"Wow! Eric Cooper, why is he here?"
"He's a producer, right?"
"No, I know he's the executive producer, but he's a super-rich big shot, busy as hell every day. Does he really have time to attend auditions?"
"Who knows, but this is a great opportunity. As long as you get Eric Cooper's approval, you'll definitely skyrocket."
"Think of Ryan Reynolds, Michael Fassbender, Tom Hardy, Chris Evans—all the newcomers he's promoted have become famous."
"Phew, relax! Now that you mention it, I suddenly feel so nervous."
Click!
"He's out. Why is it Tom Welling? Did he come to the wrong set?"
At this moment, Tom Welling walked past and overheard their conversation, a slight smile appearing on his face.
"I know what you guys are thinking, it's a bit jarring for Superman to audition for Aquaman."
"But what can I do? The new Superman has already been announced, and Henry Cavill has clearly gained a lot of recognition."
"What about you? How was the audition?"
Tom Welling hesitated for a moment: "That depends on the interviewers' attitude. I have to go; I still have an audition for Green Lantern. Good luck, guys."
"Uh, after my Aquaman audition, I also have to go to the wonder woman crew's audition."
"Which role are you auditioning for?"
"The male lead, Steve Trevor. I've been working out like crazy this past month."
"Then, I wish us success."
"You too?"
"Yes, after this, I still have an audition at Marvel."
Inside the audition room, Eric specifically made time to check on the situation today.
As the chief designer of such a large-scale project, he still needed to make an appearance occasionally.
Although Judy, James Wan, and Kevin Feige reported their progress to him at least once a week.
Experience told him that simply sitting in the office was far less clear than conducting on-site research at the frontline.
However, when he saw that the person who pushed open the door was Tobey Maguire, he couldn't help but be stunned.
"Toby, why are you here?"
Tobey Maguire was also surprised to see Eric, thinking that the news he heard yesterday didn't mention him among the interviewers.
"I'm here to audition, to audition for Arthur Curry."
"You? You're auditioning for Aquaman? Spider-Man auditioning for Aquaman?"
Tobey Maguire nodded: "I'm standing here not as a joke. I really intend to audition for Aquaman, or other roles are fine too."
"Actually, I also watch The Flash often. I like Barry Allen, and I've submitted an application there too."
Beside him, Zack Snyder turned his head: "Boss, you underestimate the appeal of our films to actors."
"It seems so. This is a role that can be played for ten years. Well, let's begin, Toby."
After a segment of dialogue, all the interviewers, including Eric, nodded in approval.
More than ten years of acting experience wasn't just for show; although he became famous through Spider-Man, his fundamentals were indeed very solid.
However, no matter how solid his fundamentals were, they fell short when it came to the makeup stage.
He was too thin, and his height of 175 cm was really nothing to boast about.
Although Aquaman in the comics and animation isn't a muscular brute, but rather a robust man, he still didn't quite match Tobey Maguire.
Seeing him and then recalling the movie from his memory, Eric got a feeling of Henry Cavill vs. Nicolas Cage, it just wasn't right.
Finally, Eric shook hands with the other party: "You were great, Toby. I liked your performance, and we will seriously consider it."
Tobey Maguire also realized that the effect wasn't satisfactory, but it didn't matter; he believed he was more suitable for The Flash.
The casting assistant director went to call the next person. Eric looked at Zack Snyder: "Zack, what image do you think Aquaman should have?"
Zack Snyder shook his head slightly: "According to the New 52 setting, Arthur should be a handsome blonde man, handsome and robust."
"But we've already made changes to Superman and wonder woman, so there's no need to follow the comics completely."
"But I don't think Tobey Maguire is suitable. His Spider-Man is too deeply ingrained, making it too easy to break immersion."
Eric agreed with this. Snyder's casting eye was very good, and his foundations in aesthetics, camera work, and lighting were solid.
If it weren't for his slightly weaker business acumen, using him as a director would actually be a very good choice.
Creak!
The door opened, and the next auditioner walked in.
The moment he saw him, Eric immediately felt a sense of temporal displacement.
Because the person who came in was Jason Momoa, and what Eric couldn't understand was that this guy looked almost the same as he would more than ten years later.
Can you imagine?
Someone under 30 years old already looking like a person nearing fifty.
What did he eat to grow up so fast?!
The reason he hadn't finalized the actor for Aquaman was because he considered Jason Momoa too young and lacking that certain charisma, hence the need for open auditions.
But now, it seemed, it wasn't necessary.
He nervously recited his resume, having been in the industry for 7 years, though only playing minor roles.
"The role I'm auditioning for is Arthur Curry, which, of course, was decided by my agent."
"Aside from my strong physique, I feel I'm far from Aquaman; at least I'm not blonde."
"But I can audition for other roles. Black Manta is also good. Please give me a chance, Director."
Eric and Zack Snyder both scrutinized the other party, then exchanged glances.
"Let him try."
"Hmm, actually, hair color isn't the main point. Come on, Jason, let's do a scene."
"I'll play Mera. Are you ready?"
Jason Momoa nodded eagerly: "Of course, of course, I've been preparing for a long time."
Zack Snyder cleared his throat a few times, deliberately pinching his voice to speak sharply: "Arthur, you are the son of Queen Atlanna, you are the King of the Sea."
Seeing him like this, Eric couldn't help but chuckle.
Jason Momoa, however, didn't dare to laugh, his expression showing impatience: "I don't know any Atlanna. I'm a lighthouse keeper's son, leave me alone!"
The two exchanged lines, and a few minutes later, they completed two segments of dialogue, performing well.
"Very good, your tone, expression, movements, and gaze. It seems you've truly studied the character seriously," Eric praised.
Jason Momoa's confidence clearly surged: "Mr. Cooper, I actually think I have another advantage."
"What?"
"In high school, I was on the varsity team, which gave me a strong physique. In college, I studied marine biology and wildlife biology."
"I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but at least I know a lot about many creatures in the sea."
"Do you like the ocean?" Zack Snyder pressed.
"Yes, I keep quite a few fish at home."
"Good, let's try some styling."
Makeup artists and prop masters began to come on set, and Eric even personally directed.
Shirt off to reveal muscles, give him the trident, thicken his eyebrows, mess up his hair, blow-dry it.
More than half an hour later, the actors waiting in line outside were extremely anxious.
This was not a good sign; the guy inside was clearly very popular.
Just then, Jason Momoa walked out with a brisk stride, waving to the guys he had been chatting with earlier: "Good luck, I wish you all the best!"