Casting scene for the movie "300 Spartans".
Kyle, Kevin Feige, and Zack Snyder, after going through several rounds of auditions, couldn't help but feel excited. After all, many of the actors who came to the scene were famous guys, but at the same time, they were a little worried.
The choice is difficult!
"Wow, there are so many big names coming for the leading actor role." Kevin Feige said in surprise.
"Yes."
Director Zack echoed this, saying, "Keanu Reeves is tall and handsome. With a little training, he could definitely play the role of King Leonidas. He's a huge star! 'Dangerous Liaisons,' 'Speed,' and 'Point Break' have all achieved impressive box office success worldwide. If he could play King Leonidas, it would bring in extra revenue for us."
"That's right."
Kevin Feige nodded in agreement.
For a moment, Zack and the other man all focused their attention on Kyle.
Zack is the director and Kevin is the second producer, but it is still Zack who decides on the male and female protagonists and other major roles in the film.
If Kyle doesn't nod, no one can say anything!
"Ahem~"
Kyle paused for a moment, then said, "Keanu's famous, I know. I'm also sure that after some training, he'll be in shape for the role of King Leonidas. But..."
Talking is one thing, but once you say the word "but", everything you said before is in vain.
Suddenly, Zack and the other two were startled.
"I don't deny that Keanu is very good, but he doesn't have that kingly aura. Keanu's portrayal of the key elements of fearlessness, bravery, roaring, snarling, and domineering is a bit out of place. He is the kind of actor who is suitable for a cool temperament. He is still a little short of the mark in portraying a king."
Kyle explained patiently.
"Well...."
Zack was stunned, but still a little unwilling: "Boss, Keanu lacks the factors you mentioned, but I believe that under my training, these are not problems. Well, even if he can't reach that kingly demeanour, it's still okay."
As a director,
Who doesn't want to work with famous actors?
MMP!
Upon hearing this, Kyle rolled his eyes!
Damn it, Zack! Didn't I know Keanu is famous? But because he's famous, his price is high too!
According to current market conditions, Keanu Reeves's role as the male lead would command a minimum of $10 million, or even more. Furthermore, his agency might even have to fight for a share of the box office revenue for him!
What?
Are you saying that Kyle and Keanu are not friends?
Hehe!
"Business is business, and friends are friends."
The two must never be confused.
Kyle does not deny that Keanu is a very good actor and they get along well after knowing each other for more than a year, but he also deeply believes that he is not suitable for a role like King Leonidas.
The character of King Leonidas is the core of "300" and the soul of the whole film. Once the choice is wrong, not to mention increasing the extra box office, it may be disastrous!
Therefore, being extremely cautious is definitely not empty talk.
"Boss, Viggo Mortensen, what do you think?"
Zack suggested again: "He is 1.8 meters tall, has good muscle lines, and has played the role of a 'king'. I think he can play the leading actor."
Huh?
Kyle couldn't help but let out a sound of surprise.
Viggo Mortensen, Kyle knew him, of course.
You know, he was going to play the role of Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy in the future. His character's popularity even overshadowed the protagonist of The Fellowship of the Ring.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's see if it works or not after he has tested it through the microscope." Kyle decided immediately.
.....
Actor Viggo Mortensen walks into the audition.
At that moment, Kyle and the other two looked at Viggo Mortensen. His 1.8-meter height and clear muscle lines were quite good, leaving a good impression on Kyle and the others.
"Mr. Mortensen, this is the script. You act out this scene," Zack said.
"Okay." Viggo Mortensen responded and began to read the script, building up his emotions.
Kyle and the other two were not in a hurry and waited with great interest.
10 minutes later!
The script that Zack gave to Viggo Mortensen was about Sparta being in dire straits, when the Greeks and Arcadians felt they could not defeat the Persian army and persuaded King Leonidas to retreat with them.
"This war is over!"
Zack cooperated with the tone of the Arcade people.
Viggo Mortensen, oh no, from this moment on, he is King Leonidas!
He immediately shouted coldly, "Shut up! The war won't end until I say it's over."
"We will be surrounded by the Persian ghost army, and Thermopylae will fall. We cannot defeat Xerxes. They are too powerful!"
Zack continued to persuade.
King Leonidas looked at the leader of the Arcadians with disdain, then turned to the few remaining Spartan warriors, opened his arms, and shouted with all his might: "Warriors of Sparta, prepare to fight gloriously to the end!"
"Glory?"
"You're crazy!"
"Where is the glory of fighting? The only options are retreat, surrender, or death."
At this moment, the leader of the Arcadian people looked at King Leonidas as if he were an idiot and continued to persuade them to retreat together.
"Snort!"
King Leonidas looked at him and snorted coldly, "The choice is simple for us, Arcadians! Spartans will never retreat! Spartans will never surrender! Spread these words, let every Greek know the truth, let them find their conscience. Since you are here, think carefully."
After saying that, he turned and looked at the Spartan warriors.
His face was stern yet full of smiles, which seemed extremely contradictory at this moment, yet extremely reasonable.
Because he is the king of the Spartans!
"Brothers, a Spartan warrior will never retreat or surrender. This is the law of the Spartans!"
"According to Spartan law, we must fight for Sparta to the end!"
"Death is not a pity."
"A brand new era has arrived, an era of freedom has arrived!"
"The world will know the 300 Spartans who fought to the death to defend freedom. Hundreds and thousands of years from now, we will still be remembered, and our names will be forever recorded in history!"
King Leonidas looked at everyone present with a calm gaze, and suddenly roared again: "Prepare breakfast, everyone, eat your fill. However, tonight we will feast in Hell~!"
The performance is over.
Bang bang bang~!
Kyle, Zack, and Kevin immediately applauded to show their approval.
"Viggo Mortensen, the leading role is yours!"
Kyle decided on the spot without saying anything about waiting for further notice.
....
In fact, when deciding to let Viggo Mortensen play the role of King Leonidas in "300", Kyle considered letting Gerard Butler, who played the role in the original time and space history, continue to play the role.
But!
Gerard Butler, who is only 27 years old now, is a rookie who has just entered Hollywood for two years. His experience and ability are not enough to be qualified for this role.
After all, in the original time and space, "300 Spartans" was filmed in 2005, not 1998.
He is too young now!
On the other hand, Viggo Mortensen is different. He is 40 years old and is at the peak of his life. His experience and acting skills are also at their peak. What's more, the Aragorn he plays in the future "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy" is a very domineering person!