On the evening of the 25th, the American Music Awards ceremony concluded at the Nokia Center.
Taylor swept five awards, becoming the biggest winner of the music awards. Link, who didn't feel wronged, was considered by the media as "the most frustrated person at the American Music Awards."
Based on the sales of his two albums exceeding five million copies within a year, he would have been qualified to win Artist of the Year in any other year.
This time, due to MJ's passing, he didn't even win Favorite Male Artist - Pop/Rock.
Many people lamented his bad luck.
However, Link's response to reporters after the event also earned him a lot of praise.
Taylor was his girlfriend and music teacher, and MJ was his idol and goal. Losing to these two people wasn't something to be too upset about.
After the American Music Awards, Link was busy with training and participating in the promotional activities for "The Fighter."
"The Fighter" was released for three days and earned $127,000 at the box office in six theaters in the United States. The average daily box office per theater increased to $7,055, and the attendance rate reached 81%, which was considered a good performance for an art film.
Seeing the good results of the film's limited release, the distributor Paramount Pictures increased the number of theaters to 1,209 on Monday, with an estimated box office of around $20 million for the first week.
However, other commercial blockbusters released during the same period included "The Twilight Saga: New Moon," "2012," "The Blind Side," and "Up."
For "The Fighter" to break through the competition from these blockbusters and achieve good results was no easy task.
"Link, stop reading that stuff."
At an outdoor cafe on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, director Woody Allen walked over, took away the newspaper from his hands, sat down on the wicker chair opposite him, and took off his hat, saying, "You're an actor. After the movie is released, it has nothing to do with you anymore. No matter how much the box office is or what the reviews are like, it's a done deal. You can't change it. Reading that stuff will only waste your time."
"I want to see how these people criticize me and then find ways to correct myself and avoid making the same mistakes next time."
Link greeted Woody Allen. He was originally training at the boxing gym when Woody Allen called, saying he wanted to chat with him, so he had to put down the barbell and come over.
Woody Allen laughed and took out a cigarette, saying, "Few people who write film reviews are experts. Listening to their advice will only lead you astray. The best place for an actor to improve is on set."
"Okay!"
Link nodded in agreement and called the waiter to bring Director Allen a cup of coffee.
"Come, take a look at this. Find a girl you like."
Director Woody Allen took out a few photos and placed them on the glass table.
Link picked them up and looked. There were Anne Hathaway, Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson, Rachel McAdams, Kristen Stewart, Amanda Seyfried, Liv Tyler, Megan Fox, and others.
They were all popular actresses in the industry, and their acting skills were not bad.
"The one I like?"
Link looked through them and smiled. "They're all great. It's hard to find one I don't like."
"You have to choose one because after the movie starts shooting, you'll need to spend dozens of days with her, playing a couple. If you choose the wrong one, you'll be the one who suffers in the end."
Director Woody Allen stirred his coffee and said.
Feeling that the sunlight overhead was too glaring, he called the waiter again and asked them to move the awning to block it.
"How about Kristen? I'm very familiar with her, and it should be easy to get along with her. Plus, she's very popular."
Link knew about Woody Allen. He preferred to work with popular stars when making movies, and acting skills were secondary.
Later, when he was almost ninety, he even collaborated with Selena on "A Rainy Day in New York." A cute young lady and a mischievous old man, their collaboration must have been very enjoyable.
"Kristen? Why is her photo here?"
Woody Allen took the photo and looked at it. "Kristen won't do. Her face is too cold, suitable for playing tragic roles. My movies are mostly light comedies, and her style doesn't fit."
Link shook his head helplessly and took out Scarlett Johansson's photo.
"You've collaborated with her the most. How about collaborating again?"
Director Woody Allen took the photo, stroking his chin and examining it.
"Originally, she was the first choice for the female lead, but she's a bit older than you and looks more mature. Playing an unmarried couple wouldn't be very fitting. Anne Hathaway has the same issue."
Link rubbed his forehead, feeling like the old man was teasing him.
"Based on age, no one here is suitable for me."
"How about her?"
Woody Allen pulled out a photo from the pile and tapped it with his fingertip.
"Jennifer Lawrence, from Kentucky, nineteen years old this year. Her performance in 'The Burning Plain' was excellent. I suggest you watch it."
Link looked at Jennifer Lawrence's photo. She wasn't particularly beautiful, with some baby fat on her face and noticeable freckles, but her acting was indeed good, top-notch among post-90s actors.
"Since you have a suitable candidate, why do you need me to choose?"
Link raised an eyebrow and said, displeased.
"Haha, this is a discussion, the role hasn't been finalized. If you don't think she's suitable, we can find someone else."
