Hollywood: Lights, Ink, Entertainment!-Chapter 176: Ruler Of The Land

....

While Regal and his core team were buried deep in the storm of [Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone]'s release and its whirlwind aftermath - scheduling press tours, juggling interviews, handling feedback, and managing the unexpected landslide of global attention -

There were three others closely linked to him who found themselves equally consumed, though in a different project.

On a project that hadn't even begun shooting yet but already carried the weight of expectations: [Wiphlash].

"I still can't wrap my head around the fact that we are just one week away from stepping onto set." Alexander said, his voice a mix of nerves and adrenaline. "I mean, I am excited, like, ridiculously excited - but it's starting to feel very real now."

"Yeah, well, try not to lose your mind just yet." Stephen Jr. replied with a small grin, though his eyes carried the same buzz of anticipation. "There are a lot of people watching this one, Alex. We can't afford to screw it up."

Then, after a beat, he added in a quieter tone - one that hinted at something personal, maybe even a past mistake still lingering in his memory.

"More than anything... we can't disappoint Regal."

But as Stephen Jr. has just stated...

Despite this project being an indie, the film possesses an attention grabbing element - that is the script is written by - Regal Seraphsail - and will also be produced under LIE Studio's.

Adding to the intrigue, the lead role will be played by Stephen Hawking Jr., with direction helmed by Alexander - both of whom emerged from what many in the industry now casually refer to as the "Regal School."

It's not an official term, but it's catching on fast, because every name that's come through Regal's orbit so far has gone on to carve something significant for themselves.

And the wildcard?

Ross. The - Ross Oakly will be playing a major role in the film.

A legendary actor who had a reputation for being unpredictable, selective, and often intimidating chose to work with a first-time director?

Which is exactly why this collaboration raised eyebrows.

It wasn't technically his first time working with Alexander as AD - or with Stephen Jr., for that matter. This would mark their second project together after [Death Note].

But even so, no one really expected Ross to sign on again.

For the fact everyone assumed that it will be their first and last collaboration.

Because the lead this time?

Stephen Hawking Jr. - the grandson of Ross's long-time cinematic rival, Stephen Hawking Sr.

The industry had always viewed their dynamic as oil and fire.

Their rivalry wasn't just folklore - it was film history.

There had been entire retrospectives aired about their silent wars, their opposing philosophies, the cold interviews, and the layered performances that seemed to speak in code to each other.

And now Ross was back, again, agreeing to play a key role in a film led by the very bloodline of the man he had spent half his career shadowboxing?

Twice now.

Even in an industry built on shocks and spectacle, that alone was enough to leave people speechless.

But even more than the casting choice itself, what made insiders blink twice was this: no one could explain how Ross had actually been convinced to sign on.

"I don't get why people are turning it into this massive mystery." Alexander said, flipping through some production notes. "Like, seriously, what's the big deal? He liked the script, he read it, he said yes, that's it, end of story."

Stephen Jr., sitting across from him, slowly turned his head and gave him a long, unreadable side-glance.

For a moment, he debated whether to say anything at all.

Because he wasn't sure whether Alexander was genuinely that clueless... or just really good at pretending to be.

If he was acting though, Stephen Jr. thought dryly, then he should seriously consider a career change - the man had potential.

But Alexander's words weren't completely wrong - just incomplete.

Because the truth was, most people didn't know how or why Ross agreed to take on a major role in an indie project like [Whiplash].

Not Regal, and that was saying something, because usually, if Ross made a move, Regal either orchestrated it or at least knew the reason behind it, this time, not even he had anything to do with it - not directly.

And as for Alexander? His name was all over the headlines now.

The rookie director who pulled off the impossible.

But Stephen Jr. suspected, strongly, that even Alex didn't fully understand what had happened in that room.

Because the full truth? The real story?

It wasn't some bold pitch or brilliant negotiation.

It was something much simpler.

