As a film set primarily in a single indoor location, "The Man from Earth" had more than enough time with its two-week shooting schedule. In fact, if not for the desire for perfection, the film could have been wrapped up in just one week. By the time Simon arrived at the Toronto set, the movie was already halfway through production.
Brett Ratner, originally a music video director, seemed like an unconventional choice for a play-like film. However, Simon entrusted him with the project, holding high expectations that Ratner could break free from the bad habits typical of many directors with similar backgrounds by embracing a diverse range of cinematic styles.
New World Pictures had already secured Jackie Chan's "Rumble in the Bronx," set for release in February next year. After that, the "Rush Hour" series would enter Simon's production schedule. However, this time, Simon did not plan to have Brett Ratner direct the "Rush Hour" series as he had in the past. Instead, he wanted to entrust the more significant "Charlie's Angels" series to him.
The filming location was in the outskirts of Scarborough, east of Toronto.
Arriving at 2 p.m., Simon observed the filming until it wrapped up at 5 p.m. Although he did not intervene or offer any opinions, his presence made the entire crew noticeably nervous, resulting in only half of the planned filming being completed.
By 5 p.m., it was already evening in the midst of winter.
After the day's work ended, the crew was informed that Simon had arranged a buffet dinner at his villa in Scarborough, and anyone who didn't have other plans for the evening was welcome to attend.
Most had never even dreamed of receiving an invitation from Simon Westeros, so they were not about to pass up such a rare opportunity. Some even inquired if they could bring companions, and after receiving a positive response, they made calls to New York.
While Los Angeles was too far, New York was close enough, just 500 kilometers away, that hiring a private jet to make it in time was feasible.
Getting a chance to meet Simon Westeros in person was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in Hollywood. The longer one stayed in the industry, the more they understood the importance of connections. Sometimes, just a brief conversation or a good impression could bring about unexpected opportunities.
However, not everyone is the same.
Connecting with Simon Westeros, a highly influential figure, could mean that even a small resource thrown your way could lead to great success.
Thus, between the end of the shoot at 5 p.m. and the start of the buffet dinner at 7 p.m., two private jets were dispatched from New York specifically for this dinner. One was arranged by WMA, the other by ICM.
As for the third major agency, CAA, it could only regret missing out.
In the current project, both the director Brett Ratner and lead actress Elizabeth Perkins were represented by WMA, while the lead actor George Clooney was with ICM. Most of the other supporting actors also came from these two agencies. CAA, which had gathered a large number of Hollywood stars in the 1980s, was beginning to decline in recent years due to the rise of the Danerys Entertainment Group, which preferred not to use big-name actors, as well as some past conflicts.
Just as the Screen Actors Guild is divided into East and West Coast divisions, the three major talent agencies in Hollywood also have two headquarters on both coasts, with their artists similarly distributed. As a result, it was easy for them to gather a group for this dinner on short notice.
The venue for the dinner was another property of Simon's near Rouge Park in eastern Scarborough. After wrapping up the shoot, Simon returned to this property for a brief rest, only to receive an unexpected call from Jonathan Friedman in Los Angeles, inquiring if he wouldn't mind a more lively gathering.
Simon hadn't anticipated his impromptu dinner party would turn into such an event. But since Jonathan had called, he decided to go along with it, instructing Zoe and Isabel, who were in charge of the preparations, to increase the amount of food.
By 7 p.m., it was completely dark.
Due to recent snowfall, the nighttime temperature in the Toronto area had dropped below minus ten degrees. However, the guests arriving for the buffet dinner were all dressed in formal attire. The originally planned gathering of just over twenty people had expanded to more than seventy.
WMA and ICM had their reasons for being so meticulous.
A series of major projects from Danerys Entertainment Group were currently in the early stages of preparation, offering plenty of opportunities.
Although the casting process at Danerys Entertainment Group was notoriously strict, making it difficult to secure a role through simple social interactions, having a strong foundation and the chance to make an impression in front of Westeros could give someone an edge in the final casting rounds.
Moreover, Simon wasn't known to be unapproachable. A well-timed mention, like "Do you remember so-and-so from the dinner in Toronto?" could lead to further conversation and, perhaps, a role.
The female lead in "The Man from Earth," Elizabeth Perkins, was cast because of Jonathan Friedman's persistence.
Of course, Elizabeth Perkins' extensive acting background was the primary reason. At 34 years old, this actress with both striking looks and a refined demeanor was a classically trained drama school graduate with over a decade of experience on Broadway and in Hollywood. She had even starred in blockbuster hits like "Big," which was the real foundation of her casting.
If Jonathan Friedman had recommended a completely talentless actress, it would have been a waste of time. Jonathan wasn't foolish enough to do that.
On the other hand, in Hollywood, where the Screen Actors Guild has over 200,000 members, there are plenty of actors with qualifications similar to Elizabeth Perkins. When credentials are sufficient, networking becomes crucial.
