376-380

*Chapter 376: Earning Some Milk Money Isn’t Easy*

Evening, at the St. Anna Bar.

“Luca, you were at the last Touchstone meeting when they discussed the release date for Step Up, right?”

In a booth, Billy frowned as he asked.

“Yes, is there a problem?”

It was getting dark, and the bar was lively. Lots of girls were in the dance area, and the music was pumping. Luca spoke as he shrugged his shoulders to the beat.

“Luca, can you be serious? We’re discussing something really important.”

Billy tapped his shoulder.

“I am being serious.”

Luca chuckled lightly and sat up straight, saying, “Alright, go ahead, tell me what’s on your mind.”

“Hmph, you can still laugh at a time like this?”

Billy exhaled, his face darkening as he said, “Luca, when you guys discussed the release date, did you consider the other films coming out at the same time?”

“Of course. Touchstone’s distribution department did a thorough review. May 2nd — the only real competition we’ll have is Kingdom of Heaven. The other films coming out are low-budget productions, nothing to worry about.”

Luca waved his hand dismissively.

“Forget the others. But Kingdom of Heaven is a major production. Are you serious about releasing at the same time?”

Billy's brows furrowed even tighter, his chubby face full of worry. Lately, he had been so busy on set that he hadn't paid much attention to the company’s business, and he’d barely participated in promoting the film.

He had only occasionally caught news in the papers, stating that Luca and Aniston’s co-invested new movie Step Up was set to release on the same day as Kingdom of Heaven.

When he saw that, he turned pale.

Kingdom of Heaven was directed by the famous Ridley Scott.

This director was best known for historical war epics and had directed classics like Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, and Blade Runner.

Kingdom of Heaven was his latest work, with a total investment of $140 million and starring Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, and Edward Norton.

The media had been hyping up the film lately.

Constantly promoting how expensive the production was, how amazing the special effects were, and how epic the film would be. They cited all sorts of impressive figures, like the 260-page script, the three 17-ton siege towers built, the four catapults created, and the $50 million spent on special effects, with nearly 800 VFX shots in the film.

Kingdom of Heaven was generating overwhelming buzz. Most films originally slated for May had changed their release dates to avoid competing with such a big production.

Only Step Up stubbornly stuck to its guns, choosing to release on the same day.

“Luca, can you tell me what you were thinking? Are you disappointed in Step Up? Is that why you agreed to release it now?”

Billy asked, his face dark.

“Billy, May 2nd is the best time for release.”

Luca smiled. He had sat in on the last meeting about the release date and ended up agreeing with the distribution company’s decision to go with May 2nd.

The reasoning was simple.

First, May through the end of July is the summer blockbuster season in the North American movie market.

The annual U.S. box office is around $9 billion, with last year’s total reaching $9.2 billion.

There are two prime release windows each year: summer and the Christmas/New Year holiday season.

The summer box office usually accounts for about half of the total, around $4 billion.

Most movies are released during this period, and releasing Step Up at this time was a solid choice.

Secondly, Step Up was a small production with an investment of less than $9 million. The distribution company projected that its best possible outcome would be around $40 million. With the big blockbusters shifting their release dates, it might actually benefit from an early summer release and snag some attention.

Third, Luca had fully supported the decision. He knew Kingdom of Heaven was a huge production, but with its $140 million budget, its North American box office would likely bring in less than $50 million.

This was a big opportunity that they couldn’t miss.

“Billy, you know how competitive the summer season is. The distribution company did their research. Kingdom of Heaven releases on May 2nd, Star Wars: Episode III releases on the 19th — and we don’t even need to mention how big George Lucas' films are.

“On the 20th, Cinderella Man with a $110 million budget releases, starring Russell Crowe and Renée Zellweger. On the 29th, Stealth with a $130 million budget comes out, featuring Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel.

“Then in early June, Brad Pitt’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith releases, followed by The Island with a $110 million budget.

“You see, all the movies coming out in May and June are major productions with budgets over $100 million.

“If we don’t release early, we won’t stand a chance later on.”

Luca spread his hands.

“Is it really that intense?”

Billy grimaced. “With so many blockbusters, we could delay the release by six months. Releasing now is too risky.”

“Why delay? Fortune favors the brave. Our movie is well-made, high-quality, and can stand up against these big-budget films. No matter when it releases, it should do well.”

“Really?”

Billy forced a smile. Step Up was just a small film. Releasing it in the summer season felt like putting an ordinary person in a boxing ring with champions. The odds weren’t good.

