[Chapter 44. Fresh Faces and New Opportunities.]
Last Time on Chapter 043 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —
Andrew didn't miss a beat. "Kid like me? Please. You'd have better luck wrestling a bag of marshmallows."
The room erupted into quiet laughter from Brooke and Jeff. Alex couldn't suppress his smile—Andrew was nailing it now. The wit felt natural, and the cocky energy balanced perfectly with Spider-Man's charm. Even the body language and gait felt natural.
When the scene shifted to a more emotional beat—a moment where Peter reflects on his responsibility after Uncle Ben's death—Andrew's performance was solid, but Alex noticed that the kid had a tendency to overact.
Now Continuing —
The emotions felt a bit forced, the expressions exaggerated, but it was expected as it was a well known bad habit of amateur theater actors. Once he knew, he had to make a priority of his beating out of the kid so that he could perform naturally on screen.
"Okay, good," Alex said, holding up a hand to pause. "That was a strong start. But in the emotional moments, less is more. Peter doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve—he keeps it bottled up. You've got to let the audience see the cracks, not just dump it all out at once."
Andrew nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. Thank you for the feedback."
When they finished, Alex stepped back to the table and gestured for Andrew to sit. The young man was still catching his breath, his nerves replaced by a cautious hope.
"You've got potential," Alex said, leaning forward. "But before we go any further, I need to ask—are you ready for the level of commitment this role demands?"
Andrew listened carefully as Alex outlined the same plan he'd given to Tobey and Joseph: the movie, the TV series, the cameos, and the years of dedication it would require. Unlike the others, Andrew didn't balk or dismiss the idea outright.
"That's a lot," Andrew admitted, his brow furrowed. "But I think I can do it. I'd just like to consult with my agent and parents first and maybe work out a few concessions."
Alex nodded. "Fair enough. What do you have in mind?"
"Well," Andrew said hesitantly, "I'd really like to improve my craft. If I take this role, could I be enrolled in the Elite tier of your Master Class?"
Alex raised an eyebrow, impressed. Master Class was an initiative he'd launched with MONARCH to nurture young talent. It wasn't an easy program to get into, but the fact that Andrew was eager to improve spoke volumes.
"That's doable," Alex said. "In return, I have a couple of tasks. First, join a gymnastics club. Learn acrobatics and get more flexible. Spider-Man isn't just quippy—he's physically dynamic."
"Second, hit the gym. Build up some muscle. Peter Parker's transformation into Spider-Man needs to feel real. We'll be giving you a bodysuit, but the more you already have makes it a bit easier for the costumes."
Andrew grinned, nodding. "I can do that. Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Masters."
Alex leaned back, a satisfied smile on his face. "Alright, kid. Let's see if you're still this eager after your agent weighs in. For now, good job."
As Andrew left, Alex turned to Brooke and Jeff. "Well," he said, "I think we've found our Peter Parker."
"We'll see. I hope his agent doesn't turn him away from us. Either way, I see a bright future in that kid. He'll definitely go places; mark my words."
How many projects can I oversee? How many things can I juggle before it all comes tumbling down like a poorly stacked together house of cards.
I know, it has worked well while I was juggling all the different roles at MONARCH so why can't MCU be the same?
I don't want us to limit ourselves because of me. And trust me, I am just a man, and what I bring to the table is quite limited, my time, my skills, my ability
"After the first Spider-Man movie is released next year, the plan is to release 2 Marvel movies every year." Alex already knew their reaction to his statement Don't groan, I can hear you.. you signed up for this and don't worry you'll be working in shifts.
Now this is just for the movies, the TV shows for the MCU are there to give some breathing space to you creatives. You can't cramp in every small development in Peter Parker's life in a 2 hour movie.
What if you don't have to this is my own proposal for a Peter Parker TV show. Yes. Peter Parker not Spider-Man, as it will focus more on man in mask than friendly neighborhood wall crawler.
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~The Seeker At Work~
It was nearly two weeks later that Daniel found himself time to finally pursue his original goal. He was now standing outside a modest conference room in a sleek office building in London.
Everything looked freshly painted and stocked, most probably due to them recently moving into a bigger office space after their expansion.
The trip across the Atlantic had been a whirlwind of logistics and management, but he was eager to finally meet the woman whose work had captivated his daughter—and millions of others.
The door opened, and a sharp-looking woman in her forties stepped out, extending a hand to greet him. "Mr. Castillo? I'm Linda Farrow, Editorial Manager at Bloomsbury. Thank you for coming."