Stephen Jr. had been there that day, he had walked in beside his director, stayed silent, let Ross speak, let Alexander fumble to make his case.

And he had just stood there.

And somehow, without a word, that had changed everything.

....

It had all started two months ago when the script for [Wiphlash] had finally been locked and entered its casting phase.

Alexander, riding the nervous high of creative momentum, had turned to Stephen Jr. and asked, maybe help get the script in front of someone serious.

Not just a good actor, but someone who could elevate the material beyond what they even imagined.

It was Stephen Jr. who suggested Ross for the role of - Terence Fletcher.

Alexander had hesitated.

Who wouldn't?

Despite being a huge fan, he even pulled back once or twice, saying maybe they should consider someone else, someone safer, someone with fewer stories surrounding him.

But Alexander's gut feeling didn't let go.

He wanted Ross - that was clear.

But can he handle him?

As a person, sure.

He had already understood that Ross wasn't as bad as the media projected him to be - that is, if you stay within your boundaries and respect the craft.

So, yeah, with some difficulty he can.

But what about the pressure Ross brings as an actor?

Can he, a debut director, handle it?

He doubted that? He is no Regal.

However, Stephen Jr., seeing that resolve, couldn't help but to push Alexander to at least try.

So, he made one call, used one of the very few favors he was willing to cash in.

And it worked, Ross agreed to a meeting.

Fifteen minutes, tops.

That was all he could get them, after that, it would be entirely up to Alexander to work things out.

....

So, on a quiet Thursday afternoon, the two of them stood in front of Ross's door.

Alexander was carrying the script in his sweaty hands.

Stephen Jr., simply accompanied, they knocked once, from inside came a rusted, unmistakable voice -

"Come in." They did.

Inside, Ross wasn't alone.

In the center of the room, awkwardly bent over in a half-crouch, stood a youth - who looked like he was either in the middle of a military drill.

Stephen Jr. frowned, blinking twice.

The youth's posture was tense, every joint locked, his neck twisted slightly like he had been frozen mid-scream, it was his first time seeing the boy in person, but he recognized the name.

Stephen Jr.'s eyes narrowed - this wasn't your average acting workshop, he leaned toward Alexander and whispered.

"That's Andrew."

Alexander didn't respond because he already knew.

Andrew Garfield.

Handpicked by Regal, and possible lead in his next film - that meant something. And if Regal had gone so far as to ask Ross himself to coach the dude, that meant a lot more.

Stephen Jr. didn't know the details, only that Andrew was someone to watch. Maybe not now, maybe not next year, but definitely one day.

Ross didn't even glance at them as they entered, his focus was entirely on Andrew.

"Don't blink... brat, that moment has weight, let it sit." He barked. "Feel it in your gut, say nothing. Think about everything."

Stephen and Alexander stood quietly to the side, offering no interruption.

Honestly, they felt as if they were watching an Olympics athlete train rather than an actor, of course they didn't dare to voice them, they are not stupid.

A few minutes passed, and Ross continued his drill.

Surprisingly enough, Stephen Jr. somehow got engaged, watching the method, the language, the rhythm.

Alexander, meanwhile, felt as if he was already glimpsing his character - Terence Fletcher - in real life, and what could he be if pushed ahead.

Just how accurately Regal wrote the character to Ross's real life?

I want him to play the role, Alexander's wish only intensified, which in fact spiraled into make him more tense about the situation and stakes.

To shift away from that, he tried to observe the room he was in - across the wall there were floor-to-ceiling shelves stuffed with books, scripts, and old camera gear.

Photos pinned up with thumbtacks.

On a small side table just a few feet from where they stood, something caught his attention, a thick, navy-blue hardcover book.

He read the label...

Then his hand started to move.

Stephen jr. noticed immediately, and he reached out to tug Alexander's wrist signalling - DON'T.

But it was too late, Alexander finger touched the book's spine when Ross's voice cut through, with icy clarity.

"I hate people who touch my stuff without my permission."

