526-530

Chapter 526: Captain America Begins Filming and Summer Blockbuster Season

In its third week of release, "The Expendables 2" has grossed $124 million in North America, although the drop in box office revenue has been significant. Overseas, the total box office has reached $235 million. This indicates that classic action films still hold strong appeal internationally.

Due to the decent box office performance of "The Expendables 2," Lionsgate, Millennium Films, and Wanda Pictures have begun preparations for "The Expendables 3." The plan is to feature Link, Scarlett Johansson, and Jason Statham as the main leads, with Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Jet Li in supporting roles. Considering Link's commitment to filming "Captain America 2" this year, production for "The Expendables 3" is scheduled for later this year or next year.

"Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier" was approved for production last October and officially began filming on April 1 this year. The movie continues the storyline from "Captain America 1" and "The Avengers." It follows Captain Steve Rogers, who is accused of killing S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury and is subsequently hunted by former director Alexander Pierce. During his escape, he receives help from Black Widow and Falcon Sam Wilson and encounters his old friend Bucky Barnes.

Like Captain America, Bucky Barnes was thought to have died after falling into icy waters during World War II. However, he was revived by the Soviets, given a cybernetic arm, and trained as a Soviet assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Initially suffering from memory loss, Bucky does not recognize Captain America, leading to several intense confrontations. In the end, Captain America saves the Winter Soldier, uncovers secrets within S.H.I.E.L.D., and halts the "Insight Project."

The plot of "Captain America 2" is more complex than the first film, with a richer characterization of Captain America and many large-scale action scenes. The movie promises more excitement compared to the first installment.

Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, known for "Community," the main cast includes Link, Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Anthony Mackie as Falcon, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and Robert Redford as the villain Alexander Pierce. Filming locations include Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C., Cleveland, and Ohio.

Due to numerous training scenes for Captain America, Link set up a training facility at the filming site, spending his days shooting and training. Scarlett Johansson would occasionally sneak into his training room for secret meetings. Despite Scarlett's enthusiasm, Link's rigorous training and increased physical strength often left her exhausted after their encounters.

Link's rigorous training ensured he maintained peak physical condition, with his nutrition and energy levels consistently high. While filming on location, it was difficult for him to see his partners Ivanka, Taylor, Jennifer Lawrence, and Daddario, making Scarlett's company a welcome relief.

Hayley Atwell, who played Agent Carter, also expressed her interest in Link. After wrapping up her scenes, she shared a private session with him in the training room. Atwell, a 30-year-old British actress with an impressive physique, proved to be more resilient than Scarlett during their sessions.

On the set of "Captain America 2," Link, holding his shield, surveyed the military camp and remarked, "This used to be where I trained."

"Has it changed much?" asked Scarlett Johansson, holding a signal receiver.

"A little," Link replied, looking thoughtfully at the empty training ground.

"There's a blind spot here," Scarlett noted. "No infrared signals, no radio waves, not even wireless signals. Any documents here need to be transmitted by router."

Link examined the surroundings, his eyes settling on a particular building. "What's that?" Scarlett asked.

"Military regulations prohibit private weapons within 500 yards of the camp. That building is out of place," Link stated, striding towards the triangular-roofed concrete structure.

"Cut! That’s a wrap for this scene," announced director Anthony Russo.

After 20 days on set, Link completed his outdoor scenes for "Captain America 2." The remaining scenes, requiring special effects, would be shot in a studio around June or July.

Returning to Los Angeles for a break, Link spent his days training with his children, occasionally visiting the company, practicing piano under Taylor's supervision, writing new songs, and attending flying lessons and skydiving sessions.

In late April, Hollywood's summer blockbuster season began. Lionsgate released two films in April: "Identity Thief" and "Red 2." During the summer, six films including "The Heat," "Now You See Me," "Tyler Perry's Temptation," "Her," "Rust and Bone," and "World War Z" were lined up for release.

"Identity Thief," a comedy starring Jason Bateman, Melissa McCarthy, and John Cho, surpassed expectations with a modest budget of $35 million. After 22 days, it grossed over $100 million in North America. Although its international performance was average, it still managed to gross $38.48 million abroad, bringing the total to $170 million. This makes it the second Lionsgate film of the year to cross the $100 million mark in North America.

Conversely, "Red 2," a $84 million production by Summit Entertainment and DC Entertainment, struggled at the box office, earning only $40 million in North America and $72.32 million internationally in two weeks. With a global total of $150 million, it barely broke even.

The disappointing performance of "Red 2" brought relief to Lionsgate's competitors, who were increasingly concerned about the company's growing market share. Earlier this year, Time Warner appointed Kevin Tsujihara as Warner Bros. CEO, resulting in the resignation of former president Jeff Robinov. Insiders attributed this change to Warner Bros.' frustration over being outperformed by Lionsgate.

Aware of the pressures from Lionsgate's rise, other major studios invested more in producing quality films to reclaim their market share. According to "The Hollywood Reporter," Lionsgate's success has intensified industry competition, likening the studio to a "Hollywood catfish" that keeps the others on their toes.

"Steven, how are we addressing the funding issues at Summit Entertainment?" Link asked in his Lionsgate office.

"Boss, after discussing with Robert, we decided to scale down the budget for 'Ender's Game' to $80 million, making it more manageable for the first installment. If it does well, we can increase the budget for the sequel," explained Lionsgate's executive president, Steven Biggs.

Link nodded, suggesting a more structured approach: "Moving forward, Lionsgate should handle big-budget and horror films, while Summit focuses on smaller productions, much like Sony-Columbia and Warner Bros. operate. This will streamline our projects and maximize our strengths."

Steven agreed, promising to propose this strategy in the next meeting to expedite the integration process between the two companies.

"Also, I’ve learned that Steven Spielberg will chair the jury at this year's Cannes Film Festival, with members including Ang Lee, Christoph Waltz, and Jennifer Lawrence. Should we engage in some award lobbying?" Steven inquired.

