Chapter 101: The Role of Bloopers

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: The Role of Bloopers

As the final shot in Venice was completed, Irene looked at the perfect image on the monitor and let out a long breath. After the rush, they had finally finished filming within the window.

But just as she relaxed, Vera Cecil delivered some bad news.

"Director, tickets for the peak tourist season are completely sold out. Even for connecting flights, only business class is left, and we’d have to wait five days."

"Five days?" Irene frowned. There was still filming for The Italian Job waiting in Los Angeles, and they couldn’t afford the delay. Plus, staying another five days would incur a lot of additional expenses.

Before she could respond, Edward Norton walked over, patting his chest with a cheerful expression. "That’s no big deal. I’ll have my family’s plane come over and ’pack’ everyone up to take us back to Los Angeles. We’ll leave tomorrow."

As he spoke, he pulled out his phone and made a call, his tone as casual as if he were booking a restaurant. "Done. My dad’s private jet will arrive at Venice airport tomorrow at noon. There are plenty of seats."

Everyone cheered. Matt Damon smiled and patted Edward on the shoulder. "Your ’mobile airport’ is incredibly timely." Johnny Depp curled his lips in a teasing smile. "Next time we shoot on location, we should just put your family’s plane on the prop list."

Fortunately, they had Edward. Irene breathed a sigh of relief. "All right, everyone. Feel free to enjoy yourselves. Stay safe. Go back tonight, pack your things, and meet at the airport tomorrow at noon."

That evening, Edward called Irene and several of the lead actors to rent a gondola together.

The gondola moved slowly along the Venice canal. The boatman wore a traditional straw hat, his rowing unhurried, and the boat glided across the water, creating ripples.

Irene sat in the middle of the boat. The evening breeze, carrying moisture, brushed against her cheeks, blowing away the fatigue from days of filming.

Matt Damon leaned against the gunwale, his fingertips tracing the cool hull, and smiled.

"This slow-paced Venice is the real deal. When we were shooting the chase scenes, all I saw were canals and cameras. I didn’t have the mind to look at the scenery."

Johnny Depp toyed with a glass pendant he had bought from a shop on the shore, a lazy look in his eyes.

"If you ask me, we should have asked Edward to delay the private jet for two more days so we could properly explore and eat." He turned his head to look at Edward.

"Don’t be in such a rush to ’pack’ us back next time."

Edward laughed loudly and raised his hand in an OK gesture. "No problem. Once The Italian Job becomes a box office hit, I’ll rent out all the gondolas on the entire canal so everyone can enjoy themselves to the fullest."

As he spoke, he took a bottle of red wine and several glasses from his bag and poured for everyone. "Come on. A toast to us successfully finishing the Venice scenes, and also to Director Irene’s strict standards!"

"To Venice!" Everyone raised their glasses, the mellow aroma of red wine permeating the night. Irene took a sip, looking at the ancient, brightly lit buildings on both banks. The faint sound of folk songs drifted from a distant bar, and the corners of her mouth curved up involuntarily.

Seth Green had his camera with him and started recording the night view of the canal and the group, laughing.

"We have to record this rare moment of relaxation. When the movie is released, these can serve as the end-credits bloopers."

Seeing this, Irene suddenly had a flash of inspiration: bloopers.

In later years, many people would use bloopers for promotion, but it seemed no movie had done that yet. Perhaps she could try it with *The Italian Job*—edit the cast’s cut scenes and memorable moments to play at the end of the film. It should generate a lot of discussion.

The private jet landed smoothly at Los Angeles International Airport.

As soon as Irene stepped out of the cabin, she saw Fox’s Adelaide Griffin standing at the arrival gate, wearing a crisp suit, with two staff members holding bouquets beside her.

"Adelaide?" Irene was a bit surprised. She walked up and smiled. "You could have just sent one of your subordinates to pick me up. You didn’t have to come yourself. You’re too polite."

A smile she couldn’t hide spread across Adelaide’s face as she handed over a bouquet of champagne roses. "This isn’t about being polite. It’s a must that I come in person!"

She led the group toward the parking lot, her tone full of excitement.

"Mean Girls is incredibly powerful! After six weeks in release, the box office has already surged to one hundred fifty-four million dollars. It not only broke the box office record for a commercial film by a female director—held by Legally Blonde, although that was also your record—but it also squeezed into the top ten of the North American box office charts!"

The number made Irene pause, and then a faint smile curved the corners of her mouth. She knew the film would be a hit, but she hadn’t expected it to be this successful.

"With two weeks left before it officially leaves theaters, we’ve calculated that the box office will easily break one hundred sixty million, and it might even hit one hundred seventy million!" Adelaide grew more excited as she spoke.

"So, the company wants to hold a grand celebration banquet this weekend at the Beverly Hills Hotel, inviting all the main creators and Hollywood bigwigs to come and celebrate properly!"

"Celebration banquet?" Irene shook her head directly, a hint of helplessness in her tone. "Let’s forget it."

The smile on Adelaide’s face stiffened. She clearly hadn’t expected to be rejected again. "Director Irene, this is a record-breaking event! So many people are dying to attend!"

"Celebration banquets are boring. It’s nothing but drinking and small talk, a waste of time. The good box office is everyone’s credit. Just give out more bonuses later. There’s no need for this kind of formality."

"But this is the company’s intention, and it’s also a good opportunity to build momentum for the film..." Adelaide still wanted to persuade her.

"Really, no need. I’m going to devote myself entirely to filming The Italian Job next. This is also a movie you invested in. Don’t you want me to finish filming and post-production as soon as possible so it can be released? If you want to hold a celebration banquet, go ahead and do it yourselves. I won’t join in."

Adelaide looked at the resistance to the party in Irene’s eyes and recalled her attitude when she refused the celebration party before. She could only shrug helplessly.

"All right, I give up. You ’workaholic.’" She sighed but didn’t persist. She knew Irene’s character too well. Once she made a decision, it was hard to change.

Besides, the other party was right. The success of Mean Girls was already inevitable. What was more important now was The Italian Job.

If even a campus comedy could reach one hundred fifty-four million at the North American box office, then even if a traditional Hollywood commercial action film couldn’t hit two hundred million, couldn’t she look forward to one hundred eighty million?

Thinking of this, her heart filled with excitement.

If she won’t go, she won’t go. Building a good relationship with Irene was the top priority. She shouldn’t let her be dissatisfied over this trivial matter and risk her being poached by another company, or she would regret it too late.

Adelaide’s eyes shifted, but the celebration banquet still had to be held. If she didn’t hold it, how could she promote her own contributions, both externally and internally?