Burbank, home to Leonardo's Appian Trail Production Company.
Martin arrived at the front desk and joined Thomas, who had been waiting. They proceeded to the dressing room together.
Simultaneously, Martin called Robert in Atlanta.
The Cola Cult's high priest sprang into action.
Currently, the audition room was empty. Thomas began, "Return a favor, and I'll ensure you receive the salary and treatment you deserve." Martin nodded and replied, "Once the audition results are confirmed, go ahead and arrange it."
His presence was for returning a favor, a human touch, not the work of an agent. Furthermore, the scale of the script was considerable.
For Martin, the size was inconsequential; he had experienced it all throughout his career. Each time he took on such roles, he gained something, even if it was merely a workout costing hundreds of millions. He found enjoyment and happiness in each experience.
Hollywood had a well-established mechanism for handling nudity scenes. There were clear prices and regulations for the level of nudity and the areas exposed. Thomas needed to negotiate these aspects with the crew.
Several stylists and makeup artists entered the room to prepare Martin.
Thomas exited the dressing room, leaving Bruce behind, whose wolf-like eyes closely watched the proceedings.
Today's audition involved makeup.
Martin's beard was neatly shaved, and his long hair was styled with a classic parting. The transformation made his already youthful and handsome face appear several years younger.
The costumer brought over old-fashioned clothes, looking at Martin's large frame and suggesting, "Change to two sizes larger." An assistant hurried to fetch the larger outfit.
By skillful styling and camera work, a young, slightly built boy's appearance could be created. Martin's well-proportioned, athletic physique allowed him to wear baggy clothes to complete the illusion.
However, there were limits to this transformation, and it couldn't turn him into someone like Johnson with limitless muscle. For someone like O'Neal, it was simply impossible.
Under the meticulous care of top makeup artists and stylists in the industry, Martin appeared as if he had reverted to his seventeen or eighteen-year-old self.
On the other side, members of the crew began to enter the audition room.
Director Sam Mendes, actress and producer Kate Winslet, investor Leonardo DiCaprio, original author Bernhard Schlink, producer and screenwriter Anthony Minghella, and the Screen Actors Guild representative all took their places.
Kate inquired, "Is the makeup artist finished?"
An assistant replied, "It'll take about ten minutes."
Casting director Gina made adjustments to the camera setup.
Bernhard, the original book's author, raised a concern: "The time span is quite extensive. Can one actor handle it? Perhaps a young actor for the earlier portion and a different one for the later part, especially in a commercial film?" Anthony expressed similar concerns: "The only issue with using two actors is that it might create a sense of disconnection in the character."
Kate, who had already identified Martin as a suitable candidate, said, "Let's first see the results of the audition, and then we can discuss further."
Leonardo, sitting beside her, was highly intrigued to watch the audition unfold.
Anthony and Bernhard refrained from further comments and awaited the audition.
The audition room's door opened, and an assistant led Martin inside.
Bernhard, the original book's author, examined the actor closely. He had an appealing appearance and exuded a great deal of confidence, which seemed at odds with the character of the young male protagonist.
Anthony observed Martin as well but refrained from making snap judgments, knowing that exceptional actors could display a wide range of personalities. However, this was a 25-year-old...
Martin greeted Kate and others individually and glanced behind him. The dedicated game team members were engrossed in their mobile phones, showing remarkable professionalism in their detachment.
Director Sam Mendes handed Martin a script and said, "Let's begin."
Kate stepped in front of the camera and announced, "I'll be performing with Martin."
The audition involved a scene where the heroine, Hannah, changes clothes, and the young male protagonist, Michael, peeks.
Casting director Gina checked the camera monitor and gave the command, "Start!"
With those words, Kate turned her back to Martin, slowly unbuttoning her shirt and removing her coat.
Martin, in character, cautiously approached the edge of the curtain. Shyness and curiosity warred on his face. He secretly peered out, then withdrew under the influence of his internal moral code. However, desire eventually overcame restraint and shyness. Martin was drawn out from behind the curtain by an irresistible force, unable to look away as Kate undressed.
Benhard, the original book's author, observed Martin in astonishment. It was as if he were witnessing a true embodiment of the protagonist, Michael Berg.
The confident and assured actor he had seen moments earlier had entirely transformed upon the casting director's command.
The man was the same, yet in his eyes, he was no longer himself.
His demeanor underwent a complete transformation. The self-assured aura of a successful individual disappeared, replaced by the restrained and inquisitive nature of youth. As he emerged from behind the curtain, people could distinctly sense his curiosity, attraction to mature women, desire, and even an indescribable yet palpable greed for flesh reflected in his eyes and expressions.
Anthony Minghella observed the actor before the camera. For some inexplicable reason, he instinctively glanced at Leonardo. Leonardo, now in his thirties, had displayed a similar level of performance in his prime.
