America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz-Chapter 792 - 785: Pressuring Warner

Davis Estate, in the living room of the villa.

Lily sat at her workbench, drawing sketches on a palm-sized piece of obsidian, absorbed in her work.

Elizabeth curled up on the long sofa, her fingers sliding on the IPAD, flipping through work emails.

Martin lay beside her, his head resting on Elizabeth's soft thigh, picking up a document catalog next to him and reading it carefully.

This was from Thomas, a script and film projects Warner Bros. Pictures specifically sent to Martin with the intention of moving forward.

Nolan and Daniel had already communicated with DC Films about the independent Joker movie project, and DC Films had responded that they would consider it seriously but did not make a clear statement.

Now, with the hype around Joker skyrocketing, DC Films was actually considering a standalone film as well.

Martin flipped through the catalog, where there was a project Warner Bros. heavily recommended, a sci-fi blockbuster— "Jupiter Ascending".

Martin looked at the notes Thomas had made.

Screenwriters: The Wachowskis.

Director: The Wachowskis.

Thomas had other comments as well: this sci-fi movie was one of Warner's key projects for the next few years.

Martin didn't know what to say; since the success of "The Matrix" trilogy, Warner Bros. Pictures had fallen into The Wachowskis' pit time and again, yet held a mysterious confidence in them.

Just like how Hollywood was still investing in the epic productions of Ridley Scott.

Ray had revived his fortunes with "The Martian," and after finishing "Prometheus" this year, he was preparing to dive back into his beloved epic films.

A few days ago, Martin received a script that Ray had sent over—not the mentioned Napoleon biography, but another historical subject about the last legally sanctioned duel in France.

Of course, Ray hadn't thought of giving up on the Napoleon biopic either.

Martin had tried persuading him a couple of times, then said no more, excusing himself for having never taken on historical costume dramas and politely declining Ray's invitation once again.

The truth was just that; since Martin entered Hollywood, he had never directed any historical films.

The project after "Jupiter Ascending" was called "Focus".

An story about con artists, to which Thomas had also made a note, Will Smith was interested in the project's leading role.

Martin had some recollection; ever since he had gone all out to support his son, Smith had been seriously dragged down, with solo film projects that were rather pitiful.

So much so that years later, a once absolute A-list star became one of the background characters in movie posters.

The last project was Warner Bros. preparing to reboot "Blade Runner," shooting a sequel to this sci-fi epic.

One of Ridley Scott's signature works, it had a production budget of 30 million US dollars in the early '80s and flopped spectacularly upon release.

But over the next twenty-plus years, the film's reputation gradually improved, even being revered as a sci-fi classic; it managed to recoup its costs over a long period and finally turned a profit.

Most importantly, it won back its reputation.

Martin had seen "Blade Runner" and its sequel, but he couldn't quite remember the specifics, only that Ryan Gosling was the lead actor, and the director seemed to be Villeneuve, who had directed "Sicario".

However, this project was just starting in the planning stages.

Martin thought about it carefully for a moment, then reached his hand up.

Elizabeth looked down at him and said, "Don't just touch randomly."

Martin said, "I want my phone."

Elizabeth handed him the phone.

Martin called Thomas, asking him to keep an eye on the "Blade Runner" sequel, mainly because he wanted to read the script first once it came out.

Just then, Lily finished her sketch and lay down as well.

Seeing that Martin had finished with the documents, Elizabeth snatched them away and threw them aside, feeling irritated from being touched by Martin, and said, "Get up, both of you, let's go upstairs to play."

Lily stood up and pulled Martin to his feet, deliberately asking, "Play what?"

Martin replied, "I'll gift you a baseball bat to play with!"

Lily remembered how Martin used to scare her with a baseball bat back in Atlanta and bared her teeth, "All the things you ever did to me, I'm going to get revenge!"

Compared to these two juvenile spirits, Elizabeth seemed mature and composed, dragging one with each hand, heading upstairs, "Stop the banter, don't waste time."

Lily immediately shifted her target and said to Martin, "Tonight our main target is Liz; you can treat her like a baseball!"

...

Burbank, Warner Building.

Hamada, the co-chairman of DC Films, hurried into the office of Kevin Tsujihara.

Kevin Tsujihara was on the phone and gestured for Hamada to sit down and wait for a bit.

Five or six minutes later, Kevin Tsujihara ended the call and looked across, asking, "You said you have something important, what is it?"

Hamada replied, "It's about the DC superhero movies. Recently, Daniel and Christopher Nolan have brought up a project to me, wanting to shoot an independent 'Joker' film."

During the recent shooting incident, Warner Bros. was the company most affected, and Kevin Tsujihara had followed the developments closely, "The Joker character is extremely popular, almost deified on the internet, and is indeed very suitable for a standalone film adaptation."

