America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

The Burbank Hotel's Banquet Hall No. 1 was tonight aglitter with the top brass of Warner Bros., alongside representatives from all their key partners. The galaxy of stars in attendance shined bright enough to light up the night sky.

The main creative force behind The Dark Knight Crew, led by Nolan, Martin, and Charles Roven, cut the cake together in front of the cameras, then filled up a champagne tower and toasted in unison with the hundreds gathered.

Nolan, having shed all the pressure, was more than just excited as he held a champagne flute in one hand and a microphone in the other, announcing loudly, "I propose a toast, to celebrate the success of The Dark Knight together."

Martin leaned into the microphone and shouted, "Cheers!"

A few cameramen circled around, capturing footage of everyone's celebration.

Excellent material for future promotion.

The only pity was that Bale, citing a tight shooting schedule for "Terminator 4", didn't attend the success party.

Emma Thomas set down her glass and said to DC's executive Aulin, "I don't think Bale is missing out because of his schedule; I believe he feels overshadowed by the film since the Joker stole all the limelight from Batman."

Aulin replied, "We still need to appease him; I'll talk to him personally later on."

After all, DC is planning a Batman trilogy.

"We'll talk about it later," Emma Thomas said as she noticed Mene, "I see a friend, I'll chat with him for a bit."

Elsewhere, just as Martin was getting a moment to himself, Louise pulled him aside.

"Hey there, darling," Martin embraced her tightly, then pulled back just enough to say, "You're getting more and more beautiful."

Louise adjusted her black-rimmed glasses and asked, "Coming to my place tonight?"

How could Martin refuse, "No problem, your car can wait for me in the underground parking when we leave."

Louise nodded and added, "One thing to be aware of, the number of Joker-inspired crimes across the country is on the rise."

"Isn't that a good thing?" Martin's take on this was quite different from Louise's, "More people will pay attention to the Joker and The Dark Knight because of this, which will lead to more ticket sales and merchandising."

He whispered a reminder, "Why do you think Warner Bros. and DC Comics never go after those street artists infringing on the Joker's copyright?"

Louise couldn't help but laugh, "My understanding of film marketing isn't as good as yours."

Martin, knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses, replied, "No problem, I will use my strengths to fill in for your weaknesses."

"Just be careful your strengths don't turn into weaknesses midway," Louise quipped back.

Regrettably, as one's the male lead and the other an investing producer, they couldn't leave immediately. Martin smoothly changed the topic, "There's no need to worry about movies inciting crime, that's never been an issue in Hollywood. Remember the North Hollywood bank robbery?

The media revealed that the criminals were inspired by 'The Boiling Point', and the movie didn't face any troubles—in fact, video rentals and sales surged that quarter!"

Louise remembered the incident, "Let's hope we can profit from this nationwide crime wave."

Martin suggested, "In celebration, why not skip calling Kelly tonight?"

Louise replied, "If you like, we could video call her."

Martin had more in mind, "Or better yet, when Kelly comes over next time, how about I play director?"

And casually assume the roles of scriptwriter, lead actor, and cinematographer.

Louise responded, "As long as Kelly agrees, I have no objections."

The three of them had wild fun, and these things didn't bother her anymore.

"Martin! Martin! Come here!" Nolan called out from not too far away. Once Martin approached, Nolan said to the person in front of him, "Base your script entirely on Martin; tailor the male lead specifically for him."

Martin shook hands with Jonathan Nolan, "Just don't write me as some kind of monster."

"Of course not," Jonathan assured with a smile, "Your character will be even more charismatic than the Joker."

All the producers and investors, including Louise, Barry Meyer, Ellen Horn, and others from Legendary Pictures, gathered around as Nolan took the opportunity to pitch his new project, "Ladies and gentlemen, you must've heard about my new endeavor, an original sci-fi film. I believe it will be a masterpiece on par with The Dark Knight!"

He threw his arm around Martin's shoulder, "I'll be collaborating with Martin once again; not even an earthquake could separate us!" Find more adventures on empire

A new project with a production budget north of 150 million US dollars was teased, and though it was an original concept, Nolan believed it could draw even more investors.

Without much hesitation, Louise, Ellen Horn, Legendary Pictures, and others promptly expressed their willingness to invest.

Martin and Nolan had just scored a huge hit, with The Dark Knight's global box office barreling towards one billion US dollars, increasing the likelihood of another massive success.

Intentions could only be agreed upon here, nothing concrete; it wasn't long before the crowd around them dispersed.

The Warner side had also prepared some performances to liven up the evening, with almost all the performers being renowned singers.

Taylor Swift was among them, and as she strummed her guitar, she even gave Martin a wave.

Martin smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

Some had been watching Martin closely, and seeing he was momentarily unoccupied, immediately made their way over.

