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Chapter 226: The Aura of a Nouveau Riche
🕑 Added 2025-01-05 17:17:59 +0000 UTCStanding in the hallway of the prison, Duke looked at Charlize Theron on the other side of the iron bars. The actress's aura had noticeably changed compared to before. Although in recent years she had mostly been relegated to minor roles as a pretty face, the systematic training from ICM was beginning to show results.
Her role in Chicago was also that of a vase-like character.
"You're a wealthy young woman who remains arrogant and defiant even after being arrested," Duke briefly explained the requirements of the role. "Especially in your expressions and how you walk. The character exudes pride and a sense of superiority. Charlize, your looks aren't an issue; I need a natural, commanding presence that draws everyone's attention."
"You can also think of it as the haughty aura of a nouveau riche," he added.
The wealthy young lady played by Charlize Theron, Miss Buster, exuded the gaudy extravagance of the 1920s and 30s America. Much like Roxie and Velma with their flashy yet pretentious allure, Buster's character embodied the essence of post-World War I America leading up to the Great Depression—ostentatious and vulgar, yet undeniably captivating.
"You don't have to worry, Duke," Charlize Theron said confidently. "I won't disappoint you."
She had meticulously prepared for the role. Based on the script, Miss Buster's screen time wouldn't exceed five minutes, yet the character was designed to steal the show—even overshadowing the female leads.
This role required her to completely outshine the equally blonde-haired lead actress within a limited timeframe. This was necessary for the plot to feel convincing—Buster's commanding allure and presence lead to Roxie being overshadowed, setting up the fake pregnancy storyline.
Deep down, Charlize longed to play Roxie but knew her acting skills and credentials weren't sufficient yet. Moreover, her tall and broad stature didn't align with Roxie's petite and delicate image, and her singing and dancing skills were also a concern. Nevertheless, the role of Miss Buster was a golden opportunity for her—a scene-stealing part that wasn't too challenging. She only needed to highlight the character's over-the-top, ornamental qualities.
With everything in place, Duke began formal shooting after just one trial. While Charlize's acting was average, her natural advantages made her portrayal of a loud, flamboyant character exceptionally convincing.
In the scene, Charlize Theron entered the prison surrounded by a crowd of reporters and police officers. She was arrogant, sexy, wild, and even slightly desperate. Combined with her striking appearance, she emanated a feral yet mesmerizing vibe reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic bloom. In a short span, even Tom Cruise, who stood beside her, faded into the background, becoming just another part of the scenery.
When the shoot ended, Naomi Watts, who had been part of the backdrop, didn't look too pleased. Duke ignored the tension among the actresses. As long as it didn't interfere with work, he didn't care about their rivalries.
The idea of female co-stars getting along happily despite being competitors only existed in fantasies. After being in Hollywood for so long, Duke could see through it all. Whether superstars or rising actresses, they were all vying for the same spotlight.
Of course, these actresses also knew Duke's boundaries. With Naomi Watts and Catherine Zeta-Jones as cautionary examples, they kept their disputes within manageable limits.
The grueling double dance sequence that required multiple takes had not only drained the lead actresses physically but had also been a subtle punishment. Performing in nearly five-inch heels until their feet bled while maintaining a flawless performance—such was the rigor of Duke's expectations.
This not only ensured the desired shooting results but also served as a reminder of his authority. At Duke's current stature, neither Naomi Watts nor Catherine Zeta-Jones, nor even Nancy Josephson, could say much.
After wrapping up her scene, Charlize Theron didn't immediately remove her makeup but instead tried approaching Duke, only to be stopped by Tina Fey. At just over 20, Charlize lacked the seasoned tact of Catherine Zeta-Jones, casting a cold glance at Tina as if she might slap her at any moment.
"Is there something you need?" Duke had noticed the commotion.
"No," Charlize quickly replaced her cold expression with a bright smile. "I just wanted to have a quick chat with you."
Duke looked at her briefly. Charlize, being sharp, immediately turned to Tina Fey and said, "Apologies, Tina. Let's grab coffee sometime."
"You've made significant progress."