With just his eyes, subtle expressions, and minimal physical movements, he masterfully portrayed the youthful innocence of the young man.
In that moment, Kate sensed something and turned around.
Martin, in character, turned and fled, disappearing behind the curtain, his chest heaving. After a while, the person behind him emerged step by step.
The clash between ethics and primal desires erupted at this moment. The guilt and shame of peeking at the heroine changing clothes battled against temptation and desire. Even though he knew it was "dangerous" to return, the struggle within him pushed him to do so.
At this moment, Leonardo cursed Martin silently a thousand times, then sighed, acknowledging that this pervert and scoundrel was undoubtedly the best choice for the role. The audacious pervert was, after all, just that.
The audition scene concluded. Sam Mendes called out, "Cut!" The male and female protagonists before the camera, trapped in their roles, moved toward each other step by step.
After a few steps, Martin was the first to break away and called out, "Kate!"
Kate Winslet, lost in her character's emotions, reached out to touch Martin, mirroring what Hannah was about to do. The scene was an intimate one, and Kate's hands moved to Martin's lower body.
This script was extensive in scale, with many scenes venturing into explicit territory, much like Kate's hands.
Martin took a step forward, seizing her wrist, and asked, "How was my performance?"
Kate, now out of character, paused for a moment before replying, "Very good, you made me immersed in the role."
Sam Mendes, rather than focusing on the actors in front of the camera, went to watch the footage on the monitors with producer Anthony.
There was a distinction between what the camera captured and what one perceived with the naked eye.
Even Benhard, a layman in the film industry, joined in the viewing.
After reviewing the audition footage, Sam asked, "What are your thoughts?" Anthony remarked, "The audition was exceptionally well done. Martin captured the character's emotional journey perfectly and seamlessly. It was natural and flawless. I couldn't have asked for more."
"Yes, that's him!" Benhard interjected quickly, "The Martin we just witnessed is the sixteen-year-old Michael Berg from my novel."
Casting director Gina remarked, "It was an almost perfect audition."
The audition wasn't over yet. Martin left the audition room and returned to the dressing room for makeup and styling.
When he reappeared in the audition room, he had been transformed into a middle-aged man.
An ordinary young actor attempting to portray a middle-aged character, especially someone like Michael with complex psychological processes, would encounter numerous challenges, particularly in terms of mindset.
However, Martin's portrayal of a middle-aged man was more relaxed than his depiction of the young character. He exuded an introverted, weathered, and contemplative demeanor, even leaning towards an austere quality.
Once all the auditions had concluded, Benhard, the original author, couldn't contain himself any longer and stood up to halt Martin, who was about to leave. "Mr. Davis!" Martin, still partly entrenched in his role, exhibited eyes and expressions filled with a sense of experience, and he offered a slight nod.
"Thank you!" Benhard's words were somewhat unusual. The middle-aged German author expressed sincerely, "You have truly brought the characters in my book to life." Martin simply replied, "You're welcome," as Benhard gave his hand a strong squeeze before Martin exited the audition room.
Benhard then turned to the crew members and declared, "I'm not a film expert, but I can sense the synergy between the characters and the actors. Martin Davis is an excellent fit." Sam inquired of Anthony, "What's your take?"
"There are many actors in the industry capable of handling either a teenage role or a middle-aged role," Anthony, an Oscar-winning director, acknowledged, "But it's rare to find an actor who can effectively merge two characters with such a vast age gap. With Martin, there's no need to search for two people to portray Michael. It would only weaken the character and the film."
Sam glanced at Leonardo, one of the investors. Leonardo commented, "Martin is fantastic. He possesses not only acting prowess but also considerable commercial appeal as the leader of the Cola Cult. We can even sponsor Coca-Cola. After all, there were American troops stationed in Germany, so they must have had Coca-Cola there. I recall that the United States had a presence in the region."
Thinking from an investor's standpoint, he continued, "With a substantial following in the Cola Cult, there's a group of individuals who will contribute to the box office simply because their leader is in the film."
Among all those present, Kate had the longest history with Martin and knew him well. "I have to say, Martin is a perfect fit for this role."
Leonardo offered a reminder, "That guy is a madman; he gets into character entirely. Kate, you need to be at your absolute best. This is originally a male-centric play seen from the protagonist's perspective, and if you don't deliver your A-game, he'll overshadow you."
Kate responded confidently, "Don't worry, I just had a feeling that Martin will pull me into the role."
Leonardo recalled the enjoyable moments he had shared with Martin, "Yes, I had a few scenes with him, and he was in exceptional form."
At this point, Anthony rose and declared, "Now that Martin has been chosen, there's no need to delay further. We should inform him and proceed through his agent."
Kate volunteered, "I'll go."
Leonardo chimed in, "I'll accompany you."