Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 285 Hollywood Showdown, Feud

Gong Li's call was clearly related to "Black Swan".

Although Liu Yifei didn't ask clearly over the phone, both of them knew.

"Should you call Gong Li back, or should I relay the message for you?"

Wu Chen thought for a moment, then said softly, "Please speak to them for me. It's really inappropriate to have only four people, including the main characters and important supporting roles. Let's do it next time."

"Ok!"

After chatting for a while, the gentle voice on the other end of the phone suddenly disappeared, and Wu Chen hung up the phone and sat back down in front of the computer.

My inbox is overflowing with self-recommendations from actors and emails from talent agencies.

In Hollywood, there aren't many truly top-tier female lead scripts, especially in art films or thrillers where the roles push the limits, and those with award potential are even fewer.

Black Swan is inherently dramatic, combining psychological thriller, artistic exploration, and dark coming-of-age themes;
With the added support of two Cannes Awards at this year's Cannes Film Festival for "Black Peony," and its implied Oscar potential, this was a "golden role" bestowed upon us at this time of year in 2007.

Wu Chen first opened the list that Paramount had compiled and filtered.

Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Keira Knightley, Anne Hathaway, Amy Adams, Jessica Alba.
The backgrounds, representative works, awards, age, and temperament of each A-list and near-A-list actor are all included.

Night had fallen over Los Angeles, neon lights and skyscrapers reflecting each other. Wu Chen was looking around and thinking, when he suddenly noticed several emails with ambiguous titles in his inbox.

"I really love this story, is there an audition opportunity?"

"I will definitely give it my all, and I am willing to put in every effort for the role!"

The accompanying details made Wu Chen raise his eyebrows slightly.

A series of visually striking photos featuring models, obscure actors, and even some people who seemed to appear out of nowhere.

The naked allure of capitalism!

In that instant, he became much more energetic and immediately began to criticize harshly.

His email address is usually kept confidential, and only production companies, key collaborators, and high-level agents can access it.

However, this is in an ideal state. In practice, once a project is exposed or becomes very popular, even if the email is kept confidential, it cannot stop the "human flesh search" by industry networks.

For example, if an assistant or a second-tier producer accidentally forwards the email once, the email address can be leaked.
The following morning, the Los Angeles sky remained a clear blue, and the morning light shone through the buildings of Beverly Hills onto the understated yet exquisite Blumhouse Film Studios building.

“Coffee?” Jason Blum stood up as Scarlett Johansson arrived.

"Of course, thank you!"

Scarlett Johansson's figure was on full display in a simple black T-shirt and jeans, but with a pair of large sunglasses and a mask, unless you were a loyal fan or a paparazzi, you wouldn't recognize her.

“I remember you’re under CAA, but I don’t think CAA is that enthusiastic about recommending you,” Wu Chen asked with a smile.

He sensed it last night when he was checking his emails.

"They have many artists, and the competition within us is more intense than you can imagine."

Scarlett Johansson made no secret of the fact that she even guessed that many at CAA would likely support her other rival for the role.

However, she came here specifically to try and get the role in "Black Swan." If she doesn't take the initiative, she might not even get the role in the end.

Moreover, if she can land this role, it will be a huge leap forward for her.

Because a female-led arthouse thriller usually means groundbreaking acting + Oscar potential + global box office success.

If she can get a Best Actress nomination or even win the award, it means that her acting career will take off, her salary will increase, and she will have a lot of autonomy in choosing brands and scripts.

"Wu, I want to try for the role of Nina. I can prepare for a long time. I have a ballet background and have performed on stage before."

Wu Chen nodded slightly, signaling her to continue.

The meeting was short, lasting less than half an hour.

"See you at the audition," Wu Chen finally replied with a smile, deciding to give her a chance to audition.

"Thank you, Wu!"

Scarlett Johansson expressed her gratitude and gave Wu Chen a big hug. Although she hadn't gained a significant advantage, she was already ahead of the competition and had at least secured an audition spot.

Scarlett put her sunglasses and mask back on and hurriedly left the Bren House building.

But right outside that glass revolving door, several paparazzi who had been staking out the area were waiting in ambush. "It looks like Scarlett, don't you think?"

"Wasn't she filming 'The Other Boleyn Girl'? How could she possibly be here?"

"It's her! We've got a bonus! Her competitors will love the news we have!" The paparazzi, holding a telephoto lens, was already excited.

