As one of the most renowned producers in the business, Charles was certainly aware of the shifting social landscape, the growing importance of political correctness around Black representation in Hollywood, the increasing share of minority audiences in theaters, and, most importantly, the fact that films featuring Black protagonists often generated a dia frenzy and held significant appeal for left-leaning viewers.
"A Black actor as Green Lantern?" he muttered.
Charles had so reservations about it; after all, in the comics, Hal Jordan was unapologetically white.
But at the sa ti, he felt it was a feasible option.
After all the maneuvering, this was clearly what Matthew had been aiming for. Seeing Charles lost in thought, he smiled. "I was just thinking about Wonder Woman's feminism and ntioned it in passing."
Charles shook his head quickly. "It's an interesting idea."
Feigning embarrassnt, Matthew said, "I just thought the film should be in step with the social climate."
"That's reasonable." Charles, however, was clearly taking it seriously. "But if the lead is a Black actor, will it affect the choices of white audiences...?"
Hearing this, Matthew made a show of contemplating the question before speaking.
"Isn't that simple? Just find a Black actor who's extrely popular with white audiences."
Charles nodded. "That's one way to approach it."
He smiled, changing the subject. "We can talk about this later. The project is still in the early planning stages, and there are too many aspects to consider. It's a sha you can't play the lead."
"All I can say is that I'm truly sorry," Matthew sighed. "I'm just not interested in doing a superhero film."
At his current stage, there was absolutely no need to rely on a superhero movie to enhance his fa.
They chatted for a few more minutes before Matthew took his leave. Charles saw him out and then returned to the couch, sinking back into his thoughts.
Of course, he wasn't going to alter key elents of a massive $250 million project based on a few casual words, but Matthew's suggestion had reminded him that "Green Lantern" could take a different path.
During his earlier eting with Kevin Tsujihara, they had both acknowledged that DC's comic book films were a step behind Marvel's. In truth, they both knew that if you included "X-n" and "Spider-Man," DC was more than just one step behind.
Marvel had already launched its Avengers initiative. Although DC's Justice League had appeared in the comics much earlier—and the Avengers were, in fact, an imitation of the Justice League—Marvel was already ahead when it ca to films, which were far more influential than comics. Even if DC launched the Justice League now, it would inevitably be seen as a follower.
To break out of this predicant, perhaps they really did need to take so extraordinary asures.
To ensure the film's success, he, along with Warner Bros. and DC Comics, had opted for the safest approach with the script. The male lead also needed to be a sure bet, but Matthew Horner had refused, unwilling to even discuss it...
"A Black actor who would be acceptable to the vast majority of white audiences..."
Charles's mind drifted back to Matthew's seemingly offhand remark, and a na surfaced in his mind—Will Smith.
Looking across all of Hollywood, there was only one Black actor who was embraced by the majority of the white audience and had a proven track record at the box office.
Suddenly, his phone rang. Charles pulled it out to answer.
"Charles, I was told Matthew just left your office," Kevin said from the other end. "How did your conversation go?"
"He refused."
Kevin's voice held a note of surprise. "Refused? Why?"
"Sa reason he turned down 'Iron Man'—he doesn't want to do a superhero movie," Charles explained briefly. He then added, "Kevin, I have so new ideas about the 'Green Lantern' project I want to discuss with you. Do you have ti now? I'll co over."
Charles hung up, left the eting room, and took the elevator up to the floor where Kevin's office was located.
---
anwhile, Matthew left the building and headed toward the adjacent Warner Studios lot. He had originally planned to stop by Akiva Goldsman's office to chat, but he was surprised to find Goldsman wasn't there. Then he rembered that the cast of "The Burning Plain," the film Charlize Theron was in, had also been shooting at Warner Studios recently after returning from location. He started down the studio's refurbished road, making his way toward their soundstage.
The film Charlize was starring in had been through a series of twists and turns. Filming had begun last year but had been plagued by funding shortages, the writers' strike, third-party disputes, and a host of other problems. As a result, shooting still wasn't complete.
When he had spoken to Charlize on the phone a while back, he'd heard her ntion that the film was originally slated for release during this year's holiday season, but due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, it had been pushed to next year's holiday season.
As he walked along the studio road, Matthew's thoughts returned to his earlier eting with Charles. The producer seed to have taken his suggestion to heart, but whether Warner Bros. and DC Comics would actually go for it remained to be seen.
For a top-tier project with a budget of $250 million, any major decision regarding the main character had to be handled with extre caution.
Charles definitely wouldn't rush into making Green Lantern a Black character just because of what he'd said.
As for whether Charles would think of Will Smith, he couldn't guarantee that either.
But then again, how many truly A-list Black actors were there in Hollywood?
In any case, he had laid the trap with very little effort. Whether Will Smith would fall into it was now a matter of chance.
If the trap failed, he wasn't too concerned. He would just find another opportunity later.
When he was almost at the soundstage, Matthew called Charlize, and to his surprise, she quickly ca out to et him.
"What happened?" Matthew asked, seeing Charlize in casual clothes with barely any makeup on. "No filming today?"
Charlize shook her head. "Don't even get
started."
She stood right outside the soundstage door. "The director was hit by a piece of the set during filming and was taken to the hospital an hour ago. Filming has been suspended again, so we have no idea when we'll be able to resu."
Matthew nodded in understanding. "The film has been in production for nearly a year, hasn't it?"
Charlize replied, "At this rate, I don't think it'll be finished in another year."
Matthew advised, "Charlize, after this film, don't take on any more independent movies financed by small companies."
Charlize nodded. "The lessons I've learned will last a lifeti."
She unconsciously raised a hand and made a gesture. "I must have been out of my mind to even attempt a movie like this."
The long and constantly stressful shoot was enough to disillusion anyone.
Matthew, of course, knew why Charlize had wanted to do this film; after achieving comrcial success, she wanted to take another shot at the Oscar for Best Actress.
"Enough about ," Charlize said, abruptly changing the subject. "That 'Iron Man' movie you invested in did extrely well, both at the box office and with critics. I was reading so of the reviews in the papers during my break these last couple of days."
"Is it possible the dia is actually praising ?"
Charlize shook her head. "Robert Downey Jr. was ntioned most often. Many reviews considered his performance as Tony Stark the biggest draw of the film. Very few ntioned your investnt."
Matthew laughed nonchalantly. "That's normal. Investors are behind the scenes, actors are in front of them. And Robert Downey Jr. really is fantastic in the role."
"I'd argue that Downey Jr. is just playing himself," Charlize offered a slightly different perspective. "I've worked with him before, and I think the key is that he shares so similarities with the character of Iron Man, right?"
"You're right. The persona of Tony Stark himself is key," Matthew conceded.
After a mont's thought, he added, "Tony Stark is a blend of almost every male fantasy—money, status, sports cars, a private jet. He has beautiful won, super intelligence, courage, and a sense of justice. And of course, most importantly, he has a sense of authenticity that other superheroes lack."
"Not just male fantasies," Charlize said, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Won love characters like that, too."
She suddenly smiled. "In fact, I think you would have been much better in the role. You could have just been yourself."
Matthew shrugged. "Unfortunately, Marvel Studios didn't pay
well enough for the part."
Of course, "Iron Man" was not a film without its critics. So, for instance, called it a very boring popcorn movie with a villain who was practically non-existent.
In his view, it was a comrcial movie. Simple, mindless entertainnt could serve a comrcial purpose, and there was certainly no need to achieve it through laborious and expensive ans.
Just as Matthew and Charlize were chatting by the studio door, a girl with long, light brown hair walked out of the soundstage.
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