"What? Say it again. I think I'm still asleep."
Sometimes, good news hits you like a lightning strike—unexpected and jarring. It might not bring rain, but it sure leaves you blinking in confusion.
Especially when a stunning blonde with cat-like blue eyes is grinning at you, flashing his teeth, and practically pouncing around. There's a strange joy in the chaos.
"I don't know if you're awake yet, but you heard me right."
Christian, who had expected this exact response from the blonde, repeated it with a slight edge.
"You, Charlize Theron, are officially the lead. Got it?"
"What…"
Clearly, Charlize hadn't fully processed the information yet. Christian ignored her confusion, scanning the room. Noticing everyone's attention, he motioned them over.
"Alright, everyone, gather round. We've got two big announcements."
The producer, Westwood, stepped forward. His gaze swept over the room of actors.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our previous director, Alan McElroy, is stepping down for personal reasons. The new director will be..."
He laid a hand on Christian's shoulder, who stood casually by his side.
"This is Christian Booth. He's young, promising, and both the senior executives and I are confident in his ability to lead this film. We trust you'll all support him."
"What?"
The room fell into stunned silence, like a bad dream no one could wake up from.
The whispers that followed were hushed but full of surprise. No one dared speak up—not with Westwood's backing.
These actors were bottom-tier at best, and challenging the power dynamics of directors and producers was a fast track to professional oblivion.
They all had dreams of success, but no one wanted to jeopardize their fragile place in Hollywood.
"Excellent," Westwood said, clearly pleased with the response.
"As no one seems to have objections, let's move on to the second piece of news. Richard, take it from here."
The "Richard" in question was the grizzled casting director.
Today's meeting included actors who wouldn't be joining the production immediately, but Richard was well-known to everyone who'd auditioned.
His worn red beard and rough-hewn appearance made him seem like a pirate who'd seen too many storms.
He looked out of place, but the respect he commanded wasn't lost on anyone in the room.
"The second piece of news is that the previous lead, Miss Eliza Kunis, won't be able to continue due to scheduling conflicts. The production has decided that Charlize Theron will take over her role."
"WTF?"
The room buzzed with disbelief. The first shock had been Christian's unexpected promotion, but the second hit like a bomb.
Charlize Theron, a model, stepping into their world so suddenly was a blow to the lesser-known actors present.
A few of the young actresses, initially cast for supporting roles, shot her daggers.
Their gazes could've burned through stone.
"Listen, let me explain..." Richard muttered, shrugging as if he had anticipated this reaction, but Christian didn't care.
He'd been through this before—jealousy was part of the game.
These actors had no real power in this situation. They were pawns in a much bigger game.
"Alright, enough," Christian said, clapping his hands once.
"I know this is a lot to take in, but we need to stay focused."
The room quieted, all eyes on him now.
"To ensure the film stays on track, we've had to revise the script. You'll get your copies shortly. Read them on the way to the location."
The new scripts were handed out.
"New script?"
A murmur rippled through the group. It wasn't uncommon for directors to tweak things during filming, but major changes on the eve of shooting?
That was rare, even in Hollywood.
But no one spoke up. The earlier shock had drained their energy. They simply opened the new scripts and began reading.
"Two days," Christian said, leaning against the table, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
"New director, new lead, and a new script. All approved by the investors. We've got some kind of luck, huh? Richard, I guess your lucky suit's working wonders."
After instructing the actors to accept the new director and script, producer Westwood let out a sigh of relief and, with a light chuckle, patted the old-timer's shoulder.
"May our luck continue."
The old-timer, who seemed more cautious in his optimism, adjusted his well-worn yet neatly pressed lucky suit.
"Speaking of which, Christian, to modify the script and come up with a new shooting plan in just two days... that's impressive."
"Yes," Christian replied, his tone modest.
Westwood exhaled dramatically. "I won't comment on the quality, but in terms of speed, Christian's pace puts even top screenwriters to shame."
Christian smiled, not letting the praise get to him. "When the stage is set, ideas flow. We're just putting them into action now."
He knew better than to dwell on compliments. Americans, known for their bluntness, usually didn't appreciate such sentimentality.
But deep down, he felt a flicker of pride in how quickly he had whipped the script into shape.
Christian's predecessor, Alan, had written a script that closely resembled Wrong Turn, a film Christian vividly remembered.
When he arranged the scenes, he kept comparing them to the ones from Wrong Turn, noticing the similarities.
After taking over as director, Christian tossed Alan's script aside and replaced it with a new one he'd been working on for over two months.
The final draft was a blend of both the original concept and his own memories, now ready for the screen.
There was no denying the similarities between the two scripts. While Christian's version wasn't necessarily superior to Alan's, it was leaner, more budget-friendly, and much easier to shoot—a godsend for the cash-strapped crew.
More importantly, Christian could directly align his vision with the scenes from Wrong Turn, using it as a guide to shape the film's atmosphere, even as a first-time director with little practical experience.
Westwood and Richard, however, saw things differently—especially the producer.
When Westwood had initially agreed to make Christian the new director, it had been more out of necessity than belief in Christian's talent.
Westwood had his doubts, unsure whether Christian could pull off the script changes and the shooting plan overhaul in just two days.
But Christian's swift work had turned the situation around, rekindling the confidence of investors who'd been ready to pull out after Alan's abrupt departure.
His ability to deliver, despite the time crunch, had solidified Christian's position as the director.
Before this pivotal moment, Westwood had spent three days with Christian, meeting potential investors and advocating for the project.
He'd hoped to keep the production alive but was mentally preparing to delay or even shut it down if things went south.
However, Christian's revised script and shooting plan had completely caught everyone off guard.
The new screenplay was tight and vivid, and the shooting plan was detailed, restoring the investors' faith and ultimately securing their support.
Westwood had never imagined Christian would win them over in such a short time.
"Christian should've been in a different profession," Westwood muttered to himself, almost in awe.
"With his persuasive skills, he'd make a hell of a lawyer."
"If he pulls this off... we might actually have something here."
Christian, though relieved at winning over the investors, couldn't shake the undercurrent of tension.
As a first-time director, he knew the real challenge was just beginning.
He felt a sharp mix of anticipation and pressure building inside him.
"Time to show them my unique approach to filmmaking."