Chapter 38: Casting Choices

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Casting Choices

Irene reached for her water cup and found it empty.

Vera, seated by the door, noticed and quietly came over to take it.

"So, we only have concerns about two roles now: Regina, the ’queen bee,’ and Janice," Irene said, expressionless behind the monitor.

The sun had set, and auditions were done. Most roles were cast, but these two remained disputed.

"I still think Lucy Liu fits Janice. Her work on Ally McBeal was compelling, and with Charlie’s Angels next year, it’s good exposure for us," said the Fox supervisor.

Irene’s fingers tapped the table. "But her age..." She had no issue with Lucy Liu; she respected her for succeeding in Hollywood with an East Asian face.

"Eastern actors often look young. With the right hair and makeup, she can handle the role."

"Fine, what about Regina?" There weren’t many options for Janice, and Irene had held off deciding to avoid putting all the focus on Regina.

"Sarah Michelle Gellar has audience pull, she’s willing to lose weight for the part, and she worked well with Reese Witherspoon in *Cruel Intentions*..."

"She was the lead and Reese was supporting before. Would she switch now? And what’s her fee?"

Two questions ended that option.

On looks alone, Rachel McAdams was younger and fresher than Sarah Michelle Gellar, but Sarah’s fame far exceeded Rachel’s. Each had advantages.

Neither had played a role like this before, so they started equal.

Now, salary was the issue. As an established actress, Sarah’s rate was at least seven figures, and taking a "supporting" role would likely raise her price.

If the supporting actress earned too much, the lead would expect more.

That would inflate the entire cast budget, hurting team dynamics.

"$500,000 is the highest I’ll offer for Regina. Negotiate. If they accept, she acts; if not, we find someone else." Irene didn’t wait for a response and stood.

"That’s it for today. For confirmed actors, coordinate schedules. For those undecided, I need answers in three days."

Before three days passed, Fox reported that Sarah Michelle Gellar withdrew from the audition due to "health." Officially. In reality, salary talks failed, leaving the role to Rachel.

With all actors set and Irene’s funding ready, CAA and Fox arranged a signing ceremony before production began.

Unlike the quiet start of Legally Blonde, Fox and CAA invited nearly fifty reporters for a press conference, aiming for publicity.

"Reese was always my first choice. Our first collaboration showed her commitment and work ethic. So when I wrote my second project, I built it around her image, and she cleared her schedule for me. We’re good partners..."

The PR team prepped her for questions, so she answered smoothly.

"This is a story of campus conflict, and I think many will see their own experiences in it."

The room was active, questions constant. Besides Irene, Reese fielded many as well.

While their side was busy, others were unhappy.

In the MGM marketing executive’s conference room, Julia Roberts’ ashtray was full. Ulysses Meyer stood to open the window.

An assistant entered and set the weekly box office report on the table.

Julia grabbed it first, finding the numbers she wanted.

Before Ulysses turned around, he heard a "slap," paper hitting the table.

He saw papers scattered across the table and floor. He motioned the assistant out, closed the door, and began picking them up.

The first report read: Runaway Bride earned $11.03 million last week, fifth place, followed by Legally Blonde with $8.56 million, sixth.

Runaway Bride had $2.47 million more, but it was in week four, while Legally Blonde was in week six.

No wonder Julia was angry.

"Darling, you’re still ahead," he said, the comfort weak.

"Do you know how Nicole Kidman is laughing at me behind my back? Saying I’m old and it’s normal I can’t compete with two young girls," Julia said, grinding her cigarette into the ashtray.

"She and her husband took $70 million and only made $68 million, and she mocks me?"

"Why care about her? Aside from being Mrs. Cruise, she’s irrelevant."

Ulysses sat beside her, rubbing her back to calm her.

"Can you stand watching them walk over me?" Julia pulled away, dissatisfied.

She thought Ulysses refusing to work with Irene would hurt her, but Irene moved to 20th Century Fox quickly.

Even CAA told her, via her agent, to stop these tactics.

She’d gone to effort and barely affected Irene. She wasn’t satisfied.

She had to act, to show the industry didn’t revolve around them.

"They have CAA now, and Fox held a signing ceremony today, so certain methods are off the table," Ulysses said, helpless.

His title sounded impressive, but everyone knew MGM was declining. Even the 007 series faced criticism lately.

His refusal to work with Irene had reached the board, and he was overwhelmed, with no plan to help Julia.

"If indirect methods won’t work, I’ll beat them with a film. Do you have any good projects?"

"I don’t have anything now, but I know someone who does. I’m not sure it suits you."

"Who?" Julia asked, eager. Good projects in Hollywood were competitive. She’d fought hard for Runaway Bride.

"Your old friend, director Garry Marshall. He recently adapted a script, supposedly a romantic comedy. I’ve only heard about it; haven’t seen it."

"Garry? I’ll call and ask."