"Have you read the script?" Eric asked as he returned to the office.
Ashley Olsen nodded. "Yes, we've read it, but there's one issue."
"Go ahead," Eric replied.
"Mary and I noticed that there are many intimate scenes in the script. As professional actresses, we don't mind them, but could you tone down the overly explicit moments? We're fine with leaving just the kissing scenes."
Eric found the Olsen sisters' request reasonable. After all, they were siblings, and highly explicit scenes on the big screen could cause backlash. In case of censorship issues, such scenes could always be included in a director's cut for the DVD release.
Moreover, Blue Is the Warmest Color is a tender film about young women, and the main characters are high school students, so it made sense to compromise in this aspect.
"I think that's doable. We can discuss the details later since this isn't the final script yet. In my vision, you already have well-defined roles."
"What roles?"
"Ashley, you're perfect for the role of Adèle, and Mary for Emma."
In the corner of the room, Judy, who had been present the entire time, perked up upon hearing this, her expression growing even stranger, making it hard for anyone to guess what she was thinking.
"Why should I play Adèle?" Ashley Olsen asked in surprise.
"Can't you see? Wait, I'll show you."
Eric called the makeup artist over: "Give them a simple makeup look that matches these roles."
The makeup artist looked at the character sketches drawn by Eric and started working. Soon, the makeup was done, and a blue wig was placed on Mary Olsen.
After the makeup transformation, the roles became more apparent. With Mary's sharp chin and short blue hair, she looked like a confident tomboy. Meanwhile, Ashley, with her rounder chin, appeared slightly melancholic and sad after the makeup.
When the sisters stood side by side, it was clear.
"See? Your facial features and types have already determined your roles. Judy, what do you think?"
Judy laughed oddly, further confusing the Olsen sisters. Ever since they had met her, this woman had been acting very strangely, with a look in her eyes expressing a peculiar desire, as if she wanted to devour someone.
"Ashley, Mary, you're absolutely perfect for these roles! No one else fits them better than you!" Judy exclaimed and then turned to Eric.
"Can I be the producer? Please, let me be the producer. You know me—I'll give it my all!"
Eric nodded slowly. "Yes, I'm sure of that. Alright, Judy, you can go now. We still have some matters to discuss with the Olsen sisters."
After Judy left, Eric said, "The script still needs some tweaking, but no more than two months. So keep that time slot open."
The Olsen sisters agreed. After a series of setbacks, they had no other offers, or else they wouldn't have had to write scripts themselves and seek investors.
"Alright, it's settled. The contract will be ready soon. Now let's talk about your share in Dualstar Entertainment. What are your thoughts?"
Ashley Olsen shrugged. "If we can't agree on that, does it mean the film is off the table?"
"Exactly! It's part of the deal, and you need to understand that," Eric responded bluntly.
"Yes, it's a business approach; we get it. But there's one problem."
"What is it?"
"Eric, you should know that Mary and I have had a permanent manager from the very beginning, his name is Robert Solny."
"He helped us with roles, planned our future, and even created Dualstar Entertainment for us. Our parents divorced a long time ago, and you could say Robert has done more for our careers than they ever did."
"Although the company officially belongs to Mary and me, Robert also owns a significant share of the stock."
"So, to buy the stake, we need his approval. That's the issue."
"How much stock does Robert Solny own?" Eric asked.
"45%."
"That much? You allowed your manager to own nearly half of your company!" Eric was surprised.
Mary Olsen looked at him with a hint: "That's why you need to convince Robert. Ashley and I have already decided that the shares can be sold, but only his portion."
"If you can reach an agreement with him, we'll fully support it and won't stand in the way!"
After some further discussion, Chen Xin escorted the Olsen sisters out of the MGM building.
Eric watched as they got into their red car and disappeared into the flow of traffic.
A pencil slid between his fingers until a sudden snap scattered wooden splinters across the floor.
"You want me to help you remove obstacles? Leading a tiger to devour a wolf! Hmm."
...
The red Lamborghini crawled through the evening rush hour. The Olsen sisters sat quietly in the back seat.
"Ashley, are you sure this is the right move? Do we really want to let Eric Cooper into our company? It feels like a dangerous path," Mary Olsen said.
Ashley Olsen looked at her sister with regret: "Do you want to continue enduring Robert's control?"
Mary pondered for a moment, then sighed. "No, I'm tired of putting up with him after all these years. He's really out of touch. Just look at his plans for us; he still sees us as the girls we were ten years ago."
"Robert Solny isn't the influential person he used to be. He might still have some sway in the television industry, but he can't take us to the big screen, and that's exactly what we need."
Ashley sighed too. "Yes, unfortunately, he still sees himself as our godfather. We can't deal with him on our own."
"But Eric Cooper... I'm afraid he'll want not just a share, but the entire company," Mary Olsen said with concern.
"Mary, every venture carries risks. But right now, we need to get rid of Solny. As for Eric Cooper, at worst, even if he gets all of Solny's shares, he'll only have 45%."
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