Chapter 262: Diarmuid: Damn That Lover!
As the mastermind behind the IMAX screen, Shinji naturally arranged for the premiere of Spy Among Spies to be held in an IMAX theater.
However, due to various technical reasons, Shinji's version of Spy Among Spies included nearly half an hour of IMAX footage but didn't use glasses-free 3D technology.
While this was a bit of a regret for movie fans, Shinji didn't see it that way.
Promoting Diarmuid as an actor was far more important than promoting 3D technology.
What if the audience became so focused on the 3D effects that they overlooked Diarmuid's face — a face so handsome even men would be moved?
Moreover, scarcity creates value. If glasses-free 3D films were rolled out too widely all at once, the technology would lose its mystique.
Of course, Shinji had every intention of promoting glasses-free 3D technology later, making 3D versions of most commercial films a reality — but that would have to wait until after Fate/Apocrypha.
"Shinji, I have to say, you're really something else," said Cloris as she settled into her seat, teasing him:
"You actually got that perfect knight Diarmuid to step into the spotlight. How did you manage that?"
"Lissy, don't make me sound like the villain," Shinji said, spreading his hands with a grin.
"I simply respected Diarmuid's wish to 'respond to his lord's expectations.' It just so happens that my expectation was for him to become a big star."
"Mhm~"
Cloris knew Shinji very well. This guy could talk all high and mighty, but his mind was always on business.
Shinji wasn't the least bit guilty. He hummed a little tune as he scrolled on his phone, wearing a smug expression that practically screamed, What are you gonna do about it, Miss Lissy?
Cloris didn't want to waste her time watching Shinji act shameless, so she changed the subject.
"Godzilla has been pulled from North American theaters," she said.
Shinji snorted, "About time. With numbers like that, keeping it on screens any longer would just be an embarrassment for Toho."
Under Shinji's influence, this version of Godzilla did even worse than its parallel-world counterpart.
Toho not only lost a huge amount of money, but they also had a bit of a "falling out" with Paramount Pictures over it.
What made Shinji happiest wasn't just Toho's massive loss — it was the fact that, to make up for their deficit, Toho had now become the most enthusiastic promoter of Super 8 across all of Japan.
After all, a Super 8 ticket brought in more profit than tickets for any other movie.
This might just be the film industry's version of selling yourself and still helping count the money, huh?
Clack
Shinji snapped his flip phone shut and gave Cloris a devilish smile:
"I told you a long time ago — when it comes to movies, I don't lose."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Our little Shinji is the best,"
Cloris could only go along with him on this one.
Shinji leaned back comfortably and laughed:
"Then I won't bother pretending to be modest."
Cloris flicked her silver hair lightly against Shinji's nose and said:
"After this bet, I think the old fogeys on our board of directors will quiet down for a while."
"Let's hope so. I'm going to need to put all my energy into my next project. I don't have time to play their little games with them,"
Shinji said as he gently brushed Miss Lissy's hair aside.
"I'm gonna rest for a bit. Don't bother me until the movie starts."
Unfortunately, Shinji was doomed to get no rest tonight.
Because before the movie even began, industry insiders kept passing by to greet him.
In the just-ended month of May, Super 8 had earned a global box office of $710.7 million.
Almost everyone believed that Super 8 would become the second film after Fate/Zero to break the $1 billion mark in global box office revenue.
Although, anyone with a discerning eye knew that Super 8's billion-dollar success was a lot more inflated compared to Fate/Zero's.
Without the boost from 3D ticket sales, the film might have struggled to even pass $500 million worldwide — not just because 3D tickets were pricier, but also because many casual viewers who wouldn't normally go to the movies were drawn in by the 3D gimmick.
But who cares about that?!
In the eyes of movie stars and film investors, Shinji Matou was now the greatest director in the world.
Making movies with Shinji was like Columbus discovering America — he seemed to exist solely to lead everyone to riches, as long as you could manage to get a seat on his ship.
Because of this, ever since Shinji sat down, people had been constantly coming up to greet him, completely ruining his plan to get some rest.
This annoyed Shinji quite a bit. He mentally jotted down the names of all the clingy types in his little black book, vowing never to work with them in his lifetime.
Of course, not everyone ended up on Shinji's blacklist.
Being the famously selective (and slightly biased) figure of Fuyuki City, Shinji was still very polite toward partners he actually wanted to maintain ties with — especially those under his own command.
"Master, good evening,"
Amakusa Shirou and Semiramis greeted Shinji politely with a handshake.
Looking at the two standing so close together, Shinji asked, "You two came together?"
As the lead actors in Shinji's next movie, it made sense that Amakusa and Semiramis would use the Spy Among Spies premiere as their first public appearance.
Not just these two — Jeanne, Mordred, Astolfo... the main cast members of Fate/Apocrypha had all come to the premiere.
