[Chapter 40. Casting Marvels & Debuffs.]
Last Time on Chapter 039 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —
"It's a solid lineup, Alex. I'm telling you, this role is as good as cast." Jeff pointed to a name on the list. "There's a kid named Joseph, and I tell you he's just perfect—Peter Parker incarnate. The look, the awkward energy, the vulnerability."
Alex remained silent as he recalled the tape of Joseph's audition; he couldn't help but nod in agreement with Jeff's assessment. But he didn't want Jeff to get too excited, as it wasn't a done deal yet, and who knew what might happen?
Alex was always a firm believer in never counting your chickens before the eggs had even hatched. "While that might be true, there are some contenders for the role like Tobey Maguire, Heath Ledger, and James Franco, and there's even a wildcard entrant in the mix from Brooke."
Now Continuing —
"Interesting," Jeff muttered to himself as he gave a questioning glance towards Brooke, and she must've felt his stare, because she turned towards him and gave him a teasing smirk.
"You're not going to tell us who it is, are you?" Jeff asked with a sigh; having worked with her for years, he knew that she was messing around with him.
"Nope. After all, where would be the fun in that?" She replied with an impish grin, popping the P.
He decided to ignore her and ask Alex that thing that had been bugging him all this while.
"Alex, before we begin, are you sure about the terms of the contract we're going to offer these actors?"
"Regardless of what I said to Ryan to shut him down, his point was still correct. Not many actors will agree to these terms and conditions, especially the good ones that we want to be a part of the project."
Alex who had been talking with Donna about his later itinerary stopped in-between and just stared at him for a moment thinking on his words and then replied calmly, "I know. But Jeff, answer this for me. Do you think that the terms that we are offering these actors are unreasonable or exploitative?"
Jeff felt he had overstepped but he knew that Alex wouldn't offended as it was a genuine question.
Alex's question in reply to his own made him fall silent and think about it once more, and even in his head he had to admit that the terms MONARCH was offering were actually quite generous, especially so to the fresh actors who hadn't even had their big break [1] yet.
[1] Big break: An actor's big break is a significant role that improves their career and makes them more well-known. It can be a role that increases the actor's importance in the film, such as moving from a minor character to a main cast member. It can also be a role that receives critical acclaim and is nominated for major awards.
"No. They're actually quite fair. But it still feels quite restrictive and might steer away a potential actor who would be the best choice to play a certain character."
Alex thought about the words for a few seconds, and replied slowly, "That.. could be a possibility, and.. if they are that good.. then I might even be willing to negotiate."
He leaned towards him and fixed him a hard stare as his next words followed. "But these artists must also be able to pull that big of a crowd if they are going to be asking for the big bucks."
Jeff nodded in agreement, feeling satisfied with this compromise; he didn't want to miss out on an actor just because they felt like the studio was forcing them into an exploitative contract.
Alex adjusted his watch and glanced at it. "Heath Ledger's up first, right?" He asked, his tone even but carrying a hint of expectation. "Let's see what he's got."
Brooke leaned forward, smoothing out the page listing the actors. "Heath's definitely one of the most promising actors I've seen recently. His performance in Blackrock showed real depth beneath the charm."
"He might just surprise us." She smirked at the end, feeling confident in her instincts and assessment.
Jeff nodded, already flipping to Heath's resume. "He's got range, that's for sure. But do you think he has the look for Peter?"
"He's got more of a brooding intensity that fits more of a classic bad boy persona rather than the awkward, underdog vibe we're aiming for with Peter."
Alex tapped a pen against the table, deep in thought. "That's what we're here to find out. Let's give him a fair shot."
"I got a good feeling about him." He said it with an optimistic smile.
A polite knock interrupted their discussion. At Alex's nod, the assistant promptly opened the door, and Heath Ledger walked in.
He was dressed casually in a fitted black sweater and dark jeans, exuding a laid-back confidence. His blonde hair framed his face in loose waves, and his piercing blue eyes scanned the room with a mixture of curiosity and determination.
"Mr. Masters, Mr. Billon, Ms. Shields," Heath greeted them with a nod and a warm smile. "Thank you for having me." Alex rose to shake his hand, his grip firm but welcoming. "Heath, thank you for coming in. We're excited to see what you've prepared. Let's dive right in."
Heath took his place in the center of the room, where a camera had been set up to record the audition. Brooke handed him a script, her voice calm and encouraging.
