America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

In the studio, Chad pressed the remote, and the TV screen displayed edited clips of old-style Bruce Lee action films, specifically for Martin to watch and learn from.

In the film, the male lead, Eddie, acquired his fighting skills without a teacher, mainly from studying and imitating action movies.
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Martin always took his work seriously and watched very carefully.

Chad said, "His moves are characterized by speed, accuracy, and ferocity, knocking down his opponents in a straightforward manner, absolutely forceful and vigorous."

In his past life as a stunt double, Martin had also studied Jeet Kune Do. After watching closely, he said, "Let's give it a try."

The two had already changed into their practice clothes and moved to an area with thick mats. Chad specifically emphasized, "Let's start slow, get familiar with the routine, then speed up."

Martin nodded, "No problem."

The two proceeded to rehearse the movement sequence as if in slow motion.

After all, film shooting isn't real combat fighting. Even with a combat style that's punch for punch, the first priority is to maintain a cool and good look.

If an action scene were actually to turn into an unsightly brawl, the audience might as well spit all over the screen.

Chad's fight choreography style also verged on practical combat.

For the entire morning, they practiced the movement sequence.

Before noon, after showering and changing, Martin and Chad went to the Smoky House restaurant opposite the Warner Bros. Studios.

After ordering his meal, Martin noticed someone at the next table he recognized.

The girl with the dimples that deepened when she smiled kept looking over at him.

Martin took the initiative to nod, "Good afternoon, Mia."

The waitress from the studio's cold drink stall and also an actress, Mia, quickly responded, "Hello, Martin."

Then, she introduced the man opposite her, "This is Sebastian, a pianist."

Martin said, "I know you."

Sebastian got up and bowed slightly, "Mr. Davis, you have sent me flowers several times."

The man was the restaurant's pianist, and a few times when Martin came for a meal with a companion and was in a good mood, he would pay for a bouquet of flowers to be sent over.

All over the world, it's common for the pianist to receive a tip for flowers sent.

"You carry on," Martin said, not wanting to disturb them further, and turned back to continue talking shop with Chad.

Beyond close combat, the film also involved gunfight scenes.

As their meal was served, they ate and talked.

Chad still held his previous view, "The smart drug enhances the protagonist's learning abilities. Like with guns, learn from the movies. I'll pick out some practical gunfight film clips for you to imitate later on."

Martin reminded, "Don't make the gunfight too intense. It's just a supporting scene, don't steal the limelight from the main plot."

Chad was aware of this, "I understand."

After lunch and a short rest, Martin changed sets.

"Infernal Affairs" had already started post-production at Warner Bros. Studios, and Scorsese needed a few main actors to record voiceovers for some scenes.

Arriving at the studio, Martin encountered Leonardo and Nicholson, two scoundrels, but ignored them to greet the director first.

Without any small talk, Scorsese went straight to work, "I called you three here because most of the scenes you need to voice are filled with dirty language. Especially, Martin and Leo, you're not putting enough force into the curses."

Martin asked, "You're talking about the voiceover for the 'fuck' parts?"

Scorsese nodded, "Whether it's you 'fucking' Leo, or Leo 'fucking' you, both need that extreme loathing in their power!" He led the way to the recording studio, "Come with me."

They entered the recording studio together. Leonardo, holding the script, went into the recording booth first. The embedded screen on the wall played the long shot of the rooftop showdown.

Leonardo tried to record, and out came a torrent of lines starting with 'F' into the microphone.

Scorsese put down his headset and called Leonardo out, "The power I'm talking about isn't the volume of your voice. It's about tone and emotion, things that can't be fixed by glaring, frowning, or yelling."

That was precisely Leonardo's three-strike force when exerting effort.

He scratched his head, "I'll try again."

The recording started again, but Scorsese was still dissatisfied and called Leonardo out once more.

Even though he was one of the biggest Hollywood stars, Leonardo wasn't an actor with explosive innate talent. After pacing back and forth a couple of times, he still couldn't find the right feeling.

Scorsese pointed at Martin, "Think of him as your mortal enemy!"

Leonardo looked at Martin, still frowning.

Martin suddenly had an idea but didn't act rashly. As Leonardo turned to the far side of the room, he whispered to the director, "I have a method."

Scorsese knew the Trio of Scoundrels was full of dirty tricks, but sometimes they did work. He nodded, "Give it a try."

When Leonardo turned back, Martin suddenly said, "Can you do it, Leo? Or is your voice acting like your performance in bed, an 11-second man, perhaps?"

Scorsese asked at just the right moment, "What's an 11-second man?"

Martin gestured as he explained, "You know, in male-female matters!"

Scorsese's old face turned especially animated.

Leonardo immediately got angry and gave Martin the middle finger, "Fuck off! Fuck..."

A string of profanities burst out of his mouth.

