Chapter 84: Casting, Matt

The news of Lin Nan appearing in Hollywood could not be kept secret at all.

Photos had already been sent back to the country.

Warner Bros. headquarters.

It was still the same place where Lin Nan visited the set of *The Dark Knight* last time.

Nolan was like the king here, ruling over hundreds of special effects engineers.

"Lin, come and see the results."

Nolan pulled Lin Nan along to watch the completed special effects clips.

In the three-minute footage, Liu Yifei walked in front, with Leonardo following behind.

The city in the distance slowly stood up and folded, obscuring the sky, and then flipped over.

Beneath their feet was a road, and the sky above their heads was also a road; the city and the city formed a mirror image.

People and cars were still in motion; one foot stepped onto a wall, and the next moment it became the ground of the subjective world.

"How is it?"

"Perfect, absolutely fantastic."

"Haha, this film will definitely go down in film history and become a classic."

Nolan said with conviction, even clenching his fist, appearing very excited.

The special effects were stunning, but Lin Nan's attention was on the people and equipment at Warner Bros., which made him quite envious.

"I came here this time because I have a film to shoot," Lin Nan said.

Nolan snapped back to reality, "What kind of film? Is it another sci-fi?"

"No, it's a realistic subject."

"Oh, I remember now, you are the Silver Bear-winning director from Berlin; this is your forte. What can I help you with?"

"I need actors who have good acting skills and are cheap, haha."

Hearing this from Lin Nan, Nolan rolled his eyes.

"I'm not familiar with the kind you're talking about; there are no cheap actors in commercial films.

You can go ask around in the independent film circle, or just go find Leonardo—never mind, he's too expensive.

But many of his friends have good acting skills and their salaries aren't too high."

Nolan could tell Lin Nan was joking, but he still gave his advice.

"Thanks, I'll take my time picking over the next two days."

Everyone knows the current situation in Hollywood; many actors are out of work, so there are plenty to choose from.

After specifically inquiring about the price of the entire special effects production system currently used by Warner Bros., Lin Nan felt it was better for him to take it slow.

*New Moon* began its promotion.

Last year's *Twilight*, although its box office potential only lasted a week, mobilized a large number of fans, especially female fans.

This year's promotional strategy still focused on the fan base.

"Tang Mu, put some effort into the publicity and distribution with Lionsgate; stop thinking about those stocks of yours."

"Can you stop mentioning stocks? I'm about to drive them out of my mind..."

Tang Mu wore an expression of constipation.

"Alright, go send out another film audition notice. My film needs a male lead, around forty years old—it can fluctuate a bit—preferably married."

Tang Mu instantly perked up, "I'll go handle it right away."

There are really so many bush-league film festivals abroad.

Lin Nan hadn't been here for two days before he received a film festival invitation, called something like: the China-US Film Festival.

He even specifically looked it up; it was actually hosted by an American company, and this year's opening film was *The Champions* from Hong Kong.

Isn't this just for gilding some terrible films?

That afternoon, Lin Nan received a call from Ryan Reynolds.

"Director Lin Nan, this is Ryan."

"Ryan, I haven't congratulated you yet—happy wedding."

This guy had just held his wedding with Scarlett in September.

"Thank you.

Director, I wanted to ask if your film has a role suitable for me?

You should be aware of my acting skills."

This question gave Lin Nan a headache; Ryan Reynolds' acting skills were truly good, as demonstrated vividly in *Buried*.

But his age wasn't very suitable; he was just in his early thirties, and the male lead Lin Nan needed was around forty.

"Sorry, Ryan, I need a male actor around forty; it would be more natural that way."

Ryan Reynolds on the other end of the phone was clearly somewhat disappointed.

"That's a real pity. Thank you, Director Lin Nan, I hope there's a chance to work with you again."

"There will be."

From the moment Tang Mu sent out the film audition notice for Lin Nan, the actors coming to inquire never stopped.

The influence of a Silver Bear-winning director is not to be underestimated.

Even James Wan was teasing Lin Nan.

"Hollywood production has been cut by more than half this year; your film as a Silver Bear-winning director is definitely a hot commodity."

"But so far, I still haven't found a suitable one."

Lin Nan even started leaving himself a way out; if he really couldn't find a suitable one, he would let Ryan Reynolds take it, and at worst, use makeup.

Actually, Leonardo was also suitable, but he was indeed too expensive.

The budget for this film wasn't very high to begin with; Lin Nan wasn't very willing to hire Leonardo, whether it was regarding the salary or giving up investment shares.

Some people really shouldn't be thought of; as soon as you think of them, they appear.

"Hello, Leo?"

"Lin, I heard you're looking for actors?"

"Yes."

"Is it a script like *Inception*?"

"No. A realistic drama, but I definitely can't afford you."

Lin Nan suddenly remembered what Nolan had said.

"Do you have anyone you can recommend to me?"

"Around 40? Preferably married?"

