Chapter 379: Rumors

The filming of the crew was approaching its conclusion, with the main focus on the intense conflict between the Joker and Batman.

Every day, as Martin grinned and smiled on set, it made Christian Bale increasingly irritable, even to the point of wanting to harm someone.

During the hospital explosion scene, Martin drew inspiration from Nicholson and added a touch of improvisation to his performance. When he laughed manically, his mouth formed a shape resembling a "bang" explosion.

Director Nolan found it highly fitting for the Joker's wild and unhinged character, showing strong support for Martin.

Yet, every time Christian Bale witnessed this mouth gesture and heard the faint "bang," an unknown anger welled up within him.

Even during restless nights, he was tormented by recurring nightmares filled with agonizing pain.

Christian Bale's state of mind deteriorated, and he was consumed by a seething anger that needed an outlet.

Director Nolan seemed particularly pleased with Christian Bale's condition, as he could now portray Batman, driven to the brink by the Joker, and ready to resort to extreme measures.

Only Nolan himself knew what, if anything, he had orchestrated.

This British director displayed remarkable talent and unorthodox methods.

In the makeup area, Martin had just touched up his appearance.

Bruce approached, carrying a prop bat made of rubber, and handed it to Martin.

Days ago, they had filmed Batman beating the Joker, but today, they were to shoot the scene where the Joker takes on Batman.

Across from Martin, Christian Bale, clad in the Bat suit and holding a cowl, strode towards him.

Their eyes met, and Martin, with a blood-red smile on his pale face, exuded an eerie kindness.

He tossed a baseball into the air, catching it with a flourish, the baseball bat propped beside him.

Christian Bale recalled this action scene and swiftly sought out Director Nolan.

This was the scene where Batman would be unilaterally assaulted by the Joker!

Christian Bale had used the earlier action scene setup to introduce unexpected elements, allowing Martin to savor Batman's punches.

He had a feeling Martin wouldn't pass up this opportunity today.

Merely the sight of him made Christian Bale want to reclaim his authority.

Despite the anger and anxiety that had tortured him, Bale's mind was still intact. He asked Nolan, "Director, I'm not feeling quite right at the moment. Can we have a stunt double handle the next action scene?"

Nolan frowned, expressing some dissatisfaction. It wasn't about whether a stuntman could fill in; several of Batman's stunt doubles on the crew had similar figures to Christian Bale once in the Batsuit. They could easily stand in as long as they avoided showing the chin.

Nolan's frustration came from having finally found inspiration for a new scene that morning, only for Bale to opt out.

He seemed genuinely concerned as he asked, "Are you sure?"

Christian Bale forced a smile, "Just need a short break."

Nolan nodded, calling in the stunt team to prepare for the remaining action scenes. With the script in hand, he could divert his focus elsewhere.

Bale immediately felt a wave of relief as he entered the rest area, taking a seat, glancing in Martin's direction, closing his eyes, and resting.

The tension that had been building from recent unfavorable events found a rare moment of release.

Christian Bale believed he had deciphered and foiled Martin's schemes.

Meanwhile, Martin continued to play with the baseball.

Bruce approached again, whispering, "Stunt doubles Philip and Rice are getting ready. Bale won't be in the last few Batman action scenes."

Martin whispered, "Just as I expected. Those who create accidents in action scenes won't let others have a chance to do the same."

Bruce wasn't surprised, "I guess he had this scene in mind when they filmed Batman beating the Joker."

Only someone as devious as him would resort to such low-level tactics."

Martin wore a smile he deemed as kind, "A talented actor like me would never stoop to creating accidents intentionally. What could have possibly gone wrong?"

Bruce noticed Martin's smile and cautioned, "You might startle the young actresses in the crew."

Martin had to suppress his smile and replied, "Accidents can only happen once, and it'll be over after the fight. Beating someone for several minutes can't really be called an accident, can it?"

Bruce combined Christian Bale's reality and added, "Some physical injuries can cause long-term mental trauma."

Martin concurred, "You're right. So, as long as I don't attack him, he won't be able to escape. I sense a beast lurking inside him, ready to burst out at any moment." He nodded and continued, "Nicholson told me that both physical and mental damage can occur simultaneously. If it happens, it can haunt someone for the rest of their life. He's my boss, and I intend to follow his advice."

Bruce felt no guilt, drawing from his military experience and years of fighting in Atlanta, where mercy toward the enemy was not an option.

Martin looked around and whispered, "Let's proceed as planned."

Bruce exited the rest area and headed to the set. His first encounter was with Scott, who had unexpectedly come to visit the crew.

