the media as "outdated" and "the movies he plays now are all bad." Once the label is attached, it will be difficult to tear it off. Therefore, compared to half a year ago, the risk of joining "Little Miss Sunshine" is greater for him, and the difficulty of Ye Wei's lobbying is actually higher.
Ye Wei had already understood this before setting off. The breakthrough point was obviously not with "Forrest Gump", but with other people.
Hanks is too wise and foolish to dare to be the first person to eat tomatoes, but if he sees someone eating it, will he be moved and follow suit? Most likely. This person cannot be a small character, but a big shot like him, such as Julia Roberts.
There is Roberts and there is Hanks.
"The first task has changed, but we can't lose Hanks' interest. It's good to have some achievements. Now I can show more confidence without appearing arrogant." Ye Wei said jokingly: "Sometimes a big director fails, maybe an independent literary film by a small director will work?"
Hanks laughed when he heard this. The two failures this year were collaborations that seemed certain to be successful. The Coen brothers and Spielberg, that¡¯s how movies are, there are no absolutes.
Ye Wei did not continue to say more, and turned to a serious tone: "I still have a preparation period to prove myself, Tom, I will not give up inviting you, this is my way of doing a good job."
When it was half past mid-afternoon, the Roberts family arrived.
A luxurious medium-sized black RV stopped in the parking space in the front garden of the villa. Ye Wei felt that the car must be equipped with an obstetrics medical assistant and maybe some medical equipment.
"Julia Denny" When a couple walked out of the back door, Hanks and Rita walked up enthusiastically, Roberts's belly was swollen high and she grinned her trademark sweet mouth, while her husband Denny Maude Also smile happily.
Ye Wei and Theodore stood behind. Roberts first called Theodore with a smile, then stared at Ye Wei and walked over with outstretched hand: "VIY, I'm so glad to see you, you are amazing."
"Thank you, Mrs. Maude, nice to meet you." Ye Wei smiled and reached forward, shouting encouragingly in his heart, and the game started
Julia Roberts, the first female star with a salary of more than 20 million, and the best actress at the 73rd Oscar, this Hollywood queen can choose top scripts at will.
As early as the UU era of the last century, how to invite Roberts to join the project was a major unsolved problem for Hollywood producers. Money? Film producers are lining up to pay her, unless they directly give her 100 million. Good script? Business, literature and art are all piled up in her place.
Perhaps it is better to use her own words to solve the problem: "The key to deciding to play a role is whether it is attractive enough to me to get up at four o'clock in the morning to work for three months, and finally face the audience. It¡¯s rated this way or that.¡±
This statement also applies to all superstars who are not worried about film appointments: I will act if I like it, and if I don¡¯t like it, I won¡¯t act.
When he starred in "Faces" (costing 200,000 yuan) in 2011, not only did Roberts not get any salary, he actually didn't even have a hairstylist or makeup artist, and he even paid for his own costumes. But the director of that film was Steven Soderbergh, the former child prodigy who brought her the Academy Award for Best Actress and won the Palme d'Or at the age of 6 for "Sex, Lies and Videotape").
Now, Roberts is in another realm: I want to be a good mother and a good wife, and don¡¯t ask me to act in anything for the time being.
Regardless of whether any producer dares to try this, Ye Wei must try his luck.
He had already studied her. In the past, Roberts was not very good-tempered. One case was when she was filming "Captain Hook" in 1991, she happened to break up with her then boyfriend Dylan McDermott, and she was emotionally hurt. She suffered from a mental disorder and almost went crazy. Her difficulty in cooperating was one of the main reasons that extended the filming period by 40 days (the cost increased by 260,000). She was so angry that director Spielberg could only sulk and was very mean. She was given the nickname "Iuec the Little Devil" (her film character was named Ttuka11e Tinker Bell).
Although Roberts is no longer a 1-year-old girl, but a 3-year-old mature mother-to-be, Ye Wei feels that she must be the most vigilant. At the same time, she often mentions "respect". All actors want to be respected and understood by others, especially A woman like her who has a legendary past but wants to live a peaceful new future
It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s true or not, he must make the big shot feel: This guy understands me and I like him
She also has to make good use of her only advantage, prodigy, when the opportunity arises. She has always been interested in movie prodigies.
You are a little devil, I am VIY, who is afraid of whom?
These thoughts flashed past, Ye Wei held the hand of America's sweetheart, looked at her still sweet smile, and smiled sincerely: "I am your big fan, you have so many great performances, Like in "Deadly Incarnation", your performance gave me a complicated feeling, which was very special."
