Dominating Hollywood: Starting with Scarlett

Chapter 176 Audition Storm
In fact, the casting process for "Memoirs of a Geisha" began long ago.

Soon after the script came out, Steven asked people in the company to start looking for suitable candidates within Asia.

Now on the table are the results of their search.

"Matsuda Seiko, Miyazawa Rie, Kikukawa Rei, Michelle Reis, Michelle Yeoh, Maggie Cheung, Watanabe Ken, Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi..."

Tang De read out the names on the photos one by one, feeling that the torrent of the times was so close to him for the first time. When he faced those famous Hollywood stars before, he didn't feel it because he was not familiar with them.

It was only now, when he saw these stars he was most familiar with appearing before his eyes, that he finally had the real feeling of changing history.

"Let's see, these are the stars we selected and thought were the most suitable." Steven looked at Tang De and Rob.

Then the field manager brought a board with the names of various characters in the movie.

Steven posted a photo on the whiteboard, matching the actors with the roles: "Miyazawa Rie plays Hatsumomo. Gong Li plays Mamiha. Watanabe Ken plays the president. Kikukawa Rei plays Sayuri. This is what we are doing now. What do you think of the expected role?”

"I don't think Gong Li should play the role of Zhen Meiyu!" Tang De didn't say anything, but Rob retorted: "Although Gong Li is beautiful, she gives people the impression that she is not constrained by conventions. I think she should play Play Hatsumomo."

On the contrary, Chinese actors, due to the reputation of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and various Sino-US co-productions with Bruce Lee, are currently more recognizable in Hollywood than Neon actors.

As for Chow Yun-fat, he is actually somewhat similar in appearance to Ken Watanabe, but he is more elegant than Ken Watanabe.

"I agree with this." Tang De nodded. He had long heard that Rob was a loyal fan of Gong Li, but he didn't expect it to be true.

So Sayuri fell in love with him after meeting him, and the development of this relationship is always a bit speechless.

Tang De shrugged: "Because Watanabe Ken looks a little too old..."

If there are not enough well-known actors, then the box office will not be guaranteed.

"What you said seems to make sense, but is Zhou really more handsome than Watanabe?" Steven thought for a while: "The two of them may have different temperaments."

Technical consultant Lisa also spoke: "I think the choice of Sayuri can be reconsidered... Rei Kikukawa is not famous enough."

"But other actors should not give up. Let them all audition. I need to make a judgment based on their performances."

Tang De feels that this kind of temperament can make up for certain appearance flaws, and the photos taken will be more convincing.

"Well...then the role of Hatsumomo needs to be reconsidered." After Steven finished speaking, Tang De put forward his own idea.

So after Lisa made this suggestion, Steven nodded: "Then you can try Zhang. She also fits Sayuri's innocence and persistence. Just like in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon."

At present, the popularity of neon actors is indeed lacking internationally.

After hearing Tang De's reasons, everyone couldn't help but smile.

To be honest, when he first watched the movie, he had always been indifferent to Watanabe Ken's appearance. He seemed not suitable at all for Sayuri, more like her uncle or elder.

"You can ask them to audition." Tang De suggested: "Let's let them play the role of the president and see which of the two is more handsome."

"I think Michelle Yeoh is suitable for playing the role of Zhen Meiyu. She is more majestic and stable, and she is also suitable for the status of a palace-level geisha. In addition, Tony Leung and Chow Yun-fat can try out the role of the president."

"Okay, that's it, then what about the others... do they have any opinions?"

Steven frowned: "Why?"

Yes, this is a commercial blockbuster after all, with a production budget of US$8500 million.

His grasp of Gong Li was very accurate. In the movie, Gong Li did succeed in taking the lead, and the few plot tensions were born from her.

News of the casting for "Memoirs of a Geisha" quickly hit the newspapers and became an established fact.

However, this news did not cause any waves in the United States, because the American people did not pay attention to what kind of actors were chosen for a film about Asian customs.

However, this film caused an uproar and tsunami among neon and Chinese communities.

Because this is a Hollywood, blockbuster, purely oriental movie produced by Steven Spielberg.

Just throwing out a few names attracted the attention of a large number of celebrities.

And the companies behind them are also sparing no effort to find opportunities to submit resumes, trying to get their stars to become one of them.

Tokyo, inside Oscar Communications Artist Agency.

"This is a neon movie! It depicts the story of our national quintessence, the geisha."

"So we must spare no effort to let the actors get on that stage!" Vice President Fukuzawa Ina clenched his hands into fists: "Contact the American agency we know, and then contact Sony. We must win this opportunity to audition. Understand Yet?"

"Hi!" Everyone around the conference round table agreed in unison.

