Chapter 110

Describing the atmosphere as a bomb might be a bit of an exaggeration.

Because the room was full of prominent people, they wouldn't be like the low-level employees outside, forgetting themselves upon seeing something incredible.

However, although reserved, every single person was indeed applauding, and even nearly half the people stood up. A few even put their fingers in their mouths and whistled sharply, and everyone was whispering and discussing.

"God, when he walked in, my heart almost stopped."

"Look at his eyes, his mouth, OMG, he's simply a devil from hell."

"Is he really acting?"

"Can you tell his skin color? I completely forgot he was Chinese."

"Wasn't that person just now scared silly?"

Charles Roven said: "Alright, everyone, quiet." After pausing for a few seconds, waiting for the room to quiet down, he continued: "Chen, your performance indeed exceeded all of our expectations. And now, regarding this character, we have some questions we are prepared to ask you, is that okay?"

Chen Nuo seemed to have put on a bizarre Joker makeup and had truly entered a state of lawlessness; he didn't know where he fished out a cigarette, lit it with a lighter, and stuck it in his mouth.

Then he pulled the chair to the table, sat down with a thud, lifted his legs, and boldly put them directly on the table, "Of course."

Chen Nuo's action was, by rights, very impolite.

But not one of the people present spoke up to criticize him; instead, they all exchanged interested glances.

This is the damn Joker!

If the Chinese boy is separated from politeness by 100 million dollars in box office, then the Joker is separated from politeness by the entire Gotham City.

What questions?

Charles Roven, who had been paid back in his own coin, didn't seem to mind; he asked in a calm tone: "Chen, my first question is, why do I feel you are so familiar with the Joker? Have you read Batman comics before? But as far as I know, they don't seem to be sold in China."

Chen Nuo lied through his teeth: "Yes, I have read them, I am a die-hard fan of Batman. When I was very young, my father came here and brought back a set of Batman comics for me; from that moment on, I became obsessed with the Joker. When I embarked on the path of acting, my biggest dream was to play him, and for this, I am willing to give everything."

Americans really like to hear people talk about dreams; Chen Nuo's words made many people present smile.

It seemed to be one question per person, because the next to speak was Nolan's wife, Emma Thomas.

She smiled: "Chen, I wish for your dream to come true. Let me ask the second question, talk about your understanding of the Joker character. How did you think of interpreting him in the way you just did? Do you think you understand the Joker? What kind of personality do you think he has?"

It was said to be one question, but Emma Thomas asked three.

But Chen Nuo didn't mind; he immediately shamelessly applied Emma Stone's experience, saying: "When I was 14, after I announced to my parents that I was determined to embark on an acting path, I imagined how I would interpret the Joker character almost every time I slept, how to bring him from the comics into reality. At home, I used my mother's cosmetics and drew Joker makeup in front of the mirror many times; in the end, I found the one you just saw. Although I paid a considerable price for this, especially my pocket money pouch. But I don't regret it."

"However, now you ask me, do I understand the Joker? I will answer you, no, I don't understand him, I just tried to make myself become him. I don't know what his personality is, I just feel that everyone has a Joker in their heart; all I have to do is dig mine out and replace my original personality, then I can play him."

"But doing this is very dangerous, your mental state could easily have problems." A lady in the office couldn't help but interject here.

Chen Nuo said: "I said, for this movie, for this character, I am willing to give everything. And I also believe in myself, that I can pull through."

After this long speech, the conference room quieted down.

After a while, Christopher Nolan spoke, saying: "Chen, from your answer just now, I saw your love for movies. And my question is, between the Joker and Batman, who do you think is righteous?"

This was a softball question from Nolan; it seemed that he, who loves movies, had a good impression of himself, who loves the Joker. Chen Nuo felt much more relaxed and answered quickly: "This actually depends on who I am playing."

A low ripple of laughter sounded in the conference room.

Even Michael Slan had to admit that this kid from China was really nothing like the Chinese people in their impression. He not only had no braid, nor did he have a bitter, sorrowful expression; he had handsome features, a tall and straight figure, and he was confident, humorous, and full of conviction. He sat in the office of one of the world's largest film companies as if he were in his own living room.

