America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 438 Infused with a Soul

In Warner Bros.' No. 1 screening room, a number of Warner Bros. executives, including Warner Bros. CEO Barry Mayer, Warner Bros. Pictures President Alan Horn, and DC Creative Director Orlin, were all intently watching The Dark Knight being shown.

Behind them were Martin and Nolan, the main creators of the show, as well as Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty, who were specially invited by the production team to preview the show.

Everyone's energy was focused entirely on the movie.

The Dark Knight was so stunning that it far surpassed the effects of typical superhero movies.

Despite being dark, heavy, and oppressive, it is full of charm.

Like a stunningly sexy woman dressed in a black, tight-fitting leather outfit and holding a whip, everyone can see that she is black inside and out, yet they can't help but want to look at her and stare intently.

The one who brings this feeling isn't Batman, Warner Bros. and DC's signature character, but the Joker!

Almost everyone who watched the film had the same thought: the main character of the film was not Batman at all.

Bruce Wayne is just a tool, a tool for the Joker to act alongside!

After the screening ended, the screen went dark, the lights came on, and enthusiastic applause filled the screening room.

People around them were looking at Nolan and Martin.

Everyone agrees that these two have truly breathed life into a comic book adaptation.

The former uses a camera, the latter uses a frenzied performance.

"Chris, this is a true masterpiece. I'm 100% certain it will push comic book superhero movies to unprecedented heights!"

Barry Mayer trusted his own eyes and judgment, first shaking hands firmly with Nolan, then with Martin: "Your performance, I... I can't describe it, I can't find the right words. The English language is simply too inadequate to express the impact of your performance and the character!"

Martin grinned. "I think so too."

The sudden, eerie, and sinister smile that appeared before him made Barry Mayer unconsciously release Martin's hand, take a step back, and say, "You're a dedicated and good actor."

There was something he wasn't comfortable saying in public, and he planned to tell Charles Rowan later so that this crazy actor in front of him could go see a psychiatrist as soon as possible.

After speaking with Nolan, Alan Horn came over to Martin and said, "It's a great regret of mine that I couldn't get you to star in Terminator 4."

The two had some disagreements on this project, but ultimately did not completely fall out.

Martin even considered that if Alan Horn really wanted to do something, he would follow Cody Horn's path and just get started.

Now that Christian Bale has joined the cast of Terminator 4, the conflict between the two sides has faded over time, and that little conflict did not harm the core interests of either side.

Martin smiled and said, "There's still plenty of time; there will always be opportunities for cooperation in the future."

Alan Horn laughed too; in his eyes, a star like Martin was valuable.

Orlin, who had spent a long time on set, came over and bumped fists with Martin, saying, "Dude, you've given DC a tough time. What are they going to do with the Joker character from now on?"

Martin said half-jokingly, "If your script is suitable, you can come to me anytime."

Orlin, the DC director, was thinking a bit ahead: "You've created a mad, classic character that will be hard to surpass in the future."

Martin shrugged: "Keep going for realism."

Orlin nodded slightly: "It's a pity that Director Nolan won't be considering the Joker for his next film."

Aside from the main cast and crew, Nicholson sighed and said, "This guy is a jerk, but he's definitely got a knack for acting."

Warren Beatty knew he was referring to Martin and the Joker, and replied, "If it weren't for a comic book superhero movie, this character would definitely deserve a Best Actor award."

Nicholson agreed: "Martin put so much effort into this role, and the results are obvious." He then asked, "What about Best Supporting Actor? That bastard Martin already has a Best Supporting Actor nomination and a Best Actor nomination, so he's got some experience. His role in this movie was truly outstanding."

Warren Beatty said, "The performance and the role were fine, even better than many Oscar winners for Best Actor, but the genre of the film was a problem."

Nicholson nodded: "Let's see how he handles things later, after all, this is the Oscars."

"Yes, after all, this is the Oscars." Warren Beatty himself works within the Academy and is a core member of Steve Jobs' inner circle. He has a clear understanding of the various things that have happened at the Oscars in recent years: "Acting skills are just the most basic thing; the operation is the key."

Warner Bros. staff came over and handed out questionnaires to each person. The questionnaires had only two parts: give the Dark Knight an internal rating and write down the biggest highlights in their eyes.

Without the slightest hesitation, Warren Beatty gave it an A+. As for the highlights of the film, he only considered it briefly before writing down a single word – Joker!

He turned to look at his old friend Nicholson, and the answer was exactly the same.

All the questionnaires were collected by Warner Bros. staff and handed over to the show's producer, Charles Rowan.

