novellhall Chapter 178 Oscar [5000 words]
Chapter 178 Oscar [5000 words]
Chapter 178 Oscar [5000 words]
After the premiere, Chen Xun dragged his tired body back to Beverly Hills.
Chen Xun did the math.
Since buying this house, he has slept for less than a month in total.
And most of the time, he sleeps alone.
Why am I all alone now that I've moved out of Christine's place?
As Chen Xun pondered these thoughts, he drifted off to sleep.
The next morning at seven o'clock, it was still not fully light.
Chen Xun opened his eyes and reached under his pillow to pull out his phone, which he had silenced.
The screen displayed twenty-three missed calls from Rob, along with a bunch of text message notifications.
Just as he was about to call back, the phone rang again.
"Bro, you're finally awake!"
Rob's anxious voice came from the other end of the phone: "Quick, check the news!"
news?
Chen Xun rubbed his eyes and sat up.
Has something big happened again?
You've been nominated for an Oscar!
Before Chen Xun could even get out of bed and turn on the TV, Robert couldn't wait to announce the good news.
For a full five seconds, Chen Xun remained silent.
He repeatedly processed the meaning of that sentence in his mind.
"Oscars?"
Even after Chen Xun understood the meaning of the word, he still couldn't believe that such a good thing could happen to him.
"Chen Xun has received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 85th Academy Awards for his role as Peeta Mellark!"
Robbie speaks very fast.
Chen Xun hung up the phone and opened his laptop.
No need to search, the headlines on major news websites have already popped up.
CNN: "A historic breakthrough: Chen Xun receives an Oscar nomination for 'The Hunger Games,' becoming the first Chinese actor to receive an acting nomination for a mainstream teen blockbuster."
BBC: "From The Hunger Games to the Oscars, Chen Xun's extraordinary year."
The New York Times went even further with its headline: "Oscars Embrace New Faces: Does Chen Xun's Nomination Foreshadow a Shift in Hollywood Voting Trends?"
"Chen Xun's nomination is surprising, but upon reflection it makes perfect sense. His portrayal of Peeta Mellark in 'The Hunger Games' is not only a symbol of love, but also a complex character who makes moral choices in a desperate situation. Chen Xun's nomination breaks the Oscars' traditional prejudice against commercial blockbusters, especially those with teen themes."
Chen Xun scrolled down the list of nominees.
In the Best Supporting Actor category, his name was ranked third:
Philip Seymour Hoffman, *The Master*
Tommy Lee Jones's *Lincoln*
Chen Xun's *The Hunger Games*
Robert De Niro's *Silver Linings Playbook*
Alan Arkin's Argo
Holy crap!
Chen Xun couldn't help but swear.
He hadn't been unaware that he would receive an Oscar nomination, but he didn't expect it to come so soon!
Looking back at his previous film roles in "Thor," "Green Lantern," and "The Hunger Games" —
In addition, there are "Fast & Furious 5" and "The Hunger Games 2" that have not yet been released.
According to Hollywood's unspoken rules, the Oscars favor art films, historical films, and biographical films.
He has never acted in these types of films.
As for the commercial blockbusters he's acted in, it would be good enough if he could win a technical award!
Nomination for acting?
It's as difficult as climbing to heaven!
My phone started vibrating again. This time it was director Justin Lin: "Chen! Did you see that? I knew you could do it! You absolutely have to participate in the sixth film!"
Vin Diesel sent a voice message: "Bro, this is more exciting than my first Oscar nomination. Wait, I don't think I've ever been nominated for an Oscar—you're amazing, bro!"
Paul Walker was simple and direct: "Bro, awesome!"
Jennifer: "Brother-in-law, double happiness! I won Best Actress, and you won Best Supporting Actor!"
Chen Xun replied to each message one by one.
After replying to the message, he opened Twitter.
Five related topics in the top ten trends:
#ChenXunOscar#
#First Chinese Actor to Win an Oscar#
#PitaOscar#
#HungerGamesOscars#
#Chen Xun VS De Niro#
Clicking in revealed a wide variety of reactions from netizens.
"Finally! The Oscars acknowledge that commercial films can have great performances too!"
"But this is 'The Hunger Games'—can it really be compared to a film like 'Lincoln'?"
"Chen Xun's acting was indeed excellent; I watched it three times and cried each time."
"So he's now Chen Oscar Xun, that's an awesome title."