He sighed, thinking of the $800,000 he had invested, and his heart sank.

“Billy, don’t worry. I’ve invested the most in this movie, so if it fails, I’ll lose the most.”

Initially, Luca had put in $2 million. When the director changed and the production period extended, the crew needed more funds, so he invested another $1 million. Combined with Aniston’s $2 million investment, the two of them had put in the bulk of the budget.

“Then you should be more cautious!”

Billy shook his head.

“I know, but this was the distribution company’s decision. They only notified us out of respect; our opinions don’t really matter.”

“Ah, well, since the date is set, there’s no point in talking about it.”

Billy, feeling defeated, raised his glass.

“Come on, let’s drink!”

“Cheers!”

Luca clinked glasses with him. After a few rounds, feeling a bit tipsy, he left the bar.

In truth, he was feeling the pressure as the release date approached. Step Up had been pushed up by more than a year, and with it now releasing in the highly competitive summer season, could it still pull in $100 million? There were just too many uncertainties.

He could only hope for the best.

Now that he had kids — two of them — he needed to make more money to buy baby formula.

Back at the Big Pear Tree Estate, he took out his phone and made some calls to Rachel, Ryan, Heath, Amanda, Lindsay Lohan, and Jessica Alba, among others.

However, since this was the busy season, many were still filming. After inviting a bunch of people, only a few agreed to attend the premiere.

Luca sighed. Earning some milk money sure isn’t easy!

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 377: Don’t Gossip Too Much, Okay?*

On the afternoon of May 2, at the AMC Theater in Los Angeles, the premiere of Step Up took place.

Because the distributors didn’t have high expectations for the movie, they didn’t invest much in promotions, and no major celebrities were invited to attend the premiere.

Not many people came to the event—just the cast and crew, some of Luca’s guests like Rachel and Amanda, and a few dance industry stars invited by Anne Fletcher. Billy also brought along three of his singer friends.

There weren’t many media reporters either, as most of them were on the street next door, covering the grand premiere of Kingdom of Heaven.

The premiere of Kingdom of Heaven was massive, with A-list celebrities like Brad Pitt, Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Edward Norton, Russell Crowe, Michael Fassbender, and Harrison Ford in attendance. It felt like a mini awards ceremony.

The contrast between the two events was obvious.

At 5:30 PM, the movie started. Luca sat in the front row with Rachel on his left and Amanda on his right.

“Luca, why choose to premiere today? Competing with Kingdom of Heaven is not a good move,” Rachel said with a bright smile, dressed in a light blue gown.

“That was the distributor’s decision. The originally scheduled films got rescheduled, so my small production ended up filling the spot.”

“I heard you mortgaged your Malibu estate to make this movie?”

“Yeah, I mortgaged it for $4 million, and I haven’t paid it off yet,” Luca replied helplessly.

“Luca, the papers say you own two film companies in Rio and Los Angeles, and you made about $10 million last year from movies, acting, ads, scripts, and music royalties. Do you still need to mortgage property?” Amanda asked curiously.

“Yes, besides the movie, I also invested in a website, and the money just isn’t enough,” Luca shrugged.

“That’s amazing! You’re only 24, and you made $10 million in a year,” Amanda said with wide-eyed admiration.

“Haha, Amanda, Luca’s real talent isn’t making money, it’s getting involved in rumors.”

“Exactly!” Amanda smiled and teased, “Luca, you’ve got so many girlfriends. Didn’t you invite them to support you today?”

“Let me clarify, they’re just female friends, not girlfriends. I did call them, but they’ve all been too busy to make it.”

Britney is on tour in Florida, Aniston just had a baby, and Theron is busy filming. Even if they were free, Luca wouldn’t have invited them to avoid stirring up more rumors. Kate, Lima, and Ann are in New York for another premiere.

“Luca, the news says Aniston’s Echo Films is one of the producers of this movie, right?” Rachel asked softly.

Hearing the mention of Aniston, Amanda perked up her ears.

Luca nodded. “Yes, originally, there were three investors: our Bra Productions, Touchstone Pictures, and Summit Entertainment. But midway through filming, there were issues, and Summit pulled out. Ms. Aniston thought the project was promising, so she decided to invest.”

“Oh, I see,” Rachel said, though her real interest lay elsewhere. “Luca, I heard she had a baby?”

“Is that true, Luca?” Amanda blinked her big eyes, staring at him.

