….
A week later.
The postwork of the screen test was completed, and the first posters announcement of the movie are scheduled to be released for the public, as the team will dive into the production.
As of now, Regal was in his office and attending the conference call and found himself facing a grid of MDCU studio executives on his screen.
At the center sat Tolliver Lee and Carrow Seagal, the twin pillars of MDCU Studios' financial decision-making apparatus.
The kind of men who could calculate profit margins in their sleep but who had never once understood why an audience cried when a hero whispered a single line.
They had just finished watching Henry Cavill's screen test footage.
Carrow spoke first. "Regal, I will be honest. When you said you wanted to cast an unknown British theater actor as Superman, I had serious reservations."
Tolliver added, flatly. "But."
"This footage is remarkable." Carrow continued. "I am not a fan of the man, but even I can feel his presence and emotional range, the way he embodies both strength and vulnerability…"
Regal kept his posture still. "So we have approval to offer him the role?"
Tolliver actually laughed, a short, dry sound. "Approval? Come on, don't joke around. We would never approve betting on a no-name actor, no matter how perfectly he fits the character."
"It's a matter of acceptance." Carrow clarified.
"Since we know we can't force you to work with someone you don't want." Tolliver continued. "What we 'approved' initially, what we can do now is accept your choice."
It was the same routine and game, again.
The man they actually approved was Liam Bethell.
They were eager, almost salivating, to cast him.
Not just because they 'believed' he was right for the role, but because he had built-in box office pull, and more importantly, the right connections to guarantee the biggest release this industry could orchestrate.
Combined with Regal's own draw, they wouldn't just be printing money - they would be minting an entirely new currency.
They knew very well there was a long-standing, very public friction between Regal and Pixy Studios.
But for them? Money erased all friction - pride and disputes.
They didn't even bother hiding the fake smiles.
And they truly did not understand why Regal hadn't just taken the easy route. They were genuinely baffled. That was the problem with money-minded corporate brains, they were brilliant, but spiritually blind.
Regal understood this perfectly.
"If anyone were to hear this conversation." Regal said mildly. "They might confuse me for bullying my partners."
"There's no need for confusion." Tolliver replied without missing a beat. "You absolutely are."
Several other executives on the call shifted uncomfortably. The tension between Regal and the money side of MDCU Studios was palpable, even through digital connection.
But everyone in that virtual room understood something important: this tension wouldn't interfere with making the movie better. If anything, it kept both sides sharp.
This wasn't the first time they had argued about casting decisions. It probably wouldn't be the last.
To the other executives watching this dance, it looked like a small children's brawl when the actual decision had already been made. Theater for the record, with the outcome predetermined.
Someone from the business affairs department jumped in to move things forward: "About the pending contract negotiations. We will need Cavill locked for multiple films. Superman appears in at least three solo films, plus Justice League, plus the Crisis crossover event. That's a minimum of five appearances."
Just like that, they were back on track.
"Understood." Regal confirmed. "Derren will coordinate with his representation." He glanced at his notes. "What about budget approval for the full production?"
There was a pause on the other end, the kind of pause that preceded bad news.
"We are approving a $185 million production budget." Carrow said with careful restraint. "Which is lower than the $200 million you requested."
"Two hundred." Regal said, flatly.
"One eighty-five." Carrow repeated.
"Two hundred."
"$185 million." There was the sound of someone cracking their knuckles, probably Tolliver.
"$200 million." Regal said, his mind already recalculating. "Especially with the amount of CG work required for Krypton's destruction, the Smallville battle, and the Metropolis finale."
"One eighty-five." Tolliver pushed back, jaw tight.
Another executive chimed in, trying to sound helpful. "Iron Man performed on a $180 million budget and grossed over $700 million globally. We believe Superman can match or exceed that without needing additional—"
"Two hundred." Regal said sharply. "And that is final."
He didn't raise his voice, but the steel was unmistakable.
Superman was more effects-heavy than Iron Man, an entire alien world needed to be created, large-scale destruction sequences required complex simulation work, and flight choreography was notoriously expensive.
He wasn't going to make a half-measured Superman.
