Of course, Creed Entertainment didn't need to worry about topping the Watchmen send-off up.
Overshadowing something so nuclear-ly infused wasn't going to be easy. Nor was building on whatever momentum is long in place.
They just need to do what they've always done. Move on to the next project and stick to the schedules that had been arduously set.
As they say, when one thing ends, something else begins.
It just so happens that just a few weeks after the peak of the Watchmen-Chernobyl conspiracy craze, another Creed-laced happenstance was preparing to take off.
On the 16th of May 1986, things were going to takeoff in a way.
After all, the fighter jets of Top Gun was going to take the cinematic stage!
-----
Of course, organizing a premiere was in order.
While cinema reels were already in place to select film theaters all over the states, none of them had been slotted to projectors in courtesy of what was happening in Mann's Cinema 21 in Mission Valley.
A premier theater in San Diego and quite near the base with which the film was filmed on.
Wouldn't it be just great to start things off so close to home?
Old Sullivan did have this positive view of this decision, however, that was just in light of the other negatives he had to deal with.
Well, they did do it. Achieve something that not many production companies in Hollywood had done.
Creed Pictures now had the ability to broker scheduling and screening deals with theaters. Making it a film distribution culpable company.
One might think that it is just a matter of finding key personnel and channels. Keeping close communication with major theater companies and all the singlet theater houses around.
It was sort of like that and more. With other business nuances that are quite complicated as well.
As for how Old Sullivan had done it.
Well, it was 1972s Deep Throat distribution methodologies all over again with a twist.
Instead adult film manpower and adult film, it was just adult film manpower and normal film.
Instead of working with a crime family, it was with military cooperation and backing.
Eliminating the many complications that would arise when one boldly decides to enter the theatrical distribution business.
Of course, Creed Pictures' way of doing things was not without complications.
San Diego isn't exactly the prime spot to introduce a film to a wider audience.
Los Angeles, being Hollywood central, was the best... but existing Hollywood powers locked them out, out of spite.
New York had been an option but Alex's Watchmen stint with the New York massacre scare kind of spooked the deal off.
Hence, the okay but reluctant acceptance of the San Diego premiere that Top Gun would have.
Old Sullivan didn't have much choice in the matter. He just wanted to make the best of the self-distribution capabilities that he had.
The Top Gun premiere became what it is.
Military personnel flocked, the film's cast and crew savored their moments, and a few invitees arrived as long as a trip to San Diego was fine for them.
Not a lot of noteworthy Hollywood personalities could attend. It just wasn't too fancy without Columbia Pictures around but it'll do.
It was Creed's own humble premiere and Old Sullivan will take it. Hopefully, serving as a foundational experience for their next self-hosted film premieres to come.
------
Then again, as average and unglamorous as this premiere may seem, it was actually quite momentous to some people.
Milla and Galina pretty much soaked up the not-so-star-studded red carpet and highlighted their contribution to the film in the spotlight.
It was a long time coming and they were finally here...
Of course, it wasn't exactly as they expected.
After all, Milla was wearing a weird half-and-half black-white wig for some reason.
Old Sullivan, of course, knew the reason. "How was the shooting of the music video, little Milla?"
"It was fun, grandpa Sullivan." Milla grinned happily. She had been quite the star during her walk.
"What about you, Galina?" Old Sullivan turned to the mother with concern. "Something big just happened to your old home nation and I just hope you don't blame Alex for it."
"It's okay, Mr. Creed." The Chernobyl incident was worrying but Galina wasn't too worried about it. If anything, she was just happy that everything they'd done was paying off. "Besides, why blame Alex for such a thing?"
"Didn't he give Milla that Take My Breathe Away song?" Old Sullivan had a theory. "The lyrics may seem about love but the title is just about nuclear death, isn't it? He gave it to her, knowing she's a Ukrainian girl as a tribute to her Ukrainian compatriots that he knows will encounter the incident."
Galina didn't know how to respond to that. The grandson was odd and it just made sense for the grandfather to be odder.
Milla, on the other hand, was just focusing on another thing. "Where is Alex, grandpa Sullivan?"
-----
"Where is Alex, grandpa Sullivan?" That question repeated but with another little girl.
For certain reasons, Drew Barrymore joined in the fun with her mother after all.
"I'm sorry for Drew's lack of manners, Mr. Creed." Jaid picked up the slack. This was a production company owner and not to be dismissed with her daughter's impolite rampancy. "We are just very thankful that you extended an invitation to us."
