Tom Cruise Comes Calling, Male Lead Chosen

Put simply, all a female lead needed in a spy action film was beauty.

This was a typical man's film.

The only major casting call left was naturally for the male lead.

Although Kevin had already decided that Tom Cruise would definitely be the male lead of Mission: Impossible.

After all, in his previous life, Mission: Impossible's success had been brought about single-handedly by him.

But with the timeline moved forward by more than two years, Kevin could not say whether Tom Cruise would be interested at this point.

Besides, people often did not cherish what came to them voluntarily.

For that reason, Kevin still chose to hold a large-scale casting call.

At the same time, it would serve as invisible publicity for Mission: Impossible.

As the large-scale casting call got underway, countless media outlets began reporting on Mission: Impossible.

"Adapted from a classic TV series and directed by horror-film director Steve Kevin, it has stirred up childhood memories for countless viewers. If Mission: Impossible were adapted into a movie, would you... go see it?"

"According to our sources, a great many people are currently interested in Mission: Impossible. Stars such as Nicholas Kevin and Sylvester Stallone have all expressed strong interest in the film."

"..."

Tom Cruise stared at the news in the newspaper without saying a word.

The failure of Far and Away had dealt him a tremendous blow. Before that, every film he starred in had been a major hit. He had never tasted failure.

After Far and Away failed, the newspapers' praise for him had all turned into doubts and disparagement.

It undoubtedly placed enormous psychological pressure on him.

But Handsome Tom was still Handsome Tom.

No one could become a superstar without a strong heart.

Just as he was quietly recuperating in his villa, the latest reports from the outside world reached him.

Steve Kevin's new project, an action film with an eighty-million-dollar investment.

Most importantly, it was Mission: Impossible, a childhood memory of his.

Tom Cruise had an inseparable attachment to Mission: Impossible. It was the finest memory of his childhood, and the moment he heard about the project, he simply could not refuse.

Seeing the news in the paper, Cruise looked at Nicole Kidman beside him and said:

"Darling, come with me to Kevin's villa. Let's discuss the male lead role in Mission: Impossible."

Hearing Cruise's words, Nicole Kidman became a little anxious.

"Darling, then... what about my female lead role?"

Cruise showed his cold side.

"Darling, if my films keep failing, then even I will fall in Hollywood."

"Can you let me keep succeeding?"

Cruise's meaning was simple. He had to protect himself and secure his position before he had the spare capacity to give Nicole Kidman a hand.

Though that was logical, women were sometimes not logical.

A trace of resentment flashed through Nicole Kidman's eyes, but she instantly suppressed it and turned it into a smile. Linking her arm through Cruise's, she said with a sweet smile:

"Then let's go meet Kevin together."

Tom Cruise's villa was only a few minutes' drive from Kevin's. A few minutes later, Tom Cruise drove his luxury car to Kevin's home with Nicole Kidman.

"Cruise!"

"Kevin!"

Seeing Cruise arrive, Kevin went out to greet him politely.

Jolie followed closely at his side as well.

Kevin and Cruise exchanged pleasantries.

Meanwhile, Jolie and Nicole Kidman sized each other up from the side.

Both had attached themselves to men of great status and power, so naturally there was some rivalry between them. When it came to the most direct comparison—beauty—Jolie felt somewhat uneasy as she looked at Nicole Kidman.

She knew she was not as beautiful as Nicole Kidman.

But beauty was not always so absolute. At the very least, Jolie was confident that between Nicole Kidman and herself, Kevin definitely preferred her.

"Cruise, you want the male lead role in Mission: Impossible?"

Kevin pretended to be surprised.

After some small talk, Cruise got straight to the point and asked him for the male lead role.

Cruise looked solemn as he said seriously:

"That's right, Kevin. You have no idea how much I love Mission: Impossible. It has been my favorite TV series since childhood."

"If you hadn't proposed making a Mission: Impossible movie first, perhaps in another year or two, I would have proposed the idea myself and served as the producer."

"Let me be the male lead, Kevin. I owe you one."

With things said to this point, Kevin, who had already favored Cruise, naturally had nothing more to say.

"In that case, Cruise, just come directly to the audition for Mission: Impossible's male lead."

Only then did Cruise let out a deep breath.

There was an unspoken rule in Hollywood: if a big-budget film held auditions and no big names showed up.

It meant the film would only select from among lesser-known actors.

Once one big name joined the audition, other superstars would only work behind the scenes and would not attend the production's auditions as well.

That meant that as long as he went through the motions next, the role was basically his for the taking.

Everything went exactly as Tom Cruise had expected. Once the process was complete, Tom Cruise joined the Mission: Impossible production with a salary of ten million dollars.

As the three film companies spread the news together, it quickly swept across the entire United States.

Before filming had even begun, it had already drawn the attention of all Americans.

That was the privilege of a blockbuster.

A blockbuster meant a big investment, big stars, and a big director.

Countless media outlets swarmed in. After discussions among Warner Bros., MGM, and Paramount, they decided to hold a press conference for the start of filming.

Once the conference was over, filming would begin immediately.

In Los Angeles, a certain theater was selected to host the press conference.

Kevin arrived at the press conference with the male and female leads, Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie, along with several other important supporting actors.

MGM's president personally took the stage, adding a different significance to the press conference.

"President Rett, you chose to let a minor director like Steve Kevin direct an eighty-million-dollar blockbuster. Is there some unknown secret behind this?"

"MGM has suffered losses for many years. President Rett, are you hoping to rely on Mission: Impossible to turn things around?"

Rett's expression stiffened. These reporters' questions showed absolutely no concern for his dignity.

But he could not get angry over it either. That would not suit his status.

After composing himself, Rett answered each question with a smile.

"The reason I let Director Kevin direct Mission: Impossible is because I believe in Director Kevin's abilities. Two consecutive box-office hits—doesn't that already prove his ability?"