"The average age of the other nominees is 55+, how old is Chen Xun? The contrast is too surreal."
"I strongly suspect the Academy is only mentioning him for political correctness, given Hollywood's recent push for diversity."
"Shut upstairs. A good performance is good, it has nothing to do with his nationality."
Some made sarcastic remarks: "A Chinese actor gets an Oscar nomination for an American teen movie? What's wrong with this world?"
But she was quickly retorted: "What's wrong with that? American movies can't have Chinese actors? What era are you living in?"
Chen Xun smiled.
The phone kept vibrating; this time it was Christine.
"I just finished filming, and everyone on the crew is congratulating me, as if they were the ones who were nominated. How do you feel about that?"
"I'm still confused," Chen Xun said honestly.
"Just be confused!"
The phone rang with noise from Christine, including the sounds of props being moved: "I won't accompany you on the red carpet. If I can make it, I'll go see your awards ceremony!"
Dakota texted me: "Congratulations on joining the Oscar-cursed club. Remember not to walk the red carpet with Kristen, hahaha————"
Chen Xun only realized what was going on after two people said it.
Both of them are making fun of the Oscar curse.
It's said that couples who walk the Oscars red carpet together are more likely to break up, and actresses who win awards are more likely to have marital problems!
These two!
Chen Xun shook his head helplessly.
Chen Xun opened Weibo.
My phone froze as soon as I turned it on!
After the reboot, #ChenXun's Oscar Best Supporting Actor nomination# has exploded!
Clicking through, the first post is from the official Weibo account of the movie channel: "A historic breakthrough! Chinese actor Chen Xun has been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 85th Academy Awards for his role in 'The Hunger Games,' becoming the first Chinese actor to be nominated for an Oscar for acting in a mainstream commercial blockbuster."
It was shared over 50,000 times in ten minutes.
The comments section turned into a massive celebration: "Holy crap! My brother Xun is awesome!"
"Last time it was the Rio Olympics champion, this time it's an Oscar nomination, will it be a presidential run next?"
"The Hunger Games got an Oscar nomination? Have this year's judges had an eye for talent?"
"That shows his acting skills are really good; he brought the character of Peeta to life."
"So what about those who previously accused him of having questionable backgrounds? Can an Oscar nomination prove his innocence?"
The second trending topic was originally #WangFengOfficiallyAnnouncesDivorceFromKangZuoru#
This rock singer's love life has always been a gossip headline.
Clicking in, you can see that Wang Feng's team has released a press release, marketing accounts have shared it, and the topic's readership is visibly increasing.
As soon as Chen Xun's nomination was announced, within just twenty minutes, #WangFengDivorce# dropped from second to fifth, then fell out of the top ten, and finally disappeared from the trending topics list.
Netizens are laughing hysterically: "Wang Feng: What did I do wrong?"
"Was the team's PR budget wasted? It's the same as not being on the trending topics at all."
"I suggest that next time Wang Feng releases a new song or makes an official announcement, he should check Chen Xun's schedule first."
"I'll sympathize with Wang Feng for a second, and spend the rest of my time laughing."
"If I bought the trending topic package, can I get a refund?"
Chen Xun looked at these things and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Who would have thought that Wang Feng's tendency to trend on social media would one day come true for him?
Rob had already arrived in Beverly Hills and had been on the phone non-stop since he entered the house.
"Yes, thank you—no, no, it's not luck, Chen Xun deserves it!"
"Interview? This week is fully booked, but next week can be arranged—"
"Endorsement? Let's talk about that after the awards ceremony—"
After hanging up the phone, he drank half a bottle of water: "Warner, Lionsgate, and Universal are all vying for your next project."
"
"I never imagined I'd be so sought after!"
Robert burst into laughter.
He once transitioned into an agent to make a living and signed the unremarkable Chen Xun. Unexpectedly, he made a fortune from just this one investment.
Rob felt that the best thing he ever did was sign Chen Xun.
Now his small company of less than ten people has become a hot agency in Hollywood.
Many actors whose contracts have expired are even in talks with him about the possibility of renewing their contracts.
Rob's reputation in the agent circle is now no less than Chen Xun's reputation in the actor circle.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
When the door opened, there were crew members carrying a large box with "Director Justin Lin" signed on it.
Chen Xun took the box and opened it.
