บท 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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