America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 367 Nicholson angrily berates Martin

In the Warner Bros. Building press room, numerous reporters gathered, and the main cast and crew of "The Dark Knight" were all present to witness the official signing of contracts between the production team and lead actors Martin Scorsese and Christian Bale.

Martin was once again the sunny and handsome young actor. After the ceremonial signing, he even took a group photo with director Nolan along with Bale.

Under the flashing lights, the two smiled brightly, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

During the Q&A session, a reporter suddenly asked, "Martin, Chris, there are rumors in Hollywood that you two have a serious conflict?"

Martin immediately retorted, "How could that be? Chris and I admire each other; we've been friends since last year."

When Bell saw the cast and crew sitting below, he turned to Martin and said, even more shamelessly than Martin, "Martin got this role because of my recommendation."

Martin looked at Bell and his smile grew even brighter, to the point of being almost perverse.

Bale remained calm and composed, reaching out to bump fists with Martin.

Right in front of countless cameras, the two men's fists collided.

Like brothers or best friends.

Bell had strongly recommended Heath Ledger to Nolan and had also expressed his dislike for Martin; Nolan knew the two were at odds.

But he didn't care; Batman and the Joker were meant to be mortal enemies.

From the perspective of what is beneficial to the work, it is perfectly acceptable for the animosity between these two people to extend from the film to their real lives.

Nolan is also a director who understands marketing. In the past few days, he has discussed with his wife, Emma Thomas, whether they can make some use of the relationship between Martin and Bale when promoting and marketing the film.

There's even a blueprint already. For example, Martin and Bale were originally good friends, but Martin got too involved in the Joker role. The Joker's relationship with Bruce Wayne affected the two protagonists' real-life relationship, causing them to become enemies.

After the press conference ended, Martin and Bell left the press room hand in hand and went to the lounge at the back.

Bell said with a smile, "I never expected we would have such a close opportunity to work together."

Martin laughed and said, "The film was shot in Atlanta, which is my hometown. When we get to Atlanta, I'll take you on a tour of Georgia's beautiful scenery."

Bell then remembered that Martin Davis was from Atlanta.

He is never afraid of challenges: "I'll need your help to guide me then."

Martin had an idea that Bruce had mentioned.

After filming "Wanted," Jolie traveled to the Middle East and Africa, embarking on a journey to the Virgin Mary.

Bruce had suggested that if something happened to Julie there, the commercial prospects for "Wanted" would be very good.

Is Batman in Atlanta?

Watching Bell's departing figure, Martin quickly shook his head; lately, he'd been having more and more crazy ideas.

Bruce then approached and asked, "Any ideas?"

Martin shook his head and sighed, "Some of these lousy ideas are all your fault. You're acting like a complete jerk!"

Bruce was baffled, wondering what he had done.

"Luckily I managed to grab you, otherwise you would have been in danger." Martin greeted Nolan and Emma Thomas, "Chris, Emma."

Nolan said, "Let's chat for a bit."

Martin nodded slightly, left the crowded lounge, and entered a meeting room next door.

Nolan slammed the door shut.

Martin was startled. His gaze quickly swept over Emma Thomas, and he suddenly thought of Kate and Sam, thinking, "No way?"

"I know you and Bell have some disagreements," Nolan said directly, "but don't let it affect your work."

Martin said, "You can rest assured about that."

Emma Thomas asked, "I've heard you always have a knack for advertising and marketing?"

Martin smiled and said, "I'm just offering some suggestions."

"Chris has some ideas about advertising and marketing that he'd like to discuss with you," Emma said briefly.

Martin did not object to this, but the specifics of its implementation still needed to be discussed in detail between the production team and Thomas.

They chatted for a short while before parting ways.

Martin glanced at Nolan again.

This British director is not only an outstanding filmmaker, but also a master of publicity and marketing. He once used the open ending of "Inception" as an example to make a lot of noise and hype.

Much like Tom Cruise is to Nicole Kidman.

Whenever there's a publicity stunt, they always bring it out and shake it around a bit.

To paraphrase Martin's words from his previous life, Nolan can be considered the beginning of the fandomization of directors.

After 2015, if anyone said that Nolan's films were not good, they would immediately be attacked online.

Martin went out the door, met up with Thomas and Bruce, and together they left through the back door of the Warner Building.

Thomas recently finalized a revenue-sharing agreement for Joker-related merchandise, with Martin receiving 20% ​​of the gross profit from those products.

Behind that is the film studio area.

Lily is waiting for them here.

The girl, beaming with joy, ran over to Martin immediately, looking relaxed: "Next year, I won't have to pay Elena's tuition."

Martin said, "Elena can breathe a sigh of relief too."

“Yes, she can finally relax.” Lily lowered her voice. “I can relax too. Elena can’t keep raising her fists all the time…”

Martin gave a slightly sinister laugh: "You think you can escape your sister's iron fist by not paying Elena's tuition?"

