America achieves both fame and fortune

Chapter 785 Forcing Warner

Davis Estate, in the living room of a villa.

Lily sat at her workbench, sketching on a palm-sized piece of obsidian, completely absorbed in her work.

Elizabeth curled up on the sofa, her fingers sliding across her iPad as she scrolled through work emails.

Martin lay down beside her, his head resting on Elizabeth's soft lap, picked up the file directory next to him, and began to read it carefully.

This was obtained from Thomas; it was a script and a film project that Warner Bros. specifically gave to Martin, along with information about potential projects.

Nolan and Daniel Radcliffe have already communicated with DC Films about a Joker solo film project. DC Films responded that they would seriously consider it, but did not make a clear statement.

With the Joker's popularity skyrocketing, DC Films is actually considering making a standalone film about him.

Martin flipped through the catalog, where one of the projects highlighted by Warner Bros. was a sci-fi blockbuster—"Jupiter Ascending."

Martin glanced at the information Thomas had noted down.

Screenplay by the Wachowski siblings.

Directors: The Wachowski siblings.

Thomas also noted that this sci-fi film is one of Warner Bros.' key projects for the next few years.

Martin didn't know what to say. Ever since the success of The Matrix trilogy, Warner Bros. had fallen into the Wachowskis' trap time and time again, and still had a mysterious faith in the two of them.

Just like how Hollywood is still investing in Ridley Scott's epic productions.

Ridley Scott recovered his losses with "The Martian," and after finishing filming "Prometheus" this year, he's ready to plunge headfirst into the quagmire of his favorite epic films.

Martin received a script from Old Ray a few days ago, which was specially sent by someone. It wasn't the Napoleon biography I mentioned last time, but it was also a historical subject, about the last legal duel in France.

Old Lei certainly never intended to give up on making a biopic about Napoleon.

Martin tried to persuade him twice, but then stopped saying anything. Using the excuse that he had never acted in a period drama before, he once again politely declined Ray's invitation.

That's indeed the case; Martin Scorsese has never directed a historical film since entering Hollywood.

The project following "Jupiter Ascending" is called "Focus".

Thomas also noted that Will Smith was interested in playing the lead role in a story about a con artist.

Martin had some recollection of this; ever since he had gone to great lengths to support his son, Will Smith had been severely hampered, and the film projects he was involved in were all rather unsuccessful.

So much so that a few years later, the once undisputed star in the center of attention became just one of the background characters in a movie poster.

As a final project, Warner Bros. is preparing to reboot Blade Runner and film a sequel to this sci-fi blockbuster.

This is one of Ridley Scott's masterpieces. It had a production budget of $30 million in the early 1980s, but it flopped when it was released.

However, over the next two decades, the film's reputation gradually improved, and it was even hailed as a classic of science fiction. It recouped its costs over a long period of time and finally became profitable.

Most importantly, they regained their reputation.

Martin had seen Blade Runner and its sequels, but he couldn't remember the specific plot. He remembered that the male lead was Ryan Gosling and the director was Villeneuve, who had directed Sisimodo.

However, this project is in its initial planning stage.

Martin thought about it carefully for a while and reached up to touch it.

Elizabeth looked down at him and said, "Don't touch me."

Martin said, "I want my phone."

Elizabeth handed him the phone.

Martin called Thomas and asked him to keep an eye out for a sequel to Blade Runner, mainly because he wanted to read the script once it was finished.

Lily finished drawing the sketch and then lay down beside her.

Elizabeth, seeing that Martin had finished reading the documents and snatched them away, tossed them aside, was annoyed by Martin's actions and said, "Get up, all of you, let's go upstairs and play some more."

Lily got up and pulled Martin up, deliberately asking, "What are you playing?"

Martin said, "Here's a baseball bat for you to play with!"

Lily thought back to when Martin used to scare her with a baseball bat in Atlanta, and she couldn't help but grit her teeth: "I'm going to get my revenge for everything you did to me!"

Compared to these two childish brats, Elizabeth appeared mature and composed, dragging one of them by the hand as she walked upstairs: "Stop arguing, don't waste time."

Lily immediately shifted her focus, telling Martin, "Tonight our main target is Liz; you can treat her like a baseball!"

…………

Burbank, Warner Building.

Hamada, co-chairman of DC Films, hurriedly entered Kevin Tsujihara's office.

Kevin Tsujihara was on the phone and told Hamada to sit down and wait a moment.

Five or six minutes later, Kevin Tsujihara hung up the phone, looked at the other end, and asked, "You said it was important, what is it?"

Hamada said, "Regarding DC superhero movies, Daniel Radcliffe and Christopher Nolan recently mentioned a project to me, wanting to make a standalone Joker movie."

The company most affected by the recent shooting incident was Warner Bros. Kevin Tsujihara, who has been following the developments, said: "The Joker character is extremely popular and has almost been deified on the internet. He is indeed very suitable for a standalone movie adaptation."

