Made In Hollywood

"Why is this happening?"

Looking at the data report in his hand, Charlie Adams, head of distribution at 20th Century Fox, was a little stunned. Despite being mentally prepared, when the weekend box office figures came out, he couldn't help but feel shocked.

The success of a film should bring ecstasy, not surprise. But Charlie Adams felt his position was precarious. With Chicago, which he had strongly opposed, as a success, and Speed 2 as a box office failure, even though the true decision-maker was CEO Townsend Rossman, the scapegoat...

His eyes fell back on the report in his hand.

Speed 2 had a production cost of $110 million, but its first weekend grossed only $16.15 million, far below the studio's expected $40 million.

Why? The first Speed movie was a major hit. Even in recent years, its home video sales and rentals had performed well, accumulating a significant fan base. By general reasoning, the sequel's opening should have been explosive.

Could it be...

Charlie Adams sighed deeply. Could it be just because they changed directors? Was the difference between a film directed by Duke Rosenberg and one that wasn't really this stark?

Keanu Reeves' agent was having similar thoughts.

"Keanu, you can't go on like this." He looked at Reeves. "Since Speed, none of your movies have truly been hits. Now even the safest bet, the Speed sequel, is essentially botched. Your standing is going to fall even further. If you still want to stay in Hollywood, you must shape up."

Just like he used to enjoy indulging in drugs, Keanu Reeves liked to live as he pleased. But he was no longer young, and recent experiences had taught him that living freely required money and status as a foundation.

However... in his current situation, most people probably just wanted to step on him. Who would be willing to help? Even 20th Century Fox abruptly ended negotiations for a film project after the first weekend box office results came out.

If Speed 2 couldn't recover in subsequent weeks, he would undoubtedly become labeled as box office poison. And what were the chances of recovery?

This wasn't a film directed by Duke Rosenberg. How could it defeat competitors after falling so far behind initially?

Keanu Reeves sighed inwardly. He knew full well that the box office poison label was almost inevitable.

"Tell me, Vicente. What should I do?"

Hearing Keanu Reeves' question, Vicente put down his coffee cup and withdrew his gaze from the street outside the café. "Go back to where the dream began."

"Where the dream began?" Keanu Reeves didn't understand.

"Yes, Keanu." Vicente took out a formal invitation and handed it over. "Have you forgotten who made you a leading star?"

Keanu Reeves opened the invitation. "Duke Rosenberg?"

"He's inviting you to audition!" Vicente's voice was filled with excitement. "I've heard he personally named you as one of the candidates for the audition! Keanu, this is your chance! Duke Rosenberg's new film is a summer sci-fi blockbuster. If you land the lead role, everyone will go crazy for you again next summer!"

If even the king of the summer box office couldn't save Keanu Reeves, who could? Vicente thought to himself but didn't say it aloud. He knew Keanu Reeves was well aware of this point.

For Duke's studio, finding actors to audition was never an issue. Not only had Duke invited Hugo Weaving and Keanu Reeves to audition, but agents for stars like Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Ewan McGregor had proactively reached out to secure roles for their clients.

Even Tom Cruise, busy filming Mission: Impossible, called to ask if there was an opportunity to collaborate again.

"Tom, if you're willing to take the same pay as you did for Chicago, I'd definitely choose you, and you wouldn't even need to audition!"

Duke's response was entirely sincere. If Tom Cruise could play Neo for $5 million, Keanu Reeves wouldn't even be in consideration. Duke would wholeheartedly welcome Tom Cruise.

Unfortunately, while Cruise was willing to take a pay cut for an Oscar-worthy role in Chicago, he wouldn't do so for a commercial film.

The first round of auditions would be handled by casting director Gray and assistant director Zack Snyder. Duke would not participate. If the candidates he invited couldn't pass the first round, they were destined to be eliminated.

Outside of auditions and regular preparations, Duke had another critical task: presenting the script and concept art to various companies, showcasing potential product placements in the film to secure advertising investments.

Product placement was an essential part of commercial filmmaking. Duke wasn't foolish enough to reject it. As long as the placements aligned with the film's scenes, there was no issue.

