America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

"I asked around, and about this film crew," he said,

On their way to the Gray Film and Television Center in the car, Nicholson's expression was odd as he said to Leonardo beside him, "It's a constant scene of trouble, spectacularly entertaining!"

Leonardo had a profound understanding of this: "Wherever Martin is, when is there ever peace and quiet? But then again, stirring things up is what creates news."

"Wonder who'll go mad first, Martin or Bale," said Nicholson.

Leonardo disagreed, "You think that bastard's going to go crazy?"

As the car arrived at the entrance of the Gray Film and Television Production Center, Nolan and Emma Thomas had already announced Nicholson's set visit, and at the moment, not only were there journalists from the local Atlanta media, but also reporters from many nationally distributed entertainment outlets.

No sooner had Nicholson stepped out of the car than these people swarmed around him.

"Jack, are you here to visit Martin?"

"Have you and Martin made up?"

"Or are you here to settle scores with Martin in person?"

Nicholson, wearing sunglasses and hands in his pockets, replied with an air of a boss, "I'm here at the invitation of Warner and DC. They think there's a problem with the new Joker, so they sought me out for help."

A reporter from "Vanity Fair" was quick to respond, "Do you still think Martin Davis isn't up to playing the role?"

Nicholson snorted coldly, showing no interest in answering such a stupid question.

The film set security arrived to clear a path through the reporters, allowing Nicholson and Leonardo to enter the gate.

They were greeted at the entrance and taken to the studio where The Dark Knight crew was located.

The crew had just finished filming a scene with Batman and his butler Alfred; Nicholson didn't see Martin's Joker.

During a break in filming, DC's supervisor Aulin led Nicholson and Leonardo to find Director Nolan.

Nolan shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with them and said to Leonard, "I thought about asking you to play Two-Face, but I never got a response to my invitation."

Leonardo, not much caring for the English director's thoughts, said bluntly, "Superhero movies aren't on my list of considerations."

Not embarrassed, Nolan laughed, "It seems I was presumptuous."

Looking around, Nicholson asked, "Where's Martin?"

"Martin is deeply into his role," Nolan replied, speaking the truth that could also have another meaning, "After his performance this morning, he went to rest. His acting is astounding— I've always felt the Joker lives within this film crew."

Nicholson frowned, "That good, huh?"

Nolan continued to provoke, "Martin is exactly the Joker I've been looking for."

Nicholson chuckled, his disbelief apparent.

Nolan casually said, "You'll see once you've watched Martin's performance."

Nicholson nodded, "I'll be sure to appreciate it."

Leonardo stood aside, watching the two men, listening to their conversation as if he were just another spectator.

This wasn't the only interesting person in the film crew!

No wonder Martin said over the phone that this crew was incredibly fun. With the director pulling off stunts like these, how could it not be?

Nolan had to get back to work after a short conversation and returned to monitor the direction.

Nicholson, however, noticed someone nearby taking notes and asked, "What is your role here?"

The screenwriter quickly responded, "I'm a screenwriter, responsible for recording the real behind-the-scenes happenings of the crew."

Aulin took over, "This is a new on-set working method adopted by Director Nolan, having a screenwriter faithfully record interesting incidents on set and during filming for better promotion later."

Being quite familiar with the folks at DC, Nicholson unreservedly asked, "May I take a look?"

The screenwriter was deliberately left there by Nolan, and even if Nicholson hadn't asked, Aulin would have had him look at the real behind-the-scenes footage about Martin, "No problem."

Nicholson took the behind-the-scenes script handed by the screenwriter and started to read. The most recent entry was about how, during yesterday's shoot, Martin turned around a potentially disastrous large explosion scene with a remarkably brilliant improvisation.

Looking further back, Martin's performance was so convincing it had begun to affect the relationship between the actors in real life.

There was also about Martin's frenzied on-set performance that left Maggie JillEnhall speechless and too scared to look at him, and it even caused the seasoned English actor Michael Caine to forget his lines out of fear.

Many actors said that when Martin was on set and broke into maniacal laughter, the powerful and unbridled presence felt as if the real Joker was right in front of them.

Nicholson, still expressionless, returned the script to the screenwriter and stood there watching another scene with Bale and Michael Caine before exiting the studio.

In a quiet place, Leonardo couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter, "This film crew is too fucking interesting!"

Nicholson nodded, "Indeed, where there's Martin, there's always something amusing going on."

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Leonardo specifically warned, "That director seems to be praising Martin, but in reality, he's trying to sow discord between you and Martin."

