Arthur Smith's Hollywood Odyssey

With the conclusion of the 47th Golden Globe Awards, the low-budget art film Born on the Fourth of July, starring Tom Cruise, won the awards for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Actor, and Best Director, becoming the biggest winner.

Driving Miss Daisy won the award for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, and Morgan Freeman won Best Actor in the same category.

Michelle Pfeiffer won Best Actress in a Drama, while Julia Roberts won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Steel Magnolias, and Cinema Paradiso won Best Foreign Language Film!

After checking out the villa near Malibu Beach in Los Angeles for the movie Sleeping with the Enemy, Arthur was selecting actors with director Joseph Ruben while sending people to Iowa to scout the filming location.

Malibu hadn't been established as a city yet, but Arthur remembered it would be done in a year or two.

In the morning, director Joseph Ruben was auditioning male actors at Orion, and Arthur was surprised by the number of people present when he arrived.

Mike Medavoy explained, "Arthur, don't be surprised. Sleeping with the Enemy is a $15 million budget film, and the female lead is Meg Ryan. Our requirements aren't even that high. The appeal to new actors is something you can't imagine!"

Arthur nodded, "True, Hollywood certainly doesn't lack actors."

After entering the office with Mike Medavoy, both laughed, "It's good that we already decided on Meg Ryan as the female lead for Sleeping with the Enemy, as many actresses expressed their interest through their agents, Madonna, Michelle Pfeiffer, Marisa Tomei, and more!"

"Thank you," Arthur took the coffee from Mike Medavoy's assistant, "We need to finalize the male lead and supporting male roles quickly. I still have to go to Iowa with director Joseph Ruben in a few days. As for the remaining supporting roles, let the casting director handle it!"

Mike Medavoy stood up, "Someone will help you with setting up the crew. Your main task now is to perfect the crew and start filming ASAP. In terms of distribution, Orion is negotiating with some European distributors. Don't go over the $15 million budget!"

Arthur nodded, "Don't worry, I won't let the film go over budget. We will start filming as soon as possible."

By noon, Arthur was flipping through some actor profiles in the office and found many familiar faces!

"Hugh Grant, British, 30 years old, with experience in several films," Arthur leaned back in his chair. The British star wasn't very famous in Europe, so Arthur marked a check.

Next, Arthur saw the resumes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Robert Downey Jr. He also marked them for callbacks.

They were basically all newcomers. Hugh Grant and Robert Downey Jr. had played lead roles but were not very influential right now. However, they were still a step above Brad Pitt and George Clooney, who were mostly doing bit parts.

By the end of the month, Arthur, director Joseph Ruben, and Mike Medavoy finalized the male lead and supporting roles. Hugh Grant would play the husband of the female lead, and Brad Pitt would play the supporting role of the art teacher!

After acting alongside Hugh Grant, and Brad Pitt, Meg Ryan was surprised, "Arthur, the people you chose really bring joy. I feel more and more confident about this Sleeping with the Enemy. Plus, with you playing the handsome neighbor, I'm surrounded by three handsome guys!"

Filming with Hugh Grant, Brad Pitt, and Arthur Smith at the same time made Meg Ryan quite excited, as Arthur had quite a unique eye for selecting actors.

Arthur smiled, "You saw it yourself, their acting skills are up to the mark!"

Not only that, but they were also inexpensive. Hugh Grant was paid $250,000 for playing the male lead, and Brad Pitt even less, just $100,000.

"I even suggested you play the art teacher who romances me. In Sleepless in Seattle, you were my boyfriend anyway. Why are you playing a minor role as the handsome neighbor?" Meg Ryan inquired.

Arthur wasn't quite suited for the male lead due to his lack of acting experience, but he should be fine for a supporting role!

Arthur smiled, "I'm a producer and have a lot on my plate. I was worried about scheduling conflicts," Arthur didn't want to waste too much time on acting.

Once the main actors were confirmed, Arthur prepared to head to Iowa. Hugh Grant, at 30, would portray a successful husband with a mental quirk, who could be both gentle and caring.

Brad Pitt, with his long hair, was only 27 this year. Playing the sincere, passionate art teacher was certainly fitting!

"Have you scheduled the start of filming?" Meg Ryan asked again.

Arthur nodded, "Yes, we start on March 20. The crew will head to Iowa first and return to Los Angeles in May!"

Iowa is an agricultural state in the north-central United States, bordered by the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River to the west, creating beautiful pastoral scenery.

Arthur and Joseph Ruben chose to film in the small town of Decorah, Iowa!

After a few days in Iowa, Arthur went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Winona Ryder was filming Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael.

Ohio borders Iowa with Illinois and Indiana in between, bordered by Lake Erie to the north and the Ohio River separating it from Kentucky to the south!

By noon, Arthur met Winona Ryder at the Cincinnati airport, who was very excited as they hadn't seen each other for a while.

"Arthur, I missed you so much!" After arriving at the hotel, Winona Ryder hugged Arthur and kissed him several times, not letting go.

"Alright," Winona Ryder, who had apparently come straight from the set, looked particularly youthful with her messy hair adding to her playful charm.

Arthur explained as he ruffled Winona Ryder's hair, "I'm in Iowa scouting locations for Sleeping with the Enemy, which starts filming next month. I'll be heading back to Los Angeles soon. When does your movie wrap?"

"It wraps up later this month. It could have been faster, but the crew had some issues earlier," Winona Ryder explained.

"A low-budget indie film, what could go wrong," Arthur smiled, "I'll help you go over any scripts you get when I get back. You need to prove your commercial appeal. Participating only in indie art films won't give you enough commercial influence, and that's not good," Arthur valued art films but believed an actor couldn't be considered a star without box office success.

In Hollywood, the most important factor is always box office appeal, followed by awards and honors!

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