Normally, since the movie was about to start, Amakusa and Semiramis entering the theater from the red carpet wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary.
But entering together like this...
Semiramis openly clung to Amakusa's arm, smiling as she said, "I said I was feeling a little shy, so I asked him to stand by me for support."
Shy? Dare you say that again with a straight face in front of everyone else?
Outwardly, Shinji simply nodded slightly and said with concern, "Amakusa, keep an eye on her."
Amakusa showed no hint of embarrassment, replying, "Of course, Master. As a priest, it's my duty to assist others."
"Then I'll leave it to you," Shinji said with a smile, though in his heart he was guessing just how much of Amakusa's clueless act was real.
After the "lovey-dovey little couple" left, Shinji was left deep in thought.
"What's wrong? Jealous?"
Cloris teased.
Shinji shook his head,
"I'm considering whether we should publicly announce their relationship as part of Fate/Apocrypha's promotional campaign."
On-screen couples had always been a great source of buzz in movie marketing.
Unlike other film crews that had to "force" couples for PR purposes, with Semiramis and Amakusa, they were already halfway there without needing to fake anything.
However, Shinji hesitated out of consideration for Semiramis's feelings.
After all, not everyone likes having their love life thrust under a spotlight for public judgment.
"I'll ask her about it later..."
Shinji knew very well that if Semiramis agreed, there would be no problem on Amakusa's side.
A few dozen minutes later, it was almost time.
As the official opening of the premiere, Shinji Matou led the key members of the crew to the front of the screen, receiving a round of applause from the audience.
Taking advantage of the moment, Shinji glanced around — the theater was packed, especially the regular audience section, where the seating rate was a full 100%!
There wasn't a single empty seat.
Even better, over 50% of the audience were women.
'Looks like my Diarmuid Cruz plan is going smoothly.'
"It's starting soon!"
The female fans attending the premiere had no idea they were stepping right into the trap that Shinji Matou had so carefully set.
These hardcore fans, seeing the logos of Type-Moon Studios and Times Group appear back-to-back on the giant screen, immediately focused all their attention.
Ever since Fate/Zero ended its theatrical run two years ago, they had been waiting eagerly for Spy Among Spies to hit theaters — and now, finally, their wish was coming true.
The film quickly began.
The intense BGM, the burning fuse, and all sorts of dynamic clips — Even though this intro was edited by Shinji himself, the moment the music kicked in, he still felt a rush of excitement deep in his DNA.
There was no helping it.
Before Shinji's transmigration, his dear mother had been a fan of Tom Cruise — not quite fanatical, but she did make sure to watch every one of his films.
Dragged along by her, Shinji became very familiar with the Mission: Impossible series; otherwise, he wouldn't have thought of "recreating" the franchise in this world.
Even the familiar opening BGM had been recreated purely from Shinji's memory, with the help of a composer.
Luckily, this wasn't his first time pulling off this kind of "weird" music project — he'd done the same thing for Fate/Stay Night and Fate/Zero.
As far as Shinji was concerned, as long as the paycheck was big enough, a composer would even be willing to write a symphony for dogs barking.
Of course, none of the fans at the premiere knew any of this.
They just found the "classic" Spy Among Spies opening super fresh and exciting — especially the slick montage of Diarmuid that immediately followed, so dazzling that several fangirls practically melted on the spot.
"I can't take it — why is Diarmuid so good-looking?!"
"Is this what the most handsome man in the world looks like?!"
"Ahhh, if I could just shake his hand, I wouldn't wash that hand for a whole year!"
"Shake hands? That's not enough! I'd let him [BEEP——!] my body!"
...
Cries of adoration from female fans echoed throughout the theater, as they openly competed over who loved Diarmuid more, not caring at all if their behavior bordered on the legally and socially inappropriate.
Truly, when women decide to be shameless, men don't even get a chance to compete.
"Ugh... sometimes being this popular is really a burden,"
Even though he was sitting far away, Diarmuid could still clearly hear the fanatical whispers of his female fans.
For someone like him, who had lingering trauma when it came to women, this was far from good news.
"Relax, Diarmuid,"
Lancelot, as a fellow "sufferer," said with a comforting smile.
"How am I supposed to relax? These women are so... intense, I don't even know what distance I'm supposed to keep from them," Diarmuid said helplessly.
Speaking like a seasoned veteran, Lancelot advised, "If they're young and unmarried, and if they're of age, you don't need to keep any distance at all."
"BUT!"
Lancelot's tone suddenly turned deadly serious.
"When it comes to married women, even if she's a goddess, you must resist!! Especially nowadays — the fairies are extinct and there are no goddesses left anyway!!"
"Uh..."
Diarmuid's mouth twitched.
Ah, right — he almost forgot.
This particular knight was once a notorious (read: problematic) lover.
<+>
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