novellhall Chapter 218 Guardians of the Galaxy [5000]
Chapter 218 Guardians of the Galaxy [5000]
Chapter 218 Guardians of the Galaxy [5000]
"A classic case of being so concerned with saving face that it leads to suffering!"
Rob complained on the phone.
Many of the relationships he maintained with money at Warner are now useless.
Wasting money.
If I had known, I would have given the money to the young woman and gotten a compliment in return: "Uncle, you're awesome!"
Chen Xun didn't react much.
Even though he started his career making movies for Warner Bros.
But this is just a partnership, not a lifelong commitment.
Chen Xun is not an actor under Warner Music.
Hollywood is so big, Warner Bros. isn't the only company that can make movies.
Moreover, the industry attention and reputation he gained from rejecting Warner are bringing other opportunities.
The next afternoon, Chen Xun had just finished a set of core exercises and taken a shower when he saw Robert's car parked at the door.
Robert opened the door and came in, his face beaming with excitement.
He was holding a file folder that wasn't too thick.
"There's a notebook I think you absolutely need to look at!"
Robert placed the file folder on the table.
Chen Xun dried his hair, sat down at the dining table, and took out the script from the file bag.
The director's name is listed as James Gunn.
The first page lists the casting requirements:
A unique blend that can master retro style with contemporary humor.
They need to have solid experience in action scenes, but their action style should have a distinctive personal style and improvisational elements, rather than formulaic fighting.
Possesses excellent improvisational comedy skills and a strong sense of rhythm, capable of creating sparks within a framework.
With extensive experience in team collaborations during filming, she can quickly establish chemistry with actors of different styles.
Seeing Chen Xun looking at the casting requirements on the first page, Rob excitedly shouted to him, "When I saw the casting requirements, I thought, 'Isn't this a role tailor-made for you?'"
"You just finished filming two 'Fast & Furious' movies, and you were a core member in the action scenes."
"The Fast and Furious crew makes a living through teamwork!"
"And he has improvisational comedy skills! Han Lee from '2 Broke Girls' is still a textbook example of sitcom improvisation!"
Chen Xun had to admit that the requirements of this role almost perfectly matched all the skills and screen image he had accumulated over the past few years.
What movie is this?
Chen Xun also perked up.
"And this is a Marvel Studios production, a project personally overseen by Kevin Feige!"
Robert then went on to explain.
It's from Marvel!
Chen Xun was surprised.
He searched his mind quickly, and suddenly a name appeared in his head:
Star-Lord!
Chen Xun hurriedly flipped through the pages.
really!
Familiar plot unfolds:
The protagonist is named Peter Quill, a petty thief who was taken away from Earth by aliens when he was a child. He is a scoundrel, a big talker, loves 80s pop culture, and calls himself Star-Lord.
He stole a mysterious sphere, attracting the pursuit of various forces, and was forced to temporarily team up with a group of eccentric aliens.
Gamora, a ruthless female assassin sworn to revenge; Drax, the Destroyer who hates everything and only wants to fight; Rocket Raccoon, a genetically modified bear who swears constantly; and Groot, the tree spirit.
Guardians of the Galaxy!
Chen Xun immediately became interested.
This was a hugely popular movie in my past life.
Moreover, the characters in it are very well-developed.
"Marvel is very bold this time, wanting to do something different. Director James Gunn mainly makes B-movie horror films and cult comedies, and has a unique imagination, so this project is considered a high-risk experiment within Marvel."
Robert sounded somewhat worried.
When Marvel handed him the script, Rob was initially pleasantly surprised, but then hesitated after reading it.
The risk is just too great!
With his current status, Chen Xun could easily choose a more promising big-budget production instead of taking a risk.
Chen Xun, however, did not think so.
The success of Guardians of the Galaxy in his previous life guaranteed him success.
Moreover, the character Star-Lord in the film has a particularly charismatic personality, and Chen Xun doesn't want to miss out on it.
Chen Xun was moved!
"What are the audition requirements?" Chen asked.
There were no public auditions.
Rob lowered his voice: "Director Gunn and the casting director have seen almost all of your work, from '2 Broke Girls' to 'Green Lantern' to 'Fast & Furious'. They felt that you had the kind of reckless heroism and down-to-earth humor they were looking for."
