HWI 148

Hollywood What If Chapter 148

"Are you okay?

Reese worriedly put her hand on Kazir's forehead. The man looked tired, the dark circles around his eyes were quite obvious. 

"I'm fine. I can't let this event slide. It's the first movie where you are the protagonist."

"... Okay." She smiled and kissed his forehead. 

"Now, let's contact Jane to hide your haggard face."

"I guess so."

The two chuckled. 

The filming of John Wick ended in the second week of June. After that, Kazir Grey put all of his time into post-production. 

Obviously, he hired his trusted editor, Rector Richman. The two have a good relationship and they can talk without barriers. 

The movie was slowly in creation. The dubbing, the sounds, the music, the editing cuts, and the transition, everything was going well. 

Then, after three weeks of spending his time in the office, Kazir Grey was invited to attend to watch the premier of There's Something About Mary. 

It was a publicity stunt to garner attention. He would go to the theater together with Reese Witherspoon.

Actually, 20th Century Fox, the investor in the movie, asked Kazir Grey to be one of their promotion methods. 

Women like gossip and 20th Century Fox would use Kazir and Reese's relationship to create hype. They would use that news to their advantage and promote the movie. That way, more people would see the movie. 

Kazir was hesitant at first, but he decided to agree. He wanted to make sure that Reese's movie would be successful. 

However, Reese was the one who was against it. She felt like she was using Kazir and she didn't like it. 

In the end, the two settled on attending the premiere together. If the reporters asked them about their relationship, they would answer ambiguously. 

"Alright. Looks like you are good to go."

Reese was satisfied with Kazir's makeover. The eye bags were gone and he looked fresh. 

"We can go to the premiere!"

The two entered the limousine holding each other's hand. 

The major cast of There's Something About Mary was Matt Dillon, Ben Stiller, Lee Evans, and Chris Elliott. 

In the movie, these men were obsessed with Mary( Reese Witherspoon). They did their best just to get Mary's attention. 

Some famous actors attended the premiere too. Ed Helms and Pedro Pascal attended the premiere to support Reese. Another reason why they were in the premiere was for the early promotion of Napoleon Dynamite III which would be released in December. 

Even Hugo Lameire was there. He was the director of Napoleon Dynamite II. He was smiling and let the press take pictures of him. The attention he got was so-so. 

The limousine arrived and Kazir Grey was the first to come out. He was wearing a neat grey tuxedo. He extended his hand to a beautiful woman. 

Reese smiled and accepted his hand. The two walked on the red carpet, looking nice together. 

The reporters bombarded them with pictures and questions but the two just posed and kept their smiles. 

Most of the reporters were from News Corporation, perhaps 2/3 of the reporters. 

Of course the interview from a major tv channel would ask them before going to the theater. 

"Wow, you look good together." The reporter stated. 

The two giggled. Showing their affection for each other. 

"Ahem, I know that I'm overstepping the boundary, but I'm dying to ask this question. Are you guys dating?"

Reese and Kazir already expected this question. They looked at each other before answering. 

"Reese is very important to me."

"I feel the same way as Kazir."

"Aww..."

The reporter let the two slide into the theater after that. Their answer was enough to make a topic. 

"I have to apologize." Reese bitterly smiled. 

"They did you dirty." She added. 

"What are you talking about? It doesn't affect me. Besides, it's good for John Wick too."

"I see... So John Wick is all in your mind." She pouted and tightened her grasp on his arm. 

"Honestly, yes."

"What did you say?"

"Haha, of course I'm joking."

"Humph!"

The two found their seats, which were in the front row, together with the cast. 

Before the movie started, the higher-ups of 20th Century Fox greeted them. Kazir Grey met Tom Rothman again... As always, their topic was about scripts and if Kazir was interested in working with 20th Century Fox. 

The two had a good relationship so there was no reason to act tough. In the end Kazir didn't promise anything. 

'Our contract with Paramount will end next year. Perhaps cooperating with 20th Century Fox is not bad... Let's think about it when we're there.'

The premiere of There's Something About Mary had a good result. The first day grossed $4 million. It was already a good result in this era. Only abnormal movies like Taken could get $17 million on its first day. 

After that, the first week got a result of $17 million.

Unfortunately, The Mask Of Zorro was released in the same week so There's Something About Mary failed to get the box office champion for that week. 

The second week had a good result too. From July 20 to 25, the movie generated another $23 million. Making the movie grossed $40 million. 

The budget of There's Something About Mary was only $23 million. It was obvious that the box office already surpassed the investment which was a good thing. 

It seemed that Reese Witherspoon's career was going to be better after this. From a second-rate to a first-rate actress who can easily get a million worth contract. 

However, while others were celebrating over the success of the movie, one person was currently gritting her teeth out of regret.