Before its official release, The Dark Knight Rises had already been highly anticipated by fans, and its popularity continued to climb as the release date drew near. The media spared no words of praise—Empire Magazine even called it "a superhero film of unprecedented scale."
When the premiere kicked off at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, the only way to describe the scene was a sea of people.
Although Scarlett Johansson and Tina Fey strongly objected, Duke still appeared at the premiere. However, he wasn't the kind of person who ignored advice. During the entire premiere, two FBI agents would provide full-time close protection for him.
Not only that, but Duke's personal bodyguards were stationed further out. Two professional security companies hired by Warner Bros. handled the outer perimeter, and personnel from the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office controlled nearby vantage points.
In addition, all fans entering the theater for the screening had to go through security checks.
Since he had reported the incident to the police, the news that Duke had received a "death threat" was no longer a secret. As he and Scarlett quickly walked down the red carpet, countless fans held up signs to show their support.
Like all Hollywood premieres, The Dark Knight Rises's event didn't have anything particularly unusual. Nowadays, not only are Hollywood movies industrialized, but premieres have also become formulaic.
The only difference was that at The Dark Knight Rises premiere, all kinds of demons and monsters seemed to appear.
Many fanatics dressed up as famous characters from the movie or the comics, lining both sides of the red carpet. Batman, Penguin, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Robin could be seen everywhere.
However, the most common costume by far was the Joker. Countless fans wore purple suits, their pale faces painted with terrifyingly red smiles.
Walking down the carpet, Duke looked at the rows of Jokers. Suddenly, something flashed through his mind, but amid the thunderous shouts of "Duke!" around him, he couldn't quite grasp it.
Scarlett immediately noticed Duke's odd expression and quickly asked, "What's wrong, honey? Are you feeling unwell?"
The two FBI agents also hurried over.
Duke quickly shook his head at them. "It's nothing."
Looking again at the Jokers lining both sides of the red carpet, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something.
When they reached the end of the carpet, Duke and Scarlett entered the interview area, where many actors were already being interviewed. Christian Bale, Dwayne Johnson, and Gal Gadot were all swarmed by reporters.
As soon as Duke stepped into the interview area, he immediately drew the attention of numerous journalists.
And almost all of their questions focused on the "death threat" incident.
"Director Rosenberg, what do you think about that threatening email?"
"Duke, will this affect the content of the film?"
Listening to the chaotic questions around him, Duke had no choice but to respond quickly, "I believe this is just a prank, not something anyone actually intends to carry out."
After saying this, with the help of his bodyguards and the two Los Angeles agents, Duke prepared to leave the interview area.
Just then, another reporter shouted, "Don't you think The Dark Knight glorified the Joker's violence too much, which might have inspired someone to imitate him and send the death threat?"
Duke turned his head to look at the reporter. The man's words were like a key that unlocked his earlier confusion.
Although he continued walking toward the photo area with Scarlett Johansson, Duke's thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
Just as that reporter had said, the Joker had used mailed "death threats" several times in the films. Some deranged individuals might very well imitate what they'd seen on screen.
Duke knew this all too well. Years ago, The Matrix had even inspired real-life crimes—the murderer believed, like Neo, that he was living in a virtual world and wanted to fully awaken.
How great was the Joker's influence? He was practically a mythologized villain!
Duke was fully aware that countless fans were obsessed with the Joker, and it wasn't impossible that some of them might imitate his behavior...
As these thoughts surfaced, memories long faded by time came back to him—the shooting incident years ago, when the perpetrator had been dressed up or mimicking the Joker.
Moving like a mechanical puppet, Duke finished the group photos and entered the theater, immediately calling for Tina Fey.
In the lounge, Duke dismissed the two FBI agents, leaving only Scarlett Johansson and Tina Fey.
"Tina, contact the people at Warner Bros. right away…" His speech was quick, though still steady. "Tell them to notify all major theater chains to ban fans from wearing any character costumes to the screenings."
Hearing this, Tina Fey looked at him in surprise. "You know this is going to be difficult, Duke."
Of course, Duke knew it would be difficult. In North America's mature film market, fans dressing up as characters to watch movies had long been a tradition—and a great way to enhance the film's atmosphere.
"The theater chains probably won't agree," Tina added.
"Forget it…" Duke sighed. "Let's just go back to the screening."
It wasn't just that theater chains might disagree—they definitely wouldn't. Doing so would offend the most passionate and highest-spending fans. For profit-driven theaters, how could that ever be acceptable?
