American Fame and Fortune Chapter 358

Chapter 358 The Beginning of Competition

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

 A gray office building became the residence of the crew.

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

 Martin asked: “Dear, the joint investment meeting for the project is over?”

Louise simply said: "It's basically confirmed that the production budget is US$180 million. Warner Bros. is responsible for distribution, and DC Comics and Legendary Pictures are jointly producing. The two companies, plus Warner Pictures, Pacific Pictures and some small companies, And Mr. and Mrs. Nolan are participating in the investment.”

She raised her dark-rimmed eyes and said, "The offline window period of the project is 3 years, starting from the release of the film in North America. Warner will be forced to buy out all online and offline copyrights."

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

Louis said: "The investment amount is similar to that of Pacific Pictures. Their main focus is still on the new Terminator."

The battery car stopped at the door of the gray office building. Louise got off the car first and walked inside with Martin and Thomas.

 Louise is a member of the crew. Among all producers, her 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, found Martin automatically, and whispered: "I sneaked into the crew."

Martin thought to himself, did you move so fast? He asked: "Actor?"

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

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

“Boss, don't worry, I'll take care of things.” Mene has been enjoying herself recently: “The crew has several heads of key departments, all of whom are women over 40 years old.”

 Bruce came from behind and took Mene with him to find a place to chat privately.

 Louis took Martin into a reception room and waited for a few minutes before Mr. and Mrs. Nolan came in together.

 Martin stepped forward to shake hands with Nolan, the two exchanged a few words and quickly got to the point.

Nolan glanced at Emma and said, "You and Emma talked 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 and has a three-dimensional image. It can't even be called a villain. I think the clown in the script is very similar to the two protagonists in “The Wire”.”

 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 "The Wire"."

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

The Joker is so important to this movie. In Nolan's mind, Batman is just a supporting role for the Joker, and he elevates the Joker infinitely.

 Hence, Nolan was very careful when choosing. He needed an actor who could really hold up this complex role.

If Joker collapses, the movie will 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. Let's just wait for my notification and go directly to the makeup audition."

 Martin knew that the meeting was coming to an end, and shook hands with Nolan and said goodbye: "I hope to work with you, this fantastic director."

 After sending Martin and his group off, Nolan asked his wife: "Fantastic director? He is so good at talking."

Emma said: "The reputation in the industry is very good and she is very dedicated."

Nolan knows something about it: “He is also very capable of causing trouble.”

 This film is of great importance and he will not make a decision easily: "Other candidates should also be contacted."

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

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

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

Nolan has collaborated with Bell several times and has a very good relationship. He directly let him into his office and asked: "Is the contract almost negotiated?"

 Bale is in a good mood: "The highest salary I've ever received is US$15 million."

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

 Bell is a famous rubber man and responded: "I have started to gain muscle." He came over today for other matters and asked: "I heard that the crew has started to select actors for the clown?"

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

"Indeed, his acting skills are top-notch among young actors, and he will risk everything for the role." Bell said two good words before naming the person: "Heath Ledger, the leading actor in "Brokeback Mountain."

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

Bale is a caring actor who obviously wants to help his friends. But Nolan had to consider the risks: "Is Heath Ledger getting better?"

"Basically under control." Bale had nothing to say when it came to treating his friends: "I can guarantee that he will not get into any trouble during the filming, and the crew can also sign a contract with relevant restrictive clauses with him."

Nolan has known Bell for many years. Bell is very reliable in doing things. If he can say this, he must be confident.

Bell added: "There are so many actors who have touched that thing, so many that they can't even be counted. Perhaps it should be said that those who have never touched it are rare."

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

"The time in New York was not a big deal. I was there. Martin Davis and Aniston were too exaggerated and almost ruined Heath Ledger's future." Bell said simply from his perspective. After describing the situation at that time, he further said: "Heath and I have a very good understanding. If he plays opposite me, it will definitely be more effective."

Just like Hugh Jackman in "The Prestige", Nolan paid more attention to the candidate recommended by Bale. After thinking about it for a while, he said: "Bring Heath Ledger to the set, I want to see his condition with my own eyes."

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

Nolan warned: "As soon as possible."

 Bale said goodbye and left, calling Heath Ledger before he even got downstairs.

 After making the call, he went to a production manager who was familiar with the crew and asked: "For the role of the clown, which actor is the crew currently interested in?"

 Once the cast is finalized, Bell can call them and persuade those people to leave.

 Similar methods have been used by him several times in the past.

"Not sure for the moment." The production manager remembered: "This morning, Louise Meyer, one of the investors, brought Martin Davis and his agent to meet with Director Nolan to find out the details. It's not clear what they were talking about, I guess it was related to casting.”

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

  Bruce Wayne is confirmed to be played by him, and there are not many cast members suitable for the role of Martin Davis.

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

　　A grown man tore a sponge, which became a joke all over Hollywood and even the United States and England. I don't know how many people were laughing at him behind his back.

 What the trio of **** did was indispensable for Martin.

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

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

 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 at work 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.

Meine sat at a table and ordered a piece of ice cream that was so sweet that it was so sweet.

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

 Happiness is of course doubled, Emma ate most of it in one go.

Meine took advantage of her being intoxicated with sweetness and asked: "Emma, ​​can my boss get that role?"

"It's not that simple. Our couple's opinions are very important, but we have no decision-making power." Emma simply said: "I can only provide opinions, and ultimately it depends on the results of the makeup audition. The investment in the project is too high and no one can afford it." risk."

Meine boasted: "My boss's acting skills are beyond praise, even Nicholson and Scorsese are full of praise."

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

Meine asked: “Who is interested in competing for this role?”

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 recommended their own candidates. It is expected that five or six people will participate in the final audition with makeup.”

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

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

Meine also asked a few more questions about Bale recommending Heath Ledger.

The two of them finished the ice cream and made an appointment to taste sweets tomorrow. Emma returned to the office building to meet her husband and prepare to go home from get off work.

Meine called a female executive producer he hooked up with, and based on her age, which was close to 50 years old, she got some information.

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

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

 He detailed the latest news he had learned.

"It is currently confirmed that Robin Williams, Josh Brolin, Jude Law, Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, and Adrien Brody are interested in this role. "

 (End of this chapter)

Chapter end