America gains both fame and fortune

Chapter 358 The Beginning of Competition

At Warner Studios, a project codenamed "Rory's First Kiss" is in early preparation.

A gray office building became the crew’s residence.

Thomas drove an electric car and took Martin to the crew, picking up Louise on the way.

Martin asked, "Honey, is the joint investment meeting for the project over?"

Louise said simply, "It's basically confirmed. The production budget is $1.8 million. Warner Bros. will be responsible for distribution, and DC Comics and Legendary Pictures will co-produce. The two companies, plus Warner Bros., Pacific Pictures and some small companies, and the Nolans will also participate in the investment."

She adjusted her black-rimmed glasses and said, "The offline window period for the project is three years, starting from the time the film is taken off the shelves in North America. Warner Bros. will be forced to buy out all online and offline copyrights."

Martin asked a key question: "Warner Bros. also participated in the investment."

Louise said: "The investment amount is about the same as Pacific Pictures. Their main focus is still on the new Terminator."

The electric car stopped in front of the gray office building. Louise got off first and walked in with Martin and Thomas.

Louise was a member of the crew and her power among all the producers was second only to Charles Roven, who represented Warner Bros., and Orlin, the director of DC Comics.

Martin made an appointment with Nolan through Emma Thomas.

Just after passing the hall, Mene came out, found Martin automatically, and whispered: "I sneaked into the crew."

Martin thought, is it so fast? He asked, "Actor?"

Mene nodded gently: "Emma said hello to the audition director. I passed the audition yesterday and got an important black supporting role. I came here today to discuss the contract."

Martin nodded: "Pay attention to the crew's dynamics."

"Boss, I'll do the work, don't worry." Mene has been doing well recently: "There are several key department heads in the crew, all of whom are women over 40 years old."

Bruce came over from behind and pulled Mene to find a place to talk privately.

Louise took Martin into a reception room and waited for a few minutes before the Nolans came in together.

Martin walked up to Nolan and shook hands. The two exchanged a few pleasantries and quickly got down to business.

Nolan glanced at Emma and said, "You talked to Emma about this project and said that the Joker is the first protagonist?"

"The feeling the script gave me," Martin said directly, "This character is very special and three-dimensional. He can't even be called a villain. I think the Joker in the script is very similar to the two protagonists in Heat."

This news comes from Mene.

Sure enough, Nolan said: "Yes, when writing the script, Jonathan and I were influenced by the duel between the two heroes in Heat."

The way he looked at Martin changed a little, because every word of the young actor touched his heart and touched upon the idea of ​​his creation.

The Joker is too important to this movie. In Nolan's mind, Batman is just a supporting role of the Joker, and he elevated the Joker infinitely.

Therefore, Nolan was very cautious in his choice, as he needed an actor who could truly support this complex role.

If the Joker fails, the movie will fail, the $1.8 million will disappear, and his future as a director will fail.

Nolan thought for a moment and said, "Martin, I understand your situation. How about this? You wait for my notification and go directly to the makeup audition."

Martin knew that the meeting was over, so he shook hands with Nolan and said goodbye: "I hope to work with you, a fantastic director."

After seeing Martin and his group off, Nolan asked his wife: "Dreamlike director? He's so good at talking."

Emma said: "He has a very good reputation in the industry and is very dedicated."

Nolan understood: "He's also very capable of causing trouble."

This film is of great importance, and he will not make a decision lightly: "I have to contact other candidates too."

After lunch and processing some documents, Nolan was notified that Christian Bale was coming to the studio.

Because the Batman series in the 1990s repeatedly changed actors and suffered a box office disaster, Warner Bros. and DC Comics learned a lesson and, once a project was confirmed, they invited Bale to return and continue to play Bruce Wayne.

Bale's agent is in final negotiations with the crew.

Nolan and Bell had worked together several times and had a very good relationship. He asked Bell to come into his office and asked, "Have you almost negotiated the contract?"

Bale was in a good mood: "The highest pay I've ever received for a film was $1500 million."

Nolan glanced at Bell's physique and said, "Resume physical training and be as strong as possible."

Bale, who is known for his rubbery appearance, responded, "I've started to gain muscle." He came here for other things today, so he asked, "I heard the crew has started to audition for the Joker?"

Nolan nodded slightly and asked, "Why, do you have any suitable actors to recommend?"

"Indeed, he has top acting skills among young actors and is willing to do anything for the role." Bale first said a few good words before naming the actor: "Heath Ledger, the leading actor in Brokeback Mountain."

