Due to Kate Winslet's unexpected situation, Edgar personally rushed to New York, remaining on high alert, ready to handle any ensuing problems at any moment.
Seeing Anson's calm demeanor put Edgar somewhat at ease, but he quickly refocused the conversation on the pressing matter.
Anson remained sunk into the couch, seemingly trying to rouse his drowsy brain.
"Kate, it's just Kate."
"Captain, she's only pregnant. But that child isn't mine; I can be one hundred percent sure of that."
Edgar let out a wry chuckle. "Seeing you still have the mood to joke around, I feel a bit relieved. But Anson, we need to be prepared."
"If Kate really leaves the project, who should take over the lead role? We need to put some pressure on the director, the crew, and Focus Features."
Even when a project has already started filming or has wrapped up, unexpected situations can still arise at any moment.
"In a bit, I'll contact Kate's agent to discuss the situation. Then, we'll conduct a risk assessment. Hopefully, we can maintain control of the situation."
Movies, television, theater.
It's during these critical moments that a manager's skill and prowess truly shine.
"I probably didn't tell you, but because of last night's incident, I finally got into character. I could let go of Rose's shadow and see Kate purely as an actress, an ordinary person, a Clementine."
That was the real reason Edgar rushed to New York. He didn't want Anson to be disappointed, nor did he want "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" to encounter any setbacks.
Otherwise, every day of delay would bring more potential variables to the crew.
"Last time, during the audition for 'The Butterfly Effect,' she performed exceptionally well, leaving a deep impression. I think she could play a flamboyant and slightly neurotic character."
The comparison isn't entirely accurate, but Anson did think of Eva Green's role in "The Dreamers."
Simply put, Edgar wanted to take control of the situation—
Edgar paused, glancing at Anson.
Anson nodded. "A very talented actress, and very beautiful."
Edgar, "What?"
After briefly weighing the pros and cons, Edgar understood what Anson meant.
Edgar paused slightly. "I know, the ideal situation is for Kate to stay, and this turns out to be a false alarm. I wouldn't even need to come to New York, and everything would go back on track."
Actually, this is quite common in Hollywood—
Anson laughed heartily. "But if we're looking at a last-minute substitute, we don't have many options."
If that time comes, things could get very, very tricky—
Edgar didn't hide his surprise. "So you also fantasized about Rose? I didn't know Rose was your type."
Maybe, unlike Kate's version of Clementine, Eva could bring some unique qualities to the character, a sensitivity that hovers between rebellion and fragility.
But he needed to confirm, "Eva Green?"
From what he had heard, last night's filming was a disaster for the crew.
Edgar was a bit taken aback.
But now, they had to face this tricky issue.
Anson quickly caught on to the implication in the exclamation. "You have no idea who Eva Green is, do you?"
Although Edgar knew Nicole Kidman might not want to act as Kate Winslet's replacement, rejecting the offer seemed likely, he still needed to be prepared.
"You don't seem worried. This might be the first time we've encountered an unexpected situation during the movie's production."
Indeed, that's how things were.
Edgar, "Yes, I have no clue, but I trust she's excellent."
"Indeed, as you said, Nicole suddenly joining the crew would be an issue due to scheduling. No movie is more important than an Oscar; it's the top priority for Nicole this year."
"Firstly, I don't think Nicole Kidman would agree. The scheduling is tight, and being Kate Winslet's replacement is another issue."
"Anson, if Focus Features brings up Nicole again, I need to know your thoughts."
So.
It's all like this, as if in a dream.
"So, if there's a scheduling conflict, the most likely outcome is to postpone filming."
In his previous life, Anson was unaware of the shooting timeline for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Perhaps the movie was completed before Kate's pregnancy was confirmed, or maybe she decided to stay on after knowing about it.
Edgar, "What if Focus Features suggests Nicole Kidman again?"
Nicole Kidman?
Anson thought for a moment. "Eva Green."
"You should have seen our filming last night; it was really, really interesting."
Instead of wasting time haggling with A-list or B-list actors, it's better to use a lesser-known actor to quickly patch things up and resume filming.
"Secondly, I don't think Kate would leave the project—this is just my personal opinion, but I believe with Kate's personality, she'll eventually stay."
Otherwise, a manager would be no different from a real estate agent if they only discussed contracts and screened projects.
"Rather than calling it an unexpected situation, it's more like a necessary part of the collaboration process."
That way, when Edgar questioned Focus Features' potential proposal, he could offer a better solution to convince them.
Anson paused, still lying on the couch, but finally turned his head, propping himself up with his right hand, looking at Edgar, appearing a bit more awake.
Though tired, Anson seemed quite content.
Anson remained unhurried. "I still believe in Kate."
When situations change, the most important thing is to resolve it quickly, finding a band-aid to cover the wound amid the crew's daily losses.
"If we postpone to March or April, it might affect the shooting schedule for 'Spider-Man.' If we delay until November, it could affect your other engagements, and the budget for the entire crew would change, potentially ruining the project."
No one wants unexpected situations, but now that it's happened, it must be leveraged to its fullest potential, turning it to one's advantage.
"You know, when we love a movie too much, we often confuse the characters with the actors. Even if the actor is different in real life, we still equate them with their on-screen image."
Edgar, "Oh."
"But I'm here to prevent things from going off track."
Anson, "I still hope Kate stays, but I respect her decision. If she decides to leave, I believe Eva Green could handle the role."
"Haha," Anson laughed. "Instead of saying Rose is my type, it's more like the movie's influence is too profound, and it's hard to separate from the screen image."
Anson finally understood, his drowsy mind slightly clearing.
Edgar heard the teasing in Anson's last words and finally smiled. "Alright, I'll make a note of it."
After thinking it over, Edgar admitted, "Alright, I confess, the first time I saw Harrison Ford, I nearly screamed, 'That's Indiana Jones!'"
"So now, when you see Kate, you won't blush anymore, right?"