Heavy breathing echoed inside a small makeshift gym. A dark-haired man in his twenties switched off the treadmill, grabbed a large white towel, and wiped the sweat from his face as he walked out of the room.
He passed through a modest living room, opened the door to his studio, and stepped inside.
In the studio stood a long wooden table against the wall. Hanging above it was an enormous framed picture — a man in exaggerated clown makeup, his red mouth so wide it looked as though it could drip blood.
Standing silently before the table, the young man named James Holmes stared blankly at the Joker. That was his favorite movie character — he admired the Joker’s unrestrained madness, and even more, the chaos he created. That was his faith.
On the table beneath the frame lay the tools of chaos — guns, bullets, and bombs.
From dropping out of school to unemployment and now this, James Holmes had had enough of society. Only chaos was his true pursuit.
He was born and raised in San Diego, California, one of the most densely populated cities in the United States, near the Mexican border.
Although California was home to the prosperous entertainment hub of Hollywood, the state had been trapped in an employment crisis ever since Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor in 2003.
James Holmes had an exceptionally bright mind. He had always been a top student, and teachers at Westview High School called him "a silent but absolutely genius-level student."
After graduating high school, James Holmes entered the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to study neuroscience. After earning his bachelor’s degree, he continued directly into a master’s program.
However, after graduation, this so-called genius — once hailed by his professors as someone "who could bring breakthroughs to American neuroscience" — helplessly became part of California’s massive unemployed population. About a year of having nothing to do made this once-outstanding student stop looking for work entirely, choosing instead to "stay home every day in silent depression."
The only companion left for James Holmes was film.
When he saw The Joker in The Dark Knight, the neuroscience graduate suddenly had an epiphany — he had found his spiritual faith and life’s purpose.
But to realize that purpose, money was essential.
Without money, making a city tremble in fear like his idol did was impossible. Troubled by this, James Holmes resorted to drowning himself in alcohol, going to a bar every day until he became a well-known drunk on the streets of Los Angeles.
Perhaps luck favored him. One night, after drinking too much, James Holmes collapsed by the roadside and was noticed by a private investigator. After a period of observation, the man approached Holmes and struck a deal with him.
Thinking about that deal now, James Holmes admired his own brilliance as a born criminal. Through his careful, intelligent planning, no one had yet discovered that Vin Diesel’s car crash and death had never been an accident!
That "accident" caused a massive public stir, giving Holmes both psychological satisfaction and financial reward. But before the lure of so much money, such a so-called "accident" could no longer satisfy his craving.
He needed to create something bigger, chaos that could engulf an entire city — just like the Joker.
With money in hand, a man could do anything in this country. A year ago, James Holmes joined a firearms and military enthusiasts’ club, learning shooting techniques and basic combat tactics.
Through illegal online channels, he purchased about 6,000 rounds of ammunition, half of which were Glock handgun bullets, along with over 300 rounds of powerful shotgun shells.
After obtaining the ammo online, the chemistry-proficient Holmes built at home a series of "extremely complex" chain bombs, which he planted all over the walls and ceiling of his bedroom. Later, he bought smoke grenades, riot shields, black bulletproof vests, knee guards, neck and wrist protectors — and with his existing Colt AR-15 carbine, he had effectively turned his home into a miniature armory.
Picking up the AR-15 rifle, James Holmes skillfully disassembled and cleaned it. He was ready. All he needed now was the perfect moment — the moment to, like the Joker, drag an entire city into panic.
What would be the perfect moment?
James Holmes turned on the television. Before long, a movie commercial appeared.
"In less than ten days, the biggest summer blockbuster of 2012 — The Dark Knight Rises — will premiere across North America."
"Looking back at the first two films in the series: Batman Begins tells of Batman’s tragic childhood and scarred youth, offering a believable origin for this superhero; The Dark Knight distilled the struggle between good and evil into a profound exploration of human light and darkness, pushing comic-book cinema to new heights and earning the title of a timeless classic among countless fans."
