"How's the script coming along?"
During dinner, Dunn sat flanked by Penelope Cruz and Michelle Rodriguez, with Christopher Nolan across from him.
Nolan set down his knife and fork. "There are still a few details to iron out, but it won't delay the start of filming."
According to Marvel Studios' plan, Daredevil was slated for a May 2003 release. For this project, Nolan would be grinding away for a solid two years.
Dunn gestured with an open hand, signaling he could eat and talk. "Like I've said before, the story needs a high concept and deep themes—really showcase the superhero's self-sacrifice."
Nolan nodded earnestly. "We're starting in October. We'll be shooting on location in Chicago, New York, London, Iceland, and more. The soundstages at Shepperton Studios in the UK are being revamped too. I'm planning to stretch the shooting schedule by another seven weeks—I've already put in the request with production. That means skipping next year's awards season."
"Oh? Why's that?"
Dunn couldn't help but put down his utensils, locking eyes with him.
Nolan explained, "This is my first crack at a big commercial blockbuster. I want to give it everything I've got and make sure it's flawless. That includes the action scenes and some of the Iceland shoots—I want to be hands-on to keep the vision consistent from start to finish."
Normally, a commercial blockbuster isn't handled by just one crew. The director oversees the main stuff, while action sequences and secondary shots get passed off to a second unit. With TV shows, it's even crazier—three or four crews working at once is standard.
Dunn nodded. Nolan's success clearly wasn't a fluke—his work ethic was unreal.
Nolan went on, "Even though Daredevil is a superhero flick, like you said, it's not like Spider-Man. The focus is on realism. I'll lean heavily on location shooting, practical sets, and physical models. CGI still feels a bit off—it lacks texture."
Dunn took a big swig of red wine. Michelle Rodriguez, sitting beside him, immediately stood to grab the bottle and refill his glass. He barely noticed, saying casually, "I'll be listed as a producer, but I want this movie to have Nolan's style, not just another typical Dunn Walker flick."
Nolan's face lit up with excitement.
Dunn's commercial movies had shaken the world over the past few years. Film schools had even started research projects dissecting his cinematic language, special effects, and the reasons behind his success.
Plenty of Hollywood producers were pushing directors to mimic Dunn's approach.
And here was Dunn, giving Nolan the green light to make a movie in his own voice. That was some serious trust!
"I—I won't let you down!"
Nolan raised his glass in a toast to Dunn.
His wife, Emma Nolan, sitting to his right, mirrored the gesture, visibly thrilled.
Dunn flashed a warm smile and stood up like the host of the night. "Let's all have a drink—here's to Never Sinking and Mr. & Mrs. Smith crushing it at the box office!"
Americans aren't usually big on rowdy toasts, but with the big boss leading the charge, the mood picked up. Zack Snyder shouted, "Here's to Resident Evil killing it too! Even if it doesn't top Never Sinking, it's gotta hit Mr. & Mrs. Smith numbers!"
His fiancée, Deborah Johnson, quipped, "Zack, you drunk already?"
Laughter erupted around the table.
Everyone was dressed to the nines—guys in suits, ladies in evening gowns. The noisy vibe clashed with the fancy getup, but no one cared. They were having a blast.
Once they settled back down, Michelle Rodriguez seized her moment, flashing a bright grin. "Mr. Walker, how much have Never Sinking and Mr. & Mrs. Smith made so far?"
Dunn glanced at her. She was wearing a low-cut dress and leaning forward just enough to give him a peek down her top.
Deborah Johnson's matchmaking skills were clearly on point!
"Never Sinking is at 890 million, Mr. & Mrs. Smith at 520 million," Dunn said, unfazed.
"Wow! That much?"
Michelle was obviously fishing for a way to butter him up. "Mr. Walker, you're incredible! I'm such a fan. Never Sinking will be your fourth movie to break a billion globally, right?"
A billion?
That's a tall order.
It was late August now, and the summer movie rush was winding down. The box office was heading into a slow season.
Without some extra push, Never Sinking would struggle to top 1993's Jurassic Park.
