Behind The Spotlight Chapter 289
Director Jim Gan and the others nodded at Murray and jotted down notes.
"Thank you, Mr. Fred. We will contact you later."
Murray Fred wasn't sure if that was a positive sign or not. He took off the costume and left the audition room. A few seconds later, the next actor was called in.
Murray walked away from the building to find a stronger signal to call his agent.
"Are you done with your audition?"
"Arnold, I'm not sure if I passed or not. I performed and followed their instructions, but I don't know if they'll cast me. Is it all right if I apply for the role of Jex Juther instead?" Murray asked in a dejected tone as he explained what happened.
"It's alright. You don't have to worry about it. Again, just like what I promised you: if you don't get cast in the three projects you auditioned for, I'll insert you in the TV Show Unnatural. If I'm right, they'll probably cast someone famous to play Jex Juther as a safety net."
It was obvious what Whiner Bruh Studio was going to do. They would cast a small-time actor as the protagonist, but a newcomer lacked box office appeal. To compensate, they would hire famous actors for the supporting roles to draw in audiences instead.
'Jex Juther will probably only appear in the first movie to cut costs. That way, the sequel will have a smaller budget,' Arnold thought.
He was actually right. That was the plan. Casting Axel Gunner was quite expensive, so his appearance would be restricted to the first installment. In the sequel, the studio would cast a less expensive actor to play the villain.
"I see." Murray felt deflated.
Just like Murray, Arnold wasn't entirely confident he would land the role either. Murray essentially had zero acting experience, save for a single month of acting school.
Even so, Arnold could see that Murray possessed the potential to make it big. In his opinion, Murray had more charisma than Brody Paige... Arnold still felt a bit bitter that Brody Paige hadn't followed him to GSG, though he understood the reasons. Still, it stung.
Regardless, Arnold already had alternative plans for him.
"Yes, thanks, Arnold." When Murray heard that Arnold was calm about it and didn't place any blame, he felt immensely relieved. The fact that Arnold assured him of a role in the hit thriller TV Show Unnatural was already fantastic news. At least he had something positive to tell his parents, who constantly worried about his struggles in Los Angeles.
...
...
...
Just like Arnold, the production team for Justice Guy was deeply divided over casting Murray as the lead.
"I like his performance. So far, he's the most convincing option. Can't you see how freaking cool he looked wearing that cape?" Director Jim Gan argued to the rest of the production team. As a director, he was constantly hunting for perfection.
He had cast Axel Gunner because he was the ideal fit for the evil billionaire Jex Juther, and he wanted Murray Fred because he embodied the hero.
"I'm against it." Samuel, the representative of Whiner Bruh Studio and the producer of Justice Guy, flatly rejected the idea of casting a complete unknown actor as the lead in a major superhero blockbuster.
"We want a fresh face, but I don't want to cast someone with zero real credentials. What did he even learn in acting school? One month isn't enough to hone any real skills," Samuel frowned.
"You have to admit, he looks great in the suit. Plus, his acting wasn't half bad either."
Samuel conceded that Murray looked the role. He stood 6'2", possessed short dark hair, and was undeniably handsome.
"So what? We can find a dozen guys like him walking the streets of Hollywood. Jim, I agreed to give you creative freedom, but there are limits. I won't have a nobody starring in our movie, especially not as the new face of Justice Guy. Who is going to buy a ticket if the lead actor has zero box office appeal?"
Jim Gan understood the concern, but he saw a spark in Murray. He firmly believed the kid was destined for the role.
"I recommend Gerrard Undersun instead."
Gerrard Undersun had starred in a few films and boasted a solid filmography. He was handsome, young, and fit all their target criteria. He also carried a bit of extra notoriety: he was Jennifer's ex-boyfriend. His talent agent had advised him to cut ties with Jennifer to protect his career trajectory.
Jim Gan knew who Gerrard Undersun was. He admitted Gerrard was competent, but he was chasing perfection.
"How about this? I'll film a short test scene to prove whether Murray can act or not. If he meets our standards, we cast him. Don't worry, it'll only take two weeks and won't interfere with my prep work for Justice Guy."
"Are you hearing yourself? You're actually willing to gamble on a nobody?!" Samuel raised his voice. If Jim Gan hadn't been one of the most sought-after directors in the industry, he might have been fired on the spot for his stubbornness.
"Just give me two weeks. I'm confident I can convince you and the studio."
"This isn't just about his acting capabilities. I need someone who can draw a crowd. This Murray kid brings nothing to the table commercially."
"Trust me, I've got this." Jim Gan refused to back down. "I'll answer to the chairman myself and convince the board of directors. I'll take full responsibility."
"... Do whatever you want."
Since Jim Gan was willing to stake his reputation and talk to the chairman directly, Samuel washed his hands of the matter.
That night, Murray received an invitation to shoot a short test film. He wouldn't get paid for it, but he was promised the lead role in Justice Guy if his performance delivered.
Arnold encouraged him to seize the opportunity. It was a shot at greatness.
[Author's Note:]
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