Meeting Paul Newman & Martin Scorsese

As their conversation about his salary concluded, Paula's eyes twinkled with a hint of mischief. "Speaking of future projects, Alex, I received a rather interesting call this week. One that I think will pique your interest."

Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And who might be on the other end of that call?"

Paula smiled, a knowing look on her face. "How do Paul Newman and Martin Scorsese sound?"

Alex's jaw practically dropped. He stared at Paula, a mixture of disbelief and elation washing over him. "Paul Newman? And Martin Scorsese? Are you serious?" He couldn't contain his excitement. Paul Newman was an icon, his absolute favorite alongside Steve McQueen. And Martin Scorsese? A cinematic visionary, right up there with Spielberg and Coppola in his book.

"Completely serious," Paula confirmed, enjoying his reaction.

Alex was momentarily speechless. "Wow," he breathed out. He needed to collect his thoughts. Paul Newman. Cool Hand Luke, The Hustler, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – a legendary career spanning decades. Newman, with his striking blue eyes and effortless charisma, had delivered iconic performances time and time again. He'd won an honorary Oscar and been nominated multiple times, a true legend of the silver screen. And Scorsese. The man behind gritty, powerful films like Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and The King of Comedy. A director known for his distinctive style and his ability to draw raw and compelling performances from his actors. The thought of working with both of them was almost surreal.

"What's the project?" Alex finally asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

Paula reached into her briefcase and handed him a bound script. "It's called The Color of Money."

Alex took the script, his fingers tracing the title. "Alex vaguely recalled seeing this film in his dreams from Tom Cruise's point of view.

"It's a supporting role," Paula clarified, seeing his curious expression. "But to act opposite Paul Newman, directed by Martin Scorsese… it's an opportunity you can't pass up."

"A supporting role?" Alex repeated, his initial excitement not dimming in the slightest. Working with Paul Newman was a dream, lead or supporting, it didn't matter. But still, he asked, "What's the film about?"

Paula answered, "It's a sequel to The Hustler."

Without even opening the script, Alex looked at Paula, a wide grin on his face. "I'm in. Absolutely. This is incredible."

"I figured you'd be enthusiastic," Paula said, smiling. "They specifically asked for you, you know. Scorsese had seen your work and thought you'd be perfect for the part."

"Perfect for a Scorsese film opposite Paul Newman?" Alex shook his head in delighted disbelief. "This is insane. When do they want to start filming?"

"Well," Paula hesitated slightly, "they were initially looking at a January start date. But I informed them about your commitment to Platoon, and they were willing to adjust their schedule to accommodate you."

Alex considered the timeline. Platoon filming was slated to begin in February, likely lasting at least two months, potentially pushing into April. And there was the intensive boot camp training for the entire cast in January. A January start for The Color of Money would have been impossible.

He looked at Paula, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Paula, instead of just inquiring about the schedule, would it be possible to arrange a meeting with Paul Newman and Martin Scorsese? I'd really like to talk to them directly about the project."

Paula nodded. "That can definitely be arranged, Alex. Let me reach out and see when would be a good time for all of you to connect."

*****

The dinner is arranged at a quiet, upscale restaurant. Sharing a meal with Paul Newman and Martin Scorsese felt surreal, a pinch-me moment he wouldn't soon forget. Most of the evening had been spent in animated conversation about cinema – their favorite films, directors they admired, the evolving landscape of Hollywood. Alex found himself hanging on every word, absorbing their insights like a sponge.

As the plates were being cleared, Alex, mustering his courage, steered the conversation towards another icon."Mr. Newman," he began, "I've always been a huge admirer of Steve McQueen, and of course, you, Mr. Newman. I know you worked with Steve on The Towering Inferno. What was that experience like?"

A soft smile touched Paul Newman's lips, a hint of fond remembrance in his blue eyes. "Steve," he chuckled lightly, "Steve was something else. He had this incredible presence, a raw intensity that just drew you in. On set, he was all business, laser-focused. But off-camera, he had a dry wit and a surprising sense of humor. We had a good working relationship, a mutual respect for each other's craft."

