Can't Escape It

At night, on Hollywood Boulevard, Aaron drove a new Lotus with Nicole Kidman in the passenger seat and stopped at the corner of a block.

"The heroine of Pretty Woman is a lowly call girl who solicits on the streets because she cannot afford her rent."

"She meets Edward, a successful wealthy man unfamiliar with the area. She first gives him directions, then enters into a week-long escort arrangement with him..."

As Aaron explained the key points of the story to Nicole Kidman, he pointed at the streetwalkers in the red-light district.

"Look, you can observe those women's expressions, demeanor, and methods of soliciting customers..."

Nicole Kidman listened intently to her man's summary, her eyes fixed on the prostitutes by the roadside as she immersed herself in the role.

"Mm, I've observed some call girls over the past few days too. It shouldn't be a problem," Nicole Kidman replied.

Aaron nodded. "Al Pacino may be playing the male lead, but it is not confirmed yet. When you audition, just keep a level head."

There was no helping it. Al Pacino's height left Aaron with little confidence in Nicole Kidman.

After all, this was the female lead. It would not have mattered if it were another supporting role.

While helping Nicole Kidman prepare for her audition, Aaron did not forget his own work.

He was promoting Quentin Tarantino's screenplay while also studying Golden Harvest Film Company's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

In Burbank, at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles production office in Warner Bros. Studios, Aaron met Thomas Ruger, the head of Golden Harvest USA and also the film's producer.

"The action scenes in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are personally handled by Hong Kong martial arts choreographers, and the fight scenes are quite eye-catching."

"The four turtles are also martial artists in costumes, performing a series of choreographed moves. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic has a sizable audience, and the animated series is also very popular in the United States."

"These are all the film's strengths!"

Since Aaron had taken on its distribution promotion, he naturally had to analyze the film's strengths and weaknesses.

As for its weaknesses, they were obvious: no stars attached, a low budget, little in the way of special effects or large-scale set pieces, and so on.

Thomas Ruger nodded. "Although Mr. Anderson is young, his accomplishments over these short few months this year have been anything but ordinary."

"We believe in Mr. Anderson!"

Aaron took a sip of coffee. "You must have spoken with other distribution companies, right?"

"Yes. 20th Century Fox is interested in distributing the film, but their offer is too low," Thomas Ruger said, shaking his head.

"They are only willing to pay two million dollars for the North American distribution rights!"

Two million dollars was indeed far too low. After all, the cast of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was entirely American.

Golden Harvest was mainly responsible for the investment and action choreography.

"A project of over ten million dollars is considered small by Hollywood's seven major distributors. And since this is a commercial film, the marketing costs will not be lower than the price of the distribution rights."

Aaron spoke, then thought for a moment. "This kind of film is better suited to a second-tier distributor."

"When will Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles wrap?"

"It can wrap in early July. Does Mr. Anderson need a copy of the rough cut?" Thomas Ruger responded quickly.

Aaron nodded. "When the time comes, invite representatives from several distribution companies to a screening. This film has potential!"

"Alright, Golden Harvest will cooperate fully."

Though Aaron Anderson lacked experience and was very young, his performance at this Cannes Film Festival had been far too dazzling.

Golden Harvest was not a Hollywood film company and needed to recoup part of its production costs as soon as possible. Hollywood distribution results could influence the global market, and they only hoped to sell the North American rights quickly and at a high price.

That way, Hollywood distributors would also take the film's release more seriously.

Three days later, Aaron took Nicole Kidman to the Pretty Woman production at Disney Studios in Burbank to audition for the female lead.

"The female lead in this film has been offered to quite a few actresses, and they all turned it down. Choosing from newcomers now is a last resort," Aaron quietly reminded Nicole.

After arriving at the audition location, Aaron quickly spotted two fellow CAA agents.

CAA's Richard Lovett, who had brought his client Julia Roberts, also saw Aaron Anderson and Nicole Kidman.

"During this time, you have met with the film's two producers, Gary Goldstein and Steven Reuther."

"They are both very satisfied with your performance!" Richard Lovett said in a low voice.

They were both newcomers at CAA. Although Richard Lovett had more seniority than Aaron Anderson, Aaron's performance at Cannes had been dazzling enough to catch Michael Ovitz's attention.

After all, competition within CAA was fierce as well.

"I heard that Mr. Aaron Anderson was involved in Pretty Woman's early development?"

As a newcomer, Julia Roberts desperately wanted the female lead in this film. She had given everything for it!

"It's fine. He merely lobbied for it, and his main business is not talent representation. That newcomer actress, Nicole Kidman, is Australian."

"If not for Aaron Anderson, she would never have gotten this far," Richard Lovett explained again.

Of course, there was one more crucial point: could the short Al Pacino really act opposite the 180-centimeter-tall Nicole Kidman?

On the other side, Aaron had also noticed Julia Roberts, along with two young actresses, Jennifer Connelly and Winona Ryder!

I can't avoid them, Aaron muttered inwardly. Julia Roberts's huge, almost devouring mouth fit American beauty standards perfectly.

As for Winona Ryder and Jennifer Connelly, they were too youthful and too young, clearly unsuitable for the film's female lead.

Aaron frowned inwardly. Nicole Kidman had only just arrived from Australia and basically had no Hollywood acting experience.

Julia Roberts was different. She had already played two supporting roles. Although Jennifer Connelly and Winona Ryder were more famous now, they definitely could not outcompete Julia Roberts.

Winona Ryder had built up a certain reputation in the independent film circle over the past two years, and Beetlejuice and Heathers had both received good reviews.

Jennifer Connelly's stunning early appearance in Once Upon a Time in America had launched her as a child star. She had extensive acting experience and had just transferred from Yale University to Stanford University to study drama!

However, as someone who had discussed the script in depth with screenwriter J.F. Lawton, Aaron knew these two girls, with their strong youthful air, definitely could not play the female lead.

Still, under normal circumstances, Nicole Kidman could not possibly beat Julia Roberts in the competition. And Aaron truly had no authority here. Even if he made a suggestion, would anyone listen?