[Chapter 530: The Nutty Professor Premiere, an Excited Halle Berry]
Linton's shooting schedule at the set went smoothly, maintaining a steady pace of roughly one song every two days. Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Connelly, Winona Ryder, Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron, and others all joined the crew, each completing the filming of one song performance.
...
On the afternoon of June 26th, Universal Pictures held the premiere for The Nutty Professor, starring Halle Berry as the female lead. As the head of Universal's parent company, Linton was expected to attend the premiere of such a major film under his studio's banner and help promote it.
Halle Berry had even invited Linton personally, showing up at the set by 3 p.m. after makeup was done, urging him to join her for the premiere. Linton had to wrap up his shooting early and accompany Halle to the event.
Charlize Theron, who was shooting a music video with Linton that day, had initially planned to attend the premiere alongside him. However, Charlize's strong-willed nature made her unwilling to play second fiddle to Halle Berry or watch Linton walk the red carpet with another woman. Refusing the invitation, she instead seized the moment to charm Linton with playful affection, coaxing him into granting several intimate favors that promised private delight later.
...
The Nutty Professor was a sci-fi comedy centered on African-American culture, with Eddie Murphy starring as the male lead. The story followed Julius, a biology professor at Wells University who was overweight and spent his days developing a weight-loss drug. One day, the experiment succeeded, altering the DNA of lab mice and drastically reducing their weight in a short time. Julius eagerly tested the drug on himself, transforming into a beloved, confident heartthrob who quickly mastered witty banter, even besting professional comedians.
His beautiful colleague, Professor Carla, who had only dared to dream of closeness before, unexpectedly agreed to go on a date with him. Yet, the drug's effects were unstable, and each time a happy moment neared, Julius risked reverting to his original appearance.
Carla, young and warm-hearted, was well-liked by students. She soon developed feelings for a charming man named Buddy, only to discover that Buddy was actually Julius. Rather than blame him, kind-hearted Carla encouraged Julius to live seriously.
The film's fresh concept brimmed with humor and clever jokes. Thanks to advanced makeup and special effects, Eddie Murphy showcased his comedic gifts fully, portraying the stark contrast between the two personas with impeccable skill.
Obesity was portrayed as a significant life struggle, with the film reflecting the real challenges overweight individuals faced socially. However, it tackled the theme with an uplifting tone about meaning and self-worth, elevating its appeal to mainstream audiences.
...
After the screening, as laughter and applause filled the theater, Linton confidently anticipated a strong box office run.
During the post-premiere press Q&A -- an expected routine -- reporters asked Linton to predict the movie's box office. He boldly forecasted $120 million for the North American market, causing a stir among attendees.
This was notable since the film featured an entirely African-American lead cast. Though racial equality movements had advanced in North America, realistically, African-American contributions to box office revenue were still comparatively low. Hollywood had never seen a primarily black-led film surpass $100 million.
Eddie Murphy's Beverly Hills Cop trilogy had all crossed that mark, but those films' lead casts were mostly white stars besides him.
Linton didn't elaborate much but said his judgment was based on personal taste and reactions from the audience during the screening.
...
After the premiere, Halle Berry made sure to cling to Linton's arm, unwilling to let go. She led him to the nearby Ritz-Carlton, where she had already secured a room.
Following an intense, passionate encounter, Halle lay relaxed against Linton. "Linton, do you really think The Nutty Professor's box office will hit $120 million?"
"Of course. The film's genuinely good. You and Eddie's performances were spot-on, plus Universal's distribution capabilities guarantee success."
Indeed, Universal's distribution was top-notch; Levitt had given Linton a brief report on the film's marketing and release plan. Since it was a film with a black cast, promotional efforts and theater bookings focused heavily on African-American communities, prioritizing cinemas in those neighborhoods.
Nonetheless, other markets weren't ignored. Eddie Murphy had amassed a sizable fan base through the Beverly Hills Cop series. The film's themes addressed obesity rather than racial issues, featuring a university professor as the protagonist, broadening its mainstream appeal.
With major media groups pitching in alongside NBC's full support -- and key theaters backing the project -- the opening day planned for nearly 3,100 screens nationwide, with 14% of all screens allocated, over a third concentrated in predominantly black communities.
"Darling, if the movie really makes $120 million, I have a big surprise for you."
"What is it? Can you tell me now?"
"Secret."
Although she claimed it was a secret, Halle's excitement betrayed her. That very night, she shyly delivered the surprise, her last virginity, actively engaging Linton in an intimate time that left no doubt of her enthusiasm.
...
As The Nutty Professor rolled out, it proved Linton's predictions accurate. The film grossed $26.41 million during its opening weekend, securing the top spot.
The box office breakdown differed from typical releases -- with over 30% of revenue coming from theaters in black communities.
Critics and audiences alike praised the movie. Third-party surveys gave it an "A" grade overall, signaling a strong likelihood it would pass the $100 million mark.
*****
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