[Chapter 43. With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility.]
Last Time on Chapter 042 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —
Tom laughed, as he completed his friend's words. "I am just a man. Don't worry I won't forget it, I Promise and even if I do I know you'll always be there to put some sense into me."
"Damn right you are." Came the instant reply and it filled Tom's heart with warmth.
Hanging up, he tucked his phone away and leaned back, staring out the window. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was stepping into his own.
The sky above seemed impossibly blue, the horizon wide open. Cyclops. Leader of the X-Men. The thought brought a thrill of excitement—and determination.
And This.. this was just the beginning of his journey.
Now Continuing —
Back inside the room, Brooke leaned back in her chair with a satisfied smirk. "I have to hand it to you, Alex. That was a hell of a pivot."
Jeff added, "Yeah. We came in looking for Peter Parker, and you just locked in Cyclops. Not bad for a half day's work."
Alex smiled faintly, his mind already moving to the next audition. "Sometimes you just know when something just fits, you know; it just feels right."
"True that.. but I think it's such a shame that the audiences won't get to see Tom's eyes on camera. He really has a gorgeous pair of blues on him." Brooke replied wistfully, as she really liked the expressive eyes in Tom's performance; it was what really drew her in.
"I think that it would only make it all the more impactful in the few scenes that they will get to see his eyes in." Jeff chimed in as he remembered RDJ's performance in the Mandalorian and how the ratings went through the roof in the episode where he finally took the helmet off.
"Now, let's see if the next kid has what it takes to be Peter Parker."
And with that, the door opened, and the search continued.
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It had been a disappointing few rounds, and the last guy who was the only one that even caught Alex's eye was hesitant to make the commitment the role was asking for. He left swiftly after apologizing vehemently for his rejection.
And now the room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. As Alex Masters sat at the long table in MONARCH Studios' casting room, his sharp blue eyes were glaring at the monitor in front of him.
The recording of Tobey Maguire's audition played once again. Onscreen, Tobey nailed a crucial emotional moment—his expressive eyes and subtle nuances conveying Peter Parker's heartache after losing Uncle Ben perfectly.
Alex leaned back in his chair as he let out a sigh of frustration; his fingers steepled as he considered the performance. "He's good," he murmured with a nod and turned to Jeff as he said, "really nails the emotional bits."
Brooke, perched beside him, glanced up from her clipboard. "But..." she prompted, sensing his hesitation; she knew, with that tone, there was always a 'but' waiting around the corner.
Alex sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "He's an okay fit for the role. He's got the depth, and his acting chops are undeniable. But his comic timing—it's just not quite there yet."
"When he tried delivering Peter's quips and trash talk in-between the action scenes, it felt... gimmicky, rehearsed, awkward even."
"Spider-Man is as much about the wits as he is about the heart. Without that, it just.. feels off."
"I know that this might sound like I'm being nitpicky, but.. Spider-Man is going to be our first offering to the rabid Marvel fanboys, and personally, I want it to be as close to perfection as possible."
Brooke nodded thoughtfully at his words, jotting something down. Jeff leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
"He's a little older than I envisioned too," Alex added after giving it a bit more thought. "Not by much, but it's noticeable. It's not a dealbreaker, but his facial features will noticeably change in the next few years, and that combined with the other points.."
"I don't know. I'm just not sold." Alex said at the end with a shrug as he turned away from the monitor.
The recording had ended, and Alex decided it was time, so he tapped the intercom button on the table. "Can you send Tobey in, please?"
Moments later, the door opened, and Tobey Maguire walked in, his calm demeanor masking a hint of nervousness.
He was dressed smartly but not overly formal, projecting a professional yet approachable air. He shook Alex's hand firmly, his smile genuine.
"Thanks for coming in, Tobey," Alex said, motioning for him to sit. "I've been going through your audition again, and I have to say, your performance was stellar."
"Thank you, Mr. Masters," Tobey replied, his voice steady but with a glimmer of hope. "It means a lot coming from you."
"Call me Alex," he said with a small smile. "Now, before we talk further, I need to ask you something important. How do you feel about long-term commitments? Specifically, the next five to six years."
