Morocco, Astra Studio
The atmosphere inside Astra Studios in Morocco was charged with anticipation. The sprawling film set sprawled across six studios, and although it was a grand endeavor, it was barely enough for Christopher Nolan, a true aficionado of live-action. Teams from Paris, Los Angeles, and Canada had been toiling tirelessly to construct other real-world locations needed for the film.
As Martin and Mene made their way from France, the final pieces of the puzzle fell into place. The primary cast had finally convened.
On that sunny morning, the bustling crew was hard at work when Michael Caine and Tom Hardy disembarked from a car. Their destination: the office building for a crucial meeting.
Just across from the Cadillac, two figures emerged.
Tom Hardy scratched his beard and quizzed, "Is that Martin?"
Before Michael Caine could respond, Martin strolled up to them with a friendly smile. "Long time no see," he greeted.
Recognizing the familiar grin, Michael Caine couldn't help but chuckle. He nodded in return. "Long time no see." With that, Martin briskly walked out of the parking area.
Curiosity got the better of Tom Hardy, and he couldn't resist asking, "Is this the guy who drove Bell to a psychological breakdown?"
Before Michael Caine could respond, Martin had already departed. Tom Hardy persisted, "Is he really that intimidating?"
Michael Caine's demeanor grew solemn. "You've been working in the UK, and there are some things you might not be aware of. Tom, in this crew, it doesn't matter if you upset anyone, even if it's Nolan himself. At worst, he'll replace you."
He offered a stern piece of advice. "But never provoke Martin Davis. Remember that."
Tom Hardy, who hadn't spent much time in Hollywood, was taken aback. "Is he really that formidable?"
Michael Caine clarified, "He's the real-life Joker, and even more terrifying."
Tom Hardy was now beginning to grasp the situation. "So, we just work together without interfering with each other?"
Michael Caine nodded in agreement and urged, "Let's get going."
Meanwhile, Martin proceeded directly to Nolan's office.
Nolan welcomed him with open arms, sharing a warm hug. "Congratulations on your Cannes win once again."
Martin chuckled in response. "Wishing you the best of luck this time."
Once seated, Nolan extended an enticing proposal. "When we promote this film, we can proudly include the Cannes Best Actor title alongside your Oscar win. It will have a significant impact in Europe."
Martin voiced his hopes, "Let's hope for another resounding success."
Nolan, with a contemplative expression, emphasized, "Success isn't solely contingent on the film itself. After 'The Dark Knight,' I've come to appreciate this fact more clearly. We must put extra thought into our marketing efforts."
Martin wholeheartedly agreed, "Chris, your insights in this area are always exceptional."
Having worked together on "The Dark Knight," they shared an unspoken understanding. Nolan grinned, "You bring an added energy to the crew and take on a multitude of responsibilities, which often inspires me."
His ease was especially evident when dealing with the intricacies of filming "The Dark Knight." It was an attribute that continually fueled his creative spirit, drawing inspiration from every facet of the crew's experiences.
A few minutes later, the two joined Emma Thomas into the conference room.
The rest of the main cast has arrived.
Martin glanced around, noting the presence of several key players, including Marion Cotillard, who portrayed his character's spouse. There was also Tom Hardy, whom he had just met, and Ellen Page and Ken Watanabe, among others.
Martin pulled out his chair and sat to the right of the conference table. Marion, seated across from him, offered a warm smile.
Martin nodded in acknowledgment.
Next to him, Ellen Page extended her hand and said, "Martin, we're meeting again."
Martin remembered their conversation at the Oscars. "Little Red Riding Hood in Hard Candy and Phantom Cat in X-Men are all characters I like very much."
He shook Ellen's hand lightly. "I didn't expect us to work together so soon."
Ellen, although petite, was a seasoned Hollywood actress. She leaned closer to Martin. "I am your assistant dream builder."
Martin smiled. "You're a good assistant."
Meanwhile, Tom Hardy pouted slightly, disdainful of Ellen's behavior.
It was not uncommon for the crew to form cliques. Three British actors, Michael Caine, Cillian Murphy, and Tom Hardy, sat together, forming a British gang. Martin, Mene, and Ellen Page constituted the American contingent.
