"Stop! This one is a pass!" someone called out.
In the studio, Nolan rose from behind the director's monitor and approached the set. He turned to the heroine, Maggie, and said, "Maggie, your performance has been outstanding. You're crucial to us."
Applause erupted from the entire crew, including Martin, in honor of Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Today marked the film's official completion as all the scenes featuring the heroine had been shot.
Maggie Gyllenhaal, caught up in the recent positive vibe of the crew, wiped her tear-filled eyes with her hands and kept thanking everyone around her. "Thank you, everyone..."
Emma Thomas handed her a box, embraced Maggie, and then placed it in her hands. "You've delivered a flawless performance for the crew."
Maggie opened the box, revealing the prop necklace that Rachel had left for Batman. She took it out and put it on, exclaiming, "This is the most significant moment in my acting career!"
Nolan approached, shook her hand, exchanged a few polite words, and discreetly retreated.
The perceptive screenwriter had already approached Nolan on his own initiative, not waiting for a summons.
Nolan was about to speak when he noticed Maggie Gyllenhaal heading towards Martin. He promptly raised his hand, signaling the screenwriter to wait.
Maggie reached the actor's resting area, found Martin, and said, "I originally wanted to ask the crew for a memento, but they don't have it now. They said you might have it." Martin was surprised, "What memento?"
Maggie gestured and said, "The handmade Joker figurine, the one you gave to Sibi Blažić that day, it's fantastic, but the crew didn't prepare it."
"Consider it done," Martin signaled to Bruce.
Bruce retrieved a long gift box from his bag, handed it over, and then passed it to Martin.
Martin handed the gift to Maggie, saying, "A purely hand-engraved version."
Maggie opened it and examined the unique sculpture. She smiled and expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Martin."
Martin grinned and replied, "You're very welcome."
Maggie Gyllenhaal left the studio, content with her gift.
Nolan later shared with the screenwriter, "Maggie Gyllenhaal, who played Rachel, fell in love with Martin during filming, but her feelings were unreciprocated. Before leaving the set, she requested a specially crafted clown sculpture from Martin as a keepsake..."
A small and medium-sized gossip scandal took shape, officially certified by the screenwriter.
Morgan Freeman, who had stayed in the background, observed how Nolan had added a new dimension to directing in Hollywood – the art of hype.
Meanwhile, Martin pondered why handmade clown statues always had an allure for women. He had a hunch that if the film became a box office hit, the sales of such merchandise would skyrocket.
The crew bid farewell to Maggie Gyllenhaal and, a few days later, to Morgan Freeman.
Martin had established a good rapport with the older actor and offered Freeman a memento.
Freeman hesitated, saying, "I'm a man; I don't need this."
Martin was surprised, "It's not about gender."
After some thought, Freeman agreed, "Alright, I'll accept it."
The two even discussed the possibility of collaborating again.
Freeman reciprocated with a gift, a nutcracker he had crafted himself.
Martin stored it carefully and decided to create a glass display cabinet for such souvenirs in the future.
As Freeman prepared to leave the studio, he glanced at director Nolan, who was deep in conversation with the screenwriter. Whatever it was, Freeman was not concerned, as long as it didn't tarnish his reputation.
He was merely curious about the gossip Nolan had concocted about him.
...
The crew moved to Concord in the scorching summer. An abandoned candy processing factory had been transformed into a makeshift hospital, providing the backdrop for the next scenes.
Outside the factory, the convoy was securely parked. Martin, ready for his role, stepped into the makeup trailer.
Nolan directed the crew to set up the scene while pyrotechnicians prepared for an explosive sequence. Converted ambulances were strategically placed in the parking lot, surrounded by real ambulances and fire trucks, all manned by professionals on standby.
In the makeup trailer, Martin completed his transformation into a nurse. Bruce, sitting nearby, teased him about his appearance.
Martin, in jest, offered to fund Bruce's endeavors, but the latter had set his sights on a different mission.
Martin wished him the best, and Bruce humorously remarked, "Perhaps it's destiny that brought me to them."
As summer approached, the relentless heat continued to rise.
Beneath the scorching sun, the crew bid farewell to Atlanta and made their way to the southern city of Concord.
A substantial distance from urban life, they discovered a vast, abandoned candy processing factory, meticulously converted into a facade of a hospital. A dedicated construction team, hired by the crew, was responsible for this transformation.
Their convoy was safely parked just outside the factory premises.
Martin exited his vehicle and entered the makeup trailer to prepare for his role.
Under Nolan's direction, the crew diligently set up the scene. A team of experienced pyrotechnicians occupied crucial points within the hospital, preparing to orchestrate a grand fireworks display.
A converted ambulance, once an aging vehicle, was towed to the parking lot adjacent to the hospital building.
Furthermore, several actual ambulances and fire trucks arrived at the perimeter, with skilled professionals ready to take precautionary measures.
In the makeup trailer, Martin concluded his makeup application, donned a white nurse uniform, and placed a nurse's cap on his head.
Once the stylist had left, Bruce, seated nearby, made a lighthearted remark about adding stockings and prosthetics, suggesting an audacious encounter on the streets.
