A successful script often takes a long time to write. Levi is not in a hurry to have his script produced immediately. He has already finalized the general direction and organized the film's broad context and main storyline.
As for other things, whether it is technological knowledge or historical and political content, Levi has many subordinates who can improve it. With Bob leading them to complete the script to perfection, Levi is very relieved.
While preparing the script, another thing Levi considered was the selection of actors for the movie.
Since this movie involves multiple actors, many are needed, and how to select these actors also needs to be considered.
Moreover, the film itself is very large, and the shooting time may be very long. Therefore, during the shooting period, the movie also needs to take into account the actors' schedules. If the shooting schedule is delayed, it could result in significant financial expenses.
Levi didn't want to start filming his movie only to discover that all the actors he wanted had other commitments. Therefore, it is wise to start preparations early.
While the script was being prepared, Levi also discussed the film's casting with Clark.
The movie has three protagonists: the police, the leader, the old woman who betrayed the earth, and a scientist. How to arrange all three of them is what Levi needs to consider.
First of all, if the black man playing the role of the policeman is Denzel Washington, it would be perfect. This character has a lot of scenes, and he also needs to show his extraordinary charm in the movie. He is one of the most hard-core characters in the film.
In Levi's opinion, this person is also one of the essential core figures, and in Hollywood as a whole, he has good acting skills and image and is also of the right age. The new actor, Denzel Washington, is, of course, the obvious choice.
Compared with him, other black actors either come from a comedy background, jump into drama, or have a bad image and are difficult to use. Or else, it's like Will Smith, who is a little too handsome and not practical.
He is the best candidate; this was something Levi had already determined.
Only the problem is, now he has an Oscar. As an Oscar-winning actor, his net worth also skyrocketed. He entered the 20 million club and became one of the highest-paid actors. And such a salary makes it a bit difficult for him to participate in movies.
Investment in movies is always limited, and such a blockbuster will definitely cost a lot of money in terms of special effects and location shooting. If another actor worth 20 million is found, the cost of the movie will be unimaginably high.
"The only way now is to discuss it with him. We will still let him star if he is willing to lower the salary. If not, then there is no other way. We can only find someone new.
Now, in Hollywood, there are not many suitable stars. However, among those unknown stars, there are many people who want to become famous. Nick, you have always had a good vision; just promote an actor."
While Clark sent people to ask him, on the other hand, he also told Levi his concerns and his preparation plan. However, Levi could only smile bitterly at his second plan. He can use people because he has memories there, but even if he searches for memories, he can't find such a person...
But, besides doing this, there seems to be no better way. Levi is also inclined to agree.
In addition to this role, another character, Cheng Xin's character in the original book, is also more troublesome.
In the script, this character is positioned as an old Caucasian woman, and it stands to reason that there are many such people. However, Levi also has his own opinions on who to choose.
"If you talk about playing an older woman... Meryl Streep's acting skills can be said to be the best, right?" Clark soon put forward his own opinion.
According to the script's setting, this woman's childhood happened to be during the McCarthy era in the United States. Calculating this, an actor in her 50s should be the most suitable to play her. Among actors of this age, Meryl Streep's acting skills can be said to be the most outstanding. No one can ignore her when looking for an actor.
"She is good, but she seems to be a little not so good."
However, Levi was not very satisfied with this, "Meryl's acting skills are certainly good, but her image is not suitable. I'm not saying she is not good-looking enough, but...
In the movie, I hope this character has some crazy temperament. She was persecuted as a child, leaving a psychological shadow. This shadow led her to take the path of revenge against all humanity, so she should be a little crazy in her bones.
This character betrayed all humanity. However, in the movie, people should feel more pity for her rather than hatred. Meryl's acting skills are very good, but her image is too positive, and I'm worried that she won't be able to act crazy."
Meryl is probably the best method actress, and Levi knows this very well. Although it can be unparalleled in detail, it's just that method acting is always inferior in reflecting the character's heart. When it comes to playing characters like lunatics, psychopaths, and lunatics, in Levi's opinion, Methodism is always a bit inferior.
