Thursday, January 19, 2023
8:14 p.m.
Owen was at Jenna's apartment. It was already night, and they had finished dinner a few minutes earlier.
He had made the pizzas he had promised her weeks before. He'd taken a bit longer than planned, that was true. Their dates, if they could even be called that, were hard to coordinate, even though they lived in the same building. Their schedules didn't help much.
But that wasn't a problem for either of them. They both liked letting things move slowly. They preferred to get to know each other well, without rushing anything.
They knew that, generally speaking, when relationships accelerate too quickly, it's easier to make mistakes.
That was why they were still in that undefined stage: getting to know each other, spending time together, nothing official. In practice, even though it hadn't been said out loud, they also weren't seeing or trying to meet other people.
Their attention was already focused on each other.
During dinner, they had caught up.
Owen told her about the rehearsals he'd had over the past few days. There hadn't been many, just four, but they had gone really well. The casting had turned out excellent, not only in terms of acting level, but also in camaraderie and professionalism.
Much more than Owen had expected at first.
Bryan Cranston was a true gentleman: kind, polite, well-mannered. Despite his career, many years in theater and a very high acting level, he was a generous colleague. He felt like a mentor, the role suited him perfectly. He and Owen had connected immediately, they practiced scenes together naturally, as if they had been working side by side for much longer.
Then there was Emma Watson. She wasn't how Owen had imagined her.
He had always thought of her as very serious, almost solemn, and extremely reserved, closer to Jenna's profile.
And, in part, she was: disciplined, very rigorous with her work, and extremely selective about her projects. Her filmography made that clear, she didn't accept just anything or work on autopilot. It was also obvious that she was intelligent.
She had graduated in 2014 with a degree in English Literature and, and now had begun a master's degree in Creative Writing at the University of Oxford.
But the difference was in her energy.
Emma was much more expressive and spontaneous. She had a playful sense of humor. She liked joking around, even trolling a little.
And when she got excited talking about a scene or her character, she spoke so fast that she would sometimes trip over her own words, laugh, and then pick up the idea again from another angle.
She was very different from Owen's constant calm and also very different from Jenna's quiet restraint.
Then there was Jacob.
Owen hadn't been wrong. His research had been solid.
He had chosen him, first of all, almost instinctively: Jacob gave off that same vibe Ben Affleck had in the original film of Owen's first life, in the role of Chuckie. He was tall, even physically similar, short hair, a defined jawline. There was something about his presence that immediately evoked that archetype.
That was one reason. The other was his acting potential.
Owen wasn't particularly a fan of Jacob's filmography up to that point. The Kissing Booth, where Jacob was the lead, seemed to him like a failed movie in almost every aspect: script, direction and performances. There was nothing there he found defensible.
In Euphoria, although it also wasn't a series Owen admired much, he was critical of the plot and several narrative decisions, he started to see something different. Some clips showed him a slightly wider range, a clear evolution compared to earlier work.
That reminded him of a very specific case: Robert Pattinson.
He did Twilight, which, honestly, Owen considered on par with The Kissing Booth in terms of script and acting. Yet when Pattinson began choosing projects with intention, it became clear that his acting level was strong: Tenet in 2020, The Lighthouse in 2019, among others.
But what finally convinced him were leaked fragments of Priscilla, the biographical drama directed by Sofia Coppola, based on the memoir Elvis and Priscilla Presley.
In it, Jacob played Elvis. Beyond the iconic nature of the character, it was a dramatic role. That's when it became clear to Owen that Jacob was trying to break out of that mold.
With all of that in mind, Owen decided to include him on the shortlist.
At the audition, Jacob sealed the deal for everyone. His reading with Owen was solid, the improvisation natural, and his level of commitment was evident from the very first moment.
Owen, in fact, didn't intervene beyond putting together that initial shortlist, which included two of his own choices and three proposed by Derek. The final decision belonged to Derek. Owen didn't tip the scales or actively champion anyone.
Derek chose Jacob.
And now, after four rehearsals, both Derek and Owen were even more convinced that it had been the right choice.
It was true that he had been the most expensive option. His popularity from Euphoria and The Kissing Booth pushed his fee about a hundred thousand dollars above the other candidates.
