Hollywood What If

Chapter 46

[Author's note: I was gone for almost three weeks, so I didn't able to update on Scribblehub and other platforms. However, I'm still posting on Patreon, so the chapters are a bit backlogged there. Anyway, I will post 12 chapters this week to make up for it. Two times a day].

There are reasons why Kazir decided to audition Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal for the movie The Hangover.

First, he worked with them and they had a great working relationship. The two actors were serious about their work. 

The second thing is money. The salary for each of them will never exceed 2 million dollars. Ed Helms just became famous recently and asking for an astronomical amount was a sure way to end his career.

'Maybe he can ask for 2.5 million dollars. But more than that could be a problem. I hope his agent understands that.'

Usually it is the agents who negotiate with the movie companies. Actors would never show their faces before everything is settled. 

The third reason for inviting them was that both of them would have successful careers in the future. At least their faces were known. So Kazir was confident in their talents. 

These three are the main reasons why he wanted Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal to be in The Hangover. 

The other reason is that they respect Kazir. 

As the director of the movie, his position has to be firm. He didn't like anyone questioning his authority, that's not how it works. 

"It's nice working with you, Enrico."

"Glad to hear it."

Enrico Pusi and Kazir Grey shook hands. 

Their first meeting was indeed memorable. Because Enrico Pusi was the one who accepted his script. Of course, Enrico Pusi didn't cooperate with him at that time. 

Se7en was too gruesome and Enrico felt that the movie would never be successful at the box office. Besides, an unknown director like Kazir wanted to direct the movie.

'Who would have thought that Se7en and Napoleon Dynamite would be at the top of last year's box office list.'

Enrico sighed in his heart. 

The second week of February 1996, Se7en was released in North American theaters. It has a box office of $202 million. 

So far, the worldwide box office of the movie was more than 400 million dollars! This amount was enough to say that the movie was successful. 

Let's not even talk about Napoleon Dynamite, which has a worldwide box office of $250 million.

'I hope his next movie will have more than 100 million dollars... I will have a small share if the movie exceeds that amount.'

Of course, producers are rich people. Some of them can make more than 100 million dollars a year. Jerry Bruckheimer, Jeffrey Katzenberg and George Lucas were famous/rich producers. 

"Now, let's start our audition."

The two smiled. They acted like brothers. 

......

...

...

"I'll take the role, I'll take the role..."

A fat man kept talking to himself in front of the mirror. Maybe he wanted to convinc himself. 

The person in front of the mirror was Jack Black.

He was 27 years old this year. He started his career as an actor in 1992 in a movie called Bon Roberts... He was not famous. 

He had a role in Demolition Man with Wesley Snipes and Sylvester Stallone. It was a small role. 

He also had a part in Dead Man Walking. But it was a small part again.

He also had a part in Waterworld... But his scenes were cut so nobody knew about it. 

Three days ago, his agent told him that a new project invited him to audition. It was The Hangover. 

Jack Black left the bathroom and sat down in the waiting area outside the audition room. He saw a lot of actors sitting everywhere. 

Every one of them was an enemy. They were ready to tear each other's faces off to get the role...

Unlike the other famous actors, Jack Black didn't have a full copy of the script. He only has half. However, he was able to see that his role was an important part of the movie.

He was lucky enough to make it to the final round of auditions. Auditions usually have three rounds. 

The first was to see if the actor/actress matched the look of the character.

The second was to check their acting talent. 

The last was when the producer and director would attend the audition to hire the best ones. 

Obviously, Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal, who has a connection with director Grey, easily passed the two rounds. 

If Black Jack got the part, his path to stardom would be clearer. He looked around and saw Ed Helms reading the script. 

Because of the success of Napoleon Dynamite, the unknown actor became one of the known actors in Hollywood. 

In one movie, Ed Helms' career became so bright. 

"Next, number 13, Jack Black."

"Yes! That's me!"

Jack Black walked into the room and found a camera. 

"Good morning, Mr. Jack Black."

"Hello, Director Grey." He nodded enthusiastically. 

"Well, you're one of the actors who has the privilege of reading the script. So I think you have an idea of your role."

"That's right."

"You can choose which scenes you want to use for the audition.

"Then... I chose the one where Alan met the tiger for the first time."

"Okay."

Kazir nodded. That scene was actually one of the funniest parts of the movie. 

Acting like a man who just woke up after a night of drinking, Jack Black walked into the imaginary bathroom... His eyes widened. He quickly ran out of the bathroom screaming "There's a tiger in the bathroom, there's a fucking tiger in the bathroom" after accidentally kicking Phil's balls...

Kazir Grey and Enrico Pusi were watching the audition seriously. It was a funny scene, but they have to maintain their seriousness. 

Renner recorded Jack Black's audition  to review later. That was why there was always a camera in the audition room. 

"Thank you, Mr. Jack Black. You can go now."

"Thank you, director."

Jack Black didn't know if he passed the audition. The producer's and director's expressions were too stern. He swallowed hard and left the room confused. 

"He'll get the part."

After Jack Black left the audition room, Kazir gave his verdict. 

"Well, of all the actors who auditioned for Alan's role, Black Jack fits the part."

Enrico Pusi had no problem.  /Puji_maki