"We'll be starting with Scene 14. It depicts Peter's confession to Aunt May about Uncle Ben." She is kind enough to explain to him what the scene is about as well.
"Peter is about to tell her of his powers and how he feels responsible for his uncle's death, but doesn't in the end. Take a moment if you need to."
Heath glanced at the script but didn't linger. After reading the scene twice over, and when he felt prepared, he said, "I'm ready," his voice carried a quiet conviction.
The room fell silent as Heath began. He transformed almost instantly, his posture slumping slightly to convey Peter's vulnerability.
His voice wavered just enough to hint at the depth of Peter's guilt, and his eyes brimmed with unshed tears as he delivered the line:
"It was my fault.. Uncle Ben wouldn't have been there if it weren't for me. I wanted to win som—" but then fell silent when the actress hired to play Aunt May in this rendition pulled him, and he candidly hugged her as he cried.
The emotion in his performance was palpable. Even Jeff, usually quick to jot down notes, found himself watching in rapt attention. When Heath finished, the room remained silent for a beat, as if everyone needed a moment to recover.
Alex broke the silence with a measured nod. "That was excellent, Heath. You brought real depth to the scene."
"Thank you," Heath said, his expression a mix of relief and gratitude.
Jeff leaned forward, his pen finally moving across the page. "You've got the acting chops, no doubt about it. But—" He hesitated, glancing at Alex.
Alex met Heath's gaze directly, his tone thoughtful. "You've done an incredible job bringing Peter to life, but I have to be honest."
"I'm not sure that you're quite the right fit visually for the Peter Parker I've envisioned. That said, I have another role in mind, one that I think you'd be perfect for."
Heath let out a sigh of disappointment as he looked at the ground upon hearing Alex speak at first, but he stopped mopping when he heard Alex's offer.
"It might seem like an unassuming and shallow character in the beginning, but if you were to ask me, I'd say that he's one of the best character developments throughout the movies and shows I've planned."
Alex spoke more freely, as Heath had already signed an NDA for the duration of the audition, and Alex had been so impressed with his acting that he didn't want the young man to reject his offer because he didn't understand the importance of his character in the world of Marvel.
Heath's eyebrows rose, intrigued but cautious. "I'm listening."
Alex leaned back slightly, his hands steepled. "The role I am offering you is Harry Osborn. He's Peter's best friend, but unlike Peter, his journey takes him down a darker path."
"He struggles with his father's legacy and his own insecurities, and ultimately becomes an antagonist that almost breaks Peter before finding redemption. It's a complex role with a lot of emotional weight and struggles."
Heath considered this for a moment. "Harry's sounds like a fascinating character," he admitted. "But what's the scope of his involvement? How much time are we talking here?"
He wasn't willing to invest as much as he'd be willing if it was for the role of the main character. But if the side character asked for just as, then he might've to decline, as it wasn't worth the opportunities he might have to sacrifice.
Brooke sensing his hesitance, jumped in, flipping to the production schedule. "Harry would have small supporting role in the first film about 15 mins, which will set up his arc."
"After that, there's a planned TV series where we explore his backstory and his relationship with Peter in more depth."
Alex then takes over from her, as only he knew about what he'd planned after that. "His next major appearance would be in the second movie, but it won't be until the third movie that he takes a darker path out of revenge."
"But the ramifications of this will be shown in the third season of the TV show and the next film. If you do agree to accepting the role, then you'll be in it for the long run, but I can promise you it will be worth it."
Alex was confident in his statement, as the arc he had thought of for Harry would end with him turning a new leaf and becoming an anti-hero and a loving father to his own son, unlike Norman Osborn.
Seeing the worried and regretful look on Heath's face, Alex quickly added, "Not to worry though, as we'll provide you with a detailed schedule for the next two to three years of our plans with your character, so you can plan your other projects around it."
"I know it's a lot to ask, but we want to ensure this doesn't clash with your commitments."
Heath's let out a sigh of relief as his lips quirked up into a thoughtful smile. "So, I'd have the freedom to take on other roles in between?"
Alex nodded. "Absolutely. We're building something ambitious, but we value our actors' flexibility and their other commitments. If you're interested, I think Harry could be a career-defining role for you."
