[H:F.S.T.T.S] [051]

[Chapter 51. "Face it, Tiger you just hit the jackpot!".]

Last Time on Chapter 050 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —

"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.

Now Continuing —

"Bryce, welcome," Ravi said, motioning for Andrew to get ready. "We'll have you start with Scene 21—Mary Jane is confronting Peter about always disappearing on her."

Bryce nodded, her expression shifting seamlessly into the scene's emotional intensity.

"Do you know how hard it is to care about someone who's never there?" Bryce's voice trembled, conveying both frustration and hurt. "I'm not asking for much, Peter. Just... be honest with me. For once."

Ravi felt that her performance was more nuanced, showcasing MJ's strength and vulnerability in equal measure. She ended the scene with a wistful sigh, her gaze dropping as if Peter's silence had just broken her heart.

"Thank you, Bryce," Ravi said, impressed but maintaining his neutral facade. He made another note: Exceptional emotional range. Feels grounded yet aspirational.

Next was Liv Tyler.

Her youthful appearance, slightly altered timeline in this story, and undeniable grace brought a new flavor to the character.

Liv's hair had a rich copper-red sheen, she had dyed her hair for the auditions. It really complemented her delicate features as she approached them with grace and the poise of the "beautiful girl next door."

Her willingness to dye her hair, made him add a point for her in his books, it showed that she was invested in the role and was willing to do her due diligence for her part.

Now all that remained to be seen was her performance and her chemistry with Andrew.

"Liv, thank you for joining us," Ravi said. "Let's go with Scene 5—Mary Jane and Peter's playful exchange outside the café."

Liv's performance was effortless, her playful tone underscored by a quiet intelligence that made the scene sparkle. Andrew looked awkward, maybe even a little flustered by Ms. Tyler's charm but it just made his performance even more authentic.

"Oh, come on, Parker," Liv teased, her smile disarming. "You can't tell me you've never thought about ditching the books for, you know, an actual life?" She laughed lightly before softening her gaze. "But then again, maybe that's what makes you... you."

Ravi leaned back in his chair, impressed by the subtle charm Liv brought to the role. She made M.J.W. feel approachable yet enigmatic, a combination that aligned perfectly with the character's essence.

"Lovely work, Liv," Ravi said, his tone genuinely warm. "We'll let you know."

Liv nodded graciously and exited, leaving Ravi to jot down his notes: Soft, compelling charisma. Lacks a bit of boldness but could be directed into something special.

Katie Holmes followed next, her hair dyed a fiery red that added a striking edge to her appearance.

She carried herself with confidence, her every movement calculated but not rigid.

"Katie, great to see you," Ravi said. "We'll try Scene 9—Mary Jane supporting Peter after a tough day."

Katie's voice was soothing yet firm, striking a balance that made her performance feel authentic.

"Hey," she said softly, her eyes locking with the reader's. "You don't have to do this alone, you know. Whatever it is, I'm here. Always."

Her delivery was steady, though it lacked some of the spark Ravi was looking for.

Still, there was an undeniable warmth in her portrayal, and Ravi noted it: Grounded and dependable. Lacks the energy needed for MJ but solid performance.

Reese Witherspoon entered next, wearing a coppery red wig that felt almost out of place on her.

Despite this, her confidence and joyful smile was infectious as she greeted Ravi with a bright smile.

"Reese, thank you for coming," Ravi said. "We'll do Scene 7—Mary Jane and Peter's playful rooftop banter."

Reese launched into the scene with gusto, her wit and charm shining through every line.

"Oh, please, Parker," she teased, her tone dripping with playful sarcasm. "You're the only guy I know who'd climb a fire escape just to avoid saying hello."

Her energy was electric, her delivery sharp, but as Ravi watched, something clicked. His instincts told him that Reese wasn't M.J.W.

She was someone else entirely—someone with a spunkier, more grounded energy that screamed G.S.

"Interesting," Ravi muttered, scribbling furiously in his notes. Not right for MJ, but perfect for G.S.

He leaned forward. "Reese, can I ask you to do something? Take off the wig for me."

Reese hesitated but complied, revealing her naturally blonde hair. The transformation was striking.

Ravi smiled as the idea just clicked his head. "Reese, I have a different role in mind for you."

Reese Witherspoon blinked, momentarily taken aback by Ravi's statement.

"A different role?" She asked, her blonde locks tumbling free as she set the wig aside.