“Didn’t the papers report it? Why ask me?” Luca glanced at the two.

“Haha, you’re directly involved, so your information would be more accurate,” Rachel laughed.

“Involved?”

“Luca, stop pretending,” Amanda whispered as she leaned in closer. “The news calculated the timeline, and it suggests you could be the father of her baby.”

“Stop joking around,” Luca waved it off. “Focus on the movie. Can we talk about this after?”

“But I’m really, really curious. If I don’t find out the truth, I won’t sleep tonight,” Rachel whispered.

“Me too! We can watch the movie tomorrow and buy another ticket. Right now, I just want to know about Ms. Aniston. She’s my idol, and I care about her. Can’t you understand how a fan feels?” Amanda tugged at his sleeve.

Luca shook his head. “What do you want to know? But I’ll say this upfront—I don’t know much, and there are some things I’m not allowed to disclose.”

“Alright, we won’t press you. We just want to know if Ms. Aniston had a boy or a girl.”

“Both answers are correct.”

“Huh? What does that mean? A boy is a boy, and a girl is a girl. How can both be right?”

Amanda looked puzzled.

Rachel suddenly gasped, covering her mouth. “Twins?”

“Two?” Amanda’s eyes widened.

“Wow, Ms. Aniston is so blessed,” Rachel exclaimed.

“Yes, she had twins, a boy and a girl. It’s perfect. She’s very fortunate,” Amanda added with a gentle smile.

“Aniston is so beautiful, her kids must be gorgeous too,” Rachel said.

“Of course!” Luca smiled, picturing the two adorable little ones in his mind.

“Do you know who the father is? Which heartless guy would abandon two little angels?” Rachel blinked curiously.

Luca scratched his cheek and sighed. “Can we stop? I invited you to watch a movie, not gossip. Can we save the questions for after?”

“Fine, let’s have coffee after the movie?” Rachel suggested.

“Sure, it’s on me!”

After coming to an agreement, the three focused on watching the film.

An hour and a half later, the movie ended to a round of applause from the audience.

People around them were discussing the plot, with most giving positive feedback, calling it a great youth dance film.

Luca stroked his chin, feeling satisfied. In terms of quality, it was on par with the original version. Now, the only question was how it would do at the box office.

“Annie, congrats on making a great film!” Luca walked up to Anne Fletcher to congratulate her.

“Luca, congratulations to you too. You’re the heart of this movie,” Anne Fletcher smiled, relieved by the positive reception. For her debut film, she didn’t expect an instant hit; she was just happy to achieve her vision.

Seeing the audience’s reactions, she knew she had met her first goal.

“Luca, Annie, congratulations!” Billy, the director, had a hint of regret on his face. If only he had stuck with the project, he would’ve been the happiest one today.

“Billy, we’re all in this together. At least our investment won’t go to waste,” Luca said with a light laugh.

“Well…” Billy frowned. “Are you confident we’ll break even?”

“Break even? Absolutely!” Luca said confidently.

“Let’s hope so!”

*Chapter 378: The Box Office Results Are In*

"Luca, the box office numbers are out."

The next day at noon, during a break on the set of Little Beauty, Tony handed over a folder.

Luca opened it and glanced at it. Kingdom of Heaven had opened in 3,400 theaters, earning $9.6 million on its first day, taking the top spot. Meanwhile, Step Up had earned only $2.2 million, landing in 14th place.

As soon as the numbers were released, the media started stirring things up again.

Most newspapers were praising Kingdom of Heaven.

The Chicago Sun-Times said in its review section that Kingdom of Heaven was undoubtedly Ridley Scott's best film to date. The film combined practical effects with CGI to create an immersive experience even more realistic and advanced than The Lord of the Rings trilogy, predicting it would set a new benchmark for epic historical war films.

The general consensus among the media was that the film’s box office would rival The Lord of the Rings, with experts predicting a total gross of around $600 million.

There were a few critics who felt the film had been poorly edited, pointing out some obvious flaws, but these voices were few and far between.

Some newspapers also mentioned Luca’s new film, Step Up.

For example, in the New York Daily News, they brought up again the story of Luca mortgaging his estate to finance the film, also reporting on the crew's turmoil, the change in director, and the withdrawal of peak funding.

The article made a special mention of Jennifer Aniston stepping in to save the day, with the writer mockingly suggesting that Aniston might be throwing her money away, and hoping that the box office failure wouldn’t spoil her mood while feeding her kids.

