The new Batman movie was scheduled for the summer of 2008. The reason was that Nolan wanted to pursue his dream project, a story about magicians called "The Prestige." Laila also couldn't free up time due to her involvement in the post-production of "The Lord of the Rings." So, the movie production wouldn't start until at least mid-next year.
Although she could indeed multitask and work on two movies at the same time, that wasn't what she wanted. Filming was more important to her than life itself, and she couldn't accept a casual attitude towards it.
When she returned home, she found a man sitting in the living room, a man with a strong presence.
"Roy?" She called uncertainly. From the back, it looked like Roy, but there was something different about that back compared to usual.
The man turned around upon hearing her voice, and a pair of deep eyes seemed to flash with brilliance, filling him with an indescribable but absolutely stunning momentum.
Laila's steps toward him suddenly halted, almost afraid to recognize the Roy she knew in this man who looked exactly like Roy.
"Laila, you're back." With a familiar smile, the previous feeling was shattered as if it had never existed, and Roy returned to the familiar Roy she knew.
"Who were you just now?" She held her pounding heart and was still a bit unaccustomed to his previous demeanor.
Roy first paused, then when he understood what she meant, he lifted the script in his hand, "I was reading the script."
"I see." Laila breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out he was just getting into character.
"What film did you take? You were quite spirited just now." Even she was shocked by how he had her heart racing.
Roy raised his eyebrows with a sly smile. "Did I charm you again?"
"Yes, yes." Laila sat down opposite him, taking his script in passing. "'The Departed'? Surprisingly, it's this one."
"Have you heard of it?" He asked curiously.
"Of course, it's adapted from Hong Kong's 'Infernal Affairs.' The original was very exciting, and I didn't expect a Hollywood version to be made now." Laila didn't mention that the American version of "The Departed" would also turn out quite well.
"Directed by Martin, and Leo will also star. They called me over for an audition. After reading the script, I thought it was good and went."
"And then you got it?" Laila raised an eyebrow.
Roy looked at her with a grin, his meaning couldn't be clearer. As an Oscar-winning actor, if he was willing to play a supporting role for them, what else could be criticized?
The so-called audition was just a facade. The director was mainly worried that he was too handsome and would distract the audience's attention. But after performing, everyone's worries disappeared. Whatever role he played, he had the outstanding talent to do so.
"This is indeed a classic film. If directed by Martin, it should be even more exciting. Work hard." Laila encouraged him.
What she couldn't tell him was that this movie won Martin the Best Director Oscar at the 79th Academy Awards, as well as several other awards, including the prestigious Best Picture. Leonardo also received a nomination for Best Actor, so the quality of the entire film was guaranteed.
"Don't worry." Roy put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her on the forehead. "You have to believe in your boyfriend; he's a true genius."
"Should I say you're confident, or your skin is too thick?" Such thick skin was unparalleled.
Roy grinned. "My thick skin isn't just on my face; it's all over."
He stood up, patted his butt in front of her, and indeed, his well-rounded buttocks were quite "thick."
"...Well, it seems you're still the Roy I know." Laila felt that when she first saw that man when she entered, he must have been possessed by someone. How would you say it in later terms? My boyfriend couldn't possibly be that cool.
Roy actually noticed that he seemed to have scared her just now, so he deliberately teased her to make her happy. After a few jokes, he remembered the report he had seen in the newspaper today.
"Did you really buy DC's stocks? Are you planning to integrate the two comic companies?"
"It's not that exaggerated." Laila smiled and shook her head. "I don't have such big ambitions; it's just a compromise. Director Nolan used his contract to exchange with me. As long as I agree to take on the sequel to Batman, he will join my company."
And the future trend of commercial films will undoubtedly be dominated by superheroes. Acquiring some DC stocks is a profitable deal.
Roy was surprised by her words. "So, are you going to direct Batman?"
"It seems so." Laila smiled wryly. "I can't refuse Director Nolan's conditions."
"It seems you have great confidence in him." Roy understood her meaning and knew her character of wanting to bring people she admired into the company. She was always thinking about the company, and she really worked hard. "First Michael Bay, now Nolan. Are you trying to gather all the good directors in Hollywood?"
"If it were a few years earlier, maybe I really would have brought several big directors, but unfortunately, many of them are already successful. To bring them over now would require a high price. And even if I'm willing to pay a high price, they may not necessarily look favorably upon my small company."
Roy sneered at her use of the words "small company." "If your Dragon Soul is called a small company, what about those in Hollywood who are inferior to yours?" In terms of profit rather than scale, Dragon Soul had squeezed into the forefront of Hollywood. Was such a company still considered small?
Laila didn't continue on this topic and changed the subject, "When will you start?"
"Soon, probably still need to wait for a while. They said the crew is ready to start shooting at any time. Before that, I need to do some professional training. Fortunately, I'm quite skilled, so I'll have the shortest training time among the actors."
"That's good." Laila also believed that his unfailing effort would add considerable points to him in many movies.
Roy saw her take out a script from her bag and curiously took it over to flip through, "Do you need actors for this?"
"Do you? I'm not very sure."
"Give me an audition opportunity." He liked to act in the movies she directed, which would allow them to have more opportunities to meet in their limited time together.
If he could, he really wanted to reject all work and stay by her side all the time. But he also knew that it wasn't realistic. Even if she didn't mind supporting him, he didn't have the face to accept it.