Chapitre 164: US and UK nationwide screening

Following the screenings of "Inception" at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, the subsequent days turned out to be a whirlwind of activity for Lucas and his fellow cast members.

In just a few days, Lucas, Ellen Page, and the rest of the team found themselves engaging with multiple media outlets. Presently, Lucas and Ellen Page were in the midst of another interview when the interviewer posed a question that seemed to catch them off guard, reflecting on the intricate puzzle and storyline of "Inception." The interviewer asked, "Could you share with us a moment during the filming or after watching the final cut where even you were left puzzled or intrigued by the complexity and layers of 'Inception's' plot?"

The interviewer then focused on a pivotal topic, adding, "Moreover, the ending of 'Inception' remains a widely debated topic among fans due to its open-ended nature. I'm curious about your perspectives on the final sequence where Cobb spins the totem. What is your interpretation of this scene, and what do you believe it conveys to the viewers?"

Lucas responded with a smile, "Personally, I had a pretty solid grasp on the plot, having been immersed in it from the start. Christopher Nolan had been crafting this story for ten years, so to me, there weren't really any holes in the narrative. Sure, the ending leaves room for ambiguity—Cobb spinning his totem is a deliberate choice by Nolan. He wants the audience to engage, to imagine and interpret their own endings. It's a reflection of how we all perceive things differently, which, in turn, shapes our realities. For Cobb, reuniting with his children is his reality. That's the crux of his journey and, to me, the most important part."

The interviewer shifted focus to Ellen, asking, "Do you share the same view?"

Ellen chuckled, having been watching Lucas articulate his thoughts. She hadn't pondered as deeply as Lucas had, but opted not to reveal this. Pointing to Lucas, she said with a playful smile, "Yeah, I'm on the same page as Lucas. He took the words out of my mouth, but yeah..."

Both Lucas and the interviewer couldn't help but chuckles at Ellen's light-hearted remark. However, Ellen didn't stop there; she proceeded to share her own insights on the plot and the conclusion of "Inception," her views echoing Lucas's despite her modest preamble.

After some time, the interview concluded. Lucas and Ellen then moved on to face a series of other interviewers, including some from abroad. Despite the marathon of questions, they responded with respect and thoughtfulness. Finally, the day's press junket wrapped up, signaling a brief respite for the duo. However, they knew that another round of interviews awaited them the following day.

Warner Bros. invested significantly in marketing and promoting the film, leveraging Christopher Nolan's reputation as a hallmark of quality in commercial cinema to draw audiences. Additionally, the presence of Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead added a considerable layer of anticipation, with fans eagerly awaiting the film's release.

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A few days later, the film screened nationwide in both the United Kingdom and the United States. As soon as it hit the screens, many people flocked to theaters to catch this highly anticipated movie, alongside other films debuting on the same day.

Several films were showing alongside "Inception," each with its unique draw and audience. Titles such as "Resident Evil: Afterlife," "The American," "Takers," "Machete," "Going the Distance," "Eat Pray Love," "The Expendables," "The Other Guys," "The Last Exorcism," and "The Switch" were all part of the cinematic lineup. Despite the stiff competition, "Inception" had the potential to distinguish itself and achieve significant box office success, given the high levels of anticipation and the draw of its star-studded cast and acclaimed director.

Meanwhile, in New York, USA, Paul Sterling and his girlfriend, Josephine, made their way into a theater showing "Inception." As they settled into their seats, Josephine turned to Paul and whispered, "Your friend is really carving out a successful career in Hollywood, isn't he?"

Paul couldn't help but smile and responded, "Yeah, it's still a bit surreal to see Lucas thriving so well in his acting career."

Josephine chuckled and leaned closer to Paul, adding, "And it's not just his acting—he's making waves in music too. His album is actually one of my favorites."

Paul looked at Josephine, a hint of conflict in his gaze. His agent had suggested they break up, believing Josephine was a distraction from his career. Yet, facing her now, he couldn't entertain the thought.

Shaking off the negativity, he refocused on the present moment. Together, they turned their attention to "Inception," sharing popcorn as the film unfolded. Both Paul and Josephine, along with the rest of the first-time audience, found themselves thoroughly impressed and engrossed in the movie's complex plot.

As scenes featuring Lucas as Arthur played out on the screen, Paul and Josephine, having personally met Lucas, were once again struck by his incredible acting and impressive stunt work.

Paul noticed that many in the audience were also taken with Lucas's portrayal, whispering to their friends or partner about the character of Arthur. It was clear that Arthur's cool, charming demeanor, particularly his professionalism and calm in crises where even Cobb seemed to falter, captured everyone's admiration.

Paul had to admit, Arthur embodied the kind of poise and assurance that many aspire to—his character was not only what many men wanted to be but also what many women found appealing. Despite being a fictional character, Arthur's traits and demeanor left a significant impression on the audience.

Beside Paul, Lucas's other close friends also made their way to the theater to catch the film—Liza, Samantha, and even Leonard, who brought along his girlfriend of one month. Watching Lucas grace the screen, knowing that potentially thousands of eyes in several theaters were on him each day, felt utterly surreal to them. This experience marked a special moment for them; they could now proudly say they were friends with someone famous, someone they were genuinely close to.

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Chapitre 165: Melvin

On September 16, 2010, the blockbuster "Inception" soared to a remarkable $25 million in box office sales on its opening day. This figure was both anticipated and surprising; Warner Bros. analysts had initially forecasted first-day earnings to be in the range of $18-21 million. The leap to $25 million was a pleasant shock.

