[H:F.S.T.T.S] [050]

[Chapter 50. The Real Question & Hitting the Jackpot.]

Last Time on Chapter 049 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —

She sat back, letting the silence settle, each beat of her heart echoing the powerful message of that battle.

The legacy of Middle-earth was vast and storied, but tonight, on that humble screening room, she had witnessed something even more profound—a new chapter in the eternal dialogue between creator and creation.

And as the room slowly filled with murmurs of admiration and soft applause from the crew emerging from the set as Alex was slowly being lifted up by the wires, she knew that this was only the beginning.

Now Continuing —

Joanne calmly waited in an empty waiting room, Daniel had led her to, stating that as they wrapped up filming earlier than they expected to for the day, Alex would be available for meeting her in about a few minutes.

To her a few minutes of wait was more than justified after a performance like that, she presumed that he must be taking off his gear, wiping off the makeup or even taking a quick shower to look presentable.

"It's time we should head in now." Daniel spoke up after checking his watch to see the time. He then gestured towards her agent as he asked, "Will Chris be joining us?"

"Yeah, if you don't min–" She spoke a bit hesitantly, as she didn't know if Alex would mind her agent's presence.

"Not at all," He cheerfully waved her off, still bursting with joy after seeing the siege live. "Joanne, Chris, please follow me."

As they were making there "You'll find my Boss to be quite an eccentric guy. So please don't be quick to take offense at his words as he doesn't like to mince them and speaks what comes to his mind."

Joanne nodded as Daniel's request, she really wanted to make the deal go through, because she also wanted to see Harry Potter be faithfully represented on the big screen.

"But for always his faults you won't a find a more passionate and honest man in Hollywood."

She nodded, as heard his name be spoken in hushed tones by the crew members, they spoke about him with a mix of admiration and intrigue.

And she agreed, to her he wasn't just a filmmaker but a storyteller, someone who, like her, understood the weight of words and the power of imagination.

Through the long shoots, Daniel had regaled her with stories about Alex's work ethic, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and his ability to breathe life into the stories he adapted.

And She had seen it firsthand with her own eyes on set—the seamless blend of realism and fantasy, the way every scene seemed to pulse with raw emotion.

The siege, the Nameless soldier's last stand and sacrifice weren't something she would be able to forget for quite some time now.

And yet, there was something about the upcoming meeting that filled her with nervous anticipation.

And it was the only fear that she still had in her heart, she was anxious whether Alex would see value in her story. She was afraid that he'll low ball her while making an offer for the adaptation rights.

Rounding a corner, she spotted him.

Alex Masters stood near a makeshift table set up just outside the production tent, poring over a stack of notes.

The flickering light of a nearby torch danced across his sharp features, highlighting the intensity in his blue-gray eyes. He exuded an air of quiet authority, the kind that came from experience rather than imposing stature.

Even in the simple, well-worn leather jacket he wore over his dark shirt, he carried himself with the confidence of a man who knew exactly who he was.

Despite the wait, Alex looked as if he had just gotten off the set. His armour and make-up was still on, she was just grateful that atleast he wasn't dripping fake blood all over the desk and chair as they walked in.

When his secretary told him of their presence, he looked up with an apologetic smile.

"You must be Joanne," he said, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge of amusement. "I was wondering if MONARCH met your expectations."

"Also I'm sorry about.. how I look Ms. Rowling. I wish I was more presentable for our meeting."

"But Peter told me that a few shots from my fight scene were messed up because I was moving too fast and they need to be re-shot."

"So I thought might as well stay in character, saves the time and effort on the make-up and costumes."

"It's fine, I don't mind." Rowling replied as she extended her hand, masking her nervousness behind a polite smile. "J.K. Rowling. As for my expectations? You exceeded them."

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Masters."

Alex shook her hand firmly but not unkindly. "I am glad to hear that we didn't disappoint. Please. Call me Alex. And the pleasure is mine."

There was a pause, neither awkward nor forced, as they studied each other. Joanne noted the way his gaze held a quiet curiosity, as if he were already analyzing her the way he might a character in one of his scripts.

She had met any directors before or theater stage coordinators, and she didn't know what to expect but Alex felt different—his energy wasn't that of a businessman looking for the next big thing.

No, it was.. more than that. He was a businessman but he carried himself like an artist, a man who truly loved and dedicated himself to his craft.

