Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 124: Punching?]

"Link, how could you hit someone?" Dustin Hoffman stood up heatedly.

"When did I hit anyone? When Richard Gere rushed over, I had my hands behind my back. What was I supposed to hit him with? Accusing someone requires proof," Link replied, hands still behind his back.

"Even if you didn't punch him, you just insulted Richard's mother, which is very rude."

"Which of my words insulted Mr. Gere's mother? I simply asked Richard if, after my girlfriend clearly rejected him, he still insisted on asking her to dance. Richard said yes, bragged about his dancing skills, and invited Monica to try. My dancing skills are decent too, so I invited Mr. Gere's mother to dance. Tell me, which word of mine insulted Richard Gere's mother?"

"You!"

Dustin Hoffman wanted to criticize Link for inviting Richard's mother to dance, but Link was using Richard's own words. If Richard's statement was unambiguous, then Link's words were also fine. Richard was angry probably because his words did have a questionable tone.

"Mr. Hoffman, I heard you're going to introduce a movie role to my woman?"

Link sized up the short and unremarkable Dustin Hoffman. "Who are you to even think about that?"

"You!"

Dustin Hoffman glared at him, fists clenched tightly. He struggled a bit but did not dare to charge at Link like Richard had.

Despite his talents, having won two Academy Awards for Best Actor, Hoffman had a troubled personal life, marked by chaotic relationships and later allegations during the Me Too movement.

"Link!"

Richard Gere shouted angrily from behind.

Link shot a chilly glance at Dustin Hoffman before turning back to Richard, who was soaked in champagne. The man had been drenched in countless glasses; his hair was a mess, his suit was dry in patches but mostly wet, and his palms dripped with blood, no longer holding the composed demeanor he usually kept.

"Mr. Gere, we're all civilized people here; why resort to violence?" Link said coolly.

"Damn it, how dare you insult my mother? I've never met someone as rude and shameless as you."

"You asked my girlfriend to dance, and I equally invited your mother. How could that possibly be considered an insult? Even if it were an insult, a person like you who doesn't respect women, and enjoys ruining families, it's probably because your mother didn't raise you well. She's not innocent."

"Damn it, I'll kill you."

Richard tried to charge over again but was held back by the crowd, who urged him to back off.

Link glanced around, politely apologizing to director Coppola and others.

"I'm sorry, everyone, for disrupting the evening. I'm just a director and previously a truck loader. I haven't received much education; I don't understand restraint, and I don't understand how to keep the peace. I only know that whoever disrespects me is unworthy of my respect and whoever shows me friendship, I will treat as a friend. As for my conflict with Richard, I genuinely don't think I did anything wrong. I'm just sorry everyone had to witness such a scene. I'm merely a newcomer in film, fortunate to be invited to this magnificent party by director Coppola and to meet so many exceptional filmmakers. It's an honor, and I'm sorry I can't continue listening to you all today. Please allow me to represent director Coppola's fans and wish Bram Stoker's Dracula great box office success and rave reviews! Goodbye, everyone!"

Link bid farewell to director Coppola and left the party with Monica.

"Link, wait! Let's go together," Sofia Coppola said, tugging at her dress, running up to him. She excitedly praised his comeback at Richard, saying it was compelling and left Richard speechless.

Link smiled, wrapping one arm around Monica and using the other to pull Sofia along as they left the party.

...

"Sofia!"

Director Coppola called out, but Sofia didn't look back as they exited. His expression gradually darkened.

"Come on, don't be upset. Link is young, handsome, and talented; having such a son-in-law isn't bad," Martin Scorsese chuckled.

Coppola shot him a glare before stomping off, arms crossed.

"Young people have it good!" Martin Scorsese remarked wistfully.

As the crowd thinned out, the party staff began to clean up, and the remaining guests continued chatting and dancing.

---

Although Bram Stoker's Dracula premiere party was disrupted by Richard and his friends, the film performed well at the box office. Over the three-day weekend, it grossed $30.5 million from 2,491 theaters across North America, securing the weekend box office crown. In its second week, it continued to collect $15 million.

The cumulative box office reached $53.7 million, with predictions of hitting over $80 million. Given a production budget of $40 million, the film stood to gain a substantial profit.

...

However, following the release of Bram Stoker's Dracula, numerous negative news stories about Monica began circulating. They branded her as a porn star, highlighting her daring performances and significant nude scenes in the film. Some articles claimed she was Link's live-in girlfriend, implying they maintained a close relationship since filming Paranormal Activity.

There were insinuations of Link's romantic ties with Monica Bellucci, Jennifer Connelly, and Sofia Coppola, portraying him as a womanizer. The reports also indicated that after Link achieved fame, he disregarded his previous girlfriends. These stories aimed to use Monica's notoriety to attack him.

In response, Link and Monica did not provide any comments at the time.

---

This week, Paranormal Activity marked its twentieth week in theaters, with total box office receipts raking in $312 million in North America, with fewer than five theaters showing it each week now. Internationally, it earned around $323 million, with most markets having shown it.

The film's global box office stood roughly at $635 million. Link's total earnings from this film amounted to about $320 million, including box office shares, video rights, home viewing revenue, and sequel rights. Shortly after, just in time for the year-end, Link distributed $2 million in bonuses to his company's staff, including the three senior executives, Monica Bellucci, Chris Barnes, the lead actor Jeremy Northam, and others -- the least anyone received was $50,000.

After the bonuses were distributed, the company took a three-week break for Christmas and New Year. Link, along with Monica, Lily, and Cecilia, flew to Salt Lake City, Utah, to vacation where the winter snowfall was picturesque -- making for an enjoyable Christmas. They also planned to attend the ninth annual Sundance Film Festival to see if any noteworthy films were on the horizon.

*****

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