¡°Before preparing for this meeting, he had watched all of Roberts¡¯ movies, and it is no exaggeration to say that he is a big fan.
As for "Death Incarnate", it was well thought out. "Pretty Woman", "Never Give Up", "My Best Friend's Wedding", and "Notting Hill" are so ordinary that Roberts was immune to praise. Right; "Captain Hook" is an unpleasant memory, "Sleeping with the Enemy" involves secret fights with her husband, love breakup, she is in a sweet marriage now; "Stepmother" is also not good, the ex-wife and other things will not work. She was always unhappy when she thought about her love history; in "Steel Magnolias", the heroine she played died after giving birth to a child, which made her uneasy and unhappy.
It can only be 193's "Incarnation". In fact, it was a failure. It cost 7 million and only received more than 260,000 in global box office. The reviews from all parties were very bad. Roberts must not have been praised by many people for this film, so It is also a double-edged sword. If not, it may become hypocritical and artificial.
But Ye Wei already had a good idea and continued: "I was 7 or B when I watched it, and I still remember your back view at the end. It became a nightmare for me. I think it was the scariest part of the whole movie. , because I can¡¯t imagine what your future will be like, and I feel very pitiful for her.¡±
A child¡¯s innocent feelings, a long-lasting childhood perspective.
"Thank you" Upon hearing this, Roberts grinned wider and used a little more force on his hands. He should be happy.
Released her hand, Ye Wei looked at her big belly and was about to say "Congratulations, may God bless your baby", but suddenly she felt a little emotional, America's sweetheart is finally going to be a mother.
He expressed his emotion at this moment: "Wow, look at you, I got the answer, and I always thought you were everyone's goddess, but look at you now, I really understand'1amejueIr, congratulations to you, wish you God bless your baby, it must be a healthy and beautiful baby.¡±
"1am-aI-ju-a81rI" is a classic line in "Notting Hill". The big star Roberts' true confession to the small bookstore owner Hugh Grant: I am just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love me .
Roberts and the little-known photographer Danny Moder fell in love, got married and had a baby, it was like a real-life version of "Notting Hill".
When Roberts heard these words, Ye Wei, the Hanks couple, and Danny Moder were all surprised. Tears welled up in her eyes, her smile became sweeter, and her tone was messy: "Yes, thank you. ,Thank you" She looked at her husband and smiled again: "1amejueIr1¡§"
Wow. Ye Wei sighed secretly, it seemed like he was lucky. They say pregnant women are easily moved. I love science.
Hanks was dumbfounded. This guy is really good at talking and likable. He had ever thought that there might be something wrong with Wei and Julia before. How stupid.
At this time, a little girl stepped out of the RV. She was petite and had a cute face. She had long blond hair that was parted to the side. She was wearing a light cyan T-shirt and denim pants, Emma Roberts.
The difference in appearance between teenagers at three years old can be huge. 6-year-old Ye Wei is a tall and strong teenager, while 13-year-old Emma Roberts is a little girl with small arms and legs that can¡¯t even reach his shoulders. , only a little bigger than AnnaSophia.
But just such a little girl is also a big shot in Ye Wei's eyes, perhaps more difficult to deal with than Lalu and Belle, because he believes she is very smart.
The daughter of Eric Roberts (a star idol in the 2003s, an Oscar nominee for Best Supporting Actor, who self-destructed due to drugs), and the niece of Julia Roberts, she followed her aunt into the film industry at the age of 6, and has already starred in three movies since the age of 10 Appeared in the movie (a cameo).
¡°The reason why she is a big shot is, of course, because she is Roberts¡¯s heartthrob, and Roberts is still her agent and manager for the time being.
A few bad words from her might be able to destroy his image in Roberts' mind, but a few good words from her might be able to get him two thumbs up from Roberts.
Making little Emma happy is equal to making Julia happy, even more than making Julia herself happy. Don¡¯t forget why there is today¡¯s party. You two can be friends.
"Let me introduce her. She is my niece, Emma. She is a student of Sagittarius Girls' School. She will be in eighth grade next school year."
