The King of Directors 2000

The sky was gloomy, with heavy clouds blocking the sun.

In the direction of the sea, dark curtains of rain fell down, and it was pouring down there.

In the conference hall of the DC Comics headquarters building, the lights were bright and more than thirty reporters gathered in front.

Diana Nelson picked up the pen and then signed her name.

She was wearing a long blue dress today. Although she was older and her face was more wrinkled, as the president of DC Comics, she still looked quite charming with her huge aura.

Next to Diana, Toby Emmerich was wearing a black suit and tie, looking very formal. He took deep breaths, controlled his emotions, his hands trembled slightly, and then signed his name on two documents.

Today is the signing ceremony for the sale of the copyright of "Joker".

In order to promote the movie, Toby Emmerich used his connections and invited dozens of reporters to fill the scene.

"It's great, you two, how about taking a photo together?"

Emmerich and Diana stood up together, both holding the signing agreement and facing the reporters with smiles on their faces.

After the photo session is over.

It’s time for reporters to ask questions freely.

"Toby, you are a senior Hollywood producer. According to the news we have received, you will invite director Li from China for this movie version of "Joker". Is it true?"

"Yes, Lee is very good. He won the Palme d'Or twice and the three best director awards in Europe three times. He is someone who cannot be ignored in the film industry around the world. I think Hollywood needs outstanding talents like him."

"Many directors, producers, and even some politicians have criticized Li in the past. Have you not considered this issue?"

"Of course, I know these things. I want to say that these are all misunderstandings. Misunderstandings caused by ignorance. Based on this situation, I think we should contact each other and communicate face to face. This can eliminate many conflicts."

These reporters were all invited by Emmerich, and all issues were discussed.

Emmerich answered very readily and quickly at this time.

"Toby, I heard that Warner owns 70% of the late-stage copyright of "Joker" and Li owns 30%. Is this true? This has never happened in Hollywood, right? Don't you think you are too indulgent to Li?"

"This thing is true, this kind of thing has never happened before, but I don't think it is condoning.

In fact, "Joker" does describe the Joker in Gotham, the opponent of Batman that we know.

But this "Joker" is a completely different story, completely different from what we see in the comics. He gives the clown new life.

This story was written by Li. He is the screenwriter. It can be said that this is his project. I think it is reasonable to give him 30% of the copyright. "

Although the reporters had known about this for a long time, they were still somewhat surprised to hear Emmerich's story with their own ears.

The thinking in Europe and the United States is that of gangsterism, where the winner takes all.

They don't understand the so-called win-win situation and common development.

In the past, whether they were facing excellent films from France or England, the Big Six in Hollywood would directly grab them and demand 100% of the copyright. There was no talk of giving back a share of the copyright.

Warner's cooperation with Lee Sung-yao this time really made a huge sacrifice.

"I heard that Lee has the final editing rights for this movie."

"Yes, we believe him."

"I heard that Li Lai was responsible for all the budget, casting, and shooting of this movie?"

Although Beautiful Country is said to be a producer system, each link has a clear division of labor.

But in fact, they have full control over the movies made by great directors such as Cameron and Spielberg.

But these people are the top directors in Hollywood.

Reporters still can't believe it. This time Warner seems to have handed over all aspects of the project to Lee Sheng-yew except for promotion, distribution and funding.

Is it worth trusting Lee Sing-yew so much?

Emmerich nodded, "Yes, Li is a genius. In order to let him fully utilize his talent, we will give him enough rights to do whatever he wants.

This is a major attempt, and I think it is of great significance. "

"Have you considered failure? Warner Pictures will suffer huge losses as a result. In fact, there has never been a movie with the clown as the main character before, let alone a Chinese director?"

"Of course we have considered the risks, but in order to produce greater movies and to promote the Hollywood film industry, we feel it is worth it.

If it fails, this is a lesson that other peers can think about.

If successful, this is a path to explore. "

The reporters asked some more questions, all about Lee Sheng Yew, and all were doubts.

