Chapter 845: Martin and Aniston's Oscar Competition

Walt Disney Studios, the creative powerhouse behind iconic films like 'Beauty and the Beast', was abuzz with activity. In a dance studio temporarily transformed into an audition space, a dozen people had gathered, among them Martin, the key decision-maker, and Alan Horn, the influential chairman of Disney Studios.

The third and final round of auditions for the lead actress was about to commence. The air was thick with anticipation as the focus of this round would be on the triple-threat skills of singing, dancing, and acting. Producer David Huberman, ever the meticulous planner, instructed his deputy to distribute a few iPads to representatives from the Screen Actors Guild and the insurance company. These representatives, professionals in their own right, quietly retreated to the back row, expertly turning down the volume on their devices to play games without disrupting the proceedings.

Director Bill Condon, a seasoned filmmaker with an eye for talent, turned to Martin and Alan Horn with a question that held the weight of the moment: "Shall we begin?"

Martin, always composed, gave a slight nod. Alan Horn, with his characteristic authority, simply said, "Lets begin."

Only three actresses had made it to this decisive round: Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, and Emma Roberts. The stakes were high, and each candidate knew that this was their chance to capture the role of a lifetime. Emma Roberts, the first to audition, brought with her not just her talent but also the legacy of her aunt, Julia Roberts, who was quietly pulling strings behind the scenes to boost her niece's chances.

The audition was structured meticulously. It began with a brief dramatic performance, followed by a dance number, and concluded with the singing of "Scarborough Fair," a piece chosen to showcase vocal prowess. Emma Roberts delivered a commendable dance routine, but when it came to singing, her performance fell short of the high expectations.

Saoirse Ronan and Emma Watson, however, rose to the occasion, each displaying remarkable talent in both dancing and singing. Emma Watson, still free from the later criticisms of being overshadowed by her association with feminism, brought a wealth of experience from over a decade in the industry. Her professionalism shone through. Meanwhile, Saoirse Ronan, fresh from her success in 'La La Land', had been rigorously training in singing and dancing, her commitment evident in every step and note.

The audition concluded successfully, but the real decision lay ahead. The senior management team had the final say, and after a thorough review of the audition tapes, most of the crew members filed out, leaving behind the key players: Martin, Alan Horn, Bill Condon, and David Huberman.

Bill Condon, representing CAA, didn't mince words. "I think Emma Watson is more suitable. She's a global name with a massive fan base. Her casting would naturally draw audiences to the film," he said, his tone confident.

David Huberman, keenly aware of the dynamics at play, remained silent. His relationship with CAA was lukewarm at best, and he knew his opinion wouldn't sway the decision.

Both Emma Watson and Saoirse Ronan had delivered strong performances, but Alan Horn, as the primary investor and producer, held his cards close, not yet revealing his thoughts.

Martin, sensing the need for a compelling argument, spoke up. "I believe Saoirse Ronan is the right choice. 'La La Land' has been a massive hit, with the North American box office already surpassing $150 million. The audience loves her, especially in the musical segments, which are crucial for this role."

He paused, letting the point settle before continuing, "As for Emma Watson, the 'Harry Potter- series is behind her. Since stepping away from Hermione Granger, she's starred in 'Noah' and 'The Bling Ring', both of which underperformed at the box office and didn't resonate with audiences. Fans still see her as Hermione, and casting her as Belle might not help the film escape that shadow."

Then, with a sharp glance at Alan Horn, Martin delivered his clincher. "And let's not forget the incident from over a year ago at Disney Studios. I'm sure you recall that scene."

Bill Condon's mind flashed to the embarrassing memory of Emma Watson, her trousers stained with an unfortunate mess, an incident that had been the talk of the studio for weeks. The image alone was enough to make him wrinkle his nose in distaste, silently acknowledging Martin's point.

With the arguments laid out, the room fell silent as the weight of the decision pressed down on the small group left in the audition room. The fate of the film's leading role hung in the balance, waiting for the final call.

David Herberman, unable to hold back any longer, voiced his concerns. "This incident has significantly tarnished Emma Watson's public image."

Alan Horn, representing Disney Pictures and speaking with the authority of the lead producer, weighed in decisively. "The risk of casting Emma Watson is simply too high. As for Emma Roberts, she doesn't quite have the chops we need for this role. Let's move forward with Saoirse Ronan."

Bill Condon, though he had leaned toward Emma Watson, wasn't about to challenge the producers over it. Realizing the futility of further debate, he quickly dropped the subject.

Martin, direct as always, nodded in agreement. "I think that's the right choice."

