The film market is perpetually dominated by young audiences, a fact supported by data. According to surveys of theater-goers over the past decade, sixty-five percent of the audience falls within the **seventeen to thirty-five age range**. Among this sixty-five percent, male viewers constitute fifty-seven point three percent, while female viewers account for only forty-two point three percent. This isn't to say women are unwilling to go to the movies; it's primarily due to film genres. For romance films or "glamour" blockbusters like *Interview with the Vampire*, the male-to-female audience ratio would be completely reversed.
This data illustrates that each generation has its own films and its own movie stars. Currently, the most popular ones are undoubtedly the two reigning Toms, Schwarzenegger, Stallone, and others. Therefore, both Sean Connery and Roger Moore fundamentally belong to the stars of the sixties and seventies—the previous generation of movie fans.
---
### The Battle of the Bonds
Sean Connery, after stepping down as James Bond, actually starred in some decent films in the eighties, making him luckier than Roger Moore. Thus, the old man still had some recognition. Excluding the current James Bond, Pierce Brosnan, Connery was arguably the most famous of all the past Bond actors.
However, times have changed. Roger Moore, Sean Connery's successor's successor, with the cooperation of *The Rock*'s crew, began aggressively promoting himself, leveraging Connery's name to rise to prominence. The media's current slogan claims that if Sean Connery is the most elegant and gentlemanly old man, then Roger Moore is absolutely the coolest, most handsome, and most **sexy** old man. The word "sexy" once belonged to Sean Connery, but now it has become Roger Moore's exclusive domain.
In Sean Connery's view, this was Roger Moore and *The Rock*'s crew exploiting his name for publicity without informing him beforehand. That historical period is long gone; many young people today cannot comprehend the brutality of war. So when young movie fans discuss Roger Moore's service during World War II, they usually find it fascinating, feeling that "this old man is incredibly impressive."
This was precisely the effect Gilbert wanted. In the film's second poster, Roger Moore was positioned in the center of the three main stars, with his name displayed largest. Below it was a highly suggestive phrase: **"Real experience, real existence, real story."** Seeing this tagline, audiences couldn't help but wonder, *Could the story of The Rock be a true story that happened in reality?*
While many movie fans knew it was fictional, in this nation rich with entertainment spirit, fans were willing to believe the story in the film was real, sparking their interest in exploring the movie further. *Want to know what story the film tells? Then go to the cinema!*
---
### Connery's Fury
The film's promotion allowed both Roger Moore and Christopher Lee to gain significant attention through this publicity stunt. Sean Connery also received immense attention, but of a negative kind. Because whenever the media mentioned *The Rock* and the other two actors, they would drag him out for a public flogging. Sean Connery grew even more enraged when he realized that no matter what he said, the media was no longer as flattering as before.
He believed that Martin Bob had failed in his job, leaving him in a passive position. Thus, an infuriated Sean Connery marched directly to CAA, to Martin Bob's office.
Martin Bob, at this very moment, was discussing the summer promotional work for CAA's film projects with Lovett.
"Mr. Connery, you can't go in. Mr. Bob is in a meeting."
The assistant couldn't stop Sean Connery, who burst directly into the office and confronted Martin Bob. "I listened to you, I held back again and again. But you did nothing, letting that damned bastard ride all over me. Tell me, what now?"
Martin Bob also had a headache. He tried to appease Sean Connery with a gentle tone: "Sean, this kind of thing happens all the time in Hollywood; you should be used to it. Besides, this isn't bad for us either. Haven't you noticed your reputation is higher than before? As long as we seize the opportunity, make some waves at next year's Oscars, and win a Best Supporting Actor award, today's bad press will only elevate you in the future. Return to your position as a top-tier male star, Sean. This is an opportunity."
Martin Bob actually made a lot of sense. Even though *The Rock* was using him for publicity, making him out to be the "weakest Bond," his name had been mentioned much more frequently recently. More importantly, it made more young people aware of this veteran Bond actor. Furthermore, *The Rock*'s team hadn't destroyed the foundation of Sean Connery's image; Roger Moore's direction was completely different from Sean Connery's. Their images didn't overlap, and the unsavory habits widely known in Hollywood remained unknown to the public. If Sean Connery could calm down and think clearly, he would realize this was actually an opportunity to enhance his own fame.
