Recently, I've been growing a bit paranoid especially after my accidental magic-shroom trip during the birthday bash. The incident stuck with me, especially how close I'd come to blurting out everything.
My biggest secret.
Things no one could ever know and will never know. Not my family or friends. Not even Margot, who I planned to spend the rest of my life with.
The biggest close call that night was the near-disaster with George Lucas. I'd apparently almost sent the man multiple voice messages, ranting for ten whole minutes about the Star Wars sequels, entire plot points, twists, endings, everything. By some miracle, they didn't send. That was a bullet dodged. A Death Star–sized bullet.
What happened could not happen again. I was now ten times more careful.
"So, what do you think, Daniel?" James Wan's voice cut through my spiral of dread, dragging me back into the dimly lit editing suite.
We were four months into post-production for Aquaman. In the room sat James himself. Beside him was Kirk Morri, his longtime editor. Kelvin McIlwain, the VFX supervisor. A couple of assistant editors hovered near the back. And sitting on a chair off to the side, looking almost too big for it, was Alan Ritchson. He'd come in for some voice work earlier but asked to stick around.
On-screen was the Trench sequence one of my favorites in the movie.
The image showed Arthur and Mera on the boat, the camera lingering on the black sea stretching infinitely outward as heavy rain pounded the surface.
James and I had agreed from the start that this scene needed to feel straight out of a horror movie. Hell, the first poster for the movie was this scene something that had made fans more hyped about what, according to our data, was the least-hyped movie in the DCU.
I leaned forward. "Hold the shot of Arthur and Mera alone longer. Make the audience feel the isolation before things go down. Let them dread what's coming."
Kirk nodded, scrubbing back a few frames. James hummed in agreement, fingers stroking his chin.
Alan suddenly spoke up. "You know, since we shot multiple takes of this, what if you reveal one of the creatures actually on the boat before the swarm hits? Like, it slinks in behind them for a second then boom the rest flood in. The version now is just the boat capsizing and the creatures revealed in the water."
"Okay," I said. "Yeah, I agree with Alan. Maybe have five or six of them attack first and overwhelm Arthur and Mera. Arthur takes one or two down as the boat sinks. And then the big reveal. They realize the sea is full of them."
James's eyes lit up immediately. "Mm, might need a small reshoot for that. Yeah, it could be done… yes."
Kelvin, though, didn't look thrilled. "All these extra creatures? That's two more weeks of render time minimum. We're already pushing the VFX schedule as it is."
I groaned, running a hand down my face. That means crunch time for the VFX team. And I don't want that.
For a few minutes there was a discussion on the subject. Kirk suggested simplifying the models for background creatures, keeping detail only on the closest ones. Kelvin countered that it might help a little, but the swarm shot would still eat resources.
We circled, debated, tossed ideas back and forth but no one could settle on a perfect compromise. James finally raised a hand, cutting it off.
"Alright. We're stuck. Let's move on to the next sequence," he said. His eyes flicked to the timeline. "Ocean Master versus Aquaman. The final fight."
The footage rolled: Arthur and Orm clashing near the massive spinning rudder of an overturned Atlantean warship. Rain pelted down. Waves crashed around them. Metal groaned in the storm. It was spectacular, but also… a nightmare for post-production.
Kelvin rubbed his forehead. "The interaction of rain, ocean spray, and every movement of their weapons? This is going to be very time-consuming."
James had shot nearly six minutes of this fight, but I knew right away it was too much.
"James," I said, glancing at him. "Keep it under three minutes. Six is overkill. We'll lose the audience."
Alan piped up. "Come on. We'll be cutting a lot. There's some very good stuff there I'm sure the audience won't mind seeing more of a cool fight scene."
But James shook his head. "No, Daniel's right. Three minutes max would be better."
I grinned. "And if we shave this fight down, it gives us room to extend the Trench sequence without wrecking the runtime."
"Guess we're doing those reshoots, then," said James.
James, Kirk, and Kelvin started talking about render pipelines and other technical stuff as I stood and sat next to Alan, making some small talk.
"You know," Alan said, fiddling with a pen in his hand, "this is… surreal. I mean, I played Aquaman back in Smallville. Now I'm Aquaman again. The big one. I guess the pressure is getting to me, Daniel if this doesn't work, I'll be the guy who further sank the character."
I understood where Alan was coming from. Aquaman had become a joke among general audiences, so the pressure was on on me, him, and James.
I shook my head. "Alan, listen this movie's going to put him right up there with Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman. Yeah, he's been the butt of all the jokes, but this is the one that makes him cool again. People are gonna walk out of theaters saying Aquaman is a badass. Trust me."