Alex didn't ask him to perform another scene or redo his previous performance to see if he could better now, as that wasn't really his concern. The tapes had already shown all he needed to know.
The previous guy's rejection had flashed across his mind, and he decided to test Tobey to see if he was willing to bear the great responsibility and cost that came along with the role.
Tobey tilted his head slightly, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "I'm sorry, what exactly do you mean by long-term?"
"Well," Alex began, folding his hands on the table. "If you do take this role, you need to be aware of the fact that you're not just being signed on for one movie."
"After the first film, we'll immediately move into marketing and begin the production of a TV series focusing on Peter Parker's life outside the suit."
Seeing Tobey's questioning eyes about its necessity, he decided to address the unasked question. "It's not just filler—it's integral to the story we're building for Peter Parker and Marvel."
Tobey blinked, processing the information. "A TV show?"
Alex nodded. "Exactly. And after that, there'll be cameos in other films, preparing for the sequel, and possibly another season of the series."
"We're talking a full-blown commitment to the character. You'll probably be able to squeeze in another movie role between projects, but I can't guarantee it. This will be your life for the foreseeable future, at least till the trilogy is over."
Tobey leaned back, exhaling slowly. "That's... quite a lot. I wasn't aware the role came with this kind of attachment."
Alex nodded, understanding the weight of the decision. "It's a big ask, I know. But that's the vision. We're creating a universe, not just standalone films. Every piece connects, and Peter Parker is at the heart of it all."
For a moment, Tobey didn't speak, his expression thoughtful. Finally, he looked up, meeting Alex's gaze. "I don't think I can commit to something like that. I love the character, and I'd love to play him."
"But I'm just starting out and dedicating years of my career to just one role—will limit my options severely. I am sorry, sir, but it's a little too much for me. I just can't afford to put all my eggs in one basket."
Alex's face softened as he smiled. "I get it, Tobey. It's not for everyone. And honestly, I appreciate your honesty more than anything."
"Thank you for coming in and giving us your time. You're a phenomenal actor, and I have no doubt you'll continue to thrive. And if there are any changes in the future, we'll let you know."
Tobey stood, extending his hand. "Thank you, sir. I hope that I get to be part of the project in some capacity."
After he left, Alex turned to Brooke and Jeff. "Well, that's one down. Let's bring in Joseph."
Joseph Gordon-Levitt was next.
He entered the room with a confident stride, his polished demeanor exuding professionalism.
His audition had been equally impressive—perhaps even more technically proficient than Tobey's despite being even younger.
But as the conversation unfolded, and he was made aware of the responsibilities that came along with monumental role. It became clear to Alex and the rest that Joseph too had his reservations.
"I'm willing to negotiate on the level of involvement," Joseph said carefully. "But I have to be honest—I'm not too interested in doing TV shows at moment. Films, absolutely. Cameos, sure. But a series? That's not really my thing."
Joseph had just gotten himself out of the trenches of TV industry, he didn't want to be reduced to that again. His dream was to perform on the big screen and his agent had been quite clear that going back to doing roles for TV shows might dilute his negotiating power.
Alex frowned slightly, exchanging a glance with Brooke. "That's a shame," he said finally. "Because your performance was incredible, but we need someone who's all in."
Alex got up as he perfunctorily said, "Still if there's a change in plans we'll let you know."
After a polite but firm handshake, Joseph left, leaving Alex visibly more frustrated than before. He turned to Brooke and Jeff. "He's a great actor, but just like Tobey, his quips felt a bit forced."
"Peter Parker is supposed to feel like he grew up on the streets of Queens—a victim of bullying, a little rough around the edges."
"An edge of teen angst and need to lash out, and yet he is also effortlessly witty and kind-hearted. Peter is a walking contradiction, and sadly, neither of them quite captured that… at least not enough that I'd be willing to take a step back and compromise on my vision."
Brooke glanced at her clipboard. "Well, that leaves my wildcard," she said, her tone laced with confidence. "If he can't outshine these two, then maybe it's time to settle."
Alex sighed, running a hand down his face. "I really don't want to settle, Brooke. But okay, let's see what your wildcard has to offer."
