The enchanting city of Paris set the stage for the European premiere of the film. Under the soft, radiant glow of Parisian streetlights, the event unfolded with an air of elegance.
On that auspicious day, not only were Martin and Nolan in attendance, but the main cast also graced the occasion. Among them, Mene had the pleasure of extending invitations to the esteemed Sophie Marceau and Isabelle Huppert, who joined the event as special guests.
During the photo session, Menet, effortlessly debonair, stood positioned between the two illustrious French actresses. He adorned their waists with a hand each, exuding an indescribable charm that captivated the crowd.
In that moment, he singlehandedly seized the spotlight, earning accolades from the French media who hailed him as the "second-best African-American supporting actor in Hollywood, following in the footsteps of Morgan Freeman."
Of course, Martin, with his undeniable charisma, did not fade into the background either. The red carpet was flanked by a sea of crimson, with hundreds of fans donning Coca-Cola T-shirts, their Cokes raised high in homage to Martin.
Their jubilant cries echoed, "Long live the leader!" Some even went further, exclaiming, "Master, lead us in overthrowing the decrepit Paris City Hall and establish the realm of the Coca-Cola God!"
In the midst of Paris's famed romanticism, its citizens, ever ready to strike, entertained the notion of a new wave of demonstrations, this time set to the tune of Coca-Cola.
Martin, embracing the festive spirit, popped open a can of Coke and joined the jubilant crowd.
The Parisian followers of Coca-Cola were electrified, passionately rallying for a strike to commemorate the arrival of their revered leader. Yet, in the end, their fervor remained more symbolic than substantial—after all, in Paris, they were either on strike or en route to one.
In stark contrast, the British actors within the crew received a tepid reception from fans and media alike. Their presence went largely unnoticed as they moved briskly past the festivities.
After the successful premiere, Martin and Ellen Page accepted Isabelle Huppert's gracious invitation for a drink. An informal gathering, for drinks only, as Leonardo and Nicholson had already convened their own soirée in Paris.
For Martin, it was a moment to recharge before the impending battle with the Russians.
The crew later returned to their hotel. As Tom Hardy entered the premises, he crossed paths with Leonardo and Nicholson, who had also returned from their outing. Familiar with Nolan, they exchanged pleasantries.
Tom Hardy lingered, eavesdropping on their conversation. He overheard Leonardo mentioning a forthcoming party and extending an invitation to Nolan, who politely declined.
Taking the elevator to his room, Tom Hardy contemplated Leonardo's words. The notorious trio of Hollywood luminaries, including Martin and Nicholson, were known for their extravagant parties, often drawing a diverse crowd of mischief-makers.
As someone with experience in the industry, Tom Hardy had heard countless rumors. Among them was the existence of an exclusive organization akin to a "Fashion Super Model Group" in the United States, where Martin was a frequent guest.
It was said that the trio often hosted covert gatherings, attracting a multitude of attendees for their revelries.
Deep in thought, Tom Hardy deliberated for a few minutes before summoning his confidant, Rogers. He instructed, "Quietly investigate who Leonardo and Nicholson, residing in this hotel, have been associating with recently. Rumor has it they're planning a grand party."
Rogers found himself puzzled by his boss's intentions and cautiously voiced his doubts, "I'm not entirely sure what you have in mind, boss."
Tom Hardy reassured him with a friendly pat on the shoulder, "No worries, Rogers. Just ask discreetly."
With a knowing grin, Rogers offered his advice, "A little tip can work wonders. The doorman and lobby waiters are usually quite chatty."
Tom Hardy nodded in agreement, emphasizing, "Just remember, we don't want to draw any unnecessary attention."
After their brief discussion, Rogers exited the room and made his way downstairs. He lingered near the doorman, surreptitiously slipping a few euros into his hand before gently probing for information.
Wary that the doorman might be less than forthcoming, Rogers extended his inquiries to two other lobby waitstaff, hoping to corroborate the details before returning upstairs.
Upon reentering Tom Hardy's room and closing the door, Rogers shared his findings, "Boss, I've managed to gather quite a bit of information. Leonardo and Nicholson arrived at the hotel a day ahead of the crew. They've been in frequent contact with the recently divorced Russian supermodel, Natalia Vodianova. Today, they engaged in a lengthy conversation in the lobby lounge."
Tom Hardy, well-versed in such matters, scratched his chin and contemplated the situation, "That's peculiar. Natalia is only 27, and she doesn't typically fall within Leonardo's usual interests."
Rogers provided a plausible explanation, "Don't forget, we've heard rumors of a grand party they might be planning. Natalia wields substantial influence in Russia, Ukraine, and the former Soviet Union. It's possible that Leonardo is using her connections. Besides, Eastern Europe boasts a wealth of high-quality young female models."
Tom Hardy considered this possibility. He himself had attended numerous industry gatherings facilitated by well-connected intermediaries. For instance, Isabelle Huppert's legendary costume party in the Paris entertainment circuit had been organized through her personal connections.
