บท 268: Pressure
The 2012 Grammy Awards were in full swing, but there was one glaring absence that had everyone buzzing. Lucas, the heartthrob who'd been nominated multiple times in previous year, was nowhere to be found. Instead, his manager, Neil Lamb, was the one to gracefully accept the awards on his behalf. The media and fans alike were abuzz with speculation about Lucas's whereabouts and the reason for his no-show.
Despite the fact that Lucas's scorching fame had begun to simmer as the months passed, he still remained quite famous, known by across the States. His sudden disappearance from the limelight only piqued the curiosity of his loyal fanbase, who couldn't help but wonder what could have kept him away from the most prestigious night in music.
Social media was ablaze with speculation about Lucas's absence from the Grammy Awards. Fans and industry insiders alike were left scratching their heads, wondering where he could be. It wasn't just the Grammys that he'd missed; he was also a no-show at the Golden Globes, despite being nominated for his roles in "Modern Family" and "Game of Thrones." To everyone's surprise, he even won an award for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, but no one was there to accept it on his behalf, not even his manager Neil Lamb.
As the speculation about Lucas's whereabouts reached a fever pitch, a bombshell report from TMZ sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. The rising star, who had been MIA from both the Grammys and the Golden Globes, was now at the center of a major studio deal.
According to the report, Lucas had been offered a staggering $6 million contract by Warner Bros. Although the details of the project were still under wraps, it was rumored to include a percentage of the box office earnings. The news spread like wildfire across media outlets, newspapers, and social media platforms, leaving fans and industry insiders alike in awe of the studio's bold move.
While many were thrilled for Lucas, who seemed to have landed the opportunity of a lifetime, others were left scratching their heads, wondering what kind of project could warrant such secrecy and a hefty price tag. Reporters swarmed Warner Bros. for more information, but the studio remained tight-lipped, only fueling the growing intrigue surrounding the enigmatic actor's next move.
---
[Warner Bros. HQ]
Lucas's mind whirling with possibilities as he listened intently to the group of writers and director discussing the project.
The project, once destined for Universal Pictures, had changed hands after the ousting of the studio's co-chairman in 2009. Director Alfonso Cuarón had fought for the project to be released, and Warner Bros. Pictures chief Jeff Robinov had taken notice, greenlighting the ambitious film under the studio's banner.
Attached to the project were already some big names, including Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie, but she had pulled out of the film at the last minute. Other A-listers like Marion Cotillard had screen-tested for the role, but even she had backed out to star in Christopher Nolan's "Inception" instead.
With the female lead still vacant, Warner Bros. and Alfonso had turned their sights on finding a male lead instead, extending offers to Robert Downey Jr., who had also declined due to other commitments.
Warner Bros. was on the brink of giving up on the ambitious project, plagued by one setback after another. The studio had already lost Angelina Jolie and Marion Cotillard for the female lead, and Robert Downey Jr. had turned down the male lead role due to other commitments. With time running out and the project's future hanging by a thread, CEO Barry Meyer decided to take a leap of faith.
Meyer pitched the idea of casting Lucas, a 22-year-old rising star, for the lead role.
Initially, director Alfonso Cuarón had envisioned an older, more seasoned actor or an A-list actress in the lead role, someone with the gravitas to carry a film like Tom Hanks in "Cast Away." However, after being pressured by the studio and upon closer inspection of Lucas's previous work, he began to see the potential in the 22-year-old rising star.
As the pressure from Warner Bros. mounted, it became clear that if production didn't commence soon, they would be forced to let go of the script, and Jeff Robinov, the very man who had saved the project from Universal Pictures, would also be at risk. Reluctantly, Alfonso agreed to cast Lucas as the lead, understanding that it was the only way to keep the project alive and save Jeff's job.
With Lucas on board, Jeff Robinov, desperate to ensure the project's success, went a step further by granting the rising star a say in the creative direction of the film. This decision didn't sit well with Alfonso Cuarón, who felt his artistic vision was being compromised. However, with the studio's backing and the hefty sum they'd invested in Lucas, he had no choice but to acquiesce.