The product placements primarily included trench coats, sunglasses, cell phones, computers, televisions, cars, beverages, and courier services.

Despite the high expected costs of product placement in such a big-budget film, dozens of companies came to Los Angeles to negotiate with Duke's studio.

Perhaps the Nokia representative said it best: "Nokia is here only because this is a film directed by Duke Rosenberg!"

After Duke presented his vision for the film, the studio's commercial development team immediately began negotiations with the companies. After over a week of haggling, more than ten companies signed product placement agreements, ensuring substantial advertising revenue for the studio.

Ray-Ban glasses: $1 million. Coca-Cola: $3 million. Dell computers: $3 million. Nokia phones: $4 million. Panasonic TVs: $4 million. Cadillac cars: $4 million. FedEx: $1 million.

Even before filming began, the production had recovered $20 million of its $80 million budget.

Moreover, this was just the base sponsorship amount. According to supplementary clauses in the agreements, if the global box office exceeded $500 million, all sponsorship fees would increase by 10%.

$500 million. Based on North American ticket prices, that would mean at least 100 million viewers. These companies, seasoned in movie advertising, also understood that the film wouldn't just be shown in theaters but would reach even more homes worldwide through television, video, and DVD releases.

In the business world, no one spends money without expecting a return.

Securing $20 million in advertising revenue before release undoubtedly eased pressure on Duke and the production team.

Meanwhile, preparations in Los Angeles were nearing completion. Once auditions concluded, the team would head to Australia to join the Hong Kong-based stunt coordination team for more extensive pre-production. Duke also noted that all actors invited for auditions had passed the first round.

The second round of auditions, however, was far from standard. There was no script, no dialogue, and no need to showcase acting skills.

Those who passed the first round were already proven actors.

"Mr. Smith, imagine a scene of being 'cool.'"

Sitting behind the monitor, Duke personally instructed Will Smith, "Then express that image through your performance."

Will Smith stood in front of the camera, wearing a black trench coat, sunglasses, and boots. With his demeanor, he exuded coolness. In terms of appearance alone, he seemed like a good fit for Neo.

However, Smith's background in comedy seemed to surface. When trying to act cool, he adopted exaggerated and overly flamboyant body language, combined with a smug expression typical of many comedic portrayals.

Neo didn't necessarily require strong acting chops but did require a specific performance style. Will Smith's overly expressive style didn't match the reserved yet profound "cool" Duke envisioned for the character.

The Matrix was not just about its philosophical ideas or immersive world-building. Its dialogue, costumes, martial arts, and even its tone all embodied the essence of "cool." Achieving success depended heavily on reaching the ultimate level of coolness.

Will Smith quickly left the audition room. Zack Snyder and Robin Grande, already familiar with the script and roles, didn't wait for Duke to speak before shaking their heads.

"Doesn't fit Neo's character."

"A hip-hop-styled savior doesn't suit our film."

Duke nodded at the two and gestured to the casting director, Gray, who notified the assistant outside. Soon, Keanu Reeves entered the audition room.

Black trench coat, sunglasses, boots, and a slicked-back hairstyle. Combined with Reeves' naturally reserved personality, he stood there like a cult preacher, radiating depth.

The scene practically screamed Neo reborn.

Duke didn't bother asking for more and instead questioned, "Keanu, I heard you have some Chinese ancestry. Don't worry, it's not relevant to this; I'm just curious if you're familiar with martial arts."

"Of course."

Keanu Reeves gestured to his sunglasses, and when Duke nodded, he removed them. "I don't practice it, but I've seen it performed—very flashy."

"If you pass the audition, you'll need to undergo at least three months of martial arts training!" Duke flipped through his file. "It will take place in Sydney, Australia, and is non-negotiable."

Keanu Reeves frowned slightly, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said, "That's no problem for me."

"Alright." Duke nodded. "If we make a decision, we'll inform your agent immediately."

Negotiations with Keanu Reeves were likely to drag on. The worse the subsequent box office performance of Speed 2, the stronger Duke's position to lower his fee.

Next up was the female lead auditions.

...

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