Chapter 372: Batman Vs Joker

That afternoon, the film crew began shooting an intense action scene.

Batman's goal in this scene is to confront and intimidate the Joker.

It's a one-sided violent altercation, and Bell, who portrays Batman, eagerly anticipated this moment.

Martin sat calmly in a chair, mirroring the clown's demeanor at a McDonald's.

Bale, concealed by his Bat helmet, advanced step by step with only his chin visible.

His face remained a mystery behind the mask, filled with long-awaited anticipation.

Thoughts of bazookas, a sponge body, and Heath Ledger flashed through Bale's mind, fueling his determination.

His black gloves hid the veins in his clenched fists.

Bale had contemplated this idea long before the crew arrived in Atlanta, inspired by Martin Davis' best friend, Leonardo, who had been involved in a similar incident during the filming of "Gangs of New York."

During that shoot, Daniel Day-Lewis, on and off the screen, had been a problem, and Leonardo accidentally injured him during an action scene.

Bale wasn't certain if it was a mistake, but he knew that action scenes often came with unexpected surprises, even beyond what insurance could predict.

In an intense New York gangster action scene like this, accidents were almost expected.

Martin observed Christian Bale with a calm but ready expression, their animosity palpable.

Their clash extended beyond the film set. Heath Ledger's past actions, combined with pressures from Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett, had fueled the tension.

Bale waited, and Martin sensed it.

As the scene instructions were recorded, filming commenced.

Christian Bale approached Martin, his hidden face's muscles pulsating with anger beneath the Bat helmet.

Christian Bale's performance was so convincing that it transcended acting.

To prepare for this role, Christian Bale had dedicated months to fitness and over a month to action training, resulting in powerful, agile muscles.

His black-clad fist struck Martin's face with incredible speed.

In standard action shot protocol, the punches were feigned, and Martin only needed to cooperate by raising his head.

However, Martin had been targeting Christian Bale from the beginning, sensing his intentions.

In Atlanta, where hundreds of extras and crew members hailed from Jerome and Robert's Marietta agency, nothing escaped Martin's notice.

Martin maintained year-round training, consistently challenged by the threat of the Russian gang.

As Christain Bale's arm moved, Martin swiftly dodged, but Bale's black-clad fist still landed, this time from above the shoulder.

The sound of whirring air filled the scene.

Bell attempted to restrain Martin by grabbing his collar to prevent further dodging.

In response, Martin abruptly lowered his head and used a headbutt to free himself.

Bale raised his foot, delivering a kick that sent Martin flying, his back colliding with a padded wall.

Blood trickled from Martin's mouth as he gazed wildly at Bale, goading him, "Come on, let's go again! You coward, it turns out you're all bark and no bite."

Behind the director's monitor, Nolan received a message through his headphones from the director of photography, Phil Ste: "Director?"

Nolan didn't halt the scene, recognizing the exceptional impact it had.

In Batman's rage, he had abandoned his usual rationality, resorting to direct violence to interrogate the Joker.

Both Bale and Martin executed their moves with power, realism, and fluidity.

Nolan, understanding the dynamics on set, was precisely what a commercial director desired.

He maintained control of the set without haste.

With another resounding impact, Martin voluntarily soared through the air again, as Bell's heavily struck fist seemed to unleash all its force in vain.

"Tell me!" Bale thundered. "Why are you doing this? Why?"

Martin remained silent, erupting into wild and maniacal laughter.

Bale's self-control wavered as he reached for a nearby chair.

Just beyond the set's edge, Bruce tensed, prepared to intervene like a stalking leopard.

Martin's laughter continued.

Nolan's voice intervened, "Stop! That's enough!"

The chair, still in Christian Bale's grasp, seemed to move in tandem with his unrestrained actions, hurtling toward Martin and crashing down.

Martin swiftly dodged, seemingly trapped in his character's madness.

He pointed an accusing finger at Bale, a blood-red grin etched across his pallid face, and laughed hysterically, "You coward, you're all talk and no action!" Rolling on the floor, he appeared to lose control.

Others perceived Martin's distress, but Christain Bale understood his cryptic words.

Christain Bale, standing a few meters away, looked down, eyes darting wildly, and his jaw muscles twitching.

Batman's anger surged, nearly driving him to explode in the face of the Joker's provocation.

Martin remained in character, a seasoned actor with a commitment to professionalism, choosing not to respond to Christian Bale's actions during filming.

The filming halted, and Christian Bale's actions resumed once more...

Elena and Hall, who had come to visit the crew after noon, observed silently, their words unspoken.

Hall had a Coca-Cola bottle in his hand.