"This is a direct invitation to discuss the role with you. If you are interested, they will arrange an informal meeting to talk about the play, which could take place at Marvel headquarters or Gunn's studio."
Chen Xun picked up the script and flipped through the unique dialogues and imaginative scene descriptions.
This is unlike any of the roles he has ever played.
The challenge is enormous!
But if performed well, it might open up a completely new acting path.
Chen Xun closed the script: "I'm very interested. They'll decide the time and place."
Robert breathed a sigh of relief.
Making this decision was too difficult for him.
He should just stick to being a good agent and assistant.
"Marvel's box office expectations for this film are relatively conservative, so your salary may not reach the level of 1500 million you just received. However, they have promised that if the film is successful, your salary for the sequel will increase significantly, and they will consider having you participate in subsequent Marvel events."
Chen Xun nodded.
Soon, Marvel sent Rob's email with the agreed meeting place and time.
The location was an unassuming office building in Burbank, and the time was 3 p.m. on Wednesday, a week later.
Chen Xun looked at the address and raised an eyebrow.
This place looks familiar.
"What's wrong?"
Rob noticed his expression.
"It's nothing."
Chen Xun shook his head: "I just think that fate is a very mysterious thing."
He didn't make any special preparations for this meeting.
Studying the script and understanding the character are the basic skills of an actor, which he had already done long ago.
As for how to demonstrate one's compatibility with the character—
He felt there was no need to put on a show.
The reckless street smarts, the way he uses jokes to mask his inner loneliness, and the heroic spirit that emerges at crucial moments—these qualities seem to have been ingrained in his experiences and acting DNA over the past few years.
Forcing it to be acted out would only make it look fake.
On Wednesday afternoon, Chen Xun drove himself to Burbank.
He didn't have Rob accompany him, because sometimes having an agent present during such a creative first encounter can make the conversation too commercial.
Find the office building according to the address, park the car, and walk into the lobby.
After verifying his identity, the receptionist handed him a visitor card and pointed to the elevator: "Sixth floor, turn right after exiting the elevator, meeting room B."
Chen Xun thanked him and headed for the elevator.
His shadow was reflected on the gleaming metal surface of the elevator door; he wore a casual suit, no tie, and had a calm expression.
He pressed the button for the sixth floor, and the elevator slowly ascended.
"bite"
We've reached the sixth floor.
The door opened.
The familiar corridor layout came into view.
A dark gray carpet, beige walls, and several abstract paintings hanging on the walls.
Chen Xun paused for a moment.
That's right!
He felt the address looked familiar when he first looked at it.
Now it's even more certain that this is the place.
Two years ago, he auditioned for the role of Fandral, the Asgardian warrior, in "Thor" right here.
He remembered the view from the window at the end of the corridor.
And the preparations I made for my audition for Vandall.
While in Beverly Hills, Christine even helped him with his acting.
More than two years later, he stood in the same corridor again.
His status changed from a competitor vying for a supporting role to an actor who was actively invited by Marvel to discuss the lead role in a brand new film series.
time flies.
It was so fast it was almost dizzying.
Chen Xun took a deep breath and turned to the right.
The corridor was quiet, with only the soft sound of his leather shoes on the carpet.
He walked to the door marked Meeting Room B and knocked.
"Please come in!"
A voice came from inside.
Chen Xun pushed open the door and went in.
The meeting room wasn't large; there was a long table in the middle, and three people were sitting around it.
Facing the door was a man wearing a gray hoodie, black-rimmed glasses, and slightly messy hair. He looked very easygoing, even a bit like a homebody.
James Gunn.
The director of this film.
To his left was a middle-aged man with a capable demeanor, wearing a polo shirt and khaki pants.
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios.
To the right is a neatly dressed woman, who is probably the casting director or a core member of the production team.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Chen. Please have a seat."
Kevin Feige spoke first, a smile on his face.
Chen Xun nodded and sat down in the empty seat on the other side of the table.
"Mr. Feige, Director Gunn, it's a pleasure to meet you."
After exchanging a few polite words about coffee or water, Director Gunn leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes direct yet filled with curiosity: "Chen, we've seen many of your works."
From Han Lee, the coin-handling, feng shui-savvy guy in "2 Broke Girls," to the programmer-turned-superhero in "Green Lantern," and then to the Interpol agent in the "Fast & Furious" series—
"The range of styles is very wide!"
Chen Xun nodded, waiting for him to continue.