If *The Rock* and Gilbert had communicated with CAA beforehand, Sean Connery wouldn't have reacted so strongly. But Gilbert wouldn't communicate about such matters with CAA, nor did he care what Sean Connery thought. He wasn't Tom Cruise; just an old man abandoned by the times. Sean Connery should have been grateful to him. *I put aside past grievances and even promoted him. How good is that...*
However, as everyone in Hollywood knew, Sean Connery was no longer rational. He listened to Martin Bob's persuasion to "hold back," and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. The more he looked at Martin Bob, the more he felt that Bob and Gilbert had secretly conspired against him. Looking at the ashtray on the table, rage surged in Sean Connery's heart. He picked up the ashtray and hurled it at Martin Bob's head.
"F***, I'll kill you!"
The ashtray struck Martin Bob's forehead with a sharp crack. Martin Bob screamed, clutching the injured spot, feeling liquid trickle down his face. Lovett and the assistant were momentarily stunned by the shocking scene. Seeing Sean Connery about to pounce and continue assaulting Martin Bob, Lovett and the assistant quickly restrained Sean Connery.
Martin Bob came to his senses, infuriated. He shouted, "Security! Security! Get him out of here! Call the police! I want to call the police!"
Security rushed in, pinning the enraged Sean Connery to the ground and dragging him out. Sean Connery shouted as he was dragged away, "Martin! I'm going to kill you! How dare you plot against me! Let me go!"
His shouts attracted the gaze of everyone in the CAA office building. Lovett quickly went to get a doctor to check on Martin Bob's injury. Seeing the onlookers, he coldly scanned the crowd and warned, "No one is to speak of what happened today, or else, hmph!" Unfortunately, he wasn't Martin Bob, Eno Martin, or Pat Kingsley, so his threat had little effect.
Watching the president's office door close again, the many recovering CAA employees and junior agents began to whisper, trying to figure out what had just happened. If they hadn't been mistaken, it seemed Mr. Sean Connery had beaten up Martin Bob. The junior agents couldn't help but shrink their heads; they dared not get involved in such matters. The powerful figures at the top were so chaotic!
---
### Aftermath and New Projects
Martin Bob, after his initial rage, had now calmed down.
"Where's Sean?"
Lovett said, "I've had someone send him home and found someone to keep an eye on him."
"Good," Martin Bob nodded. "Don't let him appear in the media for a while, lest he talks nonsense."
Lovett hesitated, "President, he's like this, why can't we just drop him?"
"Not yet," Martin Bob shook his head, explaining, "At least not until after next year's Oscars. If this incident gets out now, it's detrimental to us."
"Understood." Lovett greatly admired the president. Despite being physically attacked by Sean Connery and losing face, he could still compromise for profit; he truly had thick skin.
Martin Bob had no other choice. If he abandoned Sean Connery now and allowed him to rant to the media, all their previous work would be in vain. Once Sean Connery calmed down, he should know his place. He was completely reliant on CAA now, and CAA had plenty of dirt on him. If he dared to defy their will again, CAA could completely ruin Sean Connery's reputation.
Although Martin Bob temporarily let it go and issued a gag order, the incident inevitably leaked out. There are no new secrets in Hollywood. Within half a day, everyone who needed to know already knew, especially since so many people at CAA had witnessed it. However, with no direct vested interest, everyone tacitly agreed not to use this incident as leverage, though private whispers were inevitable.
"Did you hear? Sean Connery beat Martin Bob to a pulp."
At Melon Manor, young Leo was excitedly recounting the news he'd uncovered to Gilbert. Due to shared interests, young Leo frequently visited Gilbert's Melon Manor to fish by the sea, and their relationship was quite good.
Gilbert's hand was steady as he cast his fishing rod to the perfect spot, telling young Leo, "That's normal. After being dragged into our publicity stunt, it wouldn't be him if he didn't react somehow."
Young Leo chuckled, "Good thing this wasn't reported by the media, otherwise Sean Connery and Martin Bob going at each other like dogs would be quite a sight. Who do you support, Gilbert?"