Even so, it wasn't excessive. Jacob understood that this was an independent production and a supporting role, and he didn't ask for an absurd figure.
Besides, his attitude more than made up for it.
In those first rehearsals, he showed real commitment, preparation, and a genuine desire to work. That's why, even with the additional cost, the choice had been worth it.
On a personal level, he surprised Owen. He had expected someone with a bit of a star attitude, but it was the opposite. Jacob was down-to-earth. He listened, was respectful, and a good teammate. Between him and Owen, a very natural masculine chemistry formed quickly, both within the characters and outside of rehearsals.
Owen looked a bit deeper into Jacob's background and understood where that attitude came from.
Jacob came from a close-knit Australian working-class family, according to what he found online. That environment explained a lot.
In that sense, it felt familiar to him: a mother who had always supported him, and a solid inner circle. A different economic reality compared to the Ashfords, of course, but an emotional structure similar to Owen's.
That kind of upbringing, the education you get at home, showed on set.
Then there was the issue that had worried Owen the most: Ethan Hawke as Professor Lambeau.
Especially because it was obvious that he had lost the main mentor role to Cranston, and that it had been Owen who tipped the balance. Ethan was an actor with enormous experience, and that also implied pride. Owen had doubts. He didn't want unnecessary tension on set.
He ultimately accepted Derek's suggestion because it was well argued. And when he imagined Hawke as Lambeau, the character immediately clicked in his mind. If the salary was reasonable, it was worth taking the risk.
Besides, Derek had promised him that Ethan was professional and wouldn't cause problems.
In the end, Derek was right.
Ethan behaved impeccably. He was very enthusiastic about the project, even knowing that his role was less central than the mentor's. He approached it with seriousness and commitment.
The rehearsals between Ethan and Cranston were excellent. Both came from theater and decades of experience in the industry, and it showed. They understood each other quickly, worked with mutual respect, and against all expectations, got along very well.
The same happened with Owen. The scenes they rehearsed together worked.
As for Will's group of friends, just as he had envisioned, Owen cast Gaten in the role of Morgan O'Malley, one of the friends in the group. In the original film, that role had been played by Casey Affleck.
Gaten couldn't believe it.
Owen literally offered him the role outright, without a formal audition. He only had to demonstrate his acting level in a meeting of about thirty minutes, reading scenes with Owen. Derek and Lianne agreed once they saw how solid he was.
The salary was something Gaten wasn't used to: $80,000. For a supporting role in an indie production, it was a very solid figure.
The last key friend in the group, there were four in total including Will, went to Caleb McLaughlin. He would play Billy McBride, the character who, in the original version from Owen's previous world, had been played by Cole Hauser.
Yes, Caleb. The same one who, in another reality, would have been Lucas in Stranger Things. But in this one, the series didn't exist, and his career had been more complicated. Even so, he landed the role after a competitive process: more than ten applicants, and it was Francine, the casting director, who ultimately leaned in his favor.
Owen couldn't believe he had Gaten and Caleb in the same movie. Though, of course, no one else knew that the two already had a natural chemistry. Only Owen was aware of that.
For all these reasons, Owen couldn't have been more satisfied with the casting. It was the first time he had run such an extensive casting process, and it had gone extremely well.
Everyone was committed, performed at a high level, arrived early to rehearsals, and worked with seriousness.
Every piece was exactly where it needed to be.
'Should I become a casting director?' Owen thought, resting a hand on his chin.
He was sitting on the couch in Jenna's living room. In front of him, a large television was paused on Netflix's red logo.
They were about to watch a movie she had chosen and was eager for Owen to see. Jenna was in the kitchen making popcorn.
When Owen had told her everything about the casting and the rehearsals, Jenna hadn't taken long to notice it: in the end, most of the choices he had proposed had ended up getting the roles: Cranston, Emma, and Jacob.
Of the four most important roles, the mentor, the professor, the love interest, and the best friend, three had been his picks. All of them had ultimately solidified and convinced Derek, who was now more than happy in rehearsals, fully enjoying directing.
"You seriously didn't help me make the popcorn. So lazy," Jenna said as she appeared in the living room, holding the bowl with both hands.