A wave of regret washed over Alex. "I always wished I'd had the chance to meet him," he confessed quietly. "His films… they had such a profound impact on me." A heavy silence fell over the table, the weight of McQueen's absence lingering in the air.

Martin Scorsese sensed the shift in mood. He leaned back in his chair, a playful grin on his face. "Well, listening to you two talk, I felt like I was the third wheel in some intense cinematic bromance."

Alex chuckled, the tension easing slightly. "Maybe you were the fourth wheel, Mr. Scorsese," he quipped, "considering Steve McQueen's spirit is probably here with us."

A hearty laugh broke the silence, the humor creating a lighter atmosphere. Alex, seizing the opportunity, decided it was time to broach the subject that had been on his mind since Paula had mentioned the project.

Alex finally broached the subject that had been subtly weighing on his mind. "Mr. Newman, Mr. Scorsese," he began, a touch of apprehension in his voice, "I'm incredibly honored and excited about this opportunity. However, I do have a prior commitment to a film called Platoon that's scheduled to begin shooting in February and could potentially last until April. Would it be possible for you to wait until then to begin filming The Color of Money? If you can, I'm ready to start immediately once I wrap up in April."

Paul Newman and Martin Scorsese exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them before they both turned back to Alex, their expressions reassuring.

"Alex," Paul Newman said, his voice carrying a tone of genuine sincerity, "we approached you for this role because we believe you're the perfect fit. We've seen your work, and Marty here is quite convinced you have the right energy and talent for the part."

Martin Scorsese nodded in agreement, his gaze intense. "Yes, Alex. We're willing to wait. Ultimately, what matters is that we make the best film possible, and if that means adjusting our schedule to accommodate you, then so be it. These things happen. As long as the film comes out perfectly, all these logistical details are relatively small in the grand scheme."

A wave of relief washed over Alex, quickly followed by an immense feeling of elation. These legends were willing to adjust their plans for him. It was a profound vote of confidence, and he felt deeply honored by their trust.

"Thank you," Alex said, his voice filled with gratitude. "That means the world to me. I promise you, I won't let you down."

Paul Newman raised his glass of wine. "To The Color of Money, and to a successful collaboration."

Martin Scorsese and Alex readily followed suit, clinking their glasses together. "To The Color of Money," they echoed, a shared sense of anticipation and excitement for the project that lay ahead filling the air.

*****

With the verbal agreement secured over dinner, the next step was formalizing the deal. Negotiations began swiftly with Touchstone Pictures, a division of Walt Disney Studios. Fresh off the phenomenal success of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Disney was eager to solidify their relationship with Alex Hayes and weren't about to let this high-profile collaboration slip through their fingers. They recognized the immense talent involved – Hayes, Newman, and Scorsese – and understood the potential for a significant box office draw.

The negotiations proved to be relatively smooth. Alex, with Paula's expert guidance, secured a substantial upfront salary of three million dollars, a significant increase from his previous two-million-dollar limit. Furthermore, mirroring Paul Newman's deal, Alex would also receive a lucrative 7.5 percent of the film's global box office on first dollar gross. Martin Scorsese's agreement included a salary of 1.5 million dollars along with 5 percent of the global box office gross.

The film was budgeted at eighteen million dollars, with a notable 7.5 million earmarked for the salaries of its three key creative forces. This significant investment underscored the studio's belief in the project and the drawing power of its stars and director. In an industry where talent costs often soared, this allocation was a clear indication of the value placed on this particular combination.

The news of this collaboration sent ripples throughout Hollywood and ignited a firestorm of excitement in the public. The prospect of Alex Hayes, the young heartthrob of recent hits, sharing the screen with the legendary Paul Newman, under the direction of the acclaimed Martin Scorsese, was a project many eagerly anticipated. The buzz surrounding The Color of Money had already begun, months before a single frame of film was even shot. This unlikely pairing of generations and styles had Hollywood and moviegoers alike predicting another major success for Disney and a significant step forward in Alex Hayes' already stellar career.