As soon as the Marvel showcase wrapped, my phone started ringing in my pocket. The caller ID lit up: Scarlett.
I picked it up immediately. "HA…look who's got herself a Black Widow movie," she said, practically beaming through the line.
"I can't believe you kept this from me," I said, laughing.
Scarlett just laughed harder.
"I'm happy for you," I said. "Sounds like you've got a pretty packed schedule for the next couple of years."
"Oh, you have no idea. I've got four films lined up now." She exhaled dramatically. "I might as well just move onto a studio lot permanently."
"I might have something for you too, after all that," I said.
There was a beat of silence, then her voice perked up. "Oh? Really? What is it?"
I was about to answer when I spotted movement at the lounge entrance. Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans had just walked in, flanked by a couple of assistants. Downey scanned the room, caught sight of me, and his face lit up.
"Daniel," Scarlett said, hearing me pause. "You still there?"
"Your co-stars just walked in," I said, standing as Downey approached.
Robert extended his hand. "Daniel Adler," he said with that signature smile. "Always a pleasure."
I shook his hand, then Chris Evans's as he offered his own. "Mr. Adler," Evans said politely.
Robert tilted his head toward my phone. "We aren't interrupting anything, are we?"
"No, no," I said, grinning. "Just on a call with Scarlett."
"Heyyy," Scarlett's voice rang out from the phone as I put it on speaker.
Robert leaned toward the mic. "Aha, already passing on info, huh? Can't help yourself."
Chris chuckled behind him.
"Robert," Scarlett replied, flat and amused, "you know, it was funny… the first twenty times."
"That's deflection right there," Robert said with mock seriousness. "Classic spy move."
I laughed. "Well, for what it's worth, the showcase was incredible."
Robert raised an eyebrow. "Intimidated yet?"
I smiled back. "Not as intimidated as you were when you first saw The Dark Knight."
Evans let out a sudden laugh and had to look away. "Oh man…"
Robert put a hand on his chest. "See? This is why I keep telling people she's a spy."
"Alright, alright," Scarlett's voice returned, dry and amused. "I'll see you guys back on set… and you, Daniel—I'll see you next month."
The call ended.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and looked up at Robert and Chris. "So… you want to grab something to eat?"
"Yeah, sure," Robert said after a moment.
Chris nodded. "I could eat."
"So, how's everything on set?" I asked as we made our way toward the elevator.
And oh boy did they have a lot to say.
.
.
.
Youtube videos taken by audience members at Comic-Con
=====
Adler Gets a Standing Ovation DC Studios Showcase and Panel, July 10, 2015, San Diego Comic-Con
[0:00]
The video begins with a shaky camera focused on a massive stage, the DC Studios logo glowing across the screen. Lights flicker as a deep voice announces:
"Please welcome… Daniel Adler!"
[0:04]
A loud wave of cheers erupts. The camera jiggles slightly as someone off-camera whispers excitedly:
"Are you getting this?"
[0:07]
Daniel Adler walks onto the stage wearing a dark blazer, a warm smile on his face. The audience gets louder—some people are already on their feet. The cameraman claps along, shouting:
"LET'S GO, DANIEL!"
[0:14]
The crowd stands. The applause swells. Adler stands at the center of the stage, hands loosely at his sides, clearly moved.
[0:24]
The camera zooms in slightly. You can see Adler mouth the words:
"Thank you. Thank you."
He places a hand over his heart and gives a small bow.
[0:30]
"He deserves this, man," says the cameraman.
[0:39]
Adler steps to the podium, waving again as the cheers continue for a few more seconds. He waits visibly patient, even a little bashful. Finally, he leans into the mic.
Adler (smiling):
"Well… that's one hell of a welcome."
Laughter and whistles erupt from the crowd.
========
Flash Movie Clip San Diego Comic-Con
[0:00]
The video starts with the camera zooming in on the Hall H stage. Seated in front of the giant screen are Daniel Adler, Grant Gustin, Antony Starr, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Edgar Wright.
Grant (laughing):
"This is my first major studio film, so I'll admit… I was a little intimidated. Especially working with Edgar."
