Simplify the following text for a Grade 5 native English-speaking person.
Original: Whedon approached Nathan Fillion to play the lead role of Malcolm Reynolds ; after explaining the premise and showing Fillion the treatment for the pilot , Fillion was eager for the role .
Simplified: Whedon asked Nathan Fillion to play the lead role of Malcolm Reynolds . After telling him the idea for the show and showing him the pilot , Fillion wanted the role .