Chapter 286: Hand Speed

The atmosphere in the Brooklyn Studio District suddenly turned tranquil and harmonious, with all three film crews keeping their members in check to prevent any untoward behavior.

The studio area was deemed too perilous! Rumors began circulating about Martin Davis being demanding on the set of "I'm Not There."

Martin paid no mind and remained dedicated to his daily shooting.

Hollywood thrived on rumors, after all.

Due to the delay of the Central Park location, the crew continued their work in the studio. The dramatic and narrative segments had concluded, with director Danny Boyle temporarily stepping aside, leaving assistant director and action director Chad Starski in charge of filming the action sequences.

Having previously collaborated with Martin on "Wanted," Chad and he had a great understanding in the realm of action scenes. Martin could grasp Chad's intentions and ideas simply through spoken words, and he executed them with remarkable precision.

Inside the set, designed like an Upper East Side penthouse, Martin shed his suit jacket and handed it to the nearby assistant. The stylist came over for an emergency touch-up.

Chad summoned Lewis, the stuntman playing Martin's adversary, to discuss the scene together. "In this scene, Martin gradually recovers after consuming a mixture of blood and smart drugs, but his opponent wields a gun, so you need to handle him using unorthodox methods."

Chad then instructed Lewis, "You approach to assess the situation, lean over to check Martin's condition, and then a conflict ensues. Pay attention to your coordination."

Lewis had already rehearsed his movements and confirmed, "No problem."

Bruce entered the set at this point, passing Lewis a prop revolver and a sealed package of soft needles to Martin.

Chad inquired, "Everything good? Do you want to rehearse first?"

Martin tore open the package and responded, "No need; I've already practiced specifically for this."

In the evening, they engaged in playful games with Aniston, adding a fun element to their interactions between a man and a woman.

Of course, this didn't involve anything inappropriate. Aniston was highly aware and actively cooperated with Martin to practice essential action scenes.

Following the stylist's touch-up, Martin lay on the ground next to a pool of artificial blood, his mouth sporting faux bloodstains to mimic a lifeless appearance.

Chad returned to his director's chair, observing the set through the director's monitor. He announced, "All departments are ready; we'll start shooting in three minutes!"

Shortly after, the script supervisor made the call, and filming commenced.

Brandishing a revolver, Lewis entered the spacious living room of the apartment. Upon seeing his accomplice and Martin lying in a pool of blood, he promptly checked the situation.

As he reached out to turn Martin's body, Martin suddenly turned, opened his mouth, and spat out a needle. The soft needle struck Lewis in the face, and he let out a cry.

Martin executed the predetermined routine, swatting away Lewis's gun, delivering a powerful kick that sent him sprawling, and then rising to his feet, launching a Bruce Lee style side kick.

Lewis fell backward, striking the prop cabinet, which broke and left him unable to get up.

Martin continued with a series of moves, landing a punch near Lewis's face, who cooperated by tilting his head back and to the side.

Breathing heavily, Martin approached the pool of blood, picked up the fallen revolver, and checked the bullets. His hands naturally rested at his sides, and he fixed his gaze on the entrance to the corridor, mirroring the stance of a Western cowboy preparing for a showdown.

According to Boyle and Chad's vision, a montage from the film "Unforgiven" would be inserted into the shot, featuring an old cowboy firing a revolver.

The production team had secured the rights to use these films.

"Cut!" Chad was pleased but still looked to director Boyle for approval. "Is that okay?"

Boyle nodded, confirming, "Very good!"

Chad then announced, "This take is approved!" He reminded everyone, "Martin, Lewis, stay in position; the second action team will enter now."

Several male actors, armed and ready, had received weapons from Bruce. They followed the rehearsal route and entered the shooting location.

Chad continued, "Martin, pay attention to your shooting posture. It's not the usual style; it's a Western cowboy-style revolver shooting."

Martin nodded, acknowledging, "Understood, quick-fire revolver!"

At Chad's signal, shooting resumed.

Amidst a flurry of footsteps, Martin performed a trick with the revolver akin to a Western cowboy. He held the weapon with one hand, thumbing the hammer with the other just before the first opponent emerged.

Five adversaries appeared in his view.

Martin squeezed the trigger, and a rapid succession of shots followed!

His hand speed was remarkable. After two years of tunnel digging, his hand speed had become incredibly fast, eliminating the need for special effects!

Everyone who had experienced this praised it!

Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Blake Lively, and Jennifer Aniston could all attest to it!

Six shots rang out, and five enemies fell to the ground. A decorative glass panel shattered.

Chad was enthusiastic, exclaiming, "Excellent job, Martin! You were fantastic!"

Martin tossed the revolver to Bruce, remarking, "It's all in good fun."

With such hand speed, he could perform effectively even in a dim, damp environment, let alone in a dry and unobstructed setting.

The action scene in the apartment concluded, and Chad declared, "That's a wrap."

