Chapter 44

Spider-Man playing the Joker?

If Xu Can's new action-crime film *John Wick* only caused a little surprise,

this news released by Warner Bros. was simply a shockwave!

So much so that everyone's first reaction upon seeing it was that they had misread it, only to confirm after careful checking that it was a fact!

Xu Can, the most handsome Spider-Man in history, the number one live-action superhero of the 21st century, your friendly neighborhood...

has officially announced he will play one of the most famous villains in American comics: the Joker!

Soon, the eyes of all media were focused on the new Warner Bros. film, and the spotlight on all other Hollywood movies was stolen.

Even Xu Can had to complain:

"Warner Bros. isn't great at making DC movies, but they really have a knack for marketing!"

*John Wick* had finally managed to generate some buzz, only for it to turn around and build momentum for the *Batman* series.

But the good news was that the person at the center of the storm hadn't changed; it was still Xu Can himself.

Soon, media outlets interviewed Christopher Nolan:

"That's right, the casting for the Joker is indeed Xu Can. To be honest, I wanted to find him to play Batman, but he said it was too abstract and didn't intend to play it, preferring to play the Joker instead."

"I'm looking forward to working with Xu Can. The trilogy will start filming the second installment first. I hope we can capture the Gotham City everyone wants."

Huh? Xu Can requested to play the Joker himself?

Spider-Man playing Batman is indeed quite abstract, but actively requesting to play the Joker is even more abstract, right?

The media soon found Xu Can. He had just walked out of Galaxy Pictures, and his Mercedes supercar was blocked by a group of reporters with cameras and microphones.

There was no choice; he couldn't pull a GTA and just run them over, so he had to gentlemanly park the car and roll down the window.

The microphones almost filled the small window.

"Yes, it was my initiative to propose playing the Joker. I never intended to be fixed in the *Spider-Man* series from the beginning."

"The contract was signed for a trilogy, and after that, I need a broader acting range."

"John Wick is a good challenge, and the Joker is the same. I hope I can create a Joker with a unique style..."

After a brief interview, Xu Can started the engine with a roar, and the reporters finally cleared a path.

As the controversy over the new Warner Bros. *Batman* trilogy continued to ferment, the confirmation of the Joker's actor sparked a debate across the North American internet.

Xu Can's comment section, fan forums, and comic forums were all divided into battlefields.

Sexy netizens, passionate arguments.

"Can he play the Joker?"

"Why couldn't he? Anyone who has seen *Spider-Man* knows Xu Can's acting skills."

"This is the most charismatic villain role; a boy-next-door shouldn't try to touch this."

"Didn't you see the trailer from the other day? Xu Can's image hasn't been a boy-next-door for a long time."

"An Asian playing Marvel and then DC? He wants to sweep up all American comics, huh?"

"Racism? Reported."

"Look at Xu Can's Spider-Man; who still says Asians can't act well? And he's Chinese, get it straight!"

"What's there to argue about? How badly have the later *Batman* films collapsed? Xu Can and Nolan are teaming up to save this IP; you guys should just be happy!"

"Looking forward to it! Xu Can teaming up with Nolan, a powerful combination! I predict this trilogy will be legendary!"

"Agreed, looking forward to the new *Batman*!"

……

Topics that were controversial among North American audiences were equally controversial in film and television media.

"In Tim Burton's *Batman*, Oscar winner Jack Nicholson played the Joker; this role has already been perfectly shaped."

"The best choice for the new *Batman* would be to shape other villains—Penguin, Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Bane, etc... Choosing to challenge the Joker might not be a wise choice."

"The most fatal thing is that Warner Bros. chose Spider-Man to play the Joker. It's hard not to doubt the final effect of the film and whether Xu Can can grasp the essence of this villain."

"In short, most critics don't think Xu Can's Joker can surpass Nicholson's; his Joker is already the highest peak, unreachable."

The media's concerns had some validity.

The reason the old *Batman* achieved huge success in the early 90s was mainly due to the outstanding performances of Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson.

Two experienced veteran actors had already brought *Batman* to the ceiling.

