America Tycoon: The Wolf of Showbiz

Ever since Martin Scorsese received the Best Director award at the Oscar ceremony and specially thanked the Trio of Scoundrels, their notoriety echoed throughout North America.

No one knew how many people, like Kate Blanchett and Christian Bale, were waiting to watch the drama of the trio turning against each other.

Nicholson's rant against Martin, which also involved Warner Bros. and DC Comics' big project "The Dark Knight," immediately attracted countless eyeballs.

After consulting with the production team, Martin quickly responded.

"Jack's Joker is still a classic, I believe he perfectly portrayed Tim Burton's vision of the Joker," Martin said, "but the Joker in The Dark Knight is absolutely different from the previous ones. Compared to Jack's version, this one has many more nuances to play with, and I'm confident in portraying this character."

This response stirred up a hornet's nest.

Nicholson, taking the stance of the trio's top dog, with the authority of a three-time Oscar winner, started directing again.

"Success comes from polishing, effort, and talent," he said. "Acting isn't just slapping on a beard, wearing a wig, or gaining and losing weight. I remind my little brother with years of experience that you must endure the truth that needs polishing."

Martin sparred with Nicholson through the media, "You told me, when you face difficulties, to stop complaining, don't hesitate, muster all the courage, and just fucking do it!"

Nicholson shot back through the media, "If it's hard, go for it, but be careful with your farts!"

Countless gossip media went into a frenzy of interpretation, all believing Nicholson was mocking Martin this way, telling him to be careful with what he says.

In just a couple of days, the war of words between Martin and Nicholson became the focus of all American entertainment gossip, with almost all entertainment media paying close attention and even making it to Google's trending searches.

The media and the onlookers like nothing better than a prodigal's return, and equally, a brotherly falling out.

"Martin and Jack's friendship is over."

"Because of a Joker, the two have officially split!"

"The Joker's influence is damn huge; it hasn't even appeared on screen yet, and it already brought down Hollywood's Trio of Scoundrels."

"Beware of the Joker, it can cause a mental breakdown."

The widespread reports from the media and the keen interest from the audience quickly spread the news of The Dark Knight and the Joker, making it the hottest gossip topic in America.

"Did the Trio of Scoundrels really have a falling out?"

In the hotel room, Blanchett was also following the gossip and asked Bale, "Are Martin Davis and Nicholson going to split?"

Bale, who had been enjoying the gossip, said with a smile, "They're probably going to be at each other's throats."

"Dog eat dog," Blanchett said with hatred, "I really hope they get into a fight."

Bale pondered and said, "Once we officially start filming, I'll secretly stir things up. Maybe they really will come to blows."

Blanchett leaned in, "That would be great."

Seeing Blanchett close at hand, Bale suddenly stepped back, "And there's Leonardo, all such damn bastards."

Blanchett grabbed Bale by the arm, "Shouldn't we celebrate this?"

Bale, recalling the torn sponge at Pine Forest Film Studio because of Blanchett, felt apprehensive and uninspired.

He had lost much interest in that area, "Uh, some other time, I've got things to do."

Without waiting for Blanchett to reply, Bale broke free from her grasp, picked up his phone, and ran off.

Blanchett, infuriated, called out, "Useless man."

Bale did indeed have something urgent on his hands. After leaving the hotel, he went to the Santa Monica Sun Hotel to see Heath Ledger off to the airport for his return to New York.

Brothers come before women, after all.

......

The verbal battle between Martin and Nicholson inevitably spilled over onto Leo, the other member of the trio.

A reporter went to interview Leonardo.

Leonardo stated he would invite Martin and Nicholson to dine together and discuss the matter.

On an ordinary spring morning, Leonardo arrived first at the Los Angeles Country Club.

A dozen paparazzi followed behind him, with even more continuously arriving from Los Angeles.

In less than half an hour, fifty or sixty reporters and paparazzi had gathered at the entrance of the country club.

All camera equipment was set up.

To the most absurd extent, two television stations each sent a broadcast truck over.

After not too long, a stretch Lincoln parked in front of the club and Jack Nicholson got out. Glancing at the reporters surrounding him, he entered the country club.

Seven or eight minutes later, a Cadillac drove through the crowd, Martin got out expressionless, and entered the country club alone.

"Too bad we can't join in."

"Who has a connection inside the country club, go find out what's up right now!"

The reporters all wanted to see Martin and Nicholson come to blows.

The Trio of Scoundrels met in the lobby, Martin and Nicholson glanced at one another, neither speaking, with displeasure on their faces.

Leonardo said, "Let's find a place to talk."

The three of them entered a private lounge.

Several country club attendants sent out messages at the first opportunity.

"The two were extremely dissatisfied with each other."

"They got angry, almost came to blows."

In fact, as soon as the lounge door closed, Martin burst out laughing, "Fun! This is so much fun!"

