After the Oscar ceremony concluded, Lucas attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where he was approached by a reporter from Entertainment Tonight.
"Lucas, we couldn't help but notice your reaction to Seth MacFarlane's joke about Harvey Weinstein. Care to comment on that?" the reporter asked, microphone extended.
Lucas smiled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I found the joke funny. Seth has a way of hitting the nail on the head, doesn't he?"
The reporter pressed further. "Are you aware of the recent accusations against Harvey Weinstein?"
Lucas's expression turned serious. He nodded slowly. "Yes, I am aware of the allegations. And I'll say this: if the accusers are telling the truth, Harvey must be brought to justice. It's as simple as that."
The reporter's eyes widened, clearly taken aback by Lucas's candid response. "That's... quite a strong statement. Are you concerned about potential backlash from speaking so openly?"
Lucas shook his head. "I believe in standing up for what's right. If that ruffles some feathers, so be it."
The interview continued, with Lucas fielding questions about his nomination, future projects, and his thoughts on the night's winners. However, his comments about Weinstein had clearly made an impression.
As the party continued into the night, Lucas decided to make an early exit. He politely excused himself from conversations, said his goodbyes to fellow actors and industry figures, and made his way towards the exit.
As Lucas walked to his hotel room, a satisfied smile played on his lips. The media's shock at his candid comments about Harvey Weinstein amused him, but they were unaware of the full story.
For months now, Lucas had been secretly funding support for Weinstein's victims. Through a trusted intermediary, a former lawyer turned victims' rights advocate named Sarah Michaels, Lucas had been providing financial and legal resources to help the women come forward and build their cases.
As he entered his room and loosened his bow tie, Lucas pulled out his phone and sent a quick, encrypted message to Sarah: "Things are moving. Keep me posted on any developments."
Lucas sat on the edge of his bed, his mind racing with the potential implications of his actions. He knew Harvey was just one of many predators in Hollywood, but bringing him down could send a powerful message. It could be the first domino to fall, potentially encouraging other victims to come forward and other abusers to face consequences.
***
Lucas stirred awake, reaching for his buzzing phone on the nightstand. He blinked away the sleep as he read Jennifer's message:
"Don't forget, Blue Jasmine hits wide release tomorrow! You're coming to support, right? x"
A smile tugged at his lips as he typed his reply: "Wouldn't miss it for the world. I'll be there."
As he scrolled through his notifications, another message caught his eye, this time from Neil:
"Great news, kid. Fox Searchlight is moving forward with 'A Star is Born'. They're aiming to start production in about 2-3 months. Call me when you're up."
Lucas sat up, suddenly wide awake. The project he'd been nurturing for so long was finally coming to fruition. He quickly dialed Neil's number.
"Neil, just got your message. This is good news!"
Neil's voice came through, matching Lucas's enthusiasm. "It sure is. They're impressed with the script and excited about your vision for the film. We need to start thinking about casting and crew."
Lucas nodded, his mind already racing with possibilities. "I've got some ideas. Let's set up a meeting to discuss."
***
True to his word, Lucas attended the wide release screening of "Blue Jasmine" at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. He arrived incognito, blending in with the crowd of moviegoers. As he settled into his seat, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the theatre packed with eager viewers.
Throughout the film, Lucas watched intently, occasionally glancing around to gauge audience reactions. He was pleased to see people engrossed in the story, laughing and gasping at all the right moments. As the credits rolled and applause filled the theatre, Lucas smiled to himself, knowing that the film's success would not only boost Jennifer's career but also benefit him as a shareholder.
The next day, Lucas made his way to a small café where he was set to meet Neil. He arrived early, choosing a quiet corner table. When Neil entered, he scanned the café, his eyes passing right over Lucas without a flicker of recognition.
"Neil," Lucas called out, his voice low but unmistakable.
Neil whirled around, his eyes widening as he took in the stranger's appearance. "Lucas? Is that you?"
Lucas grinned, gesturing for Neil to sit. "In the flesh. Well, sort of."
"How did you...? I mean, I walked right past you!" Neil sputtered, still staring in disbelief.
