America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 357 How the Living Defeat the Dead
"cheers!"

In the banquet hall, the crew of "The Departed" celebrated wildly and kept toasting and drinking together, becoming the most eye-catching place at the Oscar night party.

"Congratulations to our director for making his dream come true!" Martin raised another glass of champagne and said loudly: "Congratulations to our crew!"

Nicholson, the shameless one, also raised his champagne: "Let us thank Martin and Leo for running with us!"

The crew laughed and congratulated Martin and Leonardo together. The two had no choice but to drink the glass.

Scorsese came over alone, had a drink with Martin, and encouraged him: "Don't lose heart. With your acting skills and your ability to stir things up, as long as you get the right role, you may win an Oscar within five years."

Martin laughed cheerfully: "Director, you really have good taste."

Leonardo was unhappy: "What about me?"

Scorsese said, “Your three-stroke combo has become instinct.”

Martin hugged Leonardo and said, "Man, maybe in a few years, you'll be my running mate."

Nicholson added in the joke: "Two idiots who are destined to run together."

Martin stared at Nicholson fiercely: "You have three little golden men, you are noble, you are amazing!" He turned and said: "Leo, when we get the little golden men, I will put mine in Jack's mouth."

Leonardo naturally responded: "Stuff mine up his ass!"

Scorsese felt that these three guys together were a group that was beyond redemption, so he quickly left the place.

Martin saw Emma Thomas in the banquet hall and went over to her.

Emma was eating mousse cake alone. Perhaps she didn't need to control her diet, so she ate very quickly.

She had just started when Martin went over, but by the time he got closer, the cake was gone.

"Sit anywhere." Emma picked up the napkin and wiped her mouth casually, then said, "Congratulations, Martin, the movie you starred in won an Oscar."

Martin smiled and said, "Thank you." He said specifically, "It's a pity that I can't get the individual award."

Emma watched The Departed and said: "You acted well, better than Leonardo DiCaprio. In terms of roles and performances alone, Alan Arkin may not be better than you, but his advantage is too great."

Martin said, "I'm still young and have plenty of opportunities." He simply got to the point: "A few days ago, I saw the script for the new Batman movie from Ms. Louise Mayer of Pacific Pictures."

Emma remembered it clearly: "Pacific Pictures was one of the investors."

Martin continued, "The script is very well written. Both Bruce and the Joker are extremely deep. The conflict between justice and evil, and the complexity of human nature are breathtaking."

Because Mene has done enough work, Emma Thomas admires Martin and reminds him: "Warner Bros., Legendary Pictures and DC Comics unanimously asked Christian Bale to return and continue to play Batman."

Martin said: "The script is a two-hero model. In terms of the role of the script, the Joker is even the first protagonist."

Emma and her husband Nolan have discussed this film more than once, and she knew that Martin had hit the key point: "You are right, Chris told me that Batman is just a tool, and the number one character in this film is the Joker."

“Are you interested?” she asked.

"Yes." Martin had no need to deny: "I am very interested. This is a very special superhero movie. It's not even like a superhero movie. It's more like a realistic crime movie."

Nolan has not yet become a god. Strictly speaking, he is just a second-tier director. Emma is also considering the actual situation. If Martin can join, there will be a lot to do commercially.

The project budget is as high as 1.8 million US dollars. If it fails commercially, or even makes only a small profit, her husband Nolan's future will basically be ruined.

He had no choice but to return to the UK and start over with low-cost independent films.

As a producer, Emma always takes care of all the chores for her husband other than filming and production. She has her own considerations in her mind. As for Bale, apart from the Batman factor, his commercial appeal is not strong.

On the other hand, Martin has played the leading role in four films that have grossed over 100 million yuan in North America, and his latest film, "Limitless," has further proved his ability to single-handedly carry the box office.

Emma said: "Next month, the crew will start recruiting actors, and the clown is the focus. Wait for my invitation."

Martin nodded: "No problem."

This character has one major trait that other more well-known superheroes don’t have.

Martin can change his appearance and not reveal his true face throughout the entire film, and even his temperament and appearance can undergo subversive changes.

Like Nicholson, he is not stereotyped as a clown.

It takes a lot to play such a crazy role, but Martin has his own advantages.

When he talked about this with Leonardo and Nicholson, they both said something similar, telling him that he just needed to let out the beast inside.

Bruce was more direct and said, "Isn't this a true performance of yours?"

Martin has recently been growing his hair longer, increasing his exercise to make his body more lean, and slowly losing some weight in a healthy way.

The clown, painted with oil paint and with exaggerated shapes, makes it easier to separate the character from the actor.

What Martin was worried about was not these, but the problem of death.

As we all know, the death of a celebrity leading actor can be incredibly destructive.

