Hollywood Director 1992.

Chapter 256 You Have Fallen
Jingle Bell!
"Link, I saw on the news that Warner Bros. announced that you will be the director of the Batman sequel. Is this true?"

"it is true."

"Wow, that's great, this is really great news, congratulations!"

After the news was made public, many people called to inquire about the situation, including Ben Affleck who was speaking.

"It's just a job, not great news."

In the office, Link was writing the shooting plan for "Batman 3" on his computer while talking on the phone.

"Haha, of course. I heard that the budget for the Batman sequel is over 100 million US dollars. It's a real blockbuster. Isn't it good news that you can direct such a big production with a cost of over 100 million US dollars?"

Ben Affleck laughed.

"The reason why my movies are not expensive is because they don't cost that much money, not because I don't have the opportunity to direct big productions, understand? In addition to congratulations, do you have anything else to do? I still have work to do here."

"Wait a minute, Link! I heard that Michael Keaton is not going to continue to play in Batman 3, and Batman 3 will recast a new Batman. Look at me, I'm handsome, have excellent acting skills, and have been a Batman fan since I was a child. If you are willing to let me play this role, I will be so excited that I will faint."

Michael Keaton starred in the first two Batman films. After Warner Bros. announced the change of director and script, Michael Keaton also announced that he would give up the performance.

"You? I'm afraid that's not appropriate."

"Why? Link, we are friends, the closest partners. We have worked together on four films, more than anyone else. Our relationship is like that between Martin Scorsese and Robert Rodney, or Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. If we continue to work together, and I become an Oscar winner and you become an Oscar director, our relationship will surely become a legend in the world film industry, isn't that right?"

Ben Affleck grumbled.

Link continued to type on the keyboard. "What did you say? The signal here is not good. Please keep it short."

"Okay Link, how about letting me play Batman? You said I was the most talented but lazy actor you've ever worked with. After hearing your evaluation, I've been working on my acting skills every day. My acting skills are better now than when I filmed Seven Deadly Sins. If we have a chance to work together, I will definitely give you a surprise."

"I'm afraid not. The crew is planning to use a top star to play the new Batman to ensure the box office success of the movie. Your box office appeal may not be enough."

"How could that be? Seven is a global hit, and my fame has skyrocketed. I am in no way inferior to those top stars, so it's very suitable for me to play Batman."

"Well, I will seriously consider your participation in Batman."

After hanging up the phone, Link continued to write the shooting plan for the sequel to "Batman", including the film's style positioning, set design, cast members to be determined, prop design and manufacturing, action guidance team, etc.

Once these terms are written down, Warner Bros. will evaluate them one by one and estimate the cost of making the film.

To this end, he also designed new cars and new battle suits specifically for Batman, as well as a variety of cool weapons.

If Batman 3 performs well at the box office, the film can be used again when filming Batman 4 and it won't be wasted.

Jingle Bell!
Not long after he hung up the phone, his assistant Anne told him that director Quentin was on the line and asked him if he wanted to answer the call.

Link picked up the phone and asked Quentin what was going on.

"Link, I heard that you are going to direct the sequel to Batman. Is this true?"

Quentin asked in a heavy tone.

Link said yes.

"Link, you are confused. We are independent film directors. How can we make movies for the Big Seven? And make a standard commercial movie like Batman? This is definitely not a good idea. I advise you to give up this project."

Quentin spoke fiercely.

Independent films in a broad sense refer to films that are different from the mainstream film system of the country. The mainstream film system in the United States is the seven major film studios, and the films of the seven major film studios are completely aimed at the market, hoping to obtain the maximum profit.

This mode of operation will bring a lot of funds to the development of the film industry, but it will also limit the room for filmmakers to play, making everyone focus on "money".

In order to get rid of the control of big studios, some filmmakers raise funds on their own, write and direct their own films, and make films according to their own ideas. These films are also called "independent films."

Among Link's films, "Buried", "The Blair Witch Project" and "The Butterfly Effect" are independent films, while the other films are more mainstream and are mainstream commercial films.

This was also a point that caused him to be attacked by the media after he became a famous director.

The media believed that he had given up his personal style in order to cater to the market and was full of the smell of money. He also talked about this issue during his last interview with "Billy Talks Movies". At that time, he explained that he was too poor and had no choice.

Now that he has announced that he will direct a standard commercial film like "Batman", it is tantamount to completely becoming a commercial film director.

Link didn't mind the change.

Truly top directors only make good movies and don’t care whether the movies are mainstream or non-mainstream. For example, directors James Cameron, Spielberg, and Ridley Scott perfectly combine artistry and commerciality in their movies, achieving both box office success and good reputation.

Link is also striving to become this kind of director, so he doesn't care about those external labels.

"I had no intention of accepting the offer, but the salary offered by Warner Bros. was too high and I couldn't refuse."

Link said.

"Oh, how much did Warner Bros. pay you?"

“About $3000 million.”

"How much?!!! 3000 million? You want 3000 million dollars to make a movie?"

Quentin's voice was too sharp and a little broken.

"Yes, they offered so much that I couldn't refuse."

Link laughed.

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds.

"Link, I still don't think this is a good idea. You are worth over a billion dollars and you have no shortage of money. There is no need to make that kind of movie for a mere $3000 million. Doing so is like an Oscar winner going to the San Fernando Valley to shoot an erotic movie. It's too depraved."

When he said 'only $3000 million', Quentin almost gritted his teeth.

"Quentin, you're wrong about one thing. Although I have some money, I'm also short of it. You know, I have a lot of girlfriends, and every year I have to spend five or six million dollars buying them gifts. I don't want to find a way to make more money, but the billion dollars I have is not enough."

"So you took this kind of movie because of women? Link, you are such a disappointment."

"Well, a little bit. How's the preparation for your new movie going?"

After chatting for a few minutes, Link hung up the phone and continued writing and drawing.

Just a few minutes later, his assistant Anne reminded him that there was a call and Ms. Nicole Kidman wanted to see him.

Link asked Annie to transfer the call.

(End of this chapter)