Chapter 8: I Don't Agree.
"Can you tell me what inspired you to write this screenplay, or what your original intention was?"
Although Harvey Weinstein trusted that Pat Kingsley wouldn't lie about something like this, and the woman and boy across from him didn't seem to be acting, he still needed to hear it directly before he could relax.
"Original intention? Inspiration?" A knowing smile appeared on Ryan's face. He understood perfectly that his age was a huge issue, but if used correctly, it could become an advantage. After all, the same words sounded completely different coming from an adult versus a child.
"Let me put it this way, Mr. Weinstein. Even though I wrote this as a thriller, at its core it's really a family drama. I don't know if Pat mentioned this, but I'm an orphan. Before Nicole adopted me, I lived in an orphanage. From the moment I was old enough to understand, everyone there except the old director called me a freak. No one wanted to be my friend. No one wanted to play with me."
Ryan gave a self-mocking smile. "Of course, that had something to do with my withdrawn personality and sometimes erratic behavior. But there's no denying that I grew up in a cold and indifferent environment. Especially when I watched other kids my age get adopted one after another while no one ever chose me. Sometimes I would fantasize — would anyone ever help me escape that kind of life?"
"The orphanage director, Mrs. Katie, was a kind-hearted woman. If she hadn't comforted me and helped me through those cold years, I don't know how I would have survived. In a way, Dr. Malcolm in the script is modeled after her."
"After the old director retired, things got even worse. At that time, my whole world felt not only cold but completely dark. That lasted until I accidentally met Nicole. She took me in, went bankrupt fighting a custody battle for me. Without her, I can't even imagine what I would have become."
At this point, Ryan seemed genuinely moved. He gave Nicole a grateful smile. "Even though living with Nicole has made me much more outgoing than before, I'm still a bit withdrawn and impulsive, and I get into trouble a lot. Whenever that happens, Nicole doesn't scold me like a parent lecturing a child. Instead, she talks to me as an equal — real communication and understanding. The longer we've been together, the deeper our bond has become. The themes about communication in the script come directly from that. Communication reduces fear of the unknown and strengthens the love between family members, doesn't it?"
"Besides the supernatural elements, most of this screenplay is based on my own life experiences." Ryan added deliberately, "The single mother who loves her son so deeply is actually Nicole in real life. Without her, there would be no story and no The Sixth Sense. I poured everything into writing this script to commemorate the special relationship between us."
"May I ask which orphanage it was?" Harvey Weinstein's eyes flashed with sharp interest.
"It's right here in Los Angeles — the Norton Orphanage in North Hollywood."
Ryan wasn't worried about any investigation. Almost everything he had said was true; he had simply reshaped his real experiences to fit the script. Plus, his words were full of subtle hints and gentle guidance.
Of course, someone as experienced as Weinstein would notice the nudges, but Ryan was still a boy not even ten years old. Adults might suspect a child of lying, but they rarely imagined that a child was deliberately digging a trap for them to step into.
In fact, after hearing Ryan's words, Harvey Weinstein already believed ninety percent of it. For a boy under ten to express himself so clearly and logically was proof enough of his intelligence. Besides, Weinstein had always trusted his own judgment.
Not to mention, the Norton Orphanage was right on the edge of Hollywood — anyone could verify the story with a single phone call.
"Ryan~" The things he had said touched Nicole deeply. She had always known their bond was strong, but she never realized just how much he remembered and cherished everything she had done for him. At that moment, no amount of words could match the power of a heartfelt hug.
Great. He hadn't even finished fooling the fat man across from him, yet he had already moved Nicole to tears. Nestled in her soft, fragrant embrace, Ryan felt both touched and a little helpless.
Harvey Weinstein had read the screenplay more than once. There were quite a few small issues, especially in the shot divisions, but that only proved it was written by a true beginner. He and his brother Bob had discussed it — the story's quality was undeniable, especially the ending, which would shock everyone.
