The Hilton Hotel banquet hall was bustling with people. Due to time constraints, only a few members of the Australian gang from Hollywood had arrived here, but several local celebrities from Sydney were invited by Warner Brothers' Australian branch, and many Hollywood stars filming in Sydney also began to walk into the hotel.
Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were one of the couples. One was filming Mission: Impossible 2 at the Fox Studios, and the other was on vacation in Sydney.
"Hi, Kate."
"Hi, Nicole."
Seeing where Duke was standing, the two immediately walked over, with Nicole Kidman clearly being quite familiar with Cate Blanchett.
Not paying attention to the two women who seemed almost like sisters in their intimate exchange, Duke stood with Tom Cruise and asked, "The filming should be finishing soon, right?"
"It will be no more than two weeks before we enter post-production."
At this point, Tom Cruise said with a hint of gratitude, "Duke, I want to thank you for your suggestion."
"Hmm?" Duke didn't quite understand.
"Thank you for suggesting I start the Mission: Impossible sequel and decline Eyes Wide Shut," Tom Cruise glanced at Nicole Kidman beside him, then turned back, "Stanley Kubrick passed away without completing his final film."
"That's a shame."
Although Duke said this, he had no particular feeling about Stanley Kubrick. He didn't react much to the news. "So, Tom, you made a wise choice, a choice that's beneficial for both of us."
"Choice of what?" Cate Blanchett suddenly asked.
She finished her perfunctory greeting with Nicole and returned to stand beside Duke and Tom Cruise.
"Of course, the movie." Duke smiled at her, "How could we be talking about anything else?"
He briefly explained it to Cate Blanchett. The atmosphere between them seemed unusually harmonious.
At this moment, someone approached to greet them. Duke and Tom Cruise exchanged a few pleasantries before sending them on their way. Cruise then steered the conversation back to the Mission: Impossible sequel.
"The director you recommended is really good." He seemed quite satisfied with Wu Baige, "His gunfight scenes, especially the dual-wielding, are very distinctive. I really like them. I feel the box office for this movie..."
Hearing Tom Cruise's praise for Jhon woo, Duke wasn't surprised. After going through the experiences with Broken Arrow and Face/Off, Jhon woo had become more attuned to Hollywood's nuances. And honestly, Tom Cruise's persona was more suited to his style.
"Duke Jhon woo's agent has been in touch with my production company."
Tom Cruise continued with their earlier topic. "He wants to secure the director's contract for Mission: Impossible 3."
"What do you mean, Tom?" Duke asked back.
He held nearly half of the film's copyright. Without his approval, not only would the director for Mission: Impossible 3 not be confirmed, but the project couldn't even be launched.
Nicole Kidman gently tugged at Cruise and suddenly took over the conversation. "Pat thinks he's not suitable. Woo's style is too distinctive, which could lead to audience fatigue, and..."
She didn't continue that sentence, but Duke understood the underlying meaning. Every big circle has its own smaller ones, and distinctions like region, skin color, etc., can't be erased simply by shouting slogans or producing a few successful films.
"Tom, we're not even done with the filming, but my opinion is..." Duke thought for a moment before speaking, "Let's put this matter on hold for now. If the film succeeds, Jhon woo will surely receive plenty of offers, and we will have time to observe his future development."
This was the safest approach, and Tom Cruise had no objections.
After finishing the topic about Mission: Impossible, Tom and Nicole Cruise moved on to mingle with others. Duke took a round through the banquet hall, greeting guests, before spotting Cate Blanchett sitting at a small table and walking over.
"You don't have to stay with me the whole time."
When Duke sat across from her, Cate Blanchett said, "I like peace and quiet. It's fine just sitting here for a while."
"You're the star tonight." Duke said, looking at her.
Blanchett smiled faintly and immediately changed the subject. "When I first came to Hollywood, I heard many people mention you and Cruise..."
"That was in the past." Duke ordered two glasses of champagne, clinked glasses with Blanchett, and said, "Now, our collaboration benefits both of us, and those small conflicts are nothing."
"What about Mel Gibson?" Blanchett casually asked.
