[Chapter 19: The Terrified Halle Berry]
With Alicia out of the picture, Charlie had to cancel the promotional activities he originally planned. He had intended to ride the wave leading up to the full release of Independence Day.
As a result, the afternoon interviews were rather uneventful. The main roles were already decided according to the script: Ben Affleck was cast as the male lead, Matt Damon as the lead's best friend. Rachel was set to play the second female lead, the protagonist's ex-girlfriend.
In the character setup, the second female lead was more endearing and truly independent. Apart from the female lead's close friend, who was third female lead, the rest were minor roles.
Charlie communicated with Etto and canceled the hotel interview sessions, relocating them to the company's office instead. The interviews were jointly hosted by Kevin, Spike, and Etto. The unknown roles were easily filled by these auditions.
Hollywood had plenty of quality background actors who were non-union members, and signing these people cost less than thirty thousand dollars in total.
Charlie stayed in his office, chatting casually with Rachel while checking the accounts and signing documents.
...
It wasn't until the third female lead's interview that he leisurely walked into the conference room with a cup of coffee. Everyone greeted him, and the African American actress being interviewed quickly stood up and said, "Hello, Godfather, I am Halle Berry."
"Carry on, don't mind me!" Charlie smiled and sat down, taking the forms Kevin handed him to review. He quietly asked Spike, "So, how's the talent pool?"
Spike replied, "Halle Berry meets all the requirements, but her asking price is a bit high."
It was clear there was no negotiation. Halle was an accomplished actress who had appeared in blockbuster films grossing over a hundred million worldwide, even as a supporting role alongside Eddie Murphy and others.
Her last few films had mixed results: the low-budget Losing Isaiah with a $17 million investment pulled in $7.6 million, and Executive Decision, released this March, made over $50 million in North America, barely breaking even.
While these films didn't strongly boost her career, within the Fifty Shades cast, she was the third-string star after the breakout Alicia. Her fee had to be in the hundreds of thousands.
Charlie remained expressionless as he continued to review all actor profiles.
...
"Ms. Berry, please continue your performance," assistant director Gore Verbinski instructed.
"Oh, of course!" Halle Berry appeared a bit flustered. She recollected her previous research and the analyses from her agent and industry friends.
This was clearly a film project centered on black women, a rare and highly hyped opportunity. Unfortunately, the lead actress was already cast, but the third female lead, whose role was nearly equal in importance to the second female lead, was a golden chance.
If the film made even 15 to 20 million domestically, it would significantly advance her career. Just like Brad Pitt, whose films sometimes underperformed, yet he quickly became a major star.
Before coming, Halle and her agent Vernon had thoroughly researched the crew. She knew Spike Lee well. But most importantly, there was Charlie, a young man making waves in Hollywood who had even earned the nickname "Godfather" in some circles.
Her role was basically in this man's hands with just a nod from him.
But seeing him in person, Halle became nervous. The Godfather didn't look young; he carried an imposing aura like the real godfathers in movies. Everyone's demeanor subtly shifted the moment he entered the room.
Halle fumbled through a scene but stopped gloomily after half a minute. Just as she was about to defend herself, the Godfather's piercing gaze fell upon her.
She tried to say something, but he withdrew his gaze and whispered to Spike and the others. Then decisively said, "$150,000 fee, all union-standard benefits, the role is yours. Handle your agent. Any issues?"
Halle was stunned for a while, shocked by the unconventional audition style but also pleasantly surprised.
Charlie furrowed his brow slightly, "That's my style. Yes or no?"
"Yes, yes!" Halle quickly and excitedly responded.
"Good. I have something else to discuss with you," Charlie said as he stood and motioned for her to follow, then turned and left.
...
The unmistakable tone left Halle no room to hesitate, so she followed him.
Inside the office, Charlie smiled as he embraced a curious-looking Rachel. "I heard your agent signed Alicia. You've been getting along lately?"
Halle immediately tensed but nodded slightly.
"That dumb woman is avoiding me now. I think someone's been messing with her brain."
