This is precisely why actors must consider their typecasting carefully.
If an actor consistently plays heroic roles, audiences may struggle to accept them as villains, suspecting they might be undercover agents instead.
Therefore, some actors aiming to broaden their range will take on diverse film roles to avoid being pigeonholed, which could limit their future opportunities.
That said, some actors prefer to stay within their comfort zones. After all, every actor has different aspirations.
While reviewing the audition list for the male lead, Vincent Stone noticed two actors who had frequently starred in horror films within the Pokémon world. He had even watched their movies before, all of which followed the traditional formula of a trainer ultimately capturing mischievous Ghost-type Pokémon. Unfortunately, their styles didn't align with Vincent's vision for this film.
"Let's go with this actor," Vincent finally decided on a young man whose age matched the newlywed protagonist in Dead Silence. His appearance was decent enough for the role.
Next, Vincent moved on to reviewing the audition tapes for the stepmother and Mary Shaw.
"Boss, there's something unusual about one of the actresses auditioning for the stepmother role," a bald man named Fa Wu approached and said.
"What's so unusual about her?" Vincent was curious. Was she someone's connection? But since he was the primary investor, director, and scriptwriter for this film, who could possibly pull strings with him?
However, he soon understood what Fa Wu meant.
Because in the list of actresses auditioning for the stepmother, he saw a familiar name and face.
Diantha.
The Champion of the Kalos region.
"Tsk," Vincent pursed his lips. What in the world? Why was Diantha here for an audition? She was practically a top-tier celebrity in the Pokémon world. With her striking looks and status as a Champion-level trainer, her popularity was through the roof.
Her résumé was packed with an overwhelming list of movies, TV shows, and even songs she had starred in or contributed to. The sheer volume of her accomplishments was staggering.
"Why would someone like her audition for a… huh?" Vincent paused as he noticed something.
Although Diantha was a renowned actress, her previous roles had all been within a specific niche. She had never appeared in a horror film before. Was she trying to expand her range?
"How's her acting?" Vincent asked Fa Wu.
"Absolutely phenomenal. We had her perform the scene where she's revealed to be Mary Shaw's puppet. The shift in her expression was masterful!" Fa Wu gushed, his face flushed with excitement.
This was Diantha—a superstar actress and a Champion. Working with her would be a career highlight.
Vincent raised an eyebrow. He had seen one of Diantha's films before, a classic Pokémon adventure story. Her acting had been solid, and she even performed dangerous stunts herself.
"Is there a recording?" Vincent wanted to see for himself. The stepmother was a crucial role, after all.
"Of course!" Fa Wu quickly pulled out his phone and showed Vincent the footage.
In the video, Diantha wasn't in costume or makeup, still wearing her signature outfit. But the moment the audition began, her entire demeanor changed.
That eerie smile and unsettling gaze left Vincent genuinely impressed.
"She's the one," Vincent immediately decided. A great actor could elevate a film, and Diantha was undoubtedly outstanding.
"By the way, what's her asking price?" Vincent thought of another issue—the actor's fee.
A star like Diantha wouldn't come cheap.
"Boss, her rate is quite reasonable. Three million," Fa Wu said cheerfully.
Vincent inhaled sharply.
How much?
Three million?
In Dead Silence, the stepmother's screen time wasn't extensive. Neither she nor Mary Shaw appeared frequently—most of the film focused on the male lead, along with Mimikyu's puppet.
Still, considering Diantha's fame and skill, the fee made sense. Her status alone justified it. Thankfully, his father had provided ample funds, or this salary would've been a major hurdle.
After finalizing the stepmother's casting, Vincent moved on to the auditions for Mary Shaw. Given the character's age, there weren't many applicants. He ultimately chose an older actress with extensive horror film experience, known for playing eccentric fortune-tellers and humans disguised as Ghost-type Pokémon—somewhat like the "Dragon Lady" in Hong Kong-style horror films.
With the cast set, filming could begin. Vincent was eager to start. Once shooting wrapped up, editing, scoring, and other post-production work would follow before submitting it for approval.
Soon, Dead Silence would officially meet audiences in the Pokémon world.
"Are the shooting schedules coordinated?" Vincent asked. The other actors weren't a concern—they were mostly lesser-known character actors. But Diantha? A superstar like her had a packed schedule, so her scenes had to be prioritized.
Filming didn't always proceed chronologically. Factors like actor availability, weather, and location access dictated the shooting order.
A-listers required careful scheduling.
"It's all arranged. Miss Diantha can spare five days," Fa Wu replied with a smile.
Vincent nodded. Five days. With seasoned actors supporting her, filming the stepmother's scenes shouldn't be an issue. They might even shoot the alternate ending as bonus content to generate hype online.
"Then let's prepare for production and wrap this up quickly," Vincent rubbed his hands, feeling an itch of anticipation. He was curious—what rewards would this system grant him?
"Understood, boss," Fa Wu hurried off to coordinate with the actors, arrange music, and handle props. The workload was immense.
Fortunately, Pokémon assistance streamlined many tasks. Otherwise, just the logistics could've taken a week.
(End of Chapter)