Laughter erupts from the audience. Grant turns to Edgar, who just smirks and shrugs.
Daniel (leaning into the mic):
"I think he did great."
Cheers and applause break out. The camera catches Grant smiling wide and mouthing, "Thanks."
[0:24]
Daniel (grinning):
"Well, we do have a little clip to show. I mean, the movie's out in two weeks—"
Laughter rumbles through the crowd.
Daniel (mock-shrugging):
"Why not give you something more to look forward to?"
The lights dim. The crowd erupts into excited cheers, and the camera shifts toward the massive screen as the clip begins.
[0:38 – Clip Begins]
Barry Allen stands in a cluttered apartment, surrounded by makeshift equipment. He looks nervous as he laces up his shoes.
Barry (to himself):
"Okay… just run. Easy. You've run before."
He heads outside and to the side of the building. No one is there. He takes a deep breath and tries.
The second he takes off, he smashes into a wall with a loud THUD.
Laughter bursts from the audience.
Barry (groaning, on the floor):
"Okay, okay…"
He tries again. This time, he crashes into some dumpsters.
A quick montage follows Barry trying again and again, struggling to control himself.
Finally, he starts to get the rhythm right. His form improves. He zips around the block, through the street, weaving between traffic. A slow-motion sequence shows lightning trailing behind his steps as he picks up speed.
Off-camera, the cameraman whispers:
"Yo, that running looks amazing."
Just as Barry hits full stride, he miscalculates a turn and CRASHES into a parked car.
He groans loudly, lifting a clearly broken arm.
Barry:
"…Ow, ow, ow."
The clip cuts to black.
[2:56 – Lights come up]
Daniel (smiling):
"Well… he's getting there."
Big laughs and applause fill the room.
======
New Aquaman Clip DC Studios Panel, San Diego Comic-Con 2015
[0:00]
The video opens with the camera aimed at the stage. Laughter rolls through the crowd. Onstage are Daniel Adler, Alan Ritchson, Deborah Ann Woll, Patrick Wilson, and director James Wan. Everyone looks relaxed and smiling.
Daniel (grinning):
"Let's not get into it, Deborah."
The audience laughs louder. Deborah turns toward Daniel, eyes narrowed playfully.
Deborah:
"Oh, let's."
The entire audience:
"OHHHHHHHHH!"
More laughter all around.
Daniel (hands up, mock-defensive):
"Okay, okay Deborah and I play Dungeons & Dragons together. Recently, something happened, and she just can't let it go."
A guy near the camera mutters,"Lucky bastard."
Deborah (cutting in):
"Oh, something happened, alright. You killed my character. Straight-up murdered her, no, wait sacrificed her."
Daniel (trying not to laugh):
"She's been holding a grudge for, like, three months now."
Deborah:
"It was the most evil thing I've ever seen in any game. Period."
Daniel:
"In my defense, you trusted a character named Kaiser Oblivion."
The cameraman and audience burst into laughter.
Daniel (to the crowd):
"Like, that's literally the most obviously evil name ever."
Daniel (clapping his hands once):
"You know what? We're getting off-topic. Let's play the clip we brought for you guys."
Big cheers erupt from the crowd. The lights dim.
[1:19 – Clip Begins]
The screen shows Mera and Arthur sprinting across the sun-drenched rooftops of a Sicilian coastal town. The entire sequence is one continuous shot fluid, dizzying, elegant.
Arthur crashes through a window and emerges on the other side, while Mera glides effortlessly, bursts of water propelling her leaps. Atlantean soldiers pursue them, weapons flashing in the sun.
The cameraman whispers:
"Yoooo this looks great."
The camera pans briefly to capture the audience completely silent, eyes locked on the screen.
Mera sends a sheet of water crashing through a wall, knocking an Atlantean off his feet. Arthur spears another mid-air while leaping from roof to roof. The music swells.
In the final moment, Arthur and Mera leap in unison off a rooftop.
The clip ends. The lights rise. Thunderous cheers and applause fill the room.
