As the credits of "Hunger Games" began to roll, the audience in the theatre erupted in applause. Clapping hands and cheering voices filled the air, punctuated by the occasional whistle. Critics, as a whole, stood up from their seats, applauding the film's success, save for a few who remained seated.
The story had been gripping, the suspense palpable, and the cast's performances were nothing short of exceptional. Lucas Knight's portrayal of Peeta had the audience in the palm of his hand, his chemistry with Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss sizzling on the silver screen.
Despite the earlier commotion at the film premiere's red carpet, where fans of Lucas had caused a scene, and he had lectured them, the cast and director now stood up, overwhelmed by the audience's enthusiastic applause.
As Lucas winged and waved at the cheering audience, Jennifer Lawrence stood by his side, basking in the applause alongside the rest of the cast and crew.
Unbeknownst to Lucas, however, his half-brother, Melvin Knight, occupied a seat in the crowd. Adjusting his hat, Melvin couldn't help but chuckle as he watched his younger brother bask in the limelight. "The kid's come a long way," he thought to himself.
Melvin knew all too well how his family, including their parents, would react to Lucas success. They'd never been supportive of him, and even now, they'd probably be seething with jealousy. Except, perhaps, for their mother. The thought of her face, usually so composed but now contorted with disbelief and annoyance, caused a smile to creep onto Melvin's face.
Even so, Melvin harbored no ill will towards his brother. He knew that Lucas had worked hard for this moment, and he'd earned every bit of the accolades he was receiving.
Melvin couldn't help but wonder if his family would secretly rejoice in the commotion that had erupted earlier on the red carpet.
As the applause began to die down, Melvin stood up and made his way towards the exit. He knew better than anyone that Lucas could handle his own battles, and he didn't want to intrude on this special moment. Pushing his hat firmly on his head, Melvin slipped out of the the theater.
---
In the days following the gripping premiere, Lucas Knight found himself swept up in a whirlwind of interviews and promotional appearances. The "Hunger Games" fever had taken over, and fans couldn't get enough of the captivating dystopian world that had come to life on the silver screen.
As the reviews rolled in, it became clear that the film was a smash hit. Rotten Tomatoes awarded it a near-perfect "98%," while IMDb users bestowed a gleaming "9.3" star rating. Word of mouth spread like wildfire, with audiences raving about the film's gripping storyline, compelling characters, and outstanding performances—Lucas's portrayal of Peeta being a particular standout.
Box office records tumbled in the first four days, raking in an impressive $84 million. The numbers experienced a slight daily drop, but the word-of-mouth hype and Lionsgate's savvy marketing campaign more than made up for it. Thousands flocked to the theaters, many returning for a second or even a third viewing.
Among the film's most talked-about scenes was the chariot sequence, where a song by Lucas himself played in the background, adding an extra layer of emotion and connection to his already memorable performance.
Meanwhile, as the hype around "The Hunger Games" soared, the footage of Lucas Knight's tense confrontation with his fans refused to die down. It had made its way not only to social media but also to mainstream news outlets, including major publications like the New York Times.
While some outlets delicately tiptoed around the issue, others, like Jessie Blair of the New York Times, pulled no punches in their condemnation of the young actor. "Mr. Knight's actions were nothing short of appalling," Blair wrote in a scathing op-ed. "To scold one's own fans—the very people responsible for his success—simply because they are overenthusiastic, reeks of ingratitude and arrogance. If it weren't for him, there would have been no commotion in the first place. This entire debacle is on him and him alone."
Blair's scathing article about Lucas Knight's behavior at the premiere of "The Hunger Games" sent shockwaves through the internet, garnering a significant response from the public. While some non-fans of Lucas seemed to agree with Blair's assessment, others felt the report was biased.
"I'm not even a fan of Lucas', but I have to say, he's got a point in the video," one user posted on social media. "We can admire idols, but there's a line we shouldn't cross. His fans were getting out of hand, and he tried to rein them in for their own good."
Another user chimed in, "I actually respect him more now that he was willing to risk his image to do the right thing. It takes guts to lecture your own fans, but he did it for their safety. Props to him."
