My Hollywood Life Is Not That Easy!

Disney sought a film that captured the wonder of classic adventure stories while appealing to a modern audience.

The Rocketeer was the perfect fit, blending a heroic underdog, thrilling aerial action, and retro charm to stand out from typical action films.

The concept was family-friendly yet exciting enough to attract a broad audience, making it ideal for Disney's brand.

To bring this vision to life, they needed a director who could handle large-scale action with heart, and Joe Johnston was the perfect choice.

His experience with visual effects and adventure storytelling, from Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Star Wars, made him ideal for the role.

Jennifer Connelly's was selected for female lead role of jenney black. Her father, Andrew Connelly, was a powerful figure in the business world and had strong Hollywood connections, ensuring she had opportunities others didn't, boosting the film's publicity.

[A/N:- I changed her parents in this world , and yes, I also killed her mother in this world for the sake of my plot. This is an alternate universe, so please don't get offended.]

With the rest of the cast nearly set, the only role left was the lead, Cliff Secord. Disney and Johnston wanted a fresh face, so they held an extensive audition process.

At DCPI Studio today, director Joe Johnston, producers Charles and Lawrence Gordon, and screenwriter Danny gathered, alongside the creator of The Rocketeer, Dave Stevens, to finalize the cast.

Inside the large room, a long table was laid with script papers and notes scattered across its surface. Behind it, a row of chairs lined the back wall, where a tense conversation was taking place.

Joe Johnston and creator Dave Stevens were in the midst of an argument.

"Joe, I don't understand what you're thinking. There was no need to be so harsh with the young lad. I think he fits the role perfectly. Honestly, I don't even see the point of the auditions."

Dave Stevens, having created the character of Cliff Secord, was firm in his belief. When he first saw Billy Campbell, he instantly felt no one could portray the role better. He didn't care much for Billy's limited acting experience; he was convinced Campbell was the one.

"Dave, we've still got one more person out there. I agree, Billy's got the look, the posture. He's got the classic Hollywood hero charm, no doubt. But we should at least give the others a chance, don't you think?"

Joe wasn't opposed to Billy Campbell; after all, he too recognized the vintage Hollywood charm and the natural aura Billy brought.

The approval of Dave Stevens meant something too, but Joe couldn't ignore the other man who had made it through all four rounds of auditions, despite being an unknown in Hollywood.

The door opened, and the next man stepped inside.

"Good Evening. My name is Vincent Valentine."

When the voice rang out, the director, screenwriter, and Dave Stevens turned their heads, and what they saw hit them like a punch.

Vincent wasn't just another pretty face in a room full of hopefuls.

He outshone Billy Campbell, the last auditionee, and left the classic Hollywood heartthrobs looking like amateurs in comparison.

His platinum blonde hair was practically glowing under the studio lights, a rare sight in America, falling perfectly into place, with not a strand out of place.

His ocean-blue eyes? Impossible to ignore.

They pulled people in with a magnetic force, so deep that they made you question if he was real or something made for the screen.

Vincent had a face built for Hollywood. There was a power in his presence, but even if he was extremely handsome, he would amount to nothing without skills.

So, Joe Johnston wasn't particularly interested in his looks; rather, he was looking forward to his skills.

Joe Johnston watched him, noting how Vincent's charisma seemed effortless. Even with his striking appearance, there was something... almost off.

A step away from the rugged, everyman hero the film needed. How to put it, Vincent had a princely aura about him, which was not what they were looking for.

Still, Joe refrained from passing judgment. Not yet.

On the other hand, Dave Stevens' face twisted in distaste, his eyes zeroing in on the platinum hair.

'He doesn't even have the decency to follow the simple character? Cliff Secord had black hair. No, this young man is too arrogant, he's not suitable at all.'

Vincent stood still, his posture unshaken by the silent critique in the air. First of all, this wasn't his first time being ridiculed.

Second, he wanted something from them, so he had to be humble.

The problem was—he hadn't even seen The Rocketeer in his past life. Hell, he hated old movies.

