Reborn in Hollywood

Looking at the prices of the available items on the panel, Li Rui's lips twitched.

Even if you break a bone, these abilities and items are still an astronomical number.

With all his current wealth, it wouldn't even be a fraction of what he has.

but……

His gaze fell on the "Complete Jedi Training Memory." Five hundred thousand dollars, still not cheap, but compared to Anakin Skywalker's Force talent, it was a fire sale price.

Interestingly, both of these items were offered at a 1% discount.

More importantly, he had already memorized most of the knowledge he gained in the Star Wars universe during that year.

Purchasing this project is more like "activating" and "systematizing" those memories, turning them into panel-certified skills that can be used freely in reality.

"Purchase Skywalker's Force talent, plus the complete Jedi training memory. Same as always, pay later."

Li Rui said to the panel, "Same as last time, I'll pay you back when my next movie salary arrives."

The panel flickered and new text appeared:

[The debt has been recorded. Please pay it off between the release of *Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones* and the release of the third film, or one purchased ability will be randomly revoked.]

Li Rui breathed a sigh of relief.

There is still plenty of time.

He got up, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains. The Los Angeles sunlight streamed into the room, and the Hollywood Hills sign was clearly visible in the distance.

Today, he's going to audition for the role of Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode II – Revenge of the Fallen.

And now, he may be the person in the entire galaxy—no, the entire universe—who knows this character best.

Li Rui straightened his collar in front of the mirror, a confident smile curving his lips.

"George Lucas..."

He murmured to himself, "Are we ready to welcome a different Anakin?"

-----------------

At 1 p.m., Li Rui, led by his agent Ali Gordon, drove to Century City, located on the west side of Beverly Hills.

This is the location of 20th Century Fox Studios, and also the audition site for Lucasfilm roles.

Li Rui parked the car in a corner of the parking lot, took a deep breath, and got out of the car.

Li Rui's appearance had changed drastically at this point; compared to the day before, he was like a completely different person.

His freshly permed and dyed brown, slightly wavy short hair, angular features, and striking eyebrows paired with a high nose bridge gave him an aura of a "scumbag" that he exuded from the inside out.

Aside from sharing three similarities with a young Keanu Reeves, Li Rui's jawline is softer, lacking Brad Pitt's large jawline or Henry Cavill's buttock chin.

Twenty years from now, his perfectly modeled face might be so exquisite that people will question whether he's had plastic surgery.

But in early 21st-century Hollywood, Li Rui could only thrive in the industry because he resembled Leonardo DiCaprio's ProMax version.

Moreover, Li Rui is 6 feet 1 inch tall, or 1.85 meters, plus a strong and well-built physique, which is something that Leonardo DiCaprio, who insists on not working out, can't compare to.

As for physical fitness, needless to say.

Even against "supermen" like Dom and Hobbs from Fast & Furious, Li Rui is now absolutely confident of victory.

In contrast, Hayden Christensen, the previous actor to play Anakin Skywalker, was tall but had severely sloping shoulders and a small frame with very little flesh.

In terms of appearance, Li Rui is the clear winner.

Adding to the influence of the Star Wars universe's cosmic will on George Lucas, Li Rui really couldn't think of anyone else who could be his opponent.

Today he was wearing a simple black crew neck shirt and dark jeans, with his jacket draped over his arm.

This was something Ali specifically instructed me to do.

"Don't dress too formally; George doesn't like actors dressed like bank clerks. But don't dress too casually either—remember, you're playing a Jedi, not a street thug."

Compared to Li Rui's composure, Ali Gordon was much more nervous.

"Relax, no one is my match, not even Leonardo DiCaprio."

To relieve his manager's stress, Li Rui made an inappropriate joke.

This joke instantly provoked a reaction from Ali Gordon, making him even more nervous.

"What do you know? I mean... where did you hear that from? Your brother Philip? Yes, he has that connection..."

Li Rui couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Don't scare yourself. The tabloids say DiCaprio is willing to audition, but does that mean he'll actually come? That's just a smokescreen from Lucasfilm. He is indeed the most ardent Star Wars fan, but being a Star Wars fan doesn't mean he actually wants to make a Star Wars movie."

Recalling the accusations from Leonardo DiCaprio's ex-girlfriend in later generations, Li Rui couldn't help but laugh.

According to Leonardo DiCaprio's nth girlfriend, on a holiday day, DiCaprio took her to see a private screening of a Star Wars movie. During the movie, he somehow produced a blaster and lightsaber, gestured at his girlfriend, and made sounds of blaster and lightsaber.

It can be said that he has fully demonstrated his idiotic nature.