Then Regal added. "I will also need assurances that marketing gets a proper budget. This is the foundation of Earth-1, the campaign needs to match the film's importance."
"Marketing is allocated at $120 million." Carrow confirmed. "Same tier as Iron Man. We are treating this as a tentpole release."
They weren't trying to cut short on the promotion.
After the budget debate finally settled into an uneasy stalemate, the conversation shifted.
"Next item." someone said. "Henry's agent called this morning. He is willing to negotiate the rate to secure the role, he knows this could be career-defining."
Regal didn't hesitate. "Give him fair compensation, if not A-list money, but enough that he is taken care of, and include profit participation."
There was a brief silence.
Carrow blinked. "Profit participation? For a newcomer? That's… unusually generous."
"He is taking a risk on us." Regal replied. "We should take a risk on him, and if he is locked for five films and Superman becomes as successful as I know it will, then he deserves to share in that success."
Tolliver muttered something under his breath, something like. "You operate on feelings too much." but he didn't challenge it.
"I will draft the terms." Someone said, sounding faintly impressed. "Anything else before we wrap?"
"Yes." Regal said. "Schedule a celebration dinner with the core creative team, cinematography, costume design, production design, and Henry." His tone softened just a fraction. "Tomorrow night, after the stunt tests. We have found our Superman. That deserves acknowledgement."
A few of the executives exchanged glances.
Even through the screen, the shift in energy was clear, the decision was made and the direction was set.
….
[Two Days Later | Random Warehouse - Van Nuys, California]
Regal showed up on the [Deadpool] set unannounced - no call or text.
He just walked straight past security - showing the ID proof of the creative producer and entered.
The energy on set was erratic in the way only a Deadpool film could be, props everywhere, stunt pads stacked in corners, Ryan walking around in full suit while sipping coffee through a straw poked under the mask.
Shawn Levy spotted Regal first.
"Regal?" he said, confused but amused. "Did we schedule this? Did you schedule this?"
"No." Regal replied. "I was nearby. Thought I would drop in."
The crew froze.
Deadpool, fully suited, mask on, pointed at him. "Uh, guys? Is this a new cameo? Did we budget for this?"
Regal lifted a hand. "Carry on. Pretend I am not here."
"Impossible." Ryan-in-the-mask said. "You walk in like a tax audit."
A few people laughed, tension loosening.
Regal scanned the set, then spotted her, his twin sister, kneeling beside a rack of red-and-black variants of the Deadpool suit, adjusting a seam with a concentration that made her oblivious to everything else.
He walked over.
She didn't even look up. "If you are here to tell me to come back to your movie, the answer is still no. Now hand me that zipper."
Regal handed it to her automatically. "You ditched Superman for this?"
Right, the film she accepted over [Superman] is [Deadpool].
When Regal got to know that a film in his own production beat him to it… he didn't know whether he would be getting annoyed and laughing.
She finally looked up, eyebrows raised. "Yes. Because this production doesn't make me cry myself to sleep with seventy-page worldbuilding documents."
They both were aware that wasn't the case - work load was never the issue, even if it was she wasn't the type to complain about it.
Regal blinked. "Those were optional."
"They were not optional, and you know it."
Deadpool tiptoed closer. "Wait, you two are related? Like biologically? Are you from the same factory?"
Regal gave him a flat look. "Huh… you already know this."
Deadpool pointed to his own chest. "Ryan knows. Deadpool doesn't. Different brain cells, very complicated."
Regal sighed. "Yes, we are twins."
Deadpool threw both hands up dramatically. "Oh my god, that explains the matching stress aura."
Regal blinked slowly, then turned to Shawn Levy.
"Isn't he a bit too deep into character? Is he okay? Should I call someone?"
Shawn ran a hand over his face. "This is him on a good day. If he starts narrating his own actions out loud, then call someone."
Deadpool struck a pose. "Deadpool strikes a pose, nails it. Everyone is impressed."
Regal stared at Shawn again. "…Now?"
"Not yet." Shawn said. "But keep your phone ready."
Deadpool threw his arms around them both. "Family hug! No? Too soon? Okay, pretend I didn't do that."
And for the first time that day, Regal actually laughed.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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