This madness is better left deep within. If you can't grasp the crazy heart of this character, you can't show the pitiful side of this character. In the original work, she was originally a miserable and hateful person, which is what Levi wanted to express.
"Moreover, many of this character's scenes are memories in the movie. When she is a child, we could let others play the role, but it is not good to change actors when she grows up. In other words, she needs to perform all the scenes from about 20 years old to about 50 years old; Meryl's appearance is a bit too old."
Generally speaking, when actors act, they cannot deviate too much from their actual age.
Playing a student would be difficult for an actor in his fifties. Similarly, if you let an actor in his twenties play an older man, how can he convey the vicissitudes of the world? This is also a problem.
Levi didn't think of the answer to this question, but Clark thought of a solution to this problem.
"The kind of actor you are talking about may not exist in the United States, but if you include Europe, I know that there is one person who can definitely do it." After Clark thought for a while, he also thought of another person, "If we talk about an actor, If she can play a role that is far younger than her own age, and at the same time, she must have a crazy temperament... So, how about Isabelle Adjani? Is there a more suitable candidate than this?"
Isabelle Adjani? Levi also thought of this French actor. Levi's impression of her focused more on Day-Lewis's ex-girlfriend and Queen Margot in 1994. It seemed that he had rarely heard from her in the past few years.
However, when it comes to age, she is really about the same age. At 47 years old, with a bit of makeup, it's no problem to play someone a few years older. And in terms of other requirements, she also fully meets the requirements - Adjani's madness is in her bones.
Many people who have worked with her call her a madwoman, and she has indeed done many shocking things, such as giving a political speech at an award ceremony, which is something that no ordinary actor would do...
If she can act crazy, Levi absolutely believes it.
And she also has an ethereal temperament. When Sophie Marceau debuted, she was called the trumpet Adjani. Her temperament is absolutely fine. She can play a madwoman with sympathetic qualities, even when portraying a betrayer of mankind. She fully embodies the character.
"Is she still acting now? Moreover, if I remember correctly, she seemed to have gained weight when she acted in Diabolique a few years ago. Is she still able to act now?"
Not seeing each other for a long time means that even if Levi deeply understands this actor, he no longer understands her condition, acting skills, or even body shape.
Although he also admitted that Adjani's temperament and acting skills were acceptable ten years ago, who knows what she looks like now? The difference between a 47-year-old and a 39-year-old can be very big for a woman. Although she can still act like an 18-year-old at 39, who knows what she will look like at 47?
Clark was not sure about this, but after searching for a while, he also found the answer, "Obviously, you are wrong. Her image is still okay. It seems that she is just lazy. From 1994 to now, she has only received three film contracts in total, so it is relatively rare. But when it comes to appearance changes, it is really not that big."
Clark said and handed a photo to Levi. And just looking at the picture, Levi was surprised and gasped, "This is 47 years old? Why does it feel like the status has not changed much from 1975?"
"You have to admit, time is very tolerant to some people." Clark shrugged, "If you let her play the role, you have to consider how to make her look like she was before."
Levi looked at the photo carefully again - obviously, The 46 or 47-year-old Adjani doesn't look old very much, and compared to the stills of her when she was young, her facial shape seems to be better. If she put some makeup on, her image would definitely look outstanding.
"So, Clark, please help me contact her. Hurry up. She took on three movies in 1996, 1999, and 2001, if I read correctly. Obviously, she doesn't like to be too tired. Now she has just finished one movie. If we don't get in touch soon and she goes to relax again, it will be troublesome."
Levi gave instructions, and Clark agreed, but after agreeing, he also thought of another question, "We have found the police and the leader, but you haven't found the actor to play the scientist yet. Do you pay too little attention to this role, or do you pay too much attention to it?"
Clark's reminder made Levi laugh, "This role... Actually, I have been thinking about it. However, the problem is that this role is not easy to find - because what I am looking for is not one person, but a group of people."
*****
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