Hamada, however, said, "Nolan suggested the Joker from The Dark Knight."

This version of the Joker is significantly different from previous films and DC Comics versions of the Joker; it is a secondary creation by the Nolan brothers based on the original works.

He further stated, "If this is adapted, Martin Davis will inevitably be cast as the male lead."

Kevin Tsujihara's expression remained unchanged, but his hand, which had been resting quietly on the boss's chair, unconsciously began to tap the armrest: "Nothing else?"

"The risk is too great," Hamada said frankly. "The Joker is mythologized based on Martin Scorsese's version. If another actor is cast, fans will not only not accept it, but may even boycott it."

Kevin Tsujihara couldn't help but say, "Martin Davis, a headache."

Hamada said, "He teamed up with Nolan and Daniel to push this project forward. On the one hand, the copyright was held by DC, and on the other hand, he wasn't worried that we would use other actors for the Joker role."

Kevin Tsujihara also felt a headache coming on: "He's putting pressure on us."

Daniel is no longer on his team. Nolan had a falling out with Warner Bros. because of Jon Berger's conflicts with the company, and they almost broke up.

Although relations between the two sides have improved, Kevin Tsujihara has to consider whether his strong rejection of Nolan's proposed new project will lead to a breakdown in their relationship.

If Warner Bros. truly held a monopoly in Hollywood, none of these issues would be a problem.

However, Hollywood has six major production companies with actors and directors who have strong market appeal, so they don't have to worry about finding partners.

Just like Martin Davis back then, when he merely expressed the idea of ​​ending his partnership with Warner, Universal Pictures and Disney Studios couldn't wait to come knocking on his door.

Warner Bros.' core business of film production has been lackluster for two consecutive years, putting Kevin Tsujihara under considerable pressure, especially due to the mess Jon Berg made, which drew criticism from the company.

Hamada knew that Martin was a sensitive figure at Warner Bros., especially since this bastard had also implicated Nolan and Daniel, so he did not make a decision rashly.

Kevin Tsujihara considered for a moment and said, "Let's neither refuse nor agree, but stall for time and see their sincerity."

"I understand." Hamada understood, which meant he agreed.

Warner Bros. has fallen from its position as the top-performing Hollywood studio, putting immense pressure on its management.

When Hamada left, he thought of Paramount and Tom Cruise. Before 2010, the two sides were so hostile to each other that they wanted to stab each other in the back, and even Sumner Redstone got involved.

And what happened? They're collaborating again now.

For the sake of profits and performance, these things are nothing.

In the office, Kevin Tsujihara felt a bit annoyed. Seeing that it was almost noon, he took out his phone and made a call: "Where are you? Let's meet at the usual place at noon."

Half an hour later, in a restaurant in Burbank, Charlotte Kirk, a young, beautiful, and tall Australian actress, walked in and entered the private room that Kevin Tsujihara had reserved.

Not long after, Kevin Tsujihara arrived.

Having lunch with a beautiful girl who was only twenty years old made him feel much better.

Charlotte Kirk is very good at sweet-talking and coaxing people. After making Kevin Tsujihara happy, she said, "Didn't you say you were going to help me find a role? I've been waiting for so long, why haven't I gotten one yet?"

Kevin Tsujihara didn't answer, he just looked at Charlotte Kirk and smiled.

Charlotte Kirk pretended to be confused.

Kevin Tsujihara simply said, "After dinner, come with me to the Burbank Hotel. I left the script I prepared for you in the hotel's long-term suite."

How could a girl in the entertainment industry not understand? Charlotte Kirk was the kind of person who was well-informed, and she had a big heart: "I heard from a few assistant producers that DC Films and Warner Bros. are going to push for a Justice League cinematic universe."

Kevin Tsujihara smiled. "You know quite a lot."

Charlotte Kirk cupped her hands around her chest: "Don't I look like Wonder Woman, Diana?"

"It's still a long way from filming Wonder Woman." When Kevin Tsujihara heard about the DC character, he suddenly remembered the Joker that Hamada had discussed with him. Even if this project is temporarily shelved, it can't be left unfinished for long.

He had a preliminary idea: even if Martin Davis was the absolute protagonist of the Joker series, there would definitely need to be a female character of some importance. Why not put Charlotte Kirk in it?

Furthermore, Interstellar is about to undergo a large-scale casting call, and he can get people into the cast with just a word.

Kevin Tsujihara said, "A supporting role in Nolan's new movie."

Charlotte Kirk quickly replied, "Okay!"

Kevin Tsujihara was very direct: "As long as you make me happy, roles are not a problem, you will become a big Hollywood star."

Charlotte Kirk nodded repeatedly: "I'm done eating. Shall we head to the hotel now?"

Kevin Tsujihara was very careful: "Let's split up, you go out first."

The two left the restaurant separately and drove to the Burbank Hotel.

As for what happened next, anyone slightly familiar with Hollywood will understand.

(End of this chapter)