"Thank you for having me," Daniel replied, shaking her hand with a warm smile trying to break the ice.
Linda only returned a curt professional nod, and led him inside, where two other people were already seated inside awaiting his arrival.
The first was a tall man with a slightly formal air about him, whom Linda introduced as Christopher Little, J.K. Rowling's literary agent. And there, seated beside him, was the author herself.
Joanne Rowling rose to greet Daniel, a slight smile on her face. She was younger than he'd imagined, with an unassuming demeanor that belied the tremendous success of her books.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Rowling," He said, smiling warmly again undeterred by Ms. Farrow's cold and professional demeanor.
After Rowling he shook hands with her companion as well. "And you as well, Mr. Little."
"The pleasure's ours," Rowling said politely, though there was a flicker of curiosity in her expression.
They took their seats around the table, the mood cautiously professional. Linda began the meeting by emphasizing Bloomsbury's commitment to protecting the integrity of the Harry Potter series.
While Christopher added a few words about Rowling's desire to ensure any adaptations remained faithful to her vision and style.
Once the pleasantries were out of the way, Daniel leaned forward slightly, his tone respectful but direct. "Before we get into the specifics, I want to start by saying how much I admire your work, Ms. Rowling."
"Both books were incredible achievements, and they've clearly struck a chord with readers around the world."
"My daughter, Emily, is one of those readers. She can't stop talking about Hogwarts and the adventures of Harry Potter."
Rowling's expression softened at the mention of Emily as it reminded her of her own daughter. But before she could respond, Daniel continued as he wanted to lay out his opinion of her work in full, the good and the bad.
"That said, I'd be remiss if I didn't share a few thoughts on areas where I think there's room for improvement."
A slight tension settled over the room. Linda's smile became tighter, and Christopher shifted in his seat. Even Rowling's polite demeanor seemed to falter, though she remained silent.
Daniel, unfazed, went on. "For instance, I felt that some of the pacing in Chamber of Secrets could be tightened. The climax is fantastic, but the build-up occasionally feels uneven."
"And while the world-building is brilliant, I'd love to see even more of the magical history and culture explored in future books. There's so much potential there."
The room was quiet for a moment, and Daniel could sense the defensiveness in their postures. But he wasn't done.
"Now, let me be clear," he said, his tone lightening. "These are merely minor observations. Ms. Rowling what you've achieved at such a young age is truly extraordinary."
He spoke eloquently, indirectly calling her young, and while it was true, he had yet come across a woman who didn't like to called youthful and young.
"The character work, the humor, the sheer sense of wonder from a child's perspective is beautifully captured in your book—it's all exceptional."
"You've created something that resonates deeply with readers of all ages, and that Ms. Rowling is no small feat."
"Not to toot my own horn but I'm quite at what I do, there authors out there who'll spend their entire lives writing bestsellers and you won't find at their door."
Rowling's guarded expression softened slightly, and Christopher seemed to relax. Linda, too, allowed a faint smile to return.
"My daughter," Daniel added with a grin, "is already asking if there's a Hogwarts in the United States. She wants to enroll."
Rowling chuckled, her defenses finally lowering. "Well, tell her she'd have to write to the Sorting Hat first."
They all laughed, and the tension in the room dissipated. Daniel knew he'd struck the right balance. The conversation was only beginning, but already, he could see the seeds of possibility taking root.
The mood in the room had shifted, the initial hesitations softened by Daniel's genuine admiration and the personal touch of sharing his daughter's enthusiasm.
Joanne Rowling, or "Jo," as she preferred to be called, leaned back slightly in her chair, her expression curious now rather than guarded.
Christopher Little adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. "While we appreciate your feedback, Mr. Castillo, I do feel compelled to ask: What exactly are your intentions regarding the Harry Potter series?"
Daniel leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and clasping his hands together. "My job, Mr. Little, is to find stories that have the potential to become cinematic experiences—stories that resonate deeply with audiences.
"Just like the one I believe yours's has, Ms. Rowling." He said tilting his head to look Joanne in the eye, his own brimming with sincerity.
"You must've heard of my employer Alex Masters, if not the Studio I work for: MONARCH. We've built quite a reputation on adapting extraordinary works, and I believe Harry Potter fits that description perfectly."
Jo's brow furrowed slightly, though not in disagreement. "You're talking about adapting my books into films?" she asked, her tone measured but intrigued.
"Precisely," Daniel said, his smile warm but professional. "The world you've created is vivid and immersive—perfect for the big screen. With the right team, we could bring Hogwarts to life in a way that honors your vision while reaching an even broader audience."