"Luca, don’t take the poor box office results to heart. It’s just a few million. Be more careful with your investments next time," Aniston said over the phone.

"Jen, it’s only the first day’s data. It doesn’t mean much. Our movie has a strong rating. On Rotten Tomatoes, it’s scored 8.1, ranking in the top three. This shows the quality of our film," Luca said from the set.

"An 8.1 on Rotten Tomatoes? Wow, that’s pretty good. Maybe we’ll get some strong numbers after all," Aniston laughed.

Luca chuckled softly. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yes, I’ve been moving around since yesterday. Tomorrow, I’m starting to work out. I’ve gained too much weight," Aniston said with mild disgust.

"Take your time. No rush. How are the little ones? Have you decided on their names?"

"Yes, the boy is George, and the girl is Catherine. What do you think?"

"Prince George? Princess Catherine? Great names," Luca replied, though he personally thought Jack and Lucy sounded better.

After chatting for a while, the crew was ready to shoot, so Luca hung up the phone and got back to filming.

On May 10th, the first-week box office results were out. Step Up had performed well, earning $17.6 million across 1,820 theaters in the U.S., ranking fifth for the week. The top spot was held by Universal's The Interpreter, which grossed $22.82 million in its first week, followed by Kingdom of Heaven, which took second place with $19.63 million.

When the box office numbers were revealed, many media outlets were stunned. Kingdom of Heaven was a massive production that had been highly anticipated, but it hadn’t managed to take the top spot in its opening week.

Meanwhile, Step Up, a small production with a budget of just over $9 million, had earned $17.6 million in its first week, meaning it had already recouped its costs in the first seven days.

Compared to other films, Step Up had fewer showings but ranked second in per-theater average, and its Rotten Tomatoes score of 7.8 was the highest of its peers that week.

These stats indicated one thing: Step Up had huge potential and could very well become a hit.

The distribution company saw the numbers too, and they weren’t going to miss the opportunity. They immediately took action in the second week, increasing the number of theaters by 400.

They also ramped up marketing efforts, sending cast members around the country to promote the film. The PR team also stepped up their game, ensuring positive reviews appeared in the media.

Their efforts quickly paid off.

In its second week, Step Up grossed $26.75 million, taking the top spot at the box office.

With a two-week total nearing $45 million, the film was on track to easily cross the $100 million mark.

A low-budget dance movie with a box office of over $100 million was a sensational achievement.

"Haha, Luca, we did it!" Billy exclaimed over the phone.

"Yes, our film is great. I expected nothing less from these numbers," Luca said calmly.

"Haha, I’ll believe whatever you say now. Luca, have you thought about making a sequel?" Billy asked.

"Of course, but it’s too early to talk about a sequel while the movie is still in theaters."

"Alright, but if you do make one, give me a shot. I’ll make sure to do a great job," Billy promised.

"Of course, we’re partners!" Luca smiled. If Billy directed, Annie would definitely have to produce and oversee the project. He hoped they would work well together.

"Luca, we did it!" Annie called soon after.

"Yes, Annie, we did it. And we owe it to you for saving the production," Luca replied.

"No, no, you’re the heart of this project. There’s no doubt about that."

"It was a team effort," Luca said with a soft smile.

"Indeed!" Annie paused. "Luca, remember that new project you mentioned to me? Is the script ready?"

"Yes, I’ll send it over tomorrow."

"OK!"

After exchanging a few more words, Luca hung up the phone.

"Luca, congrats! Wow, you’re amazing. A hundred million at the box office! You must be making a ton of money this time," Amanda said enviously over the phone.

"Not that much, just over $10 million."

"$10 million isn't much? Hmph, you’re starting to sound like one of those big shots now," Amanda sighed.

Luca chuckled. "How’s school going? I really envy you students."

"What’s there to envy? It’s boring. Luca, do you have any good roles for me? I’m running out of money for food. I need work," Amanda complained from her dorm at Fordham University.

After last year’s release of Mean Girls, Amanda had experienced a burst of popularity, even winning an award for Best Breakthrough at the MTV Movie Awards. But her fame had faded quickly, and apart from one small production this year, she was mostly focused on school.

Compared to Lindsay’s superstardom, Rachel’s steady rise, and Luca’s all-around success, Amanda felt like she was falling behind.

Luca thought for a moment. "I don’t have anything right now, but I can ask around."

"Thanks, Luca! When are you coming back to New York? I’ll treat you to dinner," Amanda said excitedly.

