Versatile Superstar: Rise In Hollywood

“So, it’s confirmed that we are signing this?”

“Yes.”

“What made you change your mind?”

Wade looked strangely at Aiden and tilted his head. In just a day, he seemed different. Though, he wasn’t able to pinpoint how. 

He just felt like he showed more shades of the person he had met three years ago. 

“I like the story enough to not worry about the box office. I read it again and realised that the only reason I rejected it was because I wasn’t sure of the box office.”

Aiden had read the scripts again and this time, he liked quite a few of them. Though, he only selected the one he felt was the best. 

“Well, this movie will either be a huge box office hit or a major commercial flop. I don’t see two ways around it.”

Wade said as he looked down on the script Aiden had selected. 

It was a movie that didn’t have an official title yet and was only called ‘Project Dream’. It was the ambitious rom com project offered to him by Red Ant studios. 

More than a normal rom com, it was filled with an intricately made world and a heartfelt story in its core. 

Red Ant had a habit of doing things that people say are out of trend or genres that won’t work. They made western cowboy movies in the era of superhero movies and gangster movies in the era of rom coms. 

Some failed while some were unexpected hits. Now, they are trying to do a rom-com, saying that they don’t agree with the notion that people won’t pay to watch a romcom in the theatre. 

As Aiden had decided to go with this project, it would be very interesting to see if it will be a flop or a hit. 

“Well, with this project, we will have a lot of time on our hands. Red Ant isn’t thinking of starting the shooting till September next year. They already have a busy schedule going ahead.”

“Yeah, their lineup is already pretty packed for next year.”

Every studio ran differently. Indie studios would normally work on one or two movies only as that would be their capacity. While big studios, especially the Big 6 worked on several things at the same time. 

Some even have projects that are being developed for years. 

Red Ant also had a lot of projects filled up in their tally. Though most of them were from small projects or investments in streaming projects. 

If he looked at it practically, ‘Project Dream’ was them trying to do something different on a bigger scale. 

“Currently, let’s see if you can get an audition. Though, I doubt you will require it as you are the most popular actor in the age range they are going for. With your track record and just the goodwill among the audience, they are going to sign you up as soon as possible and get the marketing around you.”

Wade said as he pulled out his phone and typed something in. Probably a note about a meeting with Red Ant studios producers. 

Then, he looked at Aiden and asked. 

“What will be your other project? We decided to go with two for the time being right?”

His logic was basically that Aiden should sign as many projects as he could now that he was hot in the industry. But Aiden had only agreed to do 2, going for quality over quantity. 

“I have been going through a few scripts. Haven’t decided yet.”

“What about <Hex> adaption? I thought you would be interested in it now.”

“I’m but again, I need to see the script.”

Aiden said. He didn’t want to decide anything without a script. 

But Wade shook his head. 

“I actually tried to get it but they are very secretive about it. They are excited about your interest in it but they want you to audition first. You know like you used to do back when you were a rookie.”

“Yeah, I know. Makes me a bit apprehensive.”

“I understand that. I will see what I can do. I heard the executive producer is the guy who opposed you in the screening of [Action Hero]. Heard guy’s an egomaniac.”

Wade sighed. It was always troublesome if the producer didn’t like any actor. Professionals would still work with each other but Alberto was known to have actors that were close to him and would only give them roles. 

“It’s fine even if I didn’t get the role. Let’s just try it.”

“Okay.”

Wade nodded and Aiden and him talked a bit more before ending the meeting. 

It was already December and another year was coming to an end. Aiden hoped the next year would be as good as this one. 

Though, not everything was over in this year. 

***

A door opened and a female secretary walked in and looked at the man who was seated in the chair. Documents were all around him and he was slowly reading them. 

“Sir.”

He raised his head hearing that and looked at his secretary. 

“I got a call from the agent of Aiden Silvereye. Apparently, he’s very interested in having a meeting in regards to <Hex>.”

“He’s still interested?”

“Going by it, yes.”

The secretary looked at her boss, Alberto Dundley and he laughed out loud. Leaning forward, he stopped his laughter and his eyes grew a bit sharp. 

“He’s a cunning guy. Even though he rose to prominence very quickly, most of his projects are not sequels. They ended with the first movie. I heard there’s no plan to take Kai forward in any shape or form, so he’s lacking characters he could play for a long time. <Hex> is a great bet to get that as we are developing it as a franchise.”

Alberto muttered. There was only one actor who was able to be at the top without using sequels and that guy was extremely lucky with several blockbusters early in his career. 

Times have changed a lot since then and no one could do that in this age. 

“So, should I reject him?”

His secretary asked and Alberto thought for a bit before shaking his head. 

“No, I will meet him. I feel like it will be an interesting meeting. He’s very close to Ava, so I’m pretty sure she told him about the project.”

Alberto said before telling his secretary to get a meeting with Aiden after two weeks. He didn’t want to meet him straightaway and wanted to make him wait for a while. 

‘I felt humiliated when [Action Hero] was released.’

During that time, he was the only one rejecting it and when it had become an unexpected hit, he had heard a lot of sharp words. 

No one said it in front of him but he was aware of what people were talking about. 

Because of him, the company was about to lose a big movie. 

Ava had used the chance to spread rumours about how his eye for movies was dwindling with age and people were wondering if this was actually the case as a few other movies under him had flopped recently. 

The only reason he was meeting Aiden was because the majority of his anger was towards Ava. And he felt like Aiden was someone useful. 

‘He at least deserves one meeting.’

***

In this year, Aiden had done a lot but the majority of his time was spent on [The Black Saint] and Kai. The other major thing was his web novel which was a new break for him and had helped him tremendously. 

But there was one major thing. 

It was his investment. 

Although it happened at the end of last year, Aiden had invested in something big. 

A game that he felt would be a big hit. 

Now that he thought about it, it was a bit of an impulsive decision to invest in it and work on a part of the story for the game. 

Actually, the major framework of the game <God’s World> was his. The opening story and how it would progress, he had discussed that a lot, on calls and texts with Cory Daniels, the director of the game. 

It had been a year and a half since then and the game development was proceeding rapidly. Though, it would still take two more years before completion. 

But they were now ready to show what they had made till now. 

Normally, game companies would reveal footage or trailers of their games 2-3 years before the launch. Sometimes more than that.

It was because game development was a very long process and the interest of investors are maintained if the public reception is good. 

It was also a way to make hype for the game. 

Cory and Aiden were also going to follow it. 

That’s why, Silver Games were going to show a demo of their first game on the eve of The Game awards. 

A demo that had been made with a lot of sweat and love.