The audition panel consisted of five key members: lead producer Dunn Walker, executive producer Katherine Kennedy, assistant producer Erin Kelly, director Rob Marshall, and casting director Glenn Ferriero.
Naturally, the final say rested with Dunn.
Catherine Zeta-Jones had just finished a five-minute screen test, and the results were impressive.
"She's a fantastic actress—her skills are more than up to par," Katherine Kennedy said, kicking off the internal discussion with a firm nod of approval.
Rob Marshall chimed in, "Exactly. She's the lead I had in mind. Velma in the movie is a nightclub dancer, and Catherine's got that perfect mix of wildness and allure. It's a vibe—something another actress would struggle to pull off."
Erin Kelly flipped through Catherine Zeta-Jones's file, speaking slowly, "She studied singing and dancing in her early years and started performing in musicals as a teenager. She's got tons of experience. It says here she even won a British tap-dancing championship, which fits the role perfectly."
Glenn Ferriero nodded in agreement, "Honestly, it feels like this part was tailor-made for her!"
In the original Chicago, the one thing that stuck with Dunn the most was Catherine Zeta-Jones—her sharp, sleek bob haircut was unforgettable. Setting aside all external factors, as the others had pointed out, she really was the best choice.
Dunn gave a small nod, "The auditions will go on. If no one outshines her, she's got it."
Rob Marshall looked thrilled—clearly, Catherine Zeta-Jones was the actress he'd been hoping for. When a director and producer see eye to eye in Hollywood, it's a rare stroke of luck for the director.
"Next up… Jennifer Aniston," Glenn Ferriero called out loudly to the staff at the door.
But just then, a female staff member hurried over and whispered, "Madonna's here!"
Dunn's expression shifted, "Is she ready?"
"She's waiting outside."
"Let her in!"
No need for formalities at a moment like this—Dunn gave the green light for Madonna to cut the line.
Jennifer Aniston might have some fame in the U.S. from Friends, but she wasn't even in the same league as Madonna. Even big names like Nicole Kidman or Julia Roberts would have to step aside for her. No Hollywood production would dare keep an international superstar like Madonna waiting.
Five minutes later, Madonna wrapped up her audition in front of the camera.
Dunn smiled politely, "That was great!"
Madonna, known for her bold and flirty persona, shot him a wink without a care for who else was in the room. "I heard… to be in your movie, you've got to sleep with you first?"
Dunn mentally cursed a thousand times but kept his cool, "That's nonsense—pure slander!"
Madonna tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, winking at him relentlessly, "No worries, I wouldn't want to break your rules."
Dunn broke out in a cold sweat, nearly gagging. Sure, she looked good for her age, but she was still a forty-something woman acting cute—it was downright creepy.
Thankfully, Glenn Ferriero jumped in, "Those rumors are garbage. Dunn's movies are great because he's got a professional attitude people respect. Ms. Ciccone, what you said… it's not true."
Rob Marshall added, "Madonna, your performance was amazing, but we need to weigh everything. You can head out now. If it works out, we'll reach out to your agent."
Madonna half-believed them, tossing Dunn one last flirty wink and a "call me" gesture as she left.
Once she was gone, Dunn couldn't hold back the sweat pouring down his face.
Unbelievable!
This Madonna… she lived up to her reputation!
Katherine Kennedy was the first to crack, letting out a snort of laughter. That set off a chain reaction—soon, the whole room was filled with chuckles.
Erin Kelly spoke up, "I think Madonna's a solid pick. She can sing, she can dance, and she's got even more edge than Catherine. She'd be great as Velma."
Katherine Kennedy, always stirring the pot, added, "A few years back, she played Evita and nailed it—won a Golden Globe for Best Actress and even got an Oscar nod. She's got the experience."
Glenn Ferriero half-joked, "I'm on board. Madonna's fame blows Catherine Zeta-Jones out of the water. Cast her as the lead, and we're looking at an extra $30 million at the box office, easy!"
Dunn's face darkened, his teeth gritted as he shot it down hard, "No way! That woman's a witch!"
The room erupted in laughter again.
---
By noon, the first round of auditions was done. The afternoon was reserved for chemistry tests—pairing up actors to see how they played off each other and whether there were sparks.
For the two female leads, Velma's role was pretty much locked in: Catherine Zeta-Jones was leading the pack by a mile. As for Roxie, they'd narrowed it down to five contenders: Diane Merrill, Rachel Weisz, Denise Richards, Winona Ryder, and Renée Zellweger.
That afternoon, the crew would have Catherine Zeta-Jones run scenes with each of the five to gauge their chemistry.
Of course, thanks to her special connection with Dunn, Rachel Weisz had a clear "priority pick" advantage.
With Velma set as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Dunn called her over during the lunch break to eat with the audition panel. They dove deep into discussing the character and went over the details for the afternoon's chemistry tests.
After some thought, Dunn decided to bring Rachel Weisz in too, giving her a few pointers.
Catherine Zeta-Jones was buzzing with excitement, her cheeks flushed as she raised her glass to toast everyone at the table. She didn't drink much, but her sincerity shone through.
"Catherine…"
"Mr. Walker, just call me Kate!"
"Kate… alright, Kate. I've got a lot of friends named Kate, you know," Dunn said with a chuckle before getting serious. "We've already reached out to your agent. As long as the salary's not an issue, Velma's yours. I hope you'll really dig into this role. Trust me, nailing it could be a huge boost for your career."
Catherine Zeta-Jones didn't hesitate, "Salary won't be a problem! I know the budget's tight—I'm prepared for that."
Dunn smiled faintly and raised his glass, "Here's to a great collaboration, then!"
Rachel Weisz, sitting next to Dunn, didn't mind the crowd. Actresses tend to have thick skin, and she playfully pouted at him, "What about me?"
"You?"
Dunn grinned, sliding a piece of sliced steak from his plate to hers. "You've got to work hard. Whether you snag Roxie depends on how you do this afternoon."
Rachel Weisz puffed out her cheeks, clearly not thrilled with his answer. She knew her rivals were Diane Merrill, Denise Richards, Winona Ryder, and Renée Zellweger. But how could they compare to her? Except maybe Winona Ryder, none of them were as pretty as she was! Plus, she and Dunn… they were close!
Catherine Zeta-Jones watched their flirty exchange without batting an eye. Actresses and directors—it's a match made in heaven. She'd been there herself. Smiling warmly, she said, "Rachel, stop pouting. Mr. Walker's got a great reputation. Since you two are… friends, he'll definitely look out for you."
Rachel Weisz shot Dunn a sly glance, a smirk tugging at her lips.
Dunn stayed cool, calmly eating his meal.
At this point, he didn't need to say more. The women's conversation had said it all.
Everyone there worked for Dunn, and now that they knew about his bond with Rachel Weisz, they'd naturally give her extra consideration in the judging.
Rob Marshall, the rookie director, might not have caught on, but the veterans at Dunn Films knew the drill.
Dunn's hiring philosophy? Talent matters, but he always starts with his own people!