Chapter 34: Chapter 33
Compared to participating in "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) with Taylor Swift, Xu Can was more intrigued by Warner Bros.' invitation.
When he first heard the news, he thought he must have misheard. There's a significant rivalry between DC and Marvel, as well as between Warner Bros. and Sony. So why would Warner want a Marvel-branded actor to play a DC character?
It didn't make much sense at first.
Xu Can figured Warner Bros. must be envious of the success "Spider-Man" was enjoying. Their own "Superman Returns" had bombed this year, unable to even compare with "Spider-Man," and the media barely cared to report on it. Warner probably wanted to recapture DC's glory by focusing on Batman.
Christopher Nolan, a promising director who had gained recognition in recent years with his success in "The Prestige," was chosen to helm the "Dark Knight" trilogy. It was a historic choice. But why reach out to me? Xu Can thought. Maybe they're hoping to ride the wave of my success.
In the 21st century, only Xu Can had successfully led a live-action comic book movie, so maybe Warner Bros. hoped his involvement would boost their chances.
But competition is just business. What does it matter to me, an actor? If there's money to be made, why not take it?
"Okay, but before I commit to anything, I need to talk to Nolan," Xu Can said.
"No problem, I'll relay that to Warner," Happy replied.
"By the way, what role are they offering me?"
"Probably Batman, Bruce Wayne."
"Emmm… I'm not sure about that. I'll definitely need to talk to Nolan first."
"Right. And don't forget about SNL. The recording is tomorrow. I'll have Vanessa take you to NBC headquarters in the afternoon."
Happy, Xu Can's agent and the general manager of Galaxy Pictures, was busy juggling multiple roles, including producer duties on "John Wick." He quickly hung up.
The company had recently hired an intern named Vanessa Perry, a young woman in her early twenties, around Xu Can's age. She was responsible for managing Xu Can's daily schedule and assisting with other tasks.
The next afternoon, Vanessa picked Xu Can up from the set in a car provided by Sony. With her long, straight black hair and a slight resemblance to Anne Hathaway, Vanessa greeted him.
"Mr. Xu, it's almost time. We should head to NBC now."
"Did you get the coffee I asked for? I'm feeling a bit sleepy after all that filming."
"Yes, it's in the car. American-style, with extra ice, no sugar, no milk."
"Perfect. Let's go."
As they drove through the congested streets of New York, Xu Can sipped his coffee and responded to emails. They eventually arrived at NBC's headquarters in the Rockefeller Center in Manhattan.
As one of the most enduring variety shows in the U.S., SNL draws a nationwide audience every Saturday, consistently ranking among the top-rated shows year-round.
This episode featured guests like Xu Can, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin. The production team had initially hoped to bring in Emma Stone, Xu Can's co-star from "Spider-Man," to capitalize on their on-screen chemistry. However, Emma was busy filming "Twilight" and couldn't make it.
Instead, they invited Taylor Swift, a rising star in country music. Although she wasn't yet as famous as Beyoncé, Avril Lavigne, or Katy Perry, she had a growing fanbase among young people and was gaining recognition.
Upon entering the building, Xu Can met briefly with the show's creator before being taken to the makeup room. While he was getting ready, someone else entered the room.
"May! You're really here~"
Xu Can didn't need to turn around to know it was Taylor Swift. She rushed over on her high heels and greeted him warmly, though she couldn't hug him due to the makeup artist's work.
"I was so excited when I heard the show invited you. You have no idea!"
Taylor, who looked like a model at first glance, was a funny, cheerful, and straightforward person once you got to know her. She was different from the girls Xu Can typically interacted with, like Emma Stone and Emma Roberts.
Emma Stone came across as a good buddy, more laid-back and generous, but in private, she could be quite feminine, a bit willful, and easily sentimental. Emma Roberts, on the other hand, was lively and had a gentle demeanor, always soft-spoken and cheerful.
While they were getting their makeup done, Swift chatted about her recent experiences—everything from song inspirations to amusing incidents at events.
Xu Can mostly listened, smiling as she spoke.
After the makeup session, they had some time before going on stage, so the makeup artist left the room, giving them some privacy.
Once they were alone, Swift let out a small sigh.
"What's wrong?" Xu Can asked.
"Remember our last conversation? I had a fight with Scott."
Scott was the owner of Big Machine Records and held the rights to Swift's albums.
"I finally realized what he's really like. He says he respects my creative process, but in reality, he just sees me as a cash cow."
"So what are you going to do?" Xu Can asked.
"I don't know. It's hard for me to leave now. Big labels have a lot of restrictions."
Swift looked disappointed. She had hoped to create music freely, but the reality of the industry was much more restrictive.
"If things don't change, I might ask my dad to invest so I can have more control."
"No, don't do that," Xu Can quickly advised.
If Swift continued with Big Machine Records, she might face the same copyright issues that plagued her in his previous life. Now that she had only one album out, she could still cut her losses.
"Now that you see his true colors, you can bet his character won't change. You'll only have more conflicts with him in the future. No matter what sweet things he says, don't fall for it."
"But what should I do? I need to release a new album soon, or the momentum I've built will start to fade."
Xu Can could see that she understood the situation but was still hoping for a change.
"How about this: sign with our company, and I'll manage things for you."
"Really? Is that even possible?" Swift looked up, her eyes bright with hope.
"I could set up a studio just for you and work with Sony Records," Xu Can proposed. He had been considering this idea for a while—helping her become independent.
"Are you serious? You'd really do that for me?"
"Of course, because I like you. I really like you…"
Xu Can looked at Taylor Swift with sincerity.
"Wait, wait… wait!!" Taylor interrupted, flustered.
Xu Can's direct confession took her by surprise, causing her heart to race. And maybe, just maybe, she felt a bit… happy?
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