The question Michael Slan asked was: "As a yellow-skinned Chinese person, you can play the biggest villain in Batman; where does your confidence come from?" Chen Nuo sat up straight, his expression becoming serious, making his Joker face suddenly look even more terrifying.

But his voice was still in a normal tone, and he said blandly: "Michael, did the Batman comics mention the Joker's skin color and nationality? If I remember correctly, the answer is no. On the contrary, the appearance of the Joker we now recognize is because as a small-time thug, he fell into a chemical vat, so his skin was bleached by chemicals, turning chalk-white, just like I am now, right?"

Michael Slan nodded and said: "That's right. In the 1951 comics, the Joker was originally a criminal named 'Red Hood'; during a robbery, to escape Batman, he jumped into a chemical waste vat at a chemical factory, which caused his skin to turn pale, his hair to turn green, and his lips to turn red, thus becoming the Joker image we know well. In the 1989 movie, he also fell into a chemical vat, thus changing his skin color. What are you trying to say?"

Chen Nuo smiled: "I want to say, if he was originally a white person, then why do you think he changed his skin color?"

Michael Slan's expression wasn't very good; he explained: "Actually, that sentence of mine was just a description; a white person turning chalk-white can also be called changing skin color, right?"

By this time, Chen Nuo had already left, and the people who had gathered in the conference room were dispersing one after another after expressing their respective opinions.

Now only five people remained.

Three producers, one director, and one screenwriter.

Charles Roven smiled: "Of course, Michael, we all know that kid was just grabbing onto your words and quibbling; you don't need to explain."

Jonathan Nolan said: "His words were certainly like that. But the problem is, his implication actually makes sense. Christopher, if the Joker himself was a white person, his face being dyed white is, from a dramatic perspective, not as contrasting as a yellow person being dyed white, right?"

Christopher Nolan is also a screenwriter, so he certainly understood what Jonathan was saying, and he replied: "That is indeed the case; this is an angle we overlooked when creating the script. Actually, for some veteran comic fans, this explanation should be quite interesting and worth exploring."

Charles Roven smiled: "According to what you say, the biggest obstacle to letting the Chinese boy play the Joker no longer exists, right?"

Michael Slan immediately opposed: "I still disagree. Although there is no doubt the Chinese boy is a good actor, letting a Chinese person play the Joker, Batman fans will definitely tear us apart."

Christopher Nolan nodded: "Michael, I haven't made a final decision yet. We are just exploring now."

For a time, the conference room fell silent, and several people were thinking.

Christopher Nolan looked at them and said again: "Now let's each state our opinions. Charles, you go first."

Charles Roven rubbed his temples, sighed, and said: "Christopher, two hours ago, I thought you were crazy."

Christopher Nolan said: "And now? What do you think?"

Charles Roven shrugged and said: "Now? I don't know, my mind is in chaos, I've been completely dizzied by that kid. I have to say, his performance just now shocked me, especially his makeup; my God, the moment he walked into the conference room, I was simply dumbfounded. When he sat next to me and talked to Michael, my eyes didn't leave his face for a second; I think that was truly a genius creation. As for whether he is suitable for this role, I have no idea at all right now."

Christopher Nolan smiled: "Alright, then think about it some more. Emma, what is your opinion?"

Emma Thomas had been thinking about Heath Ledger the whole time.

She always remembered that her identity was Christopher Nolan's wife. Everything they have now was brought by Nolan.

If Heath Ledger really had some unexpected situation because of filming *The Dark Knight*, how much impact would it have on Nolan's reputation and future career? Sharing responsibility is nothing but a helpless move.

It is imaginable that not only would the public certainly attack him with words, but at that time, even Warner might not stand on his side. His directing career would have a huge variable appear out of thin air; this matter can be said to be more important than the success or failure of the movie *Batman 2*.

Emma Thomas slowly opened her mouth and said: "Actually, I think Chen can replace Heath Ledger. Just now, he contributed an epic performance. The moment he appeared wearing a red suit and painted with chalk mud, I instantly forgot Jack Nicholson's Joker look in 1989, and also forgot the classic Joker makeup of Emmett Kelly and Clara Bow. Even now, it's as if his pair of black eyes that seem to come from hell and his blood-red mouth are before my eyes. So, why not? Such a genius actor will add a lot of color to our movie."

(End of chapter)