"Jennifer is on the jury?" Link raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, it was just announced in the media," Steven confirmed.

Link considered it before declining the suggestion, preferring to rely on his talent rather than lobbying. "Let's not. If my performance is good enough, they'll recognize it. If not, I’ll keep working hard to make better films."

"Understood, boss," Steven acknowledged.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 527: Nominated for Cannes Film Festival

Steven Biggs, impressed by Link’s words, praised him as a truly talented actor, suggesting that if he devoted more time to making movies, his achievements could rival those of Spencer Tracy, Marlon Brando, and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Link smiled and accepted the compliment.

Before the conversation ended, Link’s phone rang—it was Jennifer Lawrence. Seeing this, President Biggs left the office to give him privacy.

Link answered and asked Jennifer what was up. She inquired about his whereabouts and mentioned the Cannes Film Festival. She had been invited to serve as a juror and heard that his new film "Rust and Bone" would also be participating. She asked if he wanted her to give him an advantage.

Link declined, advising Jennifer that as a first-time juror at an international festival, she should follow the rules and avoid giving anyone reason to criticize her. He added that he did not need such favors to win the Best Actor award at Cannes.

Jennifer agreed and asked when he and Ivanka would be home, as she planned to visit them later.

Link glanced at his watch and said they’d be back soon.

After reading the newspaper for a while and waiting for Ivanka to finish her work, Link stood up and they headed home together.

On the way, they discussed the upcoming summer blockbuster season.

This summer was packed with big releases, including Robert Downey Jr.’s "Iron Man 3," Disney’s "Monsters University," "Oz the Great and Powerful," "Star Trek: Into Darkness," "Man of Steel," "Fast & Furious 6," "World War Z," "The Hangover Part III," and "The Lone Ranger," all high-budget productions.

Given the fierce competition, it would be challenging for Lionsgate’s films to achieve significant box office success.

This highlighted why Lionsgate wasn’t yet on par with the Big Six studios. The major studios had deeper pockets, greater risk tolerance, successful franchises, and powerful animation departments that produced high-grossing films.

In contrast, Lionsgate had to rely on producing a high volume of lower-budget films to succeed.

Ivanka suggested establishing an animation department to enter the animation market.

Link considered the idea but decided against it. In the current era of 3D animation, setting up an animation department would require substantial investment, and Lionsgate lacked the necessary funds. Additionally, the animation market was already saturated and highly competitive, dominated by Disney, Fox’s Blue Sky Studios, and DreamWorks Animation.

Ivanka agreed and brought up the issue of casting diversity due to pressures from various racial and LGBT organizations, which could affect film production.

Link acknowledged this and noted that it was an unavoidable part of the industry, and they would need to consider these factors to cater to the market.

Ivanka, resting her chin on her hand, remarked on the difficulty of succeeding in the industry. Dressed in a silver-gray professional outfit with a pencil skirt and high heels, her blonde hair pinned up, she exuded an elegant and sophisticated aura.

Link reassured her, noting that Lionsgate was doing well and that the major studios faced more pressure. If Lionsgate improved slightly, the majors would be more stressed. If Lionsgate regressed a bit, it would still be fine. He encouraged her to view managing the company as a game and to enjoy life without taking on too much pressure.

Ivanka smiled, teasing him for his relaxed attitude, and urged him to adopt a winning mentality to face industry challenges head-on.

Link, kissing her hand, was playfully reminded by Ivanka to focus on driving.

Back at their hillside villa, they found their nanny playing with little Margarita, who was delighted to see them and greeted them with gurgling laughter. The nanny, Daphne, informed them that Margarita had just started saying "Mommy" and "Daddy."

Excited, Link and Ivanka spent time encouraging their daughter to say her new words. Margarita, with her big, round eyes and wobbly stance, eventually called out “Daddy Mommy,” much to their joy.

Ivanka suggested hosting a party to celebrate Margarita’s milestone, and Link readily agreed.

---

By May, "The Expendables 2" had been in theaters for over two months, grossing $162 million in North America and $286 million overseas, totaling $448 million globally—four times its budget, making it a successful venture.

"Identity Thief" had earned $145 million domestically and $42 million internationally, expected to hit $200 million globally by the end of its run.

"Red 2" performed less well, with $50.57 million in North America and $92.5 million overseas, just breaking even.

In early May, Lionsgate released its eighth film of the year, "Tyler Perry’s Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor," which grossed $20.74 million in its opening weekend from 3,112 theaters in North America, a decent performance given its modest budget.

The week's box office leader was Robert Downey Jr.’s "Iron Man 3," with a $175.3 million opening weekend, the second-highest in history after "The Avengers" ($207 million). It performed exceptionally well in China, grossing nearly $20 million on its first day, contributing to over $30 million from the Greater China region.

"Iron Man 3"’s overwhelming success negatively impacted other films released around the same time, including Tom Cruise’s "Oblivion," Bruce Willis and Dwayne Johnson’s "G.I. Joe: Retaliation," and Leonardo DiCaprio’s "The Great Gatsby."

As the North American film market entered the summer season, the Cannes Film Festival also kicked off.

Link’s film "Rust and Bone," co-starring Marion Cotillard, was set to premiere in France during the festival. The film was well-received by the jurors, earning five nominations, including the Palme d'Or for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay.

To promote the film, Link made time to attend the festival in France. Coincidentally, Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire’s "The Great Gatsby" was invited to open the festival, and the three actors planned to travel together.

“Link, I heard you bought a super luxurious private jet. Why aren’t you flying in it?” Leonardo asked in the first-class cabin.

“I just paid for it; it hasn’t been delivered yet.”

“Impressive, buying a private jet at just 24—no one can match that,” Leonardo remarked.

“Yes, Link, you’ve achieved what many only dream of by 24. Everyone at our gatherings admires you,” Tobey Maguire added.

