Model to Holywood

"Luca, let me be honest with you!" 

After finishing the stinky tofu, Li An decided it was time to lay it all out. 

"Mr. Li, please go ahead!" 

Luca took a sip of beer and smiled. 

"Luca, your image is fine, and you give off a good vibe." 

Luca secretly knew this was bad news. Whenever compliments came before a "but," they were usually meaningless. 

"But your acting..." 

Li An shook his head and burped, "You're a rookie, and this film has high demands on the actors. Acting is a crucial aspect." 

Luca thought to himself, *Nonsense. How do you get acting experience without getting roles first? If you give me the part, I'll show you my acting!* 

"Mr. Li, I heard that you initially planned to cast A-list actors for the lead roles?" 

"Yes, but we couldn't find the right people." 

Li An chewed on a piece of chicken, feeling a bit helpless. 

Hollywood today isn't much different from Wyoming in the past. 

There are plenty of people with the same problem, but it's rarely acknowledged. 

Once it's exposed, discrimination, contempt, and silent rejection follow. Actors who take on these roles face similar consequences. 

In indie films with limited releases, it's common to see A-listers challenge themselves with same-sex roles. 

But in widely released films, A-listers are rare. It's too risky. 

Even if a few big names auditioned because of their star power, they were hesitant. 

Some even agreed, only to later ghost the production. 

So, A-listers weren't a reliable option. 

Luca knew this, which is why he decided to try his luck. 

Hollywood was still conservative. Few actors were openly gay, and fewer still dared to take on such roles. Only those without better opportunities played these parts. 

After *Brokeback Mountain* became a hit, this started to change. 

Now, every so often, actors were coming out of the closet. 

That's the power of *Brokeback Mountain*. 

"Mr. Li, I heard the film's budget is only $15 million?" 

"Yes!" 

Li An was secretly surprised. The budget had just been finalized—how did this guy already know? 

The total investment for this movie was exactly $15 million, not a penny more. 

It was undoubtedly a small-budget film, which limited their options to second- or third-tier actors. 

Luca smiled faintly, "Mr. Li, for the actors you're looking for, it's either about fame or acting skill. Where do you think my fame ranks?" 

Li An frowned. 

This guy had shot to fame after a heroic rescue in December of last year. Since then, he'd been in the headlines frequently. 

He was even named the most talked-about young actor of the year by *The Hollywood Chronicle*, with popularity not far off from A-listers. 

Using him might not be a bad idea. 

Li An tapped the table, lost in thought. He had directed *The Incredible Hulk* earlier that year, which had a $130 million budget but only brought in $250 million at the box office—a small loss. 

He had taken on this smaller project partly because he believed in the script and partly out of ambition. 

Luca was popular, easy to work with, and might be worth considering. 

But his acting... 

"Luca, with your current fame, you probably have plenty of offers. Why are you interested in our small production?" 

Li An was getting a little annoyed with all the questions. 

This was an audition! What kind of actor grills the director like this? 

Luca shrugged, "Mr. Li, I'm also a screenwriter. The films *Goal!* and *She's the Man*, which are currently in production, were written by me." 

"So, I'm very picky about scripts. The script for *Brokeback Mountain* moved me, which is one reason I chose this project." 

Li An nodded. He wasn't the only one—many actors were drawn to the script. 

"Second, I'm confident I can do justice to this role. 

You mentioned earlier that my look and vibe fit the character. After reading the script, I felt the same, and that's another reason for my confidence. 

Also, I shot three films earlier this year: *Honey Sweetheart*, *Mean Girls*, and *The Notebook*, directed by Nick Cassavetes, all as supporting leads. 

In those films, my acting improved significantly." 

"Nick Cassavetes?" 

Li An frowned. Cassavetes was an old-school director with high standards for his actors. 

If Luca had caught his eye, his acting couldn't be too bad. 

"And third, the most important reason..." 

Luca smiled slightly, "I've heard that in Chinese cinema, there are two directors known for mentoring actors—Wong Kar-Wai and Li An." 

Li An raised an eyebrow. This guy knew too much. 

"I'm a newcomer. I don't lack fame, and I don't lack money. 

What I do lack is something real—something that can help my career: acting skills, roles, awards. 

I believe in this film, and I have great respect for you, Mr. Li. 

I think I can gain those things from you and this film. 

That's why I'm here, hoping to work with you!" 

"You're quite ambitious!" 

Li An said calmly. 

"Aren't you, Mr. Li?" 

Luca smiled lightly and sighed, "We're both foreigners. In a foreign land, we inevitably face exclusion, discrimination, and suppression. Making a name for ourselves here is incredibly difficult." 

He took a deep swig of beer and said slowly, "Back in Brazil, I was a celebrated football prince. 

After the car accident, I became worthless. 

When I came to the U.S., I worked so hard, almost at the cost of my life, but still struggled to gain recognition in the mainstream media. 

They often call me a fraud, a devil, a freeloader who depends on his sister, and tell me to go back to Brazil. 

I see these headlines almost every day. 

But I don't care. 

I'm determined to stay in America, to stay in Hollywood. Not because I enjoy the struggle, but because I want to make something of myself. And then loudly tell everyone: I'm not a freeloader!" 

"Good!" 

Li An couldn't help but slap the table. 

Those words hit him right in the heart. 

He was a foreigner too. 

At 24, he came to the U.S. and earned a master's degree at NYU. 

But his career didn't go well, and he lived off his wife for six years. 

During that time, he handled all the housework—laundry, cooking, raising the kids. 

All their household expenses were covered by his wife, Lin Jiahui, who was pursuing a PhD in biology at the University of Illinois. 

There were even reports at the time calling him a freeloader. 

Even now, when discussing his success, the media never fail to mention those six years of living off his wife. 

It bothered him a lot. 

Seeing someone else who had also lived off others made him feel a sense of shared hardship. 

"Mr. Li, let's toast!" 

Luca raised his beer can and clinked it against his. 

*Clink!* 

Li An took a sip of beer, then suddenly realized—wait a minute, I'm not living off anyone anymore! Why am I toasting with him? 

And why did this guy end his speech with that line, "I'm not a freeloader!" 

That bastard must have read the reports about me. He brought it up on purpose to resonate with me. 

And it worked. 

That sly brat! 

Li An couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. 

"Luca, you're quite the smooth talker. You barely pass in terms of fame and talent. 

But for this casting, we're pairing the leads. The two main actors need to complement each other. 

The first lead is the priority, and the second lead will be chosen based on him, so my approval of you doesn't mean much." 

Li An shook his head. No matter how impressive Luca's words were, if they couldn't find a suitable lead actor to match him, all his efforts would be in vain. 

Luca smiled nonchalantly, "Thank you for your approval, Mr. Li. I love this role, so I'll give it my best shot. 

Even if I fail or miss out, I won't have any regrets." 

Li An pondered for a moment. Most of the actors who had auditioned so far seemed hesitant, like they were here only because they had no other options. 

But this guy didn't show any reservations. He had a positive attitude, a determined look, and a deep commitment to the role. 

That was rare. 

"Come to the Focus Features office tomorrow. I'll introduce you to producer Seamus and writer Annie." 

"Thank you, Mr. Li!" 

(End of this chapter)