Simon gestured to Valeria Golino to wait, picked up the phone, and said, "Jon, what's up?"
On the other end of the line, Jonathan Friedman had already heard the news about Daenerys Pictures conducting surprise drug tests on the final ten candidates for the lead role in 'Batman', and he called to intercede.
After patiently listening to Jonathan Friedman, Simon's tone left little room for negotiation. He said, "Jon, before casting began, Daenerys Pictures specifically warned them that if they couldn't keep themselves clean during the casting period, I really don't see any reason to give them a chance… I know this kind of thing is very common in Hollywood, but that's just how the world is.
Big-name A-listers who have already achieved success can freely shuttle between the Bedford Treatment Center and movie sets, they can be so high that they shoot anti-drug PSAs, but these guys can't. They are just small fries, and small fries should know their place, so, I am very sorry… Valerie, she has arrived, and she is sitting across from me… Well, talk to you later, goodbye".
After hanging up the phone, Simon looked at Valeria Golino across from him.
The Italian actress, with her beautiful curly hair and light, cat-like eyes, was only twenty-two years old this year, but her acting resume was by no means simple.
Two years ago, Valeria Golino won the Best Actress Award at the 43rd Venice Film Festival for the Italian film 'Love Story'.
However, in the original timeline, apart from the female lead in 'Rain Man', Valeria Golino did not appear in many other well-known films, and even her breakthrough film 'Love Story' was just a little-known art-house film.
Simon also remembered some gossip about Valeria Golino competing with Julia Roberts for the female lead in 'Pretty Woman'; she and Roberts were the final two candidates.
The public reason for this actress's failure to be cast was her non-standard accent, but more internal details remained unknown.
Due to her struggles in Hollywood, this actress, who had a promising start, later returned to the European film scene, much like many other European actresses who failed to make it in Hollywood.
Across the desk, Valeria Golino pressed her hands on the satchel on her lap, patiently waiting for the young man opposite her to observe her for a moment before she softly said, "Mr. Westeros, may I ask, why did you ask me to come here?"
Simon didn't answer; he just asked, "Do you know much about 'Batman'?"
Suddenly receiving an invitation from Simon Westeros, neither her agent nor Jonathan Friedman, the company's vice president who was close to Westeros, knew the reason, and Valeria Golino had been very anxious.
Having been in Hollywood for over a year, Valeria Golino had not received many film offers, but she had heard a lot of gossip.
In the industry, there were many bigwigs who, after taking a liking to a certain actress, would summon them under the guise of discussing work or attending parties, and then certain things would naturally follow.
She had recently starred in 'Rain Man', and it was said that Simon Westeros watched the film every week; he must have noticed her during that process.
However, upon receiving the invitation, Valeria Golino hesitated only briefly before rushing over.
In any case, men like beautiful women, and similarly, women like handsome men.
A man like Simon Westeros, who was handsome, talented, and young and wealthy, certainly wouldn't arouse any dislike from women.
Upon hearing Simon Westeros mention 'Batman', Valeria Golino's previously anxious mood immediately relaxed.
So, there really was serious business.
And it was something the entire Hollywood was eagerly anticipating.
However, a strange emotion, whether it was disappointment or something else, inexplicably arose in her heart.
After a moment of dazed silence, feeling Simon Westeros's patient gaze, Valeria Golino quickly reacted and honestly shook her head, saying, "I'm sorry, Mr. Westeros, I haven't seen 'Batman.' I grew up in Italy".
Simon merely nodded and then asked, "Do you have any other film offers right now?"
Valeria Golino thought of the female lead role in 'Spring of the Torrent', a period epic that Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski had been preparing for two years and was about to be finalized.
After a slight hesitation, she decisively shook her head and said, "No".
"Here's the thing", Simon said, no longer pressing for other questions, "I've seen your performance in 'Rain Man', as well as your acting footage from several previous films, and it's excellent. So, I'd like to invite you to play the female lead in 'Batman.' What do you think?"
