"..."

Will was confused as to why Edward would ask him to play the role of Stan, no matter what the circumstances were with the guy who was going to play that role.

MCA didn't lack actors and there would be many replacements for Stan, so he didn't quite get what Edward was planning.

"Well, I just think that you could play the role perfectly. There are scenes where Stan has to look oppressive and dominant, and honestly, Alex's role doesn't suit you even though I'm sure you'll play him well."

Edward said while looking at Will as he continued.

"Not only that, isn't June your girlfriend? You've got that chemistry since she'll be playing the role of Maggie - Stan's girlfriend. Although the chemistry isn't the same, wouldn't it be better for you this way? And I'm very confident that you'll play the role well."

At this point, Will was convinced about something. This was the consideration Edward was giving him for his talent, otherwise, there are many people who could replace Stan's role.

And if he played Stan, then June wouldn't need to kiss a random guy. So it was kind of a good thing. Not only that but also the role of Alex was so tame and timid that there wouldn't be any trouble finding a replacement for it.

"Then we have a deal I guess, just send me the script and I'll prepare for Stan's character."

Will said while contemplating.

"Brilliant! Brilliant! Haha!"

Edward said as they started discussing the role. It wouldn't be too difficult for Will to play any role as he had the system skills backing him up.

***

It's already been two weeks since Will's meeting with Edward. Today was the first day of shooting.

The negotiation with Z Studios for the rights of Sherlock Holmes also went well with Amanda being able to buy the rights for just $1 million after some haggling.

Will had already told the team to begin the pre-production of the movie partially. He had already got an appointment with Foxstar studios and Micheal Elrod this week to settle things with them.

Since he was acting and had to start the movie's production too, he decided it would be much more efficient to do everything consecutively.

***

**

[17 Again] was decided to be shot in a span of one and a half months. This was Edward’s way of doing things. He was popular for his short shoot time, but that only meant that his team had to work extra hard to get all the shots perfect in less time.

Will himself would have to go for the shoot for 2 weeks, and that was after Edward’s consideration. As Will was busy with his own company, he wasn’t just an actor but also a director, screenwriter, etc.

Edward decided that they’ll shoot all his scenes first, which would spare Will some time for his own work. Will was extremely grateful for that and thanked Edward.

Will and June were sitting on a bench near the vending machine with Will gulping down a can of coke.

“Slow down, you seem like you’ve just come out from a dessert. It’s not even summer yet.”

June said as she chuckled. She wiped down some of the coke that got spilt out of his mouth with her handkerchief.

Will looked at her lovingly with emotions fluctuating in his eyes. One of the main reasons why he decided to act in the movie was also for June, as he wanted to spend some time with her.

“Yeah, Yeah. Well, how’s your part of the practice going?”

Will asked with a smile as he gently caressed her shoulders.

“It’s going great obviously. It’s nice to be reciting dialogues that aren’t filled with fear and uncertainty.”

June laughed as she said that. It was true that the most dialogues she ever had in a film were in [The Blair Witch Project] and apart from the starting, the whole movie was just a scary mess.

“Oh yeah, that Drake guy was hitting on me. Hahaha.”

“Drake…. You mean the main lead who’s playing the younger Mike?”

Will asked with an amused smile.

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“Yeah, that guy.”

June replied casually.

“Well, when there is a flower, bees will be there too. There will be a lot of people like that in your life, try to ignore them. They give up as fast as they gain interest most of the time.”

Will said as he talked like a wise old sage.

After the practice, the shooting officially began with the scene of the old Mike turning into the teenage Mike and telling his circumstances to his friend.

With that, he got admitted to the high school and his new life began. Drake, who was playing the role of the teenage Mike kept repeating some mistakes, maybe because he hadn’t done a role for a while.

Edward roasted him a lot and even compared him to bad actors while giving him pointers. Although Drake wanted to retort, he knew better than that, otherwise, his career would end right there.

