114: Chapter 114 Investing in a blockbuster film, the female lead must be mine
Inside Studio 5 at Century Pictures, the most absurd "audition" in Hollywood's hundred-year history was taking place.
In front of a huge white backdrop, there were no cameras, no lighting technicians, only a solitary black high-backed chair. Chen Yuan sat on it, holding a script that hadn't been finalized, his gaze as lazy as if he were choosing a menu for dinner.
Opposite him were over twenty top-tier actresses, all dressed differently but without exception, breathtakingly beautiful.
Some wore deep V-neck evening gowns, others wore tight yoga pants, and a few had even changed into those barely-there leather warrior outfits to "fit the role."
The air was thick with the scent of strong perfume, and... the smell of gunpowder.
"Next."
Chen Yuan didn't even look up, casually crossing a name off the list.
A blonde, blue-eyed rising starlet walked up, her hands trembling with nervousness. She glanced at Chen Yuan, and just as she was about to introduce herself, she was interrupted.
"Turn around," Chen Yuan said.
The starlet was stunned for a moment but obediently spun around. Her skirt flared, revealing her long, slender legs.
"No."
Chen Yuan shook his head. "Waist is too thin, legs are too soft. This physique can't play the female warrior I want; you couldn't even lift a gun. Next."
The starlet's eyes turned red, and before she could even defend herself, she was ruthlessly ushered out by Victor.
"This... this is just too childish, isn't it?"
In the corner, a director with black-rimmed glasses and a thick beard was complaining to Jessica.
He was a famous Hollywood action director, Spielberg (pseudonym), known for his notoriously bad temper. This time, he had been dragged here by Jessica to "hold down the fort."
"This isn't how you hold auditions!"
Spielberg lowered his voice, but the dissatisfaction in his tone was audible to everyone. "He doesn't look at acting skills, doesn't look at lines, he doesn't even let them perform audition scenes! He's picking a concubine, not a female lead!"
Jessica glanced at him, a finger with red nail polish pressed to her lips.
"Shh."
She looked at the director with a half-smile. "Mr. Spielberg, I know you are an artist. But you must understand, the investment for this movie is 500 million USD. Fully in cash, without any padding."
"Also, the script was modified by the boss himself."
Jessica pointed to the stack of papers in Chen Yuan's hand. "Whatever he says, goes. Even if he wanted a monkey to be the lead, we would have to provide the best special effects for that monkey."
Spielberg's face turned the color of a pig's liver, but the temptation of 500 million USD was just too great, so he had to swallow his pride and shut his mouth.
At this moment, the auditions on stage were still continuing.
"Next."
This time, a veteran best actress winner known for her sex appeal, Angelina (pseudonym), walked up.
She was clearly prepared.
Wearing a tight-fitting black leather outfit, she held a prop gun in her hand. She walked up to Chen Yuan and, instead of being timid like the others, she pressed the prop gun directly against Chen Yuan's chest.
"Mr. Chen, I heard you like it spicy?"
Angelina licked her red lips, her eyes full of provocation. "I think I'm spicy enough."
The whole room was in an uproar.
This was too bold!
But Chen Yuan laughed.
He extended a finger, gently pushed aside the barrel of the gun, and then grabbed Angelina's wrist with his other hand.
"Good strength."
He squeezed the muscles in her arm. "You've got a foundation. However..."
Chen Yuan suddenly exerted force, pulling her entire body into his arms. Angelina let out a cry of surprise, and before she could react, she was pressed down onto Chen Yuan's lap.
"As a female lead, being spicy alone is not enough."
Chen Yuan leaned into her ear, his voice low and magnetic. "You also need to be obedient. Absolutely obedient."
"What... what are you trying to do?"
Angelina's face flushed, her heart pounding. Although they were in public, she actually felt a hint of inexplicable excitement.
"Come to my room tonight."
Chen Yuan let go and pushed her away. "If you can pass my 'physical fitness test,' this role is yours."
Angelina straightened her clothes. Not only was she not angry, but she also revealed the smile of a Victor.
"No problem, boss."
She specifically emphasized the word "boss," then walked off the stage triumphantly in her high heels, ignoring the circle of jealous, burning gazes around her.
"Next!"
The auditions continued.
Chen Yuan was like a picky tyrant, criticizing every actress who came up.
"This one won't do; her eyes are too innocent. I want the kind of eyes that can kill."
"This one won't do either; the signs of plastic surgery are too obvious. I don't like fake faces."
"This one... hmm, good figure, but too thin. Go eat beef for two months and come back."
In just one hour, more than half of Hollywood's A-list actresses had been rejected by him.
The remaining few, although they made it onto the shortlist, were all worn out from being put through the ringer.
"This is simply ridiculous!"
Spielberg, who had been holding it in, finally exploded.
He stood up abruptly, pushed aside Victor who was blocking his way, and strode up to Chen Yuan.
"Mr. Chen! Please stop this!"
Spielberg pointed at the group of rejected actresses, shaking with anger. "Among the people you rejected, three are best actress winners, and five are box office guarantees! You drove them all away, how can this movie still be filmed?!"
"I am the director! I have the right to decide who acts in my movie!"
"Even though you are the investor, you cannot insult art!"
The entire studio went silent instantly.
Everyone held their breath, looking in terror at this director who didn't know what was good for him.
In Hollywood, directors do indeed have a say.
But in front of Chen Yuan?
That was nothing more than a tool who was responsible for shouting "Action."
Chen Yuan slowly put down the script in his hand.
He looked up at Spielberg's flushed face, his gaze as calm as if he were looking at a mentally disabled person.
"Insult art?"
Chen Yuan chuckled and stood up.
He walked up to Spielberg, his height advantage—being half a head taller—making him look extremely oppressive at this moment.
"Mr. Director, have you misunderstood something?"
Chen Yuan reached out and helped Spielberg straighten his wrinkled director's vest.
"This movie is not for some bullshit art."
"It is for promoting my company, for showcasing my products, for..."
Chen Yuan pointed to the actresses below the stage with fanatic eyes:
"For letting the whole world know that only by following me, Chen Yuan, can they get what they dream of."
"As for the female lead..."
Chen Yuan's eyes instantly turned cold, that domineering aura seeping from his bones making Spielberg subconsciously take a step back.
"She is my private property."
"She must be my person, must listen to me."
"Your so-called art, in my eyes, is not even worth a fart."
"You..."
Spielberg was so angry he couldn't speak. He pointed at Chen Yuan. "You are destroying this movie! I quit! I want to break the contract!"
"Break the contract?"
Chen Yuan laughed.
He snapped his fingers.
From the shadows behind him, two T-103 Mass-Produced Tyrants in black suits walked out.
That 2.2-meter stature, those emotionless sunglasses, instantly turned Spielberg's anger into fear.
"If you want to leave, you can."
Chen Yuan patted Spielberg's cheek. "The penalty for breach of contract is 1 billion USD. Or..."
He pointed at the T-103 Mass-Produced Tyrant's huge fist.
"You can talk to my lawyer, or you can talk to my security guards."
"Pick one, Mr. Big Director."
Spielberg looked at that fist which was bigger than his head, his legs went weak, and he almost fell to his knees.
"I... I'll direct."
His voice trembled, no longer possessing the toughness from just a moment ago. "Mr. Chen... this script, you can change it however you want."
"That's more like it."
Chen Yuan sat back on the chair with satisfaction and picked up the script again.
"Come on, next scene."
He pointed at Angelina, who had just been selected, and then at the director who was still trembling.
"I want to add a kissing scene."
"Between me and the female lead."
"Shoot it now."