After a simple lunch, Ryan and Helen returned to the third-floor office to continue the auditions for the remaining actresses.
The first one to come in was a red-haired girl, looking very young, around seventeen or eighteen years old.
“Hello.”
The red-haired girl seemed a bit uneasy, her eyes revealing a hint of disappointment, but she introduced herself seriously, saying, “Hello, I’m Jessica, Jessica Chastain.”
Jessica Chastain!
Ryan raised his head thoughtfully, seemingly scrutinizing her for a moment. Red hair, pale skin, and her current age—she resembled a Hollywood actress from his previous life.
Ryan picked up a personal file in front of him, casually flipping through it, and asked, “The file says you’re currently performing in a theater?”
“Yes.”
Jessica Chastain’s expression was a bit uneasy. She was performing in a theater, but it was just a small community theater, and the performances were far from formal.
“You should know that the role we’re casting for is in a low-budget film, which may not even make it to theaters.”
Ryan directly pointed out that this was a small-budget film, and even the lead role wouldn’t come with any special treatment. It might end up being released directly on VHS.
In reality, Jessica Chastain wasn’t foolish. She knew this was a new director with a bad reputation and a newly established agency. The film they were preparing was predictably modest.
She had her doubts.
However, even such a film was not something Jessica Chastain could afford to turn down.
“But for you, it might be a good opportunity, a chance to change your life trajectory.”
Ryan didn’t say much more. He handed her the script and said, “You can take a look at the script first.”
Helen remained calm at Ryan’s unusual behavior. For her, as long as the lead actress was an artist signed with Starry Sky Agency, everything else could be handled according to Ryan’s wishes.
Jessica Chastain took a deep breath, carefully accepted the script, and started reading it.
There are many famous first- and second-tier stars in Hollywood who can’t understand scripts. In Hollywood, many actors struggle with scripts.
But Jessica Chastain wasn’t one of them. Despite her young age, she had always been an excellent student.
Following her life trajectory, she would soon pass the Juilliard School exam and win the scholarship set up by Robin Williams, making her a top student.
Even now, she could understand the script in her hands, which told the story of three film students who went to a small town to investigate local witch legends and planned to make a documentary but mysteriously disappeared soon after.
The plot was simple, clichéd, and lacked any thrilling scenes, leaving nothing particularly impressive.
“This script?”
Jessica Chastain shook her head silently. She didn’t feel the urge to continue reading, let alone praise it.
“It’s a very good script.”
She finally forced a compliment.
“If you were to play the role, would you be able to act naturally?”
Ryan smiled and asked indifferently.
Jessica Chastain’s heart leaped with joy, and she immediately said, “I will thoroughly understand the character and give my best performance.”
“Acting!”
Ryan shook his head and said, “The lead character in the script is a film student, so I need you to act as you would in your usual school life, not as an actor performing.”
“As long as you can guarantee that, the audition can be over.”
He made it very clear: as long as Jessica Chastain could portray a student naturally during filming, the role was hers.
Ryan’s decision was largely influenced by Jessica Chastain’s status as a student.
What could be more fitting than a student playing a student?
The previous actresses had been working various jobs and were far removed from the school atmosphere.
“I, I, I can do that.”
Jessica Chastain stammered with excitement. The prospect of becoming the lead in a film seemed surreal.
Even though it was a low-budget film with a poor script that might not make it to theaters, she would still be the lead.
Although she often participated in various film and theater activities and even worked as an extra, she had never landed even a minor role.
Actors also need to build their résumés. Playing the lead in a film and playing numerous background roles are vastly different.
Otherwise, low-budget independent films wouldn’t attract so many actors.
“By the way, you’re still in school, right? Do you need to take a leave of absence?” Ryan suddenly remembered that Jessica Chastain was still in school.
“I can arrange that with the school. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
Compared to being the lead in a film, taking a leave of absence was not a big deal for Jessica Chastain.
In the US, many private schools would love to have a student become a star for the added exposure.
“Alright, go home and get familiar with the script. The crew will start filming next Monday.” Ryan estimated that starting next Monday was feasible.