Daniel, who had followed a few steps behind her, took a seat nearby, and gestured for chris to do the same. He was seemingly quite eager to listen in on their conversation.

"So, Joanne," Alex said, leaning against the table, arms crossed, "I hear you've been having quite the time watching our little production."

She let out a small chuckle. "If this is what you call little, I'd love to see what you consider grand."

Alex chuckled as well, but then his expression softened. "It's been years in the making," he admitted, glancing briefly toward the set where they had filmed earlier that day. "A passion project, you could say. Much like your books, I'd imagine."

The mention of her work made her straighten slightly, a sense of pride swelling in her chest. "Yes," she said, "it's been a journey, to say the least."

Alex studied her for a moment before nodding. "Speaking of your books, I assume you know why I asked to meet with you?"

Rowling hesitated for only a second before nodding. "I have my suspicions."

Alex's lips quirked into another smirk. "Good. Saves me from beating around the bush."

Straightening, he met her gaze directly. "I want to buy the adaptation rights to your book series: Harry Potter."

Even though she had expected it, hearing the words spoken so plainly sent a jolt through her. For a moment, her heart pounded in her chest.

This was it. The moment she had always known would come.

She had received inquiries before, but none had ever felt quite real. Her books were still so young—The Chamber of Secrets had only been out for about six months, and while it had started gaining traction.

She had never imagined that a filmmaker of Alex Masters' caliber would be interested in adapting it.

Trying to keep her voice even, she asked, "And what is your opinion on adapting Harry Potter into movies?"

Alex's smirk faded slightly, replaced by something far more serious. "It would be a mistake."

Rowling blinked, caught off guard. Her initial instinct was to argue, to defend her work, but she forced herself to remain silent.

Alex noticed her restraint and let out a short chuckle. "You know when to hold your tongue and be patient. Those are two skills that will take you far in life."

His tone wasn't condescending, but rather appreciative, as if he genuinely respected her ability to wait for an explanation rather than jumping to conclusions.

Rowling took a deep breath. "Alright," she said, folding her arms. "I'm listening."

Alex inclined his head slightly in approval before continuing.

"My issue isn't with the idea of adapting Harry Potter itself," he clarified. "It's that it deserves better than a movie."

Rowling's brow furrowed in confusion. "Better?"

"A TV series," Alex said simply.

She stared at him, trying to process his words. "A television series?"

Alex nodded. "A multi-season show. One that can truly do justice to the depth of your world."

Rowling hesitated. "Why?"

Alex's expression turned thoughtful, as if he had been waiting for this question. "Because Harry Potter, at its core, is fundamentally different from The Lord of the Rings.

"People often, mistakenly compare the two because they're both fantasy," Here he glanced at Daniel as an example, then looked back at her. "But they don't realize just how opposite they really are."

Rowling raised an eyebrow. "Opposite how?"

Alex's smirk returned, but this time it was tinged with something warmer—genuine enthusiasm.

"The Lord of the Rings thrives on its grand scale," he explained. "Its world-building, its legendary battles, its sense of history. That's why I can focus on the big moments and let the smaller ones fade into the background.

"Audiences don't need to see every detail to understand the significance of Helm's Deep or the fellowship's journey to Mordor."

Rowling's eyes widened slightly. "The Siege of Helm's Deep," she murmured, suddenly understanding what he was saying.

Alex nodded. "Exactly."

Taking a step forward, he continued, his voice carrying the confidence of a man who had given this thought for a long time. "But Harry Potter isn't about the grand scale. It shines in the little things."

"It's in the moments when Harry first steps into Diagon Alley. When he explores Hogwarts. When he makes his first real friends. When he visits Hagrid. When he plays Quidditch and, just for a moment, forgets about the life he left behind."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. "Your story isn't about the war against Voldemort. That's important, sure. But the true magic of Harry Potter lies in its world, its daily life, the relationships your characters build."

"And that can't be condensed into a two-hour film. Sorry, thats not exactly true, we could do it. But in my professional opinion I wouldn't do it, but we aren't here for me."

Rowling's breath caught in her throat.

She had never thought of it like that before.

Alex gave her a knowing look. "So I don't think the real question is whether you want to sell the rights or not. I think the question is—do you want Harry Potter to be a movie? Or do you want it to be a TV series that captures every little moment that makes it truly special?"

Rowling's heart skipped a beat.

