Arthur Smith's Hollywood Odyssey

After spending two days with Winona Ryder, Arthur returned to Los Angeles, just waiting for the preparations for Sleeping with the Enemy to be completed so they could start filming!

However, Hollywood heartthrob Tom Cruise, who had recently shone brightly at the Golden Globe Awards, divorced his wife, Mimi Rogers.

Arthur wasn't very surprised when he saw this news upon returning to Los Angeles. He merely marveled at how Nicole Kidman was indeed quite impressive. It seemed that during the filming of Days of Thunder, the relationship between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman had progressed rapidly!

"Ah, Sleepless in Seattle moved up its release date?"

Arthur received a notification from Castle Rock as soon as he woke up at home. The release date for Sleepless in Seattle had been moved up from the summer to March 20th.

"Why's that?" Arthur asked.

"It's Columbia's call. They have other films set for the summer, needing the promotional resources. And now, Columbia TriStar has already begun the promotion. The release next month won't change!"

"Oh, I see. I'll cooperate wherever I'm needed," Arthur replied. What opinions could Arthur have?

It was the decision of Columbia TriStar, the distributor. Even if it was Castle Rock's idea, Arthur would still have to comply.

After hanging up the phone, Arthur sat on the sofa and rubbed his face. An early release was fine; he had absolute confidence in this Sleepless in Seattle!

Releasing during the Oscar period wasn't an issue either, as the Oscars were usually held in late March, without a fixed location yet.

It would take over ten years before it would settle permanently at the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, moving the event to late February. By then, the theater could also sell naming rights.

Arthur kept an eye on the progress of Sleeping with the Enemy and had even encountered Kevin Costner reviewing the editing progress of Dances with Wolves.

Additionally, Orion was set to release a sequel, RoboCop 2, during the summer!

"Is Mr. Medavoy not here?" Arthur asked the company employees.

"Mr. Medavoy is in New York!"

"Oh, thank you," Arthur replied. It seemed that Orion wasn't in great shape. Most employees probably knew about Orion's financial troubles. RoboCop 2 and Dances with Wolves both needed to be released this year.

Even Arthur's Sleeping with the Enemy was required to release this year, mainly to recoup and fill the gaps!

But Orion's current financial hole was significant. They released quite a few works every year, many of which were unprofitable. Arthur was genuinely concerned about the $5 million budget for The Silence of the Lambs. After all, they had only allocated $1 million so far for preparatory work.

"Hey, Arthur, good afternoon. Nice to see you again!"

"Oh, it's you, Jennifer," Arthur encountered Jennifer Connelly at Orion. "Good afternoon!"

"Aren't you supposed to be filming in Texas?" Arthur asked, having previously auditioned for The Hot Spot.

Jennifer Connelly smiled, "We've finished filming. I'm here for dubbing. The movie is currently in post-production!"

"So, it should be releasing this year too," Arthur didn't need to guess. Given Orion's current slate of independent projects, it was no wonder they were short of money!

Jennifer Connelly nodded, "It's scheduled for a fall release."

"Let's have dinner together. I know a nice restaurant in North Hollywood," Arthur invited Jennifer.

"Sure, I'm a bit hungry!"

Soon, Arthur drove Jennifer Connelly to a French restaurant on Burbank Boulevard in North Hollywood.

"Have a seat," Arthur helped Jennifer with her coat.

"Arthur, you're quite the gentleman," Jennifer said, her figure truly stunning without the coat.

Arthur complimented, "Your figure is incredible, Jennifer!"

Jennifer Connelly smiled, "Thanks, though I feel I've gained a bit..."

They chatted over dinner. Jennifer Connelly turned out to be quite an intellect, having transferred from Yale to Stanford before dropping out to return to Hollywood!

She could speak fluent French and Italian. Due to limited career success in the 80s, Jennifer couldn't land good roles now.

"The Hot Spot seems to bank on the sensuality of you and Virginia Madsen. The quality of such films isn't usually high," Arthur commented as they walked out of the restaurant after dinner.

Virginia Madsen, another renowned bombshell, was 29 years old. The Hot Spot sold on the sensuality of both actresses.

Jennifer sighed, "I can only get these kinds of roles now. Apart from showcasing my figure in movies, I get no opportunities."

Arthur chuckled, putting an arm around her shoulder, "We're still young. What's there to fear? I even auditioned for a minor role in The Hot Spot. Look at me now, I can almost decide the lead actor for Sleeping with the Enemy. Of course, this needs Orion's approval, but my opinion counts for something. You're only 20. No need to rush. Doing too many of these films will typecast you, like Virginia Madsen who's stuck being seen as a bombshell."

Jennifer laughed, "You treated me to dinner; let me treat you to drinks. I thought you'd ignore us small-time actors now that you're a producer!"

Arthur winked, "I told you, I'm a fan of yours. Let's head to Northridge; I know that area better."

"Sure," Jennifer had no objections. Arthur Smith, 21, successful and handsome - how could girls not like him?

"Look over there," Arthur pointed to a small office building on Burbank Boulevard while driving. "I've set up Galaxy Films, and that's my rented office. Once the renovation is done, I'll be working there."

"Galaxy," Jennifer looked in the direction Arthur pointed. A two-story building, small but sufficient for an independent film production company.

Surprised, she asked, "Arthur, are you planning to develop movies on your own?"

Arthur nodded, "Developing my own movies gives me control. Otherwise, it's troublesome. But this has to be gradual. I'm still new and need to build up experience!"

Jennifer admired, "You're already remarkable, being a producer."

North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley, right next to the gates of Burbank, was quite convenient!

Soon, Arthur held Jennifer Connelly's hand and entered a bar...

*****

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