Pokemon: Lord of Fear

This highlights why actors emphasize versatility in their roles.

When an actor is known for consistently portraying positive characters, audiences often struggle to accept them in a villainous role, suspecting ulterior motives or undercover agendas.

To avoid being pigeonholed in certain roles, some actors actively seek diverse characters in films, expanding their repertoire and avoiding being typecast, which could limit future opportunities.

On the flip side, some actors prefer staying within their comfort zone, which speaks to their individual career aspirations.

While reviewing the list of candidates for the male lead, Edward noticed two actors who were known for frequently starring in horror films in the Pokémon world. He had seen their movies before; they followed a traditional formula of trainers ultimately capturing mischievous ghost Pokémon—not quite what Edward was looking for.

"This one," Edward eventually selected a young actor whose age aligned with the recently married male protagonist in Dead Silence. The actor's appearance was also appropriate for the role.

Edward then moved on to casting for the Stepmother and Mary Shaw roles.

"Boss, there's something special about one of the actresses auditioning for the Stepmother role," said a bald man named Deck—a name Edward found peculiar—as he approached.

"What's special about her?" Edward asked curiously. Was it nepotism? But he was the movie's primary investor, director, and screenwriter. Who could possibly use connections to influence him?

Edward soon realized what Deck meant.

Among the audition list for the Stepmother role was a name and face he recognized: Diantha.

Diantha, the Champion of the Kalos region.

Edward pursed his lips in surprise. What on earth? Why was Diantha auditioning? She was an A-list celebrity in the Pokémon world, combining stunning looks with Champion-level skills. Her fame was unparalleled.

Her résumé was an exhaustive list of movies, TV shows, and even songs—so extensive that it almost couldn't fit on the page. Her accolades were already off the charts.

"Why would someone like her audition for a...horror movie?" Edward muttered, glancing at the materials. He noticed something peculiar: despite her illustrious career, Diantha had never starred in a horror film. Was this her attempt to diversify her roles?

"How was her performance?" Edward asked Deck.

"Incredible! We asked her to audition with the scene where she's revealed to be Mary Shaw's puppet, and her shift in expressions was stunning!" Deck's face lit up with excitement, even blushing slightly.

This was Diantha—an icon and Champion. Working with her would be a lifelong bragging right.

Edward raised an eyebrow. He had seen one of Diantha's adventure films, which involved intense stunts she performed herself. Her acting was indeed impressive.

"Do we have footage of her audition?" Edward asked.

"Of course!" Deck eagerly showed Edward a recording on his phone. Diantha, dressed in her signature outfit without makeup, transformed once the audition began. Her peculiar smile and piercing gaze were mesmerizing—even Edward found himself captivated.

"She's the one," Edward decided. A skilled actor like Diantha would undoubtedly elevate the film.

"How much is her fee?" Edward asked, remembering another important factor: the cost.

Deck beamed. "Three million, boss."

Edward sucked in a sharp breath. Three million?

In Dead Silence, the Stepmother didn't have many scenes. Both the Stepmother and Mary Shaw were secondary to the male lead, whose journey dominated the film alongside the puppet Mimikyu.

Still, considering Diantha's fame and talent, the fee seemed reasonable. It helped that his father had given him a generous budget—otherwise, her fee alone could have caused significant strain.

After finalizing the Stepmother role, Edward moved on to Mary Shaw. Due to the character's age, the pool of auditioning actresses was smaller. Edward ultimately chose an older actress renowned for her horror roles, often playing eccentric fortune-tellers or living ghosts in human form—reminiscent of the mystics in classic Hong Kong horror films.

With the cast secured, production could begin. Edward was eager to see the results. Once filming, editing, and music scoring were complete, Dead Silence could be submitted for review.

"Are the filming schedules finalized?" Edward asked. While most of the cast consisted of lesser-known character actors, coordinating Diantha's busy schedule as a superstar was crucial.

"Yes, Diantha agreed to give us five days," Deck replied cheerfully. Edward nodded. Five days should be enough to finish the Stepmother scenes, especially with experienced supporting actors. They might even film an alternate ending as a bonus feature to generate buzz online.

"Let's start shooting as soon as possible and wrap it up quickly," Edward said, rubbing his hands together. He was itching with anticipation, curious about what rewards his special system would grant him this time.

"Got it, boss!" Deck scurried off to coordinate with the cast and crew while managing music, props, and other logistics.

Thanks to help from Pokémon, the preparations were swift—tasks that might have taken a week could now be completed in a matter of days.

(End of Chapter)