For the first time since she had entered the room, she felt truly shaken.

"I…" She swallowed, her voice suddenly unsteady. "Can I… think about it?"

Alex smiled, stepping back. "Take all the time you want," he said. "We'll be waiting with open arms."

And with that, the seed of an idea was planted.

January 4th, 1998. 

It was the day that Joanne's and beloved story Harry Potter's fate turned on it's head.

---------

~Meanwhile, in MONARCH HQ, L.A.~

The casting room was alive with energy, a blend of anticipation and nerves as a lineup of talented actresses prepared to audition for the role of Mary Jane Watson, fondly referred to in shorthand as M.J.W.

Despite the tight secrecy that was only now slowly being lifted from the project's name, everyone knew this was no ordinary audition; landing the part of M.J.W. in a project of this scale would be a career-defining opportunity.

Each actress had come prepared, donning various shades of red hair—some with wigs, others with bold dye jobs—to meet the requirement for this pivotal round.

At the center of the room sat Ravi Bhatt, one of MONARCH'S best casting director and a rival of Jeff's. He was a man known for his discerning eye, his upstanding conduct and his ability to spot stars before they shone their brightest.

Ravi glanced at the call sheet. First up was Kirsten Dunst, a young actress with an impressive resume and a presence that exuded the vibrant charm M.J.W. demanded.

He glanced at the nervous yet excited young man or boy sitting beside, looking at him fidgeting his seat. Ravi couldn't help but want to bolster his confidence, he tapped on the boy's shoulder and said, "Andrew, I need you to remember. Don't think too much, just act. Be natural."

"Huh?" was the eloquent reply he got, but Ravi trudged on regardless.

"Alex picked you, that means you're already better than 99% of the faces that you'll be fine." Ravi explained with a confident smile, trying to instill the same confidence in the boy.

And with the boy's excited trembling coming to an end it seemed like he was somewhat successful.

"Thank you, sir." Andrew Garfield replied softly scratching his head, he winced slightly, his aching from his new gymnastics classes.

He gave the kid a nod of reassurance and then tapped tbe intercom button to signal for his secretary to send Kirsten in.

She stepped into the room confidently, her hair a striking auburn wig that framed her face perfectly.

"Kirsten, thank you for coming," Ravi greeted her with a nod, gesturing toward the mark on the floor.

"You'll be reading from Scene 14—Mary Jane and Peter's first real conversation on the balcony. Feel free to make it your own."

"You're up kid." He gestured for Andrew to step up.

Alex had passed down the order to have Andrew to sit in for as many auditions as possible, Andrew was their confirmed pick for Peter Parker who was going to be one of the beating hearts of Marvel.

And they were ordered to look for actors that weren't just good for the role but also that had a good chemistry with Andrew. Kristen was obviously unaware of this detail, she just thought that it was a random extra studio hired as a stand in for Peter.

She smiled warmly, radiating a mix of approachability and confidence. She took a moment recall the lines and to center herself before she faced Andrew and began delivering her lines.

"Peter," she began, her voice light but tinged with curiosity, "I don't think you're as invisible as you think you are. You're... different. In a good way."

Her tone shifted as she continued, layering vulnerability beneath her natural charisma. "Sometimes, I feel like we're both trying to hide who we really are. But maybe... maybe that's okay."

Ravi watched intently, his pen tapping lightly against the clipboard. Kirsten's delivery was strong, and her chemistry with Andrew who was playing Peter was undeniable.

She captured MJWs charm and emotional depth, leaving the room feeling charged as she wrapped up her audition.

"Thank you, Kirsten," Ravi said, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "We'll be in touch soon."

As Kirsten left, Ravi made a quick note: Strong candidate. Good balance of charisma and depth.

The door opened again, and Bryce Dallas Howard entered, her red hair a natural shade that seemed almost too perfect for the role

She greeted Richard with a warm smile, her energy poised and professional.

– To be continued...

{2,467 words}

{TRL: This is the new Hollywood story that has been bouncing around in my head. I really need to get this out, so here's another chapter.

Also would you like to read ahead? You can do so for free up to 3 chapters ahead of the public release on my Patreon page as Free Member.

Yes, free. If you're interested you'll find the link in the Author's thoughts section or just google TheRamenLord and Patreon.

If you like my work and would like to support me then by becoming a paid member you read from 10 to 15 chapters ahead of the public release depending on tier you purchase.}