"I'm in Tokyo, and this is some kind of movie star comeback system?!"

Chapter 123 Toho's Decision

Inside the Toho Film Studio's conference room.

Junichi Shinsaka, the producer of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," is earnestly advising an old man.

"Mr. Ichikawa, I know this is a very difficult situation, but it is a decision made by Fuji Television and Toho Pictures."

"Sakamoto Yu will not be playing the lead role; he will only be playing the supporting role of Prince Kuramachi. Moreover, his acting skills are equally solid and professional, so please consider it carefully."

"Why don't you take a look first and give me a chance?"

The 70-year-old man standing in front of Junichi Shinsaka is the director of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," and is recognized in the Japanese film industry as a "multi-talented master."

Kon Ichikawa, one of the "Four Knights" alongside Akira Kurosawa, Keisuke Kinoshita, and Masaki Kobayashi.

Initially, the production team planned to invite Yu Sakamoto to audition, since it was recommended by the female lead, Yasuko Sawaguchi.

However, due to the recent public opinion controversy, Fuji Television, which collaborates with Toho, has expressed strong opinions about this.

As a result, Sakamoto Yu was directly removed from the candidate list.

However, no one expected that the reversal of public opinion would come so quickly and so fiercely.

First, the production company stepped in to define the situation, and then the brands that endorsed him also stood up to support him.

Everyone couldn't help but wonder, what kind of actor is this Sakamoto Yu, that he can get so much financial backing?

Of course, the most crucial factor is his reputation among the people and his consistently high popularity.

Overnight, Sakamoto Yu became a good actor whose name was cleared.

After the situation changed, Toho and Fuji Television put Sakamoto Yu back on the table.

Kon Ichikawa remained silent, a sense of resistance and disdain rising within him.

After a long standoff, he calmly questioned, "Do you think the actor I chose is incapable of playing this role well?"

Junichi Shinsaka sighed inwardly.

This film, with an investment of over 2 billion yen, is a key project for Fuji Television as it ventured into film production.

This also means that many things are not something that he, as a producer, or the director in front of him can decide.

This naturally includes casting.

The main actors for the film have already been decided. Finding a currently popular artist with strong national recognition to play a supporting role is a very common practice to stabilize the box office.

The two discussed the matter back and forth for a long time, but Ichikawa Kon remained firm in his stance and showed no sign of backing down.

Most of the time, it was Shinsaka Junichi who was communicating, while the other party remained silent, occasionally managing to utter a word or two, followed by another period of silence.

Both Toho and Fuji Television highly value this veteran director and are unlikely to replace him easily.

The order came from above: we must persuade Ichikawa Kon no matter what.

He was the only one left stuck in the middle.

Junichi Shinsaka gritted his teeth, stood up, walked to Kon Ichikawa, and knelt down in front of him. His tone was earnest yet tinged with helplessness: "Mr. Ichikawa, you must know how important this film is. Toho and Fuji would never choose someone casually and risk the future of the project."

"Perhaps this one is a better fit for the role. Before we meet, everything is still uncertain, isn't it?"

Junichi Shinsaka quickly changed his mind and gave an example: "You see, many classic films have had this experience. Some actors who were not initially favored got roles by chance and eventually created classic images."

"You always strive to make your work the best it can be. Why not give it another audition opportunity? Maybe we can find a more suitable candidate."

Kon Ichikawa's knee twitched slightly; Junichi Shinsaka's words had indeed moved him.

After all, such examples are not uncommon, even in Hollywood.

Kon Ichikawa took a deep breath, and his emotions gradually calmed down.

He closed his eyes, gently shook his head, and whispered his agreement: "Okay."

Kon Ichikawa slowly opened his eyes; his pupils were cloudy but still sharp and bright.

He stared intently at Junichi Shinsaka: "But let me make this clear from the start."

"If this actor doesn't meet my approval, you can just replace me." Kon Ichikawa slowly stood up, supporting himself on the handrails.

With his back to Junichi Shinsaka, he said in a deep voice, "Remember this, I made concessions purely for the sake of this movie."

After saying that, he put his hands behind his back and left the conference room with steady steps.

Junichi Shinsaka finally breathed a sigh of relief and raised his hand to rub his legs, which had gone numb from squatting.

After his assistant saw Ichikawa Kon off, he immediately instructed his assistant to send an audition invitation to Sakamoto Yu's agency.

Five days later, Watanabe visited the Toho Kinugami photography studio.

This place boasted the most advanced period drama filming facilities of its time, with dedicated waiting rooms and dressing rooms for actors.

Compared to the relatively casual audition scenes in the conference room in the past, today's atmosphere was formal and solemn.

"Nervous?" Watanabe glanced at the passenger seat.

"No, it just feels a bit rushed." Sakamoto Yu didn't look up, his face focused on the script.

Five days ago, Sakamoto Yu learned that Toho had asked him to audition.

He had to pick up the script again and study the character.

Since he hadn't even received an audition invitation, he naturally focused his attention on the job at hand.

Now we have no choice but to cram at the last minute.

After parking the car, Watanabe pointed to the gate, indicating that Sakamoto Yu should go in by himself.

I put the script away and glanced at it.

The rows of gray, low-rise buildings in front of me looked more like suburban factories than film studios.

He opened the door, got out of the car, exhaled a breath of stale air, greeted Watanabe, and walked straight away.

After giving the name of the firm, the receptionist checked it, nodded, and said, "Please follow me."

The entrance hall displays masterpieces from the Toho calendar.

Akira Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai", Mikio Naruse's "Floating Clouds", and Eiji Tsuburaya's "Godzilla".

The receptionist led Sakamoto Yu to the photography studio, where a man was standing at the entrance.

He smiled when he saw who it was.

"Leave this to me," the man said, and the receptionist nodded respectfully and turned to leave.

"Hello, I am one of the producers of this video, Junichi Shinsaka."

"Hello, I am Sakamoto Yu. Nice to meet you."

Sakamoto Yu displayed his usual humble smile.

Junichi Shinsaka secretly sized him up.

Sakamoto Yu was dressed very simply, wearing a dark blue cardigan sweater over a white shirt, without a tie.

My hair was just cut, but it wasn't styled. A few stray strands of hair on my forehead were blown slightly by the wind.

He was somewhat surprised; the young man before him possessed a calm and composed demeanor, without a trace of impetuosity.

Junichi Shinsaka's gaze swept over Yu Sakamoto's memorable face, a look of amazement flashing in his eyes. It was a face that viewers would remember.

If his acting skills could match his outstanding appearance, then his unique strengths would be fully revealed.

"Once we go inside, Director Ichikawa might be a bit cold. It's not directed at you; that's just his personality. Don't take it to heart."

Junichi Shinsaka glanced into the studio.

He had a good first impression of the young man and planned to secretly show him extra kindness.

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