The My Hollywood System
Chapter 56

Will has asked Benjamin to arrange a meeting with Michael Elrod. The latter is a small-time actor at MCA, and there are many actors like him who are struggling to make their breakthroughs.

In Will's perspective, he is an exact replica of Robert Downey*, or at least he looks like it from the movies he once starred in. His role is good but not something that matches his personality.

Ruby White Hotel

This is one of the best hotels in Los Angeles, and only the upper class people can afford to eat there. Why Will decided to invite Michael Elrod to this luxurious place was simple.

Although Will did not particularly like to eat in such a place, it was also true that this was a place that could leave a huge impact on a person, especially if not just anyone could eat here.

Will's reasoning was simple. If by any chance, this Micheal is the same as the RDJ, there's no way Will left it. And if he was really the same person with a different name and circumstances, it would open up a world full of great opportunities for Will.

This could mean a lot of things, especially that there is a chance that the world-famous legendary actor is still a kid here, and Will could make an agency full of these actors.

There is even a possibility they exist but never take acting as their career.

This thought alone sends a rush of adrenaline throughout Will's body.

From what Will heard about him from Uncle Ben, this Michael isn't a child actor like Robert Downey*, and he's never been on drugs and stuff.

In this world, he had just entered his 30s and was struggling to make a breakthrough in the industry. Her personality was quite pleasant, and she mostly got along with people and did not have any clear enmity with anyone.

Will parked his car in the parking lot and walked inside the magnificent hotel through the carpet. Yellow lights adorn the walls as if they were themed.

Will walks in when a waiter comes and guides him to the table he ordered.

In the chair by the table, the man who looked like Robert Downey**was drinking water from a glass.

Michael looked exactly like RDJ with the same face and even the same haircut. He was wearing a grey tweed, scarf collar blazer which made him look very handsome and young.

"Hello, I'm Will Evans."

Will approached and said. Michael, who was drinking water, looked towards him and immediately put down the glass while standing up.

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Michael Elrod. You can call me Robert."

Michael– Robert introduces himself.

"What...? Isn't your name Michael?"

Will's brain began to buzz as he was shocked. It was something he did not expect. Is Michael a transmigrant? Or is he someone who can read minds? How did he know that his other name was Robert? Will was really confused and a little worried.

Robert, who saw Will's expression change, inevitably immediately tried to explain.

"Yes, yeah. I'm Michael. Michael Robert Elrod, to be exact. My friends call me Robert, and I'd rather be called. It's okay if you want to stick with Michael."

“Ohhh, so like that. You don't have to be so formal. I'm younger than you. Don't mind my reaction before. I'm just daydreaming for a second, I guess. After all, it was great to meet you; I'm a fan."

Robert was confused when he heard that. It looked like a joke. He was already shocked when Benjamin told him that Will, the newcomer director, wanted to meet him. He had a hard time dealing with reality due to his stagnating career, and most of his days passed with sadness and regret. He doesn't know what Will is talking about.

A fan? No one had told her that for years.

"Sorry, but are you wrong? I don't remember having any fans." He asked while laughing in a self-deprecating tone.

"You have it. I'm one of them. I really enjoyed your acting as a servant of God in [The Red Knight]. It was a small role, but you look very convincing in your portrayal as a servant who hears all but is not allowed to speak. Then, there's ..."

Like that, Will explained to him by talking about all the movies Robert starred in, even movies where he only had a 30-second role. From fantasy movies like [The Red Knight] to teen romances like [Love High School] where the role is just to get punched out to introduce the bully to the audience..

It surprised Robert so much because he never thought there would be someone like Will who would be his fan, not only that but to that extent.

'It seems he was really surprised.'

Of course Will has prepared for all this. He wanted to make sure if this guy was really real, so he had watched all the movies he played, and soon Will was convinced that Michael had the same skill level as the original RDJ.

Will thought to himself as he looked at Robert. He looked like the younger Robert Downey**; even his voice was the same. But his confidence seems a bit lacking.

