Chapter 187

Los Angeles, Malibu, on the Pacific Coast Highway 1, a red Mustang was speeding.

Megan Fox held the steering wheel with a face full of satisfaction while Charles, who was sitting in the passenger seat, remarked with some surprise, "Your driving skills have really improved a lot!"

"Of course, I specially hired a coach to not only practice driving but also learn about the car's structure and some repair techniques," Megan Fox, who was going to join the Transformers crew next month, said excitedly.

Back at Megan Fox's beachfront villa in Malibu, she seemed extremely happy after racing with Charles.

"I've also met and talked with J.J. Abrams several times. Because I'll need to walk and run in high heels in the desert, he told me to maintain my physique and stamina," Megan Fox shared her preparations with Charles.

Charles nodded, "Transformers was a childhood favorite for countless people. We 80s kids are really looking forward to the live-action movie!"

Megan Fox nodded in agreement. Charles advised her to just be responsible for being sexy and beautiful in the film, suggesting that when the movie became a hit, she'd quickly become famous.

"Have you seen the Disney-produced TV movie High School Musical? It seems very popular. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, the main characters, have gained quite a bit of fame," Megan Fox mentioned, clearly interested in the news about Zac Efron, her co-star in Transformers.

"The high school romance aired last month on ABC and the Disney Channel. It was filmed pretty well!" Megan Fox reminded Charles in case he didn't know.

"That's even better. Zac Efron's fame will also increase the attention on Transformers," Charles said with a smile. However, these things were not that significant. Both Zac Efron and Megan Fox were still relatively unknown in Hollywood.

High School Musical was a TV movie and didn't play in theaters, limiting its influence.

Transformers, being a special effects blockbuster like Marvel's adaptations, didn't require much from the actors.

However, since it was a big-budget commercial film with a production budget of more than 100 million dollars, it was sure to spend a lot of money on global promotion. As the lead actors, they would quickly gain popularity and increase their visibility.

"Now that the promotion for Transformers has already started, you and Zac Efron must be getting a lot of attention already," Charles said, leaning back on the sofa and pulling Megan Fox into his arms. "When you accept media interviews in the future, you have to be careful with what you say, understand?"

Megan Fox, who was only 20 and had just a high school education, would become globally famous thanks to her sexy figure and face once Transformers was released.

Charles was giving her precautionary advice to prevent her from becoming arrogant after fame. After all, Megan Fox's acting skills were not significant, much like Blake Lively, who starred with her in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

"I know. Ms. Capet already talked to me about what to say and not say to different people like the crew members, media reporters, and so on," Megan Fox nodded, responding earnestly. "Now my manager and assistant are also arranged by Ms. Capet."

Charles nodded, believing that this time Megan Fox could finish shooting the Transformers trilogy and then consider moving towards the fashion industry.

The director was not Michael Bay, nor was Spielberg the producer. Thus, Megan Fox wouldn't call 'Hitler on set' and get fired by Spielberg.

...

Meanwhile, in a small cafe in Burbank, Ellen Page, who gained some notoriety from Hard Candy, was chatting with her manager at a table.

"In the afternoon, you have an audition at Capet Pictures. You need to perform well. The script is really good and suits you!" The manager was genuinely satisfied with the script of Juno. Although Ellen Page was already 19, her petite stature allowed her to play a high school student without any issue.

Ellen Page, agreeing with her manager's viewpoint, said, "I read the script several times carefully and really like the character. It also has feminist ideas. I will do my best to get the role!"

The manager nodded, smiling, "You know Capet Pictures' momentum now. Apart from the six major studios, it's the most powerful. The movies they produce are all very good. And, Charles Capet is young, but his reputation in Hollywood is stellar. Everyone who has worked with him, whether big stars or ordinary actors, speaks highly of him!"

Ellen Page lifted her head, "I know. Everyone says Mr. Charles Capet is a rare genius in Hollywood. He has a unique vision for both commercial and art films."

"Exactly. Both Little Miss Sunshine and No Country for Old Men, excellent indie films, were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar," the manager said, lowering her voice, "Ellen, I've heard a rumor that Charles watched Hard Candy and loved your performance, praising your talent!"

"Moreover, Juno is also an indie art film with a new director. There won't be many issues within the crew. Although Charles Capet has some scandals, he's different from many big names in Hollywood. His disdain for Harvey Weinstein is telling of his character."

The manager sighed. Ellen Page got noticed for her performance in Hard Candy by Twentieth Century Fox's X-Men: The Last Stand crew, securing the role of Kitty Pride, Shadowcat.

Ellen Page, a small-time actress, had been harassed and insulted by the film's director, Brett Ratner, during the shooting of X-Men: The Last Stand.

Ellen Page's sexual orientation was a bit different from others, and Brett Ratner publicly humiliated her verbally on set, leaving her in a constant state of confusion.

Later, he even purposely asked Ellen Page to bring him food to his trailer, where he was having an affair with a female crew member.

Brett Ratner, having directed the Rush Hour series, was a big shot in Hollywood and didn't care about female actors, especially insignificant ones like Ellen Page.

Ellen Page smiled, "Don't worry. I know how to handle it!"

The manager nodded, relieved that Ellen Page hadn't lost her fighting spirit despite the unpleasant experience in the X-Men: The Last Stand crew.

"It's time. Let's go," the manager said, glancing at the large construction site nearby. Hollywood was indeed going to have another top-tier movie company.

*****

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