"That's right."

"Hmm... you should go find Matt or Matthew."

"You mean Matt Damon and Matthew McConaughey?"

"Yes, that's them—around 40, married, and both have children."

Lin Nan chatted with Leonardo for a while; the latter was currently vacationing on Miami Beach.

This year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was being held there in two days; he really knows how to have fun.

The next day, Lin Nan met with Matt Damon.

They were considered acquaintances; they had chatted at cocktail parties and award ceremonies.

This man was two years older than Leonardo, but he also faced the same problem: not being recognized by those old fogies at the Academy.

But for Lin Nan, this was just right; the character portrayed in the script needed to be liked by a little girl, so he definitely had to be good-looking.

"Around forty, divorced, has children, full of love and patience—these are the characteristics of the protagonist.

Matt, let me consider it, and I'll give you an answer in two days," Lin Nan said to Matt Damon.

"Thank you, Director Lin Nan.

That bastard Leo told me I originally had a chance to star in *Inception*, right? Haha..."

This question was hard to answer, so Lin Nan could only laugh along.

Not long after seeing Matt Damon off, Matthew McConaughey arrived.

Lin Nan even suspected that the two had made an appointment in advance.

The audition performance was also very good, but Lin Nan always felt that Matt Damon was a bit more sunny.

A story about a kind, sunny male lead being destroyed would better reflect the theme of the film, wouldn't it?

Back in the country.

Initially, a large number of films voluntarily avoided the October release of *The Martian* and scheduled their releases for November.

This led to a situation in November where an average of two or three films were released every day.

And unlike the booming film market in October, the audience seemed to have suddenly lost their passion for going to the cinema, and the market had cooled down quite a bit.

Some media outlets reposted Lin Nan's casting requirements in Hollywood.

"Has the audition already started?"

"Yes, quite a few Hollywood actors have gone to audition; the results should be out soon."

There were many people in the industry paying attention to Lin Nan's film, and the media began tracking the reports.

Tang Mu had already withdrawn the public audition notice.

Lin Nan finally chose Matt Damon and gave him the script.

"Oh, fortunately that guy Leonardo isn't in Hollywood, haha."

"Lin, can I invite him to visit the set? I can already imagine his expression, haha..."

"Of course you can, but keep it confidential before filming starts. Also, you must immerse yourself in the script beforehand; the shooting schedule I've planned won't be very long," Lin Nan reminded him.

Ma Te nodded, "I'll start as soon as I go back today. I won't go out again before filming."

No matter where one is, a good script is always hard to come by.

In Ma Te's eyes, the script in his hands was truly excellent.

Scandals, lies, suspicion, hatred, and cold human nature...

It was highly likely to help him achieve another breakthrough.

Lin Nan sat alone in his office, thinking about this film. The largest expense in the budget should be Ma Te's salary.

Although his salary was far from reaching Leonardo's, it was still not low.

"The styling still needs to be carefully designed so the contrast effect can be even stronger."

Just as November began, several He Sui films started large-scale promotions.

Feng Xiaogang's "If You Are the One" had a promotional style that hadn't changed at all, claiming that 300 million in box office was not difficult, and 400 million was within reach.

It was said that "Forever Enthralled" had already been submitted to the Berlin International Film Festival, and after watching it, Han Sanping and others gave it high praise in front of the media.

"A master of film, paying tribute to a master of opera."

"Director Chen Kaige will be the strongest contender for the Golden Bear Award next year."

Lin Nan saw the promotional poster for "Ip Man" online.

He didn't know which talented person came up with it, but on the huge poster, the most prominent position was left for the screenwriter.

Screenwriter: Lin Nan.

Don't say it, the effect was actually quite good.

Many netizens expressed that they would go to see it when the time came.

Yang Shoucheng specifically called to talk about this matter.

"The Martian" had just finished its theatrical run not long ago, and its influence hadn't diminished; the whole group for "Ip Man" combined wasn't as effective as Lin Nan alone.

Yang Shoucheng even joked that in the future, when Lin Nan's own films were released, he could completely add the line: A Lin Nan Production.

Hollywood Film Consulting reported the audition results for Lin Nan's new film.

Ma Te had been chosen as the male lead by this young Silver Bear-winning director, and it was said he was recommended by his good friend Leonardo.

"That guy Ma Te is still very strong; after this collaboration, you'll know."

"However, it's a real pity you didn't come to Miami Beach. I'll talk to you more when I return to Hollywood in a couple of days..."

Leonardo's love for supermodels was always so steadfast.

While preparing the crew, Lin Nan looked at the email sent by Yue Jun.

The broadcasting rights for "Lurk" had already been sold; the price was a bit worse than "My Chief and My Regiment," but it was still within an acceptable range.

Tang Mu had already returned from the guild, and now, penniless, he wished the company would launch several more film projects.

"All supporting actors, extras, and crew members have been finalized."

"Lin, you can start filming at any time."