"My Big Fat Greek Wedding," being a low-budget comedy, couldn't attract big-name actors.
Therefore, for the selection of the main actors in the film, Page Pictures did not adopt a large-scale public audition like with "300," but instead used small-scale invitation-only auditions.
The first male actor stepped up for the audition.
However, when Kyle clearly saw who it was, he was immediately speechless.
"Joaquin, why are you here?" Kyle said, dumbfounded.
"Mr. Page, I heard the company was starting a new movie, so I asked Mr. Feige to give me an audition opportunity," Joaquin said shyly.
Upon hearing this, Kyle immediately looked at Kevin Feige, who was off in his own world.
"What happened, boss?" Kevin Feige asked with a hint of confusion.
What are you pretending for?!
Kyle genuinely admired Joaquin Phoenix; he was a very hardworking actor.
"Wrong Turn," "The Purge," "Memento."
He hadn't realized it until now, but Joaquin Phoenix had already collaborated with Page Pictures on three films, either as the male lead or second lead. Now, for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," he had appeared yet again!
Damn, he was practically becoming Page Pictures' exclusive male actor.
This situation was comparable to Leonardo DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese.
"Are you planning to be stuck with Page Pictures forever?!" Kyle couldn't help but wonder.
Not only did Kyle think this, but many employees at Page Pictures also felt the same. When they saw Joaquin appear at the audition site again today, their expressions became strange.
In fact, Kyle's guess was spot on; Joaquin was indeed planning just that.
Joaquin Phoenix's older brother, River Phoenix, was once hailed as "Hollywood's Golden Boy," a standout among young male actors with extraordinary acting skills. However, River not only suffered from chronic alcoholism and drug addiction,
but he was also very flamboyant and outspoken, repeatedly cursing certain producers as shameless and certain companies as tyrannical in front of media reporters.
Undoubtedly, River had offended many people!
Now, River Phoenix was dead, but the lingering problems transferred to his younger brother Joaquin, causing him to be relegated to small roles and even extras for a time.
It wasn't until Kyle's appearance that Joaquin was able to play a male lead.
"Wrong Turn" made him an overnight sensation!
Even so, many Hollywood film companies still didn't favor Joaquin Phoenix. They consistently believed that Joaquin would be a troublesome, outspoken fellow like his brother River, and thus wouldn't give him opportunities.
Of course, with the popularity of "The Purge" and "Memento," Joaquin had completely turned his career around!
"Joaquin, the major film companies didn't understand you before, which is why they didn't favor you, but now it shouldn't be a problem. I saw news about you in the newspaper a couple of days ago; several film companies have invited you to be their male lead, haven't they?" Kyle said.
"Yes."
Joaquin said, "Two companies did invite me to act, but when I heard the company was starting a new film, I declined them."
Actually, Joaquin just felt that Page Pictures had a promising future.
"..."
Kyle was speechless.
At this moment, Kyle truly didn't know what to say.
In the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," the actress playing the female lead, Nia Vardalos, was already 36 years old, making her an older single woman;
But Joaquin?
He was only 24 this year!
The male and female leads were a full 12 years apart in age, and this movie wasn't a younger man-older woman romance!
If Joaquin were cast as the male lead, it would make this "romantic comedy" feel out of place.
"Boss, we can use makeup!"
"I believe Joaquin's acting skills are completely capable of portraying someone in their thirties, close to 40."
Kevin Feige suddenly interjected.
Kyle gave Kevin Feige an annoyed look, then glanced at Joaquin's expectant expression.
"Alright, I'll give you an audition opportunity!" Kyle said seriously.
"Thank you, Mr. Page, thank you, Mr. Feige," Joaquin quickly expressed his gratitude.
"Don't thank me so soon."
Kyle waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "The male lead is, after all, an older character. If you don't meet my requirements, then even if we've worked together many times, don't blame me for eliminating you."
"Understood, Mr. Page."
...The twenty-minute audition ended!
Kyle watched Joaquin's performance with almost continuous shock.
His performance exceeded Kyle's previous expectations.
"Boss, what are you waiting for?"
Kevin Feige, standing nearby, urged, "Was Joaquin's performance not outstanding enough? No! It's no longer a question of whether it's outstanding; his performance completely fits the male lead's image. I even feel that the male lead in 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' was made for him."
Kyle also nodded.
Sometimes, some actors can perform "across age ranges" and do so exceptionally well.
Kyle shook his head: "No rush, let's first see the auditions of the other two candidates."
Kyle had also invited John Corbett, the actor who played the male lead in the original timeline's "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," to audition this time.
Upon seeing John Corbett, Kyle couldn't help but feel a pang in his liver.
Why?
Because Kyle thought of the TV series "Sex and the City," an American drama that once created a viewership miracle!
John Corbett was set to play an important male supporting role in that American drama, "Sex and the City."
More than ten days ago, when Kyle decided to prepare for a TV series, he first thought of filming "Sex and the City." He then contacted the script owner, but was rejected.
Need to pay more?
No!
The script owner of "Sex and the City" looked down on Golden Dawn Television Group, preferring to sell it at a low price to HBO (which was known for its 'yellow, violent, and dirty' content) rather than to Kyle.
"Heh heh, I just can't stand those people who achieve success at a young age. You, Kyle Page, are just a lucky guy, aren't you? I will never sell the script to you, even if I throw it in the trash!"
Well, the thought processes of such people are indeed quite different from ordinary folks.
Kyle was helpless!
...For the next period, Kyle watched John Corbett's performance intently.
Hmm, very good!
However, compared to Joaquin Phoenix's performance, it felt somewhat like chewing wax.
"Boss, what are you still considering? Compared to the two performances, Joaquin is undoubtedly superior!"
Kevin Feige was a bit puzzled; he didn't know what Kyle was thinking at the moment.
In fact, Kyle's thoughts were simple: using the original cast configuration from the original timeline would certainly maximize the chances of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" succeeding.
If the male lead were changed, uncontrollable situations might arise.
Even if Joaquin's performance was better than John Corbett's.
However... not long after, Kyle decided to give the role of the male lead in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" to Joaquin Phoenix.
Scheduling conflict!
John Corbett had signed an actor contract with the "Sex and the City" crew at HBO two days prior. The scheduling conflict made it impossible for him to appear in both.
Under these circumstances, Kyle, of course, chose Joaquin without hesitation!
The subsequent work for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" would be entirely handed over to Kevin Feige, while Kyle got up and headed to Paramount Pictures' filming base.
The opening ceremony for "300" was to be held today.