Warner Studios, codenamed "Rory's First Kiss" project, is in the early stages of preparation.

A gray office building became the crew station.

Thomas got into a battery car and dragged Martin to the set, picking up Louise halfway through.

Martin asked, "Honey, is the co-investment meeting for the project over?" ”

Louise said simply: "It's basically settled, the production budget is $180 million, Warner Bros. is responsible for distribution, DC Comics is co-produced with Legendary Pictures, and the two companies, plus Warner Pictures, Pacific Pictures and some small companies, as well as the Nolans participate in the investment." ”

She helped her black-edged eyes: "The offline window period of the project is 3 years, and from the time the film is released in North America, Warner will forcibly recycle and buy out all online and offline copyrights." ”

Martin asked a key point: "Warner Pictures was also involved in the investment. ”

Louise said: "The investment amount is similar to that of Pacific Pictures, and their main focus is still on the new Terminator. ”

The battery car stopped at the door of the gray office building, and Louise got out of the car first, taking Martin and Thomas inside.

Louise is a member of the crew, and among all the producers, the power is second only to Charles Rowan on behalf of Warner Bros. and Orlin, the director of DC Comics.

Martin, through Emma Thomas, made an appointment with Nolan.

Just past the hall, Mene came out of it, automatically found Martin, and whispered, "I got into the crew." ”

Martin heart said, is the movement so fast? He asked, "Actors? ”

Mene nodded slightly: "Emma said hello to the audition director, I passed the audition yesterday and got an important black supporting role, and today I came to negotiate a contract." ”

Martin nodded: "Pay attention to the dynamics of the crew." ”

"Boss, I'll do something, don't worry." Mene has been getting mixed up like a fish in water lately: "There are several heads of key departments in the crew, all of whom are women over 40 years old. ”

Bruce came from behind and pulled Mene up to find a place to chat.

Louise led Martin into a reception room, and after a few minutes of waiting, Nolan and his wife came in.

Martin stepped forward to shake Nolan's hand, and the two exchanged a few words of greeting and quickly got to the point.

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

"The script gives me the feeling." Martin said directly: "This character is very special, the image is three-dimensional, and it can't even be called a villain, I think the clown in the script is very similar to the two protagonists in "The Line of Fire". ”

The news came from Mene.

Sure enough, Nolan said, "That's right, when writing the script, Jonathan and I were influenced by the "The Wire" duel. ”

The way he looked at Martin changed a little, because every word of the young actor spoke to his heart and the idea of the creative concept.

The Joker is too important for this movie, and in Nolan's heart, Batman is just a supporting role for the Joker, and he raises the Joker infinitely.

Therefore, Nolan was very cautious in his choice, and he needed an actor who could really stand up to this complex role.

If the clown collapses, the movie will collapse, the $180 million will disappear, and his future as a director will collapse.

Nolan thought for a while and said, "Martin, I understand your situation, so let's wait for my side to notify you and directly participate in the makeup audition." ”

Knowing that the meeting was at the end, Martin shook Nolan's hand and said goodbye: "I hope to work with you as a fantastic director." ”

Seeing off Martin and his party, Nolan asked his wife, "Fantastic director?" He's too good at talking. ”

Emma said: "The industry has a good reputation and is very dedicated. ”

Nolan has some understanding: "It's also very good at making things. ”

The stakes are so high that he doesn't make a decision lightly: "Other candidates should also be contacted." ”

After lunch and some paperwork was processed, Nolan was notified that Christian Bale came to the studio.

Because the Batman series changed actors continuously in the 90s and suffered a box office tragedy, Warner Bros. and DC Comics learned their lessons, and when the project was determined, they invited Bell to return and continue to play Bruce Wayne.

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

Nolan worked with Bell several times in a row, and the relationship was quite good, so he directly let him into his office and asked, "The contract is almost negotiated?" ”

Bale was in a good mood: "My highest pay, $15 million. ”

Nolan glanced at Bell's figure: "Resume physical training and be as strong as possible." ”

Bell, a well-known rubber man, replied, "I've started building muscle." He came over today to have something else to do, and asked, "I heard that the crew has started to select actors for the clown?" ”

Nolan nodded slightly, and asked rhetorically: "What, do you have a suitable actor to recommend?" ”

"Yes, acting skills are among the top among young actors, and they can do anything for the role." Bell said two good words before saying the person's name: "Heath Ledger, the male protagonist of "Brokeback Mountain." ”

Hugh Jackman also recommended Heath Ledger, and Nolan was not too surprised by Bell's recommendation.

