The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 428

Early one morning, a white executive car cut through the dawn light, leaving the coastal district of Malibu and speeding east toward Burbank.

Inside, Paula Patton squeezed Francis’s hand, a smile playing on her lips. With a boyfriend like him, competing for roles was easy.

As long as his career was on the rise, she could leverage their relationship for more parts—perhaps even a leading role in a major film.

She had been observing Francis for a long time and was confident his affection for her was genuine. That's why she had taken the initiative to win him over.

"There's another audition today," Paula said. "It will go well, won't it?"

Francis smiled and gently patted her hand. "Today's audition is just a formality. There won't be any surprises."

Paula gave a slight nod. "I know, but I still feel on edge... Until the role is officially confirmed, I can't relax."

"Don't worry," Francis interrupted her at once. "Goldsman’s position was obvious yesterday. And your audition was miles better than Alexandra's."

He paused for a moment before adding, "Matthew Horner, the one who recommended Alexandra Daddario, couldn't say a word. He just had to sit there and watch Goldsman agree that you were the clear winner."

Paula finally felt a little more at ease.Francis added, "You've already spoken to your agent, haven't you? I expect the production team will be in touch with you by tomorrow."

"My agent is ready to negotiate," Paula laughed.

The car entered Burbank, dropping Paula Patton at her agency before continuing on to Warner Studios. Francis stepped out and headed straight for the audition room, where Matthew, David, and Goldsman were already seated.

Francis was in high spirits and greeted not only David and Goldsman with a smile, but Matthew as well.

Matthew smiled back and nodded.

As Francis walked to his seat, he noticed Matthew was still smiling at him. A thought suddenly struck him: Is he extending an olive branch? Trying to get on my good side?

After all, he was the director, wielding considerable power on set. It would be foolish for an actor to make an enemy of him.

Francis nodded to himself, pleased with the thought. It seemed highly likely. In Hollywood, it was standard practice for the loser to curry favor with the victor.

The door to the audition room opened, and the casting director walked in. Shortly after he sat down, a staff member escorted in an actress.

Matthew glanced at the actress. She looked to be in her twenties, with Latina features.

The young woman stepped in front of the camera and, at the casting director's request, gave a brief introduction.

"I'm Alice Braga, from São Paulo, Brazil," she said, her accent thick. "I've been in two films, Blindness and City of God."

Matthew had seen the film back in 2004, and City of God was one of the few Oscar-lauded movies that had actually captured his interest.

He even recalled thinking that the Brazilian film was so brilliant it was destined to become a classic.

The director of City of God deserved an award for his work, plain and simple.

Of course, that was just his opinion. Winning Best Director for a non-English language film—especially a Brazilian one—was a monumental task.

While Matthew was lost in thought, Alice began her performance at the casting director’s request. He paid little attention to her audition, however. He’d already had the necessary conversations with David and Goldsman before Francis had even arrived.

After an urgent meeting the previous evening, the two producers had confirmed his choice. It was settled: Alexandra would get the role.

Francis kept his eyes on Braga, occasionally glancing over at Matthew. Seeing him lost in thought only confirmed his earlier suspicions.

Horner’s defeat was a foregone conclusion, Francis thought. He’s completely indifferent to this audition now.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

"Alright, that's enough," the casting director announced. "Ms. Braga, we'll let you know the results of your audition by this Friday."

"Thank you," Braga said before quickly exiting the room.

The casting director switched off the camera and also left the audition room.

Soon, only Matthew, David, Goldsman, and Francis remained in the room.

Francis glanced first at Goldsman, then at Matthew. The actor still had a distracted air about him, seemingly indifferent to the final outcome.

Given what happened yesterday, it was obvious defeat was inevitable. He probably didn't want to argue anymore, just to save face.

Just as Francis was about to look away, Matthew's gaze met his, and that strange smile reappeared.

As the victor, Francis felt he ought to conduct himself with magnanimity, just as Horner was now behaving like the vanquished.

He smiled back and nodded.

"Alright," Goldsman began, clearing his throat to draw everyone's attention. "The auditions for the role of Anna are now complete."

He looked at David, Matthew, and Francis in turn. "So, who do you see in the role?"

Matthew was the first to respond, simply shaking his head without a word.

This only reinforced Francis's belief that Matthew had conceded.

David spoke up. "Alice Braga isn't a fit. Her English is too rough, and we don't have enough time for dialect coaching."

Goldsman didn't hesitate. "Then she's off the table."

Francis felt a wave of relief. The last variable was gone. Paula Patton was a shoo-in for the role.

Goldsman continued, "Alright, it's time to make a final decision so we can make the call this afternoon. Let's hear your final thoughts."

Hearing this, Francis immediately jumped in. "I still recommend Paula Patton. As things stand, she's the most suitable choice."

As he finished, he glanced at Matthew, who was still leaning back comfortably in his chair, showing no sign of wanting to challenge him.

Francis was certain of it: He’s completely out of the running.

Goldsman rested his chin on his hand, appearing to seriously consider Francis's words.

"Let me offer my thoughts," David cut in suddenly. "Patton's acting is clearly a cut above the rest..."

Hearing David speak in his favor, Francis's confidence swelled.

But he never expected the words that came next.

"But I think Alexandra Daddario is a better fit for the role of Anna."

The comment left Francis stunned.

David wasn't finished. "Goldsman, you yourself told me that when the script was written, Anna's role was meant to be a bright spot against the bleakness of an apocalyptic New York. She’s there to relieve the audience's sense of loneliness and desolation. A beautiful, magnetic actress is obviously a better fit for that."

Francis stared at David in disbelief, but before he could respond, Goldsman nodded. "You have a point. Daddario is indeed a better fit."

Besides, while the issue Matthew had raised was a minor one for a certain major figure in New York politics, it was far better to keep such things quiet than to let them become public.

Having worked so many years in Hollywood, Goldsman knew this simple truth all too well.

This sudden, 180-degree reversal of fortune caught Francis completely off guard. He had never imagined this outcome.

Before Goldsman could make it official, he protested, "Paula is just as beautiful and has as great a figure as Daddario!"

Goldsman just shook his head. "It's not even close."

Seeing Francis was about to argue again, he held up a hand. "David, send the official offer to the Angel Agency this afternoon. Let them know Alexandra Daddario got the part."

With that, Goldsman stood and left the room without another word to Francis.

David followed close behind.