Jo exchanged a glance with Christopher, who looked thoughtful but hesitant. Linda Farrow, the editorial manager from Bloomsbury, interjected. "You must understand, Mr. Castillo, that Harry Potter is not just a series of books for us."
"It's become the cornerstone of Bloomsbury's success, and we're deeply invested in ensuring that any adaptations uphold the integrity of the work."
Daniel nodded, his expression serious. "I completely understand, Ms. Farrow. That's why I wanted to meet with you in person—to address any concerns directly and make it clear that we're committed to working collaboratively."
"We value the creative vision behind this series, and we want to ensure that it remains at the heart of any adaptation."
Jo folded her hands on the table, her gaze steady. "If I were to consider this—and that's a big if—I would need certain assurances. For one, the setting and characters must remain authentically British. The magic of Harry Potter is deeply tied to its British roots, and I wouldn't want that diluted."
Daniel smiled. "Agreed. That's non-negotiable."
"And the cast?" she pressed.
"We'd prioritize British actors," Daniel said, "though we might make exceptions for the right talent in supporting roles, provided it doesn't compromise the authenticity of the story."
Jo seemed to relax slightly, but her mind was clearly racing. "I'd also want to retain some level of creative control," she added. "I've seen too many authors lose their voices in adaptations of their work. That can't happen here."
Daniel nodded again. "I understand completely. You'd be involved in the process—consulting on scripts, casting, and key creative decisions. We want this to be a partnership, not a takeover."
Christopher raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical but intrigued. "That's quite a generous offer. I assume you'd want the rights to the books?"
Daniel's smile widened. "Not just the books you've written, Mr. Little, but the ones you're planning to write as well."
The room fell silent. Jo's eyes widened slightly, and even Linda looked taken aback.
"You're talking about the entire series?" Jo asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Exactly," Daniel said. "Seven books, or Ten, if you decide to extend the story. We're prepared to invest in the long-term potential of this franchise."
Christopher leaned forward, his skepticism giving way to cautious interest. "That's quite a leap of faith, Mr. Castillo. The series isn't even halfway finished."
Daniel chuckled. "True, but if the first two books are any indication, I'd say it's a leap worth taking. Besides, my daughter has impeccable taste, and if she's this enchanted by the story, I'm confident millions of others feel the same way."
Jo smiled at that, though her expression was still thoughtful. "It's flattering, Mr. Castillo, but I have to admit, it's a lot to consider."
"This series is my first successful work its like my child and now to just hand it over to you feels.. wrong. This is my life's work, and I need to be absolutely certain that any adaptation does it justice."
"I wouldn't expect anything less," Daniel said. "And to show you just how serious we are, I'd like to extend an invitation. Come visit the set of one of our current projects. It'll give you a sense of the scale we're capable of working on and the care we put into every little detail."
Jo tilted her head, intrigued. "What project?"
Daniel hesitated, then smiled apologetically. "I'm afraid that's classified information for now. But I can promise you it's something extraordinary."
Christopher frowned. "And you expect us to just take your word for it?"
"Not at all," Daniel said smoothly. "I'd ask you to sign a non-disclosure agreement before we discuss any specifics. If you're willing, I'll arrange first-class flights for you, Mr. Little, and Ms. Rowling, as well as accommodations. You'll see for yourselves what we're capable of."
Jo exchanged a glance with Christopher, her curiosity clearly piqued.
"And," Daniel added with a fond smile, "you're welcome to bring your daughter as well. I think she'd enjoy the experience. This film we're working on belongs to the fantasy genre and one of my all time favorites."
That sealed the deal. Jo's expression softened, and Christopher sighed, clearly outnumbered.
"Alright," Jo said. "I'll consider it. But this doesn't mean I'm agreeing to anything yet."
"Of course," Daniel said, standing and offering his hand to shake on the deal. "One step at a time."
The meeting ended on a positive note, with Linda agreeing to facilitate further discussions. Daniel left the building feeling optimistic. The journey was far from over, but he was confident that Alex would be pleased with the progress.
— To be Continued...
{2,468 words}
{TRL: And here we finally get to see the third character being almost confirmed for Alex's MCU through auditions, and it is a three battle between Tobey, Joseph and Andrew being casted for the role of Spider-Man/Peter Parker. After the continuing scene we get to see, Daniel Castillo again our Seeker of Stories at work. I tried to keep it short and not drag out this part.
Now a Special Thanks to all my patrons who made all this possible:
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Until the next chapter,
Yours Truly — TheRamenLord.