In Glendale, north of Los Angeles, lived Keanu Reeves.
At his home, his agent was gushing over him: "Keanu, this script was personally delivered by Director Gilbert's assistant. His new movie is offering you the leading male role, the leading male role!"
Keanu Reeves didn't seem too interested: "This genre doesn't really appeal to me."
"Oh my god, Keanu! This is a mainstream commercial film! How many people dream of such an opportunity and can't get it? Why did you come to Hollywood? Is it just to toil in the independent film scene and never break into mainstream cinema?" his agent pleaded.
"I need to ask River and Johnny about this before I can decide," Keanu Reeves stated.
His agent pressed a hand to his forehead, almost dying of exasperation for Keanu Reeves.
But there was nothing he could do; his words held less sway than those of Keanu Reeves' two best friends.
That evening, Keanu Reeves showed up at Johnny Depp's bar, where his good friends River Phoenix and Johnny Depp were already present.
"Hey, Keanu, you're here..." River Phoenix waved Keanu Reeves over to sit down, then pulled a small bag from his pocket and dangled it in front of Keanu Reeves' eyes: "New stuff, wanna try some?"
"Of course," Keanu Reeves replied.
The three lit cigarettes, sprinkled them with cocaine powder, and then began to inhale, exhaling clouds of smoke.
All three were addicts with a history of drug use, and they often spent evenings like this together, getting high.
After they had enough and enjoyed the euphoric rush, the three began chatting about recent Hollywood gossip.
"River, Johnny, I got a movie offer, and I'm not sure if I should take it. I came to ask for your opinions," Keanu Reeves decided to seek his close friends' advice.
"What movie?" River Phoenix asked.
"Gilbert Landrini, you know him, right? His new film is offering me the lead," Keanu Reeves said.
"The lead? Then take it! You've always played supporting roles. Now you finally have a chance at a lead, so of course, you should seize it," River Phoenix patted Keanu Reeves on the back, happy for his friend.
"Wait," Johnny Depp interjected, "Is it the director who made The Shallows?"
"Exactly, it's him. Why?"
"Nothing, it's a good opportunity. You should give it a try!" Johnny Depp clearly didn't want to elaborate.
Was he supposed to tell his good friend that Gilbert had slept with his ex-fiancée, Winona Ryder?
Although Johnny Depp didn't really have a concept of being "cuckolded," it still felt strange and uncomfortable.
With the support of his two good friends, Keanu Reeves quickly informed his agent that he had decided to audition.
"You finally came around, Keanu! I'll tell them right away," his agent's voice on the phone was ecstatic.
Gilbert was also happy to learn that Keanu Reeves would be auditioning. He was a fan of Keanu Reeves, having loved him since The Matrix era and also being a big fan of the John Wick series.
However, he remembered that at this time, Keanu Reeves was still hanging out with River Phoenix and struggling with drug addiction.
If he passed the audition, Gilbert would definitely require Keanu Reeves not to use drugs or marijuana during filming.
Gilbert had witnessed Julia Roberts' unhinged state after using drugs; she even dared to curse at the immensely popular Steven Spielberg.
Many Hollywood directors and stars have a history of drug addiction or marijuana use, with a smaller number using hard drugs.
Silver parties aren't inherently terrifying; what's truly alarming is that these substances usually accompany them, and that's what's truly harmful. Perhaps the immense pressure of being in this spotlight industry leads people to rely on drugs to help them rest.
Drug addiction accumulates little by little, while substances like marijuana are purely for seeking thrills.
However, that's other people's private lives. Unless the relationship is extremely close, interfering with someone's private life is seen as infringing on their freedom.
Gilbert wasn't going to control Keanu Reeves' personal choices; he knew Keanu Reeves would eventually quit these things anyway.
He simply hoped that during filming, actors would adhere to the production's rules and not cause any trouble.
Compared to Keanu Reeves, who had to hesitate, Sandra Bullock didn't think much about it and immediately accepted the invitation.
She was signed with CAA, and before her audition, Sandra Bullock's agent even had an audience with CAA President Michael Ovitz.
"Can you bring the packaging deal into Gilbert's crew?" Michael Ovitz asked, though his tone conveyed an undeniable command.
Rory Toledo, Sandra Bullock's agent, hesitated and said, "But, I heard Ms. Boone say that Gilbert refused to sign with CAA precisely because he couldn't accept the packaging deal policy."
"Hmph!" Michael Ovitz scoffed, "Sheena Boone. I used to think highly of her, but she disappointed me. Rory, I don't want you to be the next one to disappoint me."
Rory Toledo's heart tightened, and he had no choice but to agree: "Don't worry, Mr. Ovitz, I will definitely complete the task you've given me."
"That's best. You may leave!" Michael Ovitz waved his hand, shooing Rory Toledo out like a little chick.
After Rory Toledo left, Michael Ovitz lit a fine Havana cigar and fell into contemplation.
This year, CAA suffered a major blow with the Alien 3 project. Alien 3 was a product of their packaging deal strategy, and its failure would undoubtedly impact CAA's ability to continue pushing the packaging deal policy.
The packaging deal was the foundation of CAA's survival in the Hollywood agency world; it absolutely could not fail.
So, after some searching, Michael Ovitz, known for his discerning eye, set his sights on Gilbert's project.
He felt that Gilbert's future potential was limitless, and if CAA's packaging deal could align with Gilbert, it would provide an extra layer of security.
Unfortunately, Sheena Boone, a subordinate he had once highly favored, had gone on to start her own company. He had asked her several times to bring Gilbert back to CAA, but she had refused every time.
Since that was the case, Michael Ovitz decided not to be polite. He would use this opportunity to assertively intervene in Gilbert's production.
He believed that Gilbert wouldn't refuse CAA.
It must be said that years of wielding immense power in Hollywood had given Michael Ovitz a blind self-confidence.
How could he be so sure that Gilbert would simply go along with CAA's demands?
This was precisely Rory Toledo's concern. He had a decent relationship with Sheena Boone and had maintained contact with her even after she left CAA.
From Sheena Boone, he had learned that Gilbert Landrini, though young, was an extremely strong-willed, controlling, and very assertive director.
Even after Sheena Boone established Super Artists Management, she tried to introduce the packaging deal policy to Gilbert, but he flatly rejected it.
If Sheena Boone, who was deeply trusted by Gilbert, couldn't make it happen, what made him, Rory Toledo, think he could convince Gilbert to let CAA interfere with his production?
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