America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 450 There's a problem with the acting school.

Tonight, Warner Bros. executives and representatives from almost all relevant partners gathered in Ballroom One of the Burbank Grand Hotel, and the sheer number of celebrities and dignitaries illuminated the night sky.

The main cast and crew of The Dark Knight, led by Nolan, Martin, and Charles Roven, cut a cake together in front of the camera and filled a champagne tower with champagne, with hundreds of people present raising their glasses in a toast.

With all the pressure gone, Nolan was more than just excited. Holding a glass of champagne in one hand and a microphone in the other, he loudly proclaimed, "I suggest we raise a glass and celebrate the success of The Dark Knight!"

Martin leaned close to the microphone and shouted, "Cheers!"

Several cameramen surrounded the group, capturing the scene of everyone celebrating together.

Looking back, it becomes excellent promotional material.

The only pity was that Bale did not attend the celebration party, citing a tight schedule while filming "Terminator 4".

Emma Thomas put down her glass and said to DC director Orlin, "I don't think Bale didn't want to come because of scheduling conflicts, but because he was unhappy with the film. The Joker stole all the limelight from Batman."

Orlin said, "We still need to reassure him. I'll go talk to him myself later."

DC is also planning to make a Batman trilogy.

"Let's talk about it later." Emma Thomas saw Menez: "I saw a friend and chatted with him for a bit."

On the other side, Martin had just found some free time when Louise pulled him aside.

"Hey, darling," Martin hugged her tightly, then pulled away slightly, saying, "You're getting more and more beautiful."

Louise pushed up her black-rimmed glasses: "Want to come to my place tonight?"

How could Martin bear to refuse? "No problem. When you leave, your car will be waiting for me in the underground parking lot."

Louise nodded and said, "There's something you should pay attention to: lately, there have been more and more crimes across the United States involving people imitating the clown."

"Isn't this a good thing?" Martin's understanding was completely different from Louise's: "More people will pay attention to the Joker and the Dark Knight because of this, thus selling more movie tickets and merchandise."

He lowered his voice and reminded them, "Why don't Warner Bros. and DC Comics ever pursue legal action against street artists who misuse the Joker's copyright?"

Louise laughed: "My understanding of film marketing and promotion is not as good as yours."

Martin, having learned about each other's strengths and weaknesses, said, "It's okay, I'll make up for your weaknesses with my strengths."

"I'm afraid your advantage will turn into a weakness along the way," Louise retorted.

Unfortunately, one was the male lead, and the other was an investor and producer, so they couldn't leave immediately. Martin changed the subject: "Don't worry about the movie causing crime. That's never been a problem in Hollywood. Remember the North Hollywood bank robbery? When the media reported that the criminals were imitating 'Heat,' the movie not only didn't cause any problems, but its video rental sales exploded that season!"

Louise recalls this: "Hopefully we can capitalize on this nationwide crime wave to make even more money."

Martin said, "Aren't you going to call Kelly tonight to celebrate?"

Louise said, "We can video chat with her if you'd like."

Martin thought more deeply: "How about this, when Kelly comes over next time, I'll direct for her?"

He also served as screenwriter, lead actor, and cinematographer.

Louise said, "I have no objection as long as Kelly is willing."

The three of them were having an extremely wild time, and she didn't care about any of this at all.

"Martin! Martin! Come here!" Nolan waved from a distance. When Martin came over, he said to the person in front of him, "Write your script exactly like Martin's, and the male lead should be tailor-made for him."

Martin shook hands with Jonathan Nolan: "Just don't portray me as an ugly monster."

"Absolutely not," Jonathan said with a laugh. "Your character will be more charismatic than the Joker."

The producers and investors, including Louise Meyer, Barry Mayer, and Alan Horn, all gathered around, and Nolan seized the opportunity to promote his new film: "Ladies and gentlemen, you've probably heard about my new project, an original science fiction film. I believe it will be a masterpiece no less than The Dark Knight!"

He put his arm around Martin's shoulder: "I will work with Martin again, and nothing can separate us, not even the end of the world!"

Nolan believes that a new project with a production investment of over $1.5 million, and featuring original content, will attract more investors.

Almost without hesitation, Louise, Alan Horn, and Legendary Pictures all expressed their willingness to invest.

Martin Canoran, having just achieved a huge success with The Dark Knight's global box office approaching $10 billion, has a very high probability of achieving another success.

Here, we could only finalize the intentions, not discuss the specifics. Before long, the people who had gathered around dispersed.

Warner Music also prepared some performances to add to the festivities, with almost all of them being famous singers.

Taylor Swift was among them; she even waved to Martin as she strummed her guitar.

Martin smiled and nodded in greeting.

Someone had been watching Martin closely, and seeing that no one was around, they immediately approached him.

