"Mr. John McTiernan, this way please. Let me introduce you to my boss, Sean K. Rockefeller." Norris gestured for John to enter.
"Hello, sir." The mention of the Rockefeller name made John McTiernan feel a flutter of nerves. That surname carried significant weight in the United States.
"Hello." Sean shook hands with John, eyeing him thoughtfully. John appeared to be in his 30s and exuded youthfulness, but Sean couldn't discern much about his appearance beyond that.
John McTiernan was a Juilliard School graduate, majoring in drama, and had later studied photography at the American Film Institute. He would later gain fame as the director of films like Predator and Die Hard, but for now, he had only directed commercials. He was grateful for the opportunity to create a film.
After a brief exchange, John took the script and began reading it carefully. Sean recalled that many renowned directors had backgrounds in photography, including Liu Weiqiang, Du Kefeng, Zhang Yimou, and Gu Changwei. He knew of several great foreign directors who also started as photographers.
Once he finished reading, John engaged in a discussion about Sean's priorities and expectations for the film. As a new director, John was keenly aware of the need to please his benefactor and adjusted his ideas to align with Sean's vision. Sean mentioned that the bank could provide funding, the police would be authentic in their roles, and a professional security company would assist with the film's production. John was momentarily taken aback.
While John didn't have a strong artistic vision, his experience as a commercial director had taught him how to engage audiences effectively. He spent the day at Sean's villa, brainstorming shooting ideas and refining the script to ensure the budget was utilized efficiently.
After hours of collaboration, Sean was satisfied with their progress. By evening, they signed a contract for the film, with John's director fee set at $100,000. With the director secured, they moved on to the casting process. Sean's company had its own casting director who had already conducted two rounds of auditions, narrowing down the options for Sean and John.
When the door opened, Sean blinked in surprise. "Why is he here?" he thought as he reviewed the casting information and spotted Nicolas Cage's name. Leaning toward Norris, he asked, "How much is he getting paid? Why would he want to join us?"
Sean recalled that Cage would later be known as the king of bad movies, and he wondered if Cage was already leaning into that reputation or if this film might actually be a hit.
Norris gave Sean a curious look, surprised that Sean recognized Cage, who had only appeared in two films and often relied on family connections for roles. "He's trying to prove himself," Norris explained with a smile. "Maybe he's distancing himself from his Italian connections to show he can succeed on his own."
Sean nodded, understanding that being a second-generation actor often invited scrutiny.
As Cage and John conversed, Sean interjected, "Let's see a performance."
Cage paused, unsure of Sean's role but decided to take it seriously. Sean couldn't help but chuckle.
"Almost laughed out loud," Sean remarked, amused.
Cage grinned and quickly composed himself, raising a hand to cover his smile.
"Finally couldn't hold it back," Cage admitted, unable to contain his laughter.
"Not bad!" Sean said, snapping his fingers. "That's the spirit!"
Cage's expression shifted to confusion, not fully grasping Sean's enthusiasm, but when Sean pointed at him, Cage's surprise turned to excitement. The director's approval felt like a personal triumph, especially since he had stepped away from family support to earn this opportunity.
"Thank you, sir," Cage said, bowing deeply, unsure of Sean's name.
Sean nodded, pleased with the interaction.
After Cage left, several more actors entered, none of whom Sean recognized. He waited patiently until a man with dyed blond hair walked in.
Sean's eyes lit up upon recognizing Bruce Willis. It was amusing to see Willis with a full head of hair; little did he know that one day, his baldness would become iconic.
At 30, Bruce was mostly performing on Broadway, with a few minor roles in films. He was known for his work in the TV series Moonlighting.
"Do you know why you didn't succeed until you were 30?" Sean suddenly asked, catching Bruce off guard and causing John to look over curiously.
"Me?" Bruce replied, pondering for a moment. "My acting skills weren't good enough?"
"Wrong!" Sean slammed the table, startling everyone. "It's because you haven't met the person who... shaves your head!"
John was puzzled, and Bruce looked around, unsure how to react.
"Shave your head, and this role is yours," Sean continued, maintaining a serious expression.
"I…" Bruce glanced at the director, clearly confused.
John, eager to support Sean's unconventional approach, chimed in, "Yes, I think a bald head might fit the character's temperament better."
"Okay, okay, sir," Bruce replied, hesitating before asking, "Does that mean this character…"
"Yes, come back tomorrow to sign the contract," Sean decisively cut him off.
As Bruce exited the room, he still seemed somewhat bewildered. He was thrilled to be chosen but couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief over Sean's suggestion regarding his appearance.
Sean watched him leave, a satisfied smile on his face. He had a strong feeling that both John and Bruce would bring something unique to the film, setting the stage for a promising production.
With the casting process underway and the director secured, Sean felt confident that they were building a solid foundation for the project. The combination of John's fresh perspective and Bruce's potential was an exciting prospect, and Sean was eager to see how everything would unfold.