America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Approaching noon, a hungover Johnny Depp finally woke up and staggered downstairs, where his new girlfriend Amber Heard had already prepared breakfast and lunch.

She smelled the odd scent on Depp and pushed him towards the washroom, "Go brush your teeth and wash your face!"

As soon as the door closed, the disgust on Amber's face vanished momentarily, but hearing the noises inside, she quickly returned to a full smile.

This pair resembled the main characters from "Gone Girl".

After eating, the ill-matched couple got into the car driven by their driver-cum-bodyguard, ready to rush to the scheduled meeting.

The meeting was originally set for ten in the morning, but Depp had no concept of time. A hangover coupled with tardiness was normal; being on time and sober were rare.

After "Pirates of the Caribbean", whether on set or in real life, people had to adjust to Depp's pace.

The car entered the parking lot of a business club, and Depp, surrounded by four or five entourage members, entered the club's main doors to meet up with Agent Hui Gemu.

Even after years of working together, the agent couldn't help but say, "John, you're way too late."

Depp didn't care in the slightest, "What time is it? It's just a bit of a wait, right? No big deal."

Hui Gemu led the way, "Come with me."

They exited the foyer and headed towards the business building, Hui Gemu said something to the bodyguard, who directed Depp's entourage to spend time in the entertainment area.

Hui Gemu then looked at Amber, who was clinging tightly to Depp's arm.

Depp, notorious for being lovesick, obviously wouldn't let Amber leave.

The four of them entered a meeting room in the business building and met with Thomas Ryan and Jessica who had arranged the meeting.

Thomas first introduced Jessica, "This is the Business Director of Davis Film Studio."

The two sides quickly got down to business.

Jessica handed the "Lone Ranger" documents to Depp, "Davis Studio wants to invite Johnny to join this project. The project is expected to have an investment of 160 million U.S. dollars. If Johnny agrees to join, we will immediately reach an agreement with Disney and start preparations right away."

Depp glanced at the materials, remembering he had heard someone mention them, but couldn't recall who.

He had drunk too much the night before, and the alcohol was still affecting his brain.

Hui Gemu was also looking at the papers and reminded, "Jerry had once intended to adapt this project." He looked at Thomas and asked directly, "You guys?"

Thomas said, "We come representing Martin Davis. Martin believes Johnny is the perfect fit for the role of Tonto."

Hearing the name Martin Davis, Amber's heart stirred. She subtly took out her phone from her handbag, pretending to check her messages but actually started recording.

Hui Gemu questioned, "Have you acquired the rights?"

"We're still in talks," replied Thomas, not fully aware of the actual situation, thinking Martin truly wanted to operate this project and poaching Depp was also a way of getting back at Anna Purna Pictures.

He exuded confidence, "Martin and Ellen Horn have been friends for years and have already reached an intention to collaborate. Once some details are settled, it will immediately turn into a written contract."

Amber leaned in to look, "The 'Lone Ranger' seems like a classic series, right?"

Jessica responded, "Yes, a classic radio and television show under ABC with a certain fan base. The prospects for adaptation are good."

Hui Gemu asked, "You just said preparations will start soon? Is filming going to start right away?"

Jessica answered, "We're expecting to start around May or June."

"That conflicts with Johnny's schedule," Hui Gemu thought for a moment, figuring out what the two represented, and had a faint idea, "Johnny has already signed with the 'Transcendence' crew, and he's not available during that time."

Jessica stated directly, "If possible, we hope Johnny will exit that crew. Any costs incurred during this period will be covered by Davis Studio."

She got to the crux of the matter, "We also won't short-change Johnny on his fee. 35 million U.S. dollars plus up to 10 percent of the North American box office revenue share and corresponding ancillary profit participations—these are all negotiable."

Depp seemed not fully awake, occasionally belching from the excess alcohol.

Amber glanced at him, utterly disappointed. How could such a man have stayed popular up to this point?

Jessica continued, "Davis Studio, Pacific Pictures, and Disney Studios all want to work with Johnny."

With Depp in hand, Hui Gemu felt he held the key to this meeting but wasn't in a hurry, saying, "This isn't a small matter; we need time to consider it."

After chatting for a while longer, Depp grew impatient and stood up to leave.

Hui Gemu was helpless but apologized to Thomas and Jessica before following after Depp.

Just outside the club, Depp's group of entourage friends swarmed him, wanting to drag him off for drinks.

Depp announced loudly, "The Black Mamba Bar, our party starts today!"

Hui Gemu knew that there would be no more business discussed today.