"Hey Martin, I've always wanted to get to know you, but I never had the chance." James Franco had been staring at Martin since the party started. "I really admire you. Your acting in The Dark Knight was simply divine. I've also played villains, but I was always the one who was completely overshadowed by the protagonist, unlike you who shines so brightly."

Martin remembered the actor, who was once nicknamed "Frankenstein," and had read some gossip about him, especially his downfall. He said, "I really like the Green Goblin. When I was preparing for the Joker role, I even referenced your portrayal of Harry."

Franco's face lit up with surprise: "Really? That's my honor! May I tell the others?"

Martin looked at his slightly exaggerated expression and said, "That's your freedom."

"Among young actors, no one is better than you." Franco's praise and flattery were all preparation for what he would say next: "Martin, your acting is so good, have you ever thought about teaching others? Most actors our age are struggling at the bottom."

Recalling Martin's background, he said, "I'm an actor who struggled to get where I am today, and now that I've achieved some success, I want to help more actors from humble backgrounds."

These words resonated with Martin to some extent, because he too had struggled to rise from the very bottom.

But how could someone like him make promises so easily?

Therefore, Martin didn't respond at all.

Seeing that the tactic of evoking empathy wasn't working, Franco said, "An individual's strength is limited, and it can't help so many actors at the bottom. I started an acting school, thinking that instead of recommending a few individuals, it would be better to equip more people with basic survival skills so they can seize opportunities when they arise."

Martin would also say something nice: "James, you're a great guy."

Franco knew he lacked the talent and fame, but wanted to earn more money, and since he was just trying, he said, "Martin, would you be interested in joining my acting school? Let's help those in need together."

Martin looked at Franco but didn't say anything.

Franco hardened his heart and said, "I'll give you 30% of the shares. You just need to attend two or three classes a week... no, a month."

If Martin agrees, his acting school can recruit actors under his name, and he can make a fortune just from the followers of the Cult of Cola.

"I'm sorry," Martin readily offered, "My mental and emotional state is not stable enough for this kind of work."

Franco was about to say more, but Martin pointed to the entrance of the banquet hall: "I have a friend here."

Leonardo and Nicholson arrived late.

Martin strode over, watched the two men approach, and asked, "Am I supposed to grab a piece of cake in each hand and smash it in the faces of you two latecomers?"

Leonardo retorted, "It's all Jack's fault for that old limousine breaking down halfway there! Martin, can you believe it? I'm calling a taxi to your victory party!"

Nicholson's eyes swept over Leonardo's increasingly protruding belly: "It's clearly because you've gained weight recently, and you overloaded your car, damaging it. You should compensate me!"

Martin shook his head: "That's enough for you two. Each of you drink ten glasses of wine, and that'll be the end of it."

Nicholson glanced at Leonardo: "He'll be shouting 'My favorite Gisele...' from here..."

Leonardo also revealed his past: "You might say, Marlon Brando, why did you leave me so early?"

After singing a song, Taylor Swift stepped off the stage, greeted some people with her manager, and then went to Martin's side.

Leonardo glanced at Taylor, but Taylor came over and grabbed Martin's arm. She was young, but she knew that suddenly changing her close partner would cause more trouble than benefits.

Martin introduced the two sides.

Taylor greeted Nicholson and Leonardo with a smile.

The trio of scoundrels were used to seeing each other change female companions. Nicholson pulled Leonardo away temporarily, leaving the two time to talk privately.

"You haven't come to see me at all." Taylor's face was full of grievance. "I'm waiting for my inspiration to strike."

Martin has been spending all his time with Elizabeth lately and hasn't had a chance to take a break. He said, "In a few more days, I've been too busy with work with the Dark Knights lately."

Taylor nodded: "It's a deal this time!"

Martin smiled and said, "I'm still waiting to see you write a song for me."

Everyone at the party was busy socializing. After seeing Taylor off, Martin finally had a moment to himself and found Leonardo and Nicholson, where he could talk freely.

"I've been under a lot of pressure lately, Martin, Jack, let's get this going." Leonardo was relaxed when he got back: "If I don't have some fun, I'm going to go crazy."

Nicholson looked at Martin: "You bastard, you kept me waiting for this show, and what did you get? Just this shit diary scandal."

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "Have you been following Ben Affleck lately?"

Nicholson recalled for a moment and said, "I had been following the news. Someone told me that he had been introduced by Judi Dench to work part-time as a teacher at a performing arts school."

Martin remembered hearing somewhere that Judi Dench was a performance teacher and asked, "Which performance school?"

Nicholson thought for a while before confirming: "The Adler School of Performing Arts, the one founded by one of my acting teachers, Stacy Adler."

Martin remembered, Elizabeth Olsen took acting classes at this school!

(End of this chapter)