Valeria Golino thought of Daenerys Pictures' highly publicized auditions for the male lead of 'Batman' and subconsciously asked, "No audition required?"
"As I said, I've already seen your performance".
"Then, Mr. Westeros", Valeria Golino asked again, "What kind of character will I be playing?"
"Catwoman", Simon said, "Do you know her?"
As a popular anti-heroine character who appeared in the first issue of 'Batman', Valeria Golino had heard of her, even though she hadn't read the comics.
After carefully recalling information about Catwoman, Valeria Golino nodded and said, "Selina Kyle".
"That's right, Selina Kyle", Simon nodded and said, "If you plan to play this role, you can read some comics next. However, Catwoman's origin and other character settings in DC Comics are very chaotic, so you will ultimately need to interpret the character based on my script".
Developing a career in Hollywood, which was inherently exclusionary towards European actresses, was not easy for Valeria Golino.
Thinking of the young man's miraculous directorial resume, she no longer hesitated and said, "Mr. Westeros, what's next?"
Simon smiled and said, "Do you know why I chose you?"
Valeria Golino was stunned for a moment, then shook her head.
"Your acting is excellent, and that's very important, because the Selina Kyle I want is very difficult for an ordinary pretty-face actress to portray well. I confirmed that I wanted you to try this role after repeatedly watching the dailies of 'Rain Man', because you are younger than both Cruise and Hoffman, but in the dailies, you showed a nearly maternal, calming power; you were able to calm both anxious protagonists.
Bruce Wayne in 'Batman' is a character who experienced childhood trauma; although he is very powerful, he is ultimately just a human. He will also get hurt in the process of fighting evil and also needs comfort, so I hope you can retain this emotion from 'Rain Man' when you portray the Catwoman character".
After Simon finished speaking, he looked at Valeria Golino, whose face was still beaming with a girlish charm, a few more times and said, "Furthermore, you are only twenty-two years old, which is also very important.
Selina Kyle is an agile female thief. In the comic's setting, she has a gymnastics background and is proficient in combat. To play this role, the actress must undergo a certain intensity of physical and combat training.
In this regard, older actresses often find it difficult to endure, but for you, it's not a big problem. Of course, this process will definitely be very tough. Are you willing?"
Valeria Golino didn't hesitate much, nodding several times like a pecking chick.
Realizing her reaction seemed overly eager, she immediately felt a little embarrassed.
Simon naturally didn't mind and continued, "Also, although I really like your accent when you speak, North American audiences would find it very difficult to accept Catwoman speaking with an Italian accent. So, for the next six months, in addition to physical training, you'll also need to take accent lessons".
Valeria Golino showed a surprised expression this time: "Six months?"
"Yes, six months", Simon nodded and said, "That's what I was about to say. If you agree to star, we will sign the contract before the end of the month, and then, for the next year, you probably won't be able to take on any other film roles".
In Hollywood, it was common for projects to take one or two years for a single role.
Valeria Golino quickly realized that the female lead in Simon Westeros's new film was completely worth the effort, and she wouldn't have any better options in Hollywood.
"No problem, Mr. Westeros", Valeria Golino quickly nodded, having understood this point, and said, "Can I read 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.
"This isn't because we don't trust you, but in this industry, there will always be people who will go to great lengths to get similar leaks, and you will find it very difficult to guard against them".
Valeria Golino showed an understanding expression, then seemed unsure what to say, her light-coloured eyes looking at Simon, then suddenly darting away.
She actually wanted to ask about the salary, but she also knew that such matters were best handled by her agent.
Simon noticed the change in Valeria Golino's expression, merely smiled, and said, "That's all for now. For the rest, we'll contact WMA. You can go back for now".
Valeria Golino stood up, politely leaned over to shake Simon's hand again, and then turned to leave the office.
When she reached the parking lot, she still felt as if she were dreaming.
The female lead in Simon Westeros's new film, and a super production like 'Batman'.