=======
Green Lantern Cast Reveal DC Studios Panel, San Diego Comic-Con 2015
[0:00]
The video opens with a shaky camera focused on the massive Hall H stage. Behind Daniel Adler, the screen displays a glowing, emerald-green logo:
"THE GREEN LANTERNS."
Daniel (on stage, grinning):
"All right… Hal Jordan."
A guy in the audience yells:
"RYAN REYNOLDS, ADLER!"
The entire crowd bursts into laughter.
Daniel (pointing at the crowd):
"Okay, who said that?"
More laughter erupts.
Daniel (deadpan):
"What kind of shitty fancast is that?"
Even louder laughter, with fans whistling and clapping.
Daniel:
"Fucking Ryan Reynolds? Really? That guy?"
The cameraman whispers to his friend:
"He really hates him."
Another voice near the mic:
"Same, bro. Same."
Daniel (smiling as the laughter fades):
"Now, getting back to it. Hal Jordan…"
He turns to his left and gestures with both hands.
"Chris Pine."
The crowd explodes into applause and cheers as Chris Pine walks onto the stage, waving and smiling. He shakes Daniel's hand.
Cameraman:
"Knew it! Called it last week."
Daniel:
"Now for our second Lantern…"
"It was a long process finding our John Stewart. We wanted someone who could truly embody his character and we finally found him."
He pauses with a smile.
"Your John Stewart… Damson Idris."
Cheers erupt slightly more reserved than for Chris Pine as Damson Idris walks onstage confidently, grinning and nodding to the audience. He shakes hands with Chris Pine, then Daniel.
Cameraman:
"Let's fucking goooo! I like this Idris guy. He looks the part."
Daniel:
"Now… What's a Green Lantern story without our favorite antagonist? The first Yellow Lantern himself."
The crowd starts buzzing in anticipation.
Daniel (with a grin):
"Mark Strong as Sinestro."
A huge ovation follows as Mark Strong enters, nodding respectfully as he joins the others.
Daniel:
"And of course, this all needs a captain at the helm. Directing The Green Lanterns will be the brilliant Joseph Kosinski."
Kosinski walks on to solid cheers, waving as he joins the full cast lineup.
=====
BATMAN 3 Announced!!!! DC Studios Panel, San Diego Comic-Con 2015
[0:00]
The video opens focused on the main Hall H stage. Daniel Adler stands alone, mic in hand.
Daniel (on stage):
"Okay… now that all that's over, I guess we're done."
The audience stirs with some audible disappointment.
Cameraman (muttering):
"That sucks…"
Daniel (grinning):
"I'm gonna be honest with you, we don't have anything as big as what Marvel did yesterday."
Some sighs and light chuckles ripple through the crowd. Then—
Daniel (raising his hand):
"But…"
The room quiets immediately.
Daniel:
"I do have this."
[0:22]
The lights dim dramatically. A wave of energy runs through the crowd.
Cameraman (whispering quickly):
"Oh my… oh my… OH MY GOD. What is it? Justice League? It has to be."
[0:30]
The unmistakable sound of Hans Zimmer's Dark Knight theme begins to play through the speakers. The crowd erupts with cheers.
[0:40]
On screen, black fades into smoky grey as a voiceover echoes:
"Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.
So, we'll hunt him. Because he can take it.
Because he's not our hero.
He's a silent guardian.
A watchful protector.
A Dark Knight."
Cameraman (screaming over the roar):
"OH MY GOD. Oh my God. What the fuck!"
[1:12]
The Batman logo slams onto the screen—now tinged with an eerie red glow.
The entire hall explodes into applause and cheers.
Cameraman (losing his mind):
"Holy SHIT. Oh my God. OH MY GOD!"
[1:25]
Under the glowing logo, a date fades in:
November 2016
Cameraman:
"WHAT? What?! But how?! That's crazy!"
The cheers only grow louder some fans can be seen on camera standing on their chairs, shouting.
[1:40]
The lights come back on. Walking onstage are Jensen Ackles and Christopher Nolan. The crowd goes wild again.
Daniel turns to greet them with a wide grin.
Daniel:
"I don't think anyone expected that."
Cameraman (breathless):
"No. We. Fucking. Did. NOT."