During the lunch break, the crew decided to dine in the dining car, forgoing a return to the hotel.

The actors from the neighboring "I'm Not There" crew instinctively steered clear of Martin upon sighting him from a distance, as if they were encountering a formidable adversary.

Martin carried his dinner plate into the trailer, and as Bruce settled in behind him, he inquired, "Brother, am I really that intimidating?" Bruce possessed exceptionally keen eyes on the set and equally sharp ears, and he whispered back, "You're not aware of the rampant rumors on set? They say you're a handful, a big devil. Anyone you target faces misfortune."

Martin had heard such rumors before, but now he was hearing it again with a twist, "Big devil? Seriously? I'm more like the head of an honorable sect, don't you think?"

Bruce, who was quite the informant, disclosed, "I delved into it, and the first whisper came from Cate Blanchett. She's a key figure in the Australian clique, and she's pretty cold towards you."

Martin dined while responding, "She doesn't realize that the 'big devil' enjoys a hearty meal?"

Bruce couldn't resist his curiosity, "What's this? Are you planning to engage her?" He relished mischief and inquired, "Any strategy in mind?"

Martin waved his hand, refuting, "Hold on! Hold on! Bruce, let's put your fertile imagination to good use. When have good folks like us initiated conflicts? We're simply defending ourselves!"

He emphasized, "The mouthpiece is under someone else's control. We can't dictate what others say. As long as she doesn't speak ill of me in my presence, let her be." Bruce craned his neck and observed Blanchett and Bale approaching in the distance.

Bruce had formed acquaintances with some individuals in the adjacent crew, and Bale, who had a close rapport with Heath Ledger, held favorable opinions of Martin.

But harboring differing opinions or spreading rumors wasn't cause for any harm or retribution.

After their meal, the two returned to their trailer to relax. Martin inquired of Bruce, "Have there been any updates about Harvey Weinstein in The News of the World or The Sun?"

Bruce handed him the two most recent newspapers and replied, "No. Harvey is no ordinary figure. I suspect The News of the World won't move until they've got solid evidence."

The Sun and its weekend edition, The News of the World, were renowned for their accuracy in reporting scandals, controversies, and celebrity revelations.

The news team Martin encountered in Washington was more inclined to break news than fabricate stories.

Harvey was a high-profile target as well.

In the afternoon, the crew resumed shooting, focusing primarily on the gunfight scenes featuring Martin.

Extensive firearms training had made Martin comfortable and proficient in these sequences.

Robert De Niro made an appearance on the set and officially joined the production.

As one of the major actors in the 1970s and 1980s, De Niro, like Jack Nicholson, was known for his no-nonsense attitude, but on set, he displayed his usual character type and was notably dedicated.

In recent years, Robert De Niro had become less selective about the film scripts he accepted, primarily due to his family obligations. As an Italian who cherished family values, the seasoned actor had six children and planned to have a seventh.

Raising a family could be quite costly.

Both Martin and De Niro were represented by WMA, and Robert De Niro's agent, Ali, acted as a mediator, which facilitated their camaraderie with the crew.

Conversations ranged beyond the film to personal life and common acquaintances.

Martin specifically mentioned two mutual friends, "I heard Leo say you introduced him to director Scorsese?"

Robert De Niro nodded, "I'm like that kid's dad!"

Martin was taken aback, his eyes wide with surprise. Could there be some hidden, shocking secret behind this revelation?

"Don't jump to conclusions," Robert De Niro clearly anticipated Martin's speculation, "In the early 1990s, during the filming of 'This Boy's Life,' I personally selected Leonardo from 400 candidates and cast him as my rebellious stepson."

It was the first time Martin had heard about this, and he inquired, "Was he that outstanding back then? Chosen from among 400 candidates?"

Robert De Niro responded, "He was just a greenhorn. I picked him because of his Italian heritage!"

Martin found this perfectly logical. Ethnicity and nationality were prominent symbols in Hollywood.

De Niro added, "Later, I recommended him to Scorsese. He did quite well and kept improving." He then turned to Martin and asked, "Have you made Scorsese blow up on the set of 'The Departed'?"

This unexpected question surprised everyone present, including Aniston and Bruce, whose eyes reflected their astonishment, as if to say, "We didn't expect you to be that kind of person!"

Martin corrected quickly, "It was Leonardo who had an outburst during the performance!" He didn't mind being called the "Big Devil" or "Difficult," but claiming he caused Leonardo to explode could tarnish someone's innocence.

He was rather confident in this matter, stating, "Director Scorsese said that my performance exceeded Leonardo's completely."

Aniston approached and, without hesitation, kissed Martin in front of everyone. She then addressed De Niro, saying, "You startled me."

De Niro chuckled, "No wonder you and Leo get along so well." His tone changed as he added, "That rascal doesn't seem very Italian. He's so irresponsible and won't settle down. He's betraying his heritage and family!"

Martin concurred, "He's definitely a traitor. If I get the chance, I'll set him straight for you."