"Secure all the equipment, weigh it down with rocks, don't let the wind blow anything away, and stay safe…"
On the hillside not far from the frozen plains, chaos reigned. The crew was in the middle of shooting when a sudden, fierce gust of wind began to blow.
The wind, mixed with rain and snow, sent the crew into a frenzy, making filming impossible.
During the morning shoot, the weather had been fine, and Gilbert had even consulted the local meteorologist. The meteorologist assured him that filming would be safe.
But by the afternoon, the winds had picked up violently. The first gust even lifted Gilbert's director's tent and blew it who-knows-where.
Seeing Gilbert's skeptical gaze, the meteorologist awkwardly scratched his nose — he hadn't expected this either.
Gilbert was speechless. First, the guide claimed the ice wouldn't break, and it cracked after filming. Now the meteorologist said the weather was fine, yet a storm blew in.
Props were flying everywhere. Returning them or securing them was impossible due to the strong crosswinds and poor terrain. Gilbert ordered the crew to take shelter in a wind-protected area.
People could take cover, but the props weren't so lucky. Some of the lighter items were swept away by the wind, flying uncontrollably.
One unlucky crew member was struck on the head by a flying prop with a loud clang.
He screamed in agony and collapsed, blood spraying in the wind.
Nearby, Gilbert witnessed the scene and seemed to smell the metallic scent of blood in the air; the sight was horrifying.
"What are you standing there for? Go help him!" Gilbert shouted.
A few crew members risked the wind and rushed to lift the injured man back. The on-set doctor quickly attended to him and bandaged the wound.
Cameron Diaz went over to check and returned to tell Gilbert, "He should be okay, but he'll need some time to recover."
Gilbert was exasperated. Injuries were the last thing any crew wanted. Fortunately, it wasn't a lead actor; otherwise, the situation would have been much worse.
"I read a magazine saying Iceland is one of the most livable places on Earth. If this is livable, I'd rather move to the Himalayas," Charles Rowen complained.
"You can't say that. The city side isn't too bad. At least soaking in the hot springs is comfortable," Gilbert offered a fair counterpoint.
He then instructed, "Once the wind dies down, let's head back quickly to avoid further accidents. Also, finish these scenes as soon as possible; once winter fully sets in, it'll be a mess."
Charles Rowen agreed, "Absolutely, another blizzard would make things much worse."
Cameron Diaz glanced at the thermometer, "It's minus ten degrees now. With the wind, the feels-like temperature probably drops another ten degrees."
"Geez, it's only October. In Los Angeles, it's scorching hot," Charles Rowen grumbled, having never been to Iceland before; the weather was hard for him to endure.
But working on set, especially with Gilbert, he knew what to expect.
"Charles, you're getting older; wear more clothes," Gilbert laughed, instructing the assistant director to gather the crew.
The crew's trailers were running to prevent cold-related starting issues.
Some stagehands connected a few lines from the generator trailers and set up electric heaters. They could also brew coffee or warm themselves, a temporary but effective solution.
Sitting by the fire, Gilbert smacked his lips, "If only we had some bread to toast right now."
"No bread, but we have some pastries," Cameron Diaz divided the bread and instructed the crew, "Distribute food and drinks. Hang in there. Also, check the fifth trailer — there are blankets if anyone needs extra warmth."
The crew nodded and braved the wind to notify everyone.
Gilbert took a piece of bread and bit into it as if venting his frustration, "A roasted fish would be perfect too!"
"There's fish," Cameron Diaz pointed toward the distant glacier, "just go get it!"
"Yes, and I want a big one," Charles Rowen chimed in.
"Why don't you two go yourselves?"
"Too dangerous out there with the wind," they replied confidently.
Joking around helped pass the time when boredom struck. Work was work, but life didn't always have to revolve around it.
Meanwhile, the actors involved in the monastery scenes nibbled on bread and chatted, often about Gilbert.
Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, and Jet Li — the Kung Fu Emperor — were collaborating with the renowned director Gilbert for the first time, and the experience was novel for all.
Jet Li's participation had some twists. Originally, the script called for ninja techniques from the Japan, and the character of Ninja Master Raals El Ghul should have been portrayed by someone from that region.
In reality, Henri Ducard was the true Raals El Ghul, while the other figure was just a decoy.
