Chapter 570: Downey and the Joker

"It's finally over."

When Duke called a wrap, the three actors on set walked over. Scarlett Johansson exaggerated a yawn and said, "These past six months have felt like living in purgatory. This is the hardest movie I've ever shot."

"I'm jealous. You get to return to your happy life."

Robert Downey Jr. chimed in, "While I still have to wallow in purgatory."

"Is my set really that terrifying?" Duke looked up from behind the monitor. "Do you need me to add an extra scene just for you two?"

"That is completely unnecessary."

The flying sequence relying on Motion Capture had already made Robert Downey Jr. regret everything. He quickly added, "Duke, I think I have enough screen time. You should consider Scar instead."

Samuel Jackson checked the time and said to Duke, "I have an appointment with Quentin Tarantino tonight. Duke, I'm going to take off."

"I'm throwing a party at my place tonight..."

Hearing this, Samuel Jackson hesitated for a moment, but ultimately shook his one-eyed head. "Sorry, Duke. I made plans with Quentin a few days ago."

The first actor Duke had locked in for Iron Man was Scarlett Johansson, while the first actor Marvel Comics had secured for the entire franchise was Samuel Jackson.

In the already published Ultimate Version comics from Marvel, the character Nick Fury was depicted as a Black American. Everything from his appearance to his personality and behavior had been modeled after Samuel Jackson, with his explicit consent. In return, Samuel Jackson, having received a hefty paycheck, was playing the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the film franchise.

After leaving Warner Studios, many from the crew headed to Duke Manor to attend Duke's party. However, since they had to resume filming the next day, the gathering was limited to just drinks and didn't devolve into a typical wild Hollywood bash.

"Duke, I heard the Joker will be the main villain in your next Batman movie?"

Holding a large mug of beer, Robert Downey Jr. found Duke. "What do you think of me for it?"

He didn't look like he was joking; he clearly wanted to continue working with Duke.

"You want to play the Joker?" Duke obviously caught Robert Downey Jr.'s implication. "The role is extremely difficult, and it doesn't fit your usual acting style."

Every actor had roles that suited them perfectly and roles that didn't fit them at all. An actor who could flawlessly play absolutely any role simply didn't exist in this world.

"I think I can do it."

Perhaps because his performance during recent shoots had been getting better and better, Robert Downey Jr.'s confidence was rapidly recovering. "Someone once said that he's the best Joker in the world, and that no one can surpass his 1989 version of the character."

Duke frowned slightly. The person Robert Downey Jr. meant was obviously Jack Nicholson.

Robert Downey Jr. took a huge gulp of beer and, without waiting for Duke to ask, continued, "Jack Nicholson once mocked me and my father. He said we were a family of idiots. That the Downey Family is a degenerate bunch that only produces perverts and peeping toms. I want to show him up, but you know... I don't have the ability to do that right now."

Hearing this, Duke secretly dismissed the possibility, but he replied tactfully, "I'll think about it."

Even without the personal grudges involved, Duke didn't think Robert Downey Jr. was right for the Joker. There were no indispensable actors in this world, and Heath Ledger was no exception, but that didn't mean any actor fit any role. Robert Downey Jr.'s personal traits were clearly at odds with the Joker.

Duke had actually met Heath Ledger last year. Based on the timeline, he guessed that Heath had already joined Ang Lee's crew. As long as the conditions were right, he remained the top choice for the Joker.

As for whether he would end up dying because of it, that wasn't in Duke's scope of consideration at all. Besides, Heath Ledger's drug addiction wasn't a new development. Even without this film and this role, given his reckless drug use and his own personality, the probability of him eventually dying remained infinitely high.

Moreover, of all the Hollywood stars who died unnatural deaths, how many actually deserved sympathy?

River Phoenix died of a drug overdose, Whitney Houston drowned in a bathtub after taking drugs, David Carradine was killed playing sadomasochistic games with Thai ladyboys, Heath Ledger died of drug addiction...

This was indeed an industry that couldn't be judged by common sense. But there were plenty of stars who faced even greater pressure yet lived healthy lives. In the end, everyone chose their own path.

Taking a step back, what would be the consequences of rashly trying to save someone? This was a society that highly prioritized privacy and personal freedom. Prying into other people's secrets and privacy was usually a thankless task.

In matters like this, Duke would always just act as a bystander. Just like when Nicolas Cage faced a financial crisis, the most he could do was drop a few subtle hints.