However, Hamada said, "Nolan proposed the Joker from 'The Dark Knight.'

This version of the Joker, starkly different from past films and the DC comics version, is a re-creation based on the original work by the Nolan Brothers.

He went on to say, "If we adapt this, we must have Martin Davis as the lead actor."

Kevin Tsujihara's expression unchanged, his hand, which had been resting on the armrest of the boss chair, began to unconsciously tap the armrest, "No one else?"

"The risk is too high," Hamada said frankly, "What's been mythologized is Martin's version of the Joker. If we replace him with another actor, not only will the fans not accept it, they may even boycott it."

Kevin Tsujihara couldn't help but say, "Martin Davis, a real headache of a guy."

Hamada said, "He's teamed up with Nolan and Daniel, pushing this project, on the one hand, the rights are with DC; on the other, he's not at all worried that we would cast another actor for the role of the Joker."

Kevin Tsujihara also felt a headache coming on, "He's pressuring us."

Now Daniel was no longer on his line, and Nolan had a string of conflicts with Warner Bros. because of Jon Berg, almost leading to a breakup at one point.

Although their relationship had improved, Kevin Tsujihara had to consider the possibility that strongly rejecting Nolan's proposed new project might lead to a rupture in their relationship.

If Warner Bros. truly dominated Hollywood alone, none of this would be an issue.

But Hollywood has six major production companies, and actors and directors with strong market appeal won't have trouble finding partners.

Just like Martin Davis did in the past, when he merely hinted at the idea of ending his collaboration with Warner, Universal Pictures and Disney Studios were immediately eager to approach him.

With Warner Bros.' main business in movies having two consecutive years of mediocre performance, Kevin Tsujihara was under a lot of pressure, especially with the mess Jon Berg created, the corporate side had a lot of opinions about him.

Hamada knew that Martin was a sensitive figure at Warner Bros., especially with the troublemaker having the backing of Nolan and Daniel, so he did not rashly make a decision.

After considering for a moment, Kevin Tsujihara said, "Don't refuse, don't agree, just delay for a while to see their sincerity."

"I understand," Hamada got the message—it was essentially an agreement.

With Warner Bros. falling from the top position in Hollywood's performance, the management was under tremendous pressure.

When Hamada left, he thought of Paramount and Tom Cruise, and how, before 2010, the two sides couldn't wait to stab each other with knives, with even Sumner Redstone getting involved personally.

And the result? They're collaborating again now.

For the sake of profit and performance, these things are trivial.

In the office, Kevin Tsujihara was feeling a bit annoyed. Seeing that it was nearing noon, he took out his phone and made a call, "Where are you? Meet at the usual spot for lunch."

Half an hour later, inside a restaurant in Burbank, the young, beautiful, and tall Australian actress Charlotte Kirk pushed the door open and entered the private room that Kevin Tsujihara had reserved.

It wasn't long before Kevin Tsujihara hurried over.

Having lunch with a pretty girl of only twenty, his mood improved considerably.

Charlotte Kirk was very good at coquetry, and after making Kevin Tsujihara happy, she said, "Weren't you going to help me find a role? I've waited so long, why hasn't there been one?"

Kevin Tsujihara didn't answer, just smiled at Charlotte Kirk.

Charlotte Kirk feigned confusion.

Kevin Tsujihara simply said, "After lunch, accompany me to the Burbank Hotel. The script I prepared for you was left in the long-term suite there."

Girls from the entertainment industry, how could they not understand? Charlotte Kirk was the kind that was well-informed. She boldly said, "I've heard a few associate producers say that DC Films and Warner Bros. Pictures are promoting the DC Extended Universe."

Kevin Tsujihara smiled, "You know quite a bit."

Charlotte Kirk cupped her chest with both hands, "Don't I look very much like Wonder Woman Diana?"

"We're a long way from shooting Wonder Woman," Kevin Tsujihara suddenly remembered the Joker project Hamada had discussed with him, which, even if temporarily shelved, couldn't be put off for long.

He had a preliminary idea, that if the Joker project was indeed centered around Martin Davis, there would certainly need to be significant female roles—why not slot Charlotte Kirk into the mix?

Moreover, "Interstellar" was about to conduct wide-ranging casting, and with just a nod from him, he could fit someone in.

Kevin Tsujihara said, "A supporting role in Nolan's new movie."

Charlotte Kirk eagerly replied, "Great!"

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Kevin Tsujihara was very direct, "As long as you make me happy, the role isn't a problem. You'll become a big star in Hollywood."

Charlotte Kirk nodded repeatedly, "I'm done eating. Shall we go to the hotel now?"

Kevin Tsujihara was very careful, "We should leave separately, you go out first."

The two left the restaurant separately, each driving to the Burbank Hotel.

As for what happened afterward, those slightly familiar with Hollywood would naturally understand.