Woody Allen laughed.
Link nodded, took out his phone, opened the photo album, and handed Woody Allen a photo of Emma Stone.
"I've seen Jennifer Lawrence's movies. Her appearance and temperament are quite strong, suitable for strong female lead roles, which doesn't seem quite right for our film. This is Emma Stone. She's acted in several campus comedies and is suitable for light comedies. Her acting is also great. Why don't you try her out?"
Director Woody Allen looked at the photo, nodded, and said he would watch her work first.
"Link, this film is scheduled to start shooting in March or April. I hope you can grow your hair out a bit. Your face shape is great, and long hair will definitely make you look more handsome. If you wear a pair of glasses, I bet no one would look more like a writer or philosopher than you."
Woody Allen gestured with his hands, talking about hair.
Link touched his short hair and didn't mind growing it out. It was easier than gaining dozens of pounds.
However, in addition to the tour in March or April, he also had to release a new album, and maybe even a boxing match, so the timing might not work out.
Link explained the situation to Director Allen. The tour was scheduled in advance and couldn't be changed.
"It's okay. We can shoot other scenes first and then your scenes last."
Director Woody Allen nodded.
Link was relieved. It was indeed easier to talk to someone he knew. If it were a stranger director, they might have considered replacing him at this point.
The two chatted about the script at the cafe for a while, and then Director Allen left because he had something to attend to.
Link called Catherine and told her about "Midnight in Paris," asking Emma Stone to audition.
He also mentioned Jennifer Lawrence, the female lead of "The Burning Plain," to Catherine.
He asked her to check if Jennifer Lawrence had signed with an agency.
Jennifer Lawrence was also a promising newcomer, and signing her while she was just starting was a good idea.
"Link, there's one more thing. After the release of 'The Fighter,' the response has been very good. The comments in the newspapers are all praising your acting. The company has received over thirty scripts, all hoping to collaborate with you.
According to your requirements for big productions, big directors, and high salaries, there are currently two projects that meet your criteria.
One is DreamWorks' 'Real Steel,' with Steven Spielberg as executive producer, about a story of a boxer and robots. The other is Sylvester Stallone's new movie project, an action film tentatively titled 'The Expendables.' The role is not yet determined, and they said they need to talk to you first."
Catherine said on the phone.
"Okay, send the scripts to my house first, and I'll read them when I have time."
He had seen "Real Steel." It starred Hugh Jackman as the male lead and told the story of a retired boxer coaching a robot to fight in boxing matches. The plot was average, the special effects were good, but the overall quality of the film was mediocre.
The second film, "The Expendables," was undoubtedly a very good movie. After the first one was a box office hit, Sylvester Stallone went on to make three more, ushering in the second spring of his career. However, apart from two or three main roles being decent, the other supporting roles had very few scenes.
Link also wanted to talk to Sylvester Stallone to see what kind of role he had in mind. If the role was good, collaborating with a few tough guys wouldn't be bad.
Ring ring ring!
Just as Link was about to get up and leave, his phone rang again. The caller was Leonardo DiCaprio, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
"Hey, Link, when are you free? Let's chat. I'm in Los Angeles too, Beverly Hills. I'll send you the address later."
Leonardo said.
"Chat about what? I don't have time for flirting. If you've read the news, you should know that I'm preparing for a boxing match."
Link leaned back in the wicker chair, stretched his legs, and smiled.
"Yes, I know. It's about movies. You said you wanted to collaborate with me last time we played basketball. Now there's a good opportunity, Christopher Nolan's new movie. It's definitely going to be great. What do you think?"
Leonardo's voice was excited.
Link twitched the corner of his mouth. After "Into the Blue 2" was released last year, he wanted to collaborate with Leonardo.
But this guy kept making excuses, saying there were no suitable roles. Now that he saw Link's good performance in "The Fighter," he remembered wanting to collaborate.
But Link had limited time next year, with tours, albums, and boxing, leaving little time for movies.
Also, Nolan's new movie should be the recently hyped "Inception."
With Leonardo in it, he would at most be a supporting actor.
It was optional whether to take it or not.
Link thought for a moment and agreed to go over and chat when he had time.
"Inception" was a good movie, with a global box office of over a billion dollars. Making this kind of movie could expand his fan base.
Director Nolan was also a good director worth collaborating with. He might be a supporting actor now, but there might be a chance to become the lead in the future.
After finishing his coffee, Link left a tip on the table and drove to the nearby club to continue his boxing training.
The WBA-WBC-WBO-IBF boxing title unification match was scheduled for the weekend, and he had been spending all his time on boxing training except for participating in movie promotions.
(End of Chapter)