[Chapter 42. The Opportunity Of A Lifetime.]
Last Time on Chapter 041 of [From Shadows To The Spotlight] —
"Cyclops is a leader, but he's also a man struggling with the weight of responsibility and loss. Sound familiar?"
Tom nodded slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. "Yeah," he said, a smile beginning to tug at the corners of his lips. "Yeah, it does."
"You don't have to answer at the moment if you're still unsure about it." Alex suggested kindly, as he didn't want to put Tom on the spot.
Now Continuing —
Tom swiftly took off the visor in surprise, upon hearing Alex's kind offer; it might've been because of his muted answers upon getting the offer to portray Cyclops.
But his reservedness didn't have to do with hesitation regarding the offer, and more with the fact that he had already been driven away from roles of main lead many times before in auditions.
It had been mostly because of his lack of connections and also his handsome face, which had once been for him an object of great confidence and vanity. But it had soon become one of his biggest problems in the entertainment industry.
His face and previously lacking acting skills would get him typecast into roles with very minimal impact on the story, as if he was only there to attract the female gaze.
And whereas once it might've been enough, after watching movies like — Top Gun, Jurassic Park, and Mission Impossible and even participating in movies like Fight Club and Titanic as a background character with very little dialogue or impact.
He felt almost certain of the kind of actor he wanted to be; he didn't want to be one that only had rabid female fans that only cared about his looks.
Instead, he wanted to be known for his acting, his screen presence, and his charismatic performance; actors like Cruise and DiCaprio were the ones he was aiming for now.
He adjusted the visor Alex had handed him, his fingers grazing the metallic frame as he turned his head slightly, trying to imagine himself as the character Alex had in mind.
Cyclops—Scott Summers.
That name alone carried weight, but it wasn't one he had expected when he'd stepped into the audition room. Still, it had his heart racing—part excitement, part nerves—as he glanced at Alex, whose intense gaze hadn't faltered once.
"I'm honored, truly." Tom finally said, his voice steady despite the storm in his chest. "But me.. as Cyclops? That's a pretty big deal, isn't it?"
Alex leaned back in his chair, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It is. Cyclops isn't just a simple hero—he's the leader of X-Men, especially on the field."
"He's the moral compass of the team. He's calm under pressure, has to make the tough calls, and his arc," Alex muttered whilst thinking of all the good and bad he had planned for Scott Summer's in the MCU.
It just made his heartbeat accelerate in excitement, and he felt like a kid once again. "It's one of growth and responsibility; it's about wading through an ocean of moral dilemmas.."
"It's about doing the right thing, even when it comes at great personal costs." Alex said with a fond smile that slowly turned into a forlorn one as he went through all arcs of Cyclops' story.
And while Scott's life wasn't as tragic as Peter's, he still felt like it was right up there; the man had his family abducted by aliens.
Then his mind was brainwashed by an evil scientist, got separated from his brother, was manipulated into loving a woman, and upon finding out, he began to doubt his love for that woman.
If that wasn't bad enough, he ended up getting cheated on by her, and in a cosmic fuckup that very day he got caught by his past lover while hooking up with the woman that she hated the most.
And the cherry on the cake? The woman who cheated on him wasn't even his real lover but a clone of hers. Yes, it is a fucked-up timeline, with questionable morals from both its cast of villains and heroes.
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Brooke, sitting nearby with her arms crossed, chimed in with a smirk, lifting the mood. "And he's got killer laser eyes. Literally."
Jeff chuckled, scribbling a quick note on his clipboard. "And don't forget the visor. That thing is iconic."
Tom's lips twitched upward at their remarks, but his mind remained focused on Alex. "I know this sounds… maybe ungrateful, but why me? You said it yourself—I wasn't quite right for Peter Parker."
Alex nodded, clasping his hands together. "True. But not being right for one role doesn't mean you're not perfect for another. You're not a bad actor, Tom; I'd even call you a damn good one for your age."
It was Tom's turn to smile at the frank praise and admission of his current skill. It made him recall the countless classes, theater acts, and small roles he had done in the past few years, all to prepare him for something big.
Something just like this. He had finally been handed what felt like the opportunity of a lifetime to him, and he couldn't help but feel emotional.
"Your performance just now was magnetic. The way you conveyed loss, the frustration, the helplessness, and yet that quiet strength beneath the surface—it's exactly what I want for Cyclops."
"He's a character who has to shoulder immense responsibility, and you've got the chops to bring that to life."
Tom blinked, the weight of Alex's words sinking in. He glanced at Brooke and Jeff, who both nodded encouragingly. "I don't know what to say," Tom admitted, his voice quieter now.
