Hollywood Director 1992

Ding-ling-ling!

“Link, I saw on the news that Warner Bros. has announced you as the director of the *Batman* sequel. Is that true?”

“It's true.”

“Wow, that's fantastic! That's really great news, congratulations!”

After the news broke, many people called to inquire about the situation, including Ben Affleck, who was currently speaking.

“It's just a job, not really great news.”

In his office, Link was on the phone while writing the *Batman 3* shooting plan on his computer.

“Haha, of course it is. I heard that the budget for the *Batman* sequel is over a hundred million dollars. It's a real blockbuster. You're directing a big production with a budget of over a hundred million dollars. Isn't that good news?”

Ben Affleck laughed.

“The reason my films don't cost much is because my films don't need to spend that much money, not because I don't have the opportunity to direct big productions, understand? Besides congratulating me, do you have anything else? I have work to do here.”

“Wait, Link! I heard that Michael Keaton isn't planning to continue starring in *Batman 3*. *Batman 3* will be re-casting a new Batman. What do you think of me? I'm handsome, a great actor, and I've been a Batman fan since I was a kid. If you're willing to let me play this role, I'll definitely be so excited that I'll faint.”

Michael Keaton was the lead actor in the first two *Batman* films. After Warner Bros. announced a change of director and script, Michael Keaton subsequently announced that he would give up the role.

“You? I'm afraid it's not suitable.”

“Why? Link, we're friends, the closest partners. We've worked together on four films, more than anyone else. Our relationship is like Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. If we continue to work together, in the future, I'll become an Oscar-winning actor, and you'll become an Oscar-winning director. Our relationship will definitely become a legend in the world of cinema, right?”

Ben Affleck babbled on.

Link continued to type on the keyboard, “What are you saying? The signal here is bad. Make it short.”

“Okay, Link, how about letting me play Batman? You said I'm the most talented but a little lazy actor you've ever worked with. After hearing your evaluation, I've been studying acting every day. My acting is now better than when I filmed *Seven*. If we have the opportunity to work together again, I'll definitely give you a surprise.”

“I'm afraid not. The production team is planning to use A-list stars to play the new Batman to ensure the film's box office success. Your box office appeal may not be enough.”

“How could that be? *Seven* was a global hit, and my popularity has also increased sharply, no less than those top stars. It's also very suitable for me to play Batman.”

“Okay, I'll seriously consider the feasibility of you starring in Batman.”

Hanging up the phone, Link continued to write the shooting plan for the *Batman* sequel, including the film's style positioning, set design, cast selection to be determined, prop design and manufacturing, action direction team, and so on.

After writing these terms clearly, Warner Bros. will evaluate them one by one to estimate the cost of shooting this film.

For this reason, he also specially designed a new car and a new suit for Batman, as well as a variety of cool weapons.

If *Batman 3* does well at the box office, it can continue to be used when filming *Batman 4*, and it won't be a waste.

Ding-ling-ling!

Not long after hanging up the phone, assistant Annie told him that director Quentin was online and asked if he wanted to answer it.

Link answered the phone and asked Quentin what was the matter.

“Link, I heard that you are preparing to direct the *Batman* sequel. Is this news true?”

Quentin asked in a heavy tone.

Link said yes.

“Link, you're confused. We are independent film directors. How can we make films for the Big Seven film companies? And filming a standard commercial film like *Batman*? This is definitely not a good idea. I advise you to give up this project.”

Quentin said sharply.

Independent films, in a broad sense, refer to films that are different from the mainstream film system of the country.

The mainstream film system in the United States is the Big Seven film companies. The films of the Big Seven film companies are completely market-oriented, hoping to obtain the greatest profit.

This mode of operation will bring a lot of funds to the development of the film industry, but it also limits the creative space of filmmakers, making everyone look at ‘money’.

In order to get rid of the control of big studios, some filmmakers raise funds themselves, write and direct themselves, and make films according to their own ideas. This type of film is also called ‘independent film’.

In Link's films, *Buried*, *The Blair Witch Project*, and *The Butterfly Effect* belong to the independent film type, and the types of the other films are more mainstream, belonging to mainstream commercial films.

This is also one of the points that he was attacked by the media after becoming a famous director.

The media believes that in order to cater to the market, he has given up his personal style and is full of copper smell. He also talked about this issue when he participated in the ‘Billy Says Movies’ interview last time. At that time, his explanation was that he was too poor and had no choice.

Now that he has announced that he will direct a standard commercial film like *Batman*, it is tantamount to completely becoming a commercial film director.

Link doesn't care about this change.

The truly top directors only make good films, and don't care whether the films are mainstream or non-mainstream. For example, directors James Cameron, Spielberg, and Ridley Scott, they perfectly integrate artistry and commerciality in their films, reaping both box office and word-of-mouth success.

Link is also working hard to become this type of director, so he doesn't care about those external labels.

There is no mistake in a first song, a first send, an inner, a tolerance, a look, a look!

“I didn't originally intend to accept it, but Warner Bros. offered too high a salary, and I couldn't refuse.”

Link said.

“Oh, how much salary did Warner Bros. give you?”

“Almost 30 million US dollars.”

“How much? ! ! ! 30 million? You want 30 million US dollars to make a film?”

Quentin's voice was too sharp, a little broken.

“Yes, they gave too much, and I couldn't refuse.”

Link laughed.

There was silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.

“Link, I still don't think this is a good idea. You have a net worth of over a billion, and you are not short of money at all. There is no need to make that kind of film for a mere 30 million US dollars. Doing so is like an Oscar-winning actor going to San Fernando Valley to shoot a pornographic film. It's too decadent.”

When saying ‘only 30 million US dollars’, Quentin almost gritted his teeth.

“Quentin, there is one thing you said wrong. Although I have some money, I am also short of money. You know, I have many girlfriends, and it costs me five or six million US dollars to buy them gifts every year. If I don't find a way to make more money, the billion or so I have on hand won't be enough to spend.”

“So you took this kind of film for women? Link, you are so disappointing.”

“Okay, there is a little bit of that. How is your new film coming along?”

After chatting for a few words, Link hung up the phone and continued to write and draw.

Only a few minutes later, assistant Annie reminded him that there was a phone call coming in. Ms. Nicole Kidman had something to ask him.

Link asked Annie to transfer the call.