Inside was a bottle of champagne with a card that read: "To our Oscar nominees, the script for the sixth film has been sent to your email. This time, your role is shared with Van Gundy and Paul Walker."
This was clearly an arrangement made immediately upon receiving the message.
Director Justin Lin is very thoughtful!
Chen Xun invited Luo Bo to dinner that evening.
The two of them took a rare break and opened and drank the champagne that director Justin Lin had given them.
The news in the media is still developing.
The New York Times provided the most detailed report, analyzing why a commercial film like The Hunger Games could receive an acting award nomination.
"Chen Xun's performance offers a possibility that, in today's world where big studios increasingly rely on IP and special effects, actors' performances can still be the core driving force of a film."
"His portrayal of Pita Mellak infuses the old-fashioned theme of sacrifice with a genuine human weight."
CNN's headline was even more direct: "Chen Xun's nomination signals a shift in the Oscars? Is the Academy starting to open its doors to commercial film actors?"
The BBC focused on his Chinese identity: "In Hollywood today, where there is still an invisible glass ceiling, Chen Xun's nomination is symbolic. He has never hidden that he is a Chinese actor rather than a Chinese-American actor, and this attitude may be the reason for his success."
Some conservative commentators on Twitter made a sour comment: "The Oscars are getting more and more off; even Asian actors can get nominated for American blockbusters."
The tweet was quickly met with criticism: "So you mean Chen Xun isn't worthy? I suggest you watch his performance before you speak."
What's even funnier is that some netizens dug up conspiracy theories that Chen Xun must have a military background.
The comments under that tweet are now full of sarcasm: "So the Chinese military sent him to get an Oscar nomination?"
"That's quite a unique infiltration method."
"Is his next step to run for president of the Academy Awards?"
"Hey OP, does your face hurt?"
Chen Xun refreshed the page again, deleted the account, and the post disappeared along with it.
I had just seen Rob off when my phone rang again.
Chen Xun rubbed his temples.
He's received so many messages and phone calls today that his throat is incredibly dry.
The muscles in my face are practically frozen from smiling!
Acting isn't this tiring.
He took out his phone; it was a video call from Jackie Chan.
"Chen Xun, congratulations!"
As soon as the call connected, Chen Xun saw Jackie Chan laughing happily on the other end.
"I just had dinner with some of the academy judges, and they all said you acted well in that scene. Prepare well for the awards ceremony. Whether you win an award or not, this nomination is already a victory."
"Thank you, brother. Actually, I'm still a little confused."
"Being confused is normal! I was like that when I first got my Hong Kong Film Award nomination."
Jackie Chan was clearly much calmer about Chen Xun being nominated for an Oscar!
In his mind, Chen Xun had the ability, and winning the award was only a matter of time.
"A nomination is an affirmation, not the end. There's still a long road ahead, so keep working hard."
Jackie Chan has always treated Chen Xun like a younger brother, so he naturally shared some of his experience from previous award ceremonies.
As a Chinese actor, he has always been ahead of Chen Xun.
"clear!"
After hanging up the phone, Chen Xun went out onto the balcony.
The night sky in Los Angeles was unusually clear, and you could see the stars.
With the global premiere over, the producers of "Fast & Furious 5" have been capitalizing on the buzz by releasing various movie trailers.
Character features are being played on Facebook and YouTube.
Chen Xun's character quickly topped the popularity charts.
Universal created the hashtag #FastFurious5 to encourage fans to upload videos imitating drifting.
On the day of the North American premiere.
I've never seen such a spectacle on the red carpet outside the TCL Chinese Theatre.
Generally speaking, the red carpet at Hollywood premieres is mostly walked by celebrities, with at most a few sponsors' cars serving as a backdrop.
But today, Fast & Furious 5 turned the red carpet into a car show.
-
It's still a special exhibition of real-life vehicles.
The black Dodge Charger was parked in the center of the red carpet, next to Paul's blue GT-R.
Gal Gadot's Ducati motorcycle was displayed on a special stand.
Chen Xun's Dongfeng Jishi was also in the middle, looking majestic and imposing!
There were even several police car wrecks that had been smashed in the electric fist, displayed in the "accident scene" set.
"Fuck! That's what you call Electric Fist Xuan Jin."
Rob stood by the window of the VIP lounge on the second floor of the theater, looking down at the sea of people below: "Let's go straight to the car instead of the other electric fist-themed places."
