Having just successfully wrapped up one horror project, he was already preparing to launch another.
It wasn't that Martin had a special fondness for horror films; it was just that these two were horror films that could leave a mark in cinematic history and were also typical examples of small-budget films making a big impact. Naturally, Martin wouldn't pass them up.
IT was adapted from Stephen King's novel of the same name, telling the story of the evil clown (Bill Skarsgård) wreaking havoc on the world, and the teenager Billy (Jaeden Martell) joining forces with friends to fight against the evil forces.
Martin had acquired the rights three years earlier.
...
The next day, Anya woke up in the large bed.
After stretching, she prepared to get dressed and go downstairs.
But upon getting out of bed, she realized the clothes she had worn the day before were now in tatters, scattered on the floor.
Her first thought was, Martin—such stamina!
Then came—What should I wear to go downstairs?
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Drew's voice came from outside: "Anya, can I come in?"
"Uh, I, I'm not dressed," Anya said shyly.
Drew's voice came again, tinged with laughter: "I know, Honey. That's why I'm here. We were in the same room last night. I saw everything Martin did."
Anya's face flushed crimson as last night's wild scenes flashed in her mind.
She quickly said, "Drew, did you bring clothes?"
"Yes, my clothes. You can wear them for now. Later, Martin will take you to buy new ones."
"Okay, then come in."
The bedroom door opened. Drew saw Anya had burrowed back under the covers, only her head exposed, blushing as she looked at her. Drew couldn't help but giggle:
"Why so shy? It's not like I haven't seen you before."
"Here, clothes for you."
Drew placed the clothes on the chair by the bed and didn't leave. Instead, she glanced around the room and said, "We're going shopping today. You can also pick out some decorations for your room. Just choose what you like—Martin's paying. Don't be shy; everyone does this."
"Mm, I know."
Seeing Drew showed no intention of leaving, Anya didn't say anything. She just felt a bit embarrassed as she crawled out from under the covers and started getting dressed.
Drew watched the girl with an appreciative gaze, then glanced at the torn fabric on the floor and said with a laugh, "Sweetie, was Martin too rough last night? But you can't blame him; you're just too captivating!"
Anya didn't reply, her face turning even redder.
After breakfast, Martin took the girl out shopping.
It was the first time Anya realized how incredibly relaxing shopping could be when you had more money than you could spend.
There was no need to look at prices—just wrap up whatever you liked.
The sales assistants' attitudes were so good it was as if you were their relative. Their excessively attentive service even made her a bit embarrassed.
Seeing the items she fancied being packaged up gave Anya an unparalleled sense of joy.
Science has long confirmed what many consumers already know: shopping can make people happy. [TL/N: This is cap. I still remember what I did months ago—me and my friends drove to SM (Super Mall) to buy some furniture for my bedroom. I had a $2K budget on me, but it was all gone by the time we left SM. That's when I cried in pain, It doesn't make me happy.]
Increasing research on brain results shows that shopping can stimulate major areas of the brain, improve mood, and make us feel mentally relaxed—at least temporarily.
Seeing a completely renovated display cabinet or finding a long-admired toy seems to activate the brain's reward center, triggering the release of the chemical dopamine, putting you in a shopping excited state.
Engels, a professor at Indiana University who studies shopping addiction behavior, says that when people shop in areas outside their residential community, they secrete more dopamine, making people more wasteful—which is why most people spend more lavishly when traveling.
And right now, Anya was in exactly that state.
By noon, Martin had spent over two hundred thousand dollars without batting an eye.
This included not only Anya's clothes but also soft furnishings and decorations for her room. Some larger items would only be delivered the next day or the day after.
...
By mid-April,
Suicide Squad had finished all its filming.
Margot Robbie never found the opportunity to climb into Martin's bed.
The beautiful "Harley Quinn" was somewhat disappointed, but during the "wrap party," Martin sought her out and chatted with her for a bit.
"Margot, you seem a bit down?"
"Ah, no, not at all. Why would you say that?"
"Haha, really?" Martin laughed, then continued, "Margot, I want to tell you that after this film is released, you won't have to worry about money anymore. You'll become a star, earn a lot of money, and have many better opportunities waiting for you."
Margot's eyes gradually lit up. Thinking of Martin's past track record, the disappointment in her heart was gradually replaced by hopes for the future.
"Margot, I actually really admire you. You have acting skills, you're dedicated to filming, and you can definitely achieve the life you want through your own efforts."
"Thank you, Martin," Margot Robbie said sincerely.
"Don't mention it." Martin smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it with Margot's. "If you run into trouble later, you can call me."
Margot Robbie's eyes brightened. "I will. Thank you again."
After Martin and Margot parted ways, Sofia came over. "You seem to think quite highly of her?"
"Yeah, a bit. She's a good girl, a good actress," Martin said, swirling his glass.
"Really? Then why didn't you sleep with her?" Sofia teased.
"Heh, that's too much. Am I the kind of person who sleeps with every woman I meet?" Martin said with a wronged expression.
Sofia nodded matter-of-factly. "Aren't you?"
Martin chuckled. "Of course I'm not. In my eyes, it's clearly you seductive women who are sleeping with me. Luckily, I'm well-endowed; otherwise, I'd have been drained dry long ago and turned into a skeleton."
Martin's shameless words left Sofia a bit speechless. Although she had brought up the topic, upon serious reflection, it did seem true.
Sofia felt that, at the very least, when she first saw Martin, she had particularly wanted to sleep with him.
...
Time passed idly by.
Post-production for Suicide Squad was progressing smoothly.
Meyers Pictures had several new projects lined up.
Among the more important projects, besides Martin's planned self-directed IT, there was also The Martian.
"Martin, Ridley Scott has read the script and agreed to direct the project. However, he hopes to also serve as a producer on this project."
As everyone knows, Hollywood is producer-centered.
In the process of film and television projects, the producer's authority is higher than the director's.
So when major directors join projects, they usually secure a "producer" title to avoid being hindered during work.
Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, and James Cameron all do this. Ah, Nolan is a bit special—he doesn't take the title himself but lets his wife be the producer.
And Ridley Scott similarly has the qualification.
"Agree to his request," Martin said without hesitation.