At Northville Private High School, Hall was the starting pitcher on the school's baseball team.

He could throw the Coke to Martin or even hit someone's head within a twenty-meter range, at his discretion.

Christian Bale took a deep breath, relaxed his clenched fists, and eased the tension in his body. He started walking away from the set.

While passing by the director's monitor, Christian Bale casually mentioned, "My apologies, I lost control of my movements."

Nolan reminded him, "Keep your emotions in check, don't get too immersed in the scene."

To Christhapher Nolan, it all appeared as part of the performance, an emotional extension.

Martin got up from the ground, and the makeup artist stepped in to touch up his makeup.

Nolan gestured, and the screenwriter rushed over.

"Take notes, capture the latest highlights," Nolan requested, looking suddenly fatigued. He had to manage the film, navigate the conflict between the two lead actors, and gather promotional material for later marketing. Directing was proving to be a challenging task.

His screenwriting talent shone as well: "Martin Davis is a dedicated workaholic. For the sake of the film's authenticity, in the scene where Batman interrogates the Joker, he urged Bale to go all out, showing no restraint. It resulted in a brutally realistic fight."

The screenwriter silently sighed at how the director's inspiration could strike at any moment, all while quickly documenting it.

As Martin was crucial for promotion and marketing, Nolan added, "Martin Davis endured physical discomfort during the performance, which is truly commendable." The screenwriter was part of Jonathan Nolan's team, diligently documenting the behind-the-scenes shots captured by the crew.

After finishing the afternoon's work, Martin left the studio with Elena and Hall.

In the car, Elena inquired, "Are filming action scenes always this risky?"

Martin smiled and replied, "The director is passionate about realistic shots."

Hall muttered, "That guy has ill intentions."

Martin pointed at Bruce, who was driving, and said, "As long as Bruce is around, everything will be fine."

The four of them went to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

On the set, Bale didn't leave immediately. Like most days, he removed his makeup and returned to one of the studios for physical and movement training, with assistance from two stunt team members.

Sibi Blažić could only stand by, watching her husband's dedication and hard work.

Bell had maintained his physical condition since joining the group.

After the training, one of the stuntmen remarked, "Chris, you're incredibly committed."

Christian Bale simply smiled and proceeded to shower and change.

After meeting up with Sibi Blažić, they boarded the bus and returned to the hotel.

"You're pushing yourself too hard," Sibi Blažić commented.

Christian Bale replied, "I have to give it my all."

Today's events had made him realize that he needed to be faster and more intense to push Martin to become the next Daniel Day-Lewis.

Sibi Blažić added, "Be careful during action scenes to avoid injuries like what happened at Pinewood Studios."

"No," Bale responded.

Regarding the incident at Pinewood Studios, the cast of "The Prestige" would never publicly admit that Christian Bale was injured due to a playful encounter with Cate Blanchett.

The official statement was that he was frightened by fireworks during filming in the pine forest, leading to the accident.

Only a few people knew the real story behind the incident.

It had been overshadowed by Emma Watson's "diaper scandal" and had faded into the background.

After returning to the hotel and having dinner, Sibi Blažić and Christian Bale took a stroll in the hotel garden before returning to their suite.

After showering, Sibi Blažić put on a set of Victoria's Secret Angel clothes she had brought with her, and with model-like steps, she entered the suite's master bedroom.

When Christian Bale saw her outfit, he was taken aback and sighed inwardly.

Sibi Blažić approached with her alluring steps, getting closer.

Christian Bale felt a familiar, nagging pain resurface. This pain was like a recurring nightmare.

"Darling…" Sibi Blažić had come from Los Angeles and was quite enthusiastic.

Christian Bale reluctantly declined, lying down and pulling the blanket over himself. "I'm really tired from today's action scenes. Let's rest."

Sibi Blažić's face instantly reflected disappointment, but she persisted and tried to join him.

Christian Bale was helpless. "Please, I need some time. I'm under a lot of stress right now."

Sibi Blažić turned over, leaving Bale's alone, with two tears rolling down her face.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, Bale didn't know how much time had passed. But instead of fading, the fire inside Sibi Blažić burned even brighter.

She was about to go check on Bale when she heard his loud snores.

It seemed he had fallen asleep.

Sibi Blažić glanced at Christian Bale's slightly trembling eyelashes, pretending not to notice, and quietly left the bedroom.

She closed the door behind her.

As she considered going to another bedroom, she noticed a gift she had received, and an idea sparked in her mind.

That joker figurine had a unique look.

Sibi Blažić lay down, opened the gift box, and examined the Joker statue.