"Godfather, I..."
Charlie waved dismissively, expressionless. "Look, I don't like fools. Fifty Shades is my cornerstone. I won't waste energy tarnishing someone I helped rise, though it wouldn't be hard for me. Tell Alicia straight: ten thousand dollars fee won't change, and poor book sales won't affect the movie."
"Yes, yes!" Halle nodded dumbfounded.
...
In the parking lot below, agent Vernon approached, "How'd the audition go? You don't look good."
As they got in the car, Halle shared the good news first and then the agreed $150,000 fee.
Vernon was a bit angry. "I should have negotiated the contract. Actors lowering their fees for commercial films is foolish."
Seeing Halle was silent for a while, he sensed something was wrong and pressed for details.
At first, Halle just said Charlie was arrogant and absolute; she was scared. A few minutes later, she spilled her little details.
Vernon slammed the brakes in shock. "God, you should have consulted me first! Leading in Fifty Shades would be amazing. But you have to know who you're dealing with."
The agent sternly explained, "CAA's top brass think very highly of this Godfather guy. Many industry players, including the Big Six, have their eyes on him. You think he's some rookie producer? Only ordinary small-time actors think that!
He took on marketing for a mega-production like Independence Day with tough tactics.
Many believe that even at his current capability, he could easily enter the upper echelons of the Big Six. Otherwise, why would 20th Century Fox and its parent News Corporation overlook him? Such a colossal conglomerate isn't to be trifled with."
Halle said sadly, "Sorry, I originally thought I had a shot at the lead in Fifty Shades."
Vernon said seriously, "You need a deeper understanding of the Godfather.
His marketing boosted Independence Day's opening by over 500 theaters, more than 1,000 screens added, and the box office plus distribution gains are conservatively over fifty million.
Those benefits are his strongest leverage.
If he lands three to five projects and handles a big production, he'll become a Hollywood powerhouse like Jerry Bruckheimer.
Your little schemes look like clown antics to him. Luckily, he doesn't seem to mind investigating."
Halle was chilled by the insider's analysis but still stubbornly said, "I guess Spike and the others helped. I thought he wouldn't mind me."
"Right," Vernon chuckled. "That's wishful thinking. Which side do you think Spike would be on? I bet you even tried influencing the Godfather through him. So, what was the outcome?"
Halle smiled awkwardly, "You're right. Spike only promised me a third interview round; no guarantees."
Vernon said, "Black directors in Hollywood have it harder than actors. No one wants to miss a chance to break into commercial mainstream films. Next time, consult me before pulling any tricks. You got lucky this time."
Halle frowned, displeased. "With your tone, it sounds like I was close to death. Was it that serious?"
Vernon snorted, "I agree with CAA top brass about the Godfather. Remember, though he's skilled and powerful, he's young. I think his $150,000 low fee was both punishment and a favor to Spike and the others."
Halle rubbed her forehead. 'Oh, god. These big shots' minds were so complicated.
How could a small situation be so intricate?'
Vernon secretly delighted, hoping this incident would make the promising African American actress more aligned with him.
He ended with a serious warning: "Do you know what Will Smith's ex-girlfriend is doing now? She tried to get someone to take down the Godfather, got her legs brutally broken in retaliation, faces paralysis, and is stuck helping promote Independence Day. Drained of her last value, she'll spend years in prison. Her life is ruined! This is the Godfather, a born top dog. You better keep on his good side."
Amid this mix of half-truths and hype, Halle Berry was terrified.
...
In the following days, she dared not speak nonsense around Alicia and kept urging her.
On the full release day of Independence Day, Halle stayed by Alicia's side, attending promotional events together. Lamont, one of the actors, participated in the publicity.
Halle knew he was a close aide to the Godfather and kept talking to Alicia, "You really ought to think this through. Ten thousand dollars might be low, but Fifty Shades' book is selling like hotcakes. Acting in this film could rapidly make you a real star. You can't rely on Will's girlfriend's spotlight to make money in the long run."
*****
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