The Best Director

In just a matter of days, from the buzz about DreamWorks & Brad Pitt collaborating to dashed hopes, to confirming DreamWorks & Heath Ledger, everything happened so quickly. The casting news wasn’t shocking, yet it definitely got netizens who follow entertainment and ‘Firefly’ buzzing. Could this also be considered a power coupling? Brad Pitt’s die-hard fans, along with a large portion of neutral moviegoers, disagree.

No matter the fame or acting skills, Heath Ledger is obviously a big step down from Pitt! Everyone knows that when turned down, DreamWorks would look for alternatives, but did they have to go this low? From a top superstar to one of the leading idols of the new generation, although Heath Ledger is a talented actor, he still disappointed some DreamWorks fans who thought that DreamWorks would bring in someone at the same level as Will Smith or Nicolas Cage to scare the life out of Brad Pitt. Little did they know…

In the comments on Yahoo News, Fleming D sarcastically wrote, “This is the man DreamWorks was looking for! Now it seems Heath Ledger can play ‘Blue Glove,’ which isn’t that important after all, and there’s no reason for Brad to refuse such a minor role. Since ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ Yang has had his eye on Heath. Perhaps he had already made his choice for ‘Blue Glove,’ otherwise, how could it have been so quick? Maybe Brad was just a marketing tool for ‘Firefly.\'” Domer K wrote, “Pitt made the right decision, and Wang Yang’s insincere schemes are disgusting!!”…

Of course, Heath Ledger is not some unknown rookie; his lead roles in ‘The Four Feathers’ and ‘The Brothers Grimm’ (still awaiting release) both had a production budget of over 80 million. It’s just that you can’t help but feel he’s inadequate when placed next to Brad Pitt.

But the sunny and handsome Heath also has many die-hard fans, and for them, the Yang & Heath combination is exhilarating. Lina excitedly wrote, “Looking forward to Heath’s performance under Yang’s magic! They are both so, so talented and attractive!” Andrew T wrote, “I’ve always thought of Heath starring in a DreamWorks movie. Yang knows how to direct young talented actors; just look at Natalie Portman! Heath might even score an Oscar nomination this time.”…

“This is a collaboration full of imagination,” Steve Kin described the partnership between DreamWorks & Heath Ledger with words like “imagination” and “creativity.” A 23-year-old magical director, a 24-year-old rising star in acting, and a sci-fi blockbuster with a budget of 200 million dollars—the combination indeed has a dreamy feel. Steve Kin told the media, “They had a very pleasant and overdue audition and instantly recognized each other, which is why we quickly sealed the deal.”

According to Steve, Heath Ledger’s work plan for next year is to finish ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and then star in ‘Firefly.’ Due to his schedule and limited energy, he will not accept any other film engagements next year. Steve said, “We believe Heath will deliver strong performances on the silver screen in the next two years.”

However, entertainment media are divided on whether Heath Ledger is a genius performer. Undoubtedly, Heath is full of talent and potential, but he has been declining year by year. Fallen “geniuses” are not uncommon, with various reasons behind their downfall—self-indulgence, loss of inspiration, complacency… Robert Downey Jr., who became addicted to drugs, Mickey Rourke, who went boxing, and Kevin Costner, who won Razzie after Razzie following his Best Director Oscar, are all testament to that.

Some media have described this as “a genius shake-up worth looking forward to,” believing that Heath Ledger could breakthrough in his acting career under the direction of two Chinese directors. Other media are ironically doubtful, consistently skeptical about ‘Brokeback Mountain’ and having reservations about ‘Firefly.’ But evidently, “Plan B for ‘Blue Glove’ is not as exciting or reassuring as Brad Pitt.”

Neither Heath Ledger nor Wang Yang made statements regarding this matter. However, on the official ‘Firefly’ website, news celebrating Heath Ledger joining the cast was released along with a new character concept image: the “?” was replaced with “Blue Glove.” The concept art is a low-angle view of a tall man in a black coat and leather shoes, standing firmly, his face obscured by sunlight, pulling on a blue glove.

When Robert Downey Jr. was announced to join, the website also unveiled a concept image of ‘Captain Mal,’ but without revealing the cowboy-style independent militia characteristics.

And in the character listing, there are still a bunch of question marks. ‘Firefly,’ being a completely new movie unlike ‘Spider-Man’ or ‘Batman,’ which have a long history of comics and multiple movie adaptations with well-known characters, needs to build these background settings without leaking the plot. That’s why its comic will be released after the movie premiere, so in the span of this year-plus, it will gradually reveal bits of the characters and their backgrounds.

This strategy ensures that the impressions are lasting and maintains continuous interest from the media and fans of the film, where successive casting news is a promotional tactic often employed by many movies—Robert Downey Jr., Heath Ledger, and the next in line… This is also the strategy for ‘Firefly.’

Since there’s MAX% certainty, Wang Yang has not announced Jessica joining ‘Firefly’ in the role of ‘River,’ as there is no rush. But it’s time for the promotion of ‘Firefly’ to feature female actors, something the fans have been eagerly anticipating. So, the next role Yang wants to cast is the young, cheerful, and naïve mechanic of Serenity, Kaylee Frye, who frequently complains about the captain and cracks dry jokes, and he already has a preferred choice in mind.

