Good news came faster than expected.
On the third day after the audition, Rob called, his voice so excited it almost cracked.
"Cass! Congratulations! Fandral is yours! Marvel just sent the official notification! We got the ticket to Asgard!"
Cassius gripped his phone, finally feeling a weight lift off his chest.
Although confident in his audition performance, there were too many variables in Hollywood. No one dared to guarantee anything until the last moment.
"That's great!"
His tone was relatively calm, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help curving upward.
"I knew it! Director Branagh personally approved it! Feedback from the casting department was also excellent, saying you left a deep impression on them!"
Rob excitedly started planning on the other end.
"I'll finalize the contract details with them immediately. The pay definitely won't be shabby..."
"By the way, you're scheduled to join the crew next Monday. Filming starts with interior scenes at the studio in LA."
"Prepare well these next few days. Marvel sets have a lot of rules..."
Hanging up the phone, Cassius immediately told Kristen the news.
She was helping Cassius spread Lao Gan Ma on toast!
Weird Oriental cuisine!
But after tasting it, she fell in love too!
Hearing the good news, Kristen put down the toast and rushed over to give Cassius a solid hug.
"Yes! I knew you could do it! We celebrate tonight! Must celebrate!"
Cassius felt warm inside seeing her happier than he was.
Over the next few days, with Rob's assistance, Cassius quickly finalized the contract.
The pay was even more substantial than he expected.
After all, it was a Marvel project. Even a supporting role was enough to make the numbers in his account jump up another notch.
Following the list Rob gave him, he prepared some daily necessities he might need on set and went over Fandral's scenes and background information again and again, ensuring he could get into character at any time.
Monday morning.
Cassius arrived at the Marvel soundstage at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach as notified.
The venue was huge.
Like an industrial warehouse, divided into different zones inside.
People came and went.
Various equipment and set materials were piled everywhere, and the air smelled of paint.
He registered at the entrance, received a temporary pass, and was guided by an on-set assistant to Area A, where the Thor crew was located.
Along the way, he saw many extras dressed in Asgardian costumes and workers busy building palace sets.
The oppressive feeling unique to grand productions hit him in the face.
"This way, Mr. Cass. I'll take you to the makeup room for a fitting first."
The assistant was a young guy, very polite.
Cassius followed him through the slightly cluttered corridor to an area marked "Key Cast Makeup."
The door was open, and makeup artists were already preparing equipment inside.
Just then!
The door of another makeup room nearby was pushed open violently!
A person walked out, nearly colliding with Cassius.
Both stopped at the same time.
It was Joshua Dallas.
He already had part of his makeup on, the long blonde wig not yet fully secured. He wore a tunic similar to the one at the audition, looking completely like Fandral.
Seeing Cassius, he was obviously stunned, then his face darkened, his eyes filled with unconcealed hostility.
"It's you!"
Joshua's voice was stiff.
"Mr. Dallas."
Cassius nodded as a greeting.
He could see the favorability score above the other guy's head had dropped to [-35].
Joshua looked Cassius up and down, curled his lip, and sneered.
"Seems some people don't need to rely on talent. Just have a pretty face, climb on a high branch, and you can get any role you want."
"Hollywood is getting fairer by the day!"
The remark was sarcastic, implying Cassius used his relationship with Kristen to get into the cast through the back door.
The young assistant leading the way looked awkward, standing aside and daring not to speak.
Cassius frowned.
He knew people who lost out would be upset, but he didn't expect the other party to attack so directly.
Cassius initially didn't want to engage, but this was clearly a personal attack.
Why endure it?
If pushed, he might just throw hands!
Cassius looked at him, his tone calm but his eyes cold.
"Mr. Dallas, I don't quite understand what you mean. Casting is the decision of the director and producers. I believe they make judgments based on whether the actor fits the role."
"Fits? Hah!"
Joshua acted like he heard the biggest joke.
"I prepared three months for this role! Researched Norse mythology, practiced swordsmanship for three months!"
"During the audition, Director Branagh personally said my performance was very good!"