Warner Bros. believed their marketing efforts played a big role, yet it became clear that word-of-mouth recommendations significantly boosted the film's success. Moreover, beyond the stellar performances by the cast, with Lucas shining particularly brightly, an unexpected factor contributed to the film's appeal: the music. The score, particularly the song "Fix You" performed by Lucas within the movie, drew audiences back for repeated viewings. Film enthusiasts, especially those with a love for music, found a compelling reason to return—not only was the movie itself captivating, but the soundtrack, featuring Lucas's rendition, added an additional layer of enjoyment.

As "Inception" surged in popularity, it was heavily promoted on television through trailers and teasers, while social media platforms like Yahoo! and Twitter buzzed with conversations about the film.

Audiences who watched the film were particularly captivated by the performance of the emerging actor, Lucas. With an existing base of dedicated fans online who promoted Lucas's work without charge, those who were previously unaware of him until "Inception" started to explore more about the young actor. As they delved deeper, many grew to admire Lucas, further boosting his recognition and appeal.

"I just saw 'Inception,' and wow, the entire cast was amazing! Leonardo was spectacular, but the story was even more so—another Nolan masterpiece! But let me tell you, that hallway scene where gravity goes haywire? The actor playing Arthur nailed it! He's easily become one of my favorite characters in the movie!" tweeted one user, clearly taken by Lucas's portrayal of Arthur.

"Does anyone know if the guy who played Arthur has been in other movies? I'm really curious to see more from such a talented actor..." mused another user, intrigued by Lucas's performance.

"His name's Lucas Knight! You should definitely check out his other projects. He's been in 'Modern Family' and also '127 Hours,' which has already made 19 million dollars domestically—and that's not even counting international sales!" replied a dedicated Lucas fan, eager to spread the word.

As more Lucas fans chimed in with recommendations and praise, a wave of curiosity spread among the users. Many started to seek out Lucas's films, genuinely interested in following the career of an actor who had so impressed them in "Inception"...

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On a bustling film set, a young, handsome man in his 20s lounges in the director's chair, scrolling through Twitter on his iPhone with an air of casual interest. The hashtag "#Inception" catches his eye, trending prominently among the day's topics.

Driven by curiosity, he taps on the trending hashtag, and a stream of "Inception"-related tweets floods his screen. He skims through them nonchalantly until suddenly, a familiar face appears in one of the posts, leaving him thoroughly shocked.

"Wait—is that?!" he blurted out, causing heads to turn in his direction. Realizing the sudden attention, he quickly scratched the back of his head, dismissing it with a sheepish, "Ah, it's nothing, really."

But his curiosity wasn't quelled. Returning to his phone, the photo before him left no room for doubt. It was unmistakably someone he'd known for years. The young man in the picture, with blond hair and dressed in a sleek suit, captured in the act of adjusting his tie in a corridor. The tweet accompanying the photo declared, "This is my favorite character in the film #Inception! Can we all agree that the hallway scene is the most iconic and masterpiece scene in the whole movie?"

Staring at the image, the revelation hit him hard. "Lucas... I didn't expect you to become an actor," he muttered under his breath.

This young man, in his 20s, turned out to be Lucas's stepbrother, Melvin Knight. Wrapped up in his own projects and the hustle of film sets, Melvin hadn't caught any of the "Inception" trailers and was unaware of Lucas's role in the high-profile Warner Bros. film. It was only in this stolen moment of leisure that he discovered Lucas was part of Christopher Nolan's influential project...

Melvin, Lucas's stepbrother, actually had a decent relationship with him, unlike the rest of their family. His siblings and mother, Myla, would have preferred Lucas out of their lives. Myla harbored deep-seated anger, stemming from her hidden existence as Vince's secret partner while Lucas's mother was publicly recognized as his wife. This forced secrecy, living as nothing more than a mistress, bred resentment in Myla, which unfortunately extended to Lucas. He was, after all, the son of the woman she believed had caused her years of suffering.

However, Melvin saw things differently. He believed the fault lay with his own parents, not with Lucas or his mother. Despite this, his perspective was a rare one in the family, as his siblings seemed to echo their mother's sentiments.

"Sigh... What would my siblings think if they saw this..." Melvin mused, shaking his head in contemplation.

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As "127 Hours" continued to make waves at the box office, surpassing the impressive milestone of $35 million both domestically in the USA and internationally, the film's success marked a significant moment for Lucas. Reflecting the film's triumph, he received a substantial bonus of $90,000, a testament to his contribution and the film's impact.

The unexpected rise in Lucas's popularity, fueled by his standout role in the blockbuster "Inception," had a ripple effect. Interest in "127 Hours" spiked, leading to a surge in box office sales. Observers and insiders started speculating that the film could potentially reach, or even surpass, the $50 million mark. This development came as a pleasant surprise to Fox Searchlight and the production team behind "127 Hours," who hadn't anticipated the indirect boost from Lucas's growing fame.

Lucas's involvement in "Inception" did more than just elevate his profile; it significantly broadened his horizons in the entertainment industry. In the USA, the UK, and potentially other markets, his name became atleast more recognizable to those that watched "Inception", synonymous with versatility and talent. This newfound stature caught the attention of the Big Six Studios, major players in the industry keen on harnessing Lucas's multifaceted abilities. His acting prowess, musical talent, and remarkable stunt work—particularly showcased in the iconic hallway scene of "Inception"—made him a sought-after figure. Studios were now eager to collaborate with Lucas, looking to capitalize on his broad skill set and capitalize on his rising star in various capacities, from lead roles to musical contributions and beyond.

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