Bale is a passionate actor who clearly wants to help his friends.

But Nolan has to consider the risks: "Heath Ledger is getting better? ”

"It's basically under control." When it comes to his friend, Bell didn't have to say: "I can guarantee that he won't get into any trouble during filming, and the crew can sign a contract with him with relevant qualifications." ”

Nolan has known Bell for many years, and Bell is very reliable in doing things, and he must be sure that he can say so.

Bell added: "There are so many actors who have touched that thing that there are too many to count, and perhaps it is appropriate to say that people who have not touched it are rare." ”

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

"That time in New York, it wasn't a big deal, I was there, Martin Davis and Aniston were so exaggerated that they almost ruined Heath Ledger's future." From his point of view, Bell briefly described the situation at the time, and further said: "I have a tacit understanding with Heath, and if he plays against me, it will definitely have an effect." ”

Just like Hugh Jackman of "Deadly Magic", Nolan attaches more importance to the person recommended by Bale, and after a little thought, he said: "You bring Heath Ledger to the crew, I want to see his situation with my own eyes." ”

"I'm going to call him and ask him to come over from New York right away," Bell said. ”

Nolan advised, "As soon as possible." ”

Bale took his leave and called Heath Ledger before he could go downstairs.

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

Once the cast was chosen, Bell would be able to call them and dissuade them.

He had used a similar method several times in the past.

"Not sure for now." The production manager remembered: "This morning, Louise Mayer, one of the investors, took Martin Davis and his agent, and met with director Nolan, and what was discussed is not clear, I guess it may have something to do with casting. ”

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

Bruce Wayne was confirmed to be cast by him, and the crew was suitable for the role of Martin Davis, and there were not a few.

Bale hated Martin, not just because of the Heath Ledger affair, but also because of Pinewood Studios.

A big man tore a sponge, and it became a joke all over Hollywood and even the whole United States and Britain, and I don't know how many people laughed at him behind his back.

The bastard trio did not have Martin's share.

Bell thought of Martin's sunny and handsome face, and his stomach twitched, and he wanted to vomit inexplicably.

Working on the same crew was an absolute nightmare, not to mention that he had to help Heath Ledger fight for the role.

Bidding farewell 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 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 down at a table and asked for a greasy ice cream for her.

After Emma sat down, she tasted it first, and the super sweet taste exploded in her mouth, and her whole body was filled with the happiness of a large amount of dopamine secretion.

Of course, happiness must be doubled, and Emma eats most of it in one go.

Mene took advantage of her intoxication and asked, "Emma, can my boss get that role?" ”

"It's not that simple, our couple's opinion is important, but we don't have the right to decide." Emma said simply: "I can only provide opinions, and in the end, I have to look at the results of the audition with makeup, and the project investment is too high, and no one can afford to take the risk." ”

Mene boasted: "I don't have to say anything about my boss's acting skills, even Nicholson and Scorsese are full of praise." ”

Emma reminded, "Tell him, don't be careless, the competitors are strong. ”

Mene asked, "Who are you competing for this role?" ”

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

Mene made a note of the names Emma had mentioned, especially Heath Ledger.

The boss has mentioned this person, and it is important to pay attention to it.

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

After the two ate ice cream and made an appointment to have a sweet treat tomorrow, Emma went back to the office building to meet her husband and get ready to go home from work.

Mene called one of the female executive producers he hooked up with, and with the fact that the other party was close to 50 years old, he asked about some information.

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

Mene left Warner Studios and walked to Davis Studios, not far from here, to find Bruce and go to meet Martin together.

He elaborated on the latest news.

"At the moment, it's certain that Robin Williams, Josh Brolin, Jude Law, Heath Ledger, Paul Bethany, and Adrian Brody are all interested in the role."

(End of chapter)