Scarlett Johansson sat in her chair, costume half on, phone pressed to her ear. Around her, the set buzzed with rehearsal chatter and lighting crew adjusting gear for the night shoot ahead. The tower‑party scene was coming up, and nearly the entire Avengers cast was already on set.
"Well," Scarlett said into the phone, a grin tugging at her lips, "I just wanted to say congratulations."
She paused, listening to a faint cough on the other end.
"Thanks, Scar," Daniel finally replied, his voice hoarse. "It's… it's fucking great. I can't believe it."
Scarlett smiled. "Of course it is. I'm going to see it tomorrow."
Daniel chuckled. "Yeah? So how's it feel over there now? You guys rattled? Feeling the pressure now that DC is bigger than you?"
Scarlett rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, please."
"But seriously," Daniel continued, "how's the shoot going? I'm looking forward to that movie."
Before she could answer, Robert Downey Jr. sauntered up behind her, peering at the phone with mock suspicion.
"We've got a spy," he declared, eyes wide with theatrical concern. "I caught a spy!"
Scarlett groaned with a laugh, holding the phone away. "Robert, please. Private call."
Chris Evans strolled over with Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Cobie Smulders, and Jeremy Renner trailing behind.
"What's going on?" Evans asked, grabbing a bottle of water.
"Somebody," Scarlett said, shooting Robert a look, "is interrupting my congratulatory phone call."
"I caught Missy here on a call with her handler," Robert said, smirking and gesturing to Scarlett. "She's been spying for the enemy!"
Scarlett rolled her eyes. "It's Daniel Adler."
At that, Chris Hemsworth perked up. "Oh! Tell him I said hi."
Scarlett sighed and tapped her phone to speaker. "Okay, you're on speaker now, Daniel."
"Hey, everyone," Daniel's voice crackled through the phone.
"Hey," Evans said.
Daniel responded quickly. "Chris I mean, Mr. Evans I just wanted to say Winter Soldier was incredible. I loved the movie."
Evans gave a modest shrug. "Thank you."
Hemsworth leaned in. "I heard from my agent that you're interested."
Daniel chuckled. "I am. We should meet when you're a bit more free. I've got something really interesting in mind."
Robert made a dramatic gasp. "Unbelievable! He's recruiting right in front of us!"
The group laughed.
"Hey, Robert," Daniel said. "Did you see the new Batman yet?"
"I might," Robert replied coyly. "I might."
For a few minutes they all chatted, the banter light and teasing. But soon a crew member called from behind the camera.
"Places!"
Daniel heard and said, "Oh if Stan's around, tell him I said hi."
The call ended.
Robert looked around at the group and, with faux seriousness, said, "We should recruit a spy of our own."
Scarlett just laughed and shook her head.
Then Robert clapped his hands once. "Okay. Anyone want to see that movie with me after this? I need to find out what all the fuss is about."
That night
The lights slowly came up as the credits for The Dark Knight finished rolling. The room stayed quiet for a moment. Daniel had arranged the private screening so the Avengers cast could watch it on the studio lot.
Scarlett leaned forward in her seat, arms crossed, and let out a breath.
"Well… damn," she said, half‑laughing. "I knew Daniel was good, but that was—yeah, that was something else."
Chris Evans nodded slowly. "Yeah. That was… great."
Hemsworth turned toward the others, eyes wide, still processing. "I really need to work with that man."
They all looked to Robert Downey Jr., who hadn't spoken since the credits began. He sat motionless, fingers laced in front of his mouth, brows furrowed.
Finally, he broke the silence.
"We really have to up our game."
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DC vs. Marvel: With Just 4 Films, the DCU Might Be Winning the Battle of Superhero Cinema
The superhero genre has become the defining force of this decade, with Marvel Studios long positioned as the undisputed king. With nine films under its belt including massive hits like The Avengers, Iron Man, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier the MCU has built an interconnected universe that's the envy of every studio.
But something has shifted.
With only four films Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and now The Dark Knight the DC Cinematic Universe (DCU), guided by Daniel Adler, is carving out a distinctly different path. And frankly, it's starting to feel like the better one.
A Fresh Alternative to the Marvel Formula
Where the MCU has thrived on interconnectivity and a lighthearted tone, many are beginning to notice that its formula is wearing thin. Quippy humor, predictable third‑act showdowns, and a certain sameness in the look and feel of each entry have led some critics and audiences to crave something new.
The DCU, by contrast, feels bold. Each film brings something different to the table—distinct not just in style but in storytelling, tone, and theme. There's no overarching template; you don't walk into a DCU movie knowing exactly what kind of emotional beats or jokes you're going to get. That unpredictability is thrilling.
Characters (and Villains) With Real Depth
Part of the DCU's appeal lies in its characters. Adler and his team have re‑imagined iconic figures like Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent and Diana Prince in ways that feel fresh while still honoring their comic‑book roots.
But it's the villains who might be stealing the show. With Lex Luthor from the 2014 Superman already a standout, and now Heath Ledger's Joker leaving audiences stunned, the DCU is presenting layered, terrifying, charismatic antagonists who do more than simply serve as final bosses.
