2007 was a remarkable year for Hollywood, brimming with cinematic gems.
In January, audiences welcomed Night at the Museum.
February brought Ghost Rider to the big screen.
Both Ghost Rider and Spider-Man were Sony properties, and production on both films moved quickly. Sony had strategized that if Spider-Man faltered, Ghost Rider could serve as their last-ditch savior.
They brought in the former box office king, Nicolas Cage, aiming to craft a compelling tale. Thanks to Spider-Man's rising popularity, Ghost Rider gained traction and clinched the North American weekend box office crown at the end of February.
Then came 300 in March.
Technically, it was also a comic book adaptation—proving that beyond DC and Marvel, other American comic publishers had stories worth telling.
This was director Zack Snyder's second outing, following his success with Dawn of the Dead. Little did he know that one day, Xu Can would recruit him to build an entirely new cinematic universe.
April, however, brought a lull. Xu Can wasn't particularly impressed by the comedy Skate or the thriller Rear Window.
Originally, the biggest hit of May was meant to be Spider-Man 3—yes, the one where Tobey Maguire, clad in black, dances with questionable swagger…
But in this altered timeline, Spider-Man 1 had just premiered. No sequels were ready yet, and the release calendar had space to breathe.
This gave Xu Can a perfect window to schedule John Wick for early May—a chance to heat up the summer box office and establish a solid foothold.
Unexpectedly, Twilight entered the ring.
If it had been any other film, Xu Can might not have thought twice. But Twilight marked Emma Stone's second film as a female lead. And her role in this one? Even more significant than Gwen Stacy.
Xu Can hesitated. He didn't want to pit himself directly against Emma.
"How about I talk to the studio and ask them to push it to the summer?" he offered gently.
Emma, catching on, blinked. "Wait, isn't John Wick scheduled for early May?"
"Yeah," he said, smiling faintly.
She paused, then smiled back. "Forget it. Let fate decide. We might not even clash that badly. Our audiences are different."
She wasn't wrong. Twilight catered to teenage girls in love with vampires and longing, while John Wick was gritty and bloody—a story for grown men drawn to action and revenge.
"Then how about a little bet?" Emma challenged, her tone playful. "Let's see who wins at the box office."
"I'm in. Domestic or global?"
"Let's stick to North America," she said after a moment's thought.
She knew John Wick was rated R. It wouldn't even screen in some countries. The odds were stacked against him globally.
"All right. And if you lose?"
Emma smirked. "I'll promise you one thing. Anything you want—within legal limits, of course."
Xu Can laughed. "Deal. Same goes for me."
They sealed their bet with a few more laughs and teasing words. It was set—John Wick vs. Twilight.
Just as they were about to hang up, Emma's voice softened, becoming more vulnerable. Through the receiver, she whispered almost longingly:
"More than anything else… I just want to make another movie with you. Filming Spider-Man with you... that was the happiest time of my life."
Her gentle tone tugged at Xu Can's heart. That era—those golden days—flashed before his eyes.
The laughter on set. Their late-night strolls through Los Santos. Clinking glasses after wrap parties. Endless conversations about dreams and futures.
Back then, neither of them were famous. Just two young actors with ambition, imagining a shining tomorrow—together.
Now, they were household names. A beloved screen couple—Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy. But fame came with distance. Time apart. Projects that kept them chasing separate schedules. The carefree joy they once had was hard to recreate.
"There aren't many chances left this year or next, are there?" Xu Can murmured. "Spider-Man 2 starts filming in the fall. And next year... I want to do a musical."
Emma's breath caught. "A musical?"
"I want you as the lead," he said with a soft smile.
"Seriously? What's it about?"
"Working title is La La Land. A couple chasing their dreams in Los Santos."
Emma's eyes lit up on the other end of the call. "That sounds so romantic. Feels like it's about us."
"It kind of is," Xu Can replied, grinning. "A beautiful love story."
"Well, count me in. I want to be part of that."
"Once this round's over, we'll get started."
But even as he said it, a quiet smile played on Xu Can's lips. A love story, yes... but whether it would end beautifully—that was something neither of them could know yet.
.........…..
"Ha, ha, ha, ha… I thought my jokes were already cold. But today? That one was a real eye-opener."
"How about a magic trick? I can make this pencil... disappear."
"A year ago, no one would've dared arrest you. What's changed? Did you get castrated?"
