Lucas groaned as his phone buzzed, vibrating on the nightstand of his hotel room. He squinted at the caller ID, which read "Neil." Reluctantly, he answered the call.
"Lucas, I've got some great news for you!" Neil's excited voice practically leaped through the phone.
Lucas rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed. "What is it?"
"Warner Bros. Studios just offered you a huge project," Neil gushed. "They're starting with an initial offer of one million dollars, but of course, with your current popularity, we can negotiate for more."
Lucas chuckled. "Yeah, I kind of expected they'd come knocking."
Neil's enthusiasm deflated slightly. "Oh, really?"
"Yep," Lucas confirmed. "Actually, Todd and I met with their CEO, Barry. We pitched our script to him."
Neil's voice was tinted with skepticism. "So, did Barry actually agree to adapt your script into a movie or not?"
Lucas sighed. "Well, at first, he sounded hesitant and reluctant to consider our script. But after some back and forth, he agreed to give it a shot... on one condition."
"What's that?" Neil asked, intrigued.
"I'd have to star in their upcoming big-budget movie," Lucas revealed.
"Ah, I see," Neil said, understanding dawning on him. "So that's why you knew they'd come knocking."
"Exactly," Lucas confirmed. "But between you and me, I think Barry was already sold on our script after reading it. He just wanted to play hard to get and use the opportunity to secure me for their project."
"Haha, I can see that," Neil chuckled. "By the way, that's not the only good news I have for you, Lucas."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Bring it on."
"I bet you didn't know this," Neil said, his voice brimming with excitement. "You've got offers to voice lead characters in not one, but two upcoming animated movies!"
Lucas was taken aback. "Really? I didn't expect to get offers for voiceovers so soon. Disney Studios, huh?"
"Nope, even better," Neil corrected him. "DreamWorks Animation and Illumination Entertainment both want you on board for their next big projects. Both movies are slated for release next year."
Lucas whistled, impressed. "I never saw that coming."
"It seems these studios are banking on your star power to draw in the crowds," Neil explained. "They want a big name like yours to voice their main characters."
Lucas considered the offers for a moment. "Alright, if it fits with my schedule, I'm game."
"Don't worry, we've got you covered," Neil assured him. "You'll voice the DreamWorks movie later on, but Illumination Entertainment is starting voice recordings in a week, so get ready for that."
"No problem, as long as it doesn't clash with my other commitments," Lucas said, mentally running through his packed schedule.
"Trust me, everything's under control," Neil sounded confident.
"Great," Lucas said, relieved. "Alright, I'll let you handle the details. I've gotta go over some lines for this Warner Bros. project."
"Will do, and good luck with the new role!" Neil said before hanging up.
***
Meanwhile, at the Warner Bros. lot, a group of executives gathered in the conference room to discuss the script Lucas had presented to Barry Meyer. The air was thick with anticipation as they debated the merits of the standalone Joker villain movie.
"It's certainly an intriguing concept," one executive began, tapping his pen on the table. "But it's so different from our previous DC films. It's too grounded and dark. The story doesn't even follow the comics closely."
Barry Meyer, the CEO, leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. "I know, but you can't deny it's a fresh take on the genre."
Vince Knight, a director and executive at the studio, nodded in agreement. "It is... But who in their right mind pitched this to you, Barry? That guy must be a few clowns short of a circus."
The room erupted in nervous laughter, punctuated by knowing glances and raised eyebrows.
Barry Meyer, unfazed by the skepticism, leaned forward on the table. "It doesn't matter who brought us this idea. What matters is that it's a game-changer for our DC franchise. We need something different, something that will make people sit up and take notice."
Another executive wasn't convinced. "I hear you, but it's just so... unconventional. It doesn't fit with the tone we've established so far."
Vince interjected, "That's exactly why we should consider it. We can't keep doing the same old thing and expect different results. Besides, it's worth a shot, isn't it?"
The room erupted in heated discussion as the executives were split down the middle. Half of them were intrigued by the script's potential, while the other half remained skeptical about straying too far from their tried-and-tested formula.
After the meeting, Barry Meyer dialed Lucas's number.
"Lucas, I just pitched your script to the executives," he began cautiously. "I'm afraid they have some reservations."
"Let me guess," Lucas said, his voice laced with sarcasm, "Too dark, too realistic for their taste?"
