Chapter 36

"Mr. Xu, this discussion has been truly inspiring. Once the script is completed, you'll be credited as a key contributor."

"You wrote the script. I just made a suggestion."

"No, the concept you brought is central to the entire story. It makes the film more profound, elevating it beyond just another popcorn commercial movie."

"I'm glad we agree."

"It's an honor for us. The specific shooting dates will need to be coordinated with Warner Bros. We'll start with the first part, and once the Joker character comes into play, we'll reach out to you."

"That sounds good. Feel free to call me anytime about the script. See you on set."

"See you on set."

Xu Can spent nearly the entire day with the Nolan brothers, discussing the "Dark Knight" trilogy from morning until dusk. His insights into the trilogy left them amazed.

At this point in time, the first "Dark Knight" film, "Batman Begins," had already been released in the original timeline. However, due to the postponement of comic book adaptations in this parallel world, the brothers had only completed the first version of the script. Xu Can's suggestions led them to realize the need for a revised version.

With Warner Bros.' funding secured, the "Dark Knight" trilogy will soon be ready for auditions, casting, and filming. Following the model of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Nolan plans to shoot all three parts at once, releasing them year by year according to the production timeline.

"Batman Begins" is expected to be released at the end of 2007, with "The Dark Knight" following in 2008, aligning with the original timeline.

"By the way, Xu, one last question. Do you have any suggestions for who should play Batman?"

Xu Can didn't answer directly. Instead, he gave Nolan a mysterious smile.

"I believe you already have the answer, right? Stick with your choice. Don't be swayed by others' opinions."

Nolan stood at the door, contemplating Xu Can's words as he watched him leave.

After leaving Nolan's house, Xu Can headed straight to London Heathrow Airport to catch a flight back to Los Santos. The advice he gave Nolan was in favor of casting Christian Bale as Batman.

Warner Bros. executives and co-writer David Goyer had initially considered Jake Gyllenhaal, who later played Mysterio in "Spider-Man: Far From Home" and starred in films like "Brokeback Mountain," "Source Code," and "Nightcrawler." However, Nolan's insistence ultimately led them to cast Bale and drop the Riddler's character from the trilogy.

Since Xu Can decided to participate in the "Dark Knight" trilogy, he was determined to help Nolan create a film that would rival the original in quality and impact. If "John Wick" succeeds at the box office, Xu Can is even considering investing in "The Dark Knight."

This trilogy was a massive success both commercially and critically in the original timeline, so there's no reason not to get involved—it would be a missed opportunity.

Of course, everything hinges on "John Wick" performing well at the box office.

Back in Los Santos, Xu Can returned to the studio almost immediately to oversee the post-production team's work on special effects and editing. Most of the film's scenes were shot practically, with no over-the-top action sequences or unrealistic scenarios. The goal was to create an immersive experience, where every tactical move could be used in real combat, with raw, visceral fight scenes.

This approach contrasts sharply with the film's otherwise absurd and heightened reality, requiring meticulous editing to maintain the right tone. Xu Can personally supervised the process to ensure the film met his standards.

Fortunately, the post-production team, drawn from Columbia Pictures, was top-notch, and director David Leitch's sharp and deliberate editing elevated the film's quality, adding a unique flair to the original.

After reviewing the rough cut, Xu Can felt reassured. He believed that this version of "John Wick" was on par with, if not better than, the original.

If everything goes according to plan, the film will be submitted for review by the end of February. Due to its intense violence, it's expected to receive an R rating, with a potential release date in May or June.

While managing the post-production of "John Wick," Xu Can was also busy with two other projects.

One of them involved a partnership with Marvel. Xu Can had already reached a preliminary agreement with Marvel President Kevin Feige and Marvel Entertainment President Ike Perlmutter. He would serve as Marvel's Chief Operating Officer and contribute to the development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

In this role, Xu Can would be on the same level as Feige but would operate more like a senior consultant, working closely with Feige to plan the next phases of the MCU. Marvel was heavily in debt, having borrowed $500 million from banks, and was betting its future on the success of its next film. Xu Can, being the only successful creator of a comic-book movie at the time, brought much-needed stability to the project.

As for Xu Can himself, his immediate goal was to gain as much control as possible within the MCU. Marvel's market value had surpassed $2 billion by 2004 in the original timeline. In this parallel world, following the success of "Spider-Man," the company's value had risen gradually and was estimated to be around $1 billion.

With his current net worth, Xu Can couldn't yet consider acquiring Marvel, something only large consortiums could manage. However, he planned to use the profits from "John Wick" to purchase some Marvel stock. The stock had been falling for most of the year and was currently valued at around $9 per share, with a 15% increase earlier this year. Xu Can anticipated that when "Iron Man" was released, the stock would skyrocket, providing a lucrative return on investment.

He wasn't interested in gambling on the stock market, preferring to invest his hard-earned money in the film industry, where he was confident of a return.

Meanwhile, Xu Can had another plan in the works. His agent, Happy, had already registered a record company called "Galaxy Music," which would operate alongside Galaxy Pictures under the umbrella of Galaxy Entertainment.

Xu Can became the chairman of Galaxy Entertainment, with Happy promoted to CEO of Galaxy Pictures. Xu Can also recruited legendary music executive Doug Morris from Sony Music to serve as CEO of Galaxy Music. Morris, a 68-year-old industry veteran, had previously worked at Atlantic Records and Universal Records, playing a key role in the success of artists like Adele and Beyoncé.

Initially, Sony Music had tried to retain Morris, but after a conversation with Xu Can at a Sony annual meeting, Morris was intrigued by the challenges Xu Can's venture offered. Thus, he joined Galaxy Music in a low-key manner, immediately recruiting talent to create a new album for the company's first signed artist—Taylor Swift.

Yes, Xu Can had taken a break from filmmaking to set up a record label, signing none other than Taylor Swift as its first artist. Even if he couldn't win her over personally, he was determined to secure her talent from a business perspective.

"Really? Did you actually create a record label just for me?" Swift, on the other end of the phone, couldn't believe it.

"Of course. Not only did I create a company, but I also hired a top industry professional to help you create a new album. So, have you ditched your stingy old boss yet? When are you coming to Los Santos?"

"Right now!!!" Swift's excitement was palpable through the phone.

Finally, she didn't have to be at the mercy of her old, vampire-like boss. She had found a much better opportunity.

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