"Alright, I’ll look you up when I’m back."

After hanging up, Luca wondered if he should help her out. She was a nice girl with good looks and talent, and she was fun to be around, so she’d make a good friend.

The only issue was her baby face, which made it harder to find roles that suited her.

Ring ring...

No sooner had he hung up than his phone rang again.

He’d taken over twenty calls that day, from friends and former colleagues, even from Tom Cruise, who called to congratulate him.

Step Up wasn’t just a successful film—it had put Bra Films on the map.

Luca was now more than just a famous actor, screenwriter, and model. He was also a renowned producer and studio head, someone who could open doors for others.

"Mr. Kelly, the set is ready. We’re about to start filming," the assistant director reminded him quietly.

"Alright!"

Luca handed his phone to Tony and got up to head to the set.

No matter how many roles he played, at the end of the day, he was still an actor.

---

*Chapter 379: The Big Pear Tree Estate Party*

On its third week in theaters, Step Up continued to perform well, raking in another $22.35 million and bringing its total box office earnings to $66.7 million.

However, Step Up's reign at the top was about to end. On May 19th, the third weekend, George Lucas' highly anticipated Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith premiered with a bang.

This was the seventh installment of the Star Wars series, and like the previous six, it was a box office juggernaut, grossing over $100 million in its opening week.

Under the massive shadow of Star Wars, Step Up saw its theater count reduced by a third, and its fourth-week box office earnings plummeted by over 50%, bringing in just $9.52 million.

After Star Wars, two more blockbusters—Cinderella Man and Stealth—hit theaters, further cutting into Step Up's earnings.

Despite the drop, Step Up had solid reviews, and theaters decided to extend its run, albeit on a smaller scale.

By the fourth week, Step Up had amassed over $76 million at the domestic box office, while its global earnings crossed the $100 million mark, with Brazil alone contributing more than $8 million.

According to Hollywood industry websites, Step Up was expected to close with around $130 million in total box office earnings.

With a total budget of just over $9 million, Step Up's $130 million box office haul, coupled with revenue from video sales, movie rights, and soundtrack sales, made the investment a resounding success.

Some media outlets began praising Luca, hailing him as a savvy investor. Betting his house on the movie seemed risky at first, but the outcome proved him right, and now he could easily upgrade to a bigger estate.

Luca, reading the news, just smiled. The environment at Big Pear Tree Estate was good, and he had no plans to move anytime soon.

By the end of May, Step Up's global box office surpassed $100 million.

To celebrate, Luca hosted a grand party at Big Pear Tree Estate.

The guest list included numerous stars like neighbors Tom Hanks, Britney Spears, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Charlize Theron and her boyfriend, Fanny, Ryan, Rachel, director Christopher Nolan and his wife, Amanda, Lindsay, Billy, Anne Fletcher, and Frances.

Even supermodel Kate Lima attended, bringing along more than ten models.

Over 100 guests attended, with 40-50 celebrities in attendance, making it a gathering even livelier than the Oscars.

“Mr. Kelly, as we know, you’ve produced four films over the past two years—Buried, Saving Ronaldo, Infernal Affairs, and now Step Up. All four have been quite successful. Can you share the secret to your success?”

On the estate’s lawn, Amien Bernstein, a producer from Touchstone Pictures, asked this with a slight smile, holding a champagne glass.

Other film executives, including those from New Line, Focus, Lionsgate, Anchor Bay, and Echo, were also nearby, listening intently.

“Secret?”

Luca shook his head. "I don't have a secret. I just have confidence in the scripts I write. I only invest in projects based on my own scripts, and so far, they've succeeded. Does that count as a secret?”

"Haha, it certainly does."

"Mr. Kelly’s writing ability is well recognized by everyone here,” others chimed in.

Luca's screenwriting prowess had been proven with Buried, Saving Ronaldo, and The Game Plan. His films Kicking & Screaming and She's the Man, both released earlier that year, grossed over $60 million each.

The media had dubbed him one of Hollywood's youngest and handsomest “golden screenwriters” with the highest returns.

“Gentlemen, allow me to interject.”

Glen Gainor, the general manager of Anchor Bay Entertainment, interrupted, smiling. "I’d like to correct something. Mr. Kelly hasn’t produced four successful films—he’s produced five.”

"Five? Mr. Gainor, are you referring to Little Miss Sunshine, which just wrapped filming?" Focus Films producer David Linde asked.

"No, I’m talking about a sci-fi film called The Man from Earth," Gainor replied, smiling.