Link, setting aside his French edition of "Vogue," smiled and replied, “I’ve just been lucky.”

“And very humble,” Tobey noted.

“Wait, I remember wanting to ask Link something. What was it?” Leonardo mused before his eyes lit up. “Got it! At the Golden Globe Awards, you were seated with Ivanka, Taylor, and Jennifer Lawrence, and they all seemed to get along well. How do you manage that? Any tips?”

Link was momentarily taken aback before laughing. “Is there a trick to it?”

“Isn’t there? Women are prone to jealousy. How can Ivanka stay calm knowing about your relationships with Taylor and Jennifer without any drama? It’s impressive and something I’d like to learn,” Leonardo asked eagerly.

Link shook his head. “It’s not like that. Ivanka and I are married. Taylor is a close friend and confidante, and Jennifer is also a friend. There’s nothing complicated going on, so no issues arise.”

“Even a three-year-old wouldn’t buy that,” Leonardo scoffed.

“It’s the truth.”

“Tobey, this is Link’s private matter. We shouldn’t pry,” Tobey gently reminded Leonardo.

“I know, I just wanted to exchange some dating tips with Link, but he’s not sharing,” Leonardo said, raising his hands in mock defeat.

Link smiled and shifted the conversation to parenting with Tobey. The two got engrossed in their discussion, leaving Leonardo to sulk and pull down his sleep mask for a nap.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 528: A Date in Paris*

“Link, we're planning to rest in Paris for a day and fly to Cannes tomorrow. What's your plan?”

“I have some work to take care of in Paris as well. I'll see you tomorrow.”

After arriving in Paris, France, Link bid farewell to Leonardo and Tobey Maguire, bringing gifts to visit young Cassel at a villa in the Sixth Arrondissement.

It had been months since Link last saw the little guy, and Cassel seemed a bit unfamiliar when he first saw him.

However, the bond between father and son soon rekindled. After playing with him for a while, Cassel became comfortable again, constantly calling out “Daddy,” which greatly annoyed Guillaume Canet.

During their conversation, Guillaume often disagreed with everything Link said. When Link remarked that Paris was the most beautiful city in Europe, Guillaume immediately countered, saying that Florence in Italy was superior, calling it the capital of art, the birthplace of the European Renaissance, and the most beautiful city in Europe. He mocked Link for not knowing much about Europe or art.

Link sipped a glass of Lafite red wine from the table, claiming that Bordeaux wines were the best in the world. He even mentioned he had a small vineyard there and planned to visit when he had time.

Guillaume disagreed, saying Bordeaux wines were overrated, and he now preferred Spanish wines like Bull's Blood, Torres, and Castillo, which he thought were just as good as Lafite, Latour, or Romanée-Conti.

Link commented that Marion was the most elegant and sexy woman in the world.

Guillaume clenched his teeth and, though his face turned red, said nothing in disagreement. Instead, he angrily cut a large piece of foie gras and stuffed it into his mouth.

“You two should be good friends,” Marion Cotillard said with a laugh, swirling her wine glass as she watched the two men.

“Huh, how could I be friends with someone like him? He’s lecherous, shallow, vulgar, and obsessed with money—a completely boring person. If I became friends with him, I'd have no taste,” Guillaume sneered.

Link shrugged and wiped Cassel’s face with a napkin.

“Guillaume, I remember you praising Link during last year’s Olympics, saying he was an incredible person,” Marion said with an elegant smile.

“No, I said he was a freak,” Guillaume quickly corrected.

Link chuckled lightly, not wanting to waste words on the subject.

“Guillaume, how's the box office for Blood Ties? If it's doing well, we could release it in North America.”

Blood Ties was a film Guillaume had written and directed last year, a French-English production about two half-brothers—one living in France and the other in the U.S. One becomes a cop, while the other is an ex-convict just released from prison. After a decade apart, the brothers reunite, and the older one tries to help the younger leave the criminal world and live a normal life.

Link had read the script, which was quite artistic and interesting, but he wasn’t too confident in Guillaume’s abilities as a director.

The film had been selected for the non-competition section at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

“Why care about the box office? Does a film need to make a lot of money to be considered good? That's such a vulgar mindset. In fact, many great films don’t do well at the box office—like The 400 Blows, Under the Sun of Satan, or Eternity and a Day. And many high-grossing films, especially those Hollywood blockbusters, are often mediocre in quality.”

Guillaume retorted.

“If the box office is too poor and there’s no profit, film companies won’t take the risk of releasing or promoting it. Without promotion, even the best films won't get seen. Don’t you, as a director, want your film to be seen by many people? What’s the point of making a movie if not to share it?” Link countered.

“It’s the media that has ruined the film industry. If films didn’t rely on heavy promotion and attracted audiences solely through word of mouth, my film’s box office wouldn’t be any worse than some of the ones Lionsgate is releasing,” Guillaume insisted.

“Well, I understand now,” Link said.

Blood Ties likely wasn’t doing well at the box office. Guillaume wouldn’t be so defensive otherwise. If it had been a hit like last year’s The Intouchables, he would have been bragging by now.

“It made €646,000 in its first week in France, which isn't too bad. The reviews have been decent, with many critics saying Guillaume has improved a lot as a director,” Marion added with a smile.

“Really? That sounds promising.”

The film had a production budget of €5 million, so it was expected to lose around three to four million euros—not too much.

The three of them then discussed Paris Rose Films’ investment plans. Last year, the company made €140 million from The Intouchables. Even after Link took a share, there were still tens of millions left to produce more than a dozen small-budget French films.

Link didn’t have any specific suggestions at the moment, so he left it up to Guillaume and the company’s producer to figure things out. He remembered that French director Luc Besson had some successful films coming up, like Lucy, starring Scarlett Johansson, and Anna, starring the long-legged Sasha Luss. If there was a chance, they could collaborate.

