Chapter 887: Praise All Around!

Martin was now known in the industry as a meticulous director with a no-nonsense approach. His reputation for setting the bar high, for both himself and his team, preceded him. Anyone who worked with him understood they were signing up for a demanding, yet rewarding, journey. His filmsreflected his attention to detail, and actors spoke of the transformative experiences they had under his direction.

In a recent interview, Robert De Niro, a legend in his own right, couldn't hide his admiration for Martin's latest project. "This Joker film," De Niro said with his characteristic sincerity, "is hands down the best work I've encountered in the last five years. The artistry, the sheer realism, it's undeniable. People might think I'm exaggerating, but trust me, when this film is out, it'll leave everyone speechless. Just wait and see."

His words stirred excitement in the room, but it wasn't just De Niro who felt this way. Saoirse Ronan, another of Martin's closest collaborators, shared similar sentiments in her interview. "Martin is not just my director, he's my teacher and my best friend," she began, her voice warm with affection. "When I found out I'd be working with him again, I was so excited I couldn't even sleep! I've heard the rumors flying around, about why the production stopped and how Martin overhauled the entire script but let me tell you, it's because he cares deeply about the work. He doesn't settle for less. Why didn't those so-called 'experts' talk about that?"

The interviewer raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her frankness. Changing a script and halting production mid-shoot? That kind of decision costs millions. Yet, Saoirse pressed on, unflinching. "Look, I'm sure you all remember the disaster that was 'Jack the Giant Slayer', right? My teacher, Martin, didn't want 'The Joker' to go down that same path. He wasn't going to let studio interference turn this masterpiece into another failure."

The interviewer nodded, taken aback by her passion. The mention of 'Jack the Giant Slayer' was a sore point for many in Hollywood, and Saoirse's bold defense of Martin was striking. Warner Bros. had a history of meddling with their films, and it was no secret that some of their biggest projects had bombed because of it. The industry was still buzzing with talk about how the studio's executives had derailed films with their heavy-handed involvement.

As the interview wound down, Martin appeared from the bustling crowd, making his way toward De Niro. He wrapped the veteran actor in a brief but heartfelt hug. "Thank you for saying all that," he said, his voice low but sincere.

De Niro chuckled, waving him off. "I just told the truth, Martin. That's all."

He spotted Saoirse heading their way, gave Martin a knowing pat on the arm, and quietly excused himself to the makeup trailer. The media had started to disperse by then, leaving Martin and Saoirse a rare moment of peace.

Saoirse slipped her arm through Martin's, her voice softening as she addressed him. "Teacher."

They began walking toward the street, blending into the normalcy of the city as the chaos of set life slowly faded behind them. Martin, never one for long speeches, shot her a sideways glance. "I told you to be a little more... subtle. You said everything, Saoirse."

She giggled, leaning closer as they walked. "Of course I did. You're my teacher, my mentor. I'll always have your back."

There was a playful glint in her eyes, a stark contrast to the intensity she brought to her work. "You know," she added with a mischievous smile, "everything I am, inside and out, bears your influence. So, naturally, I'm going to stand with you."

Martin chuckled, pretending to be shocked. "I didn't realize I had such an effect. Is there a mark on you somewhere I should know about?"

Saoirse leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered, "Why don't you check tonight? You might find a few surprises."

He raised an eyebrow, intrigued but unruffled. "What have you got planned now?"

"Remember the surprise I mentioned earlier? The Stallone sisters and the Fanning sisters are all in town. We're throwing a party tonight." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, "Want to join?"

Martin wasn't one to indulge in extravagant affairs, but he couldn't resist her playful invitation. "Did you already invite them?"

She nodded confidently. "Of course. They're excited you're coming."

He shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Alright. Where's this party?"

"In the apartment you gave me," she said, flashing him a grin. "They're already there, setting everything up."

Martin glanced at her as they made their way to the car. "Fine, I'll stop by."

Saoirse checked her watch. "They should be back from shopping by now. I'll head up first. Give me a minute with them before you come in."

As they drove through the city streets toward Manhattan, the sun had just begun to set, casting long shadows across the buildings. In a luxurious high-rise apartment, Sofia and Sistine Stallone, along with Elle and Dakota Fanning, were already bustling about, putting the final touches on the decorations. They had transformed the sleek, modern living room into a cozy, vibrant space, each detail reflecting the unique camaraderie they shared.

