Chapter 917 - Trailer (Part 3)

The entire trailer is only two and a half minutes long, which is nothing compared to a movie that runs over a hundred minutes, but its impact is significant. Many movies rely on packing all the exciting parts into the trailer to lure audiences into theatres, making a good trailer an essential part of a movie's success.

The trailer begins with the logos of the collaborating companies, including DC, Legendary Pictures, and of course, Dragon Soul.

Then, the trailer starts.

The screen first shows Batman's silhouette...

Two and a half minutes pass in what feels like a few breaths, but after watching the entire trailer, Nolan feels as though he's watched several hours of a movie.

"How was it?" Laila asks with a smile.

Nolan exhales deeply and, after a moment, utters two words: "Impressive."

As the saying goes, amateurs watch for the excitement, while professionals watch for the craft. When audiences see the trailer, they see a cool story and dazzling characters, but Nolan sees a masterpiece that presents the excitement without spoiling the plot.

After watching the trailer, you know Batman has a new car, a new suit, new weapons, and a more stylish entrance than before. At the same time, you see a sinister yet charismatic villain doing evil deeds.

After watching the trailer, Nolan has only one thought: this movie is so cool! If even he, who knows the movie inside and out, can't resist its allure, what will first-time viewers think?

"Laila, I think once this trailer is released, we'll devour the entire box office pie," he says, referring to the largest circle she had drawn earlier.

Laila laughs. "Is that all you want?" She opens the drawer, takes out the previously drawn diagram, spreads it on the table, and draws another circle around the largest one representing the box office. "Don't forget, we have more territory to conquer."

Nolan is stunned. "What does this represent?" Didn't the largest circle already represent the entire box office?

"This represents potential," Laila says, her deep ice-blue eyes seeming to peer into the distant future. "You remember 'Titanic', right? Who could have predicted it would earn so much at the box office?"

Nolan shakes his head. At least he hadn't expected it. A love-disaster movie like that didn't seem capable of creating a miracle that would shake the history of cinema.

"Exactly, no one predicted that kind of success. Some might have guessed it would do well, but not to that extent. So where did that box office come from?" Laila smiles and points to the largest circle she just drew.

"That box office is potential! Whether it's people interested in the genre, those who heard it was good and wanted to see it for themselves, or those curious about what a movie with such high box office earnings looks like, a large group of people who don't usually watch movies went to the theatres."

"They're not movie fans; some might not have been to a cinema in ten or twenty years. But under certain circumstances, they showed up. These people are a movie's potential."

Nolan understands. Not only does he grasp her idea, but he also catches a glimpse of her ambition. It turns out her vision has always been fixed on the top spot in box office history!

Perhaps it's not just that—she wants to reach even greater heights!

Nolan can't help but think about himself. Does he have the same passion?

Once, he gave everything for movies. Once, he was full of enthusiasm. But now, after achieving some success, does he still hold onto that passion?

After pondering for a while, the answer sends a chill down his spine. If he were still the same person he used to be, would he have made the last 'Batman' movie the way he did?

The answer is a resounding no. Back when he made 'Memento', how many times did he review and edit the footage to achieve his desired effect? But what about *Batman*? Did he underestimate it because it was a commercial effects-driven movie, a superhero film meant to make money? Or did he not give it the utmost importance from the start?

If he had treated 'Batman' with the same seriousness as his previous films, he would never have made the movie the way he did. At the very least, he wouldn't have been satisfied with the depth of the original!

Watching Laila analyse the trailer, Nolan deeply realizes that no one's success is accidental. Everyone sees the miracles Laila has created in film, but how many truly understand the depth of her insight into movies and the immense passion she has poured into them?

Laila finishes a segment of her analysis and looks up, about to speak, when she notices his eyes filled with something that gives her goosebumps—admiration?

It's just a trailer. There's no need to look at her with such admiration, right? A director like him should be able to easily create something like this. What he lacks is perhaps just a nudge to clear the fog in front of him, allowing him to see the path ahead clearly.

"Is there a problem?" she asks, slightly nervous. It's not her fault for feeling this way—his gaze is practically sparking, and it's quite intimidating!

"Laila, if you don't win Best Director this time, it will be the greatest injustice in film history!" Director Nolan exclaims emotionally.

Unfairness in awards is nothing new. Her repeated misses due to her age are just one example, alongside biases against race and nationality. But some things are unavoidable, like when several outstanding films compete for awards in the same year. No matter who wins, it feels unfair to the others, yet there's no way around it.

Laila gives him a puzzled look, unsure why he suddenly brought this up, but she thanks him anyway. "I appreciate the sentiment. If I win, I'll treat you to a meal."

"Deal," Nolan chuckles and then leaves with the finished trailer.

Both of them are busy—one preparing for the Golden Globes and Oscars, the other promoting the new movie's release. Even though it's only the beginning of the year, starting promotions now for a summer blockbuster is already considered late.

Laila's movies often buy ad slots during the Super Bowl, and the results are naturally impressive. Other film production companies have tried to emulate this, but few have the financial resources to spend so much on a mere tens of seconds or one-minute ad. Truly, there are very few who are willing to invest that heavily.