Not only the theaters—even Warner Bros. itself wouldn't approve such a move.
If they really followed Duke's suggestion, aside from other consequences, how many fewer pieces of merchandise would they sell? And they'd alienate their core audience too.
"What are you worried about?" Scarlett asked.
"The mailed death threat…" Duke knew he needed to explain. "In The Dark Knight, who was the one that did that?"
Tina Fey and Scarlett Johansson said at the same time, "The Joker!"
"You're worried that the person who sent the death threat…" Tina Fey immediately understood what Duke meant. "Might disguise himself as the Joker and sneak into the theater?"
Duke nodded.
Scarlett couldn't help but give a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, darling. The premiere has strict security. Even if he's dressed as the Joker, he won't be able to bring a weapon in here."
"I'm not worried about here." Duke shook his head. "Have you both forgotten? The death threat mentioned everyone! What if he doesn't come here but goes to other theaters instead…"
Tina Fey and Scarlett Johansson both stopped smiling. Other theaters didn't have security checks.
They both shook their heads afterward. Though they cared deeply about Duke, they didn't necessarily believe the death threat was real—and apart from Duke himself, they weren't too concerned.
Asking theaters to add security checks, banning fans from dressing up as movie characters? Don't be ridiculous. None of them owned the North American theater chains.
The three exchanged glances, then left the lounge, joining the bodyguards and FBI agents as they walked straight into the theater.
As they entered, Tina Fey discussed the death threat and the Joker connection with the two FBI agents, but the agents weren't interested in such strange speculation. They merely offered a few perfunctory responses.
The FBI was protecting Duke only because his identity and status warranted it. To them, Tina Fey's reasoning—linking the Joker to the threat—sounded like pure overthinking.
Duke's seat was isolated from the rest of the crew. He and Scarlett Johansson were surrounded by several agents and bodyguards.
The Dark Knight Rises was about to begin screening. Many people dressed as Jokers, Batmen, Catwomen, and Robins had entered the premiere theater. Apart from the front-row guests in formal attire, the TCL Chinese Theatre had practically become a gathering ground for all sorts of "demons and monsters."
Turning back to glance at the packed theater, Duke looked forward again. He felt Scarlett gently squeeze his hand. He smiled at her, then slowly turned his gaze toward the large silver screen in front of him.
Not far behind him, Sarah from The Los Angeles Times also glanced back. She knew Duke had received a "death threat," and that security for tonight's premiere had been upgraded by more than two levels. If the person who sent the threat had managed to slip into the theater, he would undoubtedly be among that crowd of "demons and monsters" in the back.
Still, Duke was surrounded by a large number of bodyguards and agents—if anyone wanted to do something, it would be nearly impossible.
Having known Duke for many years, Sarah still couldn't help but worry about the director's safety.
From the press seating area, many reporters were equally eager—looking first at the bizarre crowd in the back, then at Duke Rosenberg in the front row. They seemed impatient for something to happen at this premiere—something that would make global headlines.
A Duke Rosenberg film releasing? A Duke Rosenberg film breaking box office records? Those were no longer newsworthy. Audiences had long grown numb to such reports.
But what if Duke Rosenberg were attacked?
Just imagining such a scene filled the reporters with a rush of excitement, as if they'd been injected with pure adrenaline. Could there be any news more sensational than that?
They eagerly hoped someone would step forward!
But where was that person? And in what way would he appear?
That wasn't a question the reporters pondered—yet it was precisely what crossed Duke's mind as he stared at the screen, which was slowly lighting up. What had once happened might not necessarily happen again. After all, since he'd come to this world, too many things and people in Hollywood had already changed.
The film was about to start. The TCL Chinese Theatre gradually grew quiet, with only a few people in Joker costumes still looking for their seats.
Outside the theater, a black Ford sedan slowly approached. Inside, James Holmes—dressed in a full Joker costume—watched the theater calmly through the window, studying the situation around the TCL Chinese Theatre.
On a normal day, his outfit would have drawn countless stares. But tonight, it looked utterly ordinary. Jokers were everywhere—he didn't stand out at all.
Lightly pressing the brake, the black Ford came to a stop by the curb. James Holmes didn't get out of the car. Instead, he patiently observed the scene, his hand subconsciously sliding beneath his purple suit—easily finding his gun.
These were the tools through which he sought to create chaos and fulfill his own dark pursuit!.
.....
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