Martin inquired, "Are you interested in this escapade? I can assist you with the necessary funds and find the finest stylist."
He even took it a step further, "Alternatively, I could arrange a private jet to fly you straight to Thailand. All your worries would vanish, and you'd no longer be entangled with Kim and Khloe or plagued by problems."
Bruce, resolute, declared, "I've made a decision. I'm going to shoot a video with Kim, for Khloe."
Martin nodded, saying, "I wish you the best of luck, my friend."
Bruce smiled, reflecting, "Perhaps it was a twist of fate that brought me to them."
Just then, a knock sounded on the trailer door. Bruce opened it, revealing the assistant director, who informed Martin that it was time to prepare for the shoot.
Martin rose from his seat and exited the makeup trailer, following the assistant director to the camera setup.
Nolan awaited Martin at the location.
Bruce, however, didn't linger, and he proceeded into the hospital set to inspect it in advance.
Nolan removed his headphones and draped them around his neck. He pointed towards the large building, once brick red but now transformed into hospital white, and emphasized, "In this scene, there's only one opportunity for an explosion. You need to be swift in assuming your role."
Martin adjusted his nurse's cap and affirmed, "I'll head there shortly to become familiar with the position."
Nolan extended an invitation, "Let's go there together."
They strolled to the entrance of the hospital building and followed the paved path leading towards the location where the crew had set up the IMAX camera.
As they walked, Nolan provided instructions, "You'll walk from the door to here. Remember the line on the ground; it's the safety boundary set by the pyrotechnics team. After you cross this line, you'll activate the detonator."
Martin sought clarification, "Am I controlling the explosion?"
Nolan promptly shook his head, "Certainly not. A significant detonation like this is handled by the professionals! They will initiate the explosion when they see you activate the detonator. The explosion occurs in two stages, with a brief pause in the middle. It's scripted to create suspense—stating that the remote control fails…"
Martin grasped the concept, "To build dramatic tension."
Nolan chuckled, "Precisely."
The Hollywood film industry adheres to meticulous protocols, particularly with substantial productions and potentially perilous scenes like explosions. Any deviation from the planned execution would result in an immediate stop, followed by the implementation of safety precautions.
The initial script version Martin received described the Joker's act of blowing up the hospital where Harvey Dent had been injured.
However, in the latest script version, a clown scene was added amidst the explosions.
Nolan returned to oversee the IMAX camera setup.
Martin rehearsed his movements repeatedly, getting accustomed to the choreography.
Half an hour later, the pyrotechnics team conducted a final check of various safety measures and relayed the confirmation to director Nolan through their headsets. With Nolan's signal, filming officially commenced.
Dressed in a nurse's uniform, Martin waddled from the hospital door. He removed his white nurse's hat and cast it aside, revealing a remote control tucked into the pocket of his uniform.
Taking his position, he swiftly crossed the designated safety line and activated the remote control.
An explosive blast resounded, causing a section of the building behind Martin to crumble.
He glanced back, then at the remote control in his hand, tapping it a few times in curiosity.
This time, a series of explosions erupted, and massive structures collapsed with a thunderous roar.
Martin quickened his pace and rushed forward. Upon receiving signals from Nolan, he swiftly moved behind a safety barrier.
The entire hospital building collapsed, reduced to a pile of debris, with smoke and dust lingering in the air.
Several cameras continued to record the dramatic demolition.
It took a while for the set to return to silence.
Nolan announced through the loudspeaker that the shot had been successfully completed.
Martin approached the director's chair, gazing at the ruins with hands on his hips and offering a slight shake of his head.
Nolan reassured him, "It was an abandoned building. Don't be too concerned."
Martin replied calmly, "No, I'm not concerned. Imagine the splendid fireworks it would be if this happened at night."
Nolan turned to look at Martin, suddenly inspired, and signaled for the screenwriter to join them to concoct a rumor in front of Martin.
Nolan preluded, "This is pure gossip." He continued, "During the hospital scene, Martin pressed the remote control and discovered that the explosion abruptly halted after beginning. It seemed as though something unexpected occurred." Martin understood that all of this was scripted.
It became apparent that many past rumors might have been deliberately circulated by the crew.
Nolan went on, "Martin realized that reshooting the explosion scene would be challenging, so he took a bold move. He hit the remote control hard, reestablishing any potentially loose connections, and the explosion resumed as intended! Martin's improvisational act saved this crucial and costly scene."
The screenwriter scribbled away while secretly glancing at Martin, pondering whether such an edit could be discussed in front of the actual protagonist.
Martin chimed in, "Director, this is an exhilarating scene to perform."
The more Nolan observed Martin, the more he appreciated him. Martin not only cooperated seamlessly with the crew but also grasped the director's vision. He was a source of immense relief compared to others like Bale.
This was the kind of actor Nolan admired.
Nolan cautioned, "These are just hearsay rumors. When promoting the film in the future, if media reporters inquire about these details, you can opt to remain silent or provide ambiguous answers."
Martin agreed, "I will."
With the scene successfully wrapped up, the crew promptly retreated to Atlanta.
Before returning to the city, Martin received notice that Nicholson and Leonardo were coming to visit the set.