Tycoon Actor C500

The promotional video of Lucas's AMC theater disguise generated significant revenue—around $80,000. While a portion came from monetized views, many viewers actively donated through the link Warner Bros. provided.

The money was already making a real difference for LK Charity's beneficiaries, and the fund continued growing daily.

Lucas, despite his billionaire status, was genuinely thrilled by the results. He found himself wondering if he could collaborate with WB on more undercover pranks. But the moment he expressed interest, his manager Neil immediately shut him down.

"Absolutely not," Neil said firmly. "Life's unpredictable enough without you wandering around in disguise. It's too risky for a simple prank."

Lucas chuckled and shook his head. They were currently at a Michelin-starred restaurant with Mattel executives and Warner Bros.' new CEO, who had just updated him on the promotional video's success.

"Come on, it's perfectly safe," Lucas argued. "If I did just ten similar videos, I could raise a million dollars. That's life-changing money for a lot of people—"

Neil held up his hand. "People will start recognizing your disguises anyway. Stop being stubborn."

Lucas raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine."

The executives chuckled at the exchange. WB CEO Tobias leaned forward. "Neil's right, Mr. Knight. Your safety is paramount, especially given that some people would prefer you gone."

Lucas nodded, then smiled. "I suppose I should stop talking nonsense and get to the real reason we're here." He paused. "I've signed triple NDAs for this discussion. I'm genuinely curious about this mysterious project you've been teasing."

Tobias exchanged glances with the Mattel executives.

Robbie Brenner, head of Mattel Films, looked thrilled as she slid a script across the table. "This is what we've been preparing for years."

Lucas picked it up and read the title: "Barbie."

His heart skipped. Of course he knew Barbie—the iconic doll beloved by children worldwide, representing imagination, possibility, and dreams.

He flipped through the pages, absorbing the concept. The script presented a story about self-discovery and finding one's place in both a perfect fantasy world and the complicated real world. It was surprisingly deep for what many would assume was just a toy-based movie.

Lucas was immediately intrigued. The project represented something he'd never done before—a film that could speak to multiple generations while addressing themes of identity and purpose. Plus, the potential to create something that brought joy to families worldwide appealed to his desire to use his platform positively.

"This is... unexpected," Lucas said, looking up with genuine interest. "And brilliant."

Robbie exchanged delighted glances with the other Mattel executives—they were genuinely thrilled to see Lucas's positive reaction.

Having Lucas Knight star in their project would provide enormous security. His track record spoke for itself: nearly every major film he'd been part of had crossed the billion-dollar mark at the box office. That kind of guaranteed success was invaluable in Hollywood.

"This project has been in development for almost a decade, Mr. Knight," Robbie explained with a smile. "It bounced around different studios—Sony had it for years, then Universal tried to develop it as a more traditional comedy. But the vision never quite came together until Warner Bros. acquired the rights and we found the right creative team to tell this story."

CEO Tobias leaned forward expectantly. "So, what do you say, Mr. Knight? Are you interested?"

Lucas didn't hesitate. "Honestly? I'd take this project without reservation, assuming there are no casting conflicts."

Robbie's eyes lit up, along with the other executives. While they could see Lucas liked the script, hearing him commit verbally was an enormous relief.

"You're not put off by the fact that you'd be starring in a movie about a fantasy doll?" Robbie asked, addressing what had been their biggest concern. She and the others had worried that Lucas might dismiss the project as too commercial or beneath his artistic standards, especially given his recent success with serious dramatic roles like Elvis.

Lucas smiled warmly. "Why would that bother me? The storyline is genuinely compelling, and there are real themes here about identity, purpose, and finding your place in the world. It would be an honor to be part of this."

The relief in the room was palpable. Robbie nodded enthusiastically. "I'm so glad to hear that. You really are perfect for this character." She studied Lucas's blonde hair and striking blue eyes, which seemed to fit the Ken aesthetic perfectly. "Actually, besides you, we were wondering if... your wife Jennifer might be available for the female lead?"

Lucas looked mildly surprised but not shocked. Thinking about it, having a real-life married couple play romantic leads in a movie about love and partnership made perfect sense. The natural chemistry would be undeniable.

"That's actually a brilliant idea," he said with genuine enthusiasm. "I'll definitely discuss it with Jennifer and see if she's interested. But I can't make any promises for her."

Robbie smiled warmly. "That's absolutely fine, Mr. Knight." She paused thoughtfully. "But it would be fascinating if she agrees. It would be your first film working together as husband and wife."

Lucas nodded, the idea growing more appealing by the minute. A movie where he and Jennifer could work together as a married couple, unlike their previous collaboration in Hunger Games when they were still dating. The prospect was genuinely exciting.