This was work time, and Duke had no intention of chatting further. "There's still room for improvement. During post-production, I'll consider retaining more of your scenes."
"Tina." Duke gestured to his assistant, and Tina Fey quickly motioned for Charlize to leave.
Charlize Theron waved and headed toward the makeup room.
Overall, Duke was pleased with her performance. She had begun to showcase glimpses of a commanding presence, albeit slightly forced, but her striking looks fit the garish nouveau riche aura he envisioned for the role.
From the start of the scriptwriting process, Duke had Charlize Theron in mind for the part. While Lucy Liu might have suited the role of a nouveau riche heiress with Hawaiian origins, she wouldn't have convincingly overshadowed Roxie.
Audiences would likely question why she outshone Roxie in beauty and elegance, breaking the immersion and reminding them of the artificiality of the film's setup.
For a moment, Duke even speculated—albeit with some mischief—whether Renee Zellweger had bullied rookie director Rob Marshall into casting such an odd choice.
Of course, this was just a whimsical thought. As a newcomer, Marshall likely had little say in casting decisions. Lucy Liu's small eyes, flat nose, and freckled face aligned with Western stereotypes of Asian beauty.
"Change of scene!" Duke instructed Tina Fey.
The crew transitioned from the prison set back to the theater set. The stage had been modified, with new backdrops and curtains for the next group dance sequence, which would highlight the male lead, Tom Cruise.
Having played a minor role in Charlize's scene, Cruise had already changed into his costume and retouched his makeup.
Although Duke had seen Cruise's films countless times and knew of his fame, this was the first time he had truly observed him performing live.
Without guidance, Cruise's strongest impressions were his pride, arrogance, and sometimes questionable decisions.
Any actor who rose to stardom early and smoothly would likely exhibit similar traits. Humans aren't machines; they're inevitably influenced by their environment.
But even Tom Cruise understood the importance of hard work. Over the past six months, he dedicated three hours daily to dance and vocal training. While he occasionally made unreasonable demands, he ensured his work was completed. Anyone in this fiercely competitive industry knew that without effort, there was only one outcome—elimination.
For this upcoming scene, Cruise had rehearsed with the dancers at least seven times in the past week, maintaining a rigorous practice schedule.
"Tom, I've said everything during prep," Duke reminded him briefly. "Let's aim for one take."
"Leave it to me, Duke."
The thorough preparations had given Tom Cruise plenty of confidence.
Onstage, dazzling lights and glamorous showgirls surrounded the dashing, playboy-like Cruise, creating a visually striking and opulent scene.
Though Cruise's expression was his signature, unchanging look, his exaggerated and expressive body movements showed the effort he had put into this role. While his singing wasn't on par with professional singers or Broadway actors, it was leagues above Richard Gere's infamous performance.
In Duke's opinion, the best performance in the original film came from Catherine Zeta-Jones, even though the camera angles made her appear more stocky than ever. Renee Zellweger followed, while Richard Gere's portrayal of lawyer Billy was a disaster, especially his singing and dancing.
With half a year of preparation for the musical sequences, the results were evident. Cruise navigated Billy's introductory performance with ease, and Duke promptly approved the take.
Shooting the musical sequences was the most challenging part of the film. Beneath its satirical surface, the film lacked profound themes. In terms of depth, it didn't compare to Saving Private Ryan. Excluding the musical numbers, Duke found the dialogue scenes relatively easy to direct. The delayed schedule was entirely due to the musical sequences.
"Good work, Tom!"
During collaborations, conflicts were set aside. Both Duke and Cruise temporarily shelved their differences, thanks in part to their mutual agent, Pat Kingsley, who served as an effective mediator.
"I heard you're attending the yacht event this weekend?" Cruise asked about something unrelated to work.
"Yes. I have a small dock at home," Duke replied, setting aside his work for a moment. "I'm looking to buy a suitable small yacht for coastal trips. Kate and I plan to check it out together."
"You and Kate…"
Hearing Cruise's curiosity, Duke shrugged without elaborating. This outing with Kate was part of a planned public appearance orchestrated Panny Kellis.