As they were eating, a Black maid came in to report that Monica Bellucci had arrived.

Marion got up and returned shortly, arm-in-arm with Monica, inviting her to join them for the meal.

“Oh, Link, you’re here too?”

Monica Bellucci, exuding a subtle fragrance, sat beside him. Her black wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders, and she wore a black lace dress, nude stockings, and high heels. Though 48 years old, her voluptuous figure still had plenty of allure.

“Hi, Monica. I just arrived today.”

Link greeted her.

Monica glanced around the table. Link sat across from Guillaume, with Marion and Cassel in the middle, creating a harmonious yet tense atmosphere. She pursed her full lips, smiling with an amused expression.

“Monica, what are you laughing at?” Guillaume asked, clearly displeased.

Monica shrugged and smiled. “I’m just happy to see Link here.”

“What’s there to be happy about seeing him?”

Guillaume snorted, continuing to eat.

Monica raised her wine glass to Link. “Welcome to France, Link.”

“It’s not his first time here. He stayed for over a month last year and even came back to sell albums,” Guillaume quipped.

“Thanks!” Link ignored the comment and clinked glasses with Monica.

Monica took a sip of wine, toasted Marion, and laughed, saying how envious she was of Marion’s life right now.

Marion smiled and asked what exactly she was envious of.

Monica pointed at the three men at the table, saying she was jealous that Marion could have dinner and chat with the three men she loved most—a scene so romantic it was unbelievable.

Marion smiled gently, clearly agreeing with her.

Guillaume interrupted to ask about Vincent Cassel, asking if they had reconciled.

Monica said no—they had talked and were planning to divorce.

Both Guillaume and Marion expressed regret, with Guillaume urging Monica to forgive Vincent and hoping they would reconcile. He noted that they had been married for over a decade, and staying together wasn’t easy. He even added that a man’s infidelity wasn’t such a big deal.

“Right, Link?” Guillaume asked, with a sarcastic smile.

“Oh, so that's how you think, huh? I’ve always said you’re not a good man. Marion, you should just dump him and have some peace at home,” Link joked, holding Marion’s delicate hand.

“Damn it! Link, stop making stuff up. I was talking about you, since you’re the real serial cheater here,” Guillaume fumed.

“I love Marion, and she loves me. That’s all that matters, no need for your judgment,” Link replied.

“Guillaume, stop talking nonsense,” Marion said, clearly annoyed.

Guillaume clenched his fists, took several deep breaths, and sat back down, sulking.

Monica glanced around at the three of them and laughed. “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought up Vincent and me?”

“It’s fine. It really is a shame about your divorce,” Marion said.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. It wasn’t just his infidelity; the main issue is that after over a decade of marriage, there’s just no spark left between us. It’s gotten boring, and divorce is the best thing for both of us,” Monica explained.

---

After lunch, the four of them sat in the villa's small garden for afternoon tea, chatting about films and the entertainment industry. Since Link was a frequent topic of conversation, they couldn’t avoid discussing him.

They asked about Lionsgate, any inside information on the Oscars, his feud with Harvey, Lionsgate’s ongoing rivalry with the big studios, his boxing matches, and his music albums.

Throughout the conversation, Monica expressed admiration for his achievements, while Guillaume continued to find fault with him at every opportunity. Marion, however, always stood up for Link, which only deepened Guillaume’s jealousy.

Eventually, Guillaume couldn’t take it any longer. He said he was going to meet Vincent for a drink, then left the villa in his sports car.

Monica stayed until the evening, arranging plans to head to Cannes together the next day, before driving off herself.

In the villa, only Link, Marion, and the just-asleep Cassel were left.

Without waiting to go back inside, Link held Marion in his arms and kissed her against the pillar in the sunset-lit corridor.

Marion was an incredibly alluring woman. Although she was nearly forty, with faint fine lines appearing at the corners of her eyes, her inherent elegance and sensuality had only grown with time. After years of life's trials, it had become even richer and more lasting, with a lingering aftertaste.

Every time he embraced and kissed her, it was like savoring a glass of Bordeaux wine. The scent on her body was more captivating than the lavender fields of Provence.

Her physique was uniquely beautiful—not tall and thin like a French supermodel, nor as voluptuous as Monica Bellucci. Instead, she resembled a work of art brimming with the refined, intellectual elegance of French culture, worthy of careful appreciation.

That's why every time Link made love to her, it felt as intense as the first time.

He poured all his energy and passion into it.

Both giving and taking.

(End of this chapter)

*Chapter 529: Cannes Best Actor and Actress*

Marion Cotillard was also a great lover. She understood Link well and was always happy to accept him fully, acting both as a lover and as an older, wise sister. Whenever Link was with her, he could feel a pure and passionate love that made him feel completely at ease.

This was why Link was willing to stay close to her and continue their relationship.

Compared to Marion, Emma Watson, Chris Liu, and Taeyeon were still too young and somewhat immature in this regard.

Whenever he spent time with them, Link had to be mindful of boundaries, which could sometimes be a hassle.

---

After a good night’s sleep in Paris, the next day, Link, Marion Cotillard, Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci, Guillaume Canet, and others flew to Cannes to attend the film festival.

The 66th Cannes International Film Festival had 1,858 films submitted, with 78 making the official selection, including the mainland Chinese director Jia Zhangke’s A Touch of Sin, Hong Kong director Johnnie To’s Blind Detective, and another Hong Kong director Lau Wing-man’s Borderline.

Nineteen films were selected for competition, including Rust and Bone starring Link and Marion, A Touch of Sin starring Jiang Wu and Stan Wong, The Great Beauty directed by Paolo Sorrentino, Like Father, Like Son directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Blue Is the Warmest Color starring Léa Seydoux, and Venus in Fur directed by Roman Polanski.

