Hollywood Director 1992

"Cut!"

"That take's a wrap!"

Morning, on the set of "Seven" in New York, Link was filming the scene where the killer imprisons and tortures drug dealer Victor when his assistant Annie hurried over and whispered some news to him.

At 1:51 AM last night, famous actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose at The Viper Room. The medical examiner's report showed that the levels of heroin and cocaine in his body were eight times the lethal dose. He was only 23 years old.

"Drugs are a killer."

Link sighed inwardly. Although he knew River had died of a drug overdose, he didn't know the specific time. Besides, he had no personal relationship with River and no reason to interfere in his private affairs.

This matter originally had nothing to do with him, but River's brother, Joaquin Phoenix, was currently promoting a film. With this kind of incident, the film's promotion plan would probably have to be changed.

He called Jon Gordon and Liu Xiaoli, suspending the "Death Duo" promotion and asking Joaquin to return to Los Angeles to handle his brother's affairs.

He would wait and see about other matters before making a decision.

Currently, the promotional effect of "Final Destination" had reached 92%, the film's conformity with the market had reached 89%, and box office subsidies had increased to 2.6 times. The North American box office was around $240 million, and it wouldn't be difficult to break $200 million within 15 weeks.

Therefore, he wasn't worried about losing.

At the same time that Link received the news, many media outlets in the United States temporarily replaced the headlines for the next day with the news of the untimely death of the popular star River Phoenix.

River Phoenix was a Hollywood golden boy. In his ten-year acting career, he had received numerous film awards and nominations, including Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival, Best Supporting Actor at the National Board of Review Awards, a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, and a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globe Awards. He was considered the most handsome and talented actor of the younger generation.

In addition, River was enthusiastic about charity, having released two charity albums, and was also an environmentalist.

Now he was dead, dead from drugs, dead at the age of 23. Many people felt sorry for his passing.

Among the many news reports about River's death, one piece of news aroused people's indignation: when the ambulance was preparing to take River for emergency treatment, a truck, due to the driver's intoxication, crashed into the roadside and blocked the ambulance's path.

It wasn't until more than ten minutes later that the car was pushed away, and the ambulance took River to the hospital for emergency treatment.

According to the doctor, if they had arrived ten minutes earlier, River's chances of being saved would have been greater.

The truck driver was fiercely criticized by River's fans.

However, relative to this news, another piece of news derived from River's death was even more eye-catching and triggered great controversy.

The day after River's death, many entertainment tabloids claimed that River was killed by his brother Joaquin.

Joaquin Phoenix played Todd in "Final Destination", whose brother died in a plane crash.

He had just finished playing this role when his brother River died of drugs. This was a curse. Joaquin brought death to the world and killed his brother River Phoenix.

Because this news was relatively sensational and involved some mysterious elements, it quickly attracted people's attention after being reported by many tabloids.

Everyone took a look and thought it seemed to make some sense.

Joaquin had just finished playing a character whose brother died, and he was still grieving over his brother's death in the film. Only two or three months later, his real-life brother suddenly died unexpectedly.

This was too coincidental.

It was as if death really existed.

At the same time, some media accused Link of killing River. If he hadn't written such a script and found Joaquin to play Todd, River might not have been taken away by death. They called on everyone to boycott Link's new movie "Final Destination".

After these news items broke out, Guess Pictures held a small press conference.

In an interview with the media, Liu Xiaoli expressed regret over River's death, and also condemned the many tabloids for randomly accusing Joaquin and "Final Destination", demanding that they immediately stop spreading rumors, otherwise the company's legal department would pursue the relevant media's legal responsibility.

Despite Guess Pictures and Joaquin's agency publicly refuting many of the rumors in the newspapers.

There were still many media outlets spreading rumors, frantically implying that River's death was related to Joaquin and "Final Destination".

At the same time, another type of news appeared in the media, claiming that the above news, including Joaquin killing River, were all Link's publicity strategies.

Link was using River's death to hype up the movie "Final Destination". Link violated his promise not to continue hyping the movie and continued to exploit the tragedy. He was a person who would do anything for the box office.

The news also called on everyone not to go to the cinema to see "Final Destination", resolutely not to be fooled by Link, and not to let River feel disheartened.

Affected by these rumors and the suspension of the "Death Duo" performances, "Final Destination" earned only $8.68 million in its 11th week, with $4.52 million in the first four days and only $4.16 million in the last three days, including the weekend, far below expectations.

"Final Destination" had grossed $179 million in its 11 weeks of release, with a gap of $21 million from $200 million. If box office revenue continues to decline in the coming weeks, it is likely that it will not reach $200 million in the 15th week.

"Yes! Yes!"

Robert Downey Jr. waved his fist excitedly after seeing the box office data.

This time, they used a strategy of open conspiracy. Regardless of whether Link used River to hype the movie or not, he would fall into their trap and bear the stigma and infamy.

Finally, they could make Link suffer a loss in silence. This feeling was extremely satisfying.

Ding-ling-ling!

The phone rang. Robert Downey Jr. glanced at it and saw that it was Richard Gere's call.

Richard Gere told him on the phone that although they had won a battle, the situation was not optimistic. If Link increased his promotional efforts, "Final Destination" had a great chance of breaking $200 million in box office revenue within the next four weeks.

So they should strike while the iron is hot and continue to use public opinion to suppress this movie, continue to spread rumors and slander Link and Joaquin, and try to suppress the movie's weekly box office revenue to below $5 million so that everyone can truly win this war.

"Okay, I agree, continue to scold Link for using River's death to hype the movie and exploit the tragedy. It's best to have the cinemas take 'Final Destination' off the screens early. This movie is very unlucky," Robert Downey Jr. said, clenching his fist.

"That's what we're thinking too, but we need money."

"Money? Another fundraising?!"

Robert Downey Jr. exclaimed.

"Yes, without spending money on public relations, the media will not write reports according to our requirements, and we will not be able to suppress 'Final Destination' in terms of public opinion."

"Then how much is needed this time?"

"Ovitz said it needs $12 million, and you probably have to contribute $3 million."

"$3 million?"

Robert Downey Jr. screamed, "I really have no money left. I've mortgaged all my assets, and now I don't even have $100."

"Robert, think of a way. As long as we win this time, the funds invested earlier will be recovered," Richard Gere said in a gentle voice.

"But I really have no money left, and I have no assets to mortgage."

"You can borrow from Old Mr. Downey. This money is very important. This is also the last fundraising. If you can't raise this money, the more than ten million you invested earlier will all be in vain. Robert, are you willing to lose to Link?"

"I need to think about it again. Give me some time."

"Okay, is two days enough? Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman, and Kiefer have all paid. Now you're the only one left. I hope you hurry up. We can't afford to delay now."

"I got it."

Robert Downey Jr. dropped the phone, hesitated for a moment, and braced himself to call Old Robert Downey to borrow money.