Film producer-director Elia Kazan hires James for the leading role in "East of Eden" (1955), marking his Hollywood debut. He moves to Hollywood in April 1954 to begin filming for "Eden" and is introduced to Jack L. Warner, the stern president of Warner Bros. Studios who is determined to transform him into a movie star. Warner becomes suspicious of his personal life (such as his possible bisexuality and passions for auto racing and motorcycling). On the Warner Bros. backlot, he falls in love with actress Pier Angeli, who is working on the neighboring production of "The Silver Chalice" (1954).