"Yes," Ravi replied with an encouraging smile.

"While you've brought incredible energy and charisma to this audition, I think your strengths align better with another character in the film."

"G.S—a brilliant and spunky character with her own layered personality and importance to the story."

Reese tilted her head, her interest piqued. "G.S.?"

Ravi gestured to his assistant, who quickly retrieved a character summary from a nearby stack and handed it to Reese. She scanned it, her expression shifting from curiosity to intrigue.

"She's... a scientist?" Reese asked, flipping through the pages.

"Yes, she is an assistant for now, but that is her dream." Ravi confirmed, leaning forward. "But she is not the clichéd, cold, detached type. She's vibrant, intelligent, and deeply human.

"She has a spark—a mix of wit, resilience, and a kind of grounded strength that I saw in your audition. The way you handled the rooftop banter? That's exactly the energy we want for G.S."

Reese took a moment to absorb the information, her brow furrowed slightly. "I won't lie," she said candidly, "I auditioned for MJ because my agent said it was the bigger role."

Ravi's smile softened. "Your agent may have underestimated the significance of G.S. This character has depth and impact, and trust me, she'll be a fan favorite. If anything, I think this role suits you even more than M.J."

Reese laughed lightly, setting the papers down. "Well, you're the expert. What's next?"

Ravi gestured again, this time toward his assistant. "You'll prepare for a new round of auditions. This time, you'll perform directly in front of the director himself. It's a rare opportunity."

He paused, pulling a business card from his pocket. "Also, if you ever feel like your agent doesn't have your best interests at heart, give this person a call."

"She's one of the best talent managers in the business, and she values her clients as people, not just paychecks."

Reese hesitated, then took the card with a small smile. "Thanks. That means a lot."

Ravi nodded, satisfied. "Good luck, Reese. I think you're going to do great."

As Reese exited the room, the door swung open again, revealing another actress waiting in the wings. The assistant peeked at the call sheet and announced, "Up next, Emily!"

Ravi raised an eyebrow. "No, it's Malin. Did I mix up the order?"

The assistant quickly checked the clipboard. "No, it's Jessica Chastain next, followed by Malin. Emily must be from another project, sir."

Ravi waved it off with a laugh. "All right, all right. Jessica, then."

Jessica entered with her usual grace, her ginger red hair shimmering under the soft studio lights. She exuded a quiet confidence that immediately set her apart.

"Jessica, hi, thank you for your patience," Ravi said warmly. "Let's go with Scene 15 this time—MJ rallying Peter to face his fears."

Jessica smiled, a flicker of determination flashing in her eyes as she stepped to the mark. She took a deep breath before launching into the scene.

"Peter, you can't keep running away from everything," she said, her voice firm yet tender.

"Life isn't about hiding when things get tough. It's about facing them, even if it's scary. And you know what? I believe in you. I always have."

Her words hung in the air, and Ravi leaned back in his chair, taking in her performance.

There was a softness to Jessica's delivery that made it feel deeply personal, but he wondered if it lacked the bold, playful spark the role needed.

When she finished, Ravi clapped softly. "Beautiful work, Jessica. You bring an emotional depth to the character that's truly special."

He scribbled a note: Strong emotional resonance, but perhaps too understated for MJ. Maybe consider her for a more dramatic role if possible.

Jessica smiled politely and nodded. "Thank you for the opportunity," she said before gracefully exiting the room.

As the door closed, the assistant by the door looked over the clock and said, "That's all for this round."

Ravi frowned, scanning his notes. "Not quite," he muttered. "Malin Akerman is still on the list. It might get a little late, you may leave if you want. But we need to finalize the shortlist before Alex sees them."

The assistant flipped through the call sheet. "You're right. Malin is the last one for today. Sorry, sir."

Ravi nodded, making a mental note to weigh all the performances carefully. Mary Jane Watson was more than just a love interest; she was a complex, vibrant character who needed the perfect balance of charm, wit, and emotional depth.

So far, the competition was fierce, and the next round of auditions would undoubtedly bring the casting process to an exciting close.

As the clock ticked past 5 p.m., Ravi prepared himself for the final performance of the day, knowing that every decision he made now would shape the film's legacy.

----------

The door creaked open one last time that evening, and Malin Akerman stepped inside.

Ravi Bhatt, our casting director, barely had time to glance at his notes before the room itself seemed to light up. Malin's presence was effortless—sunny, confident, and warm.

