Before the "Gravity" casting call for additional cast members, Lucas Knight had already been practicing scenes with Sandra Bullock, who played Ryan Stone, a character with a tragic past.
While impressed by her acting for the most part, Lucas couldn't help but notice a few cringe-worthy moments. These instances were likely due to the writers' intentions to evoke drama by highlighting her character's painful history.
As the script underwent revisions and new cast members joined, the story's liveliness and depth promised to improve.
On March 23, 2012, Lucas Knight stepped away from the grueling rehearsals and creative team meetings for "Gravity" to attend the highly-anticipated premiere of "The Hunger Games" at the bustling Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
The Warner Bros. studio lot was only a short drive away, so he didn't have to endure the usual LA gridlock to make it to the glamorous event on time.
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The "Hunger Games" premiere was abuzz with frenzied fans, particularly those who adored Lucas Knight not only for his acting but also for his music. The film's trailer had teased a short clip of his song, which ignited the social media frenzy.
Some die-hard fans traveled from far and wide, while those in the Los Angeles area flocked to the Nokia Theatre in downtown L.A. They weren't expecting to see Lucas, given the news of his dedication to the colossal Warner Bros. Pictures project.
The surprise only doubled when he appeared on the red carpet, accompanied by his rumored girlfriend, Jennifer Lawrence, their every move captured by the relentless paparazzi.
Fans erupted in high-pitched squeals as Lucas emerged, their idol's presence electrifying the air. Among them was Jacklyn, who couldn't believe her luck as she clutched her "Team Lucas" sign. Her heart raced as she realized this might be her only chance to meet him. She'd traveled all the way from Washington to the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, and she wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away.
"Lucas! Over here!" she screamed, trying to make her voice heard above the din. Pushing against the barricades, she stretched her arms toward him as Lucas's burly bodyguards, Jack and Simon, struggled to maintain order. Even with the help of additional security, the sheer numbers and zeal of the fans was overwhelming.
Lucas signed autographs and posed for selfies as fast as he could, but the swarm of admirers only grew bolder. Despite the crush of people, a warmth spread through him. He never imagined his fan base could grow so quickly, and their dedication left him speechless.
Jacklyn's eyes widened as she inched closer to Lucas's side. His presence was electric, and before she could stop herself, she let out a shrill squeal. Then, as if in a trance, she found herself leaning forward, defying the guards' outstretched arms, and planting a quick kiss on his cheek. The crowd erupted into deafening shrieks, and jealousy permeated the air.
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted from adoration to hysteria. Frenzied fans surged forward, their numbers crushing those at the front of the barricade.
Jennifer, just near Lucas, couldn't believe her eyes. The scene unfolding before her was straight out of a nightmare.
Lucas's guards, Jack and Simon, struggled to maintain order as the once-adoring crowd became a seething mass of bodies. Panic began to set in as fans near the front found themselves unable to breathe.
Lucas's heart pounded in his chest. "Guys, calm down! accidents can happen!" he yelled, but his words were lost in the cacophony.
Initially, Lucas basked in the warmth of his fans' support, but as the situation devolved into chaos, his admiration took a swift U-turn.
Fear and concern etched on his face, Lucas turned to his guards. "We need to do something, now!"
Adrenaline surged through Lucas's veins as he witnessed the chaos before him. His heart pounded in his chest, especially when he spotted some teenagers near the front, their features contorted with panic as they were crushed by the relentless onslaught of the crowd.
"How the hell did this happen?" he thought, incredulous. It all started with a simple gesture from one overzealous fan, and now, it had escalated into a scene straight out of a disaster movie.
The barricade, designed to withstand the weight of excited fans, creaked ominously under the mounting pressure. The security team, hired by the event coordinators, sprang into action, trying to regain control of the situation.
"We've got this, Mr. Knight. Just stay back, please." The lead security guard, a burly man named Rick, barked orders into his walkie-talkie.
Lucas should have heeded the guard's advice and stepped back, but a surge of responsibility overwhelmed him. This was happening because of him, and he couldn't just stand by and watch.
"No, we've got to stop this now!" he ground out, his jaw clenching with determination.
Before the security could react, Lucas was already unbuttoning his expensive black tuxedo. The frenzied fans momentarily froze, their shrill screams dying down as they gaped at the sight of their idol stripping down in front of them. A hush fell over the crowd as Lucas dramatically flung his jacket into the air, revealing his toned torso.
"You all like me this much, huh?" he yelled, brandishing the jacket like a matador taunting a bull. "You want this too?"
Lucas's heart raced, but the brief distraction he'd created gave the security team a much-needed respite to regain control of the situation.
The crowd fell silent, save for the persistent clicks and flashes of the cameras around them. Lucas seized the opportunity to make his point.
"Wake up, guys!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with desperation, "You're risking your lives for a famous person you don't even know! Is this who you really are?"
The normally raucous crowd murmured amongst themselves, the gravity of his words sinking in.
"I appreciate your support, but not at the expense of your safety," Lucas said, his voice softening. "I'm just a regular guy who got lucky, no different from any of you."
The onlookers, including the paparazzi, exchanged knowing glances. This might just be the juiciest piece of gossip they'd ever captured: the day heartthrob Lucas Knight lost his cool.
Lucas's face flushed with anger and concern as he pointed at the crowd, "Do you realize how much danger you're putting yourselves and others in?!" He shouted, gesturing to the distressed faces in the front.
The crowd fell silent again, but their awe-struck expressions didn't last long. A woman's shrill voice pierced the air, "I love you, Lucas!"
"I don't need your love!" Lucas shot back, his voice shaking with frustration, "I only wanted you to like my craft, not this!"
"I don't know any of you, and you don't know me!" Lucas continued, his voice cracking, "Think about your families, your friends. They're the ones who care about you, not some guy on a screen!"
Lucas exhaled sharply as Jennifer led him away from the commotion and back towards the theater.
"Did you see that? He really cares about his fans so much," one fan gushed.
"This is the first time I've seen this side of him," another sighed, "But I'm honored to have witnessed it."
The security guards couldn't help but roll their eyes. "Don't you guys understand what he's trying to say?" one of them muttered under his breath.
Inside the green room, Jennifer patted Lucas on the back, smiling. "You really lectured them good. Aren't you afraid of backlash, though?"
Lucas scoffed, "I don't care if the whole world decides to turn on me. That kind of behavior shouldn't be tolerated. If things had escalated any further, someone could've gotten seriously hurt or worse, and I'm not worth that."
Jennifer's smile grew, "You're right, Lucas. You did the right thing."
Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I just hope they'll finally understand the line between admiration and obsession."
The room fell silent for a moment, the impact of the event weighing down on both of them. But Lucas's outburst had served its purpose - it had reminded everyone that fame comes with responsibility, and that sometimes, even the most dedicated fans needed to be reined in before their adoration crossed the line into obsession.
Lucas sighed, still feeling the adrenaline from the near-stampede wash over him. His actions had been out of character, but he was glad he'd done it. If something had happened out there, he knew he would never have forgiven himself.
He recalled his manager Neil's advice from months ago, when Neil had first noticed the increasingly frantic fans on social media. Neil's solution had been simple: go low-key on the internet and reduce his online presence. It wasn't that Neil didn't want to grow Lucas's fan base; rather, he was all too aware of how quickly admiration could turn sour in the hands of overzealous fans.
"I know you want to connect with your fans, but you've got to draw the line somewhere," Neil had said, a concerned frown furrowing his brow.
Lucas hadn't understood it then, but now, in the wake of this chaos, his manager's words rang true.
There had been cases of celebrities being stalked, harassed, or even murdered by their supposed "fans" who'd become dangerously fixated on their idols. Lucas shuddered at the thought of the singer from his previous life, who had been killed by an obsessed fan after she'd innocently revealed her relationship status on social media.
***
The commotion outside the Nokia Theatre finally settled, and the premiere of "The Hunger Games" commenced as scheduled. The audience, chastened by the earlier events, was on their best behavior, even those fans who had received a personal talking-to from Lucas. The screening started, and as per tradition, the the theater hushed as the movie began.
The film opened with a focus on Katniss, played by Jennifer, and Peeta, portrayed by Lucas, both of whom had been chosen as Tributes for the 74th Hunger Games. The audience was captivated from the start, drawn into the dystopian world of Panem.
When Katniss and Peeta rode in their fiery chariots during the Tribute Parade, the crowd in the theater gasped in awe at their extravagant costumes. The epic score playing in the background, a song written by Lucas himself, only heightened the impact of the scene.
The film progressed, and the audience remained riveted to the screen. It wasn't just about Katniss and Peeta's story; it also delved into the struggles of the other Tributes, adding depth and intensity to the narrative.
Lucas's portrayal of Peeta, his mannerisms shifting from nervousness around Katniss to confidence in displaying his skills, charmed the audience. The chemistry between him and Jennifer's Katniss was undeniable, making the development of their feelings for each other all the more believable.
The film reached its climax with Katniss and Peeta defying the odds and emerging as the joint winners of the Hunger Games.