Scorsese clapped his hands and shouted, "Yes, that's the feel!" He then pushed Leonardo into the recording studio, "Capture this feeling while it's fresh, start right away!"

That bastard's shitty trick, if used well, was also helpful to the crew.

Leonardo's voice acting was successfully completed.

When it was Martin's turn to go in, he said with a sneer, "Theresa, Melissa, KK, Angela, Doutzen, these people are obsessed with you, all wanting to know where your house is to pay a visit. Should I tell them? Also, shoot a video, send it to Blake. Spectacular!"

Nicholson, the old bastard, couldn't forget to add something, "How about sending a copy to Jolie as well?"

"I've got another stage next door in my other production, you're welcome to come over later for a visit, we can practice some action sequences together." Martin entered the recording booth and it took him two tries to really get the feel and complete a bunch of "fuck" voiceovers.

By comparison, Nicholson had the easiest time, as his character had fewer lines to record.

In this film alone, the fucks that popped out of the Trio of Scoundrels' mouths would exceed 500.

After post-production editing, it's estimated there would still be no fewer than 200.

By mid-afternoon, the work was declared finished.

Martin called over Leonardo and Nicholson to a studio not far away, suggesting the former put on a practice outfit and join him for some exercise.

Leonardo wasn't having it. He said, "Apart from water gun fights, I don't shoot any other action scenes. No need for practice."

Martin exposed weaknesses professionally, "That's true. When you turn into a greasy, fat uncle like Jack, the Oscars will give you the little gold man."

This line insulted two bastards at once, and before Leonardo could respond, Nicholson retorted, "You little bastard, with the way you're playing now, you won't be able to get it up past thirty. Then we'll play while you watch, crying your eyes out."

Martin snorted coldly, "You don't understand my strength at all. Look at Leo, after playing for so many years, no problems, and I'm much stronger than him."

"Who says he hasn't had issues?" Nicholson went into chaos mode, "He's at eleven seconds now!"

Leonardo came up from behind and pretended to strangle Nicholson, "I'm going to kill you!"

"Don't kill him, he's still useful to me. Wait until I'm done with him, then you can kill him however you like." Martin patted Nicholson on the back, "Old bastard, there's a big villain in this movie, a Wall Street tycoon. Interested?"

Nicholson half-joked, "Nothing less than ten million dollars and I won't do it!"

Martin gave him the middle finger, "You can go to hell."

Nicholson broke free from Leonardo's embrace and asked, "Shall we find a place to hang out tonight?"

But Leonardo shook his head, "No, I need to conserve energy lately."

Nicholson's eyes widened, "You're not going to betray the trio like Martin, are you?"

Martin wasn't pleased, "How have I become a traitor?"

"You fucker got a girlfriend!" Leonardo answered first, then explained, "I've just gotten back to being single; why would I need a steady girlfriend? Do you know how great it is to have a different beautiful girl every night?"

Nicholson nodded somberly, "I know!"

He had played around far more than Leonardo when he was young.

Martin was ashamed and without a place to hide, realizing that he was holding back the Trio of Scoundrels.

So, he had to work hard.

In the evening, Martin invited the two bastards out for drinks, and the three of them arrived at the Avalon Nightclub.

Before entering the club, he specially got the prepared stuff from Old Cloth.

Martin ordered a bottle of whiskey and saw that Leonardo and Nicholson had casually chosen a spot in the first-floor hall, so he went over and sat down.

After a few drinks, Martin, seemingly drunk, said, "Leo, Jack, the three of us scoundrels, perfect in our scumminess, we've crawled through holes and sharpened our guns together, our relationship's beyond words!"

"Ever since Warren Beatty got married and returned to family life, and Marlon Brando went to meet God, it's been a long time since I've found bastards with a temperament like yours." Nicholson raised his glass, toasting each of them, "To our Trio of Scoundrels!"

Leonardo and Martin raised their glasses and drank together.

Martin went on, "Since we're the Trio of Scoundrels, I'll share a secret with you guys. Do you know why I'm so strong?"

On this topic, Leonardo was irritated, "Just young and strong, that's all."

"No," Martin took out two small green boxes from his pocket and placed them on the table, "The real secret is these!"

Nicholson asked, "What's this drug?"

"It's a drug with no side effects, great for that particular use." Since they were the Trio of Scoundrels, how could they not do scoundrelly things? Remembering how the two bastards had paps take sneaky photos of him, Martin recommended seriously, "The effects are extremely good, I'm the best example."

Leonardo was skeptical, "Are you serious?"

Martin countered, "Have I ever not had a good reputation?"

Having personally witnessed Martin's capabilities, they both pocketed the gifts.

Nicholson tapped Martin's arm and gestured with his eyes, "Pitt has arrived."

At the bar's entrance, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck walked in together.