America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 358 The Beginning of the Competition

Warner Bros. Studios is in the early stages of preparation for the project codenamed "Rory's First Kiss".

A gray office building became the film crew's residence.

Thomas drove a scooter, taking Martin to the film set, and picked up Louise along the way.

Martin asked, "Honey, is the joint investment meeting for the project over?"

Louise simply stated, "It's basically settled. The production budget is $1.8 million. Warner Bros. will handle distribution, and DC Comics and Legendary Pictures will co-produce it. The two companies, along with Warner Bros., Pacific Pictures, and some smaller companies, will also be involved in the investment, as will the Nolans."

She adjusted her black-rimmed glasses: "The project's offline window is three years, starting from the date the film's North American run ends. Warner Bros. will forcibly buy back all online and offline rights."

Martin asked a crucial question: "Warner Bros. also participated in the investment."

Louise said, "The investment amount is similar to that of Pacific Films, but their main focus is still on the new Terminator."

The electric scooter stopped in front of the gray office building. Louise got off first and led Martin and Thomas inside.

Louise was a member of the production team, and among all the producers, her power was second only to Charles Roven, who represented Warner Bros., and Orlin, the director of DC Comics.

Martin arranged a meeting with Nolan through Emma Thomas.

Just past the lobby, Menez came out and automatically found Martin, whispering, "I've infiltrated the film crew."

Martin thought to himself, "So fast?" He asked, "The actors?"

Menne nodded slightly: "Emma spoke with the audition director. I passed the audition yesterday and got an important supporting role as a black man. I'm here today to discuss the contract."

Martin nodded: "Keep an eye on the crew's activities."

"Boss, you can rest assured about my work." Mene has been doing very well lately: "Several key departments in the crew are headed by women over 40."

Bruce came up from behind and pulled Menez aside to find a place to talk privately.

Louise led Martin into a reception room, and after waiting for a few minutes, the Nolans came in together.

Martin stepped forward and shook hands with Nolan. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they quickly got down to business.

Nolan glanced at Emma and said, "You talked to Emma about this project, saying the Joker is the main character?"

"The script gave me a feeling," Martin said directly. "This character is very special, three-dimensional, and can't even be called a villain. I think the Joker in the script is very similar to the two main characters in 'Heat'."

This news came from Menez.

Sure enough, Nolan said, "That's right, when we were writing the script, Jonathan and I were influenced by the duel between the two heroes in 'Heat'."

His gaze toward Martin changed slightly, because every word the young actor said resonated with him and touched upon the core of his creative vision.

The Joker is too important to this movie. In Nolan's mind, Batman is just a supporting character to the Joker. He has elevated the Joker to an infinite level.

Therefore, Nolan was very careful in his selection; he needed an actor who could truly carry the weight of this complex role.

If the Joker falls apart, the movie falls apart, the $1.8 million will vanish, and his career as a director will be ruined.

Nolan thought for a moment and said, "Martin, I understand your situation. How about this, you wait for my notification and go directly to the audition with makeup."

Martin knew the meeting was coming to an end, so he shook hands with Nolan and said goodbye: "I hope to work with a fantastic director like you."

After seeing Martin and his party off, Nolan asked his wife, "A fantastic director? He's such a smooth talker."

Emma said, "She has a very good reputation in the industry and is very dedicated."

Nolan was aware of this: "They're also very good at causing trouble."

This film is of great importance, and he won't make a decision easily: "We also need to contact other candidates."

After lunch and processing some documents, Nolan received a notification that Christian Bale had arrived at the studio.

Because the Batman series in the 1990s changed actors repeatedly and suffered a box office disaster, Warner Bros. and DC Comics learned from their mistakes and, once the project was confirmed, they strongly invited Bale to return and continue playing Bruce Wayne.

Bale's agent is in final negotiations with the production team.

Nolan and Bell had collaborated several times and had a very good relationship, so he invited him directly into his office and asked, "Is the contract negotiation almost complete?"

Bale was in a good mood: "My highest salary ever was $1500 million."

Nolan glanced at Bell's physique: "Resume physical training and get as strong as possible."

Bale, known for his rubbery build, replied, "I've already started building muscle." He had other business to attend to today and asked, "I heard the production team has started casting for the Joker?"

Nolan nodded slightly and asked in return, "What, do you have a suitable actor to recommend?"

"Indeed, he has top-notch acting skills among young actors, and he's willing to do anything for a role." Bale first said a few words of praise before revealing the person's name: "Heath Ledger, the male lead in 'Brokeback Mountain'."