As a new-generation kid, he was a fan of anime far more than films.

Good thing his theater skills were still there, coupled with the original Vincent's acting abilities.

That, at least, made him confident.

"Vincent," Joe said finally. "You've been through all the rounds already. But now it's time to see something real. I want you to take this scene, Cliff Secord faces off against the minions. He has been backed into a corner, nowhere to go. He's struggling, but he finds a way out. There's already one bullet in his shoulder too."

Vincent nodded, his brow furrowing slightly as he absorbed Joe's words.

He had done countless auditions before, but this one carried a different weight.

The room was filled with expectation, its silence pressing down on him.

His fingers tightened at his sides. This is it. Time to deliver.

Joe and the producers, Charles and Lawrence Gordon, leaned forward, their expressions sharp and critical.

They weren't looking for just competence; they wanted conviction, something real.

Without hesitation, Vincent stepped forward, slipping into Cliff Secord's shoes. He understood the pressure, the desperation of a man backed into a corner, wounded, yet refusing to go down.

Cliff Secord wasn't just a fighter, he was also a survivor.

He ran a hand through his platinum blond hair, a seemingly idle gesture but one that conveyed the tension bubbling beneath the surface.

Then, without warning, he staggered, dropping to one knee as if struck by an invisible force.

His body stiffened, his breath hitched, a man in pain but unwilling to yield.

And so, the act began.

30 second passed.

Joe watched closely, his gaze unreadable but unblinking. Every movement Vincent made, every breath he took—it was all being judged.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

1 minutes passed.

Vincent had presence. That much was undeniable. His instincts were sharp, his struggle believable, grounded. There was an authenticity in his performance that felt natural, unforced.

"And so, if you think you can stop me, it's your delusion."

And so, the man with platinum blonde hair delivered his final line, eyes searching for a response, but the room remained silent, leaving it impossible to gauge their thoughts.

No immediate reaction. No whispers, no glances exchanged, just an oppressive quiet.

"Did I do something wrong?" he finally asked.

Joe remained silent for a moment, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

Slowly, he turned to the producers beside him.

Lawrence Gordon gave a slow nod, followed by Charles, both looking thoughtful, still withholding any final verdict.

"Good," Joe said at last. His tone was calm, yet it carried weight.

"You've got the energy. Your posture, your presence, facial expressions, anger, courage, the way you handled the character, it's something that could work on screen."

Vincent exhaled slowly, unshaken. He didn't want compliments,he just wanted an answer. Damn it.

"But," Joe continued, "you don't fully match the Cliff Secord I envisioned. There's… something missing. Your performance was good, even impressive."

"But it's not enough to secure the role. You're too handsome, too polished. This role is about a regular, everyday American hero, someone vintage, grounded."

Vincent's brows furrowed. "So being too handsome is a crime now? That's all I had going for me. Guess even that's worthless now," he thought.

Dave Stevens, who had been quietly watching, finally leaned forward, his lips pressing into a thin line. His eyes flicked to Vincent's platinum hair with unconcealed disapproval.

"There's no one who fits the character of Cliff Secord better than Billy Campbell. He has the right look, the right attitude. Honestly, this wasn't even necessary."

Joe looked briefly at Stevens but didn't argue. Instead, he leaned back, rubbing a hand across his face as he mulled over his thoughts.

Then, after a pause, he spoke again.

"Vincent," Joe said, his voice polite but unmistakably final. "You did well. We'll inform you of our decision in a few days."

The room seemed to grow even heavier.

And, Vincent's smile faded, but he didn't let disappointment show. He simply nodded.

"Thank you for giving me this chance sir."

Then, without hesitation, he turned and walked out, already bracing himself for the call that might never come.

As the door shut behind him, silence lingered in the room.

Joe exhaled through his nose, standing still for a long moment before finally speaking.

"You were right, Dave. Let's finalize the deal with Billy Campbell. He looks more like American hero than this guy."

Dave nodded slightly, smirking, but said nothing.

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( End Of The Chapter)