Chapter 196: The Path to Transformation

"Let me put it this way, Murphy."

Jessica Alba sat earnestly across from Murphy at his desk, "Aside from the nude scenes, do you think I'm suitable in all other aspects?"

She could tell this much from the audition.

Murphy didn't directly answer; he just smiled.

Indeed, whether due to preconceptions or not, Jessica Alba had a significant advantage based solely on physical attributes. Her sweet appearance and sensational figure made her a strong contender.

"I believe I'm perfect for Nancy's character," Jessica Alba said, her sweet smile returning. Years ago, she might have felt insecure, but now her looks filled her with confidence, "I've taken professional dance classes. Dancing comes easily to me, and I believe I can attract a lot of attention even fully clothed..."

Her years of struggle in Hollywood had taught her the importance of confidence. If she didn't believe in herself, how could she convince others?

But before she could finish, Murphy shook his head, "Jessica, I appreciate you. From the audition till now, I've never hidden that fact."

Jessica Alba paused, then nodded slightly. She felt her perception was correct.

"I remember you started as a child actor, right?" Murphy suddenly changed the subject.

"Yes." Jessica Alba smiled confidently, "I started acting in movies in '93."

These were her strengths.

Murphy tilted his head, "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you now?"

It was a somewhat impolite question. Jessica hesitated but answered, "Almost twenty-two."

"Twenty-two," Murphy said meaningfully, "That's a dangerous age for a youth idol."

Jessica's eyes fell, and her smile faded.

"Have you thought about it, Jessica?" Murphy continued, hoping to cast Jessica Alba, "How long can you continue on the path of a youth idol?"

Before she could answer, he added, "As you know better than I do, youth idols have a shelf life, and it's often very short. It's hard to continue beyond twenty-five."

Murphy let her ponder, not rushing. His words weren't just speculation but the reality faced by aging youth idol actors.

"Has your agency mentioned this to you?" Murphy added, "Jessica, it's time for you to transition."

Jessica's smile grew fainter. Why was she so fixated on the role of Nancy? The film targeted adult audiences, not children...

Looking at the youth idols who rose to fame in recent years, few successfully transitioned. Hollywood's pattern is to create youth idols, discard them when they "expire," and then create new ones. Unless an actor has distinctive features or exceptional acting potential, most agencies won't devise a comprehensive transition plan for youth idol-type actors. It's more resource-efficient to promote a new batch of young talents with promising conditions.

Hollywood is never short of attractive young men and women.

After probing Jessica's reaction, Murphy could tell her agent hadn't planned much in this regard.

"Neve Campbell, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jennifer Love Hewitt — how many remember these once-famous Hollywood youth idols now?"

If not for occasional tabloid appearances, these actors would have been forgotten, "Jessica, their biggest problem was not transitioning decisively when they should have, continuing to rely on the youth idol image until it was too late to change."

Jessica looked puzzled, "Does this relate to the role of Nancy? Isn't that also a vase role?"

"But vases differ. Some can act until they're over forty," Murphy explained, "while others are done by twenty-five."

Youth idol roles typically cater to seventeen or eighteen-year-olds. Without a naturally youthful face, it's hard to find suitable roles past twenty-three or twenty-four.

"But..." Jessica's confidence waned, "With age, one can still..."

"Play mature vase roles?" Jessica seemed aware she wasn't an acting powerhouse. Murphy shook his head, "Take a serious look. How many youth idols have transitioned to impactful mature vase roles after leaving their typecast roles? Wanting mature vase roles but being typecast by previous roles and lacking appeal to adult audiences, if you can't impress adults, you'll quickly..."

He shrugged, adding, "Jessica, why do you want the role of Nancy so badly? Even when contract negotiations falter, you don't give up. Don't say it's because of me; I, a minor director, don't have that kind of pull."

Jessica's gaze wandered, avoiding Murphy, like a child whose thoughts were transparent.

"Because this film targets adults over 17! It would introduce you to non-youth roles you've never tackled before!" Murphy had grasped Jessica's mindset, "Nancy may seem like a vase, but she's a crucial one in the comics, easily leaving a strong impression."

Leaning forward, he continued, "Nancy is different from your previous roles. While still a vase, she steps out of the youth idol category."

Jessica bit her lip, wanting to deny it but couldn't under Murphy's intense gaze.

If not for Nancy's role being distinct from her past characters, breaking away from the youth idol mold while maximizing her strengths, why would she cling to this role?

She wasn't desperate.

But the issue of nude scenes... Jessica frowned. She had refused because they could damage her current image.

Refusing nude scenes while securing Nancy's role would be ideal, posing no risk to her career even if unsuccessful.

"The earlier you transition, the better," Murphy spoke again, "leaving more room to maneuver. Jessica, understanding your situation, you should know the importance of your first post-youth idol role. A radical change in roles and image, leaving a deep impact, especially on adults over 17, wins their approval and secures your future."

He concluded, "Only by shedding the youth idol persona can you successfully transition."

Jessica Alba, who once dazzled in "Sin City," returned to her old ways, leading to a declining career...

Murphy, set to enter mainstream cinema, needed a popular vase. Jessica Alba fit the bill.

But she needed to move beyond being a mere youth idol, which didn't suit his future film style.

Checking his watch, Murphy said, "It's getting late. Jessica, I have work to do; let's end here for today."

"I'll... think about it, okay?" Jessica stood, asking for time.

Murphy nodded, "I hope for a prompt answer, preferably by this weekend."

He had said his piece. If Jessica still resisted, he'd have to choose Sofia Vergara.

After Jessica left, Murphy resumed his planning. The production wouldn't slow down over one actress's decision; everything was progressing smoothly.

That afternoon, Quentin Tarantino visited to settle scores with Murphy.

"You promised to guest direct on my film for a day, and what happened?" Quentin, full of roguish charm, stood in the office, accusing Murphy loudly, "I called, you were busy, fine! I waited, and you never showed up!"

Perhaps because they shared similar film tastes and production language, they hit it off from their first meeting, speaking directly and without reservations.

"I forgot!" Murphy hurriedly offered the rogue director a glass of water, handing it to him, "Really, I completely forgot."

Quentin, about to retort, paused as Murphy swiftly changed the subject, "I heard you kept the samurai swords custom-made for the Crazy 88 and O-Ren Ishii from 'Kill Bill'?"

"What are you planning?" Quentin immediately became wary.

"To borrow a few."

Murphy didn't want the hassle of ordering from Japan like Quentin, who spent over $60,000 on those props, "Remember, Mei Hui's weapon in the comics is also a samurai sword."

"Fine." Quentin, convinced it was for a good cause, agreed, "I'll have someone bring a few over."

Miss Ziyi Zhang, having passed the Mei Hui audition, was already training with the action directing team.

Film preparations proceeded in whatever way facilitated shooting. Murphy also frequented Venice, communicating with the heads of three studios contracted for special effects, and reviewing their preliminary models.

By the weekend, Jessica Alba's agent called the production team. She agreed to take on the role of Nancy, with restrictions on nude scenes; topless and back nudity were acceptable, but frontal nudity was not.

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