“What!? You’re saying DreamWorks? That DreamWorks? Young-Wang? He’s inviting me to audition? Woah! Woah!… Who cares, I accept!”

Meanwhile, as time advanced into late November, the spirit of Thanksgiving grew thicker in the air, and another fierce battle was about to unfold on cinema screens.

The Devil Wears Prada had already passed the MPAA’s scrutiny and, as expected, received a PG rating. Once again, Firefly didn’t arrange any critic or audience screenings, but the public had long become accustomed to Wang Yang’s mysterious ways. He and Firefly had every reason to be brimming with confidence. Although there were no screenings, there were still 30-second TV spots, teaser trailers, official trailers, and international trailers that made their debut on screens, televisions, and online platforms.

Looking at the beautiful attire and all kinds of unpronounceable luxury brands in the trailer, the stunningly diverse beauty of Meryl Streep, Jessica, and others, the unveiling of the fashion industry’s lifestyle… countless female viewers felt a “devil” jumping in their hearts, growing more and more frenzied. How could they miss a movie directed by the magical Wang Yang? The male audience’s eyes were also full of hearts. Although the most beautiful leading lady surely had no kissing scenes, there were still that Emily, many beautiful models, the charm of Meryl Streep… How could they miss this movie?

“I went to see Step Up just to catch the theater preview of TDWP. It’s a pretty good dance movie, met my expectations; the dancing was seriously impressive! Channing Tatum is really handsome!” Alice said this on her blog.

Entering its sixth week, Step Up was running out of steam, screening in just over 300 theaters and virtually ending its journey. Its North American box office had reached $80.13 million, and its overseas market would gradually launch in the first quarter of next year; the fourth week of Saw was approaching its end as well. It only held the top spot for a week before yielding to The Matrix 3, followed by The Perfect Storm. Saw was still showing in 1,105 theaters, with a North American box office of $73.5 million, and like the others, it would hit overseas screens next year.

The Thanksgiving slot opened on Friday, November 21st, with Universal and DreamWorks’s live-action/animated film The Cat in the Hat, costing $109 million, and Halle Berry’s horror film Gothika. On the 28th came the $90 million The Haunted Mansion, Bad Santa, and Timeline; on December 5th, the $140 million epic and Tom Cruise’s Oscar bid, The Last Samurai, took the stage.

By December 12th, this year’s Christmas season began, and the last grand spectacle of the year was about to be released.

First to charge into the battlefield of Christmas week was none other than The Devil Wears Prada. Not only did it have a full release in North America and multiple overseas countries, but it was also competing for nominations in the Best Musical or Comedy categories at the 61st Golden Globe Awards, alongside Wang Yang’s another film of the year, MIT-21-TEAM. The Golden Globe nominations were to be announced on Thursday evening, December 18th.

The films daring to enter the fray of Christmas week’s first lineup were naturally no small fries. Apart from TDWP, Nancy Meyers, the director behind Perfect Match and What Women Want, released her new film Love is Compromise on the 12th. This romantic comedy starring Keanu Reeves, Frances McDormand, and Jack Nicholson was undoubtedly not to be underestimated and considered one of the strongest contenders for the first week’s box office crown.

“Three years ago, Matt Williams, the producer of Sweetheart, had a dispute due to Juno and What Women Want, which also led to a side encounter between Wang Yang and Nancy Meyers, with Juno claiming victory. It seems this year they are finally poised for a direct confrontation. Wang Yang has Meryl Streep; Nancy Meyers has McDormand and Nicholson. Who will take the box office crown? Or will it be The Lord of the Rings 3, released just two days earlier? These are interesting elements of this year’s Christmas season.”—Variety magazine.

As for the Ferrari brothers’ comedy Close Brothers and the rom-com Love is Priceless, they were already counted out with nobody believing they held even a sliver of a chance for an upset.

The Lord of the Rings 3 premiered on the 17th; Mona Lisa Smile made its way to the screen on a new Friday, the 19th. This ’50s drama and TDWP, both referred to as “women’s films,” despite being different genres, were already being pitted against each other by some media outlets.

In terms of market appeal and popularity of the cast, Meryl Streep, although a frequent Oscar guest, still fell short of Julia Roberts; Jessica Alba and Kirsten Dunst could be considered a tie; the unknown Emily Blunt was completely outshone by the “bad girl” Julia Stiles.

On the 26th, the last week of 2003, all films aiming for next year’s 76th Oscars had to be released. Steve Martin’s comedy Cheaper by the Dozen wasn’t one, John Woo’s do-or-die Paycheck wasn’t either, nor was Peter Pan; the Jude Law and Nicole Kidman’s star-studded Cold Mountain was. Why were there so few Oscar contenders?

Because every studio knew that the final chapter of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King, was undoubtedly a ticket-selling juggernaut and could be said to have “reserved” next year’s Oscars. (.)