The blue and grey-themed house looked peaceful as ever. Scarlett Johnson walked down the stairs, wearing her outfit for the day, knowing there would be an audition for the next movie she would act in.
In her hand, there was her favorite coffee, her always go-to.
The morning freshness of sunshine felt new and warm to her. She thought a bit about how her life had changed ever since she got to act in Batman.
She was a no-name in the industry till Batman, but then, things, including her phone to career, got busier than she ever expected.
The entire history of how she met Ian to how her life changed kept playing, and a smile was tugging her lips. She took a sip of her coffee and thought back to the day they had talked in the parking lot, how she had thought that Ian was going to ask or invite her to sleep with him.
And then how the view changed after Ian mentioned that he'd be giving them a role due to how talented and good her interview was.
She was feeling content with her life for once. And according to the theory of self-actualization, when one reaches the point where they're happy, it would mean that they've reached their full potential. But as for Scarlett, she had just started her career.
She was content with her life how her career started, for why people started loving her. With all that being said, her thoughts still occupied her. The bit of reminiscing she was having with her brain about the past year.
She remembered how she had first heard and known about Ian quite a lot—to be a playboy and someone who made career-wise massive changes, but then when things changed drastically, she hadn't expected things to get the turn which still made her heart jump in awe.
Her gaze danced among the morning beauty for some more time before she decided she had to seize the day.
-
The deal with Angela Bird for the movie Resident Evil was confirmed. And they gave the rest of the movie plans to her and Mason–the producer.
Today, Ian and Mason had the next big thing for their next movie–selecting the cast.
"Crazy, Stupid, Love? That sounds cheesy enough!" Niko said while preparing the equipment to get the set for the audition ready.
He took out his camera and started adjusting it in front of where Ian was.
"This is the third time you're telling me that, Niko. Aren't you tired of it yourself?" Ian questioned back.
"I think I'm too, so who would be here? Anyone, we already know?"
"Just Ryan, Scarlett, and then Steve…."
"Steve Carell?!" Mason questioned. "The same actor who came to the Batman audition, right? I never knew that you talked to him about anything regarding this."
"Isn't it a pleasant surprise, then?" Ian asked with a shrug.
"Of course it is. The man is good at what he does—making things funny, and Ian, I have to ask, how do you always find these perfect types of people to get to the role you aim for? I have worked with your father, and to be honest, at first, when it was all about the perfect cast and storyline, we were doing shit. We had to change people even after shooting a few scenes with them, and—"
"That was a rough start?" Ian asked in the middle.
"A very rough start, which is why I'm most surprised by your actions."
"Well, uncle, even I'm trying to like you did before. But, I mean, the way I think these people would suit wouldn't work perfectly fine, and it's a weird blessing I've with actors."
"Yeah, weird indeed. Anyway, it's good for us," Mason returned to the variety of unknown figures and numerics on the paper.
"Why Crazy, Stupid, Love, though? I honestly can't believe you wrote the script in a week, with the VFX, the music of Avatar, and a fricking good script…. Aren't you tired?" Niko asked.
Since they had grown too close ever since the Avatar shooting, vacation, and everything, Niko had treated Ian like a friend, and so did Ian.
"That is exactly the point of all of this. Crazy, Stupid, Love is a project that I can do while relaxing because it is not exactly a huge movie. Yes, I'm tired because I spent weeks without sleeping, but before the shooting, I know I'll have some time left to rest. But, first, we need to get over the auditions and finish the legitimate stuff," Ian said while tapping on the desk.
His back was already in pain from sitting for too long while writing the script, which he ended two nights ago, yet, he couldn't let that affect the scheduled auditions today, and he knew it.
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[...] After a few seconds of pure silence in the studio, Ryan Gosling entered the studio with a vast smile reaching his eyes. Behind him, Tristan followed him like a lost puppy.
"Good to see you back, Ryan," Ian said and walked closer to him. They hugged for a few seconds.
Pulling back, Ian shook hands with Tristan too. "How have you both been? Ryan, there's a new movie I can expect. How is it?" Ian questioned, knowing how Ryan had been busy with the shootings.
"It's going alright. It's going to be a hit as far as I see, and only the future would tell, I suppose. And again fuck, it's just nine in the morning, and I still have had nothing." As soon as Ryan said it, his stomach rumbled, making a loud noise.
"Yeah, it sounds angry. Let me ask Murphy to bring something."
[...] After a while, Scarlett, Steve, and Ryan were seated. And since the three main actors walked inside the studio, Ian wanted them to get the roles. Even if that includes forcing them into acting as he wanted, he felt he would do it—do what? You may ask. Do whatever it takes for them to perform the role.
