Chapter 21: Donnie Darko

"Yes, the producer is Drew Barrymore, and this movie is indeed an independent film," Richard Kelly said, answering Evan Bell's questions one by one. His willingness to engage made a good impression.

Evan, originally expected to be the interviewee, found himself interviewing Richard instead. The script is called Donnie Darko, and you'd be playing the main character, Donnie Darko. Do you have any questions?" Richard asked, a bit nervous.

Drew Barrymore is a classic example of a Hollywood child star. She became famous at a young age, becoming a top star at seven for her role in the hit movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

However, she struggled with the pressures of fame, leading her to drinking, smoking, and even drug use. After successfully overcoming her struggles, Drew starred in a series of challenging films, gradually returning to prominence. This year's Charlie's Angels made her a household name again. It's worth noting that Drew Barrymore also produced Charlie's Angels.

This time, Richard Kelly persuaded Drew Barrymore to invest in the independent film Donnie Darko during the Charlie's Angels screening. Initially, Richard wanted Drew to play the role of the hero's teacher and use her influence to attract sponsors. Drew, having read the script, was interested and willing to invest, despite it being a small-budget production of $4.5 million.

The concept of independent films originated in mid-20th century Hollywood. At that time, Hollywood was monopolized by the so-called eight major film companies, and film production followed a strict producer system that focused on maximizing profits. Although it brought in huge profits to the film industry, this system also limited the creative freedom of people working or wanting to work in Hollywood.

That is until a group of filmmakers broke away from the major studios, raised funds independently, and often wrote and directed their own scripts, creating films with strong ideological content distinct from commercial films. These were called independent films.

Independent films do not seek direct investment from commercial organizations and therefore do not aim primarily for profit. They are characterized by small-scale, low-cost technical means, resulting in a highly realistic style.

However, low investment does not equate to poor quality or unprofessionalism. Independent films can also have significant investments and productions, such as Once Upon a Time in America and Million Dollar Baby.

Richard Kelly's film is an independent production. Despite obtaining financing from Drew Barrymore, Richard retains the primary decision-making power. This is why Richard was able to independently interview Evan Bell and immediately decide on casting him.

"So, Mr. Bell, what do you think?" Richard Kelly asked again.

Evan Bell did not answer immediately but continued reading the script in his hand. Logically, it was a great opportunity to act in a movie, especially with the director coming all the way from Los Angeles, and showing his sincerity.

However, acting wasn't part of Evan's recent plans, as he prioritized his studies. He decided to participate in the interview out of curiosity and the sincerity he felt from Richard Kelly. Of course, Evan was also interested in films. So, he decided to take a closer look at the script.

After reading only the first few pages, Evan Bell recognized the film. It was not unknown; he just didn't realize it at first. The protagonist, Donnie Darko, is a teenager with psychological problems. Late one night, an unidentified airplane engine crashes into Donnie's room.

He managed to survive because he sleepwalked out of his room, guided by a voice in his mind. The voice belongs to Frank, a man in a bunny costume, who tells Donnie the world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds.

The name Donnie Darko is meaningful, with "Darko" being a homophone of "dark," adding to the film's black, mysterious style. Evan recalled that the film initially received a mediocre response in the U.S. but was highly regarded by professionals and instantly became a cult classic.

Originally, Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the movie, which gained him fame, especially with Brokeback Mountain. But now, the role had come to Evan Bell.

"No problem, it's an honor to be able to act in this movie," Evan Bell said with a smile that made Richard Kelly break into a wide smile.

"It's a pleasure to work with you." After confirming the casting, Richard Kelly's relief was palpable. "Mr. Bell, are you sure this is your first movie? Your performance earlier was truly impressive. I admire you very much." Richard Kelly's praise was genuine. Although Evan's performance had some rough edges, it was undoubtedly outstanding.

Before coming, Richard was worried. If Mr. Bell wasn't suitable, his last hope was a young actor named Jake Gyllenhaal, scheduled for an interview next week. Having already starred in a movie, Jake was Richard's backup plan. Otherwise, with funding raised but no actor, Miss Barrymore might have to intervene in casting.

'So, I got here before Jake Gyllenhaal,' Evan Bell thought with a smile. "Before the film starts, I have a lot of work to do. At least, I need to read the script carefully and memorize my lines. This is the habit that I picked up on Broadway; forgetting lines is unforgivable. By the way, when does filming start, and where will it be shot? The new semester has started, and I have a lot to handle."

In the U.S., taking time off school for work is possible with permission from the department or professor. However, Evan didn't want to fall behind in his courses. He planned to stay in touch with his professors via email and ensure he didn't miss final exams.

"The film will start shooting at the end of this month, and if nothing goes wrong, it can be completed in three weeks," Richard Kelly explained. Independent films usually have shorter production periods due to their limited budget and scale, making the three-week timeline normal, which suited Evan Bell. "The filming location is in a small town in Virginia, not far from here. It only takes an hour to drive from Boston to Virginia, which is perfect for you."

With everything settled, the only thing left was signing the contract. With Teddy Bell as his agent and Eden Hudson as his legal advisor, Richard Kelly finalized everything the next day. Teddy Bell was initially confused.

Evan had previously mentioned being too busy with the new semester to accept the interview, but now he was confirmed to star in the movie. The change was significant. However, Teddy trusted Evan entirely and didn't question him, focusing instead on using his professional knowledge to secure a fair contract, protecting Evan's rights.

After signing the contract, Richard Kelly hurried back to Los Angeles to assemble the crew. Teddy Bell looked at Evan with concern. "Do you need me to go to the crew with you?"

Evan Bell was confident. "I went to Off-Broadway by myself when I was eight. I can handle myself on a film set. You should focus on your thesis." Teddy Bell, reassured, didn't say more.