Inside Toho Entertainment Company.

"The role of Sayuri was created for Masami Nagasawa personally. Let Masami prepare herself to learn the fan dance from a geisha within a month. I will personally take her to Hollywood to meet Mr. Spielberg!" President Fujii Xiuji knelt down and sat on the tatami. "Hi!" The secretary nodded, looking serious.

Inside Yanyin Brokerage Company.

"This drama is a full-female drama, and we have an advantage over other companies in this regard. Tomoko Yamaguchi and Mie Kanno are the most suitable candidates." After speaking, Chairman Ito Kyo looked at the newspaper on the table. .

"But I heard that Mr. Spielberg wanted to use a Chinese as a character. This is so ridiculous! How can a Chinese play the role of a geisha well!" He is a typical populist.

I have been very angry after hearing the news.

"So we must cut off this possibility. If this movie uses Chinese people, it will be the most embarrassing moment for Neon people!"

At the same time, HORIPRO's president, Hori Yoshiki, was also discussing with his secretary in the office.

"This is really good news! Don is actually the director of "Memoirs of a Geisha". It can be said that we are already halfway successful."

Horiki Yoshiki laughed happily. He didn't expect that a previous cooperation would yield such a big surprise today.

This is really the best thing. As long as his artists occupy a few roles in it, they can be successfully gilded, and they will surely gain more attention after returning to China.

So he immediately called Tang De.

And he later received Tang De's promise that as long as the actor's performance is not inferior to others, he can be cast in a supporting role.

This is also the biggest guarantee that Tang De can make. After all, it is impossible for him to have the final say in the selection of the starring role alone.

For this reason, Fukada Kyoko came to Tang De many times during this period, leaving traces of her initiative in the car, in the corridor, and in the toilet.

Compared to the exaggerated reaction of the Neon people, the Chinese side was no less generous.

Whenever a female star is rumored to be related to "Memoirs of a Geisha", it will arouse public discussion.

Everyone wants to know whether there are Chinese actors among the three female leads, as if including one is a recognition of the country's entertainment industry.

It makes people feel a sincere sense of pride.

It is with this mentality that many Chinese actors also actively contacted the crew and wanted to audition.

At one time, there were hundreds of multinational actors requesting auditions for several roles.

However, Steven Spielberg was already familiar with this. After screening out some obviously unsuitable star actors, he only invited more than 40 actors to audition for the role.

They include 28 neon actors, 15 Chinese actors, and three Korean actors.

There are even several Indian actors who want to play the role, but I don’t know if they understand what a geisha is.

In this competitive atmosphere, auditions officially began in Los Angeles.

On the same day, Tang De, Rob and Steven appeared in the audition room. They sat on the sofa, looking at the various actor information in their hands, and waiting for the actor to appear.

Meanwhile, outside the house.

Michelle Yeoh, who was wearing sunglasses, saw many familiar faces as soon as she arrived at the audition location.

"Hey Ah Fa, long time no see." Sitting on the chair in the rest room was Chow Yun-fat, dressed in black. He and Michelle Yeoh were very familiar with each other when they were in Hong Kong, so they became lively as soon as they met.

"Michelle, long time no see." Chow Yun-fat showed his signature smile and asked after Michelle Yeoh sat down: "Are you familiar with Mr. Spielberg? This is my first time interviewing him for a play."

"I'm not very familiar with him, but I heard he's very nice." Michelle Yeoh didn't have any airs. The two of them chatted like old friends that can be seen everywhere on the roadside.

Regarding Chow Yun-fat's doubts, Michelle Yeoh shook her head: "You shouldn't worry about Mr. Spielberg. What you should worry about is the director of this movie."

"Director? You mean Tang? He seems to have just filmed his second work." Chow Yun-fat has seen too many directors, whether they are ghosts or geniuses, he is used to them all. So I don’t think there’s anything special about Tang De.

"Although it is only the second film, since Mr. Spielberg has given the film to him, it shows that he is very capable." Michelle Yeoh saw it more thoroughly.

"In the final analysis, the director is the most important person in charge of the film, so what you should consider is how to let Tang choose you."

"That's really difficult. No one can figure out his preferences now." Chow Yun-fat finished speaking and smiled: "Look at those neon people, they have worked hard for their roles."

Michelle Yeoh looked at the lounge and saw several neon actresses. Some were playing with fans, some were reciting themselves in awkward English, and some were clenching their fists nervously.

There doesn't seem to be any slack at all.

Michelle Yeoh smiled upon seeing this and was about to speak when she suddenly heard the clicking of high heels from the corridor.

Turning around, I saw Gong Li, wearing a cheongsam, swaying towards the two of them.

(End of this chapter)