Inside the Beijing Film Academy, a lecture was about to take place. The guest speaker was none other than the famous Hollywood director, Gilbert Landrini.
It was said that the event had been specially arranged by the vice-principal. In this era, various sectors of Chinese society were actively seeking international connections, and the film industry was no exception.
The presence of a Hollywood director had excited the students greatly.
Not only students from the directing department but many others from various departments had gathered, completely packing the small auditorium. Though it was designed to hold just over a hundred people, more than five hundred crammed in. If not for the timely intervention of the school's security team, even more students might have forced their way in.
While Gilbert had gained significant fame in North America, his reputation in China was limited.
At the time, access to global information was restricted, and most people were unaware of foreign events, let alone foreign celebrities.
However, students from the film academy were familiar with Gilbert's name. Those who weren't were quickly informed by their peers, albeit often with an incredulous tone as if saying, "How could you not know him?"
To ensure students took the event seriously, a display board was set up outside the auditorium, detailing Gilbert's career and achievements.
When they saw that Gilbert had directed his first movie, Shark Beach, at the age of 21, many film students, especially those in the directing department, couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
This admiration often transformed into longing for that dreamlike land across the Pacific.
To these students, it seemed only the greatest nation on Earth could produce someone as remarkable as Gilbert.
Wuershan and Zhao Xing were both freshman directing students at the academy, currently in the second semester of their first year.
As directing students, they didn't have to sneak in like others and could simply walk into the auditorium.
While waiting for the lecture to begin, Wuershan flipped through the booklet in his hand, which contained Gilbert's introduction. Seeing that he had directed five movies in five years, each a massive success, he was full of admiration.
Zhao Xing felt the same. Waving the booklet in his hand, he said, "I've watched all these movies, especially Speed and Real Steel. I even went to the cinema to see them.
Honestly, the gap between us and them is just too big!"
Wuershan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, their films are exciting and highly entertaining—unlike ours..."
He stopped short, swallowing the rest of his critique. Sometimes, it was better to hold one's tongue.
Movies like Real Steel had delivered a significant jolt to the stagnant Chinese film industry, awakening directors and audiences alike.
The auditorium buzzed with chatter, the noise almost lifting the roof.
Before long, a teacher came up to restore order: "Quiet, everyone. Please settle down. The lecture is about to begin."
The stage had been set, with two professors accompanying Gilbert, alongside the esteemed domestic director, Zhang Guoshi.
Zhang, known for films like Raise the Red Lantern, The Story of Qiu Ju, and To Live, had cemented his place in the Chinese film industry.
Since Zhang was also an alum of the academy, he was invited to the lecture to engage with Gilbert from the perspective of a fellow director.
The lecture began with a beautiful female teacher as the host. While Gilbert wasn't familiar with her, the vice-principal had introduced her as a well-known actress.
Gilbert was more familiar with actresses like Yuan Yuan, Mi Mi, Shi Shi, and Yi Fei. When it came to Chinese actresses from the '90s, he barely recognized anyone aside from a few names from Hong Kong.
The introductions proceeded smoothly, with the professors and Zhang receiving warm applause from the students.
When Gilbert finally appeared, the applause grew even louder, accompanied by playful whistles from some cheeky students.
Wuershan clapped enthusiastically and whispered to Zhao Xing, "He's so young—barely older than us!"
"Yeah, the booklet says he was born in 1970, so he'll be 25 soon," Zhao Xing replied.
Another student chimed in, "Young and handsome, too. No wonder he's so popular in America."
"Of course," someone else added. "If you achieved this much at his age, you'd be popular too."
The event followed the usual formalities: welcoming the guest, thanking Gilbert for coming such a long way, and so on.
The lecture content largely revolved around the host posing questions, to which the professors and directors would respond with their insights.
Gilbert's fluent Chinese further endeared him to the students, who appreciated his effort to connect with them.
The lecture lasted about an hour. Considering his ties to the homeland of his previous life, Gilbert shared as much as he could, hoping it would benefit the students.
The session ended with a Q&A segment. Pre-selected students posed their questions, which Gilbert answered.
One of the questions was assigned to Wuershan, who asked, "Director Gilbert, do you have any advice for young directing students who aspire to enter the film industry after graduation?"
Gilbert thought for a moment before replying, "If you want to become a director, you must be mentally prepared. This profession might not be what you imagine it to be.
As a director, always remember that you're part of a team. You cannot place yourself above the crew.
I spoke with Director Zhang earlier and learned that the Chinese film industry revolves around the director, meaning you must balance being a creator and a manager.
In Hollywood, it's different. For instance, in my productions, I work with producers like Charles Roven and Cain Wexman, who handle the management aspects, allowing me to focus more on creativity and filmmaking.
However, whether here or in Hollywood, a director's role requires multifaceted expertise."
Wuershan thanked him and returned to his seat, clearly satisfied.
Another student from the acting department, a girl named Zuo Xiaoqing, asked a playful question: "Director Gilbert, I find you incredibly charming. Have you ever considered becoming an actor?"
"Thank you," Gilbert replied with a smile.
"Seriously, with your looks, you could definitely be a leading man. Have you thought about it?" she pressed.