"Ready?" Bruce inquired.

Scott nodded, "Sofia invited Bale several times, but he declined. Sophia wasn't pleased."

Bruce instructed, "Follow my lead, just tell the truth, understand?"

Scott grinned, wiping his nose, "When I was on the streets, you had no idea where I was!"

The two conversed quietly for a moment. Scott settled into a seat, crossing his legs and patiently awaiting his opportunity.

Meanwhile, Martin picked up the prop bat and joined the set to chat with the stunt double portraying the beaten Batman.

He never considered using action scenes to cause accidents. That was beneath him.

As a highly professional actor with an excellent reputation in Hollywood, Martin had no intention of tarnishing his name with such tactics. He still had a sense of honor compared to individuals like Bruce, Nicholson, and Leonardo.

With the crew ready and the lights dimmed, Nolan gave the order to begin filming.

Martin instantly transformed into a crazed character, effectively ambushing Batman with the assistance of two hounds. He swung the prop bat relentlessly, portraying madness and violence.

The scene was characterized by its wild, ferocious nature. The bat made a whirring sound as it was swung, although it lacked substantial weight when it landed. Given Martin's experience in filming action scenes, he knew just how to execute it.

Batman was pummeled by the Joker and rolled on the ground.

"Cut! That's a wrap for this one!" Nolan expressed his satisfaction with Martin's performance and exclaimed, "Keep up the great work."

The makeup artist entered to touch up the actors, and the dog trainer removed the two dogs from the set.

Martin listened as the action director explained the next steps and prepared for the next take.

In the rest area, Christian Bale, who had shed his Bat suit, saw the stuntman standing unharmed and wiped the sweat from his brow. He had watched Martin's brutal portrayal of Batman's beating and found himself drenched in cold sweat.

As filming wrapped up and the crew took a break, Bale overheard the familiar hushed murmurs amongst the extras.

"Why didn't that troublemaker show up for filming?"

"Coward, scared, are you?"

"You're willing to stir up trouble, but suddenly you're afraid of this action scene?"

Bell seethed with anger; the Atlanta extras were gossipy and talkative.

He turned to follow the voices, and the extras fell silent. But as soon as he looked away, the whispers resumed.

Bale was so vexed that he decided to step out of the studio to catch his breath.

As he roamed around the studio lot, Bale emerged from behind a trailer and eavesdropped on two women conversing in the extras' dressing area.

One of them, with an unpleasant voice, said, "Tell the extras below you to spread the word about Bale."

Hearing his name, Bale concealed himself behind the trailer.

The other person replied, "No problem, this is Atlanta, our territory. Bale, that troublemaker, wants to mess with people from Atlanta. Higher-ups have been contacted, and we won't stop until we tarnish Bale's reputation."

"Isn't he already tarnished?" the other person remarked.

The unpleasant voice let out a bitter laugh and continued, "The latest rumors are twisted from Cate Blanchett's account, claiming that Christian Bale invited her to a party. When she arrived, she found Heath Ledger in the room, clothes strewn everywhere, and a foul smell. Cate Blanchett thought they hadn't cleaned up properly..."

The other person burst into laughter, "That's a load of smelly laundry! Just rumors!"

Christian Bale stood behind the trailer, his face tense, pale, and his bloodshot eyes redder.

Atlanta! People from Atlanta...

People from Atlanta seemed to have one goal: Martin Davis!

Christian Bale swiftly realized why the extras were spreading wild tales about him on set. There was backing behind it, and that person from Atlanta could only be Martin Davis.

With anger brewing, Christian Bale made his way back to the studio, with a single thought in his mind: Martin Davis was the true instigator of trouble.

Not far away, atop a small office building, Robert, the Coca-Cola enthusiast, observed it all clearly. He grabbed his phone and dialed a number but quickly hung up.

Scott disembarked from a golf cart and approached Bale with his legs crossed. About ten meters away, he called out, "Christian Bale, wait up. I need to talk to you."

Christian Bale halted and turned to see the peculiar man who had been following the female King Kong.

Considering that the female King Kong might have connections to Martin, he forced a smile at Scott, "What's going on?"

Scott gestured toward a secluded spot, devoid of onlookers, "It's about Sophia."

Christian Bale followed.

Scott warned, "I'd advise you to be cautious and keep your distance from Sophia. Martin has recruited Sophia to cause problems for you."

Given what he'd overheard from the two extras, Christian Bale was particularly sensitive to this revelation, "Cause problems for me? Why? What's going on?"

Scott reached into his bag and pulled out a pink water bottle over a foot tall, pointing behind Christian Bale, "Just use this!"