章 132: Chapter 132: Someone's Got Connections
"Luca, what's up? Is Mr. Cruz unhappy with the script?"
On the streets outside Beverly Hills, Ed slowly drove away. In the rearview mirror, Luca frowned, looking a bit troubled, which made Ed a little puzzled.
Luca shook his head. "He's very satisfied. Mr. Cruz agreed to take the script and even invited me to be the executive writer."
"But you don't seem happy," Ed hesitated.
Luca forced a smile and said, "It's just something I didn't quite understand. When I was leaving, Mr. Cruz brought something up."
*Ring, ring~*
Just then, the phone rang.
"We'll talk later!" Ed stopped the car and answered the phone.
"Hello, Mr. Michaels? The audition went through? Great, great! We'll be there soon to sign the contract. Bye!"
"How strange," Ed muttered while holding the phone.
"What's strange?"
"Haha, Luca, I've got good news for you. Don't get too excited."
Ed turned and smiled.
"What is it?"
Luca gave a faint smile.
"The *Mean Girls* crew just called to say you landed the role of Aaron. Huh, why aren't you excited?"
Ed asked in surprise.
Luca smiled slightly, "I kind of saw it coming, just didn't expect Tom Cruise's words to be this effective."
"Tom Cruise? What does this have to do with him?"
Ed looked confused.
Luca shrugged. "Mr. Cruz was really pleased with my script. As we were leaving, he asked about the audition, then had his assistant call someone named Adam. From that call until now, it's been less than twenty minutes, and Paramount moved fast."
"Mr. Cruz helped you get the role?"
Ed frowned, rubbing his chin, giving Luca a strange look.
"What are you looking at?"
Luca wasn't pleased with his expression. "You asked why I wasn't happy earlier, right? It's because of this. I don't understand why Tom Cruise would help me land the role."
"Why overthink this?"
Ed chuckled.
"Isn't it worth thinking about? There's no such thing as free favors in this world, and money doesn't just fall from the sky. Tom Cruise, a huge star, suddenly helps me out. Isn't that suspicious?"
"Suspicious?"
Ed shook his head. "Luca, you're only twenty-one, but you act like an old man—always overanalyzing. It's not very cool."
"Is it wrong to be more thoughtful?"
"Being thoughtful is fine, but you can't always assume the worst."
Ed released the handbrake, and the car slowly started again. He looked at the road ahead and said, "You just mentioned that Mr. Cruz liked your script. That's something I could have predicted.
"For days, you've been locked in that hotel room working on it, staying up late every night with no leisure time. I've read the script too. Even if you handed it to any random director, it'd make a great movie.
"This shows you've got talent—not just as an actor but as a writer and director too.
"Mr. Cruz saw your talent, your hard work, and your sincerity. He was moved and decided to help you out. That's something you earned through effort, and there's no need to overthink it."
Luca leaned against the car window, thinking to himself. Could that really be the reason? Tom Cruise seemed like a good guy—easygoing and approachable—but his connection to a certain religious group made people wary of getting too close.
"Luca, to us, landing Aaron's role is a big deal, but for Mr. Cruz, it's a small favor—just a few words."
Luca rubbed his forehead, realizing that made sense. Cruz only had his assistant make a call to Adam, and it was done. It must not have been hard at all.
"Ed, who is Adam?"
"Probably Sherry Lansing's assistant."
"Sherry Lansing? I see."
Sherry Lansing is the current CEO of Paramount Pictures and the first woman in Hollywood history to head one of the big eight film studios.
In 1992, she became Paramount's top executive, and since then, Paramount had strengthened its collaboration with Tom Cruise and his production company.
In 2005, when Sherry Lansing left Paramount, Tom Cruise also parted ways with the studio.
According to the news, Lansing's thirteen years at Paramount were her most glorious, as well as Tom Cruise's last golden years—and the most profitable era for Paramount.
The three of them helped each other succeed.
With a connection like that, it would be effortless for Tom Cruise to get a small role at Paramount.
"So enviable,"
Luca muttered, stroking his chin.
"What's enviable?"
"Being a big star comes with perks."
"No need to envy them. You'll be a big star someday too."
"Of course!"
Luca smiled. "Ed, you'll need to handle the negotiations for the script buyout and the acting contract. Looks like you'll be staying in LA for a few more days."
"That's part of my job."
Ed shrugged and remembered something.
"Luca, I've sorted out the assistant situation. There are three good candidates. Once we're back in New York, you can pick one."
"Great!"
*Ring, ring~*
Luca's phone rang. Seeing the number, he raised his voice and smiled, "Good afternoon, Director Forster. Got any good news for me?"
"Haha, Luca, looks like you already know. Congratulations!"
Director Marc Forster of *Mean Girls* laughed on the phone.
"Thanks!"
"Luca, the producer just informed me that you've been recast as the male lead. I'm really surprised. In just one day, you got back the role that should've been yours. Unbelievable! I'm curious, how did you pull that off?"
Luca raised an eyebrow. This guy was fishing for information.
Of course, he couldn't tell the truth. If he did, how could he keep up the mystery? Being mysterious had its benefits.
"I didn't expect it either. Must've been a miracle."
"Haha, yes, a miracle. Thanks to the miracle."
Director Forster sounded a bit disappointed.
Luca chuckled to himself. "Director Forster, besides the miracle, I should also thank you for your support. Without you, I doubt I'd have gotten the role."
"Haha, you earned it."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Luca hung up and sent a message to another director, Billie Woodruff, informing him that he'd landed the role.
*Ding*
Billie quickly replied, congratulating him, and mentioned that *Honey* was wrapping up soon, asking if Luca could attend the wrap party.
Luca thought for a moment. The script for *Step Up* was finished, and he could show it to Billie. Attending the party seemed like a good idea.
"Sure, I'll be there. Time, place, and will there be pretty girls?"
"Haha, of course!"
(End of chapter)
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