She had gotten it so easily.
Those actresses in the company who always mocked her outsider status must be green with envy now.
Feeling an almost uncontrollable excitement throughout her body, Valeria Golino didn't get into her car immediately.
She walked to a nearby phone booth and dialled a number.
It was past business hours on the East Coast, and the call was transferred through a hotel in Manhattan, successfully reaching her agent.
Her agent, far away on the East Coast, was clearly overly excited after hearing her recount what had just happened, and he incoherently told her to stay put and that he would fly back from New York immediately.
After hanging up the phone, Valeria Golino's excitement subsided slightly, but she couldn't help but recall her meeting with Simon Westeros earlier.
She felt a strange sense of regret.
He said he liked her accent, but unfortunately, he didn't express anything else.
He was truly an inscrutable man.
Simon had been so busy during this period that he had no time for other thoughts.
After his meeting with Valeria Golino, he rushed non-stop to Daenerys Special Effects Company, which had just been reorganized and integrated from two companies.
He had an important arrangement in the evening, and around 5:30 PM, Simon returned to his luxurious mansion in Malibu.
Inside the villa, Simon called out a few times after entering, but received no response.
After searching for a moment, he found Janette in the villa's seaside art studio.
The woman was intently standing by an easel, painting a new work.
On the canvas was a beautiful azure sea and sky, somewhat resembling the Malibu seascape outside the French windows at that moment.
However, a long spiral staircase appeared between the sea and sky, and various strange figures on the narrow staircase were either climbing up or rushing down, appearing flustered and chaotic, with some even falling off the steps in collisions.
Janette had experimented with many art movements, but her favourite was this bizarre and eerie surrealist style, which was probably due to her personality.
Simon stood quietly behind the woman without disturbing her, and Janette also didn't greet him.
After more than ten minutes of such quietness, the woman finally stopped painting, turned around, and asked Simon, "How is it?"
Simon stepped forward and put his arm around the woman's waist, looking at the painting in front of him and saying, "A deeply rooted psychological contradiction in humanity. Those in hell long for heaven, and those in heaven think hell might not be so bad, so most people spend their time on the journey, even if it means being shattered to pieces".
Janette smiled, tilted her head, and pecked Simon on the cheek, then slipped out of his embrace and said, "You help me tidy up; I'm going to change".
Due to her substantial wealth, Janette had always been a person who firmly enjoyed life.
She originally had the idea of selling some paintings to earn living expenses, but after being with Simon, she gradually lost that inclination, treating it only as a hobby.
The woman was now mainly responsible for managing the Simon & Janette Westeros Foundation they had established and acting as Simon's housekeeper for all his shopping needs.
The evening plan was to attend the media screening of 'Basic Instinct'.
With a month still remaining until the film's release, holding a screening at this time was usually a bit early.
However, Daenerys Pictures and Fox's final promotional strategy was to use the strong controversial nature of 'Basic Instinct' to stir public attention and interest in the film.
In the original timeline, 'Basic Instinct' first appeared at the Cannes Film Festival and sparked intense controversy.
But this time, the film was not completed before Cannes, so they had to resort to this kind of advance screening.
Fox specifically invited a large number of well-known film critics from the East and West Coasts of the United States to Los Angeles to attend this screening, and the anticipated effect would be no less than that of the Cannes premiere.
The screening started at seven o'clock.
Since Daenerys Pictures owned half the rights to 'Basic Instinct', Simon placed even more importance on this film than on the currently popular 'Pulp Fiction'.
Having no intention of changing clothes, Simon helped Janette put away her painting tools and then left the studio.
Janette quickly changed into a fitted light pink dress, with a string of pearls adorning her fair neck just right, white high heels on her feet, and a clutch bag in her hand.
Coming out of the dressing room, the woman handed Simon a folder and said, "The detective agency's report on Sophia Fessey was just delivered this afternoon. She's a very interesting woman; you can read it on the way".