Chapter 81: A Difficult Choice

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: A Difficult Choice

"It seems our male lead, Charlie Crowe, is quite popular."

Casting director John Owen, a seasoned veteran skilled at keeping a room balanced, broke the silence with a light comment.

"So far, I’ve received resumes for the role ranging from promising third-tier newcomers to red-hot A-list stars.

It seems everyone wants to drive a MINI Cooper and steal some gold bars."

The joke drew a round of polite laughter, and the tension in the room eased.

"Considering our sixty-million-dollar budget and the global market, we need a name with more international draw to carry the box office," Adelaide Griffin said.

"For example, what about Leonardo DiCaprio? I don’t need to explain his appeal. His film The Beach just finished its theatrical run. The box office wasn’t great, but that could lower his asking price."

The CAA representative immediately agreed. "We strongly support that. Or Matt Damon would also be an excellent choice. He has the relatability of a boy next door and a heroic quality, with strong audience appeal."

Both actors were close to Fox, having starred in major roles for the studio.

Irene understood the logic. Using a star’s fame could reduce investment risk. But if they cast Leonardo, she wondered how much of the sixty-million-dollar budget would be left for the actual production.

"I don’t agree with casting Leonardo DiCaprio," Irene said after thinking for a moment, rejecting the suggestion directly.

"You have to remember, his current rate is basically one million upfront plus twenty percent of the gross, or two million upfront plus ten percent. We can’t afford that. Beyond that, I need a calm, smart, and brave leader for this heist, not just a pretty face."

"The character can be rewritten," Adelaide’s assistant suddenly interjected.

"Other characters can change, but not Charlie Crowe. He is the heart of this film. If we cast an actor who doesn’t match the tone of the movie, the impact would be disastrous," Irene said, her calm tone carrying serious weight.

Come on. Leonardo was still in his heartthrob phase. Only once he reached his Inception era would he fit the Charlie Crowe she had in mind.

Everyone understood Irene’s position. If he wasn’t an option, they would move on.

"Then what about Matt Damon? His appeal could take our film to the next level, and whether it’s Good Will Hunting or The Talented Mr. Ripley, his roles always land," Adelaide said.

"I understand the box office concerns, and Matt Damon is an outstanding actor," Irene said, offering praise before shifting her tone.

"But he’s too young right now. Charlie Crowe needs to feel real. He needs a rugged quality that makes the audience believe he can plan a complex heist and throw a punch when needed. He should feel grounded, the clear and convincing center of this group of thieves."

Her gaze moved around the room and landed on casting director John Owen.

"When I was writing this character, Mark Wahlberg’s image was always my inspiration. His work in Boogie Nights and The Perfect Storm proves he can handle complex, high-pressure roles. He has a mix of working-class grit and natural leadership that the other candidates don’t have right now."

The Fox executive frowned slightly, clearly unsure about Wahlberg. A brief silence settled over the room. The two sides were at a standstill.

At that moment, John Owen brought up another option. "Actually, George Clooney has also shown some interest in this film."

If Irene had been set on Mark Wahlberg before, the mention of George Clooney shook that certainty. His image fit Charlie Crowe very well, and he would add a layer of polish to the role.

So, should she stick with the version in her mind, or choose an actor who could open new possibilities? Irene’s fingers tapped lightly on the table as she weighed the risks and opportunities.

For a moment, the conference room was quiet again. Then John Owen spoke up. "Everyone, since we each have our preferred candidates with solid reasons, why don’t we bring the actors in for an audition?"

He looked around the room, his tone neutral. "Let the camera show us who the real Charlie Crowe is. Mark, Matt, George, or any other potential actor. They can all come in."

"Irene can evaluate their performances herself, and we can all judge how well they fit the role. That’s the fairest and most responsible approach for the project."

The proposal was reasonable. It respected Irene’s creative authority as director while still giving the investors a way to assess commercial value.

Irene nodded. "I agree to the auditions. Let’s see who can truly carry Charlie Crowe." This would also help her decide whether to play it safe or take a chance on something new.

The representatives from Fox and CAA exchanged looks and finally agreed.

"Since we’re auditioning for the male lead, let’s audition the rest of the cast as well. We’ll set the casting discussion aside for today."

Irene thought about it and nodded. "That works." The main conflicts would likely be over the first and second male leads and the female lead. The rest of the roles could be handled through the production team’s contacts.

"So, has BMW responded yet?" Irene moved on to the next important topic.

The business representative from Fox opened her laptop and got straight to the point. "Regarding the vehicle sponsorship, we’ve had initial contact with the BMW Group. They’ve shown some interest, but they also have concerns."

She adjusted her glasses and continued. "What interests them is that this is a Hollywood action film with a solid budget, and the heroes drive three MINI Coopers. It’s an excellent platform to show off the cars’ agility, handling, and personality. They’re optimistic about the marketing impact."

"But their concerns are just as clear," she said, her tone turning serious.

"The film has many high-intensity car chases, crashes, jumps, and even a tunnel drop. Those scenes will cause serious, possibly irreversible damage to the vehicles.

They’re worried that after the film comes out, audiences might connect the MINI Cooper with danger and destruction, which goes against their brand’s safety message."