"Say yes," Brooke said with a wink. "Trust me, you don't get offers like this every day."
Alex chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "I get it. It's a lot to take in. But let me put it this way—we're building something big here, Tom. The X-Men films aren't just standalone projects."
"They're part of a larger universe we're crafting, one where every character matters. Cyclops will be one of the pillars of that universe. The first film will establish him as a core member of the team, and from there, the sky's the limit."
Tom's fingers tightened slightly around the visor as he listened. The thought of being part of something so ambitious sent a thrill through him, but doubts still lingered.
"How much of a commitment are we talking about? I want to give my all to any role I take, but I don't.. want to miss out on other opportunities that.. might interest me." He spoke hesitantly, afraid to come off as ungrateful after being offered such a great opportunity.
Alex nodded, appreciating the honesty and foresight, he sought to put his fears at rest. "Completely fair. We're planning the filming of the first X-Men movie to be started by fall or winter next year. After that, it's all about scheduling."
"Cyclops's role will grow over time, and with it so will your responsibilities and involvement in this project. But we'll make sure to give you a clear timeline of when you'll be needed well in advance."
"Don't worry, I can promise you now that you'll have plenty of time and space in between our works to pursue other projects at your pleasure. We want this to work for you as much as it does for us."
The room fell quiet again, but this time the silence was thoughtful rather than tense.
Tom looked down once more at the visor in his hands, imagining himself on set, donning the full costume, embodying a character that so many people already adored. And hoped that with his portrayal, that number would only continue to grow even further.
"Alright," he said finally, lifting his gaze to meet Alex's. "I'm in. Let's do this."
Brooke clapped her hands together, grinning. "That's what I like to hear!"
Jeff added with a grin, "Welcome aboard. I believe Cyclops is in good hands."
Alex stood and extended his hand, which Tom shook firmly. "We'll have the contracts sent over soon. If you have any conditions or concerns, let us know. This is a collaboration, and we want you to feel supported every step of the way."
Tom nodded, his confidence growing with every word. "Thank you, Mr. Masters. I won't let you down."
Alex chuckled. "I know you won't and call me Alex."
As Tom left the room, visor still in hand, he felt a mixture of exhilaration and disbelief. The hallway outside the audition room was filled with the nervous and excited chatter of the hopeful actors; the moment he came out of the room, all attention was on him.
His happy smile gave some of them a sense of anxiety about whether his performance had been so good that he'd be a major contender, or maybe they might've already lost the role before they had gotten their chance.
The observant bunch, especially the ones who dabbled in Marvel Comics present, looked at the visor in his hand. They were able to deduce that his smile might not have anything to do with the role they had gathered here to audition for.
But these stares meant nothing to him, as he felt like he was on cloud nine. He took a moment to collect himself and calm down before he broke the news to his friend as he made his way out of the studio.
The warm California sun bathed Tom Welling as he stepped out of MONARCH Studios. The bustling streets seemed quieter to him somehow, muted by the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
He was still riding the high of Alex Masters' unexpected offer. The stares he received from passersby were nothing new; his height and striking looks often drew attention. But for the first time, they felt insignificant compared to the excitement bubbling inside him.
Reaching the curb, he hailed a cab and climbed in, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. Once seated, he pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.
Jacob Hixon—Tom's agent, manager, and lifelong friend—was a Marvel aficionado. Tom could already imagine Jacob's reaction: uncontainable excitement followed by a smug "I told you so."
The call connected, and Jacob's voice crackled through the line. "Tom! How'd it go? Tell me everything!"
"Hey," Tom said, leaning back in his seat. He let the pause linger, enjoying the moment. "You were right... it was for Marvel."
Jacob whooped, loud enough that Tom had to pull the phone away from his ear. "Hell yeah! Didn't I tell you?"
"Alright, alright, you were right," Tom admitted with a chuckle. "But here's the kicker—can you guess which role I got?"
"Wait, you got cast?!" Jacob's tone pitched up with excitement, and it warmed Tom's heart at hearing his friend's excitement of the news. "No way! What role? Spider-Man? Tell me it's Spider-Man!"
"Come on, have a little faith in me, will you? And not so fast," Tom teased. "Why don't you take a guess?"
"Okay, give me a second." Jacob's voice grew thoughtful, and Tom could already hear the gears turn in his friend's mind as he began to put together a list of possibilities.
"If you've already been cast, that means the film's part of Marvel's opening slate. They're likely starting with heavy hitters—Spider-Man, Fantastic Four, X-Men, maybe even Hulk."
