Simon motioned for Valeria Golino to wait a moment, picked up the receiver, and said, "Joe, what's up?"
On the other end of the line, Jonathan Friedman had already heard about Daenerys Pictures conducting surprise drug tests on the final ten candidates for the male lead in Batman. He was calling to put in a good word.
After patiently listening to Jonathan Friedman, Simon's tone left little room for negotiation. "Joe, before the audition process began, Daenerys Pictures specifically warned everyone. If they can't even stay clean during this period, I really don't see any reason to give them a chance... I know this sort of thing is common in Hollywood, but that's just how the world works. Established A-listers can casually bounce between the Bedford rehab center and film sets, they can shoot anti-drug PSAs while high out of their minds, but these guys can't. They're small-time. Small-timers should know their place. So, I'm sorry... Valeria is here, sitting right across from me... Alright, let's catch up another time. Bye."
Hanging up the phone, Simon looked at Valeria Golino across from him.
This Italian actress, with her beautiful curls and cat-like light-colored eyes, was only twenty-two this year. Yet, her acting resume was far from simple. Two years ago, Valeria Golino had won the Best Actress award at the 43rd Venice Film Festival for the Italian film A Tale of Love.
However, in his original timeline, aside from her role as the female lead in Rain Man, Valeria Golino hadn't appeared in many other notable films. Even her breakthrough film, A Tale of Love, was a little-known art-house piece.
Simon also remembered some gossip about Valeria Golino competing with Julia Roberts for the lead role in Pretty Woman; she and Roberts were the final two candidates. The public reason for her losing the role was her accent not being standard enough; the inside story remained unknown.
After struggling to find success in Hollywood, this actress, who started with high acclaim, later returned to the European film scene like many other European actresses who failed to conquer Hollywood.
Across the desk, Valeria Golino placed her hands on the handbag on her lap, patiently waiting as the young man opposite her studied her for a moment before speaking softly, "Mr. West, may I ask why you wanted me to come?"
Simon didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Have you read Batman?"
Having suddenly received an invitation from Simon Westeros, with neither her agent nor Jonathan Friedman, the company's vice president who was close to Westeros, knowing the reason, Valeria Golino had been very nervous.
Having been in Hollywood for over a year, Valeria hadn't landed many roles but had heard plenty of gossip. It wasn't uncommon in the industry for powerful figures to summon actresses they fancied under the pretext of discussing work or attending parties, after which certain things would 'naturally' happen. She had recently filmed Rain Man, and it was said Simon Westeros watched the dailies every week. He must have noticed her during that process.
However, after receiving the invitation and hesitating only briefly, Valeria Golino had come anyway.
After all, men liked beautiful women, and likewise, women liked handsome men. A guy like Simon Westeros handsome, brilliant, young, and wealthy was hardly likely to provoke any aversion in a woman.
Hearing Simon Westeros mention Batman, Valeria's anxious heart immediately settled.
So it really is about work.
And it was the one thing the entire Hollywood was eagerly anticipating.
Yet, she inexplicably felt a twinge of something—disappointment, or perhaps something else.
After a dazed moment, feeling Simon Westeros patient gaze, Valeria quickly snapped back to reality and shook her head honestly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Westeros, I haven't read Batman. I grew up in Italy."
Simon simply nodded and asked another question, "Do you have any other film commitments at the moment?"
Valeria thought of the lead role in Torrents of Spring, a period epic Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski had been preparing for two years, which she was close to finalizing. After a slight hesitation, she decisively shook her head. "No."
"Here's the thing," Simon continued without further inquiry, "I saw your performance in Rain Man, as well as clips from your previous films. It's very impressive. So, I'd like to invite you to play the female lead in Batman. What do you think?"
Remembering the highly publicized auditions for the Batman male lead by Daenerys Pictures, Valeria instinctively asked, "Don't I need to audition?"
"I said, I've already seen your acting."
"Then, Mr. Westeros," Valeria asked again, "what kind of role would I be playing?"
"Catwoman," Simon said. "Do you know her?"
As a popular anti-heroine who appeared in the very first issue of Batman back in the day, even though she hadn't read the comics, Valeria Golino had heard of her. Recalling what she knew about Catwoman, Valeria nodded. "Selina Kyle."
"That's right, Selina Kyle," Simon confirmed. "If you decide to take the role, you can read some comics beforehand. However, Catwoman's origin story and details in the DC comics are quite messy. So, ultimately, you'll need to interpret the character based on my script."
European actresses often struggled in Hollywood's inherently insular industry. Remembering the young man's miraculous directorial track record, Valeria didn't hesitate further. "Mr. Westeros, so, what happens next?"
Simon smiled. "Do you know why I chose you?"
Valeria was taken aback for a second, then shook her head.
"Your acting skills are excellent, which is crucial because the Selina Kyle I want isn't a role just any actress can handle well. I confirmed you for this role only after repeatedly watching the Rain Man dailies. You're younger than Cruise and Hoffman, but in the footage, you exhibit an almost maternal, calming power. You can soothe the two internally agitated protagonists. Bruce Wayne in Batman is a character with childhood trauma. Though incredibly capable, he is ultimately just a man. He gets hurt fighting crime and also needs solace. So, I hope you can retain this quality from Rain Man when shaping the Catwoman character."
After saying this, Simon looked again at Valeria Golino, whose face still held a girlish charm. "Also, you're only twenty-two, which is also very important. Selina Kyle is an agile female thief. In the comics, she has a gymnastics background and is proficient in combat. To play this role, the actress must undergo fairly intense physical and combat training. Older actresses often struggle with this, but it shouldn't be a big problem for you. Of course, the process will definitely be very tough. Are you willing?"