Brooke smiled, stepping out of the room to call in the next contender. "You won't be disappointed."
The door opened again, and in walked a wiry, fresh-faced teenager with a nervous but determined energy. Alex looked up, intrigued. "Andrew Garfield," Brooke announced, her tone almost triumphant.
Alex raised an eyebrow, sitting up straighter. "Alright, Andrew. Let's see what you've got."
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~The Wildcard's Spark~
The audition room was silent except for the faint rustle of papers in Brooke's hand as she passed a script to Andrew Garfield. The 17-year-old took it with slightly trembling fingers, his wide eyes darting around the room. Alex could see the tension in his posture—the kid was nervous, no doubt about it.
"It's alright, Andrew," Alex said, his tone warm and encouraging. "Take a breath. This is just a screen test. No pressure."
Andrew nodded quickly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. "Thank you, Mr. Masters," he said, his British accent faint but noticeable.
"Call me Alex," he replied with a faint smile.
Andrew stepped onto the taped X on the floor, holding the script like a lifeline. As the camera operator adjusted his angle, Brooke nodded at him to begin.
The scene was a simple one—Spider-Man facing off against a couple of thugs, using his trademark trash talk to rile them up before taking them down.
Andrew's first delivery was stiff, his voice lacking the natural flow of Peter Parker's quick wit. The trash talk sounded rehearsed, and his body language was too rigid to convey the lithe, confident movements of Spider-Man.
Alex sighed inwardly. He didn't want to give up on the kid so quickly, especially not when he was Brooke's wildcard.
"Alright, hold up," he said, standing up from his chair. He walked over to the makeshift set, rolling up the sleeves of his flannel shirt.
Andrew blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Is... something wrong?"
"No, you're doing fine," Alex reassured him. "But you look like you've got a stack of bricks on your shoulders. Let's loosen you up."
"I'll play the goon you're facing off against. Sometimes, when you're feeling stiff, it helps to have someone to bounce off of."
Andrew looked skeptical but nodded. "Okay. I'll try."
Alex picked up the spare script and quickly scanned his lines. "Alright," he said, stepping into the imaginary space of the scene.
He squared his shoulders, smirking like a stereotypical thug. "Spider-Man, huh? Big man in a leotard. What are you gonna do? Dance me to death."
Andrew's lips twitched at the unexpected delivery, but he still hesitated. Alex dropped the script to his side, stepping closer. "Listen, Andrew. Peter Parker is a kid from Queens, right? He grew up in a tough neighborhood, constantly underestimated."
"But he's smart—he knows words can hit harder than fists sometimes. So when you're trash-talking, you're not just making jokes. You're trying to get under their skin."
"Why do you think he's doing that?" Alex asked back, wanting to see how well Andrew understood Peter's character.
"Umm.. I think Spider-Man does that so the villains focus solely on him and don't go after the crowd of gawking bystanders who got zero sense of self-preservation."
Andrew was hesitant at first, but as the words rolled off his tongue, he felt more relaxed and even threw in a sarcastic quip at the end that he delivered in a deadpan tone.
Alex chuckled as Andrew roasted the future bystanders and extras that will be filling the crowd.
"Good, that's correct. Now just have fun with it, be a little cocky, bully the bullies, but remember—you've got to own the moment."
Andrew nodded, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Got it. Let's try again."
This time, when they started, the change was immediate. Andrew's delivery was sharper, his voice carrying a confidence that hadn't been there before.
He smirked as he responded to Alex's goon line, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "First of all, Leotard? Someone's got a fetish." He delivered the impromptu joke perfectly, with a teasing smirk and a side-eye.
Before Alex could even reply, Andrew quickly followed that improvisation with the actual dialogue that he was supposed to say. "Dance you to death? Nah, I figured I'd just web you to the wall and let the cops handle the cleanup. But hey, if you want a show, I could throw in a pirouette or two."
Alex grinned, genuinely amused. "Better, and great improv." He then said, staying in character. "You talk big, but you think a kid like you in pajamas can take me down?"
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.
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— To be Continued...
{2415 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.
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If you like my work and would like to support me then by becoming a paid member you read from 10 to 20 chapters ahead of the public release depending on tier you purchase.}