Though there were mixed opinions, those who weren't necessarily fans of Lucas's before the incident found themselves warming up to him, impressed by his willingness to prioritize his fans' well-being over his image. The debate raged on, but for Lucas, the outpouring of support from unexpected corners only solidified his resolve to always stand by his convictions.
While some outlets sensationalized it with clickbait titles like "The Heartthrob Loses his Cool," eagle-eyed netizens dug deeper. Soon, a new narrative began to emerge: maybe Lucas had a point.
As the story unfolded, it became clear that his uncharacteristic outburst was rooted in genuine concern for his fans' safety. Although many people continued to idolize stars in private, the incident started a conversation about the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries.
Lucas's fans, in particular, were touched by his display of care. His fan page saw a surge in traffic as his stance on responsible fandom struck a chord with many. Disillusioned fans of other celebrities began to flock to Lucas's page, drawn to his down-to-earth demeanor and commitment to prioritizing his fans' well-being.
In the end, the incident that could have tarnished his image ended up endearing him to his fans even more and winning him a legion of new followers who respected his authenticity and willingness to stand up for what he believed in.
***
Lucas returned to the Warner Bros. Studios lot, eager to meet the new cast of "Gravity," a project that had recently undergone significant story changes.
Katrina Law had been cast as a mission specialist, and Chris Evans as a payload specialist. Jeff Bridges, the seasoned veteran, was set to portray the role of the ground control officer providing guidance and support from Earth. Furthermore, the studio had also signed on a few C-list actors to fill the roles of the rescue team.
While Lucas was already familiar with Sandra Bullock, having met her a few weeks prior, he knew he'd have to make an extra effort to connect with the newcomers.
When Chris Evans arrived at the studio, Lucas couldn't help but chuckle as their eyes met. "Hey, long time no see..." he greeted with a grin.
Chris raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of confusion and surprise. "Long time no see? Did we meet before?" The fact that this young, more popular actor was using a familiar greeting on him was unexpected.
Lucas laughed softly, his gaze warm with recognition. "We met at the bar in 2009, through my friend Paul Sterling, right?"
Chris's brow furrowed in thought for a moment before a look of realization washed over his face. "Oh, right! I remember now. It was at that party Paul threw." He chuckled, extending a hand to Lucas. "Sorry about that. It's been a while, man."
Chris's eyes widened with recognition. "Oh, I remember now! You're that guy I met through Paul. Man, I thought I'd dreamt the whole thing."
Lucas chuckled softly, "No, it was real alright. We did meet back then. It's just that I was just a nobody back then…"
Some of the other cast members chuckled among themselves, amused by the exchange.
Chris clapped him on the back, admiration in his eyes. "Wow, you've come a long way since that bar. I mean, you're everywhere nowadays." He gave Lucas a friendly pat on the back.
Lucas downplayed the praise with a shrug. "I don't know about 'everywhere,' but I guess things have been pretty crazy lately."
Sandra interjected, "What he means to say is, he's too modest. You've skyrocketed to the top, Lucas. Hollywood can't stop talking about you."
Lucas smiled faintly, and Chris teased, "Look at him, all shy now."
Lucas thought to himself, "Yeah, the bright lights of Hollywood are nice and all, but I've seen the darker side too."
***
A few days into rehearsals, Lucas was pleasantly surprised to find out that his good friend, Paul Sterling, had been cast as another payload specialist. Greeting each other with enthusiasm, they quickly fell into their roles during rehearsals.
Lucas coached Paul, "Just think about how terrifying it would be to be stranded in space, not knowing if help will arrive in time."
Paul nodded, slipping into character. However, he broke out of it after a while, looking impressed by Lucas's seemingly effortless performance.
"Sorry, man. I really can't perform as naturally as you."
Lucas chuckled, "Are you kidding? I've been practicing my butt off too. It just takes time."
Sandra, who was nearby, couldn't help but roll her eyes. She knew firsthand just how good Lucas was since their very first rehearsal.
However, Paul, who had never worked with Lucas before, took his friend's words to heart and continued to practice diligently.