Alan Horn then turned to producer David Huberman. "Let's notify the actresses today."

David Herberman nodded briskly. "I'll make the call right away."

With that, the decision was sealed. Saoirse Ronan was chosen as the female lead, and the third round of auditions officially concluded. Martin and Alan Horn left the studio together, their work for the day done.

Just ten minutes later, Saoirse Ronan's phone rang. It was her agent, delivering the news she had been waiting for. "Congratulations, Saoirse! You've officially landed the role of Belle!"

While her agent and mother erupted with excitement, Saoirse remained calm, a quiet confidence radiating from her. She had been certain all along that the role was hers. The crew's screenwriter, Greta Gerwig, was a close collaborator, the choreographer Mandy Moore was a trusted ally, and the second-largest investor was someone she could count on. Even the largest investor respected the opinion of the second-largest, making her victory seem almost preordained.

Saoirse didn't need to pop champagne; the outcome was just as she had expected. After sending her mother and agent on their way, she pulled out her phone and made a call. "Teacher, are you free this afternoon? Great, I'll meet you at the dance studio. I've learned a few new routines that I'd like to show you."

Martin agreed, and not long after, Saoirse was in the studio, warming up. Her training had reached a point where even challenging moves like standing splits were second nature. But as she practiced, a thought nagged at her: Was she progressing too quickly? What challenges would she set for herself next? The idea of losing her edge in just a few years was unsettling.

As she mused, another thought struck her. She remembered her teacher's other student, the charismatic singer Taylor Swift, and her infamous squad of girlfriends. "Maybe I should do something similar," Saoirse thought, the idea taking root in her mind. "If I gather a few friends together, it'll keep things fresh and exciting…"

Saoirse, always the diligent student, began mentally cataloging actresses she had worked with or met over the years who were around her age and had the right blend of talent and charisma to join her in this new venture.

Half an hour later, Martin entered the studio. The music began, and as Saoirse moved, her body swaying to the rhythm, there was a primal energy in her dance that transported them both to another world.

…

As December rolled in, 'La La Land' continued its meteoric rise, with the North American box office surpassing $200 million. The film had also begun its international release, resonating with audiences far and wide. Unlike Martin's previous film, 'The Town', which had a distinctly North American flavor, 'La La Land' had universal appeal. In its first week overseas, the film's box office exceeded $50 million.

Along with the box office success, the film's reputation soared. Despite its modern Los Angeles setting, 'La La Land' was imbued with a nostalgic charm, from its vibrant cinematography to its timeless jazz soundtrack. This blend of modern and nostalgic elements struck a chord not only with general audiences but also with industry insiders.

For many in Hollywood, nostalgia was a winning formula, particularly for the older, predominantly white demographic that made up much of the Oscar voting base. This was the kind of film that Oscar voters adored, setting the stage for a successful awards season.

Martin, Thomas, and the rest of the team gathered in the conference room of Davis Studio, ready to strategize. Jessica turned on the projector, casting a bright light that illuminated the room. As the screen came to life, it displayed the names of this year's heavyweight contenders for the Oscars.

By December, the Oscar race was already taking shape, and everyone in the room knew that 'La La Land' was a serious contender. The excitement was palpable as they prepared to navigate the final stretch of awards season, confident that they had a winner on their hands.

"La La Land's primary goal is to secure the Best Picture award," Jessica announced confidently, clicking the mouse to bring up the next slide. As the screen flickered, three movie titles appeared, their names looming large. "Based on our intel and a thorough analysis of the competition, these are the films we're up against."

Martin leaned forward, his gaze fixed on the familiar titles now displayed: 'The Wolf of Wall Street', 'Gravity', and '12 Years a Slave'. Each film was a heavyweight in its own right, and he knew the battle ahead would be fierce.

Jessica, ever the strategist, continued her briefing. "Gravity is a Warner Bros. production, directed by the Mexican visionary Alfonso Cuarón. It hit North American theaters this past October, and its box office numbers are already approaching $250 million. The film's reputation is stellar, and with its strong female lead, it resonates well with current industry trends."

Thomas, always quick to connect the dots, chimed in, "Isn't that a science fiction movie?"

"Yes," Jessica replied, nodding. "It's more of a hard sci-fi, grounded in realism. Historically, the Academy has been hesitant to award science fiction films, but things have shifted. Two years ago, Martin took home the Best Actor award for 'The Martian', and since then, the Oscars have become more open to the genre."

Martin added, "I spoke with Daniel over at Warner Bros. They're pushing hard for Best Director and Best Picture with 'Gravity'."