Lily's relaxed expression instantly crumbled.

Obviously not.

After striking the man, Martin asked, "Did you sign an agreement with the production team?"

Lily perked up slightly: "The production team spent $20 to buy out the copyright and several large bags of carvings I made, intending to sell them as high-end handmade custom merchandise. In addition, they hired me to work on the production team to continue designing and producing related Joker and Batman figurine carvings. Besides my basic salary, I also get a 3% profit share from this part."

"Keep up the good work." Martin finally stopped discouraging me: "If this movie does well, you'll earn enough to cover your tuition and living expenses for the rest of your college years."

Lily reached out and tugged at Martin's sleeve, saying, "Thank you."

Martin raised his fist and waved it in front of Lily, reminding her, "Don't let others bully you, but don't cause trouble either."

Lily muttered, "Am I that kind of person?"

"You think I haven't heard the rumors from the film crew?" Martin glanced at her. "I heard last week that you poked dozens of holes in a life-size mannequin with a carving knife in front of a group of people."

Lily argued, "This is preventing bullying before it happens; it's good for both of us." She looked for an ally: "Old Brooks, am I right?"

Bruce felt this was consistent with his approach and praised, "Well done."

Upon arriving at the Dark Knight's workshop, Lily pointed to the door: "I'm going back to work."

Martin nodded, watching her run off happily, and said to Bruce, "Give her one of the Cadillacs that were delivered, and give her the house keys too."

Bruce asked, "Why don't you just say it yourself?"

Martin revealed his true feelings: "I think I caught Elena's urge. When I saw Lily so happy, I wanted to give her a loving punch."

Bruce took out what he had prepared beforehand and went to the Dark Knight's workshop.

Martin called Thomas into a nearby ice cream shop and called out to the counter, "Mia, the usual."

Mia smiled and replied, "Okay, please sit down and wait a moment."

Martin sat by the glass curtain wall and said to Thomas, "I told you everything I discussed with Nicholson yesterday. For the next stage, you need to come up with a complete plan. You don't need to leave any traces; just keep it in mind. Find reliable candidates for clinics, hospitals, hotels, and related caregivers as soon as possible."

Thomas asked, "Are you really going to do that?"

Martin said, "I first played an extremely crazy character, and then I had to play a character who went from an old person to a baby. It's perfectly normal for problems to arise. Don't underestimate the public's sympathy and curiosity..."

Thomas pointed towards the Dark Knight Studios: "Aren't you going to inform the production crew?"

"No need," Martin said. "Both Nolan and Warner Bros. have a keen enough sense of smell for this kind of thing; they would never miss an opportunity for publicity and hype."

Thomas said, "Being a star is really not easy."

Martin couldn't help but laugh, a laugh bordering on madness: "Could anything be harder than what I experienced in Atlanta? Harder than what ordinary people work under the scorching sun?"

Thomas couldn't help but think of himself. Although he was balding, his current difficulties were infinitely better than suffering at the bottom of the company.

Mia then brought over some cold drinks.

"Thank you." Martin noticed the ring on her hand and added, "Congratulations."

Mia laughed and said, "I accepted Sebastian's advances and we became boyfriend and girlfriend."

Martin said, "Sebastian is a lucky guy; he actually managed to win over Warner Bros.' Ice Cream Princess."

Mia smiled sweetly and then left.

She was a smart girl. There were at least 100, if not 200, part-time actresses at the film studio.

Among so many people, why was she able to talk to Martin?

On the one hand, Martin used to frequent this store when he was still a minor celebrity.

On the other hand, aside from normal greetings, she never mentioned even the slightest request for help.

Mia wasn't without ideas; on the contrary, she had many. At the most crucial moment in her career, if she could get Martin to say a word for her, it could lead to a complete transformation.

She understood clearly that this kind of thing could only happen once, and there could never be a second time.

After chatting with Thomas and finishing his cold drink, Martin called Nicholson and asked, "Jack, are you ready on your end?"

Nicholson said, "Is it finally my turn to do something this fun?"

Martin said, "The fun things I can forget are you, no matter who else I forget."

Meanwhile, Nicholson put down his phone, picked up the phone next to him, and dialed a familiar reporter's number: "Rick, come to me, I have scoops, I have something to say!"

The following morning, The Hollywood Reporter published a transcript of Nicholson's rant against Martin and the Dark Knight crew.

"As the previous Joker actor, and a very successful one at that, Warner Bros. didn't even consult me ​​when casting a new Joker! Yes, nobody asked for my opinion, not even Martin!"

"I don't think this role is suitable for Martin. The Joker is too different from his usual image and acting style. This character is too dark and will be disturbing. I know Martin too well; he's too young and difficult to handle..."

(End of this chapter)