It was a rare evening, a pause from the demanding world of film, where they could all simply be themselves, friends, not actors, before stepping back into the spotlight.

The dining table was lined with an impressive spread of food, from appetizers to desserts, carefully arranged for the evening ahead. Over at the small bar in the corner of the living room, several bottles of fruit wine stood, shimmering under the soft lighting. The apartment was private, and none of the girls were concerned about legal drinking age limits, they were here to enjoy themselves and let loose.

Sophia Stallone took charge, uncorking one of the bottles with a flourish and pouring the wine into a decanter. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she announced, "Tonight isn't just about drinking, ladies. Our mission is to get the VIP that Saoirse invited absolutely hammered."

Ellie Fanning clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes, yes, yes! We 'have' to get him drunk. No holding back!"

Sistine Stallone, always the strategist, raised an eyebrow. "Wait, but do you think the four of us can outdrink him?"

Dakota Fanning, brimming with confidence, smirked. "You're underestimating my alcohol tolerance. Trust me, we've got this."

As if on cue, the doorbell chimed. Ellie bounced up to answer it, opening the door to reveal Saoirse Ronan stepping inside, but to everyone's disappointment, she was alone.

Sophia immediately crossed the room and grabbed Saoirse by the arm. "Why are you back by yourself?" she demanded, her voice laced with playful accusation.

The others followed, their faces a mix of frustration and disbelief. Sistine dramatically waved her hand toward the door. "You know what, you can leave now. You're officially uninvited."

Saoirse, unfazed, pointed at herself. "Excuse me? This is my house, you know! I live here!"

Dakota, ever the eldest and self-appointed leader, tapped the bar with authority. "By the laws of democracy, and since Saoirse failed to fulfill her duties, I propose a vote to kick her out of her own party. Those in favor, don't bother raising your hands."

Saoirse blinked, momentarily confused by the setup. She looked around, waiting for someone to raise their hand, but no one did. Realizing she'd been duped, she frowned. "Wait a minute, hey!"

Sophia grinned triumphantly, pointing an accusatory finger. "See? You didn't even object! Clearly, you feel guilty for failing us."

Saoirse wasn't one to back down. After all, she had single-handedly faced tougher critics in Hollywood. Placing her hands on her hips, she glared at them all. "You want to start a mutiny against me? Do you even know who you're dealing with?"

Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed a nearby wine glass and downed a hefty sip. "Fine. You want a challenge? I'll knock you all out tonight!"

Dakota, unimpressed, leaned back against the bar with a sly smile. "You? Please. You don't even have the tools to do that. How exactly are you planning to lay us out?"

Ellie burst into laughter, nearly toppling over. "Oh my god! If you're looking for tools, I think there's a special shop downstairs. You know, they sell all sorts of... useful rubbery things."

Saoirse, never one to back down from a playful challenge, whipped out her phone. "Ha! Believe me, one phone call and I'll have the most powerful tool in the world here in no time. I won't even need to lift a finger to knock you all down, especially you, Sofia and Dakota!"

Sistine pouted, crossing her arms. "Hey, what about me and Ellie? Why aren't we part of this epic takedown?"

Saoirse flashed a teasing grin. "Because you two aren't old enough for this battle yet. I've already booked you a nice room in the hotel. Once the party's over, you can just take the elevator downstairs and get a good night's rest."

Dakota suddenly snapped to attention, narrowing her eyes at Saoirse. "Wait a second... you sneaky little thing! You invited Martin, didn't you?"

Saoirse raised her hands in mock innocence. "Who, me? When did I ever say I didn't invite him? You all just jumped to conclusions because I walked in alone!"

Sophia was instantly on high alert, grabbing Saoirse's arm with urgency. "Alright, where is he? Where's Martin?"

Saoirse glanced at her watch, a casual smirk playing on her lips. "He's busy, obviously. He's the director. But don't worry, he's finishing up work and will be here any minute."

Ellie, never one to hide her impatience, groaned. "Call him! The party's missing its star. We need him here to balance out all these female leads!"

