As September breezed by, the indie film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" began to garner attention, as it marked another awaited Lucas's film.
It was common knowledge that the young actor, Lucas, had a knack for the indie genre, and his 2011 Wooden Allen stint in "Midnight in Paris" had set an unprecedented record of 310 million dollars at the global box office. Even his other low-budget films managed to cross the hundred-million mark, a testament to his acting prowess and the appeal of his songs, which often graced the soundtracks.
The internet buzzed with gossip about his personal life, juggling the affections of both Jennifer and Felicity, adding fuel to the publicity fire. Needless to say, expectations for this newest offering were high.
For Lucas's fans, the anticipation for "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" was palpable. Unlike 2011, where the actor graced the screens with a flurry of independent films, 2012 had seen him only in the commercially-driven "Hunger Games" franchise. The upcoming indie film seemed to be his sole offering to the indie circuit this year, and his die-hard fans couldn't wait to catch a glimpse of their favorite actor in his element.
The September premiere of the film drew a sea of people, many of them ardent Lucas devotees. They buzzed with anticipation, eagerly craning their necks to catch a glimpse of their idol. Disappointment rippled through the crowd when it became clear that Lucas wouldn't be gracing them with his presence, but their enthusiasm didn't dampen. As the lights dimmed, they settled in for the story of a young man's journey through high school, one fraught with social anxiety, depression, and the universal search for connection.
As the film unfolded, the critics found themselves drawn into the story, occasionally forgetting their duty to analyze and critique. Lucas's portrayal of a character plagued by social anxiety and depression was so realistic, it was hard not to be impressed.
Though they had read the source material, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," novel, some of them couldn't help but feel that the film adaptation had left out crucial elements. The directing, too, failed to impress, which didn't come as a surprise considering the director was none other than the author himself, a novice in the filmmaking craft.
However, the cast's acting prowess, especially Lucas', made up for the shortcomings. They deftly portrayed their roles with such conviction that the line between fiction and reality blurred on-screen. Even the most seasoned of critics could see how Lucas's performance affected his co-stars, their own performances elevated by his presence, so much so that in certain scenes, the camera seemed to linger on him longer than necessary.
As the credits rolled, the audience erupted into applause, showering the cast and director, who were present in the theater, with their appreciation. Nina Dobrev, Ezra Miller, and the rest of the cast were visibly moved by the warm reception. After a brief moment, they were ushered onto the stage to give their speeches and engage with the waiting media.
One by one, they expressed their gratitude to the audience for their support, but as each person spoke, a voice from the crowd would always pipe up, "Where's Lucas?!" Prompting laughter and cheers from the audience.
Despite the jovial atmosphere, it was clear that many had indeed come hoping to catch a glimpse of the elusive star. The cast members, used to the attention their absent co-star garnered, took the commotion in stride, with Nina Dobrev even jokingly scanning the crowd and feigning confusion before joining in the laughter.
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The cameras rolled, and "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" began to unfurl before the lens. Lucas, reprising his role as Peeta, felt a familiar yet different energy on set compared to the first installment. Unlike the previous film, where characters like Peeta and Katniss genuinely felt their burgeoning affections, the sequel revealed a darker, more manipulative side to their actions.
It turned out that Katniss's every move, from the tender glances to her "selfless" sacrifice, were nothing more than a calculated ploy to earn the audience's favor. Meanwhile, Peeta's feelings for her were genuine, an unrequited love that added a layer of tragedy to their story.
This time around, the film's direction differed from the source material, as it now offered glimpses into both characters' perspectives. The audience would witness the games through not only Katniss's weary, defiant eyes but also through Peeta's hopelessly smitten, naive ones.
If it hadn't been for the fact that Katniss was the lead character in "The Hunger Games," the production team might have preferred to focus more on Lucas's character, Peeta. After all, Lucas had established himself as a talented actor despite his young age, and he had a massive fan following. His popularity had led to a whopping 8 million-dollar payment for the sequel, "Catching Fire," along with bonuses and backend deals.
Compared to Jennifer's 10 million-dollar paycheck without any additional incentives, Lucas was set to earn more in the long run. If this payment disparity ever leaked to the public, it would undoubtedly cause quite a stir in the media.
However, Lucas didn't dwell much on the financials. Negotiations about his paycheck were handled by his manager, Neil. For Lucas, the exact figure didn't matter as much as the bigger picture. His company, which he had founded, already pulled in tens of millions, albeit in non-liquidated assets. As far as he was concerned, the art of storytelling and connecting with the audience trumped any amount of money.
The production of "Catching Fire" had been proceeding smoothly so far. Lucas was more than supportive to his girlfriend and even offering acting tips to Jennifer as they shot some sequences in advance.
Their current location was the lush Romapo Mountain State Forest in New Jersey.
In this particular scene, Katniss, played by Jennifer, was supposed to be experiencing a traumatic flashback while hunting in the woods with Gale, played by Liam. The director, Francis, yelled "Cut!" right in the middle of the take.
