Shortly after returning to Los Angeles, Duke and Warner Bros. jointly held a press conference, officially announcing that The Dark Knight would be released on May 4, 2007 the first weekend of next year's summer blockbuster season.
Perhaps many had already guessed that this Batman sequel would premiere during this time slot, as many Hollywood companies proactively avoided early May, such as Sony Columbia Pictures.
Despite having been acquired by Sony Group nearly twenty years ago, Sony Columbia Pictures has never shaken off the position of trailing behind the six major studios. It was even once nearly overtaken by DreamWorks. If it hadn't been for the joint suppression of DreamWorks and the Big Three by the six majors, Sony Columbia Pictures might have long lost its qualification to be among the Big Six.
Sony Entertainment's reach has extended into Hollywood for so many years, yet they still face an awkward situation—the only true flagship franchise they possess is Spider-Man. Even the 007 series, after being acquired, has been showing signs of flopping in recent installments.
Faced with such circumstances, Sony Entertainment doesn't want anything to go wrong with Spider-Man. Not only did they pour massive marketing funds into Spider-Man 3, but they also deliberately avoided early May, choosing the third weekend of May for its premiere.
This means the film would be released one weekend apart from Duke's new work and wouldn't suffer too heavily from The Dark Knight's impact.
Between these two blockbusters, each with budgets exceeding $150 million, a weekend remains unoccupied. Yet, the traditional powers in Hollywood didn't dare to slot in their works no one wants to be caught between the two sequel juggernauts.
What the traditional powers won't do doesn't mean the emerging forces in Hollywood won't. Just three days after Duke and Warner Bros.' press conference, David Ellison's Skydance Media also announced that the $150 million I Am Legend, starring Will Smith, would premiere in North America on May 11.
This film, adapted from a well-known novel, happens to be scheduled right between The Dark Knight and Spider-Man.
"David Ellison's ambition is clearly on full display."
While the crew was on break, Scarlett, visiting the set, stood behind Duke and discussed the news with Tina Fey. "It's said he's prepared a $120 million promotional budget for the film, and Disney won't even have to advance a single dollar."
"Well, that's because he has a filthy rich dad." Tina Fey shifted her gaze toward Duke sitting in the director's chair. "And his dad, just like him, doesn't like our boss very much."
"That's not necessarily a bad thing." Scarlett cupped her chin with one hand.
Tina Fey didn't quite understand and asked, "Why do you say that?"
Scarlett suddenly laughed. "Because I'll have another excuse and reason to mock that sibling duo in the future."
Although no one knew how I Am Legend would turn out under David Ellison's production, as long as the film maintained its past quality and with such a massive promotional budget, it was bound to be a formidable competitor.
Still, Duke didn't let his focus get scattered—making The Dark Knight well was the foundation for winning the competition.
Ignoring the two women chatting in the rest area, Duke's attention was fully on the shoot.
At the center of the set stood a green screen, which would be replaced with a large display in post-production. The scene's two leads, Laurence Fishburne and Christian Bale, were already in position.
Before the shoot began, Duke walked over and gave them a few instructions.
"Laurence, Lucius Fox has always been a firm supporter of Batman. But even he would be concerned when seeing a setup like this." Duke said to the black actor, "You need to express that concern in both your tone and expression."
Laurence Fishburne nodded slightly and said, "I understand. Bruce Wayne is already crossing the line here. Using a device to monitor an entire city, he's teetering on the edge of his own moral bottom line."
"I'm going to destroy it." Christian Bale pointed at the green screen. "Don't worry—I'm a man of high moral standards."
Bale's rare joke lightened the shooting atmosphere a bit. Duke nodded at the two and returned to his chair.
Perhaps because he didn't have to face that lunatic Joker, Christian Bale was much more relaxed and at ease.
Relaxation can be a good thing sometimes—but not always. Bale was clearly too relaxed. As soon as filming began, he made a mistake and was stopped by Duke, followed by several consecutive NGs.
"Mr. Bale!"
After calling "cut" again, Duke sternly warned, "Tighten your nerves!"
He pointed to the dozens of busy people in lighting, props, makeup, and filming around the studio and said, "Do you want all of us to spend the day relaxing with you?"
"I sincerely apologize." Though Christian Bale didn't have the best temper, he was fairly obedient in front of Duke. After apologizing, he added, "Can I have ten minutes?"