He was definitely going to try to convince her, though he'd respect whatever decision she made.

---

After wrapping up discussions with the executives and studio CEO, Lucas returned to his hotel with Neil and his security team. Once settled in his suite, he video-called Jennifer to share the opportunity.

"Hey, how did your meeting go?" Jennifer's face appeared on screen, her smile immediately brightening his mood.

"Really well, actually," Lucas said, settling back comfortably. They chatted about their respective days before Lucas brought up the main topic. "So, I have something interesting to run by you."

He explained the Barbie project, the script's surprisingly deep themes, and Mattel's interest in having both of them star. As he spoke, he found himself getting slightly nervous about her reaction, though he tried to hide it.

Jennifer listened quietly, her expression thoughtful as she processed everything he'd told her.

"So... what do you think? Are you interested?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Jennifer stayed silent for a few more seconds, clearly considering, which only made Lucas more anxious.

Then she broke into laughter. "Okay, I'll stop torturing you. Yes, I'm absolutely in. The idea of working together as husband and wife sounds amazing."

Lucas exhaled with obvious relief. "I had a feeling you'd say yes."

"Oh really?" Jennifer raised an eyebrow. "Because you looked pretty nervous there for a minute."

Lucas chuckled, caught. "Can you blame me? It's not every day we get offered the chance to work together professionally while staying together personally. Too good an opportunity to risk."

Jennifer smiled. "You're right. It really is too good to pass up."

They continued talking for another thirty minutes, though Lucas kept his Barbie details deliberately vague. Without Jennifer having signed the triple NDA, he couldn't share specifics—even between spouses, professional discretion was essential in Hollywood.

Jennifer understood completely. "Say no more. I get it. We'll talk properly once I'm officially on board."

After they hung up, Lucas settled in for some much-needed rest.

---

Meanwhile, while Lucas handled his film commitments, preparations for the inaugural Lucas Knight Gala were in full swing.

Lucas wanted to elevate the entire concept of charity galas. This wasn't just about raising money—it was about creating awareness and genuine impact for causes close to his heart: cancer research, heart disease, kidney health, ALS, mental health conditions, and other critical medical needs. He was also strategically building funds for global health preparedness and vaccine development, knowing how crucial these resources would become in the near future.

But Lucas wanted to do something different from traditional Hollywood charity events. Instead of limiting invitations to just celebrities and industry executives, he was including a new demographic: YouTubers.

While YouTube creators weren't yet considered mainstream celebrities in 2018, Lucas recognized their growing influence. When YouTubers like Mr. Beast documented events, their audiences—often younger and more engaged than traditional media—would learn about these important causes.

His strategy was simple: expand the conversation beyond the gala itself. YouTuber vlogs and content would educate millions of followers about health conditions that often went unnoticed or misunderstood. The approach would raise immediate funds while building long-term awareness.

Plus, Lucas was quietly positioning himself ahead of the curve. While other celebrities might struggle to adapt as digital media continued growing, he'd already have established relationships with the next generation of content creators.

It was an investment in both charity and his own future relevance in an rapidly evolving media landscape.

---

The YouTubers were genuinely surprised when they received invitations to the LK Gala Auction. True to their nature, many immediately turned it into content for their channels.

"Guys, you won't believe this," Mr. Beast announced in a video he uploaded that same day. "I actually got invited to Lucas Knight's charity gala!"

Other YouTubers followed suit. The 2018 YouTube landscape thrived on attention-grabbing content—the more unexpected or dramatic, the better. This was the era of over-the-top pranks and clickbait thumbnails, where creators would do almost anything for views.

News of YouTubers being invited to a high-profile Hollywood charity event spread quickly across social media. The reactions were mixed. Many netizens were skeptical, assuming it was another fake announcement. YouTubers had developed a reputation for exaggerated claims—fake game sequels, misleading collaborations, and edited "proof" of events that never happened.

"Yeah right, like Lucas Knight actually knows who these YouTubers are," one commenter wrote.

"Probably just another clickbait title for views," added another.

But others were genuinely intrigued by the possibility of this crossover between traditional Hollywood and digital creators.

Meanwhile, Lucas was getting invaluable guidance from Leonardo DiCaprio and his foundation. Leo had been running successful charity auctions for years and knew the ins and outs of organizing impactful events—from venue selection to auction logistics.

"The key is making sure every dollar raised actually reaches the people who need it," Leo advised during one of their planning meetings.

With Leonardo's expertise backing the operation, the LK Gala Auction was on track to launch within the next two months. The combination of traditional celebrity power and emerging digital influence promised to create something unprecedented in the charity world.