Nicholson said, "The feeling of playing the media is just too damn good!"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Hey! Hey! Be serious!" Leonardo got annoyed, emphasizing, "Have some professional ethics of an actor, will you? You're in the middle of a conflict, about to become sworn enemies!"

Martin sat on the single sofa, crossed his legs, "Leo, do you want to join in?"

Leonardo shook his head, saying, "Don't you think mediating between you guys suits me better?"

Nicholson retorted, "Like the President of the United States mediating between Israel and Palestine?"

Martin laughed, "That's a damn good comparison!"

Leonardo said, "Can't help it, I entered the scene too early."

Nicholson laughed as well, "Found something more interesting later?"

Martin got a bit more serious, "Didn't Warner Bros. and DC approach you?"

"They did," Nicholson said with an air of mystery, "Know what they told me?"

Martin, adept at hype and marketing, could guess Warner Bros. and DC's thoughts with his toes, and said, "Nolan and Emma Thomas have been fanning the flames in front of me, urging me to counterattack your bombardment; from this, it's not hard to deduce, as a Warner Bros. and DC old timer, that you'd definitely be asked to hit me even harder."

"You truly are the one with the shittiest ideas in the Trio of Scoundrels," Nicholson gave Martin a thumbs up, "Those bastards, for the sake of drawing attention, for commercial interests, deliberately provoke our relationship, wanting us to actually turn against each other."

Martin nodded, "Very normal, the investment in this film is too high, including the promotion costs, it's estimated to be around 270 to 300 million US dollars. Without enough heat, how can it attract people?"

Leonardo reminded, "Batman is the second most popular superhero in America, you know."

Nicholson, having played in a Batman movie, saw it clear, "Without attracting enough support from the general audience, it is too difficult for the film to make massive profits. Don't forget, there have been major disasters in Batman movies."

Martin said, "What Jack and I are doing is, to a certain extent, attracting the attention of the general public."

Leonardo asked, "Is that all?"

Martin revealed some information appropriately, "Jack is actually a weathervane. All of the initial negative criticisms are to lay the groundwork for the reviews of my role after the film's release. Now that he's being flattened mercilessly, the later praise will attract more attention, especially with Jack being such an acting powerhouse."

But Nicholson said, "If you screw up your performance, I will definitely not change the direction of the wind but will bombard you even more fiercely!"

Martin had no objections, "Jack Nicholson is a quintessential representative of Hollywood's actors, I can't possibly let him gamble with decades of reputation."

He seemed serious, "Jack, if I really mess it up, just blaze away at me with your cannons, I won't fight back."

Leonardo immediately replied, "I want to give Martin a blessing that both your film and your role will crash and burn."

Martin looked agonizingly torn, "I treat you guys like brothers, but you treat me like an enemy!"

Nicholson got angry, raising his voice, "Who the hell kicked my ass? Who, you bastard!"

A passing waiter outside overheard this sentence and, not daring to linger, quickly walked on.

Turning into an unnoticed corner, he took out his phone, composed a message, and sent it to the reporters outside, "Martin kicked Jack's ass."

The reporter who received the message couldn't help but laugh, the two bastards have turned against each other, actual proof!

In the lounge, Leonardo checked the time and said, "Time's about right, you two leave one after the other, make it believable."

Nicholson said, "Of the three people here, you're the one with the least reliable acting!"

Martin, looking at Nicholson who had wealth and leisure and found fun in every situation, said, "Old Jack, I envy you so much, perpetually busy with endless pleasures."

Nicholson laughed heartily, "When you reach my age, you'll understand, you've got to live freely. Life's too damn short, you must live it to the full!"

Leonardo said, "But you also need money to do that."

Martin didn't pay attention to Leonardo, already in character, and was the first to open the door and leave the lounge.

Many waiters watching the place cast their glances, just by seeing Martin's gloomy face, they knew things weren't going well.

Then, the sound of Leonardo and Nicholson arguing faintly seeped out from the lounge.

Not long after, Nicholson, usually all smiles, left the lounge without a trace of laughter on his face.

At the same time, Martin left the club's main entrance.

Reporters and paparazzi swarmed around him, asking loudly, "How did your talk go?"

"Did you guys fight?"

Martin looked up, his brooding demeanor silencing many instinctively.

He didn't say a word, just got in his car and left.

The reporters hadn't dispersed when Nicholson came out, and they surrounded him with questions.

Nicholson casually remarked, "Nothing worth mentioning, the young people nowadays are just too arrogant and haughty."

Martin's demeanor, coupled with Nicholson's comment, was enough.

The reporters and paparazzi scattered, rushing back to write their stories.

It could be foreseen that the news of Martin Davis's feud and his kicking of Jack Nicholson's ass would dominate the entertainment pages of various newspapers tomorrow.