[At the Renner’s Studio - California]

“...So, do we all agree that things haven’t been methodical and we can not afford to keep going on with this strategy?” Ian asked loud enough from everyone who was seated in the conference room.

There were multiple things that Ian had been busying himself with. John Wick was one of them, but as the CEO of Renner Studios, there was something else that needed his attention the most.

“Yes, sir. Also, we haven’t discussed the budget we’re putting in for the promotions. We-”

“I guess we agreed on 35%. Why is there even a question about this? I thought I made it clear… Didn’t I?” Ian’s stern voice raised his eyes.

It was fair for Ian to question something that important sternly. This wasn’t their first meeting, and something that kept the environment around tells that this wouldn’t be the last meeting either.

“We did sir, but-”

“But, what? I thought that we all discussed and agreed on the number, and if there were any problems with it, you had a week to talk. This meeting was not to discuss numbers but to discuss strategies.

In less than three months, The Dark Knight is going to be out in the theatres, and the wonderful team including myself is nowhere near the plans… Wow,” he sat on his chair with a loud thud.

-

Matt Perkins was a man who had worked under Renner Studios for almost ten years.

His service wasn’t something that started a year or two ago, but even when Ian’s father was working and making the studio work, he had been working and helping under him.

For multiple couples of years when the Renner Studio was malfunctioning, he took a break from the studio just to come back after Ian started building the studio from the scratch.

Nevertheless, his work was in the marketing and development team. And with that being said, Matt was seated beside Ian for the session.

“No sir, that wasn’t what he was trying to say.” Matt purged in. “We had several discussions after the last meeting. This time, we’ve implemented four new strategies we’d like your approval on. But the budget decides it all, that’s why he pushed it first-” Matt took a deep breath due to the nervousness that boiled in his lower gut noticing all the stares he got.

Matt wasn’t the usual guy that’d immediately steal the spotlight, and turn heads when you’re at dinner. He was the silent guy who has lived his life enough to know that his silence meant a lot of things to so many people.

Likewise, hearing his words, Ian nodded in acceptance.

“Let me hear the strategies,” Ian said and everyone nodded.

“Okay, so we start with the internet, billboards, regular advertisements, television ads, Friday Night Live show, and……” one of the staff among the twenty people who were in the room kept explaining… “The trailer needs to be lit. From the calculations, people are already waiting for the trailer, and if we release it within two weeks, there’s the certainty of 75% that the profits would exceed 10%.”

“I think we can make it happen. Where’s Raelynn? She should be here by now, Murphy, ask where she is,” Ian looked at Murphy who sat in the corner of the room, while Murphy—Ian’s assistant walked away getting right into it.

-

The meeting continued for a while. The entire time, they discussed more and more about what to do before the movie premiere to increase the interest of the public. Simply, in a movie, the marketing process was the one that grabbed more interest and attention that kept the profits incoming.

Nevertheless, the fame that Renner Studio already earned kept things ongoing for now.

In a while, Raelynn walked inside the office—as usual, her vibes were more confident and put-together.

After she was present in the room, the discussion continued to go as Ian had planned.

With Raelynn confirming how and when she was planning to end things, it was much easier for the team to plot the marketing and the movie release.

Nevertheless after confirming that the movie ought to be released and the movie premiere to be held in exactly two weeks from the day onwards.

"... Let's see how it goes. And this time, with Team Xem being with us, we can see how this would go. On a serious note, there is around at least twice as much competition as we had last time waiting for us to lose in the race. So, what I’m about to say is, very special… Keep in mind… Every interview for every media publicity is important. Probably more important than how good or bad the movie is!

“With that in mind, I wish you all very good luck!” Ian said and everyone applauded his words, but some remained calm and tense.

What Ian threw wasn’t a normal question, request, or suggestion. It was a complete challenge that would even cost their jobs if anything goes wrong.

As Ian had mentioned, there were too many things on their way this time. Studios, no matter big or small, were competing against Ian.

And on the other hand—two years; two years were enough for them to analyze and know Ian’s next move, which was also why Ian knew there was massive competition, he wanted the movie to do well, even in marketing which plays a very important role.

Within twenty more minutes, the conference room was empty.

“So, there’s going to be more interviews right?” It was Raelynn who talked, gaining Ian's attention.

“Ah, yes. Get ready to answer some more questions about your boyfriend….” Ian replied with a smirk.

“My boyfriend? Says who? Are you now?”

She mocked Ian and walked around the table to reach Ian, and looked into his eyes.

“I forgot all our dates were just-”

“Shh… Get back to work, Mr. Renner. The studio was starving without your attention, and now it’s time. Get back on it…” Raelynn cut him off shortly and walked away making Ian grin from ear to ear.

-

[A week later - At set]

The noises of the chatter of people spread in the set. The environment was warm and tense as the seconds passed making people worry and hurry in what was yet to come.

“EVERYONE! I want you all in position five!” Raelynn yelled, making everyone nod.

“I wonder if there are hidden gems in the movie…” someone from the crew yelled enough for Raelynn to look back.

“There are. In less than a few minutes, we’d be done with the shooting for the day, and then, I’m pretty sure you guys must get ready to get your mouths open when y’all hear some of these…!”

“WhAt?!”

“Are there seriously going to be more reveals?!”

“Are they related to the movie?”

“How come I haven’t noticed!!”

“How can someone even know them?!”

“OH MY GOD!”

“I’m so ready!”

“Fuck yeah!”

“Let’s hear those!!”

The cheers brought a smile to Raelynn’s face. It wasn’t the first day she felt this overwhelming feeling with the crew—and with her smile on her face, she thought, ‘it wouldn’t be the last either

-

After the shooting for the day concluded, everyone gathered around Raelynn to listen to what she had to say.

From Raelynn’s perspective, she had quite a little information to share.

“So, did you guys know that… The character of Reese is an allusion to the Riddler, who attempts to reveal the identity of Batman. Much like Edward Nygma whose name sounds like "enigma" as in E. Nygma, Mr. Reese sounds like "mysteries".”

“WOAH!”

“WAAAH! OH MY GOD!”

“HOW COULD I NOT KNOW..?!!!!”

“Yes, and…..” Raelynn started to say while looking and meeting eyes with everyone.

“At around the first 20 mins, Bruce asks Lucius Fox for a new Batman suit with a headpiece that is "easier to look around in". This is a comical reference to the previous Batman theatrical film himself all wore the Bat-suit that had solid headpieces that cover their heads, necks, and shoulders. This made it impossible for the actor to turn his head and instead had to turn his entire torso to look at his targets.”

“Woah! I’m the biggest comic fan and this… For real!”

“...DAMMIT!”

“... AND…You’ll see this, at around 1h 20 mins as I can’t say exactly which time, during the chase scene, when The Joker takes over driving the semi after his driver is killed, the bullet holes on the windshield form a smiley face!”