Hugh Jackman also recommended Heath Ledger, so Nolan's recommendation of Bale was not surprising.

Bale is a sentimental actor who clearly wants to help his friend, but Nolan has to consider the risks: "Is Heath Ledger getting better?"

"It's basically under control." Bale has nothing to say about his friends: "I can guarantee that he won't get into any trouble during the filming, and the crew can sign a contract with him with relevant restrictive clauses."

Nolan has known Bale for many years. Bale is a very reliable person and he must be sure of what he said.

Bale added: "There are so many actors who have touched that thing, so many that it's hard to count them. Maybe it's more accurate to say that it's rare that someone hasn't touched it."

Nolan has been in the industry for ten years and knows that this is true.

"The incident in New York was not a big deal. I was there. Martin Davis and Aniston were so exaggerated that they almost ruined Heath Ledger's career." Bale briefly described the situation from his perspective and further said, "Heath and I have a special understanding. If he played opposite me, it would definitely have a positive effect."

Just like Hugh Jackman in "The Prestige", Nolan attached great importance to the candidate recommended by Bale. After a little thought, he said, "Bring Heath Ledger to the crew. I want to see his situation with my own eyes."

Bell said, "I'll call him and ask him to come over from New York immediately."

Nolan urged: "As soon as possible."

Bale said goodbye and left, and before going downstairs he called Heath Ledger.

After the call, he found a production manager who was familiar with the crew and asked, "Which actor does the crew currently like for the role of the Joker?"

Once the list of actors is confirmed, Bell can call them and persuade them to withdraw.

He had used similar methods several times in the past.

"Not sure yet." The production manager remembered, "This morning, one of the investors, Louise Mayer, brought Martin Davis and his agent to meet with Director Nolan. I don't know what they discussed specifically, but I guess it might be related to casting."

When Bell heard Martin's name, his eyes froze and he immediately thought of the role of the Joker.

He was confirmed to play Bruce Wayne, but there were not many roles suitable for Martin Davis.

Bale hated Martin, not only because of the Heath Ledger incident, but also because of the Pinewood Studios incident.

A grown man tore a sponge, and this incident became a joke in Hollywood and even in the United States and Britain. I don't know how many people were laughing at him behind his back.

Martin was involved in everything the three bastards did.

When Bell thought of Martin's sunny, handsome and amiable face, his stomach twitched and he felt like vomiting for no apparent reason.

Working on the same crew was definitely a nightmare, not to mention that he had to help Heath Ledger get the role.

After saying goodbye to the production manager, Bell has been thinking about how to cut off Martin's access to the crew.

At the same time, Emma Thomas, who had been busy working for most of the day, left the office building where the crew was located and entered the cold drink shop on the set as agreed.

Mene sat at a table and ordered a sickly sweet ice cream for her.

After Emma sat down, she took a sip first. The super sweet taste exploded in her mouth. She felt so comfortable that she was filled with happiness due to the massive secretion of dopamine.

Of course, happiness should be doubled, and Emma ate most of it in one breath.

While she was intoxicated with sweetness, Mene asked, "Emma, ​​can my boss get that role?"

"It's not that simple. Our opinions are important, but we don't have the final say." Emma said simply, "We can only provide advice. In the end, it all depends on the results of the makeup audition. The project investment is too high, and no one can afford the risk."

Mene boasted: "My boss's acting skills are beyond reproach. Even Nicholson and Scorsese praised him highly."

Emma reminded: "Tell him not to be careless, the competitors are also very strong."

"Who are the contenders for this role?" Mene asked.

This kind of thing is not within the scope of confidentiality of the crew. Emma said casually: "Bell recommended Australian actor Heath Ledger, and some other companies or investors also recommended their own candidates. It is expected that five or six people will participate in the final makeup audition."

Mene wrote down the names Emma mentioned one by one, especially Heath Ledger.

The boss mentioned this person and we should pay special attention to him.

Mene also asked a few more questions about Bale's recommendation of Heath Ledger.

After they finished their ice cream, they made an appointment to taste desserts tomorrow. Emma went back to the office building to meet her husband and prepare to go home after get off work.

Mene called a female executive producer he had hooked up with, and based on the fact that she was nearly 50 years old, he was able to find out some information.

The male lead Bale has submitted Heath Ledger's information to the casting team.

Mene left Warner Studios and walked to Davis Studio not far away, found Bruce, and went to meet Martin together.

He described in detail the latest news he had heard.

"It has been confirmed that Robin Williams, Josh Brolin, Jude Law, Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, and Adrien Brody are all interested in the role."

(End of this chapter)