She set it down on the coffee table and sat beside him, very close.
Owen pushed those thoughts aside and looked at her. "I'm tired," he justified himself. "It was a long day of rehearsals. And I remind you that I made the pizzas, I kneaded a lot."
"Oh, of course," Jenna replied, with obvious sarcasm. "Because kneading is extremely difficult. It takes an enormous amount of energy."
Owen put on an offended expression. "Then next time I'll just order pizza for delivery."
Jenna laughed softly and leaned toward him. "I'm just kidding," she said, moving closer to his lips. "Your pizzas were delicious."
She kissed him gently, then pulled back a few inches and added in a low voice, "Next time I want you to make them again. No delivery."
"Thanks, it's good to know my pizzas are being appreciated," Owen said, smiling as he leaned in to kiss her again.
This time the kiss lasted longer, and Owen slowly increased the intensity. At one point, his hand rested on Jenna's thigh, beginning to slide upward.
"Owen…" Jenna whispered as he kissed her neck.
"What?" Owen asked, without pulling away.
Jenna took a few seconds to respond, as if she needed to gather a bit of discipline first. She placed a hand on his chest and gently pushed him back, just enough to create space between them.
"We have to watch the movie," she said at last. "The popcorn is going to get cold."
Owen pulled back slowly, resigned but amused. "Yeah, you're right," he admitted.
It had been almost twenty days since the last time Owen had had sex. Yes, things were moving slowly, but not that slowly, so why not?
He wasn't a Shaolin monk, and doing it again after so long wouldn't suddenly make the relationship accelerate abruptly, after all, they had already done it before.
"After the movie we can go to my bedroom," Jenna said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You've earned it, working so hard on pre-production and the pizzas."
Owen smiled and looked at her. "Hey, don't say it like I'm the only one who wants to. Though I accept, and now you can't take it back."
Jenna laughed, rolling her eyes. "But you'll have to give me a good critique of the movie. No turning your brain off while watching it, and no falling asleep. I'll be paying attention."
"So demanding, but I accept," Owen said.
Jenna grabbed the remote, settled in beside him, and rested her head on his shoulder. Owen wrapped an arm around her as the movie began.
Two hours and twenty-five minutes later, the movie ended.
Owen had liked it. At first, he paid attention to honor Jenna's clause, but as the minutes went by, he genuinely got into it. When it was over, they spent a few minutes talking about it.
Jenna seemed satisfied with his analysis. So it was time to honor the deal.
But just then, a question crossed Owen's mind. "How many movies of yours are coming out this year?" he asked, and by yours, he meant films she was acting in.
Jenna, who was already about to get up and head to her bedroom, perhaps a bit more eager than he was, paused briefly and answered without hesitation. "Three. Scream 6, The Spectacular Now, and Finestkind. In that order."
Scream 6 would be released on March 10, 2023. The Spectacular Now would come out at the end of that same month. Finestkind, an independent project she had filmed before the Wednesday boom, would be released in September, straight to streaming.
Owen nodded. Three releases weren't unusual. Jacob, for example, had four that year: Priscilla, Saltburn, The Sweet East, and Good Will Hunting.
It was normal. Many films had very long post-production processes or ended up waiting for distribution. Sometimes they were shot years apart and still landed on the same calendar.
"And you?" Jenna asked, though she immediately answered herself. "The Spectacular Now, Good Will Hunting, and Hunger Games."
"Correct," Owen said, nodding.
For now, he was only actively in the process of Good Will Hunting. But he didn't face the usual bottlenecks of the film industry, his process was much faster than average.
So it was almost certain another project would come along. On top of that, Lights Out had already been in pre-production for a few months.
"Although I could've had four," Jenna commented.
"Hm? What do you mean?" Owen asked.
Jenna hesitated slightly before answering. "When I auditioned for The Spectacular Now, it overlapped with another role they also wanted me for. And my chances were pretty high."
"Oh…" Owen said, immediately paying attention. "But you chose The Spectacular Now. What was the other movie?"
Jenna looked at him, hesitant, as if weighing whether to say it or not. "Miller's Girl," she finally replied. "It had almost the same budget."
"And why didn't you choose it?" Owen asked.