Alan smiled faintly. "I hope you're right. I don't want to be remembered as the punchline."
We talked more mainly future plans for the DCU until Alan shifted the conversation to The Batman.
"…I heard something. Rumors about the villains in Batman 3."
I smirked, narrowing my eyes. "Yeah? It's the Riddler everyone's figured that out by now." Well, not everyone, but the hardcore fans had.
Alan's grin widened. "But… I also heard there's someone else."
I gave him a look. "Alright, who told you?"
"So it's true?" His grin turned into a laugh. "Killer Croc is in it, isn't he?"
I sighed. "Yeah. He's in it. And Penguin. And Catwoman. It's gonna be a pretty stacked movie."
Alan shook his head in disbelief. "Damn. Now I'm even more excited. I really thought you were keeping Batman grounded, you know? Just the non-fantastical rogues…"
I raised my eyebrows. "Non-fantastical? What the fuck was Ra's al Ghul, Alan?"
Alan chuckled. "He didn't seem so mystical, you know…"
"I disagree, my friend. Ra's was fantastical as hell in that first movie… I guess Nolan's insistence on realism kinda masked that."
Alan shook his head with a grin. "I don't think so, Daniel."
I smirked. "Okay, maybe not that much. But Killer Croc's a good start."
It took a lot of convincing on my part to get Nolan to add some fantastical elements. He wanted to keep the same grounded tone as the last two, but I convinced him by arguing it was for the greater good of the DCU.
"I'm planning the next movie after this to be based on Knightfall," I added. In truth, I was already sketching something darker in my head merging Jason Todd's death with Knightfall. It would be the most tragic Batman movie ever: the fall of the Bat, layered with the pain of losing a Robin. Maybe the other Leaguers can support him after still not completely decided, but I was leaning in that direction.
Alan perked up, eyes gleaming. "You know, I could play Bane. The mask covers the face no one would tell the difference."
I laughed, shaking my head. "No, no. You'll be busy with Aquaman. And maybe… something else, if you're interested."
His brow arched. "Something else?"
I stood and called out to James, "James, Alan and I are gonna head out. We'll pick this up later."
James waved us off, not looking away from the monitors. "Sure, Daniel. Just remember, we need to finalize those details tomorrow."
"I'll be here."
Alan and I walked out of the editing suite together, his curiosity practically radiating after what I'd said.
I continued as we walked, "I'm planning to get the rights to the Jack Reacher franchise. And honestly? I think you'd make a damn good Reacher."
Alan blinked, taken aback. "Wow… really? That thank you, Daniel. That means a lot."
I nodded. "Nothing's set in stone yet. I'm working with Netflix on it, so it'll probably be a series maybe a movie. Talks are still in the early stages."
Alan grinned, shaking his head in disbelief. "Even so… thanks for considering me. That's a huge opportunity."
I was about to respond when my phone buzzed. I took it out and glanced at the screen it was Paris Barclay, President of the Directors Guild of America.
I picked up immediately. "Hello?"
"Daniel," Paris's warm voice came through the line. "Hello."
"Paris, my friend. To what do I owe the pleasure?" I asked.
"I just wanted to call and personally tell you welcome. You're now officially a member of the DGA," he said. "And I've got to say, I'm excited to see what the great Daniel Adler does behind the camera."
I chuckled. "Great, huh?"
"Don't be so humble," Paris replied. "We all know what you've accomplished in the last six years. And you're only twenty-four."
"I'm honored to be part of the DGA, and I'm looking forward to a strong relationship," I said politely.
"It's great to have you with us, Daniel," Paris said. "I'll be looking forward to that first movie of yours."
"Thank you," I told him sincerely.
We ended the call, and I slipped the phone back into my pocket.
One more title added to my name.
I was now officially a director.
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@TMZ
Leonardo DiCaprio pranks Daniel Adler by posing as paparazzi
[Attached Video Clip]
Replies:
@Alecjassic33: Adler and Leo really seem like good friends… legit BFFs.
@Hnerikbassiger: Let's be real, Leo will forever be indebted to Adler for getting him that Oscar.
@Mallorymesun: Oh wow, TMZ just happened to be there filming this "prank"? Looks like some minor PR… bet they're working on a movie together. Adler's supposed to be directing soon.
@Haliyemx: All those Daniel x Leo shippers are screaming right now.
@Irener67y: Hey, Adler's under 25 Leo's sweet spot.
@Roselainel1: BFFs.
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@MarrissaHeydan:
[Video from the "Women in Comics" panel]
Uh… is it just me, or does Daniel Adler look like he's on something? His hands are literally shaking.