Valeria didn't hesitate, nodding several times like a chick pecking at grain. Realizing her eagerness might seem too obvious, she immediately felt a bit embarrassed.
Simon, of course, didn't mind. He continued, "Also, while I quite like your accent when you speak, North American audiences would have a hard time accepting Catwoman with an Italian lilt. So, for the next six months, besides physical training, you'll also need accent lessons."
Valeria showed surprise this time. "Six months?"
"Yes, six months," Simon nodded. "That's also what I was about to say. If you agree to take the role, we'll sign the contract by the end of this month. Then, for the next year, you probably won't be able to take on any other film commitments."
It was common in Hollywood to spend one or two years preparing for a single role. Valeria quickly realized that the female lead in a Simon West film was completely worth that time investment. She also couldn't imagine a better opportunity in Hollywood.
"No problem, Mr. Westeros," Valeria nodded promptly after understanding this. "Can I see the script first?"
"The script is still being revised. And, for absolute secrecy, even the male lead won't see the complete script before filming begins," Simon refused, shaking his head. "It's not about distrusting any of you. But in this industry, there are always people who will go to any lengths to get such scoops. It's hard for you to guard against."
Valeria showed understanding, then wasn't sure what else to say. Her light-colored eyes glanced at Simon, then quickly darted away. She actually wanted to ask about the salary but knew it was best left to her agent to negotiate.
Noticing Valeria's shifting expressions, Simon just smiled. "That's all for now. We'll contact WMA regarding the next steps. You can head back first."
Valeria stood up, politely stepped forward to shake Simon's hand again, and left the office. Arriving at the parking lot, she still felt like she was dreaming.
The female lead in Simon West's new film. And a super-production like Batman.
Obtained so easily.
Those actresses at the agency who always mock me for being an outsider will surely be green with envy now.
Feeling an irrepressible excitement coursing through her, Valeria didn't get in the car immediately. She walked to a nearby phone booth and dialed a number.
It was past business hours on the East Coast. After the call was transferred through a hotel in Manhattan, it reached her agent.
Her agent, far away on the East Coast, clearly over-excited upon hearing her news, babbled somewhat incoherently, telling her to stay put—he'd fly back from New York right away.
Hanging up, Valeria's excitement subsided slightly, but she couldn't help thinking back to her meeting with Simon Westeros.
Strangely, she felt a pang of regret again.
He said he liked my accent, but unfortunately, he didn't make any other move.
What an elusive guy.
Simon had been so swamped lately he simply didn't have the mental space for other thoughts. After concluding his meeting with Valeria Golino, he hurried off to the newly restructured and integrated Daenerys Visual Effects company.
With important evening plans, Simon returned to the Malibu mansion around 5:30 PM.
Inside the villa, Simon called out a few times after entering but got no response. After searching briefly, he found Janet in the sea-facing studio. The woman was intently standing by an easel, painting a new piece.
The canvas depicted a beautiful seascape with azure skies, somewhat resembling the Malibu ocean view outside the floor-to-ceiling window. However, between the sea and sky stretched a long, spiraling staircase. On the narrow steps, all sorts of strangely shaped figures were either climbing upwards or rushing downwards, appearing frantic and disordered. Some were even colliding and falling off the stairs.
Janet dabbled in many artistic styles, but her favorite was this kind of bizarre, surrealistic style, probably due to her personality.
Simon quietly stood behind her without disturbing her. Janet didn't greet him either. After about ten minutes of silence, the woman finally set down her brush, turned, and asked Simon, "What do you think?"
Simon stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her waist, and studied the painting. "A deep-rooted human contradiction: those in hell yearn for heaven, those in heaven think hell might not be so bad either. So most people spend their lives on the journey, risking everything, even shattering to pieces."
Janet smiled, pecked Simon on the cheek, then slipped out of his embrace. "Help me clean up. I'll go change."
With considerable wealth, Janet was the type who firmly believed in enjoying life. She'd once entertained the idea of selling paintings to make a living, but after being with Simon, that thought gradually faded, treating it purely as a hobby. The woman now primarily managed the Simon & Janet Westeros Foundation they established and acted as Simon's personal shopper/property manager for his various acquisitions.
The evening plan was to attend the media preview screening of Basic Instinct.
With the film's release a month away, holding a preview this early was somewhat unusual. However, the promotional strategy discussed by Daenerys Pictures and Fox was to leverage the film's highly controversial nature to stir public interest and curiosity.
In his original timeline, Basic Instinct first appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, sparking intense controversy. But this time, the film wasn't finished before Cannes, so they had to resort to this early preview method. Fox had specifically invited a large number of prominent film critics from both American coasts to Los Angeles for this screening, expecting the impact to be no less than a Cannes premiere.
The screening started at 7 PM.
Since Dqaenerys Pictures owned half the rights to Basic Instinct, Simon's attention to this film exceeded even that for the currently hot Pulp Fiction.
Simon himself didn't plan to change clothes. After helping Janet tidy up the art supplies, he left the studio.
Janet soon changed into a fitted pale pink gown, her fair neck adorned with a perfectly matched pearl necklace, white high heels on her feet, a clutch in hand. Emerging from the walk-in closet, she handed Simon a folder. "The detective agency's investigation report on Sophia Fey. Delivered this afternoon. A very interesting woman. You can read it on the way."