"Director Moran, how come you're at the premiere of 'Adaptation' today? Are you interested in it, or are you interested in the actors inside? Or..."
"Stop!" Laila quickly stopped him, "If you ask so many questions at once, I don't know where to start."
The journalist chuckled twice. Wasn't he afraid she would run away? Since she wasn't running, he would definitely ask slowly!
"Are you interested in today's movie?"
Laila didn't mind that her words would be like an advertisement: "Yes, I think it's a very interesting movie."
"Interesting?" The journalist recalled the answers he heard from others just now and couldn't help confirming again, "Some audience members thought the movie was quite headache-inducing, feeling like they were being fooled over and over again."
"This is also a type of movie, isn't it? Just like some people like to watch horror movies, and some people like musicals, I think brain-burning works of this type also have their charm."
The journalist asked again, "What is your evaluation of the actors in the movie?"
"I have to say, I came for the actors at first. I like Meryl Streep's performance and also like several of Nicolas Cage's previous works."
The journalist's eyes lit up, "So, do you have any plans to collaborate with them in the future?"
"Of course, if there are suitable roles, I would be very willing to invite them to join."
The coincidental random interview quickly appeared on television programs. The production team, seeing this opportunity, increased their promotional efforts and kept playing this interview segment to generate more interest in the movie. Although they didn't have high expectations for the box office initially, who would complain about making more money? They didn't miss such a windfall.
As expected, the movie's box office increased significantly in the following days, far exceeding their expectations. However, due to the nature of the film, the increase was limited. Still, they were satisfied with the unexpected earnings.
Meryl herself saw the interview on television, especially her children, who were very happy to know about it.
"Mom, if Laila invites you to act, would you agree?"
"Definitely! I want her autograph when that happens!"
Meryl looked at her four children, placing her hand on the youngest one's head, "You all like Director Moran so much?"
"Yes! She's the best director! We love every movie she makes."
Meryl frowned, "I remember she used to make horror and R-rated films. Dear, is it okay for you to watch such movies?"
The two little ones realized they had spilled the beans and giggled, covering their mouths, "She also made movies we like, like martial arts films with Jackie Chan and 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'!"
Thinking of Harry Potter, Meryl's furrowed brow finally relaxed, "I see. If she really invites me, I will definitely consider it."
However, she didn't think the possibility was high. She was very selective with scripts, and her twelve Oscar nominations attested to that. She made movies for the challenge, not just for money.
Laila's films were quite different from the types Meryl liked, and she didn't see much potential for collaboration between them. Perhaps Laila was just speaking casually? However, she promised the children, if a script did come, even if it was not her preferred genre, she might give it a try.
On the other hand, Nicolas Cage also saw the same interview. He was quite interested in Laila because the films he had taken after gaining fame weren't very satisfying. Laila's films, on the other hand, had received critical acclaim. He wanted to make more classic films, and working with her would be great.
He didn't know Laila added his name purely for the movie's publicity. In the future, starting around 2009, he took on many low-quality films due to financial reasons, accepting up to four in a single year. He went from an Oscar-winning actor to the king of bad movies, breaking many fans' hearts.
At this point, he hadn't shown signs of decline, but Laila had already formed an impression of him.
If Nicolas knew the truth, he would probably feel innocent. He wasn't the king of bad movies yet, so why was he already convicted?
On the 10th, "Chicago" finally premiered!
The premiere was still star-studded, and Laila finally saw Roy that night. After the talk show last time, he and Renee returned to the set, and they didn't have a chance to talk. This time, when they met, Roy grabbed her hand and refused to let go.
To promote the movie, the collaborating production team invited many celebrities to attend, along with numerous film critics and media for the premiere.
Walking the red carpet and answering a few routine questions, Roy couldn't wait to take Laila to a secluded spot in the cinema to express his innermost desires with a passionate kiss.
After catching their breath from the intense kiss, they looked at each other and smiled.
"Let's go back quickly. It won't be good if the director and the male lead are found missing," Laila said, taking out a tissue to wipe off the lipstick mark on his lips.
Roy nodded but showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he put her hand to his lips and kissed from her fingers to the back of her hand. Slow and deliberate, full of affection.
Laila was teased by his actions, and her cheeks flushed. In just a few days, she felt he had matured again. Perhaps it was due to the movie's shoot, his beard, which he hadn't left for a long time, had grown, and his hair had become longer, giving him a more mature and seasoned look.
This made Laila feel like she might have a hidden "uncle lover" attribute. Why did her heart race every time she saw him dressed more maturely?
Looking at her with that drowning gaze, she felt his pheromones were about to engulf her. Not only was her heartbeat out of control, but even her breathing and blood seemed to have gained a life of their own, chaotic and capricious.
Unable to bear it, she withdrew her hand and covered his eyes, "You're not allowed to look at me again."
As soon as the words were out, she was almost frightened by the coquettish tone in her voice. Was that something she would say? Was that a sound she would make? When did she develop this... "soft girl" attribute?
Roy laughed twice, his low voice full of magnetism.
"If you don't want me to see it, then who do you want to see it?"