This used to be a medium-sized studio, but in recent years, since Duke had been shooting action-related films, Jimmy Carter needed a professional training facility. At Duke's suggestion, Warner Bros. invested in renovating the studio, turning it into a professional venue that integrated fitness, combat, and endurance training.
Standing in the rest area, Duke watched as a few of Jimmy Carter's assistants helped Scarlett with her action training and asked the person next to him, "How are they doing?"
They had been partners for many years, and Jimmy Carter didn't hold back. He said directly, "Scarlett's very hardworking, but limited by her figure and build, she doesn't have much talent in this area."
Duke nodded lightly, not surprised by Jimmy Carter's words. If someone with such a sexy figure could also become a close-combat expert without difficulty, it would defy every law of physics.
But after all, this was a movie. A sexy and hot Natasha Romanoff agent was far more appealing to the audience than a scrawny Black Widow.
Besides, apart from a few relatively easy moves, Scarlett mostly flaunted her figure and face in the film. Those high-difficulty stunts would naturally be done by stunt doubles.
Duke believed that if Scarlett Johansson got injured, his mother definitely wouldn't be happy.
Just like he had said in the past, no matter what kind of relationship, it required time to cultivate and settle. After spending more than ten years together, his mother treated her goddaughter with enough seriousness.
Taking his eyes off Scarlett Johansson, Duke looked to the other side of the training facility. A man with long dark brown hair was working out under the guidance of a professional coach. Perhaps because of his long beard, he looked somewhat haggard—just like his current situation.
This man was Robert Downey Jr.
"He's working hard too," Jimmy Carter added. "He wasn't originally included in our training plan, but after officially being confirmed for the role of Tony Stark, he volunteered to join the fitness training."
"Looks like he understands the importance of hard work now." Duke looked at Robert Downey Jr. and said, "Keep an eye on him. Our collaboration with him won't stop here."
Robert Downey Jr. used to be the epitome of a prodigal son turning over a new leaf. But Duke had spent many years in Hollywood and knew how muddy the waters in this circle could be. Whether Robert Downey Jr. had really kicked his drug addiction, perhaps only his agent and personal assistant knew for sure.
The Downey family could be said to be deeply shrouded in the shadow of drugs. His father, Robert Downey Sr., was a famous producer and screenwriter in Hollywood—a textbook addict; Robert Downey Jr. rose to fame in the early 1990s, but then sank into drug addiction and couldn't extricate himself, even being arrested and imprisoned at one point; not long after, Robert Downey Jr.'s son was also exposed by the media for drug use...
This could be described as a typical Hollywood family.
The only consolation was that Robert Downey Jr. had once messed up, but at least he finally woke up and not too late.
Anyway, from Jimmy Carter's observation, Robert Downey Jr. had shown enough effort and professionalism. Duke was also reassured about his choice.
After all, this was an actor he had strongly insisted on using. If any scandal broke out, it wouldn't look good for him either.
Retracting his gaze from the training area and discussing some work progress matters, Duke suddenly changed the subject.
"Jimmy, have you ever considered opening a school and taking students?" he said jokingly.
"Like Bruce Lee?" Jimmy Carter asked.
Duke nodded slightly, "Something like that."
"My interest is still in film," Jimmy Carter thought for a moment and said. "You know me I'm not very interested in that stuff. Besides, the fighting in movies and real combat are two totally different things."
Seeing the other party wasn't interested, Duke didn't bring it up again. The two turned to discussing the fight scenes needed in the film.
This wasn't just about real hand-to-hand combat, but also the action scenes after putting on the Iron Man suit.
Jimmy Carter suddenly asked, "Duke, have you ever read Japanese mecha comics?"
"No…" Duke slowly shook his head. "I haven't explored that area much."
"I think Iron Man's close-combat scenes," Jimmy Carter had clearly done plenty of research, "could borrow from the close-combat styles of mechas."
Duke thought for a moment and said, "Put together a complete plan for me."
When it came to designing action scenes, Jimmy Carter was the expert. Although Duke also did some designing, he excelled at shooting and editing action scenes fight choreography wasn't his strong suit.
Professional matters should naturally be left to professionals.
"Hey, Duke."
Just finishing her training, Scarlett Johansson walked over. She was wearing a white training outfit, wiping sweat from her forehead with a towel while greeting Duke, "Did you come all this way just to see me?"
Jimmy Carter could guess something and didn't say a word. He simply left the rest area.