"Hi, Martin, I've always wanted to meet you, but never had the chance," James Franco had been watching Martin since the party began. "I really admire you. Your performance in The Dark Knight was simply amazing. I've played villains too, but they were completely overshadowed by the heroes, not like you, who shone so brightly."

Martin remembered this actor once nicknamed "Franco the Rotten" and had seen some gossip about him, especially his fall from grace, and said, "I really liked the Green Goblin. When I was preparing for the Joker, I even referenced your performance of Harry."

Franco's face lit up with surprise, "Really? That's an honor for me! Can I tell other people about it?"

Martin looked at his slightly exaggerated expression and said, "That's your freedom."

"Among young actors, no one is more outstanding than you." Franco's praises and flattery were a preamble to what was to come next, "Martin, with such remarkable acting skills, have you ever thought about teaching others? Actors our age, the vast majority are struggling at the bottom."

He recalled Martin's history and said, "I'm an actor who struggled up from the bottom, and now that I've achieved a bit of success, I want to help more actors who are struggling."

That stirred a bit of empathy in Martin because he too had clawed his way up from the very bottom.

But a promise like that, how could someone like him give it away casually?

So Martin didn't pick up the thread of the conversation.

Seeing that invoking empathy wasn't having a clear effect, Franco went on, "An individual's power is limited, and I can't help too many actors at the bottom. I've started an acting school, thinking instead of recommending individuals, it's better to let more people have the basic skills to survive, so they can seize opportunities when they come."

Martin also knew how to say nice things, "James, you're a great man."

Franco knew his own strength and fame were not enough but was still keen to make more money. As a matter of trial, he said, "Martin, would you be interested in joining my acting school? To help those in need."

Martin looked at Franco but said nothing.

Franco made a bold offer, "I'll give you thirty percent of the shares, and you only need to... no, every month, just teach two or three classes."

If Martin agreed, his acting school could recruit actors under Martin's name—not to mention the followers of the Cola Cult, from which he could reap a substantial amount of money.

"Sorry," Martin had excuses ready at hand, "My mental and emotional state is not stable, and I cannot engage in such work."

Franco wanted to say more, but Martin pointed towards the entrance of the banquet hall, "I have friends arriving."

Leonardo and Nicholson arrived fashionably late.

Martin strode over, and as the two guys approached, he asked, "Should I take a piece of cake in each hand and smash it on the faces of you two latecomers?"

Leonardo argued, "Blame it on Jack's limousine, which broke down on the way! Can you believe it, Martin? I had to hail a cab to come to your celebration party!"

Nicholson scanned Leonardo's increasingly protruding belly, "It's obviously because you've gained weight again. You overloaded and broke my beloved car; you should compensate me!"

Martin shook his head, "Enough from both of you. Each of you drinks ten cups of alcohol, and we'll call it even."

Nicholson glanced at Leonardo, "He'll be here shouting "my beloved Gisele...""

Leonardo retorted, "And you'll say 'Marlon Brando, why did you leave me so soon?'"

Taylor Swift, who had just finished singing on stage, came over to Martin, led by her agent, after greeting some people.

Leonardo turned to look at Taylor, but she came over and took Martin's arm. She was young but knew better than to suddenly change her company—it brought more trouble than benefits.

Martin made introductions for both sides.

Taylor smiled and greeted Nicholson and Leonardo warmly.

The Trio of Scoundrels, used to seeing each other with different companions, watched as Nicholson pulled Leonardo aside, giving the two some private time to talk.

"You haven't been looking for me," Taylor said, full of grievance, "I've been waiting for inspiration to strike."

Martin had been spending all his recent time cozying up with Elizabeth, and had no time for a vacation. He said, "A few more days, I've been too busy with The Dark Knight lately."

Taylor nodded, "You promise this time, right?"

Martin smiled, "I'm looking forward to the song you'll write for me."

With everyone at the party busy socializing, Martin finally found some time after seeing off Taylor to look for Leonardo and Nicholson, where he could speak freely.

"I've been under tremendous pressure lately. Martin, Jack, let's do something crazy," Leonardo returned with the intention to relax, "If I don't find some fun soon, I'm going to go mad."

Nicholson looked at Martin, "You bastard, you've been making me wait to see some fun. And what have we got? Just a shitty diary scandal. "

Martin thought for a moment and asked, "Have you been paying attention to Ben Affleck lately?"

Nicholson recalled briefly, "I've followed him a bit. Someone told me he went to an acting school to guest teach, introduced by Judi Dench."

Martin remembered hearing about Judi Dench teaching acting, "Which acting school?"

It took Nicholson quite some time to be sure, "The Adler School of Acting, founded by one of my acting teachers, Stella Adler."

Martin then remembered, Elizabeth Olsen was taking acting classes there!