Jessica moved on to the next contender. "Then there's 'The Wolf of Wall Street', directed by Martin Scorsese, with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead."

Before she could elaborate, Martin interrupted, "This film is primarily gunning for Best Actor."

He knew Leonardo well, DiCaprio had a personal stake in

She turned her gaze to Martin, a playful glint in her eye. "This bastard is addicted to playing the saint. He's jet-setting around the world with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, trying to gain fame. It's like he's forgotten his job as a Hollywood star entirely."

Julie, lounging comfortably, added with a leisurely smile, "Sure, I haven't made many films in the past two years, but my status hasn't taken a hit. In fact, it's only gone up. The paycheck I'm pulling in for starring in a film these days is even higher than yours, and you're out there hustling non-stop!"

Aniston couldn't help but feel a momentary sting, knowing there was some truth to what Jolie said. Still, she wasn't one to back down. She took a long sip of her wine before retorting, "In this crazy world we live in, it seems movie stars don't even need to be in movies anymore to stay relevant…"

Martin, sensing the tension, smoothly handed Jolie another glass of wine. Turning to Aniston, he said, "I watched '12 Years a Slave', the movie you produced. I've got to say, you've really captured the pulse of the times."

Jolie, ever quick to tease, interjected with a smirk. "Captured the pulse of the times? Please. If it weren't for you, Martin, she would've been left in the dust, betrayed by Pitt."

Aniston shot back, correcting her, "You mean betrayed by you and Pitt!"

Jolie chuckled, unfazed. "And didn't I make up for it? Every time you were with Martin, I put in every ounce of effort to make it up to you."

She then leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a suggestive tone. "Martin, you have so many lovers. Why don't you bring a few more around for us to have some fun with?"

Martin, not taking the bait, changed the subject, directing his question to Aniston. "So, are you aiming to win the Oscar for Best Picture?"

"Absolutely. The PR team we hired is convinced that our biggest competitor is 'La La Land'." Aniston knew better than most just how high Martin's chances were of taking home the Oscar. She sighed, "That's why I wanted to talk to you. To figure out how to handle this."

Jolie slid over, draping an arm around Martin's shoulders. "Jenny's worried you'll go head-to-head with her."

She then turned to Aniston with a sly grin. "Isn't that right, Jenny?"

Aniston shrugged, trying to play it cool. "We've been through so much together. We can't just tear each other down over something like this, can we? The way Oscar campaigning works these days… it's all Harvey Weinstein's fault. It's not enough to just promote yourself anymore; now you have to smear your competition to secure the win."

Jolie chimed in, "Harvey Weinstein may have started it, but it was our very own Mr. Martin Davis here who perfected the art of the 'honest' awards strategy."

Martin didn't deny it, instead addressing the matter head-on. "We've had our sights on the Best Picture award for 'La La Land' for a long time. But it's clear that '12 Years a Slave' is gunning for the same prize. We're competing fairly, without resorting to dirty tricks."

Aniston, realistic about her chances, admitted, "I know it's going to be tough to beat you."

Jolie, her mischievous smile widening, laughed at the thought. "It's not really fair, is it? Jenny's new to the Oscar game, and you've got years of experience under your belt. She doesn't stand a chance."

Martin spread his hands, feigning innocence. "So, we compete fairly. That's all."

But Jolie wasn't done stirring the pot. She looked back and forth between Martin and Aniston before an idea lit up her eyes. "I've got a great idea, one that won't damage our relationships but might even strengthen them."

Martin, intrigued, put his arm around her and said, "Go on, let's hear it."

Jolie leaned in, her voice conspiratorial. "How about a duel? A real one. If Martin wins, '12 Years a Slave' withdraws from the Best Picture race. But if Jenny wins, 'La La Land' backs out."

Aniston's eyes lit up with a newfound competitive spirit. "What kind of competition are we talking about?"

Jolie, relishing the drama, explained, "It's simple. We see who can make the other give up first, who can make them 'fly up into the air' and surrender in the shortest time!"

She winked at Aniston, encouraging her. "Come on, Jenny. Women have a natural advantage in this kind of battle. Take him down!"

Martin looked at his hands, his fingers slender but strong, recalling the lessons from his previous life as an actor, where he'd perfected his technique. He wasn't about to lose, not in this contest or at the Oscars.

And so, this unusual Oscar race began, with high stakes and even higher spirits. It was a battle where wit, charm, and perhaps a little bit of cunning would decide who would take home the ultimate prize.