This year’s Cannes Film Festival was bustling. While walking the red carpet, many stars showed up from both Hollywood and international cinema. Notable attendees included Steven Spielberg, Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicole Kidman, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Sofia Coppola, Asia Argento, and Uma Thurman.

From China, there were many familiar faces, including director Ang Lee, Andy Lau, Jackie Chan, Donnie Yen, Zhang Ziyi, Wang Baoqiang, Gao Yuanyuan, Carina Lau, Jiang Wu, and Fan Bingbing.

“Hey, Link! Over here!”

As Link stepped onto the red carpet in front of the Palais des Festivals, he bumped into the cast of The Great Gatsby, who were taking photos on the carpet, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, and the tall Elizabeth Debicki.

Standing at 6’3” (190 cm), Elizabeth Debicki towered over the others, so Leonardo pulled Tobey into the middle to even out the height difference, which looked a bit sneaky.

“Hi, Leo, Tobey, you both look great,” Link greeted them.

“You look great too, Link. Hi, Marion, you look stunning as always. Oh, Monica, nice to see you again,” Leo greeted everyone warmly.

The two groups took a photo together, with Link and Leonardo standing in the center, flanked by Marion and Monica on Link’s side, and Tobey, Carey, and Elizabeth on Leo’s.

As the photo was taken, the crowd behind the barricades erupted into deafening cheers, calling out both Link’s and Leonardo’s names, with Link’s name being shouted a bit more.

On the other side of the red carpet, in the photographers' area, dozens of photographers in black suits clicked away with their cameras, the shutter sounds blending into a cacophony.

After standing for over thirty seconds, Link wanted to move on, but the photographers were not satisfied, shouting, “Mr. Baker, wait a moment!”

“Why are you in such a hurry?” Leonardo teased, holding him back.

“There are other guests behind us; we can’t stay too long,” Link said, waving to the fans before walking forward with Marion and Monica. Along the way, some enthusiastic fans passed notebooks and pens through the fence, hoping for autographs.

Link stopped again to sign for over a dozen fans.

“Didn’t you say we couldn’t stay long?” Leonardo teased as he caught up.

“The fans’ enthusiasm can’t be ignored,” Link said with a smile, signing a few more autographs before continuing onward.

“Do you and Leonardo have some rivalry?” Marion asked with a light laugh.

“Yeah, Leo said when we were filming Inception, he once tried to win your heart, but you ignored him. Now that he sees how much you love me, he’s incredibly jealous,” Link joked.

Marion smiled gently, holding onto his arm, her eyes filled with affection.

“Link, I’m curious, do you have any close male actor friends?” Monica Bellucci asked.

“Of course, aside from Leo, who’s not fully on board with me, I get along with everyone in the industry,” Link said.

“You do seem to have more masculine charm than Leo,” Monica teased, glancing at his profile.

“Thank you!”

As the group entered the festival’s main hall, Link encountered more familiar faces. Even from afar, people would come over to greet him warmly.

“Mr. Baker, it’s great to see you here.”

Wang Baoqiang greeted him shyly.

“Stan, I watched your film Lost in Thailand in Beijing this past February. It was hilarious,” Link said, shaking his hand.

At the end of last year, Wang Baoqiang, Xu Zheng, and Huang Bo had starred in Lost in Thailand, which grossed 1.27 billion yuan, setting new box office and attendance records for Chinese films.

“Thank you for the kind words, Mr. Baker. Your performance at this year’s Spring Festival Gala was fantastic as well. Everyone was surprised to see you there,” Wang Baoqiang said, flashing a toothy grin.

After exchanging a few more compliments, Wang noticed that many celebrities were waiting to greet Link, so he politely excused himself.

Back at his seat, the Chinese group gathered around Wang.

“Baoqiang, are you close with Link?”

“Of course! When I was in LA for the Oscars last year, Mr. Baker invited me to his home and took me on a tour of the Lionsgate studio. He’s really down-to-earth,” Wang Baoqiang said with admiration.

“You’ve even been to his house? I heard Link is worth billions of dollars now. What’s his place like?” another asked.

“It's amazing. He has a huge, beautiful house in Santa Monica Bay. Someday, when I’ve made enough money, I’ll buy a villa there too,” Wang Baoqiang said.

“Baoqiang, you know Link, and he’s the boss of Lionsgate. Haven’t you thought about trying your luck in Hollywood?” another asked.

“No, I’m better suited to the domestic market. Going to Hollywood would be like starting over. But Mr. Baker has mentioned working together. He said if I ever need financing for a film, I can contact him. He’s a really generous guy,” Wang Baoqiang explained.

The others around him looked on with envy.

Link, a billionaire and the owner of one of Hollywood’s biggest studios, could open many doors in the entertainment industry. However, getting close to him was no easy feat, and for most, even speaking with him was out of reach.

The group eyed the humble Wang Baoqiang, not understanding why Link favored him. Unable to figure it out, they chalked it up to pure luck.

After the crowd dispersed, Fan Bingbing sat next to Wang, patting his shoulder. “Baoqiang, do you have Link’s phone number?”

“Yes, I have his business card,” Wang said, patting his pocket with a smile.

“Let me see it, will you?”

Wang hesitated for a moment before pulling out the card, carefully handing it over. “Sister, you can look at it, but don’t go calling him randomly.”

“Relax, I won’t do that.”

Fan Bingbing glanced at the card, noting its simple design with just a phone number embossed in gold. She knew this type of business card was rare and far more valuable than those covered in titles and flashy details.

She quickly memorized the number before handing the card back to Wang.

Feeling relieved, Fan Bingbing thought back to when she first met Link at Cannes in 2011. Since then, Link had climbed the ranks, making it onto Forbes’ billionaire list, and Lionsgate had grown into a Hollywood powerhouse under his leadership. He had also made significant investments in China.

Fan Bingbing had always wanted to get closer to Link, but finding the right opportunity had been difficult. She had once approached Yang Mi for help, but despite promising to assist, Yang Mi had done nothing and subtly blocked her from getting near Link.