"…Are you really Batman? No? Hahahaha—then why are you wearing his costume? Hahahaha! Woohoo!"
Thanks to Xu Can's involvement, production on The Dark Knight was advancing at lightning speed.
At first, many in the film industry were skeptical. They had heard rumors that Spider-Man had wrapped filming way ahead of schedule—but who believed that? Movies are notorious for delays: actors forget lines, the weather turns, sets fall apart. Just sticking to schedule is considered a miracle.
But finishing ahead of time? That was fantasy.
Now, Nolan and his ensemble of A-list talent finally understood—with Xu Can on set, keeping pace felt like playtime.
His greatest asset? Xu Can could slip into character in an instant, transforming scenes from scripted drama into electric, living moments. His co-stars matched his energy, bouncing off his performance like seasoned musicians riffing off a master conductor.
Nolan applauded frequently, unable to hide his amazement.
"I've never had a shoot go this smoothly," he confessed to the crew. "Never fought a battle with this kind of firepower before."
Every actor on set brought experience and gravitas—but with Xu Can, the energy elevated to a new level. They called him the "drama devil," a nickname born out of admiration, not fear. Eventually, they dubbed him something even grander:
"The Magician of Acting."
Gary Oldman let out a wistful sigh one afternoon between takes:
"It's a pity this is a comic book movie. Otherwise, I'd say it could sweep the Oscars."
"Xu," Morgan Freeman added thoughtfully, "have you ever thought about doing more serious films? Your range could easily command a feature drama. I bet you'd bag an Oscar in no time."
Xu Can smiled modestly.
"My schedule's packed for the next two years—mostly Sony's Spider-Man series and a few Marvel/DC projects. But next year? I plan to chase that golden statue."
"Well done," Freeman nodded. "We're all behind you."
"You've got what it takes," Christian Bale chimed in. "No question."
Even Nolan gave a rare show of support.
They'd seen too many actors spiral after playing the Joker. There was genuine concern for Xu Can's well-being.
Better, they all thought, for him to play someone grounded for a change.
Time flew by. 300 and Skate Duo premiered in quick succession.
Then came a bittersweet day: Xu Can's work on The Dark Knight officially wrapped.
"It's a wrap," the assistant director declared.
To celebrate, Nolan and the crew surprised Xu Can with a massive cake.
Batman himself—Christian Bale—popped a bottle of champagne to toast his Joker's final bow.
"Thank you all," Xu Can said, raising his glass. "I hope every one of us continues to create unforgettable work. What we've done here—this will stand as a monument to comic book cinema."
"Here, here."
"Cheers!"
A round of applause echoed through the studio. It wasn't just the end of filming. It was the end of a chapter.
But Xu Can didn't have time to linger. He had to pack and catch a flight back to Los Santos. The premiere of John Wick was right around the corner.
Christian Bale and the Nolan brothers personally saw him off at the lot gates.
Once Xu Can left, Liam Neeson would be joining the team, and they'd roll straight into filming Batman Begins.
"Take it easy on Christian," Xu Can teased Nolan with a grin.
"Don't worry," Nolan chuckled. "Batman doesn't die of exhaustion."
They all laughed.
Then, just as Xu Can was about to step into his car, he paused.
"Oh, by the way—you're heading to Hong Kong for some shooting later, right?"
"Yes," Nolan replied. "Some of the later scenes will be filmed there."
Nolan tilted his head. "You planning to join us again?"
"No," Xu Can said with a sly smile. "But there's a Hong Kong actor you'll meet. Name's Edison Chen. Handsome guy. Please deliver a message for me."
Nolan blinked. "We are working with the Hong Kong industry, and yeah, a young actor is doing a cameo. Is he a friend of yours?"
"If he were, I'd ask for more than a message," Xu Can laughed. "I'm just a… fan."
Nolan didn't get it, but he scribbled a note anyway.
"All right. What's the message?"
Xu Can leaned in, voice low:
"If your computer breaks down—don't take it to a repair shop. Seriously. Keep your files safe. That's all."
Nolan looked baffled. "That's… oddly specific."
"That's all you need. Bye, Christopher. It's been an honor."
"Likewise," Nolan said, shaking his hand firmly. "Here's to future films."
"Oh, there'll be plenty," Xu Can said with a wink before climbing into the car.
The Joker was gone. But John Wick was just about to arrive.
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