"Please. Your presence is thank you enough." Old Sullivan appeased. "With Drew Barrymore attending, our humble premiere has become a bit more lively."
"As for Alex... well..."
-------
"So, he's already inside, huh." Courteney nodded in understanding. She had asked the 'where is Alex' question as well.
"What can I do?" Old Sullivan shrugged. "It's already good enough that we got a picture by the poster. Hosting our premiere just gave the boy a chance to not walk the red carpet he loathes. Also, giving him the special secret entrances that he always wanted."
For what they knew of him, this was a very very great deal.
Courteney didn't bother the old Creed any further.
She just entered the venue directly and when no red carpet paparazzi were around, she steamed off the excitement that she felt. Celebrating what had just happened.
Walking that red carpet as the female lead was awesome. It may not be as lively as the Back to the Future premiere but Courteney had no complaints.
Back then, it was her doing the envying. Now, she was the one to be envied.
From a Bruce Springsteen music video girl, to Tampon commercial girl, to an animation voice actor girl... she finally made it to movie actress status!
If she wasn't feeling the tingle of excitement, she was no better than that odd Alex.
With regards to odd Alex, hopefully, this Top Gun film would be as great as the Back to the Future film he'd written.
After all, aside from celebratory excitement, Courteney was feeling the pressure and anxiety as well.
------
It wasn't just her that was feeling those feelings in between.
Her castmates were in the same boat. Or in their case, the same jet.
The turbulence may not be as much as the feeling of being tossed around by fighter pilots... but their turbulent feelings affected them all the same.
Even an adrenaline junky like Tom Cruise wasn't exempt from his fellows.
Risky Business turned him into an idol, but Top Gun was his chance to potentially become a star. Perhaps into a superstar.
Fingers crossed, the name Tom Cruise will resound in the hearts of moviegoers via Top Gun and what's to come.
His tension couldn't be hidden though and his date can't help but comment. "Tom, are you alright?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine, Mimi." He appeased while posing and smiling for the cameras that were directed his way.
-----
On a different breed and role, James Cameron was actually quite leisurely with the whole thing.
Unlike the others, he was more confident in his work. He directed the thing from start to finish and any doubts in his capabilities were unbecoming.
Besides the extreme restriction on funds that old and stingy Mr. Creed imposed on him, there was no doubt that everything was smooth-sailing was from start to finish.
The name of Sullivan Creed wasn't exactly that renowned for Hollywood of old and gold... but his film management capabilities were top-notch.
Of course, a nifty little picture book just happen to help out both of them. Producing a tentative view of the finished product before it could be produced as a whole.
Cameron wasn't seeing the little fellow responsible for that effect though. "Mr. Creed, where's Alex?"
Old Sullivan, who had been greeting the premiere-attending people, can't help but sigh with that.
If he had a nickel for every time he was asked where Alex was, he'd be a dollar richer!
-------
As for Alex, well... he was in his designated seat wearing a formal suit with a bucket of popcorn in hand.
Compared to his busy grandfather, he had it easy. Much easier with him bypassing vanity practices that he had been forced to go through before.
Life was good.
Of course, his ease didn't stay that way for long.
As soon as he propped a popcorn in his mouth, two distinct voices of elation were heard.
"Alex!"
"Prince Charming!"
Fortunately, he didn't choke.
"Who even are you?" Drew was surprised. She stared sternly at this weird-haired girl that seemed close to prince charming.
"I'm Milla." Milica huffingly greeted. "We've met!"
"Have we?" Drew wasn't liking this turn of events. "I don't remember you."
Milla didn't explain further. Explaining to this snobby Alex-hogger probably wouldn't work out.
However, she had an idea. An idea she got when she noticed Courteney coming along. "I'm Alex's girl friend."
"Ah!" Drew was shocked. "Is this true?"
Milla nodded assuredly. "It's true."
Sure enough, it's really hard to differentiate spaced and spaceless when it's said.
"Hmph!" Drew just scoffed at this Milla girl and turned to Alex. "Prince charming... my blackmailee... you have some explaining to do."
Alexander just snacked on his popcorn and looked at the screen. Not even acknowledging what's happening.
Out of sight. Out of mind. After all, dealing with jealous little girls was not his forte.
Of course, he was just hoping for this Top Gun premiere to start soon.
-----
His hopes didn't help though.
As it turns out, Milla's seat was on his right while Drew's was on his left.
Alexander was sandwiched in this mess while Old Sullivan was somewhere, smirking mischievously.
Serves the boy right for having it easy all the while his old bones were busy!