Now, with Link’s phone number in hand, she finally had a chance to connect with him. With his help, breaking into Hollywood would be much easier.

As an actress, the allure of being an international star was undeniable. Last year, she had managed to secure a small role in Iron Man 3, but all her scenes were cut from the international version, leaving only the Chinese release intact.

She was determined not to repeat the same mistake, and with Link’s support, such disappointments would be a thing of the past.

Fan Bingbing’s gaze grew more intense as she watched Link surrounded by a crowd of international stars.

---

The Cannes Film Festival award ceremony began after 6 PM, with the first prize, the "Golden Camera Award for Best Debut Film," going to Singapore's film Ilo Ilo. The second award, Best Short Film, was won by the Korean movie Safe.

Director Jia Zhangke's A Touch of Sin won the Best Screenplay award, while Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda received the Jury Prize for Like Father, Like Son.

When it came time to present the Best Actress award, five actresses were nominated:

- Marion Cotillard for Rust and Bone, whose portrayal of a strong-willed woman earned widespread praise from critics.

- Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos, both nominated for Blue Is the Warmest Color.

- Bérénice Bejo for The Past.

- Géraldine Pailhas for Young and Beautiful.

The award ultimately went to Marion Cotillard, who had previously won the Best New Actress award at Cannes in 2004 and later claimed both the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Actress in 2008. This year, she became the Cannes Best Actress once again.

In terms of cinematic achievements, she had surpassed other French actresses.

When actor Christoph Waltz announced Marion Cotillard's name, the audience erupted in applause. Cotillard, visibly excited, hugged and kissed him before making her way to the stage, lifting her dress and happily receiving the box containing the Palme d'Or. On stage, she thanked director Jacques Audiard, Guillaume, Vincent Cassel, and Link, whom she called "the most intimate lover in the world."

"Link, are you happy?" Monica Bellucci teased, turning to him.

"Yes," Link replied, smiling as he looked at Cotillard on stage.

"Marion is over ten years older than you. Does that not bother you?" Monica joked again.

"Of course not. Love knows no age, race, or skin color—it’s all about connection. Marion and I have great chemistry."

"You seem to have chemistry with a lot of women," Monica remarked as she applauded with everyone when Marion left the stage.

Next came the Best Actor award. Nicole Kidman opened the envelope, glanced at the audience, and smiling, announced, “Mr. Link Beck for Rust and Bone.”

“Wow!”

As soon as Kidman said his name, the room buzzed with surprise, as it seemed rather odd for Link to win the award. Even Link himself was puzzled.

According to Cannes tradition, the eight main competition awards are typically distributed like slices of a cake, with each competing film receiving one award. However, this year, the jury had awarded both the Best Actor and Best Actress prizes to the leads from the same film, Rust and Bone, a rare and unexpected occurrence.

This year’s Cannes was also regarded as the highest-quality festival in the last five years. Renowned directors like the Coen Brothers, Roman Polanski, Jim Jarmusch, Hirokazu Kore-eda, François Ozon, Abdellatif Kechiche, Asghar Farhadi, and Jia Zhangke all had films competing in the main competition.

The four other actors nominated for Best Actor were all veterans:

- Bruce Dern, 76, for Nebraska, a seasoned Hollywood actor.

- Mathieu Amalric, the lead in Venus in Fur, a French acting legend who had won three César Awards for Best Actor and the Best Director award at Cannes.

- Jiang Wu for A Touch of Sin, also a seasoned actor.

- Oscar Isaac for Inside Llewyn Davis, whose acting was commendable.

Although Link’s performance in Rust and Bone was excellent, compared to these four actors, he didn't have a clear advantage. Nonetheless, the jury still awarded him, much to the surprise and confusion of the audience.

Regardless of how others felt, upon hearing his name, Link embraced Marion and Monica before fastening his suit jacket and making his way to the stage amid applause. He accepted the Palme d'Or from Nicole Kidman.

“This guy can win an award?” Leonardo DiCaprio frowned as he watched Link’s back.

“I saw Link’s performance in Rust and Bone. It was really impressive,” Tobey Maguire said, clapping.

“I know, but I can’t believe his performance was better than Bruce Dern’s or Mathieu Amalric’s,” Leonardo scoffed.

“Link’s our friend. Shouldn’t we be happy he won? Why do you seem upset?” Tobey asked, looking puzzled.

Grinding his teeth, Leonardo forced a small smile. “I’m not jealous of Link. Even though I’ve never won Best Actor at Cannes, I’ve won a Golden Globe and a Berlin Film Festival award. I’m not jealous—I’m just being honest. The festival awarded Best Actress to Marion and now Best Actor to Link. It’s against tradition.”

“There’s no rule at Cannes that says a film can only win one award. If a film is good enough and the performances are outstanding, it can win two or even three awards. Link and Marion Cotillard were equally great in Rust and Bone. The jury’s decision to award both of them seems reasonable,” Tobey explained.

“Hmph, just wait and see. After the ceremony, the media will tear Link apart,” Leonardo muttered.

“What does this have to do with Link?” Tobey asked.

“Everything. Everyone knows he’s a PR genius. Who’s to say this award wasn’t the result of PR? Even if it wasn’t, the media will think it was,” Leonardo replied.

"If there’s a most romantic place in the world, it’s Cannes. Thank you, beautiful Cannes, thank you, jury, and thank you to all my fans who support me. I love you all,” Link said, waving as he left the stage to a warm round of applause.

Though many disagreed with the award, no one dared to discuss it openly with Link present. After all, he was the boss of Lionsgate, and no one could guarantee they wouldn’t work with him in the future.

As Link approached, the audience from his film’s team greeted him with smiles, applause, and cheers.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of other film awards.