That concludes today's internal auditions.

Warren Beatty had something to do and left the Warner Building first.

Nicholson and Martin went into a meeting room and chatted briefly.

"You did a really great job. I couldn't do what you did at the same age," Nicholson said. "Martin, you bastard, I don't even know how to describe you."

Martin said, "You don't have the right adjective? I'm sure the talented Jack can come up with the best words."

Nicholson adjusted his brown sunglasses and said, "How could I have believed your nonsense last year and played this ridiculous game with you?"

"Because it's a lot of fun," Martin declared confidently. "You need fun, and I'll provide it for you."

Nicholson said, "Well, teasing the public and the media is actually quite interesting, much more fun than Leo suffering in a mental hospital."

Martin couldn't help but sigh, "I'm surprised this guy hasn't gone mad."

"I think you're going crazy." Nicholson patted Martin on the shoulder. "If you can't hold on any longer, go see a psychologist. Don't try to tough it out."

Martin sighed, spreading his hands and saying, "Am I that fragile?"

Nicholson laughed, "I think you'll be in a mental hospital before Leo." He then got back to the point, saying, "Get Warner Bros. and the crew to arrange an exclusive interview as soon as possible."

Martin said, "It's all arranged."

Nicholson didn't mince words with Martin: "It's fun, but I want something even more fun."

The old bastard was incredibly loyal to his best friend, and Martin readily agreed: "Let me think about it and see where I can find something even more fun."

Nicholson prepared to leave, then sighed, "Without Meryl, it's much less fun."

Martin reminded him, "You also have Naomi Campbell."

Nicholson gave him the middle finger and said, "It's free for you."

Martin saw him off, and when he returned, he found Nolan and Emma Thomas, who both seemed to be in good spirits.

Charles Roven was also there, holding a questionnaire for the internal screening.

Martin asked, "It seems our internal screening was quite successful?"

Nolan seemed somewhat more relaxed: "The overall rating from all the guests at the internal screening was A+!"

Charles added, "A total of 23 people attended the screening, and 17 of them wrote that the Joker was the most interesting thing about the screening."

Martin breathed a sigh of relief: "Our work has received initial recognition, and our hard work has paid off."

Nolan nodded repeatedly: "I can feel that we are getting closer and closer to success."

The previous film, "The Prestige," did not perform well commercially, and was even somewhat poor. If this one is not successful, then the film is truly doomed.

Charles Rowan asked, "Have you finished talking with Jack?"

"No problem," Martin said. "Jack thought it was a lot of fun, but he's demanding something even more fun as payment, which is driving me crazy."

Charles Rowan thought for a moment and said, "Warner Bros. can also provide some assistance if necessary; I can make that decision."

Martin smiled and said, "I won't hesitate to ask you for help when needed."

Charles Roven said, "The internal screenings of the film were very well received, and we must release this news as soon as possible. The upcoming publicity will be divided into two parts: the conventional and the unconventional."

Nolan said, "I've discussed everything with Martin."

Martin also gave an OK sign.

Charles Roven said, "The test screening reviews will be officially released to the media tomorrow, and a new movie trailer will be released at San Diego Comic-Con, still focusing on the showdown between Batman and the Joker. In addition, there will be a viral marketing gift that will be sent to major entertainment media outlets."

Martin added, "Nicholson will be on the Helen Show on WarnerMedia this week and completely change his opinion on my version of the Joker."

Nolan said, "Your meeting with Bale comes before the Helen Show, right before San Diego Comic-Con, which you both have to attend. This is your first meeting since the filming of The Dark Knight ended, and Batman and the Joker will have a head-to-head showdown."

Martin was prepared and said, "I'm fine on my end."

Nolan nodded: "I've already spoken to Bell."

After discussing it for a while, the group left the office together.

When they went out, Nolan and Charles Rowan walked ahead.

Emma Thomas deliberately lagged behind, lowering her voice to ask Martin, "Where's your friend Menez? He hasn't been answering my calls lately. Do you know where he is?"

Martin knew, of course, but could only vaguely reply, "I haven't been in contact with him since we parted ways in New York, and I don't know where he went."

Emma Thomas complained, "This guy..."

After leaving the Warner Bros. building, Martin had Bruce contact Ivan, and then went to the psychiatric clinic on time to continue developing his character's psychological issues.

For the next six months, Martin will experience clown syndrome.

With Warner Bros.' powerful media presence, it's easy to create this kind of buzz. Even Heath Ledger, who had already finished another film, managed to generate a similar buzz.

(End of this chapter)