"Fifteen-minute break!"
In this situation, Duke definitely had to allow Bale time to adjust himself.
After a brief break, Bale's condition clearly improved. His scene with Laurence Fishburne started smoothly after just one rehearsal.
Standing before the green screen, Christian Bale said to Laurence Fishburne, "Beautiful, isn't it?"
Fishburne, playing Lucius Fox, looked somewhat surprised, as if seeing something incredible. He said, a bit angrily, "Beautiful, but immoral—and dangerous. You turned every phone in Gotham into a speaker!"
Christian Bale, in Batman's tone, replied, "It's a receiver, using a high-frequency signal."
Laurence Fishburne's expression grew serious. "You used my sonar concept and applied it to every phone in this city. As long as even half of them are working, you can monitor the entire Gotham."
He spoke in a low voice, "But this is wrong."
"Lucius." Christian Bale slowly clenched his gloved hands. "I have to find that man—find the Joker."
"But at what cost?" Lawrence Fishburne asked with concern.
Christian Bale fell silent and didn't answer him. The current Batman had no time to discuss moral and democratic issues.
After a while, he finally said, "This database is encrypted. Only one person can access it."
Lawrence Fishburne still frowned. "This kind of power is far too great for one person."
Not far away, Tina Fey and Scarlett had been watching the shooting scene in front of the camera. The two of them nodded, clearly agreeing with Lawrence Fishburne's line. If in the real world there really was someone who could listen to everything about them through a device, that would be truly chilling.
Sitting behind the director's monitor, Duke thought of something else. This country is far less democratic than it claims, and the level of surveillance…
He shook his head and refocused his attention on the shooting site.
Christian Bale stared at Lawrence Fishburne. "That's why I'm giving this power to you. Only you can use it."
Lawrence Fishburne showed a surprised expression. "Monitoring thirty million people? That's not part of my job description."
Christian Bale didn't answer his question. Instead, he said, "This is the Joker's voice sample. If he speaks within the signal range of any phone in this city, you can use it to identify and locate him."
After thinking for a few seconds, Lawrence Fishburne finally said, "I can help you this one time, but take what I say next as my resignation—so long as this machine remains at Wayne Enterprises, I won't stay here."
Christian Bale turned and walked toward the outside. "When you finish, enter your name."
"Cut!" Duke shouted stop, then said, "This take's good. Touch up Bale's makeup. We're moving to the next shot."
Drama scenes shot together generally shared the same characteristics—that is, the intentions actors and the camera need to express are very close. This relatively reduces the difficulty of performance and shooting.
The crew moved to another soundstage. By the time Tina Fey and Scarlett had a cup of coffee and arrived at the set, Duke had already directed the crew to finish preparations. A new scene was about to begin filming.
Several fake Batmen and the Scarecrow from the previous film were tied up in a soundstage set up as a parking lot.
This scene was very simple, just a few lines of dialogue.
But in the eyes of Tina Fey and Scarlett Johansson, this simple scene was expressing a complex theme.
The fake Batman's line was a challenge to Batman—what gives you the right, what makes you different from us?
Batman's answer was—"I'm not wearing hockey pads."
Then, he turned and silently walked away.
"Why didn't he answer?"
After the scene ended, Scarlett suddenly asked, "Instead, he gave that kind of answer."
Although Batman sarcastically mocked the question in a humorous way, he didn't directly respond. Tina Fey saw through it more clearly. "Because to that question, Batman has no reply."
"No reply?" Scarlett looked at her in confusion. "Why do you say that?"
"It's simple. What gives Batman the right to break the law?" Tina Fey turned her gaze toward Duke. "I think that's one of the layers Duke wants to express."
Scarlett frowned. "Because Batman is a superhero. Wasn't his appearance meant to save this city? Isn't he the embodiment of justice? Gotham's vigilante cop?"
"Sweetheart, who gave a vigilante cop the authority to enforce the law?" Tina Fey said seriously. "Should superheroes stand above the law?"
.....
Hi For access to additional chapters of
Director in Hollywood (40 chpaters)
Made In Hollywood (60 Chapters)
Pokemon:Bounty Hunter(30 Chapters)
Douluo Dalu: Reincarnated as Yan(40 Chapters)
Hollywood:From Razzie to Legend(40 Chapters)
The Great Ruler (30 Chapters)
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu