The indie film "50/50" made waves in the industry, garnering praise and criticism alike.
The movie's impact was undeniable, as evidenced by its impressive box office success. It received a high 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.9 on IMDb, but some pointed out its share of problems.
However, one aspect that stood out was Lucas Knight's portrayal of Adam, a character battling cancer.
Lucas's performance was so convincing that it sparked rumors on social media about him undergoing chemotherapy for his role. His gaunt appearance and authentic portrayal of a cancer patient fueled these speculations, and internet news outlets even reported that he had gone through the harrowing treatment. As the story spread, admiration for Lucas's dedication to his craft soared.
Eventually, other news outlets debunked the chemotherapy claims, revealing them as false. But by then, the damage had been done. Many still preferred to believe that Lucas had indeed undergone the arduous process for his role.
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Lucas Knight was oblivious to the swirling rumors about his supposed chemotherapy as he immersed himself in a collaboration with the renowned Woody Allen. They were hard at work on the script for "Blue Jasmine," a project that Lucas had penned and was now seeking Allen's expertise on.
Woody was impressed by the story and its potential, and he didn't hesitate to greenlight the project, prioritizing it among his other commitments. The two men huddled together, discussing finer points of the script, including potential box office percentages and other financial details that would benefit both parties should the film prove to be a success.
Lucas also suggested none other than Jennifer Lawrence for the lead role in "Blue Jasmine." Woody Allen didn't hesitate to agree, trusting the writer's instincts. Little did he know, Lucas had a personal reason for suggesting her.
It all went back to when Jennifer was offered an Oscar-worthy role in "Silver Linings Playbook," but Lucas had convinced her to turn it down due to his own reservations about Harvey Weinstein's involvement. Now, with "Blue Jasmine," he saw an opportunity to make it up to her.
After ironing out the details with Woody, Lucas went about his own business, including shopping around another script he'd written during his free time. He hoped to get it produced as a short film, eager to keep the creative juices flowing.
Lucas had always harbored an idea to direct his own short film, and now seemed like the perfect time to gain some experience. With his script "Joker" already greenlit by Warner Bros., he knew that sooner or later, he'd be involved in film production, even with Todd Phillips on board as the director.
With the help of his manager, Neil, they managed to secure Blumhouse Productions' interest in producing his short film, "One-Minute Time Machine."
As time passed, casting began, and a young, unknown actress named Saoirse Ronan landed the lead role. She accepted the offer without much thought, enticed by the $5,000 paycheck. Little did she know, she'd be working alongside the rising star himself, Lucas Knight.
On the day of their first meeting, Saoirse couldn't contain her excitement as she shook Lucas's hand. "Hi, I'm a big fan!" she gushed, her cheeks flushing red.
Lucas smiled politely and nodded. "Nice to meet you, Saoirse. I'm looking forward to working with you."
Saoirse's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe she was actually working with Lucas Knight, but she quickly reminded herself to stay professional. This was an opportunity she couldn't afford to mess up.
But she couldn't help but feel giddy as she stood next to Lucas Knight, her excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. Lucas noticed her nervousness and smiled reassuringly. "Hey, if you want a selfie, it's okay," he said, trying to put her at ease.
"C-can I?" Saoirse stuttered, her cheeks flushing even more.
"Of course," Lucas nodded, "but we should focus on our work first. After we successfully film this short film, we can take a selfie and an autograph, alright?"
Saoirse blushed, regaining her composure. "Right, right. Work first before everything."
Lucas smiled. "Yes. In our line of work, it's important to be professional."
The production crew and Saoirse's manager, who had come to support her, exchanged knowing glances. They understood her excitement, but they knew that when it came to work, it was all about professionalism.
Saoirse's manager pulled her aside and whispered, "Professionalism is very important. I've seen young actors make a fuss when meeting famous actors, but it only annoyed them."
Saoirse nodded in understanding. "I understand," she said, turning back to Lucas. "I apologize for my behavior."
Lucas flashed her a warm smile. "It's alright. No harm done. Let's just focus on making a great short film, okay?"
Saoirse took a deep breath, her nerves settling down. "Right. Let's do this."
After their brief exchange, Lucas shifted gears and immersed himself in discussions with the crew about the filming process. Saoirse watched him, impressed by his dedication to the project.
Lucas knew that in his previous life, "One-Minute Time Machine" had been a low-budget short film, but this time around, Lucas was determined to make it better.
He wanted every aspect of the production to be top-notch: from the camera angles and lighting to the final color grading.
***
Saoirse changed into her costume, a simple yet elegant dress, and made her way to the set—a quaint park bench that would serve as the only location for the entirety of the film.
As she observed Lucas working closely with the crew, she couldn't help but be impressed by his multitasking abilities. Not only had he written the script and was directing the project, but he was also starring in it alongside her. It was an ambitious undertaking, but she had a feeling he could pull it off.
As the production of "One-Minute Time Machine" commenced, Saoirse and Lucas threw themselves into their roles, oblivious to the growing crowd that had gathered behind the fence. Fans and onlookers alike had come in droves to catch a glimpse of the rising star, but a team of burly security guards ensured that they remained at a safe distance.
Despite the commotion, the production went smoothly. Blumhouse Productions' crew was seasoned and professional, used to working under such conditions. They expertly maneuvered around the actors, capturing each take with precision.
During breaks, Saoirse couldn't help but steal glances at the ever-growing crowd. They were all there for Lucas, she knew, their phones held high, recording every move he made. It was both exhilarating and intimidating, but she reminded herself to focus on her performance.
Lucas, for his part, was acutely aware of the disruption they were causing and was determined to wrap up filming as quickly as possible. He didn't want to inconvenience the locals any longer than necessary.
The crowd behind the fence buzzed with excitement, their voices carrying on the breeze.
"They're filming something, that much is clear," one person said, craning their neck for a better view.
"It doesn't look like a movie, though," another person chimed in. "The crew's too small. I bet it's a short film."
"You might be right," a third person added, adjusting their sunglasses. "I wonder how it'll turn out. With Lucas Knight involved, it's gotta be good, right?"
As the sun began to set, the short film "One-Minute Time Machine" wrapped production. The crew packed up their equipment, and Lucas, flanked by his bodyguards Jack and Simon, made their way through the now-dwindling crowd.
Curious onlookers stopped him, asking about the project they just witnessed.
Lucas signed autographs as he went, teasingly replying, "Find out what'll be in Sundance, it's a short film."
The crowd erupted in cheers, thrilled that he'd even taken the time to respond to their questions.
Once they were far enough away from the crowd, Lucas stopped for a quick selfie with Saoirse. She thanked him profusely, her face flushed with happiness.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, paparazzi who had been blending in the crowd followed their every move, while others rushed to submit the juicy tidbit about Lucas filming a short film.
Soon enough, social media and news outlets were abuzz with the news. Fans and industry insiders alike speculated about the nature of the project, with some even placing bets on whether it would make it to Sundance.
Time flew by, and before they knew it, the second music video Lucas had filmed months ago, "Viva La Vida," was finally released on YouTube.
It had to be known, that the first music video "Let Her Go" by Lucas gained millions of views since its first day online, and now, months later, it had already amassed an impressive 320 million views and counting. The heartfelt ballad was speculated to be the "Song of the Year," as the music video alone had become quite a sensation. But when Lucas's second music video, "Viva La Vida," was posted, it seemed he had created another sensation in the music world.
"Viva La Vida," racked up millions of views within its first day online. The hauntingly beautiful visuals, coupled with Lucas's captivating performance, entranced viewers worldwide.
Meanwhile, Lucas was hard at work lending his voice to the upcoming animated film "Rise of the Guardians." His character, Jack Frost.
Having already dipped his toes in voice acting with "The Lorax," Lucas felt more confident this time around. The studio was pleasantly surprised by his performance, which far surpassed their expectations.
Initially, they had cast him thinking his name and face alone would be enough to draw in the crowds, banking on the film's story and animation to carry the rest. But it soon became clear that Lucas was more than just a pretty face; he was a talented voice actor as well.