America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 771 Conquering You on the Spot

"Oh, David, you've studied him carefully?" Martin clapped his hands. "That's great."

David Fincher briefly explained: "Before directing 'Fight Club,' I did in-depth research on Billy's health and medical records, and some of the character's settings were also based on his case. In fact, it's not just me; many Hollywood films about schizophrenia have referenced Billy's case to some extent."

Martin said, "Billy's case naturally arouses curiosity, and I want to adapt 'The Minds of Billy' into a movie."

He said rather exaggeratedly, "No one in the world is more suitable to direct this film than you, David. Shall we collaborate again?"

David Fincher had already carefully read both biographies and asked directly, "How do you plan to adapt it? What are your initial ideas and concepts?"

"I currently have two ideas and concepts," Martin said. "You know, I'm not very good at creative work, so as soon as I got back to Los Angeles, I called you to ask for your opinion."

David Fincher was very interested in Billy, whose dark and struggling life was so similar to his film style, and immediately gestured for Martin to continue.

Martin said, "One approach is to focus on Billy as a person, revolving around his robbery, kidnapping, and rape of three girls, primarily showing his actions and struggles."

He paused briefly, then continued, "Another approach is to elevate the perspective and focus on the Billy case itself. It's a judicial precedent with significant implications."

"The second option wouldn't suit me." David Fincher could imagine that if the second option were chosen, the film would be a standard awards season film, with all sorts of restrictions limiting its scope.

While this might be beneficial for his Oscar chances, it would be detrimental to his individual performance.

David Fincher's mindset hasn't changed at least for now; Argo is his last attempt to win an Oscar.

Regardless of whether he wins an Oscar, he's no longer going to hang out with those old men at the Academy.

Martin asked, "What about the first option?"

David Fincher said, "I think the first option is more suitable, with the plot focusing entirely on Billy himself, but this kind of multiple personality requires a high level of acting skill."

Martin laughed. "David, have some faith in me, okay? Don't forget, I've played similar roles before."

A terrifying image of a pale-faced, red-lipped man flashed before David Fincher's eyes: "The Joker."

Martin also has designs on the Joker, but his relationship with Warner Bros. is currently quite sensitive. Even with Daniel Radcliffe as president of Warner Bros., there is still a lack of trust between the two sides.

He certainly wouldn't tell David Fincher about these ideas.

Martin asked directly, "We've already agreed on this project?"

David Fincher has collaborated with Martin several times, with pleasant experiences and good results, so of course he wouldn't refuse.

But he needed to say something upfront: "I've already signed with Netflix, and after the Oscars next year, I will begin working with Netflix as the director and producer of the 'House of Cards' project. From preparation to filming and production, it will take at least a year. Your project can only wait until after 'House of Cards' is completed."

Martin replied, "No problem, I'm not in a hurry."

David Fincher asked, "Okay, let's find someone to adapt the script first, and then we can talk about other things once the script is finalized."

With that settled, Martin then met with Louise, and the two discussed the project in detail.

Louise will register the relevant studio as quickly as possible, inject start-up capital with Davis Studios, discuss suitable screenwriters with Martin and David Fincher, and begin script adaptation as soon as possible.

David Fincher himself was not good at writing screenplays. He recommended Andrew Walker, the screenwriter of "Seven", but it was rejected by Louise and Martin.

Since "Seven," Andrew Walker's career has declined significantly, and he has never written a good work again. His most recent film, "The Wolfman," was a complete disaster.

Billy's story is unique, David Fincher has the ability to turn this dark struggle into a good movie, and Martin Scorsese's acting is also good. What's lacking now is the most basic element: a good script.

This model of starting with an idea and a project, and then writing the script based on it, is also the most common scriptwriting method in Hollywood.

…………

The following morning, Martin ran into Menez when he went to the La La Land set to practice piano and dance.

"I passed the audition and will play your friend in the film." Menez came specifically to find Martin: "The pop star Keith."

Martin asked, "You can sing? I haven't seen you sing much."

Menezes confidently declared, "Of course I can sing!" He pointed to his not-so-dark-skinned face. "Boss, you seem to have forgotten, I'm Black, and I have a natural talent for music. Whether it's singing or dancing, I'm above average."

Bruce was skeptical: "You?"

Menez took off his coat, threw it to Bruce, and said, "I'll conquer you right here."

Martin sat down at the piano and said, "Want to give it a try?"

Menezes replied, "Boss, bring some background music."

Martin moved his fingers and wrists and began to play a piece of music composed by Sebastian.