"This is my job,"
Seeing Scarlett hand her towel to the assistant who had followed her, Duke took a bottle of specialized sports drink, handed it to her, and asked, "How are you feeling? Pretty exhausting, huh?"
"Yeah, way more tiring than acting in an art film."
In front of Duke, Scarlett had no need to hide anything. She lightly complained, "I thought playing a pretty face would be easy, but turns out even a vase has to work hard."
In the stereotypical view, compared to those actresses known for their acting in art films, it seemed the vases in commercial films always easily handled their roles and rose to fame without much effort but in many cases, that just wasn't true.
How long did Charlize Theron train for her vase role in The Matrix?
Orlando Bloom spent months practicing archery and working out for Legolas, even straining his tendons at one point.
Not to mention Duke's films—take former vases like Megan Fox, for example. How much did she go through while filming Transformers? The agony of sprinting thousands of feet in sky-high heels is something only she would truly understand.
In this industry, everyone who makes it big is incredibly lucky but behind that luck is unseen effort.
Likewise, even with two stunt doubles, if Scarlett wanted to play Natasha Romanoff well, the effort she needed to put in wouldn't be any less than for an art film—probably even far more.
"You look like you've lost some weight," Duke said as he took the drink bottle back from Scarlett, "Looks like you've really been working hard."
"Do I still seem like that nagging, mischievous little kid in your eyes? I've grown up, you know." Scarlett's eyes suddenly dropped to just below her neck. "These are kind of too big, and during training they're a total burden."
Duke didn't respond to her comment. He checked his watch and said, "Keep going, I've got other things to do."
"Alright." Scarlett leaned in close to him. "I'll come see you in Malibu tomorrow."
Just before exiting the training center, Duke suddenly heard hurried footsteps behind him. He turned around to see Robert Downey Jr. rushing up it looked like he had something to say.
"Director Rosenberg…"
Meeting Duke's gaze, Robert Downey Jr. quickly walked over. "May I have a few minutes of your time?"
"No problem." Duke nodded at him. "No need to be so formal."
Robert Downey Jr. stopped four feet away, a very sincere and grateful expression on his face. "I… I—Director Rosenberg, I just wanted to say thank you."
Duke looked at him, clearly aware that Robert Downey Jr. hadn't finished what he wanted to say, so he didn't respond.
"After I got out of prison, everyone treated me like poison. Nobody wanted to associate with me. In many auditions I went to, I was eliminated as soon as it began."
It seemed that this experience had made him especially emotional. Robert Downey Jr. let out a long sigh and said, "Those who haven't been down and out can't truly understand how important success is. When I finally understood that, I realized I didn't even have the chance to succeed…"
"Thank you for giving me that chance." Robert Downey Jr. said sincerely, "If you ever need me in the future…"
Duke smiled slightly and said, "I'll definitely give you a call when the time comes."
Robert Downey Jr. also smiled. Perhaps because of what he'd been through, he had clearly become a lot smarter. Deliberately leaving Duke with the favor to call in wasn't a bad way of giving himself another opportunity.
Giving Robert Downey Jr. a light pat on the arm, Duke walked out of the training center. Although they hadn't interacted for long, he could vaguely sense that Robert Downey Jr. was a man of genuine character. But thinking about everything that had changed since he entered Hollywood, it felt like some things were finally returning to the right path.
Back in the day, when Robert Downey Jr. got out of prison and made his comeback, Mel Gibson played a crucial role. That's why later, during negotiations with Marvel Studios, Downey directly said that as long as Mel Gibson directed Iron Man 4, he'd continue in the role wanting to repay the man who had been completely ostracized by Hollywood's mainstream.
But now? Mel Gibson had long since been schemed against and driven back to Australia by Duke and Tom Cruise together, leading to a situation where Robert Downey Jr., post-prison, faced an even tougher road than before.
However, with Iron Man arriving early, combined with Duke's reputation and influence, it might not be a bad thing for Robert Downey Jr. after all.
Isn't it strange how the world works sometimes?
Preparing Iron Man was just as complicated. A new company like Marvel Studios severely lacked hands-on experience. If not for Duke's seasoned team and the strong support from distributor Warner Bros., Iron Man's preparation alone would've taken a lot more time. It would've been impossible to release it next summer as planned.
Even so, a mountain of work still lay ahead. After the brief relaxation following Batman Begins, Duke once again dove into a whirlwind of intense labor.
....
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