American fame and fortune

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

A gray office building became the crew's residence.

Thomas drove a battery car, took Martin to the set, and picked up Louise on the way.

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

Louise said briefly: "Basically confirmed, the production budget is 180 million US dollars, Warner Bros. is in charge of distribution, DC Comics and Legendary Pictures are co-produced, the two companies, plus Warner Pictures, Pacific Pictures and some small companies, There are also the Nolans who participated in the investment."

She raised her black-rimmed eyes: "The offline window period of the project is 3 years, counting from the time when the film is released in North America, Warner will forcefully reclaim and buy out all online and offline copyrights."

Martin asked a key point: "Warner Pictures also participated in the investment."

Louise said: "The amount of investment is about the same as that of Pacific Pictures, and their main energy 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, leading Martin and Thomas inside.

Louise is a member of the crew. Among all the producers, the power is second only to Charles Rowan, who represents 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, automatically found Martin, and whispered, "I sneaked into the crew."

Martin thought, is it so fast? "Actor?" he asked.

Mene nodded slightly: "Emma greeted the audition director. I passed the audition yesterday and got an important black supporting role. Come here today to discuss the contract."

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

"Boss, I'll take care of things, don't worry." Mene has been getting along like a fish in water recently: "The crew has several key department heads, all of whom are women over 40 years old."

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

Louise led Martin into a reception room, and after waiting for a few minutes, the Nolans came in together.

Martin stepped forward to shake hands with Nolan, the two exchanged a few pleasantries, 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 gave me the feeling." Martin said directly: "This character is very special, with a three-dimensional image, and it can't even be called a villain. I think the clown in the script is very similar to the two protagonists in "Heat"."

The news came from Mene.

Sure enough, Nolan said: "That's right, when writing the script, Jonathan and I were influenced by the duel between the two heroes in "Heavy Wire"."

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

The clown is too important to this movie. In Nolan's heart, Batman is just a supporting role for the clown, and he elevates the clown infinitely.

Therefore, Nolan was very cautious when choosing, he needed an actor who could really support this complex role.

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

Nolan thought for a while and said, "Martin, I understand your situation, how about this, you wait for my notification and directly participate in the makeup audition."

Knowing that the meeting was coming to an end, Martin shook hands with Nolan and said goodbye: "I hope to cooperate with your fantastic director."

After sending off Martin and his party, Nolan asked his wife: "A fantastic director? He is too good at talking."

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

Nolan understood: "It's also very capable of making trouble."

The film is very important, and he will not make a decision lightly: "Other candidates should also be contacted."

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

Because the Batman series continued to change actors in the 1990s and encountered box office disasters, Warner Bros. and DC Comics learned their lessons. When the project was confirmed, they strongly invited Bell to come back and continue to play Bruce Wayne.

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

Nolan and Bell have cooperated several times in succession, and the relationship is quite good. He directly let him into his office and asked, "The contract is almost finished?"

Bell was in a good mood: "My highest salary was $15 million."

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

Bell is a well-known rubber man, and he replied: "I have started to gain muscle." He came here today to have other business, and asked: "I heard that the crew has started casting actors for the clown?"

Nolan nodded slightly, and asked back, "Why, do you have any suitable actor recommendations?"

"Indeed, there are young actors whose acting skills are top-notch, and they can do nothing for the role." Bell said a few good words before saying the person's name: "Heath Ledger, the leading actor in "Brokeback Mountain."

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

Bale is a loving actor who clearly wants to help his friend.

But Nolan had to consider the risks: "Is Heath Ledger getting better?"

"It's basically under control." Bell didn't have to say when it came to his friends: "I can guarantee that he won't get into any trouble because of this during filming, and the crew can also sign a contract with relevant limited clauses with him."

Nolan has known Bell for many years, and Bell is very reliable in his actions. He must be confident in saying that.

Bell added: "There are so many actors who have touched that thing that they cannot be counted. Perhaps it should be said that people who have not touched it are rare."

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

"The one in New York wasn't a big deal. I was there. Martin Davis and Aniston were too exaggerated and almost ruined Heath Ledger's future." From his point of view, Bell simply said Looking at the situation at the time, he further said: "Heath and I have a special understanding. If he plays with me, it will definitely increase the effect."

Just like Hugh Jackman in The Prestige, Nolan paid more attention to the candidates recommended by Bale. After a little thought, he said, "You bring Heath Ledger to the crew, and I want to see his situation with my own eyes."

"I'm going to call him right now and tell him to come over from New York immediately," Bell said.

Nolan urged: "As soon as possible."

Bell left and called Heath Ledger before going downstairs.

After making the phone call, he found a production manager who was familiar with the crew and asked, "As for the role of the clown, which actor is the crew currently interested in?"

Once the list of actors is confirmed, Bell can call them and talk those people out.

He has used similar methods several times in the past.

"Not sure yet." The production manager remembered: "This morning, Louise Meyer, one of the investors, brought Martin Davis and his agent to a meeting with Director Nolan. It's unclear what was discussed, I guess it might have something to do with casting."

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

Bruce Wayne was determined to be played by him, and the crew was suitable for the role of Martin Davis, not many.

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

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

What the bastard trio did, Martin did.

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

Working on the same crew would be an absolute nightmare, not to mention he was helping Heath Ledger get the role.

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 cloyingly sweet ice cream for her.

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

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

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

"How can it be so simple, our couple's opinions are very important, but we have no right to make decisions." Emma said simply: "I can only provide opinions, and in the end it depends on the results of the audition with makeup. The investment in the project is too high, and no one can afford it." risk."

Mene said: "My boss's acting skills are nothing to say, even Nicholson and Scorsese are full of praise."

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

Mene asked: "Who is interested in competing for this role?"

This kind of thing is not within the scope of the crew's confidentiality. Emma said casually: "Bell recommended the Australian actor Heath Ledger, and some other companies or investors 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 said one by one, especially Heath Ledger.

The boss mentioned this person, so we should focus on it.

Mene also asked a few more questions about Bell recommending Heath Ledger.

After the two finished eating ice cream, they made an appointment to taste sweets tomorrow. Emma went back to the office building to meet her husband and was ready to go home from get off work.

Mene called a female executive producer whom he hooked up with, and inquired about the situation based on the age of the other party who was close to 50 years old.

The leading actor, Bell, has already submitted Heath Ledger's information to the casting team.

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

He detailed the latest news he got.

"Right now, Robin Williams, Josh Brolin, Jude Law, Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, and Adrien Brody are all interested in the role. "