Hollywood Director 1992

[Chapter 307: Batman Reference Template]

"Ben, why are you back? Shouldn't you be on set shooting right now?" Ryan Phillippe asked with curiosity as he saw Ben Affleck trudging into the hotel, looking downtrodden.

"Nothing!" Ben Affleck flopped onto the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling, his eyes unblinking, looking completely lifeless, like a puddle of mud.

Ryan couldn't help but wonder what had happened. Just that morning, Ben had been all excited on set, shouting about wanting to be Batman. Now, just a few hours later, it was like he was a different person -- no, more accurately, like he had been drained of all enthusiasm.

"What happened?" Ryan probed, sitting beside him to dig for details.

"Nothing," Ben repeated.

"Come on, you don't look like nothing's wrong. Are you sick? Do you need to go to the hospital? Or did you run into any trouble with some actors on set?"

"Shut up! I told you, it's nothing. Are you irritating me on purpose?" Ben shoved Ryan, nearly knocking him off the couch.

"Fine, I won't pry," Ryan said, picking himself up and sitting on the opposite couch, pulling a newspaper in front of his face. After a moment, he caught a faint murmur from Ben.

"What?"

"I don't want to play Batman anymore."

"Why not?" Ryan's curiosity piqued again.

Ben's expression turned dark as he clenched his fists, his muscles tensing, "Link is a bastard! I thought he was my friend, but he treated me this way."

"Link? What did he do to you? Could it be..." Ryan scrutinized Ben with skepticism.

"Damn it! It's not what you think. Can't you think of something normal?" Ben huffed, taking a deep breath in frustration. "He's purposely targeting me. This morning, I was doing great, but he said I sucked and wants to fire me."

"That's all?" Ryan rolled his eyes, unimpressed. "You've worked with Link so many times. Don't you know he's a tyrant on set? He berates anyone he doesn't like, even his girlfriends! Remember when we filmed Final Destination? You got chewed out constantly. Didn't you get used to it yet?"

"It's different! Today, after we shot a scene, I went to ask him how I was doing, and he just tore into me, saying I was terrible and that I had a week to improve or he'd replace me."

Ben's voice brimmed with indignation.

"Look, you might be overreacting. If Link wanted to replace you, he would've done it already. The fact that he's giving you a week means he thinks there's still a chance for you. If he said you were bad, it probably means you need to reassess your performance. Take this time to improve and show him you can deliver."

Ryan's advice was blunt but honest.

Ben frowned. "If what you're saying is true, then why didn't he just tell me privately? Why did he have to humiliate me in front of everyone? That was just cold and uncalled for."

"Remember at the script meeting, when everyone was giving feedback and you just sat there silently? When Link asked how prepared you were, you bragged that you were fine. Now that you're on set, your performance is all over the place. What did you expect? You're a grown-up, a professional, not a kid who needs walk-through guidance on how to act."

Ryan stated matter-of-factly.

Ben's face turned red as he recalled that he hadn't contributed much in the script meeting. He had just reassured Link everything was fine, avoiding any awkwardness. "I was doing fine; Link is just being overly critical."

Ryan scoffed, "Link is a director who has worked with many seasoned actors. If he says you were bad, there's no way he doesn't know what he's talking about. If I were him, I'd tell you to get lost right away instead of giving you a week to prepare."

"You!" Ben shot an angry glare at him but then considered that Ryan might have a point.

It could be that he really didn't do a good job. Nicole Kidman, after reading the script, could outline Batman's character perfectly, while he struggled. He really had let Link down.

Link giving him a week to prepare wasn't too harsh after all. Ben set aside his previous thoughts of quitting and picked up the script again to try to find his rhythm, but after three read-throughs, he felt lost.

He called Matt Damon for help.

Matt offered two pieces of advice: first, to approach Link for assistance, since Link was the director and writer and knew the character inside out; and second, to think deeply and don't be lazy. As long as he gave it his all, he could do well.

Ben flatly rejected the first suggestion. After being ripped apart by Link on set that morning, he wasn't ready to face him again. He felt too vulnerable for that.

He had to figure this out on his own.

Ben spent days obsessively pondering how to improve, and despite his best efforts, he hit a mental block.

...

While Ben struggled to find his footing, Link began shooting scenes for other characters. Batman had the most scenes, followed closely by the Riddler, played by Jim Carrey.

The Riddler, whose real name was Edward Nygma, was obsessed with puzzles. He prided himself on being the smartest person on Earth, capable of manipulating everyone effortlessly. Before committing a crime, he would leave clues for Batman to solve, believing that he could outsmart him.

But Batman was always one step ahead, solving the Riddler's riddles and thwarting his plans, locking him up in Arkham Asylum.

The Riddler was characterized by his green outfits, top hat, and a penchant for theatrical performances -- a role that was easy for Jim Carrey to play, even if he sometimes went overboard.

Link had to remind him to tone it down occasionally.

...

This morning, as the crew filmed a scene where the Riddler was conducting brainwave research, Ben arrived on set, declaring he was ready to try a scene.

After several days, Ben seemed like a different person, his brows furrowed, exuding an ominous vibe, as if he bore an immense burden.

Link agreed to let him perform a short interaction with Jim Carrey.

...

The Riddler was initially an employee at Wayne Enterprises, and after creating a device to collect brainwaves, he tried to persuade Bruce Wayne to invest more funding into his research during a factory visit. However, Bruce declined since the experiments needed live subjects.

The Riddler then spiraled into darkness.

...

"Cut!"

Before the scene finished, Link called for a break. He told Ben that Bruce Wayne was a cold, reserved CEO, not an underachieving little employee. His performance didn't reflect Bruce Wayne's character, and it certainly wasn't the Batman he envisioned.