She looked at him as if the answer were obvious. "Because I liked the script for The Spectacular Now more. Hello?"
"Yeah, that's obvious," Owen conceded. "But, what was the other one about? Now you've made me curious."
Jenna hesitated again. "It was a psychological thriller… with a pretty strong erotic element."
Owen fell silent, looking at her seriously, as if he needed to make sure he'd heard correctly. "Seriously?"
Jenna nodded.
"Do you have the PDF of the scenes they sent you?" Owen asked. "I'd like to read them."
"Why?" Jenna replied, crossing her arms.
"Because I can't picture you accepting something like that," Owen said. "I want to know what kind of scenes it had. Otherwise, I'm going to think you're messing with me and that movie never even existed."
He said the last part half-jokingly, but with enough insistence to make it clear he was serious.
Jenna sighed. "Fine," she gave in.
She grabbed her phone, searched through her files, opened a PDF, and handed it to Owen, almost tossing it at him. "Read fast, and then we're going to my bedroom," she ordered.
'What a temperament,' Owen thought as he took the phone and started reading.
Owen read for about five minutes. And the more he read, the less he understood how Jenna could have been on the verge of accepting.
The scenes were clearly erotic and, worse still, revolved around a professor-student relationship. It was clearly a morbid subject, even though the character was already 18 and in her senior year, so she was "old enough."
Even so, the difference was striking, the professor was over forty.
He stopped reading and looked at Jenna. "Were you really about to accept this?" he asked, in a more serious tone.
He had thought that if Jenna had considered a film with a more erotic charge than usual, it was because the script must be exceptional. Something uncomfortable but necessary. Something worthwhile.
But from what he read, it didn't seem like a profound work. It was, rather, a film built around sexualization and provocation, designed to generate controversy and morbid curiosity. And if she had accepted it, especially after the Wednesday boom, the public reaction would have been fierce.
"Yes," Jenna replied, almost offended, "I didn't want to remain stuck in juvenile roles."
She crossed her arms. "If accepting that movie meant breaking away from that childish, teen image once and for all, I would have done it."
Then her tone changed. It softened, almost grateful. "But luckily, A24 came along with your script. At the time, I had no idea Wednesday was going to be so big. So luckily, The Spectacular Now came along."
Owen fell silent, nodding slowly. He understood her logic.
The choice, seen in perspective, was obvious. The Spectacular Now was an A24 production. A coming-of-age film without being provocative. There was intimacy, but no sexualization.
For someone who would end up connecting so strongly with audiences and becoming mainstream, that film was infinitely more suitable.
Of course, Jenna didn't know then the impact Wednesday would have.
And even so, it wouldn't have been the first time a young actress considered a shock role right after adolescence. Not to please, but to redefine herself, to escape being typecast. Many did it when they weren't yet flooded with offers, when options were limited.
If A24 hadn't come along with The Spectacular Now, that might have been the only door open.
"I'm sorry if my tone sounded judgmental," Owen said after a few seconds, sincerely. "There are always reasons to accept roles we don't like."
He'd rushed. And besides, he was an actor. He knew perfectly how it all worked. Sometimes you didn't choose from comfort, but from necessity. Because there were bills to pay, because you wanted to break out of a box, or simply because there was no other option on the table.
There were plenty of examples. Jacob. Gaten. Robert Pattinson. And so many others who had had to go through that same process before being able to choose freely.
Jenna looked at him for a few seconds and then smiled, without a trace of annoyance. "It's okay," she said softly. "I get it."
She gave a small shrug. "You're lucky, or rather, skilled," she added. "You can create your own scripts. Not all of us have that option."
Owen nodded, accepting the point, though inwardly he didn't think the same. 'More luck from having reincarnated into a world without the films from my past life…' he thought, without saying it aloud.
Jenna took a deep breath, as if closing the topic. "But let's stop talking about this."
She stood up from the couch, held out her hand, and looked at him with a bright smile. "Now we're going to my bedroom. We have a deal to fulfill."
Owen took her hand without hesitation and stood up. "That's far more appealing than discussing actors' problems."
And so the night passed, and the next day Owen woke up early. He had a flight to Utah and needed to attend the first official screening of the Sundance short film blocks.
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