The Man from Earth?

"I think I saw the tape. It was excellent."

“Was that also produced by Mr. Kelly?” the surrounding film executives exclaimed.

“Yes, this film was completed in February and went straight to video, without a theatrical release. Anchor Bay was Mr. Kelly’s distribution partner,” Gainor explained proudly.

“Mr. Gainor, how were the video sales for this film?”

Bernstein from Touchstone asked.

"The results have been phenomenal. In just two months, we’ve sold over 5 million copies, generating more than $70 million in revenue."

"Seventy million?”

Someone asked in disbelief. “It’s a sci-fi movie, so the production must have been expensive. If it only grossed $70 million, can it turn a profit?”

“Haha, of course. Do you know how much this film cost to produce?”

Gainor laughed.

“Science fiction films usually have significant budgets,” someone guessed.

“Did it cost around 10 million?”

Gainor shook his head and turned to a smiling Luca. “Mr. Kelly, can you share how much you invested in this project?”

Luca grinned. "Around $400,000."

“Only $400,000?”

“Just $400,000?”

“A $400,000 film made over $70 million from video sales?”

The surrounding film executives were stunned. The return on investment was astronomical.

If sales continued at this pace for another year or two, revenues could easily double or triple.

Luca chuckled. He’d spent $200,000 to acquire the adaptation rights, $150,000 to hire director Richard Schenkman, and the remaining $50,000 on production—though in the end, only half of that was used.

“Gentlemen, we estimate that the total revenue from this film could exceed $200 million.”

“Two hundred million?”

The crowd gasped.

Gainor smiled again. “Mr. Kelly, you’ve won our bet. Allow me to congratulate you!”

"Mr. Gainor, when I win, you win too!"

“Haha, indeed!”

The two clinked glasses.

“Mr. Gainor, what was the bet?” Bernstein asked, curious.

“Yes, could you tell us the details?” the others echoed.

"Haha, it’s not a secret," Gainor replied after getting Luca's approval. He explained that the bet was over video sales. If the total fell below $200 million, Luca would get 3% of the profits. If sales exceeded $200 million, he would get 15%.

At the time, Gainor had estimated sales would stay below 3%, but the tapes had sold far beyond expectations, stunning Anchor Bay. However, the video’s success was also a windfall for the company, making it a win-win collaboration.

“Fifteen percent profit share?”

“If sales exceed $200 million, Mr. Kelly stands to make over $30 million.”

“Investing $400,000 and making over $30 million? That’s an incredible return!”

“Mr. Kelly, you’re remarkable,” several film executives exclaimed, admiring his foresight.

With Buried grossing $24 million globally, Infernal Affairs hitting $25 million, Step Up crossing $100 million, and The Man from Earth a runaway hit on video, every one of Luca's projects had been a success, netting him an estimated four to five million dollars.

His profit-making ability rivaled the industry’s biggest players, earning the admiration of all.

“Mr. Kelly, our company has a new project. Can we discuss it?”

“Mr. Kelly, I heard you have an open schedule in the second half of the year. Can we explore a collaboration? We can discuss both investment and starring roles.”

“Mr. Kelly, are you free this weekend? I know of a great club.”

A few company representatives immediately crowded around him, eager to work with Hollywood’s rising star.

Though some had once tried to block Luca’s career, they now saw things differently.

Not only did Luca make and star in films and write scripts, but he was also well-connected with Hollywood heavyweights like Tom Hanks, Charlize Theron, and Jennifer Aniston. Each of these stars wielded considerable influence, rivaling even Brad Pitt.

Trying to blackball someone like Luca was futile. The only smart move was to collaborate with him and make money together—anything else would be a waste of opportunity.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 380: Do You Accept Unspoken Rules?*

"Luca, I heard you made thirty to forty million this year from movies?"

At a party in a mansion, on the other side, Luca ran into Ryan, who looked at him with envy.

"That's what the company earned, and it's not just mine. So, that number isn't quite accurate," Luca shrugged.

"How much do you get, then?"

Ryan asked, with Rachel, Amanda, and Lindsay all curious.

"Me personally? Not that much," Luca hesitated. "About one or two million."

"One or two million?!" Ryan clutched his chest dramatically, as if he was about to spit blood. "You're only 24, been in Hollywood for less than three years, and you're making one or two million a year? You’re earning more than some A-list stars!"

"I've just been lucky and took a few risks. You know, I had to mortgage my property to raise funds. If things had gone wrong, I'd be homeless now."