Nicholson also noticed and, having gone through the first phase of verbal sparring with Martin, speculated, "He probably wants me and Martin to continue our verbal spat, to keep stirring the pot for the film's promotion."

Leonardo exclaimed in admiration, "That director has got something; he's a perfect match with Martin."

"That screenwriter and the script were probably deliberately shown to me." Having struggled through Hollywood for a lifetime, Nicholson knew when it came to intellect, three Marlon Brandos couldn't compare to him.

He hit the nail on the head, "The Martin in the script is all about outstanding acting talent, getting too deep into character, and being terrifyingly good at playing his role; I guess the promotional focus of the crew will be on Martin."

Leonardo said, "Martin is so good at making a ruckus, any small stir becomes news."

In the distance, the door of a makeup trailer opened, and an actor with his face painted emerged.

The person leaned forward, his face covered in white paint, a blood-red mouth splitting it wide, and he stumbled as he walked.

A few young actresses approached and, as he flashed a grin, the chatty group instantly fell silent, dodging far away as if encountering a deranged killer.

Members of the Trio of Scoundrels couldn't mistake one of their own, and though his appearance and aura had significantly changed, Leonardo still recognized Martin, remarking, "He seems completely different from your Joker."

Nicholson looked over, "If he played it in my style, I'd have to rant until he doubts his existence."

Watching Martin enter the soundstage from afar, he called out, "Looks like it's his scene; let's go watch."

As the soundstage doors were open, it meant the crew wasn't currently shooting. Leonardo and Nicholson went inside together, finding an inconspicuous corner to observe the filming.

This was a scene where the Joker directly confronts Batman.

Bale, a child star who had been playing leading roles in films since 1987, was completely overshadowed by Martin.

It wasn't just experts like Nicholson and Leonardo who could see it; even the extras recognized that the Joker Martin portrayed was far more striking than Batman.

The Joker was evil, cunning, and flamboyant, nearly maniacal, with actions beyond comprehension that sent chills of terror.

In contrast, Batman displayed only anger and violence.

Two characters, two actors, the superior and the inferior were clear.

Nicholson, considered one of Hollywood's top actors for his skills, could easily make the judgment; there was definitely a difference in the characters.

The role of the Joker was designed and positioned to shine brighter than Batman right from the script.

One should not overlook the acting abilities of that scoundrel Martin, either.

After calling a cut, Leonardo spoke softly, "Martin is already a scoundrel and freak by nature, now he's just playing to his type."

"He is a freak!" Nicholson agreed profoundly, "If he wasn't, would he kick the ass of an almost 70-year-old man?"

Filming continued, and both men fell silent.

Nicholson, who had delved into a great deal of DC Comics to prepare for his role as the Joker, couldn't help but compare reality to fiction and found that the character Martin shaped went even further than any Joker in the comics.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

After a day's shooting, Martin wasn't in a hurry to remove his makeup. He spotted Nicholson and Leonardo during a break and approached them.

He hugged Leonardo, "You should have come earlier or later; there was quite a spectacle to see."

Leonardo asked, "How did you wreak havoc on the crew as this freak?"

Martin punched him lightly, "Coming earlier would mean joining in the fireworks." He looked at Nicholson, "What do you think of this Joker role? Are you choosing to continue the spat, or shall we ease our relationship a bit?"

"Why should I follow the director's pace if he wants to provoke more squabbles between you and me?" Nicholson looked towards Nolan in the distance, "I'm not his puppet."

Martin understood his point, "So shall we lighten things up a bit?"

Nicholson said, "I won't be as sharp as before. Let's truly make up next year."

Leonardo shook his head, "You talk as if the two of you are having an affair."

Not far away, Nolan, who was gathering his things, watched the Trio of Scoundrels discuss in a corner, particularly focusing on Martin and Nicholson.

The scriptwriter, whose senses had become keener and whose awareness had sharpened, had arrived early, ready at a moment's notice.

He held a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other, always ready for the director's summons.

Nolan was surprised that Martin and Nicholson hadn't started arguing—it wasn't part of his plan.

Could it be that their disagreement was just over characters, and there wasn't much personal animosity between them?

Did Nicholson's visit to the set today, seeing Martin's performance and character, lead him to acknowledge the role of the Joker?

Although unexpected, this minor issue wouldn't trouble Director Nolan, adept at creating genuine behind-the-scenes magic.

He gestured, and the scriptwriter ran over immediately, "Director?"

"Take note for now, just as a draft." Nolan's inspiration burst forth, "Nicholson, upon Warner and DC's invitation, visited the set and after witnessing Martin's extremely skillful portrayal, was so impressed by the compelling character that it eased his tensions with Martin."

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