Talking back to the director on his pointers was considered a taboo in the Hollywood industry, and whoever broke that taboo would face living hell as no director would ever accept them in any of their films due the directors dignity.

As the shooting progressed, Drake started getting into it after a few more rants from Edward and was finally able to finish after many takes.

After that Will's shooting finally started.

It was a scene where Stan was playing basketball and was dominating the team. Although there was something like this in the original movie, Will had tweaked a bit of the script for a stronger antagonist role.

As Will started acting out, Edward couldn't help but sigh. He was simply too talented, and Edward would tell him to leave directing for acting if he didn't know any better.

"Cut!"

As Edward's cut resounded, Will came out from the set and asked how everything went and if there was something that needed to be corrected.

"Haha, you're just too good. With your scenes, I'm relieved that I won't have to do too many retakes."

Edward said as he patted Will's shoulder. June too had come and hugged Will happily. Will's acting was simply outstanding, at least for someone who had never acted in any movies before. And June was happy that her boyfriend seemed perfect in every way.

"Ah damn, it's itchy. I want to take it out."

Will said as he scratched his head. Edward had told him to do a complete makeover to suit Stan's role. But Will said that he would just get a wig and didn't want to actually dye his hair.

"Not so fast boy, we still have more scenes to shoot today."

Edward put an end to his complaint as they proceeded for the next scene.

***

"Can you give me an autograph please?"

It was a pretty girl with blue eyes and brown hair. As Will recalled, she was an extra actress for the set to fill in the roles of the students.

"Sorry?"

Will asked, confused.

"Ah, well. My name is Mila. I'm a big fan of [The Blair Witch Project] and of course a big fan of your directing. Can you please give me an autograph?"

Mila said as she gestured towards the notepad and pen in her hand.

It seemed like she was just a fan and wanted an autograph.

"Sure, why not?"

Will smiled as he took the pen from her hand and gave her an autograph.

As he was handing back the notepad, their hands seemed to have touched by mistake. But after a while, Mila didn't let go as she slowly rubbed Will's hand and said.

"Would you like to go out for dinner? It would be such a pleasure!"

Her lips were curved seductively as she asked that. Will just softly smiled and waved her hands off.

"I still have some work to do back at home and need to sleep early for tomorrow's shooting, I hope you don't mind. Thank you for asking though."

He didn't wait for a reply as he turned around and left.

This was one of the most common scenes one can expect on a Hollywood movie set. She was just testing her luck by trying to seduce Will and make a contact.

This type of thing was common in Hollywood and it was something Will despised. Sure she was a pretty girl, and sure he would love to sleep with someone like her, but when it involved a trade, it basically put his dignity to the test.

Not to mention he already had a girlfriend.

Will walked out to the parking lot and got near his car. June was already waiting for him while standing near the car with a smirk on her face.

Apparently, she had seen the little incident that happened.

"Someone sure is popular."

June said teasingly.

"Sheesh."

Will just wanted to get over with today. He was quite tired and wanted to rest.

June kept giggling as they got in the car and Will sat on the driver's seat.

"So my popular boyfriend, how does it feel to be acting in a movie? Do you like it?"

June asked with both her palms placed on his right shoulder and her eyes deeply looking towards him.

"Uhm, well. It's a nice experience I would say. After all, I finally understood how actors feel when they're scolded by a director."

Will chuckled at the end of his sentence.

"Mhmm… is that so?"

June said while still looking deeply into his eyes, soon, their lips touched each other as they kissed deeply.

***

After that, they talked a bit more about the movie and how everything was working out so well. Will told June that he would be meeting up with a potential lead candidate for his next movie.

June didn't ask much about it as Will started driving. After driving to June's home, Will dropped her there.

Although June gave a very seductive invitation to come inside her house, Will's tiredness said otherwise and he told her that he had a meeting to attend.

After that, Will drove to White Ruby Hotel. It was a 5 star hotel. Will had pre-booked a meal for two there as he was going to meet Micheal here according to Benjamin's appointment.