"Yeah, right. Your sister's the famous author Kelly, making tens of millions a year. You think you'd be on the streets?" Lindsay laughed. "If you ever do end up homeless, let me know what street you're on. I’ll come and pick you up."

"I want to pick him up too!" Amanda giggled, covering her mouth.

"Picking up stray cats and dogs, huh?" Ryan joked.

"Luca, with Amanda and Lindsay being this enthusiastic, maybe you should give street life a try," Rachel teased.

"Alright, I’ll give it a shot when I have the time," Luca laughed.

"Luca, I saw those producers all circling around you. You’re a big shot in the industry now. Don’t forget to look out for us," Ryan joked.

"A big shot?" Luca shook his head with a smile. "Looking out for you is no problem, but are you willing to accept the unspoken rules?"

"Unspoken rules?" Ryan frowned. "What unspoken rules?"

"For example, lying on a red couch?"

"Ew, Luca! I didn’t think you were that kind of person."

Everyone burst into laughter.

After chatting for a bit, Luca excused himself to greet others. Lindsay and Amanda followed him, one after the other, for private conversations.

Watching Luca's retreating figure, Rachel smiled slightly and turned back.

"Ryan, are you feeling down?"

"Huh? What?" Ryan frowned.

"The tone of your voice just now sounded off," Rachel said softly, linking her arm with his.

Ryan shook his head. "I was just joking. No other meaning."

"Alright!" Rachel smiled slightly, saying no more.

"Ah, but that guy is impressive," Ryan sighed as he watched Luca move through the crowd. "At the end of '03, he got blacklisted and had to go back to Brazil to make films. He only landed one role last year. Everyone thought he couldn't handle the pressure and would leave Hollywood, but he surprised everyone. Not only did he stick it out, but he’s thriving."

"Sweetie, you’re impressive too," Rachel said softly.

"Haha, sure, I might not make as much money as him, but at least I’m not as bad as him. Look at this party—most of the people here are women. I wonder how many of them he’s hurt."

Ryan pouted.

Rachel chuckled lightly, glancing over at Luca, who was chatting with Amanda. She wondered if there was something secret going on between them.

There really wasn’t!

If Luca could hear her thoughts, he’d cry out in protest.

He and Amanda were talking business.

Last time, Amanda had asked him to help her find a role. He had kept an eye out and found two good parts for her.

One was the lead role in High School Musical, and the other was a supporting role in Super Gift. Both roles suited her well.

"Amanda, I’ll have my assistant give you the scripts in a bit. Take a look, and if you think they’re good, go for the auditions. I know both producers."

Luca explained. He’d found High School Musical through Annie Fletcher, who was the artistic director for the film, and Super Gift was a small production, making it easier to arrange.

"Luca, thank you so much!" Amanda said excitedly.

"No problem, just doing a little favor."

"But still, thank you," Amanda bit her lip and said softly, "I’m willing to accept the unspoken rules."

"What?"

Luca hadn’t heard her. "Amanda, I need to go meet a few more people. We’ll talk later, okay?"

"Okay!"

Watching him walk away, Amanda blinked, feeling thrilled. It seemed like she finally had a backer in Hollywood.

"Hey, Amanda, what are you smiling about?" Lindsay Lohan walked up, teasing her.

"Nothing. Let’s go sit down," Amanda said.

"Nothing? Really?" Lindsay caught up. "Amanda, you looked like you were in love just now."

"Stop it," Amanda’s cheeks flushed.

"I’m not making it up. But Amanda, you’d better be careful."

"Careful about what?"

"Be careful of Luca!" Lindsay said softly. "He’s a huge player. Even with a girlfriend, he’s constantly in scandals. If you get too close to him, he’ll chew you up and spit you out without even leaving the bones."

"Haha, stop it. Luca’s not that bad."

"Oh no, from the looks of it, you’ve already fallen into his trap," Lindsay sighed.

Amanda glanced at her. "Lindsay, you seem to have a grudge against Luca. Did he play you?"

"Play me? He wouldn’t dare! I’m a feminist!" Lindsay said, raising her fists.

"Haha, girl power forever!"

While the two of them chatted, Luca had already joined a group of directors, including Woody Allen, Christopher Nolan, Billy, Annie, and the Dayton couple from Little Miss Sunshine.

"Luca, The Proposal script is fantastic. Even better than Step Up," Annie Fletcher, one of the directors, said.

