I am a historical film director in the entertainment industry.

The character of Juno, the protagonist, is exceptionally well-developed.

She is neither a stereotypical rebellious problem girl nor a perfect, selfless saint. She has an eccentric and playful personality, is stubborn but soft-hearted, and is clear-headed and independent.

Despite facing a major life-altering event, she did not wallow in self-pity or succumb to despair, nor was she defeated by worldly prejudices and stigma. Her rebellious yet responsible, fragile yet resilient youthful qualities are vivid, three-dimensional, and exceptionally moving.

The film avoids melodramatic and didactic tropes throughout, employing a fresh and unique independent film style, coupled with sharp, insightful, and relatable dialogue. It transforms sensitive topics such as abortion, adoption, family conflicts, and youthful choices into everyday stories filled with laughter and tears, allowing viewers to spontaneously reflect on the meaning of growth and life choices within a relaxed viewing experience.

At the same time, the utopian and inclusive atmosphere created by the film is even more touching.

With understanding and tolerance from parents, gentle companionship from peers, and kindness from society, there is no harsh criticism or cyberbullying, only acceptance and protection. This rare warmth in reality gives the entire work the power to heal hearts.

What's most valuable is the message of female autonomy conveyed in the film.

From deciding to keep the child and choosing an adoptive family, to finally letting go and returning to her own life, Juno took full control of her life choices, without being dependent on, blindly following, or relying on men for salvation.

The film does not portray childbirth as a punishment in life, nor does it deliberately glorify selfless sacrifice. Instead, it conveys the modern female value of "I dare to bear the consequences of my choices and still live my own life."

Coupled with niche and healing indie pop soundtracks, bright and refreshing cinematography, and a narrative rhythm that follows the changing seasons, the entire film is like a tender love letter to youth, possessing both beauty and depth.

It tells all viewers through its delicate story that unexpected detours in life are not complete collapses, but opportunities for rebirth and growth towards the sun.

As long as you have good intentions, light in your eyes, and love around you, you can live openly, passionately, and freely even if you encounter changes in life.

It is precisely this unique core that allows Juno to completely transcend the limitations of the "underage pregnancy theme" and become an irreplaceable youth allegory in the hearts of a generation.

In the original market of the parallel universe, "Juno" was a critical and commercial success, winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and being nominated for three major awards: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress. Unfortunately, it did not win any of them.

This classic work no longer exists in the world today. Cheng Sheng wanted to take this opportunity to personally direct and film a brand new version, attempting to surpass the original's level, make up for the regrets of the awards from that year, and strive for a grand slam of the four major awards.

As for the casting, Cheng Sheng never had the slightest doubt. Scarlett Johansson's acting skills are solid and nuanced, and she has great versatility.

Some might question whether 23-year-old Scarlett Johansson is old enough to portray the youthful innocence and vivacity of a teenage girl.
But Cheng Sheng wasn't worried at all.

Scarlett Johansson has delicate and sweet features and a clean temperament. With just a little makeup and styling, she can perfectly capture the purity and innocence of a young girl and effortlessly portray Juno's temperament.

What's even more noteworthy is that the production cost of "Juno" was extremely low. The original film had a total investment of only $700 million, and even with marketing and distribution expenses, the total investment did not exceed $1500 million.

Despite its low budget, the film grossed $1.43 million in North America and over $100 million overseas, a truly staggering return on investment.

Now, with Cheng Sheng personally directing and the complete original version as a reference, all unnecessary shooting waste and trial-and-error costs can be avoided, expenses can be streamlined, and a budget of ten million US dollars is enough to perfectly complete the filming and production of the entire movie.

Once his thoughts were settled, Cheng Sheng took out the complete script that he had printed and bound in advance and handed it to Scarlett.

Scarlett immediately took the script and eagerly began to read it. In just a few moments, she was completely captivated by the novel, unique, and richly layered plot, becoming utterly engrossed in it. Seeing her immersed in the world of the script, Cheng Sheng did not disturb her. He turned and went into the kitchen, intending to make two breakfasts himself.

American breakfasts are mostly simple and monotonous, consisting of boiled eggs, mashed potatoes, bread, etc., with a bland taste that leaves one with no desire to eat them again after just one try.

Although he can't be considered a professional chef, he's still quite adept at cooking a bowl of delicious and comforting noodles.

Fortunately, the villa kitchen was well-stocked with ingredients, including noodles, vegetables, and eggs, saving the trouble of going out to buy supplies.

Cheng Sheng skillfully started a pot of water to boil. After the water boiled, he added two servings of noodles and cooked them until they were 80% done. He then took them out and rinsed them with cold water to ensure that the noodles were chewy and smooth.

Then pour out the boiling water from the pot, reheat the pot with oil, add water, salt, and soy sauce to taste, and then add the cooled noodles again.

Once the noodles are boiled, a little MSG is sprinkled on top to enhance the flavor, and two steaming bowls of egg noodles are ready to serve, filling the air with warmth and aroma.

"Honey, come and have breakfast first. There's no rush to look at the script later." Cheng Sheng carried two bowls of noodles out of the kitchen and reminded Scarlett, who was completely absorbed in the script.

Scarlett didn't even look up, still sprawled on the soft sofa, her legs playfully crossed, her fingers constantly turning the pages of her book, and casually replied, "You eat first, I'll be right there."

Cheng Sheng shook his head helplessly and didn't bother her any further.

After days of travel and rest, and with his time with Scarlett, he was starving, so he sat down to eat alone.

Just a few minutes later, Scarlett finally finished reading the entire script. Unable to hide her amazement and excitement, she quickly got up, rushed to Cheng Sheng's side, and hugged him tightly.

"Darling, this script is perfect! Juno is such a vivid and insightful character, a true reflection of modern independent women!" She said excitedly, showering Cheng Sheng with gentle kisses on his cheeks, her joy and approval evident in her voice.

Cheng Sheng smiled and asked gently, "Do you like this role?"

“I love it! This is the most heartwarming and profound script I’ve ever seen!” Scarlett looked up at him, her eyes full of anticipation. “Are you really willing to let me play the female lead in this movie?”

"Of course." Cheng Sheng reached out and put his arm around her, his tone firm yet gentle. "I never break my promises to you. This play was originally tailor-made for you."

"Thank you, Cheng." Scarlett felt a warmth in her heart and leaned down to give him a sincere and affectionate kiss.

After their tender moment, Cheng Sheng suppressed his smile and got down to business: "Honey, before we start filming, we need to take care of one thing first. Come with me to register the script and finalize the copyright."

“No problem, I’ll finish my breakfast quickly and take you there,” Scarlett readily agreed.

The American film and television industry places great importance on copyright protection. Script registration is the first step in any project and a crucial step in avoiding subsequent copyright disputes; it cannot be taken lightly. (End of Chapter)