Tom smirked, imagining Jacob pacing in his office, his hand stroking his beard as he tried to piece it together.
"Wait, how many guesses do I get?" Jacob asked suddenly. "And what's on the line?"
"Three guesses, max," Tom replied after thinking about how difficult he should make it.
"And if you guess wrong, you have to admit my idea about not taking supporting roles wasn't as stupid as you thought, however shortsighted it may have been." Tom replied while thinking sheepishly about how unrealistic his approach had been.
Jacob groaned. "You're finally coming around to that?"
"Yeah, yeah. Turns out I might've been aiming a bit high trying to snag leads without paying my dues." Tom rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish.
"Wow," Jacob said with a laugh. "A single meeting with Alex Masters, and you're already mature. Imagine how much wisdom you'll gain after actually working with him."
"Hey! I'm plenty mature already." Tom replied petulantly as he grumbled.
"Sure you are," Jacob teased back. "Alright, let's do this. First guess—Flash Thompson. You said you were aiming high, so maybe they saw you as a good fit for a supporting role."
"Wrong," Tom said, grinning.
"Hmm, maybe it's not from Spider-Man. What other comic book character would suit you.." He muttered to himself out loud.
"Should I go with the Human Torch? But you aren't blonde. Then again, dye exists, and you're a fresh face and relatively unknown.."
"Wow, way to build up my confidence," Tom said dryly.
"Sorry, man. Just being honest."
Tom chuckled. "Nope, not Human Torch either. Final guess?"
"Fu** there are too many heroes," he said, taking a deep breath and paused. "I think it might be someone from X-Men."
"Hmm, let me give you a hint," Tom said, chuckling at his friend's frustration.
"You are right, he is a member of the X-Men, but that's not the answer I was looking for.. so wanna try one more time."
"Sure, third times the charm. The X-Men's starting line-up consists of characters like — Cyclops, Wolverine, Beast, Nightcrawler, and Angel."
"You're too tall and young for Wolverine or Beast," Jacob mused aloud. "Nightcrawler's a stretch—you'd need an accent, and I doubt that wowed the casting directors. So that leaves Cyclops and Angels."
Tom waited in silence, marveling at how methodical Jacob's thought process was.
"You fit the physique and look for both," Jacob continued. "But if I had to choose… Cyclops. He's a leader. Iconic. And honestly, I've always thought you'd kill it as him."
Tom couldn't hold back anymore. "Damn, you actually guessed it."
"No way!" Jacob practically shouted.
"The audition was for Peter Parker," Tom explained, his tone tinged with disbelief at how things had unfolded. "Sadly, I didn't get it; I was told I was too handsome. But thankfully, Alex liked my performance so much, he offered me Cyclops in the X-Men movie."
"Damn! Well great minds do think alike." Jacob's voice was a mix of excitement and disbelief.
"Dude, that's huge! Tell me you said yes." He asked quickly, wanting to confirm if it was a done deal, as that would be where he'd come in for the negotiations.
He still couldn't believe that the friend he had since middle school would actually turn into an actor and now even get a part in X-Men, one of his favorite comic series to date.
"Of course I did," Tom replied, a grin spreading across his face. "This is… this is big, isn't it?"
"It's massive, Tom," Jacob assured him, his tone confident. "You've just landed a role that could very well define your career. I'll get started on the paperwork as soon as they send it over. This.. this is a game-changer."
As the cab moved through the streets, Tom glanced back at MONARCH Studios, growing smaller in the distance. It struck him that within those walls, Alex Masters and his team had taken a chance on him, and he wouldn't let them down.
"I still can't believe it," Tom murmured.
"Well, believe it," Jacob said firmly. "This is your moment, Tom. I just hope you don't let this go to your head."
"Always remember—"
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.
This was just the beginning.
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— To be Continued...
{2,618 words}
{TRL: And here we finally get to see the second character being almost confirmed for Alex's MCU through auditions, and it is Tom Welling being casted for the role of Cyclops/Scott Summers.
This guy is almost shoe in for the role and if he does get then he will go from being one my personal favorite portrayal of Clark Kent on TV to Scott Summers the future leader of X-Men.
And through Alex and this story I aim to show a better version of Cyclops than the one we got in the fox X-Men universe.
Also would you like to read ahead? You can do so for free up to 3 chapters ahead of the public release on my Patreon page as Free Member.
Yes, free. If you're interested you'll find the link in the Author's thoughts section or just google TheRamenLord and Patreon.
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.}}