"Remember my role as Peeta? I picked up a few tricks from the makeup team," Lucas explained. "Thought it might come in handy for keeping a low profile."
Neil shook his head, impressed. "Kid, you never cease to amaze me. But let's get down to business, shall we?"
Lucas and Neil settled into their seats at the café, both leaning in to speak quietly.
Neil began, "So, Fox Searchlight is really excited about 'A Star is Born'. They're ready to move forward."
Lucas nodded, "That's great news. I've been thinking about casting. For the female lead, I want Taylor Swift."
Neil's eyebrows shot up. "Taylor Swift? She's primarily known as a singer, not an actor."
"Exactly," Lucas explained. "The role requires both singing and acting. Taylor's got the voice, and I believe she has the acting chops too. Plus, our chemistry from the duet will translate well on screen."
Neil considered this, then nodded slowly. "Alright, I see your point. We'll approach her team. What about the other roles?"
As they discussed potential cast members, Neil shifted the conversation. "Now, about the financials. Fox Searchlight is offering you $3 million for your role."
Lucas nodded, a bit surprise.
Neil continued, "They're also interested in buying the script outright. If you sell, you'd lose any future shares in the film's profits, but you'd get a lump sum upfront."
Lucas leaned back, his brow furrowed in thought. After a moment, he said, "I need to think about that. The songs Taylor and I will perform in the film have potential to be hits. Instead of selling the script, let's discuss royalties for the soundtrack."
Neil nodded, pulling out his tablet to make notes. "Smart thinking. I'll set up a meeting with their legal team to discuss royalty options. Anything else you want me to push for?"
Lucas leaned in, his eyes bright with determination. "Yes, I want a say in the final cut."
Neil leaned forward, his voice lowering slightly. "There's something else I wanted to discuss with you, Lucas. Have you heard about the revival of 'The Elephant Man' on Broadway?"
Lucas's eyebrows raised with interest. "I've heard of the play, but I didn't know they were doing a revival."
Neil nodded. "They're casting for a late 2013 run in Manhattan and West's End. I think you should consider auditioning for it."
Lucas sat back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. He realized that despite his extensive film and television experience in this life, he had never performed in a theater production.
Noticing Lucas's contemplative look, Neil pressed on. "I know it's different from what you've been doing, but think about it. If you land this role and do well, you could be looking at a Tony nomination. With your Emmy, Grammy, and Oscar, that would give you the EGOT."
Lucas sipped his coffee slowly, considering Neil's words. After a moment, he set the cup down and smiled. "You know, Neil, whether I get the EGOT or not, I'm grateful you brought this to my attention. I've been so focused on film that I almost forgot about theater. This could be a great opportunity to grow as an actor, to learn something new..."
Neil nodded, pleased with Lucas's response. "Exactly. It's a challenging role, physically and emotionally. It could really showcase your range as an actor."
Lucas leaned forward, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Before I make a decision, Neil, I need to know - will the audition schedule conflict with any of my current projects?"
Neil shook his head. "The audition itself shouldn't be a problem. It's just a few days at most. However," he cautioned, "if you get the role and commit to it, that's a different story. We're talking months in New York and possibly even the West End in London. That could potentially conflict with some of your other commitments."
Lucas nodded, absorbing the information. After a moment of consideration, he said, "Alright, I'll go for the audition. It's worth a shot."
Suddenly, Lucas's eyes widened as he remembered something. "Wait, what about 'The Artist'? That project's been delayed a few times now, hasn't it?"
Neil sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, it has. Part of the issue is the whole Harvey Weinstein scandal. The director doesn't want to accept his investment anymore, given the circumstances."
Lucas sat back, a determined look in his eyes. "In that case, I want to invest in the project myself."
Neil's jaw dropped. "You want to... invest in 'The Artist'? Lucas, that's a significant financial commitment. Are you sure about this?"
Lucas nodded firmly. "I am. I believe in this project, Neil. And if my investment can help get it off the ground without compromising its integrity, then I'm all for it."
Neil stared at Lucas for a moment, clearly taken aback by this unexpected turn.