"Well, yes," Barry admitted. "They're worried it might alienate our core audience. Maybe you can... tone it down a bit."
"No can do," Lucas refused adamantly. "The darkness, the realism—that's what makes it stand out. If we water it down, we might as well not make it at all."
Barry sighed, sensing the actor's stubbornness. "I understand where you're coming from, but they also have a point. The script doesn't really fit with the existing DC movie continuity, and it strays far from the comic source material."
Lucas scoffed. "And that's exactly why it has a chance to succeed! You guys are so worried about sticking to the same old formula, it's no wonder Marvel is leaving you in the dust!"
Barry Meyer's eyebrows shot up at the actor's audacity.
"What do you mean?" Barry asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of defensiveness.
"I mean, instead of focusing on individual superhero movies with their own worlds and timelines, true to the comics, you could expand the DC franchise. You can simply explain to the fans that, say, the 'Joker' film exists in its own parallel DC world, separate from the previous Batman movies. That way, we can explore different takes on these characters without worrying about messing up your precious established DC movies."
A spark of interest ignited in Barry's eyes. "That's... actually not a bad idea."
Lucas pressed on, sensing his advantage. "Exactly! Imagine the possibilities, Barry. You could have standalone movies for each hero, like Batman or Superman, and then crossovers when they need to team up. It's a goldmine waiting to happen! And you could call it the 'DC Extended Universe'."
Barry fell silent, his mind racing. He remembered the abandoned "Batman vs. Superman" project, deemed too far-fetched to ever work. How could they possibly explain these two iconic characters meeting in the same world?
Lucas's words, however, had planted a seed of an idea in Barry's head.
"What do you think? Wouldn't that cover everything for a standalone Joker film?" Lucas asked.
Barry rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "DC Extended Universe, huh? It has a nice ring to it. I'll run it by the board, but no promises, alright?"
As he hung up the phone, Barry couldn't help but smile. The DC Extended Universe was about to become a reality.
---
In the next Warner Bros. meeting, Barry pitched the idea of expanding the DC franchise. He could see the executives mulling it over, weighing the pros and cons.
Finally, the majority of them agreed that the "DC Extended Universe" concept had potential. The idea of a shared universe with multiple superheroes crossovers was too enticing to pass up.
One executive chimed in, "Even if one movie flops, it won't tank the entire franchise. It's just one world within the vast DC multiverse."
The room buzzed as they began brainstorming the endless storytelling possibilities and the potential for box office gold.
---
Later that day, Barry called Lucas again, informing him that the studio executives were now open to the idea of a "DC Extended Universe" after he pitched his suggestions in the meeting.
Lucas couldn't help but chuckle to himself, finding it amusing that his offhand comment had sparked the studio's interest in creating the "DC Extended Universe" ahead of schedule. Especially the fact that the term "DC Extended Universe" was a joke coined by the media in his previous life.
"Although we've greenlit your script, adapting it for the big screen will take some time," Barry explained to Lucas. "There's a lot of research to be done, so don't expect your script on the production front for at least a few weeks, maybe even months or a year or two."
Lucas smiled, "I understand. I'll agree to the condition of starring in your studio's upcoming project, so don't disappoint me on this."
"Don't worry. With the solid script you've provided, the studio might even choose to adapt it much earlier," Barry assured him.
After hanging up, Lucas called Todd and Scott to share the good news. Their elation was palpable through the phone, and they immediately suggested celebrating the milestone.
***
A few days later, on August 25th, 20111, the highly anticipated episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" featuring Lucas as the guest was about to be aired. Fans across the United States and in other countries with access to the show tuned in, eagerly awaiting his appearance on their screens.
Fans couldn't contain their excitement as the highly anticipated interview with Lucas on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show".
"Finally! I've been waiting for this since I saw the commercial!" one fan gushed.
"I saw the preview where a girl was crying," another fan chimed in. "The narrator said Lucas made her cry. I wonder what he could have possibly done to her."
"Ugh, that's just the show's editing team at work, trying to create drama for ratings," a third fan interjected.
"I hope you're right," the second fan replied, sounding skeptical.
The buzz around the interview stemmed from the preview clips that had been released, which showed a young woman visibly distraught and the audience looking upset. Viewers were left wondering if the scenes were genuine or simply a ploy to garner more viewers.