Hugh Jackman also recommended Heath Ledger, so Nolan's recommendation of Bale is not surprising.

Bale is a loyal and compassionate actor who clearly wants to help his friend.

But Nolan had to consider the risks: "Has Heath Ledger's condition improved?"

"It's basically under control." Bale is unquestionable when it comes to his friends: "I can guarantee that he won't cause any trouble during filming, and the crew can even sign a contract with him that includes relevant clauses."

Nolan has known Bell for many years. Bell is a very reliable person, so if he says that, he must be confident.

Bell added, "There are so many actors who have touched that stuff, it's impossible to count them all. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that very few people haven't."

Nolan has been in the industry for ten years and knows this is no exaggeration.

"The incident in New York wasn't a big deal. I was there. Martin Davis and Aniston went too far and almost ruined Heath Ledger's career." Bell briefly described the situation from his perspective, and then added, "I have a great rapport with Heath. If he were acting opposite me, it would definitely enhance the effect."

Just like Hugh Jackman in "The Prestige," Nolan valued the candidates recommended by Bale. After a little thought, he said, "Bring Heath Ledger to the set. I want to see him for myself."

Bell said, "I'll call him right now and have him come over from New York immediately."

Nolan urged, "As soon as possible."

Before leaving, Bell called Heath Ledger.

After making the call, he found a production manager he knew on set and asked, "Regarding the Joker role, which actor does the production team currently prefer?"

Once the cast list is finalized, Bale can call them and persuade those people to withdraw.

He had used similar methods several times in the past.

"It's not certain yet." The production manager recalled, "This morning, one of the investors, Louise Mayer, met with director Nolan, along with Martin Davis and his agent. I don't know exactly what they discussed, but I suspect it might be related to casting."

Upon hearing Martin's name, Bell's gaze sharpened, and he immediately thought of the Joker character.

Bruce Wayne has been confirmed for the role, and there are only a handful of actors who would be a good fit for Martin Davis.

Bale dislikes Martin, not only because of the Heath Ledger incident, but also because of the Pinewood Studios incident.

A grown man tearing a sponge became a laughing stock throughout Hollywood, the US, and even the UK, with countless people secretly mocking him.

Martin was involved in everything that the trio of bastards did.

Bell thought of Martin's sunny, handsome, and amiable face, and his stomach clenched, making him feel inexplicably nauseous.

Working on the same set is a nightmare, especially when he has to help Heath Ledger get the role.

After saying goodbye to the production manager, Bale kept thinking about how to cut off Martin's access to the film crew.

Meanwhile, Emma Thomas, who had been busy working for most of the day, left the office building where the film crew was located and went to the ice cream shop on set as agreed.

Menne sat at a table and ordered her an ice cream that was sickeningly sweet.

After Emma sat down, she took a bite. The super sweet taste exploded in her mouth, and the incredibly pleasant sensation filled her with a blissful feeling of dopamine release.

Happiness should be doubled, of course, and Emma ate most of it in one go.

Taking advantage of her sweet reverie, Mennet asked, "Emma, ​​do you think my boss will get that role?"

"It's not that simple. My husband and I have important opinions, but we don't have the final say," Emma said simply. "We can only offer suggestions. Ultimately, it depends on the results of the makeup audition. The project investment is too high, and no one can afford the risk."

Menezes boasted, "My boss's acting skills are beyond question; even Nicholson and Scorsese have praised him highly."

Emma cautioned, "Tell him not to be careless; the competitors are also very strong."

Menez asked, "Who are the other candidates for this role?"

This kind of thing is not within the scope of the production team's confidentiality, Emma casually said: "Bale recommended Australian actor Heath Ledger, and some other companies or investors recommended their own candidates. It is expected that five or six people will participate in the final costume audition."

Menez wrote down all the names Emma mentioned, especially Heath Ledger.

The boss mentioned this person; we should pay close attention to him.

Menez asked a few more questions about Bale's recommendation of Heath Ledger.

After finishing their ice cream, the two agreed to go for dessert the next day. Emma went back to her office building to meet her husband and prepare to go home after get off work.

Menez called a female executive producer he had hooked up with and, taking advantage of her being nearly 50 years old, managed to find out some information.

The male lead, Bale, has already submitted Heath Ledger's information to the casting team.

Menezes left Warner Bros. Studios and walked to Davis Studios, which was not far away, to find Bruce and go see Martin together.

He gave a detailed account of the latest information he had gathered.

"It is currently confirmed that Robin Williams, Josh Brolin, Jude Law, Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, and Adrien Brody are all interested in the role."

(End of this chapter)