Chen Xun, dressed in a custom-made suit, stood next to him.
Tonight's premiere is even more extravagant than any other in Rio!
After all, this was his home turf in North America, and it was his first public appearance since being nominated for an Oscar, so all the media were watching him closely.
The red carpet event began at 7 p.m.
As is customary, the production company representative, director, and supporting actors leave first, followed by the lead actors.
But the order has been slightly adjusted today.
Chen Xun was scheduled to appear on stage with Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
The signal is obvious.
He is now one of the film company's core assets.
When she walked the red carpet, the screams were even more exaggerated than those in Rio.
Chen Xun saw Chinese fans holding up signs that read "Oscar nominee Chen Xun," and American fans cosplaying as...
This is his appearance in the game "Electric Fist".
Black jackets, tactical pants, and some even made a prop gun.
The questions from the media area escalated: "Mr. Chen, how has your mindset changed since your Oscar nomination?"
"Are you, Van Pierre, and Paul Wong now the new Hollywood trio?"
"You Jinyan said your salary tripled for 'Fast & Furious 6,' is that true?"
"Would you use an Oscar nomination to gain more influence?"
Chen Xun always responded with the standard answer: "The nomination is an affirmation and a motivation, and I am very grateful, but it will not change anything."
"As for the salary—that's my agent's business; I'm not aware of the details."
That was a perfectly watertight statement.
Although the reporters were not satisfied, they could not find fault with it.
When Vin Diesel reached the middle of the red carpet, he suddenly stopped and patted the hood of the black Ford Gallard.
"Do you remember this car?" he asked Chen Xun.
"certainly!"
-
Chen Xun himself has driven this car quite a few times.
He even planned to buy one.
"This car accompanied us throughout our time on set. Now it's not just a car, it's a symbol of Fast & Furious 5."
These words evoked memories for many people present.
Everyone here has worked their way up from the bottom in the film crew to get to this point.
Filming a movie requires the tireless dedication of many people, working day and night.
Chen Xun thought this was just a sentimental moment, so he touched the car door in response.
It feels cool to the touch, has a smooth finish, and is very well maintained.
Then Fan did something no one expected.
He pulled a car key out of his pocket.
The wrecked surface still had a Dodge logo pendant hanging from it.
Fan turned to face the media and fans, his voice rising considerably: "This film is very special for all of us. We've been through a lot together, and it's also allowed us to meet a new friend!"
The scene quieted down.
Even reporters who were interviewing other actors gathered around.
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Paul, Gale, and director Justin Lin, before returning to Chen Xun's body.
"The production team has decided to gift this car to Chen Xun, starting today, as a token of their gratitude for his selfless act in a crucial moment!"
Fan Shan put on the Charger's hood.
Chen Xun was taken aback.
He knew nothing about it beforehand; Rob didn't mention it, the producer didn't mention it, and even Paul didn't give a word of it.
He looked at the people around him.
Rob waved at him.
The rest of the crew applauded loudly, their eyes filled with smiles, clearly having known beforehand.
"Take it!"
Fan shoved the key into his hand: "This is what you deserve!"
Chen Xun held the key; the cold, metallic touch felt very real.
He looked up at the media area, where the lights were on and all the cameras were pointed at him and the keys in his hand.
Chen Xun took a deep breath, turned to Jing Fu, and held up the key: "Thank you to the crew for this gift. I will drive this car well and remember everything it represents, not just the electric fist, but also the road we have traveled together."
Chen Xun's words were sincere.
Applause erupted from the audience.
Paul walked over and put his arm around Chen Xun's shoulder: "Congratulations, bro, but I have to warn you, this car's fuel consumption is terrifyingly high. The monthly gas cost is enough to buy a new iPhone."
"
"It was worth it!" Chen Xun smiled.
The car giveaway became the biggest highlight of the night.
The hashtag #ChenXun'sCar# appeared on Twitter instantly, and someone posted a video of the incident, which garnered over a million views in ten minutes.
Comment section: "Vin Diesel truly considers Chen Xun a brother."
"How much is that car worth in Electric Fist?"
"It's not about the money, it's about the symbolism. You saved the team, and the team is giving you a chariot."
More professional car enthusiasts began to analyze: "That Charger is a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, with a modified V8 engine that is estimated to have 500 horsepower. A well-maintained car of the same model would cost around $20, but with the addition of the Super Furious 5 badge, it's priceless."
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