After chatting with Crane briefly, Edward left.
Crane had agreed to serve as Edward's script editor. Although technically an "editor," Edward felt his role was closer to that of a reviewer. Edward's own scripts were simple and straightforward detective stories. To adapt them into a screenplay suitable for filming, some modifications were necessary—and Crane could help with that.
Edward also offered him a fee—every time he reviewed a script, he would receive payment. Of course, a strict confidentiality agreement was included, prohibiting Crane from leaking any plot points or using the material in his own novels.
"Now that the script and villain roles are set, the next step is set design… and casting the lead," Edward muttered to himself as he walked home.
There was no doubt that the absolute male lead in Sherlock Holmes was none other than Sherlock Holmes himself. As a legendary detective, Holmes had global popularity. When most people think of the word "detective," he's the first figure that comes to mind. Anime fans might think of Kindaichi or the eternally youthful elementary schooler, Conan.
Edward chose to personally direct this Sherlock Holmes adaptation largely because of The Kindaichi Case Files. Some of the cases in that series were genuinely terrifying—he remembered being spooked when he first watched them. That fear factor made him think: perhaps a suspenseful detective drama could also generate Fear Points. That's when he decided to use Sherlock Holmes as a trial run.
However, casting the male lead as Holmes was a challenge.
Edward planned to have his company send out audition invites to well-known actors with strong acting skills, observe their performances, and then decide who best fit the role.
The actor would need to embody Edward's image of Holmes: intelligent, insightful, slightly obsessive, and difficult to get along with—someone who felt like a true eccentric.
In the original books, Holmes had a hooked nose, stood 183cm tall, and had a sharp, angular face. But for the TV series, Edward wasn't obsessed with exact physical replication—as long as the performance was classic enough, that was enough.
He decided to hold a large-scale audition this time. He wanted to find the perfect actor for Holmes. Edward was confident that once he found the right person, he could turn them into an international superstar.
Why do great actors chase great scripts? Because good scripts can make people famous. Christian Bale brought Batman to life in The Dark Knight, but it was also Batman who made Christian Bale a household name.
A good script and a good actor complement and elevate each other.
"Let's hope I get lucky and find someone outstanding," Edward murmured, stretching as he walked.
—
"There's no more work for extras or background actors today. Go do something else!"
In Driftveil City, Unova Region, Daniel looked dejectedly at the casting coordinator announcing the update, a trace of disappointment flickering in his eyes.
Once again, there was no acting work today.
For someone like Daniel Clovis, an unknown with no recognition, these background gigs were his only chance to appear in TV shows or movies—and earn at least one meal.
Granted, the boxed meals for extras were meager—purely vegetarian, with a single egg as the only protein—but at least they were free and filling.
"Students, although you all graduated from the Unova Film Academy, not everyone will become an actor. Sometimes, to survive, we must face the harshness of reality."
Daniel suddenly remembered what their advisor had said during graduation.
At the time, the class had been full of laughter and enthusiasm. Everyone was brimming with ambition, confident that their formal training set them apart from the self-taught amateurs. Becoming an actor seemed just around the corner.
Even if they couldn't become a star, at the very least, they'd be a D-list actor.
But that youthful ambition had fermented into the bitter wine of a 32-year-old failure.
Daniel rubbed his face. He thought he was good-looking—and truthfully, he was. In film school, there weren't many unattractive students. Back then, he was even popular among female classmates.
But look at him now. Still just a background actor. Every time he joined a production, it was never for a speaking role—he was always a passerby, background filler.
Daniel wasn't content with that. He had tried sneaking in extra lines, tried standing where the camera might catch him—but it didn't work.
The ambition he'd had at graduation had long since been replaced by the numb routine of middle age—working just to survive. Only at night, watching classic movie scenes and practicing acting alone, did Daniel feel like he was still that proud graduate.
In reality, he didn't even want to mention he graduated from the Film Academy anymore.
"Whoa, you're a top student from the film academy? A real academic actor, huh? Hahaha, no wonder you're so..."
He thought back to the mocking expression of a director he once met, and a wave of emotion stirred in his heart.
Now that he thought about it, something didn't seem right.
Even the worst-off of his former classmates had become production assistants at film companies. While they'd given up acting, they had stable jobs, decent incomes, and even families.
But none of them had ever reached out to help him. Lately, his auditions hadn't gone through—he wasn't even getting invited to most of them.
Something was off.
"Did I… offend someone?" Daniel wondered aloud, sitting in his shabby rental apartment. The place barely had room for a bed. Three steps in any direction and you'd be outside. The scent of the toilet lingered in the air.
And yet, it was in this miserable setting that he began to wonder whether he had unknowingly angered someone powerful. Why else would his life be like this?
Back when he graduated, he was brimming with arrogance—young, handsome, and a trained actor. Perhaps too proud.
But he couldn't recall exactly who he might have crossed.
"Should I just give up on acting altogether?" Daniel looked at his reflection on his phone screen. The youthful glow had faded, replaced by the weary look of adulthood, and a bit of stubble on his chin.
Maybe it was time to let go. Maybe with a normal job, he could at least support his parents. Ever since graduating, he hadn't sent a single cent back home—he could barely support himself.
[Breaking News! Renowned horror director Edward Stone announces new film project! Lead role auditions now open...]
A message popped up on Daniel's phone.
Edward Stone? Daniel froze for a moment. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on the phone.
Should he give it one more shot?
(End of Chapter)