Marvel Isn't Done Yet but the Clock Is Ticking
This isn't to say Marvel hasn't delivered quality. Iron Man remains iconic, and Winter Soldier is one of the best spy thrillers in recent memory. But even die‑hard Marvel fans are starting to feel the repetition. Marvel still has plenty in the tank Age of Ultron and Guardians of the Galaxy are right around the corner but the pressure is on. If Marvel wants to stay on top, it needs to evolve beyond its current model.
Meanwhile, with Adler readyingThe Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Justice League in the near future, DC has never looked more exciting.
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Five high‑ranking Disney and Marvel executives sat in a sleek, modern boardroom overlooking Burbank. At the head of the table was Bob Iger, CEO of Disney. Across from him, Chairman Alan Horn scanned a stack of reports, brows furrowed. Beside him sat Kevin Feige, President of Marvel Studios; Victoria Alonso, Executive Producer; and Louis D'Esposito, Feige's right‑hand man.
Alan exhaled sharply and set the papers down.
"I'm surprised by how successful they've been," he said at last.
Everyone knew who they were.
"Mr. Adler is very good at what he does," Victoria said diplomatically, folding her hands.
Alan turned to Kevin. "You told me it would take DC time to catch up. That they didn't have… well, it. But now—"
He lifted the papers again, reading off the figures.
"They've got multiple billion‑dollar movies. It looks like every one of their films is preferred to ours. The last time we went head‑to‑head proved that."
He looked back at Kevin. "It's affecting our position in the market. Winter Soldier could've made another hundred million globally if not for The Dark Knight."
Kevin remained calm.
"With respect, I disagree. Our success has been built over time on the backs of former B‑list characters no one believed in. Iron Man, Thor, Cap… Superman and Batman are already household names."
He tapped the report. "Batman, Superman… they've had decades. They started the superhero craze in film. Of course those names will pull more, especially in the short term."
Louis D'Esposito nodded. "Kevin's right. Look where we were six years ago. We're still building. Their success doesn't mean our momentum is slowing."
Alan frowned. "How much will Guardians of the Galaxy suffer, though? We're releasing it three weeks after that Flash movie."
Silence settled over the room.
Kevin leaned forward. "I do think it'll affect us," he admitted.
Before Alan Horn could reply, Bob Iger finally spoke.
"Kevin's done a great job so far. There's no need for paranoia, Alan."
He glanced toward the windows, then back at the group, a small smile forming on his face.
"Adler… he's DC's beating heart. If we're honest, he's the reason all of this is working for them."
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"You know, George Lucas once came to me about bringing Adler in for Star Wars. Said he was an up‑and‑comer, smart as hell. I brushed it off—thought, he's just a kid. Now I regret that."
Victoria Alonso raised an eyebrow playfully. "Maybe you could still entice him with Star Wars this time."
Iger laughed. "That ship has sailed."
Then his expression turned serious.
"Our movies make money, yes. But none of them are being talked about like The Dark Knight. That film didn't just do well—it elevated their entire brand. It gave them prestige. That's something we haven't cracked."
He turned to Feige.
"I want you to make some changes to Age of Ultron less jokes more darker in tone."
Feige nodded. "I've had the same thoughts."
"Good," Iger said. "And look into that Black Widow project again. We've danced around it long enough."
He looked from Kevin to Louis.
"We need something that hits like The Dark Knight did. We can't let them keep the spotlight."
Feige straightened, eyes sharp.
"I already have a few ideas."
Bob nodded, then leaned back in his chair.
"Oh and the Fox deal? It's happening. Plan for that. And make the Sony deal happen too. I don't care what it takes. We need Spider‑Man back."
He folded his arms, the weight of his words settling over the room.
"We're going full throttle."
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Box Office Report: The Dark Knight Ends Its Run with Monumental $1.66 Billion Worldwide
The Dark Knight, the fourth entry in the DCU, has officially concluded its theatrical run with a staggering $1.66 billion global box office total making it one of the most successful superhero films in cinematic history.
Directed by Christopher Nolan and co-written by Nolan and Daniel Adler, the film has now secured its place as:
The highest-grossing Batman film of all time
The second highest-grossing film in the DCU, just behind 2014's Superman, which earned $2.2 billion
One of the top ten highest-grossing films of all time globally
Opening to massive anticipation and near-universal acclaim, The Dark Knight pulled in a jaw-dropping $468 million worldwide in its opening weekend. It outperformed its Marvel competitor, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and set records for a non-summer holiday opener.
However, the film's box office momentum slowed slightly during its third and fourth weeks due to the arrival of Fast & Furious 6, which debuted with considerable global fanfare and cut into The Dark Knight's international earnings.
Still, the impact of The Dark Knight was undeniable. The film dominated cultural conversations, earned widespread praise from critics and audiences alike, and generated strong awards season buzz.
Box Office Breakdown:
Domestic Total: $648 million
International Total: $1.012 billion
Worldwide Total: $1.66 billion
The film's success cements its legacy not only as a box office juggernaut, but also as a milestone in modern superhero storytelling. With future DCU entries on the horizon, the bar has been set and it's higher than ever.
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There will be more reactions in a future chapter.
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You can read up to chapter 239
p.a.t.r.eon.com/Illusiveone (check the chapter summary i have it there as well)