Besides, as the lead actor and a fast-rising talent, it was only fair to consider Lucas's input, given his proven track record in indie films. His unique perspective and understanding of his character could only elevate the project, and Warner Bros. was willing to do whatever it took to make this film a success.
As Lucas and his guards exited the Warner Bros. building, he couldn't help but feel a bit deflated. The meeting with the team had been cordial, but he could sense a chill in the air, especially from director Alfonso Cuarón. He knew it likely stemmed from his sudden involvement in the creative direction of the project, something he himself hadn't initially sought.
Despite his reservations, Lucas understood why the studio had insisted on giving him a say in the film's creative process, given the hefty investment they'd made in him. He couldn't blame Alfonso for feeling territorial; after all, "Gravity" was undoubtedly a passion project for the director.
Lucas sighed, realizing that he'd have to work twice as hard to prove himself worthy. Winning over Alfonso's trust would be crucial if they were to make this film a success.
As Lucas and his guards made their way to the hotel, he couldn't help but think about the filming schedule for the project.
Production was set to commence in May, which meant the next few months would be spent in London, where the sets and soundstages were being prepared. The project was still in the planning stages, leaving him with some breathing room to prepare for his role.
He might still have a shot at attending the Oscars this year. It was a pleasant surprise to be nominated, considering Harvey Weinstein's threats that he'd be snubbed from any nominations. Somehow, he'd managed to secure nods for his roles in "Like Crazy" and "50/50."
The reason for his absence from the Golden Globes and Grammys was due to the ongoing negotiations for the sci-fi project and the pitching of his own script, "Joker," which had a chance of being greenlit for production either this year or the next. While details were still being ironed out, the mere fact that his project is confirmed to see the light of day was enough to put a spring in his step.
As Lucas entered his hotel room, he closed the door behind him. He needed some peace and quiet to prepare for his role in the upcoming sci-fi project. Closing his eyes, he transported himself to his Mind Workshop, a mental space where he could rehearse scenes and perfect his craft.
In this instance, he found himself in a realistic depiction of a space station, complete with other astronaut characters.
His spacesuit felt heavy but snug, and as he looked around, he expected to see the vibrant colors of the universe, just as he'd always imagined. Instead, all he saw was darkness... endless, suffocating darkness.
Stars twinkled in the distance, but they did little to alleviate the overwhelming sense of isolation. It wasn't until he caught a glimpse of Earth, blue and breathtakingly beautiful, that he felt a surge of awe and appreciation for his home planet.
In that moment, Lucas realized just how precious and unique Earth was, and how there was no place quite like it in the vast expanse of space.
---
For a week, Warner Bros. Pictures endured relentless speculation from the public about the secret project that warranted such a hefty offer for Lucas. Finally, the studio decided to release a statement on their website, revealing that they had indeed offered Lucas a starring role in an upcoming sci-fi film with a budget of $110 million.
The news, while scarce on details, managed to quell some of the public's curiosity. Fans were abuzz with excitement, thrilled to see their favorite star taking on a challenging role in a high-stakes genre. However, industry insiders remained skeptical, well aware of the risks associated with science fiction films.
Experts questioned the studio's decision to invest so much money in a project headlined by a relatively untested actor, despite his previous successes in both music and acting. They pointed out that even with Lucas's growing popularity, there were no guarantees of box office success, especially in a genre notorious for its high failure rate.
Lucas's previous successes in the film industry had been limited to critically acclaimed indie films, where his acting prowess and original songs had propelled low-budget projects like "50/50" to earn millions of dollars in just a week of screening. While these numbers were impressive for the indie circuit, they paled in comparison to the expectations of commercial films.
In the world of blockbusters, movies were expected to gross hundreds of millions of dollars in their opening weekends alone, with studios spending exorbitant amounts on marketing and securing thousands of screens across the country. Anything less than a resounding success would be considered a failure, even if it meant turning a profit.
They even pointed out that while he'd had a supporting role in the commercial hit "Inception," he hadn't carried a film of this scale on his shoulders before. The pressure was on for both Lucas and Warner Bros. Pictures, as they prepared to embark on a risky venture that could make or break careers.
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