As for Mr. & Mrs. Smith, it was pretty much tapped out.
With at least 220 million in North America, it had no room left to grow.
"9/11" was right around the corner. Action and war movies were about to face a major backlash.
Even with its humor, Mr. & Mrs. Smith's over-the-top explosions would remind Americans of planes crashing into towers.
Theaters wouldn't even wait for audiences to complain—they'd scale back screenings on their own.
Dunn shook his head. "Never Sinking was directed by James Cameron, not me."
"But it's still your movie—you're the producer!" Michelle tilted her head, playing cute.
Dunn's mind flickered. He lowered his voice, "How's your relationship with Milla?"
"Great!" Michelle shot him a shy glance, biting her lip. "Milla was actually saying she wanted to chat with you tonight about funny stuff from the set, but then you showed up with Ms. Cruz."
Dunn chuckled inwardly, feigning confusion. "Tonight? Is that cool?"
Michelle blushed—whether it was real or an act, it was convincing—and murmured, "It's just talking, nothing else."
"Oh? If it's just talking, what's wrong with me bringing Penny along?"
"Oh, come on!" Michelle giggled, patting her chest dramatically. "Mr. Walker, you're so bad—you're totally fishing!"
She'd just made it crystal clear: she and Milla Jovovich were down to hang out with him together.
But Dunn's interest cooled a bit.
Women like this—too much pretense, too much performance, too fake!
She was just a fling, nothing more.
Under the table, Dunn slid his hand into her skirt, brushing her thigh. "Call Milla later. Come over to my place tonight."
Michelle gave him a coy look and a soft "Mmm." Then, "What about Ms. Cruz?"
"She's coming too, obviously."
"What? Oh my gosh, Mr. Walker, your hand—you're terrible!"
Penelope Cruz pushed open the study door and, sure enough, found Dunn at his computer, typing away furiously.
Since last night, she'd noticed a shift in how he treated her—more tenderness, more affection. He'd even started tossing out fun little topics to chat about, instead of keeping things purely physical.
It made her happy. She tiptoed over, and Dunn pulled her into his lap with one swift move. "Up already?"
"You're the early bird," Penelope teased with a smirk. "After handling all three of us last night, you're still up this early?"
Dunn hugged her tight, laughing. "You doubting my stamina?"
She grinned, then whispered, "How was last night?"
"Pretty great. I had fun," he said with a smile.
Penelope perked up, her tone playful. "If you liked it, you could convince Rose and Abbie. With Charlize out of the picture, I could step in."
"Those two?" Dunn shook his head. "Nah, if you three teamed up, they'd totally gang up on you. Those girls get wild!"
"How wild?"
"Crazier than you and Charlize."
"What?" Penelope's jaw dropped, her curiosity piqued. She squirmed in his lap. "Tell me, tell me! What are they like?"
Dunn cracked up, leaning in to whisper a few words in her ear.
"What?!"
Even after last night's wild antics and boundary-pushing fun, Penelope blushed hard, her eyes glistening with embarrassment. "No way, you're lying! They wouldn't—"
Dunn glanced at the door and dropped his voice. "Here's a little secret: Rose used to date Cate—Cate Blanchett. They were a thing. So, yeah, you get it now? Heh, the lesbian world—you wouldn't understand."
Penelope bit her lip, her nose wrinkling. "That's so awkward. Nope, I'm out—they're kinda gross."
Dunn pulled her closer, laughing heartily.
Her figure was full and stunning—on par with Charlize Theron, supermodel-level. Holding her felt amazing.
Penelope nestled into his chest, glancing at the computer screen. Her gorgeous eyes widened. "Are you writing a book?"
"Nah, a script," Dunn said, shaking his head.
"Didn't you say the treasure-hunting one was done?"
"This is a new one."
Now she was really shocked.
The last script—National Treasure—was common knowledge among the girls at the hillside estate. Rose Byrne was set to star.
Dunn had already finished that one, and now, just days later, he was diving into another?
This successful and still hustling this hard?
How's anyone supposed to keep up?