Chapter 111: I fucking love you!

Jonathan Nolan also spoke up: "I just returned from scouting locations in Hong Kong. Our film already has plenty of Chinese elements; what is the problem with the Joker being of Chinese descent? If the explanation Chen just gave isn't enough, as the screenwriter who wrote this script, I can provide ten thousand more. Actually, when I recommended him for the role of Joker, I didn't even consider his skin color. Michael, and by the way, when he paints his face with chalky mud like he just did, who can even tell what his skin color is?"

Emma Thomas added: "Speaking of which, for God's sake, let's talk about that makeup he just did... Actually, we can all see it isn't perfect; one could even call it crude. But if we continue to refine it based on this foundation, I think that is the Joker we have been looking for."

Charles Roven said: "I agree. I want to ask, if we don't use him, can we adopt the same makeup? Would that count as plagiarism? Michael, can you call a lawyer about this?"

Michael Slane nodded: "Of course." After saying this, he held down the phone in front of him and gave a few instructions to the person on the other end.

After a while, his secretary called back: "Mr. Slane, the people at the Dice and Mitchell law firm say there might be certain legal risks. Because in principle, that also belongs to intellectual property. Of course, if we are willing to pay a certain price, then no risk will exist in the eyes of Warner."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you, Milan."

Michael Slane looked up and said: "OK. That's how it is. Regardless, having a Chinese actor play the Joker will very likely become a destabilizing factor that affects our final box office performance. I still feel Heath Ledger is our best choice. For that, I am willing to pay $100,000 in legal fees to snatch that makeup off his face."

Jonathan frowned and said: "Michael, wouldn't that be a bit unethical?"

Michael Slane smiled, sighed, and said: "Jonathan, this is Hollywood; the people who talk about ethics are all begging on the streets."

Jonathan looked repulsed and said: "Michael, I am also a creator; you shouldn't trample on someone's hard work like that."

Michael Slane said: "OK, Jonathan, I apologize to you. However... my words still stand."

Jonathan shook his head and said nothing more.

Emma Thomas suddenly spoke up: "Michael, what you just mentioned is a last resort. I must remind you now that Heath Ledger hasn't been done filming *Brokeback Mountain* for long, and his current mental state is really poor. We had him undergo three psychological evaluations before, and the doctors' advice afterward was that he needs a long period of rest. If we let him join our film under these circumstances, playing such a gloomy and manic character, I worry he might not be able to hold on."

Charles Roven rolled his eyes and said: "Actually, I think Chen might really be a good choice."

This sycophant who changes with the wind. Michael Slane was somewhat annoyed. "The reason?"

"The Chinese market," Charles Roven said. "Don't forget, there are 1.2 billion people there. Although the film market there currently looks insignificant, its potential is infinite. If our *Batman* series can attract the love of the Chinese people, it will surely bring us immeasurable returns in the future. Moreover, it's not like Warner hasn't had successful precedents of collaborating with Chinese actors, right, Michael?"

Michael Slane went silent, because Charles Roven had hit the nail on the head.

It wasn't his weak point, but Warner's.

In 1998, the film *Lethal Weapon 4*, a collaboration between Li Li Lianjie and Warner Bros., sold $130 million at the global box office. Li Li Lianjie played the villain in it, and the box office was a huge success. Li Li Lianjie himself even gained a certain level of fame in Hollywood, to the point that a Hollywood company imported *Black Mask*, which he filmed in Hong Kong, and it actually sold nearly $20 million at the box office.

By 2000, *Romeo Must Die*, which Warner Bros. continued to collaborate with him on, also sold over $50 million at the box office, not only recouping costs but also making a decent profit.

These two successful collaborations indeed left Warner's top brass without much resistance to working with Chinese actors. If it weren't for the special status of the *Batman* series, Michael Slane wouldn't have opposed it so firmly.

Although collaborating with Chen Nuo might face resistance from North American fans, conversely, what about on the other side of the ocean? Michael Slane believed this *Batman* film would surely be particularly sought after, and might even completely open up that market with infinite potential.

At that point, it wouldn't just be the film's revenue.

As for which benefits are heavier and which are lighter, I'm afraid even the top accounting firms couldn't calculate it.

Thinking of this, his attitude softened somewhat. He sighed and said: "Then what about the others? Don't we have any other choices? Must we choose between a mental patient and a Chinese boy?"

Emma Thomas spread her hands and said: "Unfortunately, Michael, at the moment it really seems that way. Due to time and cost constraints, we have no way to conduct large-scale casting again. From every perspective, we can only choose between Heath Ledger and Chen."

The Warner high-level conference room fell into silence once again; everyone was weighing the pros and cons.

Jonathan Nolan suddenly stood up and smiled: "You all think slowly; I'm going to get a cup of coffee. Seeing you all seriously contemplating whether a Chinese boy should play the Joker gives me a sudden sense of accomplishment. It seems my trip to Hong Kong was not in vain. Perhaps I can also serve as a casting director in the future."

The other four couldn't help but laugh.

Michael Slane smiled: "Jonathan, if you really want to change careers, I guarantee you can take the position of Warner's casting director at any time. Although I have concerns about Chen playing the Joker, I cannot deny that he is indeed a good actor. Your eye for talent is truly excellent."

Jonathan smiled: "Thank you, then I am satisfied." After saying this, he really went out to brew coffee.

The remaining four in the conference room had no heart to continue staying either. Charles Roven said: "Christopher, this matter ultimately still needs to be decided by you. No matter who you choose, I think there will be no problem."

Christopher Nolan was a bit distracted. He was a very conservative and traditional person; unless necessary, he generally wouldn't change his original ideas.

Should he risk everything to maintain the original choice of Heath Ledger, or really choose that Chinese boy?

This was truly a distressing problem.

However, actually, at the beginning of their discussion, there had already been an answer.

Now it just happened to be useful.

Christopher Nolan said to the three producers: "How about we still follow the result of the vote from just now."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 112 =====