"Your qualities have left a deep impression on us!"
Kevin Feige was the one who answered.
"Your improvisational comedy has great pacing. Han Lee has a lot of brilliant lines and reactions that are not in the script or are only hinted at, especially the kind of jokes that have a touch of dry humor and a clash between Eastern and Western cultures. They are very special and not just typical American stand-up comedy style."
Gunn chimed in, his tone becoming excited: "Yes, yes! Especially those scenes where you were arguing with that Russian cook, Oleg. The way you could spout nonsense with such a straight face and still manage to leave him speechless was fantastic!"
"Peter Quayle needs this kind of ability: to use a bunch of 80s stale jokes and self-righteous cleverness to fool people, and then actually guess right at the crucial moment!"
Chen Xun was a little surprised.
He didn't expect the other person to analyze his performance in a sitcom in such detail.
It seems that Marvel put a lot of effort into this movie.
"And your action scenes!"
Feige continued, "In Green Lantern and Fast & Furious, your fighting style has a distinct personal touch. It's not the traditional Hollywood tough guy style, nor is it pure Hong Kong kung fu. Instead, it's a hybrid that combines street adaptability, physical coordination, and a certain kung fu style."
"Especially the scene in 'Green Lantern' where you use the keyboard to smash parts, it's both comedic and fits the character's background."
Gunn couldn't help but add: "We even studied your fight scenes as Fandral in Thor. Although it was a small role, you could see the foundation. Later we learned that you had worked with Jackie Chan and had undergone such intense training in Fast & Furious—that makes sense."
Chen Xun listened silently.
The other party did their homework very well, even digging up his performance when he first entered the industry.
"And your performance in the team."
This time, it was the woman who hadn't spoken until now who spoke up: "As a new member of the Fast & Furious family, when you were integrating into the team, you didn't deliberately emphasize your differences. Instead, you internalized these differences as part of your character traits, and ultimately you were able to integrate into and even influence the team in your own way."
"This is crucial for Star-Lord!"
"He's an orphan from Earth mixed up with a bunch of alien freaks, and he needs to be the glue that holds them together."
This angle of observation surprised even Chen Xun himself.
He had never summarized his performance from this perspective, but after the other party pointed it out, it seemed to be true.
Director Gunn nodded vigorously: "That's right! We don't want a Star-Lord who's always so bitter and resentful, and who's always emphasizing how lonely he is."
"What we need is a guy who seems cynical and doesn't care at all, but who clumsily cares for his teammates in his own way and eventually becomes the core of the team without them even realizing it."
"And you possess this quality!"
Chen Xun felt like he had joined a praise group.
As soon as I entered, three people grabbed me and showered me with compliments.
But this feeling is really great!
Now it's his turn to shine!
"I've studied the script carefully!"
Chen Xun spoke slowly.
He not only read the script, but also watched the finished film several times!
"Peter Quill is special. He seems to be wrapping a little boy who has never really grown up and is afraid of being abandoned again in old songs, jokes and nonchalant attitude."
"When playing a character like this, you can't just portray her coolness and sassiness; you also have to show the vulnerability and longing beneath the surface."
"I think I can understand him."
Director Gunn's eyes lit up, and he unconsciously sat up straighter.
Fitch nodded slightly, his expression becoming even more focused.
"Regarding this movie, I think its most appealing aspect is probably not the grand scale of saving the galaxy."
Chen Xun shifted to a more relaxed sitting posture, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the cover of the script.
"Oh?"
Gunn's interest grew even stronger: "What's that?"
"It's the group of people themselves!"
"An Earth thief, an alien assassin seeking revenge, a muscle-bound destroyer, a cynical raccoon, and a tree that can only utter three words."
"Each of them, taken individually, would probably be a villain or at least a troublesome character in other stories."
Chen Xun paused, organizing the inspiration from the film reviews and audience feedback from his previous life, and expressed it in a way he could understand: "But if you force them into a broken spaceship, and they are forced to cooperate for their own not-so-noble purposes, and in the process they dislike each other, argue, and almost throw each other out of the airlock—in the end they find that the ones who can understand their own mess are actually the group of weirdos around them."
"This kind of connection between 'me' and 'us' wasn't built on some grand shared ideal; it might just be because we've fought together..."
You shared the loot, or someone didn't abandon you and run away at a crucial moment.