But why are such fervent Star Wars fans unwilling to make a Star Wars movie?

After all, it has been less than five years since that ship sank, and Leonardo DiCaprio is now in his prime, making the role of Skywalker a piece of cake for him.

Based on information obtained from later generations, Li Rui realized Li Zi's true intentions long ago.

This is an "artist" who awakened his ambition to win awards early on and was determined to succeed.

Once a Star Wars movie is filmed, it will inevitably have a profound impact on his pursuit of an Oscar.

Therefore, being a die-hard Star Wars fan has nothing to do with the audition for Anakin Skywalker.

Li Rui shared his analysis with Ali Gordon, who, while not entirely agreeing, finally calmed down.

Outside Studio 7 of the film studio, a dozen or so young actors had gathered, all of them tall, with long legs and handsome faces.

Li Rui glanced over and recognized several faces—some were well-known in the television industry, while others were newcomers who had just graduated from drama school.

"Another one."

A blond man whispered to his companion, his gaze sweeping over Li Rui, "Mixed-race? Interesting... Wait, why does this guy look so familiar?"

"Are you an idiot? The second male lead in Fast & Furious is all the rage these days!"

Li Rui ignored those stares.

He registered his name at the reception desk, received a number plate with "37" printed on it, and found a chair to sit down and wait.

Indistinct conversations could be heard from inside the studio, occasionally interspersed with George Lucas's signature, slightly somber voice.

"Let's do it again, let the emotions outward a bit more... no, not anger, but suppressed anger."

Soon, an auditionee walked out dejectedly.

Li Rui opened the script he carried with him, but didn't actually read it.

He recalled in his mind the Anakin he had seen in his dream world—not the version portrayed by Hayden Christensen, but the real, living Chosen One.

The light in that young man's eyes, the tearing feeling of being pulled apart by fate, the almost obsessive longing for love... and the sense of relief mixed with melancholy when he finally chose to leave the Jedi Order.

"Number 37! Raphael Lee!"

The staff member called out from the doorway.

Li Rui stood up, straightened his collar, and stepped into the photography studio.

The audition room was brightly lit but simply furnished. A long table stood at the front, behind which sat five people. In the very center sat George Lucas—wearing his signature glasses, slightly disheveled hair, and a plaid shirt, he looked more like an engineer than a Hollywood director.

To his left was casting director Robin Gurlan, and to his right was producer Rick McCallum. Li Rui didn't recognize the other two; they were probably the screenwriter or assistant director.

A section in the center of the room was set up as a performance area. A camera was set up in the corner, with a red light on, indicating that it was recording.

"Raphael Lee?"

Lucas looked down at the information sheet in his hand. "19 years old... The Fast and the Furious movies have just been released. Neal Moritz recommended you."

"Yes, Mr. Lucas."

Li Rui nodded neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Lucas looked up and scrutinized him through his glasses, his gaze sharp and focused, as if trying to dissect the man from the inside out.

"Height and weight meet the requirements."

Lucas muttered to himself, "A mixed-race face... definitely fits the Star Wars concept better than the originally planned Hayden. Robin, what do you think?"

Casting director Gurlan adjusted his glasses: "Excellent physical appearance. But we need to see acting skills. Li Rui, have you read the script?"

"I've read it through three times."

Li Rui nodded. "In addition, I also rewatched the original trilogy and 'The Phantom Menace'."

"very good."

Lucas leaned forward. "Now tell me, what kind of person is Anakin Skywalker in your opinion?"

This is a crucial question that every actor who auditions for a role is asked, and Lucas uses the answers to judge the depth of an actor's understanding of the character.

Li Rui did not answer immediately.

He closed his eyes for a moment—not as a pretense, but to recall the real Anakin in his dream.

When he reopened his eyes, his entire demeanor had undergone a subtle change.

He is no longer a 19-year-old Hollywood newcomer, but a young man burdened by the prophecy of being the "chosen one," struggling between responsibility and desire.

"Anakin was not a hero."

Li Rui spoke, his voice calm yet full of tension, "At least not in this one. He is a contradiction—chosen by prophecy, yet unaware of destiny; craving power, yet fearing the price of power; deeply in love with Padmé, yet bound by the Jedi's commandments."

He paused, then continued, "The most crucial contradiction is this: he was born with the strongest Force talent in the galaxy, but this talent brought him not freedom, but shackles. Everyone expected him to become some kind of symbol—the Jedi Order expected him to bring balance, Obi-Wan expected him to inherit the mantle, Padmé expected him to remain innocent… but Anakin himself only wanted to be a person."