She carried herself with an ease that instantly reminded Ravi of Mary Jane Watson, or at least, the version that Alex Masters envisioned for the movie.

From her resume, he already knew that she wasn't the most experienced actress to walk in today, but he didn't hold it against her.

How could he when Andrew that was right beside him had never acted on a real movie before.

Also there was something about her—a natural spark that made it hard to look away.

"Sorry for keeping you so late," Ravi replied with sincere smile as he gestured for her to take a seat.

Malin did so promptly and replied with an easy smile, shifting her bag onto her shoulder. "I was starting to think I'd have to come back tomorrow."

Andrew Garfield, sitting across from Ravi, grinned and leaned forward slightly. "Better late than never, right?"

His tone was playful, but Ravi noted the way he straightened up, suddenly more alert. Chemistry was everything in a casting like this, and first impressions were already looking promising.

Ravi chuckled, setting his pen down. "We're glad you're here, Malin. So you ready to jump right in?"

"Absolutely," she replied, standing up and stepped onto the marked spot in the center of the room.

Ravi took a deep breath and flipped to the scene they hadn't run before. A scene that wasn't to be used until the final auditions.

But the cat was already out of the bag and the hushed whispers among the industry insiders about MONARCH studios working on a superhero project.

It still treated as a topic of gossip and despite the Hollywood rumor mills desperate efforts to make the story stick.

People who weren't "in the know" refused to believe that a studio with a stellar track record like there's would have anything to do with superhero movies.

After the cinematic debacle and shitshow that was the theatrical runs of the recent DC movies, no studio wanted to touch superhero movies with a 10 foot pole.

The backlash Warner had suffered from the depressing box office and revenue earnings was so severe, that Time had to de-merge from Warner when over half of it's shareholders left to save what little of the investments was still left.

It was a topic of study in film schools now, for the production course students.

Ravi massaged his temples trying to release the stress, as he came back to the present. The scene wasn't an easy one—a delicate balance between emotional weight and flirtatious energy.

"This is the part where MJ and Peter have their first real conversation on the fire escape," Ravi explained.

"She's just found out that he's Spider-Man, but instead of panicking, she's teasing him a little—processing the weight of it all in her own way. The fear is there, but so is the excitement. She wants to understand what this means for them. Got it?"

Malin nodded, a little dazed as realized that she had actually signed up for a superhero project. She knew that it was a taboo, but she was just starting out and any exposure was good for her.

Shaking out her shoulders, she tried to slip into character as her teacher had taught her. The shift was subtle but noticeable—her bright, casual energy dimmed just enough, replaced by something more thoughtful, more measured.

Andrew improvised as he carried a foldable table and placed it across from her, resting his arms on his knees he sat on it, as if he was perched on an imaginary fire escape.

He gave her a small, nervous smile, stepping into Peter's shoes.

"Alright," Ravi said. "Whenever you're ready."

A hush fell over the room as Malin took a slow breath, glancing at Andrew as if truly seeing him for the first time.

"So... you're Spider-Man," she said, her voice soft but laced with something amused. She tilted her head, studying him with quiet curiosity.

Andrew hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "Uh... yeah. Kind of a lot, right?"

Malin pursed her lips, looking him up and down. Then, to Ravi's delight, she broke into a small, lopsided smirk. "I mean, it explains why you were always running off in the middle of our conversations. Kind of rude, by the way."

Andrew let out a breathless laugh, shaking his head. "Yeah, sorry about that."

Malin hummed, stepping closer. "So, all this time, you've been swinging around the city, fighting bad guys, and keeping it a secret from me?" Her voice softened on the last few words, a flicker of something vulnerable beneath the teasing.

Andrew swallowed, his gaze locking onto hers. "I didn't want to put you in danger."

Malin held his stare for a long moment. Then, almost absentmindedly, she reached up and lightly brushed her fingers over his sleeve, as if testing if he was even real.

"Peter... Do you even know how exhausting it was trying to get you to notice me?" Her voice was barely above a whisper now, filled with something fragile and honest.

Andrew blinked, genuinely caught off guard by the shift. "Wait—what?"

Malin let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "Never mind. Just… don't run away from me again, okay?"

The room went still.

Ravi let the silence linger for a few beats before clearing his throat. "Alright, that's good. That's really good."

– To be continued...

{2,503 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 20 to 25 chapters ahead of the public release depending on tier you purchase.}