"The process of building this emotional connection is more real and more engaging than simply assembling heroes."
Gunn slammed his hand on the table: "That's right! That's exactly it!"
He looked at Feige excitedly: "Did you hear that? This is it! We talked to several other potential candidates before, and they kept asking what Star-Lord's superpowers are, how his equipment can be upgraded, and how he can be integrated into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe plan—"
"But Chen was saying, 'How did this group of freaks become a family?'"
"That's why I insisted on choosing Chen!"
Feige smiled, a look of finding a kindred spirit on his face: "Many people see the script and first see the space adventure and comedy elements. You can see the core, which is rare. Go on, what else comes to mind regarding this group of people?"
Chen Xun felt his thoughts becoming clearer and clearer, as if the movies he had seen in his previous life, the reviews he had read, and his own understanding of characters as an actor were all coming together at this moment: "Star-Lord is the glue, but he himself is also a piece that needs to be glued together. His leadership is not the benchmark like Captain America's, but rather—well, a bit like a street kid leader!"
"I'll rely on crooked ideas, nostalgia for old songs, and my inexplicable confidence that, although I'm very unreliable, you'll have to believe me this time."
"The other members accept this kind of leadership not because he is so right, but probably simply because he is the first person who doesn't see them as monsters, but as teammates."
He recalled those classic moments from movies in his past life.
"Take Rocket for example. He's full of thorns and mocks everything because he himself is something that has been modified. The only person who can get close to him is another person who is equally sarcastic."
"Groot is both the simplest and the most complex. Its loyalty and dedication are pure, but how to make the audience fall in love with this tree that only says 'I am Groot' requires all the actors to use their reactions to give it different emotions."
"Gamora needs to show the scars beneath her tough exterior; Drax's frankness hides a heavy sorrow —"
Chen Xun spoke more and more fluently, as if these understandings had long been stored in his mind and were simply flowing out naturally at this moment.
He didn't quote any specific film reviews, but instead internalized these viewpoints into his own performance analysis and understanding of the characters.
Just then, several attribute orbs suddenly fell from his body:
[In-depth script analysis ability +8]
[Understanding of Character Relationship Building +5]
[Narrative Core Insights +6]
The progress bar for "High Reputation" on the panel also jumped suddenly, changing from 82% to 83%!
Director Gunn was so excited he could hardly sit still. He stood up and paced back and forth in the conference room: "Yes! That's it! Peter didn't go to save them, they saved each other!"
"The comedy in this film shouldn't just be a series of slapstick jokes; it should naturally emerge from the characters' personalities and relationships!"
"Rocket mocks Star-Lord's Walkman as old-fashioned because he doesn't understand the emotional connection it represents, but perhaps in the end he'll secretly fix the broken tape. Drax doesn't understand metaphors, but he'll take every word you say seriously, and that in itself is both funny and touching!"
Feige remained calm, but the admiration in his eyes was undisguised: "Chen, your understanding has exceeded our expectations, which gives us more confidence in entrusting this role to you. What we need is not just a simple action-comedy actor, but someone who can understand the core of this group of freaks and lead the audience into their hearts."
The woman who hadn't spoken much before finally spoke up, her tone tinged with amusement: "And you mentioned 'child king' and street smarts, which reminds us of some of your earlier works, including those improvisational reactions in student films—a quality that's hard to train."
Chen Xun breathed a slight sigh of relief, knowing that he had hit the nail on the head.
He smiled and said, "Maybe it's because along the way, I've been both a newcomer and a glue that holds people together in different teams."
"The Fast and Furious crew taught me a lot. Vin Diesel really ingrained the word 'family' into everyone's work."
This made Gunn and Fitch laugh, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.
The subsequent conversation became more specific, involving some scenario ideas, the possibility of character interaction, and even talking about music from the 80s.
Although Chen Xun wasn't exactly an expert, thanks to his memories from his past life, he was able to catch many of the jokes Gu En threw out, which made Gu En feel like he had found a kindred spirit.
It was nearly dusk when I left the Marvel office building.
After getting into the car, Chen Xun did not start the engine immediately.
He leaned back in his chair, recalling the conversation he had just had.
He felt a growing affinity for the character of Star-Lord.
If he gets the role, his portrayal of Peter Quill will be no less impressive than the classic version from the previous life, and may even bring something interesting due to his unique experiences and performance.