Both the reporters in attendance and the viewers watching the live broadcast on television were shocked. They couldn't have heard it correctly, could they? Was she going to take on the filming of that movie?
"Director Moran, if I recall correctly, you've already accepted a musical, haven't you? Additionally, there's a superhero film. Are you planning to shoot all three at once?"
Laila smiled and shook her head, saying, "I'm just an ordinary person, so shooting all three at once is impossible. I believe I will find a suitable way to shoot them one by one."
This response confirmed that she did intend to film three movies, whether simultaneously or not. The prospect of shooting so many movies at once was exciting.
In fact, if you thought about it, the crew for "Harry Potter" was already essentially assembled, the actors were chosen, and they were just waiting for the director to join to start filming. The cast of "Chicago" was undergoing six months of dance training, and they weren't ready for production yet. The release was also scheduled for the end of the next year. This meant that as long as she finished the filming of her movies in the first half of the next year, she would be on track.
As for the superhero film "Iron Man," that was not something that could be produced quickly. She had given herself two years to work on it. While she was filming "Harry Potter," she could focus on the pre-production work for "Iron Man."
So, filming three movies at once wasn't such a big deal for her, and at most, it would mean being busy for the next two years.
However, the audience didn't know this. Due to media hype, they assumed that Laila was shooting three movies simultaneously. As a result, they left numerous messages on Laila's social media accounts, urging her not to overwork herself and to prioritize her health. Even though they eagerly anticipated her new movies, they didn't want her to wear herself out with work.
Returning home and seeing these heartwarming messages, Laila smiled and appreciated their concern, but she didn't change her plans.
"Please rest assured, I will take good care of my health. I have many stories to tell with my camera, and how can I do that if I'm lying down? As someone who's lived a second life, no one knows better than me how to cherish this second chance."
After the press conference, Laila immediately got back to work. The next morning, she took a flight to the UK.
The original author wanted the movie to feature British actors and be filmed in the UK. Laila had no objections to this, and that's what she had instructed Louise to do according to the author's wishes. The course of history had changed here, and the young actors originally selected, except for the one playing Harry, had been replaced by other kids.
Gold always shines. Laila wasn't entirely convinced of that. Sometimes, it's the opportunity that matters the most. Gold can only shine if someone takes it out of the ground. If the gold remains buried underground, will anyone notice that it's shining?
Similarly, an uncut gem can be transformed into a valuable piece of jewelry through proper cutting. It depends on whether someone takes the time to polish it.
Regarding the young actors who had been selected this time, if Laila hadn't altered history, they might have lived ordinary lives, earning ordinary wages and never becoming stars. But now, with Laila's films, they would be molded into globally recognized child stars, and through the entire Harry Potter series, they would experience a significant transformation. Their lives and futures would change with these movies.
In the UK, when the film crew learned that Laila would be the director, the initial tension and concerns were eased. They no longer had to worry about the film falling apart due to the loss of a director, nor did they have to be concerned about a director who wasn't qualified being assigned to the project in haste.
Who was Laila Moran? A look at her filmography would tell you everything. Since her debut, she has never directed a failed film, and each one has been a significant financial success on a global scale. The mood among the crew and actors was akin to someone who had bought a lottery ticket expecting a small prize but ended up winning a jackpot.
"When this film is released, maybe I'll become a global megastar?" Many actors expressed this astonishment once the news became public.
Before joining the film crew, Laila had already gathered some information about the crew members. She knew that many of them were feeling uncertain. That's why her first step wasn't to rush onto the set; instead, she gathered everyone for dinner.
Mr. Oswald, the old man, was a true-blooded Englishman, and the Moran family had their "ancestral home" in the UK. That day, Laila invited the entire film crew to be guests at the ancestral home.
Unlike the Moran family's mansion in New York, the ancestral home in London exuded a more profound sense of history. According to the old man, their family had purchased this piece of land a century ago. Every brick in the ancestral home was etched with the history of the Moran family.
The Moran family had once been illustrious and influential. However, due to certain events that had significantly impacted the family, the Moran family's fortunes dwindled. This was why Mr. Oswald Moran ultimately inherited only the ancestral home and a printing factory.
Mr. Oswald never disclosed the specifics of what had transpired. Laila couldn't find any relevant information from her previous memories, but she knew that all the family members had passed away, leaving only Mr. Oswald. This was why, even after living a second life for so long, she hadn't encountered any other Moran family relatives.
Thankfully, the Moran family had managed to rebuild itself, thanks to Mr. Oswald's wisdom.
Well, that was a bit of a tangent. In any case, with the advent of the new century, properties like this one, preserved in their original state, had become increasingly rare. It was an opportunity for the young actors in the crew to experience a setting found only in movies and TV shows, and also to foster beautiful aspirations such as "I could live in such a large house once I make great movies."
The dinner took place in the mansion's backyard, and those who attended were the actors who played more significant roles and members of the film crew. Even with this selective guest list, quite a few people showed up because it wasn't a small production, and if they invited everyone who would appear in the film, even the garden would have felt crowded.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Laila stood on a makeshift stage and, with a friendly smile, tapped the champagne glass she held with a spoon to capture everyone's attention.
"Welcome to today's dinner. I'm sure you've heard some news about me, and I'd like to offer my sincere apologies for the delays these past few days."
An apology was necessary. Generally, actors have their schedules carefully planned, and if something isn't accomplished on one day, they may need to move on to another project the next day. This time, Laila was fortunate that most of those she had brought in were newcomers. Only a few veteran actors playing the roles of Hogwarts professors were from the UK.
Time is money, and if you've caused someone a loss because of your actions, failing to apologize is not the way to build a good working relationship. Even if the other person doesn't show it, they will likely feel uncomfortable. This discomfort may manifest itself during production, which would ultimately affect Laila.