Amber said, "I've made plans with my sisters to do a skincare treatment. I'll come to the bar after I'm done."

The group split into three factions.

Depp said to his pals as they walked, "Today's on me, we'll drink the best."
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Someone asked, "Good news?"

Depp laughed loudly, "Know Martin Davis? The media put him and me on the same level, and today he's begging me to star as the lead in his project."

Another person asked, "What project would he not act in himself?"

"The Lone Ranger!"

......

In the VIP room on the third floor of the club, Nicholson looked at the group of people departing in three directions and asked Martin, "What's the situation with Thomas?"

Martin put away his phone, "The terms are laid out, Depp's agent took the materials, they said they would consider it."

This was expected, Nicholson said, "We've cast our bait, now let's see if the fish will bite."

Leonardo, holding a telescope, had been observing Depp's girlfriend and said, "This chick is not bad, pretty with a good figure."

Martin said, "That's your type."

"No, no," Leonardo put down his telescope and said, "There are rumors in the circle that Depp wants to get engaged with her, that's your favorite type."

Martin ignored him and said to Nicholson, "There's movement over there, they will definitely contact Disney Studios, and we will get the news immediately, for Hollywood, Megan Ellison is just an outsider."

......

Amber drove away alone, not far before she stopped by the roadside.

She took out her phone and played the recording, very clear.

A while ago, during a meeting with Depp and Megan Ellison, the other party had said a few words.

Amber was quite tempted and with little hesitation, she picked up the phone and dialed the number Megan had left her. As soon as the call connected, she introduced herself, and then said, "Half an hour ago, Martin Davis's agent Thomas and representative Jessica met with Depp to forcefully recruit him to be the lead actor in his new project."

Megan said, "Come to my office."

Amber quickly made it to Anna Purna Pictures, and an assistant led her into the office.

Megan was direct, "What exactly happened, tell me."

Amber had organized her thoughts on the way over and swiftly, yet in detail, recounted the events and even played the recording on her phone.

"You've done well, you're astute," Megan praised, and pulling out a checkbook, she signed a check and placed it on the desk, "This is your reward."

Amber wanted more, so she didn't take it, "This is what I should do."

Megan didn't even look up, "I trust you to keep an eye on Depp and not let him make any decisions I wouldn't be happy with."

Only then did Amber go to pick up the check, and on seeing the numbers, she assured, "He definitely won't!"

"Good!" Megan almost commanded, "Leave the phone recording."

An assistant came over, and Amber immediately copied the phone recording.

She didn't linger any longer, hurrying off.

Megan opened a webpage and searched for "Lone Ranger," a lot of related content came up.

An old classic from the last century, a character familiar to a generation, after Disney's acquisition of ABC, the rights had fallen into Disney's hands.

Megan immediately called Depp's agent.

Seeing that she got the news so quickly, Hui Gemu didn't see a need to keep it secret and spoke candidly.

This way, with two companies competing for Depp, both he and Depp would benefit.

Megan hung up the phone, and, as expected, Martin Davis had lost two projects and was looking for other projects to snatch, including her lead actor.

This reminded Megan of what happened at the Oscar nominees' lunch, where Martin, right in front of her, had snatched Jessica Chastain, and now he was trying to stealthily poach Depp.

Megan pressed the intercom, "Send Drett and Wilson over."

Soon, the two men arrived.

Megan explained the situation and played the recording that Amber had stealthily made.

Wilson, a seasoned producer in Hollywood, said, "I've heard of this project, at a Producers' Alliance gathering a while ago, Jerry Bruckheimer and a few close producer friends discussed it, and he complained that Ellen Horn, the new head of Disney Studios, was an egomaniac who, against her predecessor's promise, refused to relent on 'The Lone Ranger' project he wanted to adapt."

Megan asked, "Is that the gold medal producer Jerry Bruckheimer who made 'Bad Boys', 'The Rock', 'Con Air', 'Enemy of the State', 'Pearl Harbor', 'Black Hawk Down', the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series, and the 'National Treasure' series?"

Wilson said, "That's him."

This was too convincing!

Plus with Martin Davis…

Megan, decisive in her actions and with the situation within her expectations, said, "Wilson, go to Jerry Bruckheimer and find out more about the project."

She then turned to Drett, "You go find Depp's agent Hui Gemu, get a copy of 'The Lone Ranger' materials from him, and also find out the internal situation at Disney."

The two men acknowledged her orders.

Megan wasn't fully reassured, and she specifically cautioned, "Make sure to keep this confidential, don't let Martin Davis notice anything, understand?"

"Understood." The two left the office and immediately got to work.