There was no shout, no anger, just finality.

Andrew flinched slightly but held his position.

Ross, for the first time since they had arrived, turned his head toward them.

...and he can actually see a vein popping on his forehead.

His gaze landed on Alexander first, then Stephen Jr., it was hard to tell if he was irritated, curious, or simply assessing.

"My bad." Hurriedly, Alexander pulled his hand back.

Ross commands Andrew. "Take ten."

The dude instantly straightened from his frozen position, exhaled softly, nodded once more to Ross, then glanced at the two visitors before heading out of the room without a word.

....

Now alone, Ross turned fully toward them.

He gazed hardened at Stephen Jr. "You look less pathetic now."

?!!Stephen Jr. stood a little taller, he wasn't quite sure if that counted as a compliment, but he had taken it as such.

"I am getting back on track." He said, respectful.

Ross hadn't asked, and likely never would, he probably didn't care about the full story. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

But Stephen knew Ross wasn't blind either, he had noticed something during the private [The Hangover] screening months back - just like his grandfather had.

On the other hand, Ross didn't bother with Stephen Jr. response.

Instead, he walked across the room, picked up the thick, blue-covered book from the side table - yes, the one Alexander had nearly picked - and slid it carefully into a higher shelf, out of reach.

Then he turned back around and faced them both.

"So." He began. "Did you come here just to show me you have learned how to stand up straighter and dress like you don't sleep in alleyways, or is there an actual reason you are wasting my afternoon?"

Stephen Jr. opened his mouth to explain, but only got as far as. "We are here to speak to you about a role-" Before Alexander, standing beside him, decided to speak up - though with something completely unrelated.

"Excuse me, sir." Alexander said, eyes flicking to the upper shelf. "But that book you just put up - is it [Reach Out to the Blue Sky] by Natsuki Ryo?"

Stephen Jr. turned his head toward Alexander as his expression screamed in disbelief at the nerve of the dude.

What was he talking about?

What did the book have to do with anything?

And why bring it up now of all times, when they had barely a few minutes left on the clock and had yet to even pitch the damn film?

Ross didn't immediately answer, instead, he looked at Alexander the same way someone might look at a person who had just walked into a serious conversation and asked what was for dinner.

Then came the sigh - long, tired, and just faintly amused beneath the irritation.

Ross hadn't forgotten the kid.

Even back on [The Hangover] sets, he remembered Alexander being tactless to a degree that made grown men flinch.

That hadn't changed.

And what was even more bewildering was how someone like him - so plainly naive and straightforward - had somehow come from the same mentorship tree as someone like Regal.

Ross shook his head slightly, then gave the smallest of nods. "Yeah. That's the one."

Alexander's face lit up just slightly, enthusiasm slipping out. "I didn't know you read romance novels sir, I never once saw you with a book like that during the entire [The Hangover] shoot."

This time, Stephen Jr.'s nearly lost it as he screamed internally:

What the hell are you doing?

Romance novel? Stephen Jr. thought.

That title sounded like something metaphorical or tragic - [Reach Out to the Blue Sky] - didn't exactly scream rose petals and tear-soaked love letters.

But it wasn't the genre that was the problem.

It was the fact that they had barely five minutes left in this room with one of the most impossible men in the industry - but Alexander is casually wasting such time - and even dared to comment on Ross's reading preferences.

He shot Alex a brief glare that might as well have screamed, Stop talking, but Alex either didn't notice or didn't care.

Ross raised an eyebrow and didn't reply right away.

However, that was enough to make Stephen Jr. sweat bullets, and was already calculating how fast they could leave without appearing rude if Ross decided this meeting was over.

Luckily, Alexander seemed to realize he might have overstepped.

His face shifted, not into fear - but into sincerity. "I am sorry, it's just one of my favorite books, I got a little excited seeing it out in the open."

Ross stared at him for a second longer, eyes hard to read, then, unexpectedly, he asked. "Why?"

.

....

[To be continued...]

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