Harry Jackson entered the casting room—or the casting studio, as they called it. It was a hybrid industrial-chic warehouse in Burbank outfitted with softbox lighting, chairs folded in stacks, and a true casting space feel.
It was early March 2002, and even though Memento was still playing on arthouse screens, excitement and anticipation buzzed around this room for Memento's continuation, Providence. Gregory Lang stood by with a clipboard in hand, his hair slightly out of place from framing the set, looking onward.
"Okay, Harry, you're ready?" Gregory said, looking to the clipboard, and back to Harry.
Harry confirmed. "Let's see what some of these new faces can do."
The first wave of auditions had potential but a lot of untested young actors. They have the headshots, but usually no credits. It wasn't anything new.
Each one stepped up to the mark, read their lines with enthusiasm and practiced acumen, as they should. Harry was nodding politely, noting brief sentiments: "More tension in that line." "You're a bit too placid—give me paranoia." Although the first audition felt slow but expected.
Then came the turn when Daniel Hayes entered the room. A lean thirty-something, young Daniel had jawline angles from another world, sharp features, and intelligent eyes. He delivered his prepared reading with whispered wariness—as if he had found himself in someone else's dream he wasn't sure he belonged to.
When Daniel finished, he stood quietly, head bowed, letting the silence stretch.
Harry leaned forward. "That's… good. That's very good." He turned to Gregory. "Heavy tension, believable regret."
Gregory scribbled notes. "I think we found our man."
Harry smiled. It took effort to hide surprise—this was a late arrival, not on the shortlist. But talent could kick open doors.
Daniel left, leaving Harry with a flush of possibility.
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Next was another man—Javier Bardem. At that time, he was mostly known in Europe—he wasn't a household name. He came in at a slower pace, the Spanish accent not thick, the eyes deeply set, full of intensity. Harry had prepped that he may read for another character, not necessarily the lead, but he had been encouraged to try both by the team.
Javier sat right on the edge of the chair, and he began the hero's opening monologue. He didn't command the space—he owned it instead. Then he shifted slightly into a more alternative character, the version of the supporting character that took the casting panel by surprise: a version that was dark and edged with menace.
When he finished, his look covered the casting panel, a moment of stilled stillness stretched before them.
Harry swallowed. "Thank you, Javier."
Javier nodded, took his scripts, and left.
Harry turned to Gregory. "Did you see that?"
Gregory exhaled. "Incredible. Not really right for the lead—but man he could own that other role."
Harry frowned, registered what he was considering. "Let's put him down for the alternative. And Daniel—our lead."
He scrawled the names in his notebook, and felt as though they were beginning to lock in the cast.
Later that afternoon, Harry and Gregory met with Melissa Redfern, the casting director they had hired. She was organized and precise, clipboard in hand and notes of feedback at the ready.
"Daniel conveyed tension already like he has been carrying it," Harry started.
Melissa nodded. "Good performance. I have some callbacks later this week."
"How about Javier," Harry continued. "He shouldn't read for lead. He's too… heavy. And the accent is sometimes visible. But as our second role? Sure."
Melissa turned the page. "I agree. From a budget perspective, we can spend more on production design and locations we want to cast new faces."
Gregory pulled up on his laptop blueprints and schedules. "Speaking of production, and while it's all tentative, we are scouting six of the possible churches we are considering in Canada and Rhode Island. I have also been in conversations with set designers—I'll be responsible for building that tunnel and the interior of the church."
Harry nodded. "Good. Authenticity is important. I want the church to feel lived-in and aged. Like gravity is already trying to pull it apart.
Gregory tapped more keys. "At the same time, I'm blocking off April for location approval. Interviewing the crew starts next week. Once we have the cast in two weeks, I'll pull the trigger on camera, lighting, and effects crews.
"Perfect." Harry leaned back. "What about scheduling callbacks?"
Melissa gave him a stack of date cards. "We team up Daniel and Javier next Monday for chemistry reads. Then two weeks after, we meet again with director—"
Harry nodded. "Let's push that next weekend. I want to be involved."
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The following day, Harry was back in his home office. Sparky, his golden retriever, greeted him with a cacophony of ecstatic growls, before settling into a mound at his feet. The morning sunlight turned Sparky's coat into a glittering golden spun yarn.
Harry opened the casting spreadsheet. Daniel's headshot stood to him, animated. Then came Javier's face—haunting.
He chuckled. "Two guys. That makes sense."
He wrote down the details below the names: Daniel Hayes - lead; Javier Bardem - Father Matthis: other TBD. He also wrote in lines for in-house chemistry reads and dates for location scouting.
His phone buzzed. It was Lisa.
"Sparky chewed another shoe. Sorry." He closed his eyes and laughed.