This indirectly caused the decline of live-action comic book adaptations, as it was hard for anyone to surpass the classics.

From the very beginning, the new *Batman* was viewed by the outside world through colored glasses.

……

"Xu, have you been affected by the things these past few days?" Nolan was a bit worried about Xu Can's state.

Xu Can's smile was as sunny as ever.

"Don't worry, Christopher. I'm already used to being criticized. Let's start quickly; I can't wait!"

"Good, as long as your mindset is stable."

At the Warner Bros. studio, Xu Can came to participate in the script reading for *The Dark Knight*.

There were still more than two months until the release of *John Wick* and about half a year until the filming of the *Spider-Man 2* sequel.

The scripts for Marvel's planned new works, *Iron Man* and *The Incredible Hulk*, were still in preparation.

Xu Can could just use this gap to film *The Dark Knight*; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to free himself in the second half of the year.

It just so happened that Liam Neeson, who played Ra's al Ghul in the first film, had a scheduling conflict.

Nolan simply decided to film the second installment first, then the first and third.

It was a world where only Christian Bale was injured.

In fact, before taking on *The Dark Knight*, Xu Can had specifically searched for Heath Ledger.

It was heartbreaking that shortly after filming *Brokeback Mountain* in 2005, he committed suicide by swallowing pills in an Australian hotel due to depression, at the age of 26.

Otherwise, Xu Can would have recommended Heath Ledger for the role; the Joker he shaped was one of the most classic villains in film history and one of the most impressive characters.

If it weren't for the golden finger of god-level acting skills, Xu Can really wouldn't have been able to handle this role.

"Hello, Xu, can I get your autograph? I'm a Spider-Man fan!"

Xu Can had heard this sentence countless times,

but today, it was Christian Bale who said it.

"Of course, I was a fan of yours before, too. I especially like one of your works."

"Which one?" Bale was flattered.

"*American Psycho*."

"Huh?"

Bale thought he meant *The Prestige*; he didn't expect it to be such a niche film.

In fact, he didn't know that his performance holding an axe in *American Psycho* would be turned into a viral meme by netizens.

"Alright, let's get straight to the point!"

Seeing that the important creators were in place, director Christopher Nolan clapped his hands to announce.

"*The Dark Knight*, script reading officially begins!"

Xu Can opened the script, and the moment his fingers touched it, a familiar feeling surged into his heart again.

A flash of inspiration pierced his soul, instantly bringing him into a perspective full of darkness, madness, and chaos!

……

My name is Arthur... never mind, the name doesn't matter anymore.

I am a clown performer, performing slapstick in Gotham City, earning a meager salary to make ends meet.

My dream is to be a stand-up comedian, hoping to bring joy to everyone.

Unfortunately, I suffer from a strange illness—uncontrollable laughter—that makes me likely to lose my composure anytime, anywhere.

I became a freak in the eyes of those around me. Why don't you laugh at the jokes I worked so hard to write?

Why, even on variety shows, do I have to be ruthlessly mocked by the guests?

Oh, that damn guy!! What right does he have to be high and mighty and point fingers? What does he know?

What? I'm Thomas Wayne's illegitimate son?

That damn beast, he actually sent my mother to Arkham Asylum to be abused?

And even on the subway, I have to be beaten for no reason? Just because of my uncontrollable strange illness?

Why? Why should people at the bottom be bullied?

Why can those rich, useless bags of wine and rice decide the fate of others?

Why is Gotham City full of unfairness, yet everyone numbly adapts to the rules?

Is it me who is abnormal? Or is the whole world abnormal?

Bang, bang, bang!

Oh—I didn't shoot because you hit me; it's because you are mired in it and need to be redeemed!

Fine, fine, fine! Was even the only love that warmed me just wishful thinking?

Did she actually hate me from the start?

Hahahahaha!

Hahahahahaha!

I used to think my life was a tragedy. But now I realize...

It was a comedy all along!

……

Who am I? Am I Spider-Man? Am I John Wick?

No, please call me—

The Joker!