"If someone hadn't used underhanded means, how could this role fall into your hands?"
He got more agitated as he spoke, his voice getting louder, attracting the attention of several nearby staff members who quietly looked over.
"I don't think I need to be responsible for you not getting selected!"
Cassius's tone hardened a few degrees.
"If you have objections to the casting result, you should go to the casting director or producers, instead of making groundless accusations against me here."
"Groundless accusations?"
Joshua stepped closer, almost sticking to Cassius's face. Being slightly taller than Cassius, he tried to use his height to create pressure.
"Dare you say your relationship with Kristen Stewart didn't help? Dare you say Director Branagh didn't give you bonus points for her sake?"
Before Cassius could respond, Joshua seemed to be swept away by his own anger. He suddenly turned to the growing number of staff around them, raising his voice even higher, almost shouting.
"I don't accept it! I don't just refuse to accept him! I refuse to accept this decision!"
He waved his arm towards the director's office.
"Director Branagh? The casting team? I think their vision and professional judgment have gone to the dogs! They don't understand what a true Fandral is! They only bow to traffic and buzz!"
As soon as these words came out, the entire corridor instantly became quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
All whispering stopped.
The expressions on the staff's faces changed from watching the drama to shock and a hint of disgust.
In Hollywood, especially on a strictly hierarchical set like Marvel's, publicly accusing the director and casting team was practically career suicide.
The young assistant leading the way turned pale and subconsciously took a step back, as if wanting to distance himself from Joshua.
Cassius was also stunned. He didn't expect Joshua to be stupid enough to target the directing team directly.
His original annoyance dissipated, leaving only a sense of absurdity. This guy was a self-destructing truck.
"Joshua! Watch your words!"
An authoritative voice rang out from behind the crowd.
Casting Director Sarah Finn had walked over at some point, her face ashen.
Behind her followed a production assistant.
Clearly, the commotion here had alerted the higher-ups.
Sarah Finn's gaze swept over Joshua.
"The casting decision was made jointly by the director, myself, and the producers, based on a professional assessment of the actors' comprehensive qualities and fit for the role."
"Your questioning is an insult to the professionalism of our entire team!"
The moment Sarah Finn appeared, Joshua's arrogance shrank by half. But the words were already out; he was riding a tiger and couldn't get off. He could only tough it out, though his voice clearly lacked confidence.
"I just think it's unfair! My preparation was more thorough! My image is closer too!"
"Thorough? Closer?"
Sarah Finn repeated, her tone cold as ice.
"Do you think a true Asgardian warrior would lose his composure and roar in public like you are now, gracefully slandering his competitor and the production's decision-makers?"
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding crowd, every word clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"An actor's character is also an important part of casting considerations!"
"It seems our decision was very correct. Not only are you unsuitable for Fandral, but your behavior will also make you need to carefully weigh your reputation when working with other crews in the future!"
These words were like a public execution.
Joshua's face instantly turned from red to white, then from white to green.
He opened his mouth but found he couldn't say a single word.
The gazes around him changed from initial sympathy or curiosity to clear disdain and alienation.
He knew Sarah Finn's words had practically branded him as "difficult to work with" and "unprofessional" in this Hollywood circle.
"Now please leave the set area!"
Sarah Finn issued an ultimatum, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"I will truthfully inform Director Branagh and the producers of your behavior. As for the follow-up, your agent will be notified."
Joshua stumbled as if all his strength had been drained.
He didn't dare look at Cassius again, nor anyone around him. Shame and panic drowned him.
He lowered his head and almost fled, walking quickly through the corridor under everyone's silent gaze, disappearing around the corner.
Only then did Sarah Finn turn to Cassius, her expression softening considerably.
"Cass, I'm very sorry you had to witness such an unpleasant scene. Please believe in our professional judgment. You won this role based on your ability!"
She patted Cassius's arm.
"Go get ready. Don't let this little episode affect you. The director is looking forward to your performance."
"Thank you, Ms. Finn. I won't let it affect me."
Cassius bowed slightly, his tone calm and respectful.