If such an interview is published, it will inevitably attract criticism from a lot of viewers.

For a period of time, Warner Pictures will probably become the object of ridicule.

This is called "black and red".

After the press conference of the signing ceremony was over, Emmerich compiled the agreement and left quickly.

At this moment, Diana called out Emmerich, "Toby, I heard some rumors before. I think the truth shouldn't be that serious, but I just heard what you said. Do you really give 100% of the production rights?" Give it to Li?"

Emmerich nodded, "Yes, Diana, I gave him 100% trust."

"Aren't you worried? Do you really trust him that much?"

Emmerich turned around and nodded, "Lee is very young, but he is very good, not to mention the quality of the film.

As far as movie box office is concerned, he is known as Asia's most successful commercial director.

He has never made the producers lose money, and his business acumen is very good. I believe in his strength. "

Hearing this, Diana smiled and said, "I don't like others to overestimate their words, but since you are so confident, I wish you good luck."

Emmerich nodded, then hurriedly left holding the document.

Given such great benefits and rights to Lee Sheng-yew, he is actually under tremendous pressure.

It was not just Diana who questioned his decision, but many people at the top of Warner Pictures questioned his decision.

This time he really bet on his future at Warner Bros.

"Joker" was successful, and he made a huge contribution.

If "Joker" fails, he will be kicked out of the movie, even more embarrassing than Jeff Robinov.

As more and more people questioned him, Emmerich himself no longer had the confidence he had before.

Now facing questions from his friends, he is actually irritated and worried. Lee Sung-yew is indeed talented, and the script of "Joker" is indeed very good.

But since nothing happened, who knows if there will be an accident?

What if it fails? Emmerich didn't dare think deeply.

……

When Lee Sheng-yao came to the beautiful country and signed a contract with Emmerich at the headquarters building of Warner Pictures, more reporters came over.

The project of "Joker" has been spread in the beautiful country.

In the past, there have been many movies involving clowns. The actors have contributed superb acting skills, giving the character "Joker" extraordinary charm. But there has never been a movie or TV show where the male protagonist is a clown.

What's more, the director of this movie is Lee Sung-yew, and Warner "gives away" so much profit. Give Lee Sheng Yew such great power.

After the last press conference at the DC Comics headquarters building, news about the movie "Joker" has exploded.

Fans still think this movie is unreliable, and using a Chinese director is even more of a joke.

So when word came out that Warner Bros. had signed a contract with Lee Sung-yew, almost all the reporters in Hollywood went over.

Of course they didn't come here to congratulate and advise, they came here to watch Warner's jokes.

At this time, there was a large group of reporters.

Considering the topic is enough, no more exaggerated words are needed to attract the audience.

Therefore, the press conference did not last long. After talking about this matter and answering three questions, Lee Sheng-yew and Emmerich left in a hurry.

The two of them walked very fast, but some reporters still wrote that they were afraid of interviews.

When he arrived at Emmerich's office, he took the lead and said: "Lee, now that you have got all the preliminary preparations, can you officially prepare for the movie?"

He was very free and easy when faced with remembering, but after seeing too much negative news, he also lost some confidence in his heart.

He hoped that Li Shengyao could start work as soon as possible, so that he would be more confident.

Hearing this, Li Shengyao said, "Toby, don't worry, I can start the real preparations for filming tomorrow. I already have several candidates for the main roles."

Although according to the agreement, Li Shengyao is responsible for all character selections in "Joker", Emmerich is still a little curious.

"Li, can you talk to me?"

After all, Lee Sheng Yew had been away from Hollywood for several years. He was worried that Lee Sheng Yew didn't know much about Hollywood actors and chose unsuitable actors.

Li Shengyao nodded, "There are three main important roles in the script, the male protagonist, the female protagonist, and the talk show host. This person can be said to be the second male lead.

I plan to invite Robert De Niro to play the second male lead. "

Robert De Niro is a great actor in the beautiful country. He and Al Pacino have become representatives of acting.

If you use Google or search for powerful actors on YouTube, entries for these two old men will appear.