Heath's gaze turned contemplative, the wheels clearly turning in his mind. Finally, he smiled, extending a hand toward Alex. "I'm in. Let's make Harry Osborn unforgettable."
Alex shook his hand firmly; a sense of satisfaction settled over him. "Welcome aboard, Heath. I have no doubt you'll bring Harry to life in ways we haven't even imagined yet."
Alex leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile lingering from his conversation with Heath Ledger. He admired Heath's graciousness and professionalism, even in the face of an unexpected proposition.
"We'll send you a contract soon," Alex assured Heath, his tone warm but businesslike. "If you have any questions or conditions, that will be the time to negotiate; do think about it. Until then, take care, Heath."
Heath nodded, his expression one of quiet confidence. "Thank you, sir. I look forward to hearing from you."
As Heath left the room, Alex turned to Brooke and then Jeff. "I am glad we got our Harry; I can't wait to see people scream and shout in the theaters when he becomes a monster that even overshadows Spider-Man for an arc in his own movie."
"Jeff, I remember you had someone else shortlisted for the role, but it's clear to see that Heath was the better pick, and with him not having any breakout, yet he's more likely to agree to our terms."
"While I do feel it was a bit rushed, I have to agree, Heath definitely performed better than Van, and he's still so young. I can't imagine how good he'll get with age and experience."
The two exchanged a nod of agreement, eager to see the growth of the young actor who had impressed them with his performance and won the role of Harry Osborn.
"Alright, next up we got James Franco," he said, glancing at the roster in front of him.
Brooke's lips quirked into a knowing smile. "Let's see if he keeps the streak going," she murmured, leaning back in her chair with her notepad poised.
The door opened, and James Franco entered with a mix of confidence and casual charm. He greeted the room with a friendly smile, his relaxed demeanor evident as he walked to his mark.
"Good to see you again, James," Jeff said leading the conversation, his tone professional but encouraging. "Let's pick up where we left off in the last audition. You'll start with Peter's conversation with Mary Jane after the big fight."
James nodded, his expression sharpening into focus as he took a moment to prepare. He began the scene, delivering Peter's lines with a controlled intensity. His voice carried the right cadence, but something felt off—the stiffness in his delivery clashed with the emotional weight of the scene.
Brooke tilted her head slightly, her pen hovering above her notepad. She turned to Alex and whispered, "Too stiff?"
Alex's brows furrowed as he studied James's performance. He didn't respond to Brooke immediately, instead watching James complete the scene. When it ended, Alex leaned forward, his hands clasped on the table.
"Alright, James. Let's try another one," he said, his tone measured. "This time, we'll switch to the rooftop conversation with Harry. Focus on Peter's vulnerability and guilt."
James nodded again, adjusting his posture and taking a deep breath before launching into the new scene. Unfortunately, his performance didn't improve. His movements became more rigid, and his voice lost the emotional resonance needed for the moment.
Jeff, who usually maintained a positive outlook during auditions, let out a quiet sigh of disappointment. He scribbled a note on his pad and exchanged a glance with Brooke, who shook her head subtly.
When James finished, the room fell into an awkward silence. Alex broke it with a polite but curt nod. "Thank you, James. That will be all for now."
James hesitated for a moment, as if expecting feedback or encouragement. When none came, he forced a tight smile and exited the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Jeff exhaled loudly, breaking the tension. "What happened? He was so much better in his earlier auditions."
Brooke tapped her pen against her notepad. "Nerves, maybe? Or overthinking it. Either way, it just wasn't there today."
Alex leaned back, his expression unreadable. "It's more than that," he said finally, his voice low but firm. "There's something about him that doesn't sit right with me. I can't put my finger on it, but my gut is telling me to pass."
Jeff frowned, glancing at his notes. "Do we want to shortlist him for any other roles? Maybe a minor supporting character?"
Alex shook his head decisively. "No. He's not the right fit for this project." He paused, his gaze meeting Jeff's. "Jeff mark him with a Level 1 debuff."
It was a code word that Alex came up with as a DnD enthusiast, and it meant that the actor would start off with a negative score instead of a neutral or positive one and needed to perform much better than his competition to be considered for the role.
— To be Continued...
{2511 words}
{TRL: And here we finally get to see the first character being confirmed for Alex's MCU through auditions, and it is Heath Ledger casted for the role of Harry Osborn. My guy went from The best portrayal of Joker on the big screen to Goblin Junior.
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