Moreover, this type of film wouldn't cost much to produce. As long as there were no disasters, profit was basically guaranteed. He already had a few directors and a male lead in mind.
But the boy Cole was the part that worried him most. Bringing such a unique character to life convincingly was no simple task. After years in the business, Harvey Weinstein knew that animals and children were the two most unpredictable elements on a film set. It was almost impossible to make them understand exactly what was needed. When kids performed poorly, they could destroy a movie. When they performed brilliantly, they could save one.
Yet after listening to Ryan's story, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind: since most of the script was based on the boy's real experiences, why not let Ryan play Cole? He wouldn't even need to act or get into character — he could simply be himself.
Most importantly, Ryan was a complete unknown. They could save a fortune on his salary. And even if they held a huge open casting call, who could guarantee they would find a boy who fit the role better than the one it was literally written for?
Then there was the Australian woman — a somewhat well-known actress. He had seen her in Dead Calm recently. Apart from being almost too beautiful, her acting was solid. She could play the single mother perfectly.
Taking their real-life relationship and putting it on the big screen — wasn't that the perfect hook for publicity?
It was practically a buy-one-get-two-free deal. As for the woman's age and appearance, makeup and post-production could handle those minor issues.
In the span of a single moment, Harvey Weinstein had weighed all the pros and cons. He really was a businessman who only cared about profit.
"Ryan, Nicole, this screenplay is outstanding. Miramax has decided to produce the film, so we want to purchase the rights as soon as possible. However, since Ryan is a newcomer and not a professional screenwriter, the price will be on the lower side. I can offer fifty thousand dollars."
Seeing the confusion on Ryan's face, Harvey Weinstein added, "This is the standard rate in Hollywood. Fifty thousand is actually quite generous for a first-time writer."
Even though Ryan knew Weinstein was telling the truth and understood how awkward screenwriters' status was in this era, he still found it hard to accept.
Compared to the film's potential earnings, fifty thousand dollars felt pitifully small — it was barely more than he had earned from one of his novellas.
Nicole knew Hollywood better. She could tell the offer wasn't deliberately low, but she never made decisions for Ryan. She simply said, "Ryan, it's your call."
Ryan sighed and turned to his agent. Pat Kingsley nodded. "The price is fair."
"Mr. Weinstein, I agree to sell the screenplay to Miramax. You can discuss the details with Pat."
At this point, Ryan still wasn't sure whether the man had stepped into the trap he had dug, but some things only worked if the other party suggested them first.
Harvey Weinstein didn't make him wait long. After exchanging a few words with Pat Kingsley, he turned directly to Nicole Kidman.
"Nicole, if you're willing, I'd like to invite you to play the single mother in the film."
"Me?" Nicole clearly hadn't expected the conversation to turn to her.
"Of course! From everything Ryan said, it's obvious the character is based on you. No one is more perfect for the role!" Before Nicole could respond, Harvey Weinstein continued, "Age isn't an issue. What matters is the genuine emotion between you two. I'm sure Ryan would love to see you on the big screen in this way."
"Right, Ryan?" Harvey Weinstein looked over with a fox-like smile.
"Yes. Nicole is one of a kind to me." Ryan stared at the Australian woman with bright, earnest eyes. Nicole Kidman thought for only one second before nodding. "Alright. Looks like I don't have a choice."
"Since Nicole will play the mother, what about you, Ryan?" Harvey Weinstein felt the pleasant rush of a plan coming together perfectly.
"Me?" Ryan pretended to be surprised, as if he truly didn't understand. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Let me put it this way, Ryan — do you have any previous acting experience?"
"None. Unless playing violin and guitar on the school stage counts." Ryan shook his head. In his heart, however, he thought, Does acting every single second of every day count?
Ryan's answer exceeded Harvey Weinstein's expectations. Before Nicole could show any understanding on her face, Weinstein said, "I'd like to invite you to play the role of Cole."
"I don't agree!" The person who refused was Nicole Kidman.