Emmerich heard this and nodded, "This is a very good choice. His acting skills are very good. I believe he can fulfill this role."

He breathed a sigh of relief, this was a good choice.

"As for the female lead, I plan to use a new person, her name is Zazie Beetz."

Emmerich frowned and thought for a moment. He couldn't remember an actress with that name.

"What works has she acted in?"

"She has not officially acted yet. This is an African-American girl from Germany. She is currently looking for a job in Los Angeles. She is interviewing everywhere."

Emmerich couldn't help but frown when he heard Li Shengyao's words.

He has not acted in a single movie, so he is indeed a "newcomer".

But this is too new, right?

Can such a newcomer really be qualified to play the heroine of "Joker"?

According to the description in the script, this character has quite a lot of emotional changes. It would be very embarrassing for someone without acting skills to perform.

Why did Li Shengyao choose such a girl?

Is it because two people have an affair?

Emmerich had heard of Lee Sheng Yew's previous scandals in Hollywood and knew that Lee Sheng Yew was not the monk in Chinese movies.

"Lee, are you sure she can do the job?"

"Okay, I believe her."

In 2010, political correctness in Hollywood became more and more serious, and important roles in movies must have African Americans.

Since the male lead and the second male lead are not African-American actors, then the female lead must be African-American.

In Lee Sheng-yew's previous life, this was one of the important reasons why Zazie Beetz was used in "Joker".

In addition, Zazie Beetz's face has a sense of story. She is not pretty, but has the ordinary temperament of a lower-class person, which makes her look better with the male protagonist.

Emmerich thought about Li Shengyao's temperament and paused for a moment, but did not continue to discuss the issue.

"Where's the hero?"

He looked at Li Shengyao and secretly prayed in his heart, hoping that he was not an unknown actor, but a very good actor with box office appeal.

Li Shengyao laughed and said: "Hollywood weirdo-Joaquin Phoenix."

In Lee Sung-yew's previous life, clown actors were always actors.

The first movie to feature the Joker was "Batman" in 1966. At this time, DC Comics had not yet established its dark style.

This is a gothic comedy movie. Caesar Romero plays the clown. He is very humorous and very popular.

By 1989, actor Jack Nicholson played the Joker, and by this time the DC style had been established.

This clown is dark, crazy, and paranoid, almost like the clown in the comics.

In 2007, there was also the Joker played by Heath Ledger. This time the Joker was considered by many fans to be the peak of the Joker.

The characters are sick, dark, crazy, pitiful, and paranoid, and have a kind of beauty that scares the audience.

It's amazing, even though they know he is a bad guy and anti-social, the audience still likes to watch it.

In 2014, HBO produced the American drama "Gotham", in which Cameron Monaghan played the young Joker.

This clown is very young and has no exaggerated appearance, just like ordinary people.

This clown should be the closest to a normal person. Although his acting skills are not comparable to those of other great actors, he still completed all the performances relatively well.

Then there is the Joker who appeared in the movie "Suicide Squad", that is, the Joker played by Jared Leto.

This clown is called the closest to comics and the most handsome clown by movie fans.

With a punk style and rebellious temperament.

The clowns above are all pretty good.

But all of them are like the Joker of the Batman world.

Only Joaquin Phoenix is ​​another clown, a clown who comes from the bottom, is depressed, and has a desperate laugh that makes people's hair stand on end.

When Lee Sung-yew wrote the script, he already decided on Joaquin Phoenix. He didn't plan to consider anyone else and chose this person as the male lead.

He was recently searching Joaquin Phoenix's information and found that Woody Allen was inviting Joaquin to star in "The Unreasonable Man".

Woody Allen's appeal as an actor is undeniable, and actors in beautiful countries are proud to play in his movies.

If Lee Sheng Yew wants to cut off Hu, he must contact Joaquin as early as possible.

He paused and then said: "I will go to Joaquin tomorrow. We have to hurry up. Woody Allen has taken a liking to him."

(End of this chapter)