Laughing, Gilbert said, "That's an interesting question. Actually, I've been invited to act as a lead before—by none other than James Cameron, the director of Terminator and True Lies.
But I declined. I prefer staying behind the camera, where I can control everything."
The final question came from Director Zhang himself, who asked, "Do you have any advice for those wanting to pursue a career in Hollywood?"
Gilbert's unexpected answer stunned the audience: "My advice is—don't go. If you do, you'll regret it. As for why, you'll have to find out for yourselves."
This response left many students surprised, but it didn't diminish their fascination with Hollywood.
The session concluded with a group photo, and the students eagerly gathered around for autographs. Gilbert obliged, signing dozens before the teachers ushered the students out, saying he needed to rest.
Later, over lunch hosted by the academy, the vice-principal expressed hopes for Gilbert's continued visits to China and the academy. Gilbert nodded in agreement.
During the meal, Gilbert casually mentioned wanting a more comfortable place to stay during his visits, perhaps a traditional courtyard house.
This led to arrangements for him to purchase a spacious courtyard residence within the city's second ring—a dream he never achieved in his previous life.
After wrapping up his trip to China, Gilbert returned to Los Angeles.
At this time, although the case involving Mel Gibson was still in the trial phase, according to his lawyer, it seemed likely that Mel Gibson would serve more than a decade behind bars.
By the time he was released, Mel Gibson would be an old man, no longer a threat.
Of course, the women he had abused hadn't let him off either, filing lawsuits demanding compensation. Gilbert's assistant, Sheena Boone, even thoughtfully helped by hiring a few excellent lawyers to assist these women.
For Gilbert, Mel Gibson was now history.
Rumors were circulating in Hollywood that Gilbert was the one who had orchestrated Mel Gibson's downfall, and the tales were becoming increasingly detailed.
Seeing how ruthless Gilbert could be, many people in Hollywood quietly reminded themselves to never provoke this vengeful young director unless they were prepared to eliminate him entirely.
There was even a rumor that Mel Gibson's downfall had been triggered simply because he had glanced a bit too long at Naomi Watts.
Only a few people knew about the drugging incident, and those who did weren't talking.
Thus, the narrative that Mel Gibson had been destroyed for coveting Gilbert's woman only added to the fear surrounding him. Apparently, it was now clear: never mess with Gilbert's women—this man held grudges.
Gilbert himself hadn't expected this side effect of the Mel Gibson incident, but it was a welcome surprise.
As for Sophie Marceau, after witnessing everything, she decided that Hollywood was too dangerous and promptly fled back to France.
Recalling a friend's warning, Sophie Marceau thought to herself, Indeed, the French don't belong in Hollywood—it's too perilous.
When Gilbert returned to Los Angeles, Naomi Watts was still asking about Sophie Marceau.
"Where's your French Rose?"
"She went back to France. Why do you ask?" Gilbert replied.
Naomi Watts smirked. "I wouldn't dare. You brought Mel Gibson to ruin over her—I'm scared."
This woman...
Gilbert pulled Naomi Watts into his arms, taking in her scent as he said, "It's been a few days, and you've grown more mischievous."
"Yep! I'm free now, so I've gotten bolder!" Naomi Watts teased, wriggling in his arms as her hand slipped downward, loosening his belt and sliding inside.
"Free? You're far from free yet." Gilbert lifted her in a bridal carry, and amidst her playful squeals, he carried her toward the bedroom…
With the Mel Gibson incident behind him, The Rock continued its successful run in theaters.
By May 28, after four weeks in theaters, the film had grossed $170 million in North America.
While this first domestic revenue split wasn't enough for the film's investors to recoup their costs, the movie still had a long theatrical run ahead.
When Gilbert returned from China, The Rock had been out for six weeks and had grossed $189 million in North America, securing the title of the year's box office champion.
According to reports from professional data research firms, the film was projected to end its North American run with a total of $220 to $250 million.
The biggest surprise, however, came from overseas markets. With its gradual release internationally, the film grossed $271 million overseas, bringing its global box office total to $460 million.
This broke both the domestic and global box office records previously held by Gilbert's own Real Steel, further cementing his title as the "Prince of Summer Blockbusters."
However, some media outlets argued that the title no longer suited Gilbert's status and proposed calling him the "King of Summer Blockbusters" instead.
The new title was well-received by fans, who flooded Gilbert's Facebook page with comments calling him the King of Summer Blockbusters.
Upon his return, Gilbert's focus shifted to the upcoming IPOs of Facebook and Banana.
After months of preparation, both companies were finally ready to go public, and all shareholders eagerly anticipated their market performance.
Gilbert was no exception. This would be his first experience as a major shareholder during a company's IPO, and the future of his wealth largely hinged on this event.
Leading up to the IPO, the companies held numerous meetings. The optimistic signals conveyed in these meetings gave Gilbert a sense of confidence.
The shareholders were highly satisfied with the companies' prospects. In fact, with the explosive growth of the internet, any internet company founded in 1995 seemed destined to attract venture capital and secure a path to going public.
This was a massive bubble, with capital pouring into this emerging field and fueling the rise of countless startups.
From this perspective, Gilbert's companies were not unique.
(End of chapter)