At 7 p.m. sharp, the villa near Rouge Park was bustling with activity.
Despite the last-minute increase in the dinner portions and the presence of chefs cooking on-site, most attendees were more focused on the social aspects than on the food.
Simon was surprised to find that Nancy Josephson, the daughter of Marvin Josephson, the founder of ICM, and herself now an ICM vice president, had also arrived. This Hollywood talent agent was set to take over ICM in the next few years, making her a highly sought-after figure in the industry. She had even brought Johnny Depp, whom she had personally helped rise to fame.
After exchanging pleasantries, Simon learned that Johnny Depp had been in New York to participate in the recording of NBC's "Saturday Night Live" as part of the promotional efforts for "Interview with the Vampire," which starred Depp and Brad Pitt, to help push the vampire film past the $100 million mark.
In the villa's main hall, after a few moments of conversation, Nancy Josephson directly proposed, "Simon, what do you think about having Depp audition for the 'Bourne Identity' that Danerys and MGM are currently preparing?"
Simon was about to take a sip of red wine but paused at her suggestion. Imagining the quirky Captain Jack Sparrow playing Jason Bourne was too jarring, so he shook his head. "John's image isn't right for it, Nancy. You probably know better than I do what kind of roles suit him."
Nancy glanced at the disappointed Depp but didn't give up. "But Johnny became famous for his role in '21 Jump Street.' I think he can definitely handle action films, Simon. How about arranging a screen test?"
"Let's not waste our time, Nancy. Johnny is a very talented actor, and I hope we can work together in the future, but he's not right for 'The Bourne Identity.' It would be a waste of time for everyone," Simon replied. Suddenly, he remembered something and asked, "By the way, what's Burton been up to lately?"
Burton is a common surname in the United States, but Nancy Josephson quickly realized Simon was referring to Tim Burton, who had previously worked with Depp on "Edward Scissorhands."
Having just been rejected, Nancy had mixed feelings about Burton.
Before "Edward Scissorhands," Johnny Depp was just an actor who had gained a foothold in the industry through the "21 Jump Street" series and was trying to transition into movies, landing roles in films like "A Nightmare on Elm Street," where he wasn't even the main star.
It could be said that "Edward Scissorhands" had catapulted Depp from a television actor to a film star, but at the same time, it had a significant downside. The film's strong artistic vibe pigeonholed Depp into a certain image, limiting him to the arthouse film circuit. Even the opportunity to star in "Interview with the Vampire" came only after David Geffen saw "Edward Scissorhands."
After all, both roles were non-human.
Though Depp had since appeared in other arthouse films like "Arizona Dream" and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," neither he nor Nancy Josephson wanted to be confined to the arthouse genre. Blockbuster hits were the true path to success.
If she could help it, Nancy Josephson would prefer Depp not collaborate with Burton again, fearing that Depp's image would become even more entrenched.
However, since Simon had brought it up, Nancy had to respond.
Although she wasn't directly responsible for Tim Burton, their professional relationship had given her insight into his current projects. After a moment of thought, she said, "He's currently producing a live-action/animated fantasy film for Disney called 'James and the Giant Peach.' It seems he doesn't have any new directing projects lined up yet."
Nancy then quickly offered, "Mr. Westeros, if you're interested in Burton, I can arrange a meeting for you two. How about tomorrow? It's the weekend."
Even if she didn't
want Depp to continue working with Burton, Nancy Josephson was more than willing to facilitate a collaboration between ICM's clients and Simon Westeros.
Simon's presence had already significantly altered Hollywood's history.
One person deeply affected by this was Tim Burton.
In an alternate timeline, Burton would have achieved iconic status in Hollywood by directing Michael Keaton's "Batman" and become one of the most sought-after directors of the 1990s. However, the emergence of the DC Cinematic Universe, led by Danerys Entertainment Group, had drastically changed Burton's fate.
Although Burton remained a well-known director thanks to films like "Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands," and "The Nightmare Before Christmas," his stature was far less than it once was.
Simon chuckled, appreciating Nancy's skill at seizing opportunities, a trait essential for a successful agent.
Not one to keep her in suspense, Simon said, "A meeting isn't necessary, but I recently came across a project that would be perfect for Burton to direct. Have you heard of Washington Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,' Nancy?"
Nancy Josephson honestly shook her head.
Simon didn't mind and continued, "You can have Burton read the novel first. If he's interested, we can discuss it further."
Nancy didn't hesitate to agree. "Alright, Simon, I'll pass that on to Tim."
The project Simon had just mentioned was, of course, Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow" from his memory.
While Simon wasn't a fan of Burton's "Batman" series, he had watched "Sleepy Hollow" countless times. This classic horror film, with its stunningly beautiful visuals, perfectly showcased Burton's signature cinematic aesthetic, making it breathtakingly beautiful.
