Jim Carrey

In a cafe near Warner Bros. headquarters, they sat on the second floor near the window. After ordering some snacks, pastries, and coffee, they settled into their seats.

In truth, there wasn't much to discuss. It was like a chance encounter that had inspired a spontaneous invitation.

Jim and his agent had similar intentions.

After some small talk and pleasantries, Sanger, Jim's agent, guided the conversation towards films. "Director Lattes, do you have any new creative plans recently?"

Lyman could tell that it was just a casual inquiry, as Sanger would attempt to build connections whether Lyman had plans or not. However, Lyman's response left room for speculation.

Could it work or not? Well, it was best to start by testing the waters.

Sanger signaled subtly.

Jim broke his silence and asked, "So, Lyman, do you have any suitable roles for me?"

Lyman remained silent. He neither spoke nor nodded nor shook his head. He seemed lost in thought.

To the two men sitting across from him, Lyman's silence hinted at something ominous. They thought perhaps their impromptu verbal invitation had somehow offended him.

Sanger quickly smiled and tried to smooth things over. "If there's nothing suitable, that's alright. We were just asking casually, not expecting anything specific."

Lyman snapped out of his reverie and said, "No, I was just considering Jim's image."

Indeed, it was about image and demeanor.

Jim was undoubtedly a comedy genius. In his early days, he gained some fame by impersonating celebrities on comedy variety shows as a regular guest.

Later, he developed his unique, exaggerated comedic style through unparalleled muscle control. Many said that he could make people laugh just by standing there without using body language, relying solely on his facial expressions.

When he entered the entertainment industry, he gained fame in Hollywood with the "Ace Ventura" series and "The Mask", establishing his position in comedy films.

But as time passed, people began to notice a change. Jim grew tired of comedy, or more precisely, he grew tired of entertaining audiences with performances so exaggerated that he himself became numb to them.

In the past, he didn't have a choice, but now he wanted to take on a different role, a transition of sorts.

And when facing the challenges of such a transition, it seemed like every actor wanted to earn something from the Oscars.

Everyone was talking about Leonardo DiCaprio's "pity" Oscars, but in these past years, Jim had been running that race as well.

Compared to his achievements in comedy, these years had seen slow progress, and it felt like the path was getting narrower.

So, when they approached a director like Lyman, who had won both Oscars and Cannes recognition, and mentioned his image, it was natural to feel a bit nervous.

Lyman was still staring at him when Jim smiled and asked, "Do you need me to stand up?" as a way to break the tension.

But unexpectedly, Lyman actually nodded.

Jim pushed his chair back and stood up.

After a while, Lyman gestured for him to sit down.

It couldn't be denied that Jim wasn't particularly handsome, but he had a unique presence.

It wasn't the kind of on-screen antics that generated laughter at every move; rather, it was a middle-aged man's natural solemnity.

When it came to acting, his foundation was very solid.

Indeed, comedy required a solid physique and dialogue delivery, and he excelled in this regard.

As Lyman contemplated this, the story he had thought about for a film suddenly sprang to mind when he saw the face behind the comedian.

In a previous life, there was a motivational film titled "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", also starring a comedian. If "Million Dollar Baby" aimed to touch hearts and inspire with a harsh, brutal reality, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" sought to uplift spirits with a lighthearted attitude. Their storytelling styles differed, but their underlying messages were the same. Moreover, Jim was a perfect fit for the character in the story—a middle-aged man who loved daydreaming and fantasizing but was stuck in a difficult phase, transitioning and unappreciated.

But what mattered most was that Lyman loved this story. He thought it would be fun to film and could complement "Million Dollar Baby". The most valuable aspect of life is trying, and the scariest is giving up. With this mindset, everything seemed just right.

"If you're willing, give me two weeks, and I'll come back to start the project. You'll be the male lead, of course. But if you want to look better, you'll need to gain some weight during these days. Your belly should have a little fat."

Sanger, who was sipping coffee at the time, almost spat out his coffee when he heard this. Lyman's suggestion was utterly unexpected. Sanger even began to doubt his hearing.

He turned to Jim. After all, he was the main focus.

Jim wasn't as shocked, but he was still surprised. In all seriousness, this was probably the fastest he had ever accepted a role, without even knowing what the script was about. The director had already decided he was the lead.

He wasn't sure if he should feel acknowledged or honored.

When he thought about how much effort he had put into his career, how many rejections he had faced when starting out, and how he had fought for acting opportunities, it felt strange to suddenly receive such a role.

Thinking back to last year when "Bruce Almighty" was released, it had been directly targeted by "Miscreant", effectively sabotaging his film. The difference in reception and the amount of attention drawn away were immeasurable.

However, he didn't feel angry with Lyman. Instead, he admired the director's abilities. Fate had brought them together once again, offering them a chance to collaborate.

Jim couldn't help but feel a bit odd about it all.

What did this mean?

"Director Lattes, did I... hear you correctly just now?" Sanger couldn't help but ask.

The male lead role in a new movie...was it really that easy to secure?

Lyman smiled and replied, "Of course. I'd like to invite Jim to be the male lead in my next film."

Before this, they had merely established a working relationship with promising directors and explored potential collaborations. But now, with this confirmation, they both felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

"As for gaining weight, how much are we talking about?" Jim was more concerned about the latter part of Lyman's statement.

"It's simple, no need for extreme measures. Just eat a bit more naturally, and you'll naturally gain some weight."

"Anything else?"

"That's all for now. Let's discuss further when I return from France. In any case, keep your schedule clear from late May to August."

"No problem."

"Then, consider it settled. Let's have a great collaboration."

"A great collaboration."