Roberts told Ye Weixiao that he was not introducing Emma's career situation, but her academic status. Ye Wei could get some information from it. Roberts did not want to define his acquaintance with Emma as "developing contacts in the circle", but It's natural for young people to play together No, it's Emma who doesn't want to
He knows a lot of second-generation stars. Lily doesn't like being called "Phil Collins' daughter." Although Master Gia is proud of the Coppola family, she doesn't like to hear "You are Coppola's." "Granddaughter", Ramo also doesn't like to hear "You are Willis's daughter". This is really human nature, everyone wants to have their own name, not someone else's.
The second generation of stars also have a common mentality, they don¡¯t like to be said to rely on their family, so Nicholas Chanqi changed his surname for this reason.
On the one hand, identity cannot be put aside, and it is certain that they will get more opportunities; on the other hand, they want others to focus on their own efforts. Not only second-generation stars, but also most other children of other generations are like this. If he becomes a second-generation dentist, he won't like to be told, "It's all because your dad is a dentist."
So almost 100%, Emma Roberts doesn¡¯t like to hear ¡°Julia Roberts¡¯ niece¡±, and she hates being related to nepotism. She is a rebellious little girl from a rich family who has never suffered much, and she really doesn¡¯t even want to accept shortcuts. , maybe she doesn¡¯t want to come at all today, why do you know a child prodigy, boring
With these thoughts passing by, Ye Wei quickly adjusted her strategy and was no longer prepared to praise her performance in "Newborn", which was obviously a role obtained through Roberts.
"Hello Emma, ??I'm Ye Wei, nice to meet you." Ye Wei smiled at Emma who came over.
"Nice to meet you, your movie is great." Emma smiled, with her two round eyes open, and her steady voice was full of childishness.
"Thank you, do you know Hailey Newman? She is also from the Sagittarius Girls' School. She and I are friends." Ye Wei asked. Emma was startled: "Hailey Newman?" Ye Wei nodded and said: "She participated in the Harvard-Westlake Film Festival before and made a good B-minute short film "Their Story"."
"I don't know her, she's a senior, but I've heard of this." Emma suddenly became interested, "I also heard that you gave everyone a surprise at the film festival."
Ye Wei laughed: "No, actually it was an accident. All of us were almost frightened."
"What's going on?" Emma suddenly became more interested.
At the same time, Roberts seemed to be happier and walked in front laughing and chatting with her husband and Hanks. The two young people behind were talking about the film festival, while Theodore felt bored and walked away. Went to play.
"I saw the principal's expression at that time I think if he were Dumbledore, he would turn me into a stone without hesitation, and then shout: Atvutu if you don't want to be turned into stone too."
"Haha, you also like "Harry Potter"?"
"You should ask, who doesn't like Harry Potter? Maybe Ron? In fact, I like Ron more than Harry, and I especially like Rupert Grint, he plays it so well."
"Me too, I also prefer Ron, Rupert -"?Lint is my idol¡±
"He's funny, right? I like to see good peers as competition, but this guy, I don't know why, just can't get me to do that, love his freckles"
"yes"
Seeing little Emma's cheerful look, Ye Wei breathed a sigh of relief. Folks, we are safe for the time being.
In fact, he is not a fan of "Harry Potter" at all. He prefers "A Song of Ice and Fire" and "Dragonlance". He doesn't have any particular fondness for Grint, but he knows Emma's idol through INDb. It's Grint It's tiring to deal with big shots.
But he turned on the social mode and would not let himself stop. When the group entered the house and came to the hall, he looked for an opportunity to return to Roberts and talk about how he liked her movies, and also talked about "Anna Sophia" shared "Samantha" interesting things on the set, he was not in a hurry to reveal his intention to invite her to join "Little Miss Sunshine", and let's talk about it after establishing a good relationship.
However, another unexpected thing happened. When Rita called Emma to the kitchen, Hanks and Maude also walked away, as if to create a moment of alone time for him and Roberts.
Roberts leaned against the pillows of the sofa, caressing his belly, looked at him, and asked with a smile: "Weige, are there any roles in your new film that are suitable for Emma to audition for?"
On the small sofa opposite H, Ye Wei was shocked when he heard this. Although he had prepared a lot, he was not prepared for the current situation. Didn't he say that we should get to know each other and be friends first? Maybe there would be opportunities for cooperation in the future. He didn't say that it would be now, that is. "Little Miss Sunlight"
¡°And it¡¯s really not true. Emma¡¯s age and appearance are not suitable for playing ¡°Oliver¡±. There is no role for a young girl in the script, not even a supporting role.
How about just saying "no" to the big shot? Do you still want to lobby Roberts? What if he can bring the benefits that the big shot wants?