Two hours later, Wu Chen and Jason Blum left Blumhouse Studios together to go have lunch.

Around noon, in the tabloid's office, the reporters received this photo as if it were a priceless treasure:
"At this time, Scarlett met with the director privately, which was incredibly exciting news!"

"The photo is a bit blurry, but blurry photos are what make them eye-catching. The mask and sunglasses are perfect!"

"."

That evening, Los Angeles tabloids quickly published their stories:
[Exclusive Scoop! Director Wu Chen's Private Meeting with Scarlett Johansson Sparks Rumors of a Potential Leading Role?]

Scarlett Johansson suspected of "backdoor" selection? She appeared partially obscured at the Brenham Building; Wu Chen's casting decisions spark controversy.

[Was casting for "Black Swan" decided ahead of schedule? Industry insiders reveal: Scarlett Johansson previously worked with Wu Chen, and may have used her connections to secure the lead role!]

[Paramount's Lead Actress Casting Mystery: Scarlett Johansson Reportedly in Contact with Wu Chen, Is the Battle for the "Black Swan" Lead Actress Underway?]

【.】

“Fuck? There’s a mole in the company!” Jason Blum couldn’t help but swear as he read the report.

Although these news stories may not have a significant impact on them at this time, they are still quite unpleasant.

"Maybe not, it's probably because someone took a picture of it."

Wu Chen glanced at the content of the photo, which was obviously taken from a distance, but this clearly confirmed the fact that Scarlett Johansson had met with him.

Moreover, each article was like a needle, precisely piercing Scarlett's weak spots: meeting with the director privately, suspected "backdoor deals," and pulling strings.
Wu Chen, reading the reports, also sensed the intense competition within Hollywood. This was clearly not something that normal media could drive; various individuals, posing as "anonymous industry insiders" or "insiders," were adding fuel to the fire in the tabloids.

"I heard Scarlett has a good relationship with the director. She's often gotten roles on other projects based on personal connections; this isn't the first time."

"Black Swan was clearly an opportunity for actors with real acting talent to compete for the Oscars. Let's not let it be ruined by capital manipulation."

"Director Wu Chen has always preferred to work with familiar faces when casting. I wonder if he can be fair this time and not let those 'sweetheart' actors get the better of him."

"On the surface, it's casting, but the roles were probably already decided behind the scenes, right?"

"."

The rumors quickly fueled the media frenzy, transforming Scarlett Johansson from an actress who "fought hard for roles" into someone who "climbed the ladder through personal connections."

On the set of "The Other Boleyn Girl," Scarlett Johansson received a call from her agent as soon as she returned to the set:
"Scarlett, your meeting with Wu Chen has been photographed, and the tabloids are flooding the news. Someone is deliberately pushing this."
After hanging up the phone, Scarlett quickly checked the messages, her expression changing drastically. "Damn it!"

It was clearly her competitor causing trouble, and she had to deal with it immediately.

Because if the rumors can't be contained, it will affect Paramount's internal trust and public relations strategies.

If the producers, co-producers, and investors of the production team are all forced to get involved, then she has no hope.

She called Wu Chen first to clarify: "Wu, I definitely didn't leak this. I don't know which bastard did it, but someone must have deliberately pushed it!"

Scarlett's tone was urgent and somewhat aggrieved.

“I know, but you have to handle this carefully. Public opinion is very unfavorable to you.” Wu Chen didn’t expect that someone would take advantage of the situation and turn Scarlett Johansson’s accumulated advantages into disadvantages in just half a day.

Paramount also contacted Wu Chen to inquire about the situation: "Several major talent agencies have complained to us, hoping that the casting process will be fair and transparent, rather than involving private deals."

"They certainly put on a good show," Wu Chen replied with a smile. With the media's influence, who would believe that these agencies and the actresses behind them weren't pulling strings?

"Actually, we wouldn't mind if 'Black Swan' generated even more buzz, but only if it doesn't get out of control."

Wu Chen was taken aback upon hearing this.

Wow, Paramount is really showing its potential, isn't it?

"This situation reminds me of the casting of the female lead in 'Chicago.' Back then, Rosanna Dawson, Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Natalie Portman, and Nicole Kidman put on quite a show in the industry, tearing each other apart from beginning to end."

Jason Blum suddenly remarked.

(End of this chapter)