The Cast
Perth
It was good to be back with Nettie again.
Elias hadn't seen Annette Jackson in almost eight months, since they had been at the opening night screening of
Cosmopolitan
, which they had both worked together on for nearly a year. He wanted to hire her for the
Star Wars
project, but had been half afraid that she had taken another job, and he was almost right. After he told her about the
Star Wars
remake, she had congratulated him and hugged him, but then said, "This isn't just a social call, is it? Yew want me to be your AP, don't you?"
"I always hire the best, Nettie," said Elias.
She gave him a sly smile and turned away for a moment. "Unfortunately, I've just been offered the role of Second Unit Producer for
The Castermeres
."
"Yew have?" Elias had heard about it. It was to be a big budget biopic. His heart sank.
"Um hm," said Nettie, idly wiping her kitchen countertop.
"Are yew going to accept it?"
"I was about to," said Nettie, giving him a quick glance.
"Is there anything I can say which would convince yew otherwise?" Elias asked.
"Why, I don't know, Elias, is there?" she said, giving him just the barest hint of a smile.
"I'm only being paid scale, but I could offer yew... scale and a half," said Elias.
"Um hm," said Nettie, still cleaning as she looked up at him. Her eyes seemed to say everything... but what were they saying now?
"Yew would only be answerable to me, of course."
"Of course," she said, with mocking wide eyes.
"And yew would have complete authority, in my name-" he stopped abruptly as Nettie walked right up to him, face to face. Suddenly he felt his pulse race.
"Yew aren't very good at this, are yew, Elias?"
"I guess not," said Elias.
"All yew had to do was ask," said Nettie, looking into his eyes. "That's oll yew ever had to do, Elias."
And Elias, reddening, was suddenly at a loss for words.
********
The next month was spent building sets and interviewing potential cast members. Most modern film sets were rendered holographically, in holographic studios, but Elias desired a more genuine 20th century look, and he wanted actual sets to be built, to better reflect the character of the original film. To his great relief, Quentin Scott, his director, agreed. Nettie got to work with Roger Jackson, his production manager, to produce the sets. Roger and Nettie had the same last name. Nettie liked to joke that Roger and her were brother and sister, separated at birth.
While it was great to have Nettie back at his side, working with Quentin Scott was another experience entirely. They hadn't yet shot a moment of film, and already there was tension between them.
Elias blamed Tom Landry, for not setting a proper chain of command, but perhaps he should have blamed himself, for not getting it spelled out in his contract. He had just assumed that he would be in charge. After all, he had been hired to produce this movie, right?
But Quentin Scott had other ideas. He felt that as the big name director, he should be calling the shots.
Their first disagreements came during casting. Elias, Nettie, Quentin, and Nick Caruso, who was to be Quentin's first AD, saw hundreds of potential Lukes, Hans, and Leias, and dozens of potential Moff Tarkins and Ben Kenobis and C-3PO's. But Elias and Quentin had trouble agreeing on who to hire.
Elias tried to tell himself that Quentin would be the one directing, the one who would have to work closest with the actors, so that Quentin should have a greater say. He had let Quentin have his choice when he hired renown British actor Benedict Emerson to play Obi Wan Kenobi. But Elias had his concerns. Not about Emerson's acting ability--he had been a brilliant actor both on and off the stage. But he had heard rumors that Emerson was an alcoholic, and Elias had concerns about his ability to play a large role on a major film. He had brought his concerns to Quentin, who simply waved a hand dismissively and told him not to worry.
Elias felt more comfortable with Oliver Wendelbrook, another older, established British actor who had been selected to play Grand Moff Tarkin. Wendelbrook was a known actor, and he had that classic "British villain look".
But Elias had real concerns about Quentin's choices for the Luke Skywalker and Han Solo characters. Quentin was leaning towards Bill Bailey, a native Australian who had practically no acting experience. He had once appeared in a cereal commercial. That was the extent of his acting.
"But he looks so much lyke Luke," said Quentin.
Elias had to admit that he did. He had the same kind of face as the actor who originally played Luke Skywalker, all those hundreds of years ago, the same color eyes, and he even had the same bright blonde hair.
"But he has no acting experience," said Elias. He looked over at Nettie, who subtly nodded.
Quentin gave a dismissive wave of the hand. "In the hands of an experienced director, anything can be accomplished. Actors are simply so much clay to be molded."
And because Quentin was the director, and because he had so much confidence, and because Elias respected his judgment, he agreed.
Kurt Mazur was another matter. He was the young German actor who Quentin wanted to play Han Solo. Quentin had to admit that he nailed the part; he even was able to speak in a convincing American accent. Mazur had starred in a biopic of rock star Helmut Wurst a few years ago, and had received critical acclaim. But like the hard charging rock star he portrayed, Mazur had a reputation for drugs and women and partying which interfered with his professional life.
When he raised the subject with Quentin, Quentin just once again gave that trademark wave of his hand. "I can handle him."
And so Elias, who wanted to get along with his director, reluctantly agreed. But in the back of his mind, the first seeds of doubt were planted. Maybe he should have directed as well.
The process of selecting the actress to play Princess Leia only deepened his doubts. They found several young American actresses who Elias thought could play the role. For once Quentin seemed a little indecisive.
"I lyke Judy Steritt," he said, reclining in his chair. "But I am not sure she has what it takes to carry the role."
"Well, then, let's call her back," said Elias. "We can reaudition her, and the other candidates."
Quentin shook his head. "There is no time. I'll call her to my hotel tonight, have her read a few more lines, and then decide."
Elias felt rather than saw the shocked expression on Nettie's face. "No, Quentin," he said firmly.
"No?" said Quentin, as if he were unfamiliar with the word.
"We're not going to audition that way," said Elias. He had approved everything Quentin had wanted, but this was a bridge too far for him. He knew that some filmmakers had casting couches, but not an Elias Martin production.
Quentin looked at him as if he were debating whether to accept this challenge to his authority. Then he nodded and gave a rapid smile. "All right. Let me think about it tonight and we will talk again in the morning. Ok?"