Without missing a beat, Saoirse dialed Martin's number. "Where are you? When are you coming?" she asked with a playful edge to her voice.

Martin's voice came through the phone, steady as ever. "I'm downstairs. Heading up now."

As he exited his car and entered the sleek lobby of the high-rise, Martin made his way toward the elevator, familiar with the place. After all, he had gifted this very apartment to Saoirse. He rode the elevator up to the apartment, the soft ding of the doors signaling his arrival. Standing outside the door, he rang the doorbell, already anticipating the chaos waiting for him inside.

Inside the apartment, the girls exchanged excited glances, their energy shifting into overdrive. The night had just begun, and now, with Martin on his way up, the real party was about to start.

As the door swung open, Martin was greeted with a chaotic sight. Several hands grabbed him from inside, pulling him in as if he were a hostage in a scene straight out of a Hollywood thriller. The girls, laughing mischievously, surrounded him, their energy electric with excitement. The door slammed shut behind him, sealing his fate for the night.

The atmosphere in the apartment was anything but peaceful. The girls, each with their own playful agenda, directed their attention solely on Martin, their idol for the night. One after another, they raised their glasses, insisting on toasting with him, determined to outdrink and outlast him.

In Hollywood, there had been countless stories of female fans going to great lengths to be close to their favorite stars, but this felt different. The playful challenge was laced with genuine affection, but also an underlying competitiveness. The saying in the entertainment world, that female fans were more intense and passionate than male fans was proving to be very true tonight.

After a few rounds of drinks, Saoirse, sensing the need to turn up the heat, shooed away the younger Ellie Fanning and Sistine Stallone, leaving herself, Sofia, and Dakota to focus on their real goal: Martin. The playful toasts turned into a full-blown contest, each of the women determined to challenge him in their own way.

As the night unfolded, the air in the apartment became charged with energy, and Martin found himself immersed in the wildness of the moment. Whatever stress or tension had been building in him over the past few weeks melted away. The night offered a rare release, a fleeting escape from the pressures of work and fame.

The relationship between Saoirse and Martin had always been more than just teacher and student. Their bond had crossed lines many times, and tonight was no different. Dakota, now fully grown and far from the wide-eyed child star she once was, had lost some of that youthful spark, though her boldness remained. Sofia, on the other hand, had always given Martin a unique feeling, one that was hard to define but certainly unforgettable.

It was no secret that people in Hollywood loved to joke about the Stallone family. With three daughters, many in Martin's old life had teasingly referred to Sylvester Stallone as their dream "father-in-law," a status symbol of sorts. After all, who wouldn't want to be connected to such an iconic figure? Some had even joked about risking their lives to get close to someone as untouchable as Stallone, an exaggeration, of course, but one rooted in admiration.

As the night drew to a close, Martin realized he had fulfilled a quiet, unspoken fantasy that many of his friends had teased him about in his previous life. He couldn't forget, after all, that Stallone had not one, but three daughters.

The following two days slipped by in a blur. Martin stayed close to the group, accompanying them around New York. Whether they were shopping, sightseeing, or indulging in the city's finer things, he was generous with his time and his gifts. These days, Martin's generosity knew no bounds. The days of giving stars and stones because he couldn't afford more were long behind him. Now, he could spoil his friends in a way he had always wanted to.

Meanwhile, the buzz surrounding 'Joker' continued to grow. Media outlets and the internet were abuzz with interviews from Robert De Niro and Saoirse Ronan, both praising the film with unrestrained enthusiasm. The public's interest had been piqued, and North American moviegoers were increasingly vocal in their support.

One fan commented online, "My cousin's uncle works at Warner Bros., and he's mentioned more than once that management is responsible for the failures of 'Green Lantern', 'Pharaohs and Gods', and 'Jack the Giant Slayer'."

Another chimed in, "There's a saying going around Hollywood after Jon Berg's disaster with 'Jack the Giant Slayer' that the current Warner Bros. execs are basically a 'super group' of incompetence."

Many couldn't believe how far DC had fallen from its once-dominant position in the superhero film industry. Who could have imagined that DC, once synonymous with box-office success, would be struggling to stay relevant?