"Thanks, glad you like it!" Luca replied with a champagne glass in hand.

"I don’t just like it—I love it," Annie looked at him thoughtfully. "Luca, it’s strange. Why do I like every script you write? I’ve been asked by several companies to direct recently. I’ve read so many scripts, but none of them compare to yours. Yours resonate with me the most."

"We’re partners. That’s the kind of chemistry we have," Luca said with a smile.

"Yes, chemistry."

Annie looked at him again, muttering to herself, "Too bad he’s so young."

"What?"

"Uh, nothing!"

After chatting with Annie, Luca found Christopher Nolan and his wife, Emma Thomas.

There were rumors that Nolan's success was largely due to two people: his brother, Jonathan Nolan, a brilliant writer, and his wife, Emma, one of the best producers. Since Nolan's first film, Emma had been the producer.

These two were like Nolan’s right and left hands, an impressive duo.

"Hey Luca, we’re casting for The Prestige next month. Want to try out?"

Nolan asked.

"Do you think I’d be more suitable for Robert or Alfred?"

Robert was the lead, and Alfred was the secondary role.

"Robert, the aristocratic magician. But if you play Robert, Robert would have to become the second lead. You understand, right?"

Luca nodded. He wasn’t big enough yet to carry a major production as the lead. "Chris, are you planning to cast Mr. Bale as Alfred?"

Nolan and Christian Bale were practically best friends. After all, they had done three Batman films together, and The Prestige was another successful collaboration.

"Yes, but you and Bale have very different styles. I’ll need to watch closely during the audition to see how it works out."

"Got it."

Luca nodded, feeling a bit uneasy.

Christian Bale is an incredible actor, and his dedication is almost frightening.

Back in 2003, while filming The Machinist, he had to lose weight for the role. Through extreme methods, he dropped 57 pounds in just two weeks. He initially planned to lose 100 pounds, but doctors warned him that if he continued, it could lead to premature death.

This year, while filming Rescue Dawn, he lost another 50 pounds for the role. A few years later, for The Fighter, he again drastically shed 40 pounds.

This guy loses weight as easily as taking off a jacket.

Working with an actor like that comes with both pressure and challenges, but Luca enjoys challenging work.

After discussing the movie, Luca sought out three men who had come all the way from San Francisco: Chen Shijun, Chad Hurley, and Karim, the three driving forces behind YouTube.

Compared to two years ago, they now looked more like entrepreneurs. However, being tech guys, they still had the typical quirks of tech talent—stiff, introverted, and not particularly social at parties.

This time, they were invited to Los Angeles for a vacation, but they also had another agenda. YouTube had been around for two years now and had reached a bottleneck. They needed funds to purchase content rights and were also seeking his advice.

Luca chatted with them and offered some suggestions. In the past, he had been responsible for a lot of YouTube’s content. He had reached out to some friends in the entertainment industry to create short videos, using celebrity influence to drive website traffic.

This way of building buzz had its pros and cons. Too many celebrities on YouTube made people think it was an entertainment platform.

Luca thought back to the viral “Bus Uncle” incident and how YouTube had relied heavily on social news to build its popularity.

After some thought, Luca wrote up a thick proposal for them to take back. One of his suggestions was to hold the first-ever YouTube “Short Film Competition,” offering a $1 million prize to the winner.

These were just his personal suggestions. The actual execution would need to be discussed and evaluated by the company’s internal professionals.

YouTube was now a mature company, filled with talent from various fields. It no longer needed his guidance, and his proposals were more advisory in nature.

After the party, Luca enjoyed a brief period of leisure, spending his days working out and playing basketball with a few girls.

But after only a couple of days of relaxation, work came knocking again.

This time, it was Ms. Aniston, asking if he was interested in playing the fourth lead in The Departed.

Back in 2003, Plan B Entertainment spent over a million dollars to acquire the remake rights to Infernal Affairs. At that time, the two founders of Plan B had not yet divorced.

After the divorce, there were still some unresolved matters, one of which was the Infernal Affairs project.

Now the movie was greenlit, and Aniston, one of the producers, still had a say in it.

With the role open, Aniston thought of him and asked if he wanted to give it a shot.

Luca thought about it. One of the producers of the movie was Plan B, and its boss was Brad Pitt. The lead actor was Leonardo DiCaprio, with Matt Damon as the second lead.

This project felt like walking into enemy territory. Taking the role would be like stepping into the lion's den.

Should he take the role?

(End of Chapter)