Chapter 799: Warner Group Shows Off Its Power Again

Burbank, Warner Studios

On the first day of February, the bustling Warner Studios was abuzz with excitement. Studio No. 1, usually a hive of cinematic creation, had been temporarily transformed into a grand press center. Huge, imposing posters of iconic characters, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Joker adorned the entrance, each image capturing the essence of the actors in their iconic roles.

Superman, portrayed by Henry Cavill, radiated strength and heroism. Batman, still etched in the minds of many as Christian Bale from "The Dark Knight," exuded his signature brooding intensity. The Joker, in stark contrast, grinned maniacally? none other than Martin himself. Wonder Woman, though, was a standout. She had shed her traditional star-spangled outfit for an ancient Greek-style armor, portrayed by the striking Gal Gadot, who had recently completed her makeup photos.

Christian Bale was absent due to prior commitments, but the rest of the ensemble, including Martin and the visionary director Christopher Nolan, were present. This joint press conference, hosted by DC and Warner Pictures, was a significant event, heralding the future of DC films.

Martin, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, slipped into the lounge through a side door. He was greeted by three key members of the "Man of Steel" crew: director Zack Snyder, male lead Henry Cavill, and female lead Amy Adams. Martin had previously met Zack at a gathering at Nolan's house, and they exchanged a few friendly words before Martin was introduced to the lead actors.

The door to the lounge swung open, and in walked Gal Gadot, wrapped in a long, elegant windbreaker. After exchanging greetings with Zack Snyder and the others, she made her way to Martin.

"Remember we met at Vin Diesel's funeral?" Gal Gadot said, her voice soft but clear. "I was standing just two people away from you, but it wasn't exactly the right moment to say hello."

Martin nodded, recollecting, "I remember. Emma and Director Nolan were between us."

At the mention of Christopher Nolan, Gal Gadot smoothly shifted the conversation. "I wonder if Wonder Woman will ever cross paths with the Joker in his standalone film?"

Martin shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. "They exist in different worlds."

Gal Gadot sighed, "These parallel universes can be so confusing."

Martin agreed, "I've never been much of a comic book guy. Besides Superman, Batman, and the Joker, the rest are all new to me."

Just then, the Nolans and several other actors entered the lounge. Martin noticed that Gal Gadot greeted everyone warmly, except the Nolans. Intrigued, he sat down with Nolan and asked, "Did they pull you into this anyway?"

Nolan nodded, a wry smile on his face. "I'll be producing 'Man of Steel' and overseeing the first film in the series. After that, I'll step back."

Martin glanced at Gal Gadot, who was engaging with the others. "So, they've chosen Wonder Woman. Is DC planning to proceed cautiously, one film at a time?"

Nolan leaned in, lowering his voice. "I didn't choose her. Zack recommended her, but I turned her down. DC insisted on her. Considering the Joker project needed DC's approval, I didn't push back."

He added, "She's not just a Jew, she's also Israeli, and she's served in the military."

Martin recalled the tensions during a previous filming in Morocco. "This industry is full of such complexities," he sighed.

Realizing this wasn't the place for such discussions, Martin changed the subject. "So, what's DC's next move?"

"I agree with Zack. We should follow the path Marvel took by producing standalone films for each major Justice League character first," Nolan said, momentarily setting aside his grievances. "But DC co-chairman Hamada and Warner Bros.' top executives disagree. They believe it's too slow and that they'll never catch up with Marvel."

Nolan sighed, the weight of the ongoing debate evident in his voice. "They fear if they don't speed up, Marvel will completely dominate the superhero movie market, a market DC once ruled. So, they want to accelerate the process."

Martin, recalling the films from his previous life, turned his gaze to Zack Snyder. Snyder's talent was undeniable, but his storytelling often required extensive runtime to unfold fully. However, Warner's team seemed invincible in their determination.

"The top management at Warner Bros. has already struck a deal with DC," Nolan continued, his frustration palpable. "Despite Daniel and my objections, their plan is set. After 'Man of Steel,' they'll combine Superman and Batman in one movie, and then jump straight to the Justice League. It's the opposite of Marvel's approach with 'The Avengers.' They want the Justice League's six core members to team up first before doing individual films."

In their private discussion, Martin didn't hold back. "Warner Bros. is too impatient. Didn't they learn anything from the fiasco with 'Green Lantern'?"

Nolan nodded. "Hamada and Kevin Tsujihara believe that unlike the second- and third-tier characters in 'The Avengers,' the Justice League's heroes, led by Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, are already immensely popular in the U.S. They think fans will flock to see them, even without solo films."