Jennifer and Liam, both visibly flustered, turned to Francis, who stormed over to them, visibly agitated. He began to passionately guide them through the scene, trying to help them capture the raw emotion and intensity needed for the moment.
Lucas watched Jennifer and Liam being lectured by Francis with a distant expression. He knew the pressures of acting all too well, having been in the industry for years now. When the director finally returned to his seat, Jennifer shot him a pleading look, which he answered with an encouraging gesture.
Jennifer nodded with a warm smile, steeling herself for another take. This time, the director didn't yell "cut" and instead, he let the scene play out. Afterwards, Francis called for a break and reviewed the scene multiple times before turning to Lucas.
"What do you think of this scene?" Francis asked, replaying the scene between Jennifer and Liam.
"Well, let me think..." Lucas began, unsure of how to sugarcoat his critique for Jennifer's sake.
However, Francis cut him off, demanding honesty. "I know you're not only a good actor but also a good person, Lucas. I need your honest opinion. What do you think about the scene?"
Lucas smiled wryly, surprised by Francis's directness. He never expected the director to be more demanding than Gary, the previous director.
He took a deep breath and shared his thoughts on the scene, providing constructive feedback on the chemistry between Jennifer and Liam, and some subtle changes in body language that could improve the scene. Francis nodded, intently listening to his input.
After their chat, Francis called for another take, and then another, and another, incorporating Lucas's suggestions along the way. Jennifer and Liam were visibly exhausted, but they soldiered on, determined to get it right.
Finally, after several grueling takes, Francis seemed satisfied. He clapped his hands together and announced a short break, much to the relief of the cast and crew.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, signaling the end of the day's shoot, Jennifer invited Lucas to see her new trailer that her team had just purchased. "Come on, I want to show you something," she said, her voice brimming with pride.
The moment Lucas stepped inside, he understood why she was so excited. The trailer was a luxurious oasis on wheels, complete with a bed, a mini-fridge, and even a small sofa. "Wow, this is... impressive. This is where some of that 10 million dollars went, huh?" he teased.
Jennifer blushed, but she didn't back down. "It's always been my dream, alright? I've spent years in this industry, seeing other actors with their own trailers, assistants, and the works. I just wanted to feel like I've made it too."
Lucas smiled, but he couldn't help but wonder, "So, you want to be like them?"
Jennifer fell silent, caught off guard by the question. "I don't know," she finally admitted. "I guess I just wanted to feel like I belonged."
"Belonged to what? A club of overpaid actors with shiny things?" Lucas asked, half-joking, half-serious.
Jennifer's silence spoke volumes, her cheeks flushing a deep red as Lucas's words hit a nerve. "What about you?" she finally managed, deflecting the attention away from herself. "You've been paid 8 million, yet you didn't even have your own trailer?"
Lucas shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know, I sort of developed a liking for the tent the production provided."
"I don't believe you," Jennifer countered, narrowing her eyes. "You're treating yourself so hard... Did you donate most of your money to charity again?"
"I did donate some, but not most, alright?" Lucas admitted.
"Seriously... You need to think about yourself for once. You can't be selfless all the time," Jennifer admonished, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Let's not talk about it," Lucas said, changing the subject as he picked up the script on the bed.
"Let's discuss your next scene. I saw you had a rough time with Francis." He chuckled.
"Yeah, I really struggled. I can't believe we spent the whole day on one scene," Jennifer admitted, frustration creeping into her voice.
"That's why I'm here to help," Lucas said, patting her shoulder reassuringly. "Let's go over the script for tomorrow's scene."
"Alright," Jennifer sighed, letting go of her earlier frustration and settling in next to Lucas.
Together, they pored over the script, discussing the nuances of their characters' motivations and emotions.
As they pored over the script, they came across the part where Gale was supposed to kiss Katniss.
Jennifer hesitated, her eyes darting from the page to Lucas and back. "Um, about this kissing scene... It'll be just a peck, so don't be jealous, alright?" She nudged him playfully, trying to diffuse her own unease.
Lucas looked up at her and smiled. "I'm not made of glass, you know. It's just acting. No need to be jealous."
Jennifer frowned, oddly hurt by his nonchalant response. "Really? Not even a bit?"
Lucas shrugged, still smiling. "Should I be jealous?"
Jennifer blushed and looked down at the script in her lap. "I... I don't know. Maybe..." she mumbled.
Before she could take back her words, Lucas leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, surprising her with the suddenness of his action. His kiss was passionate and intense, leaving no room for doubt. When he pulled away, Jennifer was breathless.
"There," Lucas said, his voice a low murmur. "I've already marked my territory. No one else can change that unless you want them to, so there's no need for jealousy."
Jennifer blushed, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite her best attempts to remain composed, she couldn't help but think he was kind of cute in that moment.