"Now, the director Duke Rosenberg, who has been revered by passionate fans as a god-tier filmmaker, once again takes the helm, bringing the entire trilogy to an epic and magnificent conclusion. It’s no wonder that audiences everywhere are eagerly anticipating The Dark Knight Rises."
"Few films have ever received such overwhelming attention before release. The trailer alone shattered download records, pre-sale tickets were snatched up like crazy, and even the film’s running time became a hot topic of discussion. Ordinary moviegoers were swept up by the enthusiasm of the ’Bat-fans’ and ’Duke followers,’ all eagerly chasing any leak of information about the film. Every prop, every photo, every frame of each trailer sparked endless speculation and discussion about the story’s direction and the characters’ fates."
"In The Dark Knight Rises, Batman will face an unprecedented level of despair. He will be gravely injured, isolated, and even imprisoned. A brilliant and physically powerful villain takes full control, while riots, destruction, and devastation engulf every corner of Gotham City. But in the end, the Dark Knight will rise again. Evil will face retribution, and the trilogy will conclude with a stirring and grand finale battle—marking both the end of a legendary saga and the beginning of a brighter new Chapter."
"Are you already thrilled and can’t wait to watch The Dark Knight Rises?"
By the time he read that line, James Holmes had already assembled the AR-15 assault rifle in his hands. He raised the muzzle and pulled the trigger—click!—the sound of the firing pin striking an empty chamber echoed through the room.
He had found the perfect moment!
May was approaching, and Warner Bros. had just held the first full test screening of The Dark Knight Rises. Soon afterward, the media began their frenzy of praise.
"The film’s pacing is tight and the plot full of twists and turns, quickly immersing the audience into the dark world of Gotham City. Over eighty minutes of IMAX footage, combined with massive action and explosion sequences, create a majestic and awe-inspiring atmosphere. Moreover, Batman’s turbulent fate and the strong narrative connections to the previous two films make The Dark Knight Rises a resounding and fitting conclusion to the Batman prequel trilogy."
The New York Times devoted multiple pages to formally recommending the film to the entire nation.
"Duke Rosenberg used IMAX cameras to film eighty-nine minutes of IMAX footage, showcasing large-scale combat and explosion sequences. The IMAX screen delivers not only a grander image but also grants the film a sense of magnificence that surpasses any other superhero movie."
"In The Dark Knight Rises, there is a ’mass army battle’ rarely seen in superhero films. Thousands of soldiers from both sides of good and evil clash head-on, and Gotham City is engulfed in blood and fire. In addition, Batman’s new vehicle—the Batwing—makes a spectacular debut. The aircraft is nine meters long, with design inspirations drawn partly from the famous Apache attack helicopter and the Harrier vertical takeoff and landing fighter jet. It can take off vertically and maneuver swiftly between skyscrapers, and its aerial chase scenes leave a lasting impression."
"The film gathers a powerful cast. There’s no need to mention Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, and Michael Caine. New additions like Gal Gadot, Sienna Miller, Margot Robbie, and James Franco also deliver outstanding performances. As for the primary villain, Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of Bane may not be as unforgettable as Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight, but it is nevertheless commendable."
"Overall, every actor in the film performs above expectations. If The Avengers’ ensemble storytelling was a ’horizontal expansion’ from one superhero to another, then The Dark Knight Rises achieves a ’vertical expansion’—from superheroes to ordinary police officers, and even to everyday citizens."
A week before the film’s release, the marketing campaign for The Dark Knight Rises reached its most frenzied stage. Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, the internet, and outdoor advertisements—all were flooded with news about the movie, using every possible means to arouse public interest and encourage people to pre-order tickets or visit theaters on opening day.
Neither Warner Bros. nor Duke were foolish enough to believe that the film would naturally attract audiences without effort. Instead, they adopted a highly aggressive marketing strategy.
The Dark Knight Rises was scheduled to premiere on May 4th across North America and nearly a hundred countries and regions worldwide. The marketing campaign spread from North America outward, quickly expanding into every release market.
However, unexpected things always happen. Just as May began, Duke received a message in his public email inbox — a letter that read like a "death threat."
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