In the end, Spanish director Amat Escalante won Best Director for Heli, the Coen Brothers won the Grand Jury Prize for Inside Llewyn Davis, and the French film Blue Is the Warmest Color took home the top prize, the Palme d’Or.

The Cannes Film Festival awards ceremony concluded.

Aside from Roman Polanski’s Venus in Fur and Paolo Sorrentino’s The Great Beauty, which went home empty-handed, Link and Marion Cotillard’s double win for Rust and Bone became the biggest news of this Cannes Festival.

Their awards sparked widespread media discussion and controversy following the festival’s conclusion.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 530: Three Women*

“Jennifer, what's going on? Why did the jury give both the Best Actress and Best Actor awards to Rust and Bone? I remember that’s never happened in the history of the Cannes Film Festival,” Link asked as he and Jennifer Lawrence sat in the car on the way back to the hotel after the awards ceremony.

Wearing a red spaghetti-strap gown, Jennifer Lawrence, with her tall and curvy figure, smiled as she sat across from him and said, “Nothing unusual, really. It’s just how the jury voted. When it came to choosing the Best Actress, Marion Cotillard got the most votes, and since she's a French actress, it wasn’t surprising she won.

“When they were picking the Best Actor, you also had the most votes. Director Ang Lee raised the point that it would be better to choose an actor from another film to give other movies more exposure.

“I argued that your performance in Rust and Bone was clearly better than the others, and it wouldn’t be fair to deny you the award just because Marion won. Nicole Kidman agreed with me.

“Director Ang Lee handed the decision over to Steven Spielberg, the jury president. After considering it, Spielberg suggested a second round of voting, advising the jury to give more thought to the other four nominees.

“However, the second round of voting still showed that you had the most votes.

“After consulting with the festival organizers, Spielberg decided to honor the vote, and so the jury made history by awarding both Best Actor and Best Actress to actors from the same film,” Jennifer shrugged and laughed.

Link stroked his chin. “I haven’t seen the films of the other four nominees, but I’ve read reviews in the papers. The French media praised Bruce Dern and Mathieu Amalric, saying they were especially fantastic. The media even predicted one of them would win Best Actor. So why did I get more votes?”

Jennifer smiled, “In terms of acting, your performance in the film was definitely on par with theirs. Just because they’re older doesn’t mean they acted better than you. So it’s no surprise to me that you won the first round of voting.

“Before the second round, Spielberg suggested considering the other nominees more carefully, but the results still favored you. I think it might be because you're just too charming,” Jennifer looked at him with admiration.

Link chuckled, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. “So, I won this award purely on merit?”

“Of course. You’re amazing, and you deserved it. By the way, before the vote, Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz, Naomi Kawase, Asia Argento, and Zhang Ziyi all approached me to say you were fantastic. I think they were trying to win you over,” Jennifer said as she sat on his lap, hugging his neck.

“Is that so?”

If that was the case, it wasn’t just his acting that won him the award—it was also his influence and standing in the industry.

Unlike the Oscars, where there are six or seven thousand voters each year, the Cannes jury only consists of a dozen or so people per festival.

Link wondered if the jurors who voted for him, besides the few who wanted to get on his good side, feared that rejecting him might cause problems down the line and felt obligated to give him their votes.

But then again, that didn’t seem quite right either.

The people invited to be on the Cannes jury were top filmmakers from around the world, with significant status and accomplishments in the film industry, like Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, Nicole Kidman, and others from Asia and Europe.

They had no professional ties with him and didn’t need to worry about offending him. They could vote for whoever they liked without fear of consequences.

So, why did he still get the most votes in the second round?

Was his win truly based on skill, or were the jurors influenced by his status and position, or perhaps other factors?

As Link pondered this, his hand gently stroked the girl’s thigh, slowly moving up from the hem of her dress, hoping the touch would spark some inspiration, perhaps providing an answer to his question.

Jennifer let out a soft moan, wrapping her arms around his neck, her luscious red lips nearing his.

Link looked into her dreamy eyes and kissed her gently.

The business car departed from the Palais des Festivals and followed the coastal road along the Cannes beach, heading toward the hotel district in the east. The night view by the sea was beautiful, turning a five or six-minute drive into a half-hour journey.

When they reached the Croisette, the car first stopped in front of the Five Seas Hotel. Jennifer Lawrence, her face glowing, waved and headed inside with her small round handbag.

Link then continued down the road for about a hundred meters, arriving at another five-star hotel, the JW Marriott Cannes.

He did this to avoid suspicion.

After the awards ceremony, news of his Best Actor win had spread across the internet, sparking heated debates. Most of the talk online was filled with skepticism.

Many media outlets questioned whether he had used Oscar-style PR tactics to secure the award at Cannes.

If he and Jennifer were seen entering the same hotel, it would only fuel rumors, further stoking accusations that he had won through improper means and potentially harming Jennifer’s reputation as well.

—

Back at the hotel, after showering and changing into a breezy beach shirt and shorts, he met up with Marion Cotillard, Monica Bellucci, and others, and they enjoyed a French dinner by the beach with little Cassel.

During the meal, the conversation once again turned to Link and Marion both being named Best Actor and Best Actress at Cannes.

It was an unprecedented event, making for a lively topic.

“Hmph, what's there to talk about? Spielberg, Ang Lee, Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz, and your close friend Jennifer Lawrence all work in Hollywood, and you’re the boss of Lionsgate. Of course, they gave you the award,” Guillaume Canet said with a smirk.

His film Blood Ties had also been entered into this year’s Cannes Film Festival but received little attention.

This had already put him in a foul mood.

What made things worse was that Link, of all people, had won the Best Actor award. Guillaume had been acting for 20 years, appearing in over 60 roles, yet had never won anything at Cannes.

And now Link, a newcomer who had been in the industry for less than five years—a part-time actor and a billionaire no less—had become Best Actor at Cannes.

It was infuriating.