Director Nolan presided over the conference table and addressed the group. "We're going to be working together for the next few months, and hopefully, everything will go smoothly."
With the script in hand, he continued, "Let's begin the script reading."
The script was notorious for its abstract and challenging narrative. The stars, however, were undeterred by its complexity, even though their literary talents would be thoroughly tested.
Astra Studios in Morocco buzzed with activity. Apart from Martin, Emma Thomas's special collaborator Mane was also present, along with other team members who continued to face challenges.
The planned morning script meeting had to be rescheduled and ended up stretching into an entire day. Christopher Nolan, undeterred by potential spoilers for the actors, meticulously fielded a barrage of questions to ease the upcoming filming process.
In addition to this, including Mene, members of Cobb's team were slated for essential physical and firearms training, given the numerous high-octane dream sequences in the movie.
For Martin, accustomed to adrenaline-pumping action scenes like those in "Fast and Furious," these training sessions were rather pedestrian. Mene, having worked alongside Martin for an extended period, proved to be above average in terms of firearm proficiency and physical agility.
As the day came to a close, Martin wrapped up his training and refreshed himself with a shower and a change of clothes. Upon returning to the office, he encountered Alan Horn, the CEO of Warner Pictures.
"Hello there," Martin greeted. "Do you have a moment? Let's have a chat."
Martin gestured toward the entertainment lounge area. "When did you arrive?"
Alan Horn replied, "I just touched down in Morocco this morning, and the crew was already here. This marks Warner Pictures' first major project next year."
Unlike "The Dark Knight," which was co-produced by Legendary Pictures and DC Comics, "Inception" marked Warner Pictures' debut as the primary producer and investor.
Martin quipped, "Are you worried about us?"
Alan Horn chuckled. "With you and Nolan joining forces, how could anything go wrong?" He referenced "The Dark Knight," which had achieved remarkable global box office success. "Your last film raked in a whopping $1.225 billion worldwide."
He continued, "Second only to James Cameron's Titanic."
Upon hearing James Cameron's name, Martin couldn't help but exclaim, "He's a directorial genius. It's truly exceptional for an original film to claim the title of highest-grossing worldwide."
Alan Horn concurred, "Indeed, there's only one James Cameron in Hollywood."
He added, "Your 'John Wick' didn't do too shabbily either. If I recall correctly, the production budget was a mere $40 million, and it's already grossed over $200 million in North America."
Martin provided a candid assessment, "We've nearly exhausted the market potential in North America. The total North American box office sits just above $200 million."
He remained modest, "We anticipate some gains overseas, and if the global box office crosses the $400 million mark, I'll consider it a divine blessing."
Alan Horn inquired, "Is a sequel in the works?"
Martin shared, "It's in the planning stages." He hinted at Daniel's involvement, saying, "Alan, Daniel has made some early moves."
Alan Horn sighed, "That guy doesn't waste any time."
Martin offered a knowing smile but refrained from commenting further. He had collaborated with Daniel and Louise many times for film releases, and they had always managed to find common ground.
Alan Horn then shifted the conversation, "Have you been keeping an eye on the North American summer box office recently?"
Martin responded, "I was at the Cannes Film Festival initially, where I stayed for half a month. Following the conclusion of the festival, I flew directly to Morocco. I haven't had the chance to closely monitor the North American summer season."
Alan Horn informed him, "Warner Pictures' major film investment project was released just last weekend." He was referring to "Terminator 2018," a project that had almost caused a rift between Martin and the studio.
Back then, Alan Horn had invited Martin to play the role of John Connor, the savior, but Martin had politely declined, leading to the eventual casting of Christian Bale.
Martin immediately understood the topic at hand and didn't probe further.
Alan Horn elaborated, "'Terminator 2018' didn't fare well. Both the critical reception and box office results were disappointing, falling short of Warner Pictures' expectations."
He sighed with disappointment. "The film has a Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating of just 33%, and the CinemaScore audience rating averages a C+."
Alan Horn continued, sounding disheartened. "Its North American opening weekend barely scraped together $42.25 million."