The "Sleepy Hollow" in Simon's memory had a budget exceeding $100 million, with a global box office of just over $200 million. Paramount Pictures had to rely on post-release revenue to recoup costs. However, for a work of art, Simon was more than willing to invest in its creation, even if it meant some financial loss.
After agreeing to this, Nancy Josephson didn't immediately leave. She signaled to a nearby woman who was chatting with Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley. Then she made another pitch, "Simon, what about Madchen for 'Charlie's Angels'? She's 24, has starred in David Lynch's 'Twin Peaks' and some other noteworthy films, and has great potential."
Nancy Josephson was referring to Madchen Amick.
This actress had gained fame from her role in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks." In fact, several actresses from that show were incredibly beautiful and left a lasting impression.
Madchen Amick, who had been subtly observing the interaction, immediately smiled gracefully when she noticed Simon and Nancy looking her way. She walked over and, with a playful and flirtatious look at Simon, asked, "Nancy, Mr. Westeros, is there something you need?"
Like David Fincher, Simon had a soft spot for attractive women, so he was always more patient with them. Noticing Madchen Amick's flirtation, he smiled and said, "Just call me Simon. Nancy was just recommending you for 'Charlie's Angels.'"
Madchen Amick's eyes lit up with excitement as she eagerly asked, "So, Simon, do you think I could give it a try?"
Simon replied, "I've seen 'Dream Lover'; it was decent. However, 'Charlie's Angels' might be delayed a bit. If you're interested, you can come in for an audition when the time comes."
Madchen Amick was surprised that this man had seen her film "Dream Lover," which she starred in alongside James Spader. It was a commercial failure, grossing only $250,000 in North America despite being backed by Polygram and distributed by Gramercy Pictures earlier in the year.
Though she had gained some fame from "Twin Peaks," Madchen Amick was barely considered a B-list actress, having only appeared in a few low-budget films in recent years. If not for today's fortunate circumstances and Nancy Josephson's belief that she might have a shot at a role in "Charlie's Angels," she wouldn't have been invited to this dinner.
Having spent some time in Hollywood, Madchen Amick knew that Simon's words about auditioning didn't really mean much.
She glanced at Nancy, who was subtly sipping her wine, seemingly deep in thought. Madchen Amick didn't hesitate any longer and stepped closer to Simon, casually brushing her arm against his. "Simon, maybe we could go upstairs for a private chat?"
Simon smiled and shook his head. "There are still many guests here; it's not convenient to leave now."
Seeing Madchen Amick's disappointment, Simon reached out and gently held her chin. "But if you're willing, I'll call you when I have time."
Madchen Amick paused briefly, then quickly relaxed, showing no discomfort at Simon's sudden boldness or concern for the inevitable looks from others. Instead, she tilted her face slightly upward, allowing him to playfully caress her chin. "Then it's settled, Simon. I'll wait for your call."
Simon gave her chin a final pinch before releasing her. "But if you don't get the role in 'Charlie's Angels,' what will you do?"
Madchen Amick responded with a sweet smile, "Just being able to date Simon Westeros is an honor."
"You're smart," Simon said with a smile, gesturing towards the nearby buffet table. "Enjoy yourself. The chef tonight is quite good, you should try the food."
With that, Simon walked away.
Madchen Amick watched as Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley stopped Simon to chat before turning her gaze back to Nancy, who hadn't yet left. She asked, "Nancy, do you think I'll get the role?"
Nancy Josephson slightly shook her head. "Hard to say. Westeros is surrounded by beautiful women. He might forget about you by tomorrow morning."
"What?"
Noticing Madchen Amick's slightly agape mouth and the hint of dissatisfaction on her face, Nancy said, "Madchen, beautiful women tend to overestimate themselves. But I think you should be realistic about your acting skills. You're still a bit short of what's needed for a role in 'Charlie's Angels.' A major blockbuster like that isn't something you can secure just by sleeping with the right person."
Madchen Amick sensed that Nancy hadn't completely shut the door on the idea, so she pressed further, "So, what should I do?"
Nancy smiled and replied, "I think Simon hinted at it earlier. 'Charlie's Angels' won't start soon, which gives you an opportunity. My suggestion is to take some advanced acting classes when you return, and maybe even some physical training, like combat skills. 'Charlie's Angels' is an action film, and the physical demands on the actresses will be high."
Madchen Amick hesitated. "Will that be enough?"
Nancy gave her a once-over and said, "Think of Valeria Golino and Nicole Kidman. 'Charlie's Angels' is a bigger female-led film than the DC movies, and Simon Westeros is personally involved. If you succeed, you'll become an A-list star overnight, on par with those actresses. If you don't get the role, then, given your current standing, your best bet is to find a reasonably wealthy man to marry. You've already made an impression on Simon tonight, so this is the closest you'll ever get to success. It's your chance to either shine brightly or fade into obscurity."
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