That was to be expected after not being able to get a break in the industry even after working for many years.

"I don't want to sound rude, but why did you call me here today? I was shocked when I got a call from Senior Agent Benjamin. For a moment, I thought the MCA wanted to kick me out even before the end of my contract term. Haha."

Will chuckles at hearing it. To think that such a powerful figure of the earth was reduced to this much.

"Actually, I heard about your contract with the MCA. It's gonna be over soon, right? Do you have plans to renew your contract or change your agency?"

Will asks after he orders the food and has Robert order whatever he wants.

"Yes, it's gonna be over soon. But I want to update it. I don't think they're going to invest more than they already have on me, and I've been with them for three years now."

Robert chuckled bitterly as he said that, his index finger circling the edge of the wine glass.

Although MCA is a big agency, it does not mean that every actor in it will be successful. June is such a case, and it's the same with Robert.

Some of the mistakes also lie in the fact that the internal management of the MCA has long been in disarray.

"Well, I don't think that's something you should worry about. Anyway, I'm not going to beat around the bush; I have a role for you in my next movie."

Will said with a serious expression. He didn't want to go around in circles and talk, he just said what he came for directly.

Robert was shocked after hearing that. He never thought that when he was desperate for not getting any role just a few days ago, he would be offered the role by a famous budding director. It was like a piece of cake had suddenly fallen from the sky directly onto his face.

Normally, telling Benjamin or his agent was enough to give him the role; he had no idea why someone like Will, whose fame was constantly increasing, had personally come to give him the role. But he wouldn't complain about that.

"I've never acted in a horror movie before, but I would love to take on any role."

Robert said with a faint smile. Since Will's first film was a horror film, it was natural to think that he would follow that trend and continue to make more horror films.

"Hahaha, I wonder why everyone thinks I'm going to keep making horror movies. Well, the role I'm offering you isn't for a horror movie, but for something else entirely; it's also the lead role."

This time Robert was silent. He had never imagined that his luck would run as high as the sky. At this point, he even began to doubt the reality of the situation. The main role out of nowhere is not just a piece of cake, but an entire cake that falls on his head first.

"Well, what's the highest-budget movie you've ever played?"

Will asked in a questioning tone, which Michael immediately responded to while still in an unconscious state.

"It was almost a $30 million movie, and I've played an extra role in it. The 30-second role you talked about earlier."

"Oh.."

Will pondered as he thought about how unlucky Roberts was. The ones in his previous life were unlucky enough to engage in substance abuse, whereas the ones in his current life were only lower-class actors with good acting skills. No matter which world it is, Hollywood life is not as easy as it seems.

"yeah. The project I'm planning is pretty big, and I'll give you the chance to audition for the lead role movie, with a 2 Million Dollar package if you pass the audition and sign the contract."

Will said as he closely watched Robert's reaction. He chose to offer the amount for the lead role directly. However, Will could also decide not to tell the first about the film's budget, as these things are best kept secret. $90 million is not a small amount, either, and Robert in front of him hasn't been the superstar he used to be. Greed can make anyone blind and stupid, and Will doesn't want to lose someone like Robert.

And as expected, Robert's eyes opened wide in disbelief as he was greatly shocked. Robert could not digest what he had just heard. For a small actor being offered the chance to audition for the lead role already a big deal, and he even earns 2 Million dollars if he passes the audition? Either it's his luckiest day, or he's getting bullied again!

"You shouldn't joke with people like this. It's not a good habit to practice."

Robert said that when he tried to leave. He, of course, would not believe the nonsense that he actually got such an important role in such a big movie. He couldn't help but think that he was being made fun of and made fun of.

For someone as powerless as him, one might think he should at least listen to what Will has to say, but this is not the first time such a thing has happened to Robert, that's why she immediately rejected the idea of Will offering her an honest role.

But just as Robert was about to take his first step, Will put down his wine glass and spoke without raising his head.

“Every step you take from here, you will lose $100k.”