If Helen hadn’t thought it was too rushed, he could start filming immediately to finish as quickly as possible.
“As for your salary, Helen will discuss that with you.”
“And remember, the script’s contents must remain confidential. You can’t reveal anything to anyone.”
Jessica Chastain suddenly felt the script in her hands become heavier, fearing that any slip-up could cost her the role.
The pay wasn’t her main concern.
In Hollywood, countless actresses would even pay to be the lead, or offer other incentives. Only famous stars truly cared about their pay.
“Thank you. I promise I’ll keep it confidential.”
Ryan smiled lightly and said, “You won’t regret today’s decision.”
Jessica Chastain nodded vigorously, carefully placed the script in her bag, and then said goodbye.
Helen hadn’t commented on Ryan’s decision until Jessica Chastain left. “You want to emphasize the lead actress in the film?”
Ryan didn’t deny it. “Exactly.”
“The film itself could focus on the lead actress or the two male leads without issue.”
“But the male actors you chose don’t seem to have much potential, so it’s better to emphasize the lead actress.”
“And when the film is released, the media and fans who feel deceived will need someone to vent their anger on.”
The distribution company wouldn’t take the blame, and as the investor, director, and editor, Ryan wouldn’t either.
So, the actors in the film would have to bear the brunt of the media and fans’ anger.
In the past, Artisan Entertainment had done the same, pushing the director and lead actors forward to face the media and fans’ fury.
Now, Ryan was merely excluding the director from that equation.
“Negative fame is still fame, but if things get out of hand, you could ruin their careers, forcing them to leave Hollywood.”
Helen’s expression was calm, her blue eyes fixed on Ryan.
“Unfortunately, there’s no other way.” Ryan shrugged, looking helpless.
“And what about Jessica Chastain?”
“How will you clear her name with the media and fans?”
Helen smirked. “A seventeen-year-old girl facing North America’s media and countless angry fans—she might be the first to kill you!”
Ryan hadn’t mentioned this during the audition. Expecting a seventeen-year-old to endure such pressure was cruel.
“You’re a complete jerk.”
“The scolding will pass. She could travel for a while, and when she returns, the media will have forgotten about her.”
Even a superstar can’t stay in the spotlight forever.
Hollywood constantly churns out news, quickly moving on.
“Besides, a young girl under eighteen will get some leniency.”
“For instance, she could focus on her studies and get into a top university, ideally with a scholarship.”
“USC seems like a good choice.”
Ryan ignored Helen’s sarcasm and continued talking.
“A good plan.”
Helen’s tone was cold. “But do you think getting into USC is easy?”
USC’s admission process is strict, especially the interview.
With Jessica Chastain’s background, getting into USC wasn’t easy.
Ryan replied confidently, “USC might be challenging for her.”
“But if she had a recommendation letter from a famous USC alumnus, I think the school wouldn’t turn her away.”
In American society, celebrity recommendations carry significant weight.
A famous USC alumnus?
“You mean yourself?”
“Or do you not understand the significance of that?” Helen’s tone was mocking, ridiculing his naivety.
Getting a famous USC alumnus to recommend a girl with a bad reputation was extremely difficult.
Ryan smiled confidently. “I’m not a famous alumnus.”
“But George Lucas is not only a famous USC alumnus but also frequently returns to teach.”
George Lucas, a USC graduate, was a well-known alumnus who generously donated to his alma mater.
A recommendation letter from George Lucas would ensure Jessica’s admission, no matter the backlash.
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Helen seemed to have realized that George Lucas had extensive connections in Hollywood and was a dedicated USC alumnus.
Ryan shrugged and said nothing more.
He believed that once “The Blair Witch Project” was released, even half of the previous box office would bring in millions. Helen would then scramble to clear the actors’ names.
The original “The Blair Witch Project” grossed $140.5 million in North America and $249 million worldwide.
Even if the timing was different, the box office would still be significant.
Ryan didn’t believe Helen wouldn’t be anxious then.
After all, she was the boss of Starry Sky Agency.
Ryan just wanted a well-known, affordable actress for his next film.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said so much.