Curious, Tom Hardy asked, "Did you manage to uncover any other attendees?"
Rogers responded with a hushed tone, "I didn't inquire about anyone else. The focus was primarily on Leonardo and Natalia's interactions, with no mention of others."
Tom Hardy pondered the situation, concluding, "It seems likely that the trio of Hollywood luminaries is indeed planning a party. The question remains—when and where?"
Rogers chimed in, frustrated, "And they haven't invited us yet. Quite the audacious bunch."
Tom Hardy ran his hand through his hair, deep in thought. After a moment, he issued instructions, "Rogers, head back downstairs and offer larger tips. Encourage the doorman to stay vigilant. If Martin, Leonardo, and Nicholson leave the hotel together, we need to know immediately."
Rogers expressed concerns, "Boss, are you sure about this? We don't want to stir up any trouble."
Tom Hardy assured him, "We won't take any unnecessary risks. Our goal is simply to determine their meeting time and place. Once we have that, we can tip off the media."
Rogers let out a sigh of relief, but still voiced his worries, "Let's hope this doesn't backfire on us. I've heard stories about Martin's adversaries in Hollywood. Some of them ended up in the hospital."
Tom Hardy frowned and retorted, "When did you become so timid? You're still young."
Rogers defended his caution, "Hollywood may have forgotten those folks, but I recently spotted a news report about Ben Affleck buried in the newspaper. Apparently, he sought temporary medical treatment."
Tom Hardy's expression darkened briefly, but he maintained his resolve, "We won't engage in anything risky. Our mission is simply to gather information on when and where they plan to meet. After that, we'll notify the media."
As Rogers left the room, Tom Hardy gazed out of the window at the luminous Parisian streets below, finding some comfort in the view.
After careful consideration, he instructed Rogers to rent a car and purchase a disposable mobile phone the following morning, emphasizing the need for discretion.
Meanwhile, the film crew remained deeply engaged in their promotional activities across Paris. Martin, Nolan, and Menet were the busiest, attending a minimum of two events daily, ranging from exclusive interviews with "Le Figaro" to appearances on France 1's flagship program. Their presence was ubiquitous.
"Inception" had already made waves in North America, and its infusion of French elements, combined with the star power of Martin and Nolan, propelled the film to an impressive $8.89 million opening weekend in France.
Across the channel in the UK, "Inception" also had a strong debut, raking in $9.66 million during its first weekend.
This European and Latin American release strategy paid off handsomely, with "Inception" amassing a remarkable $62.2 million in its debut week overseas.
In North America, the film enjoyed remarkable stability thanks to its glowing reputation. It experienced only a 39% drop in earnings during the following weekend, adding another $45.92 million to its impressive box office tally.
With the cumulative earnings from the previous four days, "Inception" had already crossed the $150 million mark in North America alone.
Nicholson lounged in the hotel room, setting aside his newspaper, and quipped to Martin, "You sly devil, you've got it all—reputation and box office success."
Martin grinned and replied, "You know what they say about vision? Well, this is it!"
Leonardo chimed in with a playful smirk, "Since you're such a visionary, tell me, when will I win the Best Actor award?"
Nicholson interjected with a chuckle, "Give it another ten years!"
Martin, however, pondered, "Maybe there's a chance this year." Inspired by a recent conversation with Natalie Portman, he felt a surge of creativity. "Harvey Weinstein's downfall has left a void in the awards season. With ample resources and quick action, we might just snag an Oscar."
Nicholson nodded in agreement, "Your plan does hold water."
Martin ruminated on the current Best Actor contenders, but the list eluded him. He couldn't recall the actors vying for the coveted accolade. He realized that Harvey Weinstein's influence had loomed large during his previous stint in Hollywood, but now that Weinstein was out of the picture, the landscape was uncertain.
Leonardo found newfound confidence in their discussion, asserting, "My performance in 'Shutter Island' was exceptional, and the film garnered critical acclaim. After a decade of striving, perhaps it's finally time for the Academy to recognize my talent, don't you think?"
Nicholson offered a measured response, "It's hard to say."
Martin, always the strategist, continued, "In recent years, the Oscars have become increasingly predictable. Winning awards requires more than just a good role and standard publicity. Leo, when you've irked the establishment, you need to make a statement. Prove that you're more than just a prodigal son chasing gold!"
Leonardo questioned, "Haven't my ten years of dedication been proof enough?"
Martin leaned in, his eyes gleaming with determination, "I've got a plan. If you follow my lead, you'll have a 90% chance of winning Best Actor next year."
Leonardo's curiosity was piqued, though he suspected Martin was up to something. He'd struggled for recognition in Hollywood for years, while Martin had already secured an Oscar for acting. Reluctantly, Leonardo asked, "What's your brilliant idea?"
Martin responded earnestly, "It's a straightforward way to show the Oscar judges that Leonardo DiCaprio has turned over a new leaf. Getting married at the start of the awards season will change their perception of you, proving that you've matured beyond the rebellious golden-haired youth they once knew."