Replies:
@Hansonmeloni: No wonder this guy writes like a madman. Speed, ketamine, or something. Not a good look.
@MayaHenson: Nah, Adler's famously anti-alcohol and anti-drugs. He killed at that panel funny, sharp, and actually made good points.
@Hamsihrtc: So we lose Adler to drugs too? I knew after that massive birthday party someone would get him. Another one gone to the dark pit that is Hollywood.
@Masondigs: Definitely coke. Adler's fucked. Someone needs to get him help, man. I like this dude he's too good to lose.
@Jesscialovesadler: No, Daniel Adler is not using drugs. I was there. Maybe at the start he looked out of it, but he was hilarious and super articulate. Dude should try comedy he was hella funny.
@AdlerFanClub: This is all slander. Daniel Adler is straight-edge.
@Jasonrasmi53: ["Daniel drunk dancing" gif] Oh yeah, straight-edge my ass. Hypocrite much?
@LynnnaStarkAdler: He was like 16 there. He's talked about that incident changing him.
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Post on r/AdlerSnark
Daniel Adler's Big Birthday Bash
Attached Pics:
Adler with Reese Witherspoon
Adler with Rachel McAdams
Adler with Emma Stone
Adler with Jennifer Lawrence & Brie Larson
Adler with Emilia Clarke & Anya Taylor-Joy
Adler with Elizabeth Olsen
Adler with Hailee Steinfeld
Adler with Charlize Theron (kissing him way too close to the lips)
Adler with Scarlett Johansson (hugging him from behind, cheek kiss)
So I guess it's official: Adler has been fully rolled out as the GUY of Hollywood. Or should I say the puppet his handlers want us to worship.
Bob Iger, Zaslav, Ari Emanuel, even Henderson all the power brokers were there. These are the same guys who have propped him up as some Tarantino Scorsese Spielberg hybrid. Please. He's not a once-in-a-generation talent; he's a manufactured brand asset.
Can't find the next auteur? Fine make one. Groom a pretty face, throw prestige scripts at him, surround him with A-listers, and let the media machine do the rest. You really think Adler wrote half those scripts on his own? Nah. Writers' rooms and shadow consultants polish everything. He's just the face.
The scary part? People actually buy this boy wonder narrative.
Top Comments:
u/Cinetcher1:
I wonder how Margot Robbie feels about her so-called boyfriend getting handsy with Scarlett Johansson and Charlize Theron. Jesus, Theron looks like she's about to jump him.
u/CngrlmBuff8:
This makes me very angry. For some reason.
u/Ingirdtheiam(replying to u/CngrlmBuff8):
Gee, I wonder why. Is it because a basement dweller like you can't stand seeing a real success story and a man enjoying his success?
u/AdlerSnarkMod (Moderator)(replying to u/Ingirdtheiam):
Hello, you have been permanently banned from r/AdlerSnark for trolling. You can still view and subscribe to r/AdlerSnark, but you won't be able to post or comment. If you have a question regarding your ban, you can contact the moderator team for r/AdlerSnark.
u/Unisecret55:
I'm sure Johansson and Adler are fucking. My cousin works in production for Disney, and he told me Scarlett and Daniel would meet up regularly to… well, you can guess.
u/ERffmPuri9:
The end of Hollywood, gentlemen.
u/Watchert44:
Honestly, I just feel bad for Margot Robbie. Remember that stalker attack a few months ago? We saw her with bruises on her face. I'm pretty sure it was from Adler.
u/yelloerr444(replying to u/Watchert44):
Yes, yes finally someone caught on. Everyone bought the "crazed fan" story because the PR machine told them to. But come on. Way too convenient.
u/Shalogger22(replying to u/Watchert44):
Yep, Adler beat her. I'm sure of it. Someone needs to save her man, this guy is a monster. He cheats on her openly, and now he beats her. When his downfall comes, we'll all be vindicated. I just hope Margot won't be a casualty.
u/Teert3445(replying to u/Watchert44):
I bet that's why they made such a big deal about keeping the attacker's identity hidden. It was never a "fan." It was Adler losing it.
u/Fil34rrreject(replying to u/Watchert44):
And don't forget the All About Eve spin they pushed. Do they fucking think we're idiots?
u/Cynicenwriter:
Hollywood has been covering up men like this forever. Adler's no different. Just another monster.
u/JesseirdTrgy:
This sub is so fuckin' weird.
u/AdlerSnarkMod (Moderator):
Hello, you have been permanently banned from r/AdlerSnark for low-effort, derailing comments. You can still view and subscribe to r/AdlerSnark, but you won't be able to post or comment. If you have a question regarding your ban, you can contact the moderator team for r/AdlerSnark.