Because there was a shoot the next day, the party ended before ten o'clock. Everyone, including Robert Downey Jr., gradually said their goodbyes and left. Only Scarlett Johansson lingered behind.

Stepping out of the banquet hall, Duke entered the villa's living room. Scarlett Johansson followed right behind him.

"Can I stay here tonight?" she asked suddenly.

Thanks to her mother's connection, there had always been a room for Scarlett Johansson in this villa.

Duke had also had a bit to drink tonight. Hearing this, he couldn't help but turn to look at her, an eyebrow slightly raised. "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

Although his gaze, like a hunter eyeing its prey, unconsciously reminded Scarlett of how Duke used to bully her when they were young, she still straightened her back. "Of course I'm staying. This is my home."

"Your home?" Duke stared at her.

Scarlett looked back at him with the same intense gaze. "Duke, you know what I went through in my childhood. It was you and my godmother who gave me the warmth of a family..."

At this point, a hint of resentment crept into her eyes. "Even though you gradually distanced yourself from me later just because of my trivial habit of being a chatterbox, I've always paid attention to you. Your growth, your success, and every achievement you've made—they've all accompanied me as I grew up..."

"I..." She suddenly sighed. "When a girl hits puberty and should start dating, I sadly realized that I had zero interest in guys my own age. I was so used to seeing someone rational, mature, and strong, that people my age were simply synonymous with childish and stupid in my eyes. And then, I realized that I liked mature men. Do you understand why that is?"

The original Scarlett Johansson had a heavy "older man complex" early in her career. The Scarlett Johansson standing in front of him had grown up following her mother, and her personality and disposition had changed quite a bit from her original self. Duke never expected that her unchanged "older man complex" was actually because of him.

That little girl who used to endlessly chatter in front of him had completely grown up.

Their relationship had indeed gone through a rather cold period due to Scarlett being a chatterbox and a troublemaker, but it had eventually led down this path anyway.

Just like with Ivanka Trump, when it was time to make a decision, Duke never lacked the courage to be decisive.

The next moment, Duke took Scarlett Johansson's hand and led her up the stairs to the second floor. In a blind spot he couldn't see, the corners of Scarlett's mouth suddenly curled up into a triumphant smile.

'This manor is about to welcome its second mistress,' the female housekeeper standing in the corner of the living room thought. Having served Duke for many years, she knew very well that Scarlett also had her own advantages. Compared to Ivanka Trump's incredibly troublesome father, Donald Trump, Scarlett Johansson's family was basically problem-free.

Scarlett Johansson and Ivanka Trump had entirely different personalities. Although her chatterbox and troublemaking tendencies had gradually diminished over the years, she still wasn't the reserved or quiet type.

However, Scarlett wouldn't have any business conflicts with Duke or the Rosenberg Family.

To this day, Donald Trump's investment in the Instant Sharing website remained a massive boulder lying between Duke and Ivanka Trump. Although they had broken up peacefully, they hadn't seen each other since, and Duke had never compromised when it came to Donald Trump's investment.

Ivanka Trump wanted to bring the Trump Family's capital into this company that Wall Street and countless IT tycoons were highly optimistic about, but Duke, who held veto power, was an insurmountable mountain.

Of course, Duke's career was in film, so it wasn't as if Instant Sharing couldn't be let go. He just didn't want Donald Trump, a man who had taken advantage of him countless times, to reap the profits.

Everyone had a bottom line in their heart. While Donald Trump's past actions weren't quite enough to trigger Duke's retaliation, they had definitely touched that line.

Besides, there were many companies interested in Duke's shares. He could easily use them to trade for things he wanted.

For example, the two founders of Google had always wanted to acquire Instant Sharing and had approached Duke a few times. However, they were somewhat hesitant about Duke's proposed share-swap method. After all, even with several rounds of stock dilution in recent years, Duke still held nearly twenty percent of Google's shares. If his stake continued to increase, it would inevitably affect their control over the company.

For a share-swap acquisition like this, it would be impossible not to offer Class A shares with voting rights.

Therefore, Google kept in constant contact with Duke. His shares in Instant Sharing weren't entirely off the table; what both sides needed to do was find a mutually acceptable compromise amidst their differences.

In addition, there was Apple. Steve Jobs was also very interested in the website, though his main energy was focused on developing a new Mobile Phone product. When Duke attended Apple's latest shareholder meeting, he even saw a concept version of this new product.