Ian started the audition by discussing the movie plot. Knowing they all signed the NDA, he knew nothing kept him from being open about the story.
"Okay, so I'll explain a bit about the movie again. So, to start with what Crazy, Stupid, Love is about, it's a rom-com. The name itself shouts a lot, I know.
So, it would be about how Cal Weaver lives the American dream. So simple. He has a good job, a beautiful house, exceptional children, and a beautiful wife named Emily. And Cal's perfect life unravels, however, when he learns Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Over 40 and suddenly single, Cal is adrift in the fickle world of dating. Enter Jacob Palmer, a self-styled player who takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies." Ian said, making all of them nod.
Steve Carell previously played the role of Cal Weaver in his original world. For the part of Jacob Palmer, he thought of Ryan Gosling as he subtly had this mindset that if it weren't Ryan, there'd be no other one. For the pretty lady Ian knew from his original world, Scarlett, he wanted to see what role she'd do better. As there were plenty of parts, Ian knew they'd fit any.
"Are there questions? By your faces, I feel like I just gave the news of me divorcing my non-existing wife," Ian muttered, watching how they all went silent.
"Well–" Steve opened his mouth. "I think it would be better if we just got over the audition because, regardless of what role we aim for, what matters is if it would suit or not. So, taking nothing personally, let's start?" He asked.
Ian nodded, understanding what he was saying. "Let's start if everyone agrees. I'll explain the role before you get into it—as usual, and since the dialogues are already with you, it'll be easy for both of us."
Thus, the great audition started.
-
Scarlett got some dialogues to act in the role of Hannah. Finally, everyone was in their respective seats, and Scarlett was getting ready with the dialogues she had to recite.
".....And action!"
"Did you hear that? `It's going to be a special night.' So you think he's going to propose?" Scarlett whispered.
Ian had thought of giving Emma Stone's role, Hannah, to Eloise because she had once acted as Emma in La La Land. But again, Eloise was booked for three movies at the same time, which made Ian's offer hard to accept and hard to refuse. But, 'she'll let him know if anything changes.'
Scarlett shrugged and then continued, "He's nice."
"Cut! Okay, can you shrug like this.." Ian said and acted for her to imitate.
"Yeah, sure. One more," Scarlett said, and they acted once more.
In that cut, it became official. Scarlett Johnson would act as Hannah in Crazy, Stupid, Love.
"Ryan, you already know what your character would embody. We have had this discussion, and I'm hoping you'd nail it in your first attempt," Ian said while applying pressure on his words.
"Okay…. Action!"
"Are you in a fraternity, Cal?" Then, Ryan got into his character.
"ARE YOU IN A FRATERNITY, CAL?!" He highlighted.
"Are you Steve Jobs?"
"ARE YOU THE BILLIONAIRE OWNER OF APPLE COMPUTERS?"
Ryan nailed his expressions equally, if not more successful than Ian had expected.
"Okay, cut! Ryan, this is your last test. Can you approach Scarlett and, you know, take the lead and act as a good flirt?"
"Give me five then,"
Ryan said with a smile and walked back. He talked to himself for a few seconds and walked in front of Ian. "I'm ready!" He said.
"Cool… Then Action!"
"Uhm…. Hey," Ryan said with a flirty smile. Scarlett looked back at him and gave a questioning look while raising her eyebrows.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"You seem to look boring down here. Wanna hear a story?"
"Sure," everyone was silent.
"So, when I was a kid… I used to chase butterflies a lot. They were so pretty and used to hang out behind our house again A LOT, but damn, I never knew I'd get them for free… That too when I saw your eyes… Fuck–my heart," Ryan said while making everyone chuckle and clap simultaneously.
"That.. is good! I'm going to use it next time." Ian said and clapped, making everyone laugh. "Thank you, thank you."
-
After a brief break, it was Steve Carell's chance.
"And sir for you—" Ian addressed him as sir, knowing how hot-headed he was the last time they met and even a while ago. "I want you to change expressions when I tell you to, first a deadpan stare, then an incredulous look, a surprised face, and last but not least, an awkward chuckle, can you?" Ian asked.
"Sure," Steve said and got in front of the camera.
He cleared his throat before nodding to give Ian the signal to continue.
After the command, he changed his expression to exactly what Ian said. After every 'change' command……Finally, Steve chuckled awkwardly.
"Cut! Okay, thank you!" Ian said with a sigh knowing the hard part of the day was over.