Duke put down his glass and looked at Blanchett, seemingly trying to figure out the meaning behind her words.
Cate Blanchett quickly added, "Duke, I didn't mean anything by it. I just thought of Mel Gibson. I saw him from a distance near my community yesterday after getting off the plane."
"Oh?" Duke took back his gaze, now curious. "I haven't heard anything about him lately. Do you know what he's been up to?"
"I've heard something." Cate Blanchett recalled and said, "He can't get any movie contracts in Hollywood. Not even B-movies or independent films want him. He had to go back to Australia temporarily, and occasionally appears on a few shows on Sydney TV."
"Seems like he's living quite comfortably?" Duke chuckled.
Mel Gibson's career in Hollywood was definitely over. Even if he managed to appear in Hollywood again, he could no longer enter the mainstream film industry and would only be relegated to small roles.
The two chatted a little longer before Nancy Joseph arrived with a middle-aged man.
"Duke, let me introduce you."
She walked up to the table, introducing the two parties. "This is Mr. Jon Strivian, the chairman of the Australian Tennis Association. Jon, this is Director Duke Rosenberg, and this is Miss Cate Blanchett."
They shook hands and exchanged brief greetings before sitting down at the table.
Nancy ordered drinks for the four of them and, getting straight to the point, told Duke, "Jon is one of the people responsible for the next Australian Open, and he wants to invite you to participate in some public events during next year's Australian Open."
"Oh, thank you." Duke nodded at Jon Strivian.
"We're very sincere in inviting you, Director Rosenberg," Jon Strivian said, sensing Duke's polite tone. "During the Australian Open, we're planning to hold a celebrity tennis exhibition, where social elites will be paired with tennis stars willing to participate for charity matches."
He looked quite sincere, almost desperate.
Duke saw Nancy nodding slightly at him, thought for a moment, and said, "Jon, I can't give you a definitive answer right now. I need to see the schedule when the time comes."
"We look forward to your participation."
Jon Strivian extended his right hand, and Duke shook it. "I also enjoy tennis and hope to participate in some charity activities to help those in need."
Knowing what to say in what situation and to whom was second nature to Duke.
The Australian Open wouldn't start until late January, and it was still November. Duke wasn't sure if he'd have time, so he promised to give them a clear answer closer to New Year's.
The sound of high heels clicking echoed, and Cate Blanchett looked toward the source of the sound, suddenly stood up, and said to Duke, "I'm going to the restroom to touch up my makeup."
It was obvious she didn't want to meet the person walking over.
As soon as Cate Blanchett left, Naomi Watts, wearing a pale yellow dress, sat next to Duke.
"Long time no see, Duke." She smiled.
The two were quite familiar with each other. Duke wasn't polite either and asked, "When did you arrive? I didn't see you."
"Traffic jam on the way. Just got here." She looked past Duke at the retreating figure. "That's Blanchett, right?"
"What happened between you two?"
Though the Australian gang worked together on major issues, there was no shortage of private conflicts.
"It was just a few role disputes."
Naomi Watts was now full of energy, exuding the confidence and pride of a major star. "I won a few times."
Duke wasn't interested in the petty rivalries between actresses, so he changed the subject and asked, "Will King Kong be released next year?"
"Summer next year." Naomi Watts extended an invitation. "If you have time, come support my premiere, okay?"
At this point, she stood up, flashing Duke a charming smile. "I'm going to greet Nancy and the Warner people. We'll talk later."
After Naomi Watts left, Duke stood up and headed in the other direction, toward a few lounge rooms connected to the banquet hall. Cate Blanchett had just walked into the one on the far left.
At the door of the lounge, Duke gently knocked before pushing the door open. Cate Blanchett had her back to him, seemingly looking into the mirror. He walked directly over, standing behind her chair.
"My dear..."
He bent down, his lips close to Blanchett's white ear. "You already look enchanting enough."
"Really?" Cate Blanchett took a lip gloss from her bag.
"Of course."
As he spoke, Duke tentatively kissed her ear. Seeing her shake her head but not resist, he extended a hand to gently turn her face toward him and kissed her fiery red lips without hesitation.