Choosing a minor role that could be finished in two or three days—this wasn't a decision befitting an actor like him, right?
Moreover, even the director didn't mind, so why did he have to think so much? Could he think of something the director couldn't? The director was a big Hollywood name, and none of her films had flopped. Why couldn't he see the potential problems?
Chen Shufen had her thoughts, and Leslie Cheung had his convictions. The result was that no one could convince the other, and even when Laila called to inquire, no resolution was reached.
So Laila proposed: let him play Elrond.
Having read the script, Leslie Cheung naturally knew the significance of this role in the movie. He felt that casting an Easterner like himself might bring some dissonance to the film.
It wasn't that he believed his acting skills couldn't handle the role; it was the inevitable result of an Eastern face in such a role.
Laila had her own thoughts, though: "Elrond is a half-elf. As described in the book, he has 'hair as dark as night, eyes as bright as stars, a silver crown on his forehead, neither old nor young, possessing the valor of a warrior, the wisdom of a wizard, the dignity of a dwarf king, and the warmth of summer.' I think Mr. Leslie is well-suited for such a character. As for the Eastern face, it doesn't matter. I happen to have an excellent makeup artist. He can turn you into an elf, or even into a monster or an alien. It's all very simple."
This wasn't bragging; it was a fact. Who else but Laila could boast a top-notch makeup artist like the Oscar-winning Xiao Ye?
In the end, persuaded by her arguments, Leslie Cheung took on the role.
News spread and the entire Hong Kong entertainment industry buzzed. Not just a few minutes of a minor role, but a relatively important supporting role—what other actor could enjoy such treatment?
This was a role genuinely secured through acting skills, not like those like Jackie Chan who broke into the exclusive Western film industry with Eastern kung fu. The significance represented was entirely different.
The fact that Roy smoothly landed the role of Legolas, the Elven prince, was also beyond Laila's expectations. Initially, she thought he just wanted to play around in her movie and take on a small supporting role for fun. But in a turn of events, he secured a significant role.
Laila was well aware that after the movie's release, many would be drawn to the charm of this character.
If Roy hadn't won an Oscar before taking on this role, she would probably have advised him to reconsider. In her past life, Orlando became known as a vase because of this role, and the title lingered for a long time. This "long" was indeed long, enduring even more than ten years after her rebirth.
But now, with Roy, it didn't matter. He had already proven himself as a capable actor on the Oscar stage. Even if he took on an exceptionally handsome role, it wouldn't easily label him with the unshakeable vase title. On the contrary, it would help attract more fans.
Sometimes, Laila envied his appearance. With that face, even if he played a background role in a movie, he would be remembered deeply by the audience.
If Roy knew that Laila had envied him before, he would probably burst out laughing. What's the saying? "People don't appreciate what they have." Indeed!
With the actors sorted, Laila could focus on other matters. Currently, her biggest concern was choosing the shooting locations for the movie. Should she go for the Eastern landscapes she loved, or opt for New Zealand, the highly acclaimed location in the original?
Honestly, she wanted to use the movie to promote the beauty of the East. However, she worried that straying too far from the original might affect the final shooting outcome. She could use special effects throughout, creating more fantastical scenes, but that would significantly increase the budget and extend the production period.
Following her plan, the first part would be released next Christmas, the second part the year after, and the final part another year later. This pace would likely yield the best results.
The breaks in between served two purposes: building anticipation among fans and extending the promotion time. It would ensure that more people knew about the movie. If all were released in a single year, the box office wouldn't be as high.
The most crucial point was winning awards. With one movie per year, only one set of awards could be won, but with three years... She could potentially sweep all the awards due over those three years.
"Laila, do you have time?" Roy suddenly called.
"Of course."
"It's about Downey, this guy!" Roy sighed heavily, sounding both urgent and irritated. "I really don't know how to describe him. He got involved in something, and now he's taken to the police station!"
"Ha?" Laila was shocked, standing up. The first thing that crossed her mind was that he might have had another "episode." If his antics jeopardized the movie's release... she couldn't even bear to think about it.
"Why? Did he get involved in that stuff again?" If so, how could she ensure the movie wasn't affected by this incident? Was it because she had used his connections too much in advance? Had she let him off the hook too early from his rightful path?
Roy shook his head. "Absolutely not! We had planned to meet at the bar, but when I got there, I saw the police just taking him into a car. Now, I'm at the police station, unable to see him or get any information on what happened. I think you need a good lawyer!"
Laila picked up her coat and headed outside. "I understand. Wait for me where you are; I'll be there soon!" After a moment's thought, she asked, "Were there reporters around at that time?"
"Do you think there's a place in Hollywood without reporters?"
Well, Laila was rendered speechless by his counter-question. Where could there not be paparazzi? If she were a reporter, she would stake out near the bar, waiting for the drunken stars to make a fool of themselves, just to capture it and make money.
Ending the call, she dialed lawyer Walton's number, informed him of what she knew, and asked him to prepare to accompany her.
Walton was ecstatic to receive the call. He felt that Laila, a wealthy lady like her, was too low-key. She could live a more ostentatious life, yet she didn't even have a single traffic violation on her record. It made him feel like taking her money as a private lawyer was no different from getting it for free. He was eager for some work that would allow him to showcase his skills in front of her.