Before filming, Gilbert had an idea.
Why ninja skills? Chinese martial arts were superior. If possible, he wanted to bring in Jackie Chan or Jet Li for a cameo.
Warner Bros. and DC opposed this, arguing that ninja and the Japan's Shadow Warriors were canon in the comics; replacing them with Chinese martial arts would feel inappropriate.
Gilbert still persuaded them, emphasizing plot coherence.
If ninja skills were required, the story should be set in Tokyo or near Mount Fuji. Bruce Wayne in a Chinese prison learning ninja skills in the Himalayas would feel strange.
While Western audiences might not care about these details, Gilbert felt it looked odd, prompting the adjustment and bringing Jet Li in for a cameo appearance.
After all, in the comics, Bruce Wayne wasn't only skilled in ninjutsu but also other combat techniques. Knowing some Chinese martial arts wasn't unusual.
The actors were discussing this very issue. Christian Bale, having read the original comics, was worried that this adaptation might alienate comic fans.
Liam Neeson, however, didn't mind: "I think small changes aren't a big deal as long as Batman's core spirit remains intact."
Jet Li's screen time was limited, barely more than a background role.
His career in Hollywood hadn't reached Jackie Chan's level, so collaborating with Gilbert was a valuable opportunity, and he took it seriously. His performances in several scenes were notable.
While the two lead actors were talking, he rarely interjected, preferring to listen quietly.
Finally, the strong wind subsided. Gilbert announced wrap for the day, and everyone quickly headed back to the hotel to rest. Tomorrow, they would check the weather before resuming filming.
The next day, the weather cleared. The sun, unseen for days, returned, allowing the crew to continue shooting.
This scene focused on Bruce Wayne and Henri Ducard discussing fear, anger, and determination, relying entirely on the actors' performances.
The props team had prepped a campfire, which was lit, and both Christian Bale and Liam Neeson were ready, sitting before the fire.
This was actually a night scene, so the lighting crew had to block out the sunlight and set up artificial lights.
Gilbert stood behind the main camera, observing the frame. Once he was satisfied, he officially began filming the scene.
"Rub your chest hard; your hands can keep you warm," Henri Ducard said, adding dry wood to the fire, speaking to the curled-up Bruce Wayne. "You are stronger than your father."
Bruce Wayne lifted his head and looked at him. "You don't know my father."
"But I understand the anger in your heart!"
This reflected Bruce Wayne's mental state after his parents were tragically murdered.
"Your anger temporarily makes you forget your pain, until the longing for your loved ones becomes unbearable. One day, you might wish they never existed, just to erase your suffering."
Bruce Wayne's eyes showed a hint of confusion. Henri Ducard calmly continued, "I didn't always live on the mountain. I had a wife, the love of my life, who was brutally killed. Like you, I learned never to let evildoers go unpunished. Anger gave you great strength, but if you cannot control it, it will destroy you. Anger nearly ruined my life."
"How did you calm your anger?" Bruce Wayne asked.
"Revenge!"
"That doesn't help me."
"Why not? Why haven't you avenged your parents, Bruce?"
These lines highlighted the philosophical divergence between Bruce Wayne and Henri Ducard, or the League of Shadows. Their paths were inevitably destined to split.
"Cut," Gilbert called, stopping filming. He walked over to instruct the actors. First, he addressed Liam Neeson: "Henri Ducard, your expression was a bit over the top."
"You are a staunch believer in the League of Shadows, convinced that evil must be eradicated and a new order built from the ruins. You hold this belief firmly."
Then Gilbert spoke to Christian Bale: "Bruce, do you know what your performance just now was called? Wooden acting."
Liam Neeson heard this new term and couldn't help but laugh. Seeing Gilbert and Christian Bale looking at him, he repeatedly apologized: "Sorry, please continue."
Gilbert continued, "Bruce Wayne, remember, you have no superpowers, only money power. You are a mortal man with human emotions — show them."
"Understood, Director," Christian Bale nodded.
"I'll give you ten minutes to work on it…" Gilbert said, returning behind the camera.
After Gilbert's instructions, the two actors' performances noticeably improved, and the scene was filmed successfully.
Christian Bale's acting had no inherent issues; with Gilbert's guidance and communication, everything ran smoothly.
...
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