Home Alone had already surpassed $230 million in North America a week prior, and industry projections indicated it would undoubtedly cross the $300 million mark.
The film's monumental success turned all media attention toward Thane, boosting the anticipation and visibility of The Sixth Sense, which benefited greatly from the young star's growing popularity.
Amid the whirlwind, Thane handed over the final drafts of three of his books—Life of Pi, A Song of Ice and Fire, and Twilight—to his mother, trusting her to review and get them published.
Amelia's eyes widened as she skimmed through the pages of Life of Pi, her fingers brushing the neat, typed words.
"This is… incredible," she said, her voice filled with awe. "But three books at once? Are you sure you're not overworking yourself?"
Thane shrugged lightly. "The stories won't wait, Mum. They just… come to me."
Amelia placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze softening. "You're extraordinary, Thane. But remember, even geniuses need rest."
He nodded, though the spark in his eyes betrayed his eagerness to keep creating.
Meanwhile, he immersed himself in another creative venture, utilizing his parents' recording studio to produce his songs.
The recording studio was alive with energy as Thane sat at the grand piano, his fingers dancing over the keys. Every note resonated with precision, a testament to hours of practice and innate genius.
A sound engineer observed from behind the glass panel, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.
"You're a natural, Thane," the engineer said, his voice crackling through the intercom. "Most people your age wouldn't know where to begin."
Thane offered a small smile, his focus unbroken as he replayed a sequence, adjusting the chords until they carried the perfect emotional weight. "Thanks, but this isn't about me," he replied. "The music has to tell the story."
The session stretched into the evening, with Thane's determination unwavering. When the final notes were recorded, the crew burst into applause. Thane leaned back in his chair, exhausted but satisfied. He glanced at Amelia, who stood in the corner, her pride evident in her glowing smile.
"You've outdone yourself, sweetheart," she said, ruffling his hair as they left the studio.
Though the process was painstaking and meticulous, Thane relished every moment, pouring his heart into his work.
In addition to his artistic endeavors, Thane excelled academically, acing his exams with perfect scores. Yet, by now, even his parents no longer prioritized his grades, knowing his talents extended far beyond the classroom.
Between recording sessions, practicing Occlumency, and delving into his studies of Alchemy, Enchanting, Calligraphy, and Programming, Thane lost track of time. Before he knew it, four months had flown by, and September had arrived.
At the start of the month, Thane and Amelia attended the internal screening of The Sixth Sense.
The dimly lit screening room hummed with quiet anticipation. A select group of crew members and key personnel had gathered for this moment, eager to see the culmination of months of hard work.
Thane sat beside his parents, Amelia on one side and James on other. Their expressions calm but their excitement unmistakable. Chris Columbus sat on the front seat with a few executives.
As the lights dimmed and the film began, Thane's usual confidence gave way to a flicker of doubt.
What if they didn't like it?
Amelia noticed his clenched fists and leaned closer. "Relax, sweetheart," she whispered. "You've done everything you could—and it's brilliant."
Her reassurance steadied him, and as the opening notes of his score filled the room, Thane allowed himself to breathe.
As the movie began, the room fell silent, captivated by the eerie atmosphere crafted by Thane's script. The dialogue was laced with subtle clues, each line building an intricate web that hinted at the shocking twist to come.
Amelia's portrayal of a grieving mother was breathtakingly raw, her pain so vividly portrayed that it drew audible gasps and sniffles from the audience.
When Thane appeared on screen, the room seemed to hold its breath. His performance was mesmerizing, a delicate balance of innocence and mystery that added an almost unsettling depth to his character. His expressions and timing made the supernatural elements of the film feel heartbreakingly real, grounding the story in an emotional truth that resonated with everyone present.
The film's score, composed by Thane himself, elevated the experience to another level. The soft piano melodies intertwined with haunting string arrangements created a soundscape that echoed the film's themes of fear, loss, and redemption. The music wasn't just a backdrop—it was a character of its own, lingering in the mind long after the scenes had passed.
As the lights turned on, the room remained in stunned silence, as if the people needed a moment to process the profound impact of what they had just witnessed. Then, like a spark igniting a flame, the applause began before swelling into a thunderous ovation.
Chris Columbus turned to Thane and Amelia, his eyes bright with admiration. "This isn't just a movie—it's an experience. What you both have done here is extraordinary."
Amelia smiled warmly, her hand resting on Thane's shoulder. "It was a team effort," she said, her voice thick with emotion.
Thane, ever humble despite his prodigious talents, simply nodded. "I just wanted to do justice to the story."
As they exited the screening room, murmurs of astonishment filled the air. Whispers of "masterpiece" and "Oscar-worthy" floated through the crowd.
It was clear to everyone that The Sixth Sense was not just another thriller—it was a cultural moment in the making. And at the heart of it all was an 8-year-old prodigy and his remarkable mother, their talents forever leaving an indelible mark on cinema history.
Promotion for The Sixth Sense was in full swing when Thane proposed an intriguing strategy to his father. He suggested they focus on maintaining suspense around Malcolm's true nature as a ghost, ensuring the revelation remained a shocking twist. This approach, Thane believed, would entice viewers to watch the movie more than once, eager to catch all the subtle clues they had initially overlooked.
"You've got a sharp business mind, champ," James said with a laugh, pleased to find his son's thinking aligned perfectly with his own.
Thane had also completed recording an album with 10 songs, while Amelia had recorded one of her own. Though they were encouraged to release the albums and capitalize on their soaring popularity, Thane declined, wanting the songs to retain their long-term appeal.
Additionally, both Thane and Amelia agreed that his voice needed more time to mature, as it would bring the depth and emotion the songs truly deserved.
Amelia likewise chose not to release her album immediately, knowing that its success would require her to hold concerts and promotional events. She preferred to spend as much time as possible with Thane before he began his schooling journey and also wanting to avoid over-exposure.
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