It is not easy for the living to defeat the dead.

Therefore, Martin has been planning since last year, and even asked Nicholson, the former Joker, to help. Emma asked, "I heard that your relationship with Bale is not very harmonious? DC attaches great importance to him. This is a sequel movie, Bale already has an audience base and is recognized by fans..."

Martin simply responded: "I'm an actor who gives my all to a role."

It's like a dream.

The two chatted for a while, and then Martin took the initiative to say goodbye and leave.

Not long after walking out, someone greeted me from the side: "Hi, Martin!"

Martin turned around and saw Cody Horn, who was dressed in a formal outfit, coming over from the side: "I saw you a long time ago. I saw you were chatting with someone, but I didn't bother you."

"Emma Thomas, the wife of British director Christopher Nolan." Martin explained: "We just happened to meet and talked about Nolan's new project."

Speaking of movies, Cody had something to say: "I went back to my parents' house a few days ago, and my dad complained that you rejected his invitation for a role?"

Martin must insist on a unified statement: "The schedule is unfortunate. It conflicts with the schedule of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which I was preparing to audition for."

Cody said, "I was planning on making a cameo in that movie, playing opposite you."

"It's a pity." Martin acted quite helpless and tried to guide: "Actually, I like the script and the role very much, but there are too many things to consider when choosing an actor. Alas, I don't know who will get the role of the savior."

Cody obviously knows something: "Paul Haggis has basically negotiated with Christian Bale's agent."

Martin couldn't help but envy: "Bell is such a lucky guy."

Cody smiled and said, "David Fincher's project is also good. I will also sign up for his crew to see if I can find a role to audition for."

Martin had done some preparation: "You acted well in Rescue Me, your acting is fine."

As a second-generation rich and star, Cody may not have anything else, but he is extremely confident: "I think so too."

Not long after, Martin returned to the crew of "The Departed".

Nicholson looked at Cody Horn as he walked away and asked Martin, "I remember you were a very loyal person? Or is your appreciation of beauty getting lower and lower?"

Martin said simply: "The daughter of Alan Horn, the president of Warner Pictures, asked her for some information."

Nicholson gave a thumbs up: "Man, you are really good. Compared with you, Leo is just a piece of shit."

Martin said: "I just had a chat with Emma Thomas, the producer of the Batman project."

Nicholson asked: "Is it confirmed that the villain of the second film is the Joker?"

"Not the villain, but the protagonist to be exact." Martin lowered his voice and said, "The crew will organize auditions next month. Don't forget what we discussed."

Nicholson is almost in retirement. Every day he is either having fun or on his way to have fun. He immediately responded, "When have I ever been a hindrance in doing things? It's interesting to think about how we became enemies and then made peace again."

Leonardo came over: "Don't forget, I'm here."

Martin reminded him emphatically: "Speak less! If you use those three tricks of yours to a familiar reporter, everyone will know you are acting."

Leonardo was helpless: "I have been acting for more than 20 years, but I ended up being the worst actor among the three of us."

Nicholson patted him on the shoulder and said, "Acting requires talent."

Martin said, "Yes, Jack, we are both extremely talented. We should avoid associating with ordinary actors with average talents in the future."

Leonardo used his trump card: "Next time there is a carnival party, I won't bring you."

Martin and Nicholson's expressions changed at the same time, and they put on a flattering smile: "It's just a joke, don't take it seriously, Leo, you only have 11 seconds, you will definitely need your brothers' help."

"Stop slandering me!" Leonardo explained: "The last time I was a patient, the longest I lasted was 50 seconds!"

Afterwards, all the main creative staff of the crew gathered at the shooting location in the banquet hall, and a reporter from Vanity Fair took promotional photos.

Winning an Oscar is an achievement, but the ultimate goal is to promote the film.

It is precisely the profits that the Oscars can bring that attract many film companies to participate in this game of fame and fortune.

The day after the Oscars, with the help of the media's heated coverage and crazy attention, the DVD of "The Departed", which had already been distributed, was fully launched in multiple markets around the world.

In North America alone, DVD sales on that day totaled $1700 million.

With the support of the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director, the effect is quite outstanding in this era.

On that day alone, the film earned back all the publicity and public relations funds invested in the Oscars, and even more.

In just two days, the North American DVD sales of "The Departed" exceeded 3000 million US dollars.

Even Martin will have a lot of extra income when the annual settlement comes.

Even the movie "Limitless", in which he starred, took advantage of the Oscar momentum and rebounded at the box office, with a cumulative North American box office of 1.52 million US dollars and a global box office of over 3 million US dollars.

The huge sales of this film also proves Martin's ability to win the box office alone.

(End of this chapter)