"Comic book fans alone can't sustain such a massive commercial venture," Martin countered.

"True," Nolan agreed. "But Warner's executives are convinced otherwise." He shook his head, resignation in his eyes. "After 'Man of Steel,' I'm stepping away from the DC series entirely."

"Don't forget about 'Joker,'" Martin reminded him. "You still need to produce that one, and ideally, you should direct it too."

"Producing is fine," Nolan replied. "Directing will depend on the circumstances."

Their conversation was interrupted by a DC staff member who ushered everyone to the press room and onto the podium.

Martin sat quietly with the Nolans, observing the proceedings. DC and Warner Bros. were laser-focused on the Justice League universe, leaving "Joker" on the sidelines. Hamada, the host of the press conference, continually emphasized the Justice League's six main heroes.

Meanwhile, on the second floor, originally designed for overhead shots, Kevin Tsujihara and Charles Roven watched the event unfold from a room with a viewing window.

Charles Roven, Warner Bros.' most seasoned producer, known for his independent stance, spoke softly. "Are we sidelining 'Joker' too much? Martin's take on the Joker has become iconic, beloved by fans."

Kevin Tsujihara shook his head. "Nolan's Batman trilogy is finished. No fourth installment will follow. Despite the Joker's popularity, he's still a villain. Without Batman as his foil, his draw will diminish. How can a film about a villain compare to the grand Justice League universe we're planning?"

He continued, "If the Justice League succeeds, we'll have ten or more films in the series. The potential box office revenue and ancillary profits are enormous."

"One Joker film can't compete with the Justice League's big six," Roven conceded, acknowledging Tsujihara's rationale.

As long as the Justice League is successful, even Nolan's acclaimed Batman trilogy would pale in comparison.

Kevin Tsujihara echoed this sentiment. "If it weren't for our relationship with Nolan and the guaranteed profitability of the Joker, Warner Bros. wouldn't be considering another standalone Joker film in a different parallel universe," he said, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

Charles Roven understood the subtext. Warner's top brass was eager to capitalize on the Justice League universe while still milking the Joker's success for all it was worth. Martin's portrayal of the Joker had garnered a massive fanbase, ensuring that any standalone film, if well-executed, would draw significant box office numbers.

As the press conference drew to a close, attention finally shifted to the Joker's solo film.

Hamada stepped up to the microphone. "Martin's portrayal of the Joker has elicited a powerful response. Countless fans have petitioned online for a standalone Joker movie. After thorough consideration, Warner and DC have decided to greenlight an independent Joker project. Martin will reprise his role as the Joker, with Nolan directing and Martin serving as the producer."

He gestured towards Martin and Nolan. "Feel free to ask any questions."

A reporter from Entertainment Weekly quickly spoke up. "Is this standalone Joker film a continuation of The Dark Knight, or is it set within the Justice League universe?"

Nolan glanced at Martin, then answered, "This Joker film exists independently from the Justice League universe and is rooted in the world of The Dark Knight."

A reporter from The Hollywood Reporter followed up. "Will it pick up after The Dark Knight?"

Martin leaned forward, choosing his words carefully. "The Joker didn't emerge from thin air. He has a backstory. This standalone movie will explore how a person becomes the Joker, an agent of chaos."

The questions kept coming, with Martin fielding them as best he could. Many specifics remained undecided, as the project was still in its infancy, with no script yet in place. Nolan mentioned optimistically that filming could start within a year and a half.

Later that evening, a reception dinner was held at the Burbank Hotel. Martin and Nolan mingled briefly with Charles Roven, while Kevin Tsujihara kept his distance, offering Martin only a nod. Despite the business pragmatism that allowed the Joker project to move forward, personal grievances lingered. Tsujihara's sister, married to former Warner Pictures president Jon Berg, had long harbored resentment towards Martin, further straining their relationship.

That afternoon, news of the Joker project spread like wildfire across the internet, electrifying fans.

"Thank God, the standalone Joker movie is finally happening!"

"With Martin's complicated history with Warner Bros., I never thought it would actually get made, but here we are!"

"This Joker film is destined to set a new benchmark for anti-hero movies!"

Not only were the die-hard fans ecstatic, but the broader public was also intrigued. The lingering impact of The Dark Knight and Martin's unforgettable portrayal of the Joker had left an indelible mark, making this new project a highly anticipated event in the cinematic world.