Link instructed him to step aside and rethink his approach.

With a sullen expression, Ben clenched his fists and exited the scene, looking defeated and angry.

...

"Link, is this okay? Is Ben going to quit over this?" Nicole Kidman inquired.

"Whatever. If he doesn't want to act, there are others," Link responded nonchalantly.

Nicole smiled slightly, sitting on a folding chair nearby. "Stop pretending you don't care. You care a lot. You're just trying to toughen him up, right? After days of tension, he's no longer as erratic, his performance has improved significantly, and that's all thanks to you. As long as he can hold on, he might just pull off Batman."

Nicole propped her chin on her hand, gazing at Link with a playful smile. "You're really good at training actors. Gary and Jim agree. Since you're so amazing, how about you train me more? I'd like to improve."

Nicole meant "train" in a way that implied a master to a slave, not merely guidance.

"No problem," Link waved off, signaling the crew to prepare for shooting Riddler's scenes.

...

"Why? Why? Why?"

Outside the set, Ben slammed his fist into the wall, frustration etched on his face. Ryan scratched his head, secretly worried that Ben might be turning dark.

"Ben, don't be mad. Your performance today was way better than before. Keep it up, and you'll do great."

"Hmph!" Ben suddenly turned, his eyes red as he glared at Ryan. "Did you tell Link on me?"

"What?"

"Stop playing dumb! I saw you laughing and joking with Link and Nicole during the script meeting. Now Link's suddenly targeting me. Did you tell him about us? Is he trying to take it out on me because he's mad?"

"Stop jumping to conclusions. The only reason Link criticized you is that you didn't perform well. If you had done a good job, how could he say otherwise? Or do you really think your performance was better than Jim's?" Ryan countered.

Ben opened his mouth to retort but found no words.

Whether he was acting opposite Jim, Gary Oldman, or Nicole, he felt overshadowed, and the sensation was maddening.

He was supposed to be the star, yet he felt like the weakest link in the cast.

"Ryan, do you think I can still pull off Batman?"

"Of course! You're the one Link handpicked from hundreds of actors to be Batman. Questioning your ability is the same as questioning Link's judgment. No one dares to question him on a film to date."

Ryan reassured him confidently.

Ben felt significantly relieved by Ryan's faith. He had been chosen by Link, which meant he must be suited for the role.

But what could he do to excel?

Ben raked a hand through his hair, anxiety etched on his face, as the pressure felt suffocating.

...

"Want to know how to nail Batman?"

Lost in thought, a soft voice behind him interrupted.

Turning around, both Ben and Ryan saw the stunning Nicole Kidman approaching.

"What do you mean? You know how to play Batman well?" Ben wiped his eyes, questioning.

"Absolutely!" Nicole replied with a confident smile. "Want to know? Just promise me one thing."

"What's that?" Ben recalled how deeply she analyzed the character before -- perhaps she had valuable insights.

Nicole pointed at Ben and then Ryan, saying coolly, "Don't talk about my relationship with Link on set again. It's none of your business, what kind of relationship we have. Just send your blessings and don't make wild speculations."

Ben and Ryan exchanged awkward glances.

"Ms. Kidman, I apologize. I won't discuss my relationship with Link anymore," Ben said earnestly.

Ryan nodded vigorously.

Nicole scoffed lightly, "To play Batman, it's easy if you have a reference template -- Link!"

"Link?" Ben echoed.

"Exactly! Batman is handsome, wealthy, talented, and self-disciplined. Doesn't that describe Link?

He was adopted at a young age, had absentee parents, and lost his adoptive mother early. He once acted in a horror movie, which was based on his childhood experiences, indicating how much he craves security.

After becoming successful, he often travels with bodyguards, which reinforces that.

And his dual nature -- how Link is intimidating on set yet warm and charming outside -- totally mirrors what Batman is like.

Just observe and study him closely, and you'll see Batman and Link are not so different."

As Nicole's words settled, Ben's eyes sparkled. Link indeed resembled Batman, from external traits to internal characteristics.

"Thank you, Ms. Kidman! I understand what to do now!" Ben exclaimed excitedly.

...

With Nicole's guidance, Ben no longer buried himself in thoughts about how to play Batman. Instead, he brought a small stool to set, constantly observing Link from morning till night.

Even when Link cast a displeased frown his way, Ben wouldn't retreat; he mimicked Link's frown while pulling out a small mirror to see how alike he could imitate it.

...

"What's up with Ben?" Link asked, furrowing his brow in the director's area.

Nicole didn't reply, stifling a giggle behind her hand.

"Hey, Link! Busy?"

A sweet voice chimed in from the side, as Nicole looked back to see the new American sweetheart Jennifer Aniston entering alongside Link's assistant, quickly rushing into Link's arms, planting a sweet kiss on his lips.

Nicole rolled her eyes, feeling irked. Every time she spent alone time with Link, women like Jennifer showed up and wrecked the atmosphere.

...

"What are you doing, Ben?"

Suddenly, a loud voice broke out.

Nicole looked over and nearly burst out laughing. Ben was pretending to kiss Ryan in the same manner Link had done with Jennifer.

Ryan yelped, shoving Ben away and staggering back in panic.

...

"What's wrong with him?" Jennifer Aniston asked, astonished, glancing from Link.

After observing for a moment, Link surmised Ben's intent. "He's just practicing his acting skills. Why don't you head back to the hotel? I have two more scenes to shoot this afternoon."

"You carry on filming; don't mind me. I'll just wait here until you're done." Jennifer tiptoed to plant another kiss on him before settling onto a nearby couch, resting her chin on her hand as she watched Link work diligently.

"Scene 102, Take 2, action!"

*****

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