Some actors have a natural talent for acting before they undergo formal training. However, after studying acting, they may lose that initial spark due to becoming formulaic and mechanical, ultimately losing the unique qualities that made them stand out in the first place. This would be a shame and a missed opportunity.
Wayne didn't want Liu Tianxian to lose her natural charm just because she debuted early in Hollywood. What would happen to the characters Wang Yuyan, Xiaolongnü, or most importantly, Ling'er if that natural spirit disappeared?
Without the added glow of these iconic roles, Liu Tianxian's appeal would be significantly diminished!
"Alright, I understand what you're saying. I'll pass the message to Mike and have him warn Liu Qiqi."
"Good, glad to hear that. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now. We're about to start shooting here."
"Alright."
After hanging up the phone, Wayne continued discussing the upcoming shooting plans with Doug Liman and Mia.
Today's scenes mainly involved him using the consulate's chaotic environment and architecture to evade the pursuing guards armed with nuclear weapons.
Most of these scenes were relatively simple; as long as the extras performed without mistakes, Wayne shouldn't face any major problems.
The main challenge was the final sequence: 'Bourne' nearly falling from a rusty iron windowsill and scaling the exterior of a five-story building. Doug Liman proposed three different approaches to filming this scene.
The first option was to shoot on location using a stunt double. The second option was to use an indoor set, with Wayne performing the stunt himself.
Both approaches had their advantages and drawbacks. The first would make the sequence appear more realistic, but it would limit Wayne's screen time in close-up shots. The second was safer, but the indoor set would lack the authenticity of a real environment and would take more time to prepare.
Of course, they could also combine both methods.
Some shots could use a stunt double to create realism, while other shots, especially those focusing on Wayne's facial expressions, could be done on the indoor set.
This hybrid approach was what the original *The Bourne Identity* used.
While it looked realistic and produced a decent effect, it still fell short compared to Tom Cruise's *Mission: Impossible*. To be honest, the difference was noticeable.
But Wayne wasn't looking to compare himself to Tom Cruise. He was here to enjoy life and revel in this blessed existence, not to risk his life like Cruise.
But what if there was no real difficulty or danger?
Frankly, given his current physical condition, unless he completely lost his balance and control, even jumping from a five-story building wouldn't break his face—at most, it would just bruise.
And with his strength and body control, scaling the building using just his hands and feet would be a breeze. Hanging from the window ledge and moving along it with just his hands would be no problem at all.
After all, he had the strength of a bodybuilder without the burden of excessive, cumbersome muscle mass.
So he decisively proposed shooting the scene on location and doing the stunts himself, but predictably, Doug Liman and Mia were strongly opposed.
Doug Liman was worried that if Wayne got injured, it would disrupt the shooting schedule. Mia had similar concerns, but her primary worry was Wayne's safety. No matter how much Wayne reassured them, she still disagreed—until Wayne simply demonstrated his climbing abilities.
Watching Wayne scale the five-story building in just a few seconds, without any safety gear, with the agility of a monkey, Mia was both angry and impressed. Ultimately, she reluctantly agreed to his proposal.
With Mia on board, Doug Liman had no further objections.
However, they still needed to take the necessary safety precautions. While the props team prepared the equipment outside, the crew returned indoors to shoot the indoor scenes.
It's worth mentioning that Eva Green, who had originally planned to leave today after her scene yesterday, had decided to stay a bit longer.
She wasn't expecting to have more screen time just because of their "intimate exchange." She simply wanted to have a few more such exchanges with Wayne.
After all, it's not just men who enjoy this sort of thing—women do too. Even though Eva Green was only twenty years old, not yet at her peak, she couldn't resist the fact that Wayne was incredibly attractive.
Wayne, being generous, had Doug Liman add a small scene for her. It involved her character, a staff member, secretly pressing the alarm button when Wayne's character pointed a gun at the consulate supervisor.
The scene had no lines, only one camera shot, and lasted just a few seconds.
But this was a solo shot in a major Hollywood blockbuster with a budget of over fifty million dollars! In Hollywood, such an opportunity could make nine out of ten unknown actresses offer themselves in exchange.
For Eva Green, the real reward was not just the extra screen time, but knowing that her investment in Wayne was paying off. This kind of reciprocity is rare and valuable in any entertainment industry.
So, after finishing her scene for the day, Eva Green resisted the urge to rush back to her hotel and sleep. Instead, she stopped by a lingerie store and a toy store to buy some items for "fun."
That night, when Wayne visited her for some "deep conversation," she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
"Eva, I think you shouldn't waste your time staying in France. France may be the center of the European arts scene, but it's still too small. You should head to Hollywood as soon as possible."
In the dreamy, orange glow of the room, Wayne embraced Eva Green, his hand gently caressing her smooth, alabaster skin, and spoke seriously.
France does have a strong film culture, and the Cannes Film Festival holds a decent standing internationally.
However, its focus is primarily on art films. Plus, there's competition from Germany, Italy, and England. When it comes to commercial films, France is lacking.
Eva Green came from an elite family. Her father was a well-paid dentist, and her mother was an actress and children's book author. With such well-off parents, she didn't have to worry about expenses and received a great education.
But waiting until 2003 to star in her first art film and only moving to Hollywood in 2004, as in her previous life, felt like a waste of time.
"But my family doesn't have any connections in Hollywood," Eva Green admitted honestly.
Despite her usual strong, independent demeanor—especially with her signature smoky-eye makeup making her seem queenly—at that moment, she was clinging to Wayne like a cuddly kitten.
(End of Chapter)