What irritated him even more was that Link and Marion were now both Cannes Best Actor and Best Actress in the same year. Their names would be written side by side in Cannes history, like a king and queen, making them seem like the perfect match.

He seemed unnecessary.

“That’s definitely not the reason you’re talking about. I’ve met with director Spielberg, but we don’t have much of a connection. The same goes for director Ang Lee, Nicole Kidman, and Christopher. They are all extremely professional and ethical filmmakers. There’s no way they would give me the Best Actor award just because of who I am. It’s unreasonable to think that way,” Link refuted.

“If that’s not the reason, then what is it? Don’t tell me your acting is better than Bruce Dern and Mathieu Amalric. That’s absolutely impossible,” Guillaume scoffed.

“Why is it impossible? Have you seen Rust and Bone and the other films that were nominated? Just because of your bias, do you think they deserve the award more than me?” Link countered.

“I don’t need to watch them to know your acting isn’t as good as theirs. You’re a boxer who spends all his time in the gym. No matter how good your acting is, how could it be better than actors who’ve been acting their whole lives?” Guillaume argued.

“What you’re saying doesn’t make sense. If being older automatically meant better acting, then all film festivals wouldn’t need a jury. They could just give the acting awards to the oldest actor,” Link replied.

“I didn’t say that. I just don’t think your acting is that good,” Guillaume stubbornly insisted.

“Hahaha…”

Marion Cotillard and Monica Bellucci, who had been listening to their conversation, couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Little Cassel, sitting in the children’s chair in the middle, was eating fruit dessert and curiously watching the adults with his sparkling eyes.

“These two are hilarious, Marion. You’re so lucky,” Monica said, clutching her chest as she laughed.

“You two, stop arguing,” Marion intervened. “Link winning the award shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Are you really going to take sides, my dear?” Guillaume asked, dejected.

“Don’t talk yet. Listen to my analysis first. Out of the five actors nominated this year, Link, Bruce Dern, and Mathieu Amalric gave the best performances and had the highest chances of winning.

“But Link and I are in the same movie, so that reduces his chances. Amalric is also a French actor. If both he and I win, it could make the Cannes Film Festival seem less international. Plus, Roman Polanski, who directed Amalric’s film, is controversial, which lowers his chances even more.”

“Then the winner should be Bruce Dern. Why would they give it to Link?” Guillaume asked.

“Bruce Dern is a veteran actor, and his acting is excellent. But you haven’t considered one thing: actors need Cannes to become famous, and Cannes needs actors to bring attention.

“Compared to Link, Mr. Dern isn’t as well-known in the entertainment industry. He wouldn’t bring as much buzz to Cannes. Giving the award to him wouldn’t be as beneficial as giving it to someone as famous as Link.

“Also, Link mentioned earlier that his win was the result of the jury members’ votes. Cannes just needs to respect the jury’s decision without interference. That’s why it makes sense for Link to win the award,” Marion said, smiling with a wine glass in hand, dressed in a white gown.

“But here’s the real question: why would the jury vote for Link? Is it because of his acting or some other factor influencing their decision?” Guillaume asked, casting a glance at Link.

“I think it’s still about his acting. Link and Marion gave outstanding performances in Rust and Bone, especially the emotional scenes. They had great chemistry, and their steamy scenes were really intense. It felt like they weren’t acting at all. Guillaume, you should watch it when you have time. I’ve seen the movie at least three times,” Monica said, gesturing animatedly.

“I’m not watching anything they made,” Guillaume grumbled, turning his head away in annoyance.

Link shrugged and held Marion’s hand under the table.

Monica smiled slightly. “French films are usually more open-minded. Cannes tends to favor these kinds of films. Look at Blue Is the Warmest Color, which won the Palme d’Or this year. It had similar scenes.

“In contrast, Bruce Dern’s Nebraska is about a group of elderly people nearing the end of their lives. The story is more depressing and somber. This year’s jury members are mostly young. I think they would prefer Rust and Bone over Nebraska.”

“That’s definitely a possibility,” Marion agreed with a smile.

Link nodded as well. The Cannes Film Festival is the most open of all festivals, especially regarding relationships.

Every year at Cannes, the Midnight Screenings feature films that are explicit and violent.

For example, Monica’s Irreversible, Nicole Kidman’s X, Cate Blanchett’s Carol, Gaspard Noé’s Love, as well as 9 Songs, Crash, Goodbye to Language, Marguerite & Julien, The World of Women, and others.

These types of films are always well-received at Cannes and sometimes even win the Palme d’Or.

For example, Blue Is the Warmest Color was praised by director Ang Lee immediately after it was screened this year.

Although Rust and Bone didn’t feature full nudity, it showed enough, and the scenes were pretty bold.

It’s no surprise that this kind of film would be popular at Cannes.

“Monica, Marion, it doesn’t matter if we think it’s reasonable. The media won’t agree, and they won’t be easily convinced.

“I’m sure that all the social media platforms are already buzzing with the news of Link’s win. Tomorrow, the global media will question the fairness of the Cannes Film Festival and accuse Link of winning through improper means. The honor Link receives from this award will be overshadowed by criticism.

“Link, I hope you’re ready to stay in a good mood tomorrow,” Guillaume said, swirling his wine glass, grinning mischievously.

“Thanks for the warning, but it’s no big deal. Ever since I started out, I’ve faced more criticism than praise. In ’09, ’10, and ’11, it happened almost every year. But so what? I’m still me, the brightest star in the world,” Link said with a calm smile.

“You’re so charming, my love,” Marion said, gazing at him. Unable to resist, she wrapped her arms around him and planted a warm, wine-scented kiss on his lips.

Monica Bellucci also glanced at Link, whose confident and masculine charm made her lips curl into a slight smile.

Seeing Link successfully play it cool and earn Marion’s kiss, Guillaume glared at him unhappily and sulkily downed his wine.

(End of Chapter)