Menez cleared his throat and began to sing the lyrics written by Mia, accompanied by music.

The song isn't the typical black rap, and Menez sings it quite well.

Martin stopped playing.

Bruce clapped his hands a few times and said, "I never expected this."

Menez straightened his back and reminded him, "Old Bu, you seem to have forgotten what I'm best at!"

Bruce suddenly realized, "You bastard, your greatest skill is your silver tongue!"

Is having exceptionally quick wit an advantage when singing?

Bruce tossed his coat back to Menez and said, "This has been personally verified by Celine Dion, Emma Thomas, and Isabelle Huppert."

He asked curiously, "Have you broken up with everyone else?"

Menne scratched his head, looking embarrassed, and said, "A couple of days ago, Emma asked me out again. I didn't go at first, but then she came to me, and I... well, I couldn't refuse."

Martin and Bruce simultaneously gave Menez the middle finger: "Scumbag!"

Menne chuckled, pulled up a chair, and sat down to chat with Martin and Bruce.

Speaking of Emma Thomas, he continued the topic, saying in a gossipy tone, "I heard Emma mention something about the Nolan brothers; they're having a falling out."

Martin was very curious: "What exactly happened?"

Menne said, "Jonathan Nolan has been Nolan's dedicated screenwriter since he came to Hollywood. He wrote the screenplays for 'Memento,' 'Daylight,' 'The Prestige,' 'Inception,' and the 'Batman' series. Now that Nolan has achieved great success, Jonathan has also become a top screenwriter."

Martin understood: "Jonathan isn't content with being a top screenwriter, or rather, Christopher Nolan's screenwriter brother?"

Menezes replied, "That's right, that's roughly it. According to Emma, ​​*Interstellar* will be the Nolan brothers' last collaboration, at least in the short term."

Martin then remembered "Memento" and asked, "They had a falling out?"

"No, we didn't fall out. We just had some disagreements, but it's far from a complete falling out." Menne thought carefully about her words. "What Emma meant was that if the Nolan brothers continued to work together, they would inevitably fall out in the future and stop working together. In fact, their relationship would be better after that."

Martin understands that it's rare for brothers to go into business together without falling out in the end.

The Weinstein brothers are a prime example in Hollywood. Without Bob's betrayal, Harvey wouldn't have fallen so quickly and miserably.

Sebastian then knocked on the door and came in, ready to instruct Martin on piano practice.

Menez then took his leave.

Martin put aside his many thoughts and focused on practicing the piano.

After his one-hour piano lesson, he went to the dance studio on the other side to receive targeted dance training from Mandy Moore.

According to the current filming schedule, Martin's character will have a solo dance and a duet with the female lead.

Mandy Moore's choreography is complete.

Martin has a certain dance background, and with his long-term combat training, he is quite flexible and will have no problem handling the filming.

After all, filming can be edited from multiple shots, so he doesn't need to jump around continuously.

After a short break at noon, Martin held a preparatory meeting with Louise and director Damien Chazelle.

This is a story that takes place entirely in Los Angeles, and the entire production will be filmed there. Interior sets have already been set up at Disney Studios, and location scouting for exterior scenes has begun.

After the meeting ended, Martin and Louise left the small conference room together.

As Martin walked, he said, "I have a screenwriter in mind for that multiple personality disorder project: Jonathan Nolan."

Louise certainly knew who Jonathan was: "Although the script for Interstellar was completed long ago, Jonathan Nolan has only worked with Christopher Nolan in recent years."

Martin said, "According to reliable sources, the Nolan brothers' collaboration has temporarily come to an end. Jonathan wants to venture out on his own, and I think he's very suitable to adapt this subject matter."

He gave an example: "Memento originated from Jonathan. Strong and unstable mental factors have always been a characteristic of Jonathan's screenwriting, which is very evident in the main characters in Nolan's films."

Louise, who understands the thoughts of some people in the industry, said, "Jonathan left Nolan's team to develop independently. He's definitely not satisfied with just being a screenwriter, and he probably has ambitions to become a director as well."

Martin couldn't recall any notable films Jonathan Nolan had directed besides screenwriting, saying, "Get in touch with Jonathan. If he's willing to be a screenwriter, we'll offer him a hefty sum. If he insists on seeking a directing role in addition to screenwriting, then there's no point in discussing it further."

"Sure." Louise also thought Jonathan was a very suitable screenwriter: "I'll talk to Jonathan myself."

Martin followed Louise into her office when his phone suddenly rang. It was Musk calling, inviting him for drinks that evening.

(End of this chapter)