"Me?" Gilbert said indifferently, "I'm just watching the show. Who wins or loses doesn't matter to me."
"Me too; looks like we're on the same page," young Leo agreed.
---
### Cameron's Big Project
Actually, Gilbert didn't just invite young Leo for fishing. Although *The Rock* was still being promoted, his next project required young Leo's participation.
"Director Cameron's new film is about to begin preparations, and he asked me to recommend an actor. I recommended you to him," Gilbert said.
Young Leo paused, then asked, "What project is it?"
"Director Cameron and I discussed the Titanic wreck. He should be playing around with underwater photography now and has an idea to bring the story of the Titanic to the big screen. I thought it was good, so I recommended you, but I need to use you for a while first before letting you go to him," Gilbert explained.
Being sought after by two of Hollywood's top directors simultaneously made young Leo a little dizzy. After he calmed down, he thanked Gilbert, "Thank you for your help, Gilbert."
"You're welcome, Leo." A fish bit, and Gilbert quickly reeled in his rod, saying, "You need to be prepared; you'll be very tired for the next two or three years."
Young Leo gave a reassuring look, "Since I entered the industry, I've been ready."
The project Gilbert wanted young Leo for was the Normandy project. He wouldn't be playing the lead but a critically important role. The original version of this role was played by Matt Damon. Initially, Gilbert considered sticking to the original casting, but then, thinking he hadn't worked with young Leo yet, he chose young Leo. He wanted to finalize this matter first to prevent young Leo from taking other projects and missing the schedule.
Cameron's "big ship" project was also quite unusual. James Cameron, after having his fill of underwater photography, invited Gilbert to his home in Los Angeles. Although the entire story was still just a rough concept in his mind, James Cameron unhesitatingly invited Gilbert to play the male lead.
Gilbert was momentarily stunned. "You want me to play the male lead?"
James Cameron nodded earnestly. "Yes, as soon as I thought of the story, you were the first person who came to mind for the male lead. I think you're suitable and have the potential to be my male lead."
He never expected to one day replace young Leo and play Jack, but acting made Gilbert feel a bit unnatural. He refused, "I'm sorry, Director Cameron, I have my own projects to attend to; I'm afraid I won't have the time to star in your film."
"Please consider it seriously. I am genuinely inviting you," James Cameron said earnestly.
Seeing that James Cameron wasn't joking, Gilbert could only offer a helpless smile and recommend young Leo to him. Not getting Gilbert, James Cameron was a little disappointed and not entirely satisfied with young Leo, whom Gilbert recommended, only saying he'd try a screen test to see the effect. But Gilbert knew James Cameron would definitely choose young Leo. In his previous life, the original male lead for the "big ship" wasn't young Leo either, but the "truck driver" still chose him in the end.
Perhaps in the future, when people recall this classic film, they will also talk about this interesting behind-the-scenes anecdote, about how the legendary director Gilbert almost became the male lead of the "big ship." This only adds a touch of intriguing color to the film, elevating the legend of the "big ship" even further.
After discussing this matter, James Cameron went back to his underwater photography. According to his plan, he wanted to do some technical verification for the "big ship" first, and then, upon returning to Los Angeles, fully dedicate himself to its preparations. According to this schedule, the staggered timing would also allow young Leo to free up his schedule to star in Gilbert's project.
In fact, Gilbert really wanted to move the Normandy project up, ideally to compete with *Braveheart* at next year's Oscars. But while he could handle high-intensity, continuous work, his team might not. Moreover, consecutive A-list blockbusters require immeasurable time and effort; from preparation to completion, it takes at least six months. Gilbert didn't have the ability to churn out a film in a week like some Hong Kong directors. Hollywood films are built on a mature market environment and industrial system, and A-list blockbusters generally cannot violate the inherent rules of commercial film production. Poorly made, rushed works, especially big productions, if they sell well, are definitely a market miracle.
However, Gilbert's claim of obstructing Mel Gibson's Oscars wasn't empty talk. After having a private investigator uncover some incidents within *Braveheart*'s crew, Gilbert immediately had his agent, Sheila Boone, represent him and meet with the film's lead actress, Sophie Marceau.
read lots story at pa***on belamy20
always update , only for 5$