As the support for 'Joker' grew, it was clear that Warner Bros. and DC weren't about to let Martin gain all the public goodwill. With the release of 'Batman v Superman' looming, they needed to keep themselves in the headlines, and the tension between both camps continued to rise.

DC co-chairman Hamada decided to take matters into his own hands. In an interview that quickly made waves, he publicly distanced the studio from 'Joker'. "This film isn't part of DC's official plans," he stated bluntly. "It has no connection to the Justice League universe. It's simply the product of some people's arrogance. I don't consider it a true DC movie."

His veiled criticism was clear as he added, "Some directors take shortcuts. They lack real talent and rely on borrowing iconic characters like the Joker and Batman just to get attention. I'd urge the public to be cautious and not fall for these cheap tricks."

Hamada's words were sharp, but the battle for public favor had only just begun. As tensions simmered between DC's official stance and the growing enthusiasm for Martin's vision, it was clear that the true test would come when both films hit the box office. Would 'Joker' be the triumph that Martin and his cast believed it to be, or would the DC Universe reclaim its former glory with 'Batman v Superman'?

The answer was now in the hands of the audience, and the stage was set for an epic showdown in the world of superhero cinema.

Martin was neck-deep in the intense final stages of filming 'Joker', so much so that he had no time to engage in the growing war of words with DC. He had one focus, finishing the film with the same passion and precision he had started with.

But while Martin stayed silent, his producer, Louise, stepped up to the plate. In a candid interview, she didn't hold back: "Instead of throwing punches at us, DC should really take a good look at why their last few films tanked in the eyes of the critics and the public."

Her comments hit a nerve, and DC co-chairman Hamada fired back almost immediately. It was clear that his issue wasn't just with Martin and his team, but with the entire concept of 'Joker'. Hamada's statements weren't just a personal jab, they were a strategic move. He wanted to make sure the public didn't confuse 'Joker' with the 'Justice League' universe. The last thing DC needed was for 'Joker' to overshadow their upcoming release, 'Batman v Superman'.

With the release of 'Batman v Superman' just around the corner in July, it was also clear that this back-and-forth was drumming up attention for both films. The tension was mutual, and 'Joker' became the center of conversation across the media landscape. Headlines buzzed with excitement, as both the Batman and Joker characters held an irresistible appeal after the enormous success of 'The Dark Knight'.

Amid all the chatter, Martin remained focused on his craft. After a grueling month and a half of intense filming in New York, the production of 'Joker' was nearing its final stages. The crew had just wrapped up their time in Brooklyn Studios and were now moving to various outdoor locations for some pivotal scenes.

Many of the exterior shots were filmed in Queens, which offered more convenience than the hectic streets of Manhattan. Though Queens wasn't exactly known for its safety, the production had hired a large team of security personnel, ensuring nothing would interfere with their work. Thankfully, they avoided the kind of trouble that Christopher Nolan's crew had run into while filming in Hong Kong, where local gangs had demanded protection money.

After a week of shooting in Queens, the production shifted to Manhattan for one of the film's climactic scenes, outside New York City Hall. It was a night shoot, and the anticipation on set was palpable. With Martin's signal, the cameras began rolling.

The scene was pure chaos: a dozen dumpsters lit on fire, illuminating the square in front of City Hall. Protesters, played by extras, filled the streets, smashing windows, setting cars ablaze, and storming the iconic steps of the building. The rioting crowd soon took over the entire City Hall, climbing to its rooftop.

In the midst of this madness, a massive poster of the new Joker, Martin's haunting portrayal, was draped from the roof, nearly touching the ground. The imagery was striking, the Joker had become the symbol of Gotham's rebellion against the elite and powerful.

The scene continued as Martin, embodying the Joker, stood in front of City Hall's main entrance, surrounded by his devoted followers. It was the climactic moment of the film, a visual representation of Gotham's descent into chaos, with the Joker as its twisted figurehead.

Assistant director Steve Downton called for a brief pause, and the crew took a well-deserved break. As Martin reviewed the footage on the monitor, Thomas, one of his producers, approached with an envelope in hand. "Hey, this just came in," Thomas said, handing him the envelope. "It's an invitation from Warner Bros. Pictures. They're inviting you to the premiere of 'Batman v Superman' next month."

Martin took the invitation and briefly scanned it, nodding