[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr":3,"chapter-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-115":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Academic Director: Reborn in the Film Industry",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2297115,4493,"Chapter 115: An All-Star Cast, Is That Okay?","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-115",115,"\u003Cp>Mention Casey Affleck, and the vast majority of people in Hollywood would certainly look blank, but when it comes to his older brother by three years, Ben Affleck, he is a household-name superstar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to his brother's dazzling radiance, Casey Affleck's acting career has always been lukewarm; some media outlets even omit his name in reports, using \"Ben Affleck's younger brother\" as a substitute description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike his brother, who is keen on the glamour of blockbusters, he has always lingered in the field of art-house films.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is only in these last two years that he has started to play some inconspicuous minor supporting roles in some commercial blockbusters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, the path of an actor sometimes has too much contingency; he has always had decent resources, but he just can't get popular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having lingered in the art-house film field for years, he naturally knows Cao Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang has a very great reputation in the art-house film field, not only in Europe but also in the American art-house film field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning that Cao Yang was going to shoot a biographical film in Hollywood, Casey Affleck kept following the news, wanting to see if there was a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the casting agency, he finally waited for the news he wanted: an important major supporting role, though it was a homosexual character, with some intimate scenes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casey Affleck only hesitated for five seconds before deciding without hesitation to go for the audition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the day of the scheduled audition, Casey Affleck arrived fifteen minutes early; until it was almost time for the audition, he found that only two people had come, so he breathed a sigh of relief—there weren't many competitors, and he hoped he would have good luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first one called in was a young, handsome, thin, and tall man; Casey Affleck knew this person—in *Spider-Man*, which was released in May, he played Harry Osborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casey Affleck couldn't help but feel a bit worried again; *Spider-Man* was a huge hit, and although this guy wasn't the lead, it was still a great boost to his fame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, having a blockbuster film is also a qualification that directors value quite a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen minutes later, \"Harry Osborn\" came out; they probably wouldn't announce the result on the spot, so no clues could be seen from his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, buddy, what's it like inside?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another person waiting for the audition asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry Osborn\" shrugged his shoulders, \"Nothing special, just performing a segment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Casey Affleck notice the other guy; he looked vaguely familiar. He thought about it, and it seemed this person had played a role in *Band of Brothers*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few minutes, someone came over and called out, \"Tom Hardy, it's your turn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this guy's name is Tom Hardy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casey Affleck said to himself; he wasn't a very famous actor either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Tom Hardy came out of the audition room, Casey Affleck couldn't help but ask, \"Hey, buddy, what's it like inside?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom Hardy mimicked the demeanor of \"Harry Osborn\" just now and shrugged his shoulders, \"Nothing special, just performing a segment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casey Affleck couldn't help but curse in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, it was Casey Affleck's turn. As soon as he went in, he first said hello, then secretly observed the scene; there were four people and one video camera.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one sitting in the middle must be Director Cao Yang; this was still easy to distinguish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Cao Yang looked very young, but he had more majesty than his own brother; if he didn't speak, no one in the room would talk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person from the Screen Actors Guild looked like a mere prop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Cao Yang finished reading Casey Affleck's materials, he said, \"Begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman asked first, \"Affleck, are you aware that the role you are competing for is a homosexual?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casey Affleck nodded, \"Yes, sir, I am very aware.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman continued to ask, \"Affleck, are you aware that the role you are competing for has intimate scenes with a man?\" Casey Affleck nodded again, \"Yes, sir, I am very aware.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman then asked the third question, \"Then, can you accept playing a homosexual role?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir, I can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman then asked the last question, \"Can you accept the homosexual role you play having intimate scenes with other men?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir, I can.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman nodded; he had finished asking what he needed to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang randomly pulled out a piece of paper with a small segment on it; he handed it to Casey Affleck and said, \"Affleck, you have ten minutes to prepare; perform this segment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, thank you, Mr. Director.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Affleck finished his performance, Cao Yang said, \"Very brilliant, a good performance; you are a very talented actor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, this was actually a stock phrase; he had said the same thing to Tom Hardy and James Franco.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Casey Affleck was very happy after hearing it; he couldn't help but say, \"Thank you, sir; you are a director I particularly admire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman spoke up, \"Affleck, we will notify you of the result within three days; thank you for coming today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The interview was over, and the video camera was turned off. The person from the Screen Actors Guild hesitated for a moment, but before leaving, he still whispered to Cao Yang, \"Ben Affleck said you are a director he admires very much; if there is a chance, he would like to invite you to dinner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the person from the Screen Actors Guild left, Cao Yang asked Bellman with some confusion, \"Can it be done like this? Shouldn't the Screen Actors Guild...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bellman smiled and replied, \"Did he say anything? He just relayed that the superstar Ben Affleck admires you and wants to invite you to dinner; there's no violation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang was silent for a moment, \"Alright, there's indeed no violation; it was completely from a fair and impartial standpoint, protecting the interests of the actors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They really know how to play the game; even if I don't use his brother, there was no direct conflict, and it can be treated as if nothing happened—much smarter than calling directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who do you plan to choose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does Ben Affleck have extensive connections?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonsense, he won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay at 25, is himself an A-list superstar, and is a best friend who grew up with Matt Damon; many people are optimistic about him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Yang nodded, indicating he understood; so he won Best Original Screenplay at 25, truly impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What awards had he won when he was 25?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, that will only be known next year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the original version, this role was played by James Franco, but he is too thin now, and also a bit too young, not quite fitting the character's positioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom Hardy is in the same situation; he looks too tender and too young, not quite fitting the character's positioning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Casey Affleck does meet the requirements; this guy has always lingered in the art-house film field, and he looks like he possesses the characteristics of an artistic man, with a melancholy face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If such a person comes out, it wouldn't be surprising at all, making it easier for people to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there is no need to rush in deciding which one to use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the experiences of this period, Cao Yang has already gained a certain understanding of Hollywood; all kinds of bullshit can happen, and he has now lost some confidence in this film.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he hardened his heart: to hell with Hollywood, to hell with the Oscars; I don't care about awards anymore. I didn't come here to conquer; I came here to cause destruction!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it really doesn't work, then damn it, I'll make an all-star gay film; I don't care if it can win awards or not—add more intimate scenes and leave some souvenirs for the future superstars!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1317,"2026-06-20T05:36:32.009Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","c80ab543999428bb1a8e58a143fa69b9363c2a056f56dff20eeda4e69410b6d2","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-116","the-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-chapter-114",411,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-academic-director-reborn-in-the-film-industr-cover.jpg"]