Burbank, Warner Bros. Headquarters.
The meeting had ended.
Martin’s script was approved on the spot, and his fee was settled—an absolute record-breaking sum: $10 million plus 5% of the North American box office revenue. This was far more than what Ben Affleck would earn for starring in the film, placing Martin’s earnings on par with top-tier superstars like Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
A regular screenwriter could never command such a price.
But Martin wasn’t just any screenwriter.
Since Warner had refused his request to invest in the project, they had to compensate him in other ways.
At least this way, although they had to give away a slice of the "box office pie," they could still keep the merchandising profits intact.
Of course, since Martin was also a Warner Bros. shareholder, any profit Warner made was essentially profit for him as well. That was why he was so "easygoing" in negotiations.
Matt Damon’s apartment.
Ben Affleck had been crashing there for a while.
While chatting with Matt, he suddenly received a call from his agent. The next moment, he was bouncing around, shouting excitedly.
"Damn it, I got the role! I got the role! Batman—I’m going to be Batman!"
"But isn’t the casting process still ongoing?" Matt asked, puzzled.
"Yes, yes, they’re still holding auditions, but Raymond and my agent told me the audition is just a formality. As long as I meet the basic standards, the role is mine! Hahaha!"
"Don’t get ahead of yourself. Stay composed, call Martin to thank him, and start studying Batman properly."
"Don’t worry, Matt. I will. I won’t let this chance slip away!"
Ben clenched his fists, his expression determined.
He had been waiting for this for far too long!
[TL/N: Please skip this Chapter if you are not into some gay-shit acting.]
In early February, Martin joined the "Brokeback Mountain" production.
Drew Barrymore personally served as the producer.
As she put it, she wanted to be on set to watch two handsome men fall in love!
When Leonardo saw Martin, he felt a bit awkward. He had memorized the script but found it difficult to fully immerse himself in the emotions between Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar.
The thought of playing out a romance with Martin, including intimate scenes, gave him a strange feeling!
Martin, on the other hand, remained completely at ease. When he saw Leonardo, he casually greeted him.
Damn it! How can he be so relaxed when he’s supposed to be playing my lover? Does he not care about me at all?!
Wait—shit, what am I even thinking?
Damn it, I only love women—tall, blonde women!
Although... Martin does have long legs... just not blonde...
No, stop! Enough of this nonsense!
I must be going crazy!
Leo knocked himself on the head, his expression conflicted.
Martin raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?"
Leo groaned. "Regretting my life choices. I shouldn’t have let you talk me into this movie."
Martin laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Relax, I won’t make you fall in love with me. I don’t like men—even beautiful men."
"Damn it, me neither!" Leo shot back, his annoyance fading slightly.
That evening, after dinner, director Ang Lee gathered the cast for a script reading session.
The actors shared their insights about their characters, and the discussion became lively.
But Leo couldn’t help but notice Martin’s little gestures with Anne Hathaway—his hand was resting on her thigh, gently stroking it.
"Damn it," Leo fumed internally. "Next time I act in a movie, I’m bringing my own girlfriend along."
He followed through on that thought—when filming "Blood Diamond" in the future, he brought Bar Refaeli to set.
Ironically, Anne Hathaway was playing Jack Twist’s wife in "Brokeback Mountain"—meaning she was supposed to be Leo’s on-screen wife.
Grand Teton National Park, often called "the most beautiful national park in the world."
The Teton Range boasted eight peaks over 3,600 meters, with Grand Teton standing at 4,198 meters, its summit covered in snow year-round.
Beyond the towering peaks, rolling hills stretched endlessly.
Seven pearl-like lakes nestled at the foot of the mountains, resembling a necklace dropped by a celestial maiden.
The valleys at the base of the Tetons were lush with flowers and birdsong year-round, making them a paradise on Earth.
Jackson Hole was known as the "Valley of Wildflowers." Walking through it felt like stepping into a dreamlike realm, detached from the ordinary world.
This area was home to over 200 species of birds and a variety of mammals, including American bison, elk, and pronghorn antelope.
This breathtaking landscape was chosen as the filming location for "Brokeback Mountain."
After five days of table reads, Ang Lee had a firm grasp of everyone’s performances.
Most of the actors were in good shape.
But among the leads, while Martin had no issues at all, Leo seemed unable to fully let go—especially during the emotional scenes.
So, Ang Lee made a decision.
The very first scene they would shoot... would be an intimate moment between Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist.
At the foot of the mountain, by the lake.
Martin, wearing a cowboy hat, stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning against a truck while gazing at the distant mountains.
"I think I’ll head back home for a few days, visit my parents," he said.
Leonardo, playing Jack Twist, had one hand on his hip and the other resting on the truck door, his head lowered as he listened.
Upon hearing Martin (Ennis) speak, he lifted his head, his expression unreadable.
Martin avoided his gaze, lowering his head slightly.
He took his hands out of his pockets and absentmindedly rubbed the truck’s door handle, his nervousness evident.
Then he said, "I should tell you—I probably won’t be able to come back before November. Not until the livestock is moved and winter feeding begins."
As he spoke, Martin (Ennis) bit his fingernail, glancing at Leonardo (Jack) with uncertainty.
"November?" Leonardo asked.
"Yeah." Martin averted his gaze, his expression tinged with guilt.
"What about our August meeting?" Leonardo pressed.
"Uh..." Martin hesitated, looking away again, biting his fingernail.
Leonardo turned around, hands still on his hips.
"Leo, your emotions aren’t quite right. In this scene, Jack shouldn’t just be angry—there should be more grief and reluctance. You need to show that."
Martin smirked. "You hear that? You need to show your longing for me."
"Shit! I can’t do this!" Leonardo groaned, tossing his cowboy hat onto the ground.
"This just means you haven’t fully stepped into Jack Twist’s emotions yet," Martin said, suddenly serious.
"I know, I know! But what am I supposed to do?"
Martin thought for a moment before saying, "Try imagining me as Bar Refaeli."