HWI 151

Hollywood What If Chapter 151

"Do I have a schedule for today?"

"After this, no sir."

Erica Mendez drove out of Paramount Headquarters. Just as they reached the highway, Erica and Kazir noticed that several cars were following them.

"Really... They didn't care at all."

He shook his head. He had expected this. From the moment he became a successful director, he knew something like this would happen. Being a superstar was not that easy.

'You have to maintain a certain image in front of the public. But celebrities are also people. They shit and fart.'

One wrong move and the paparazzi would take advantage of you. Bombing you with insults.

"Erica, your work is done for today."

"Thank you, sir."

Kazir reached the apartment and said goodbye to Erica. The paparazzi could not get into the building, so there was no reason to be afraid.

"I think I'll watch a movie."

Kazir prepared dinner for himself. Nothing fancy, just pancakes, eggs and buffalo wings.

Calix had a library of videotapes in his apartment. Some of them had been purchased recently, while the others were the fruit of his labors when he was still a small-time director.

He took a few steps until his feet stopped at a certain movie.

"All right, let's see Pulp Fiction."

Directed by none other than Quentin Tarantino.

"Actually... I want to watch Django Unchained but oh well." He might have to wait two decades for that.

Quentin Tarantino's movies usually have a strong depiction of violence. So his movies were not family friendly. Still, no one could deny that his movies were good. At least Kazir likes Quentin's filmography.

...

...

...

"Kazir, look at this. These scripts look interesting. How about you read them?" The young looking agent gave him screenplays to read.

"Salvatore... Put the scripts away."

Kazir sighed when his agent kept asking him for his opinion.

"Besides, am I even allowed to read them?"

"It's from 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers. They want to hear your opinion, so they approve it."

"..."

Kazir decided to entertain Salvatore.

"Listen, I'm not a god. I don't know if a movie can be successful just by reading the script."

"Sure, I just want to hear your thoughts."

Kazir raised his eyebrows and read the script... He didn't expect to read a very famous movie.

'What the hell? Paramount let me read Runaway Bride, and now Warner Brothers is giving me the chance to read The Matrix!?'

He realized that just like Paramount, Warner Bros main investment for the next year would be this R-rated science fiction movie.

"Let me guess, you want Enzo Park to audition for the male lead?"

"Nah, I heard Keanu Reeves is interested in the movie. I just want Enzo to have a supporting role."

Kazir nodded. Asian aesthetics were not well accepted in Hollywood. Not even for the next 3 decades. Asian actors/actresses have so few roles to take.

"So? What do you think?"

"Hm, it's interesting. If they can pull it off, this movie could be good."

"Okay. Then what about the next one?"

Kazir looked at the second script. He almost jumped when he read the title.

"What the hell is wrong with 20th Century Fox? They are basically giving me a spoiler. I'm a Star Wars fan!"

He didn't even read the script and immediately put it on the table.

"Why don't you read it? Tom Rothman asked me personally for your opinion!"

"Fuck no! This is Star Wars! Of course it's going to be successful. There's no need to hear my opinion."

"But still..."

It seemed that LucasFilm wanted to start a Star Wars trilogy. However, they were not sure if this would be successful. So 20th Century Fox was interested in Kazir's opinion regarding the script.

The last Star Wars movie was released in 1983, even nostalgia had its limit. If the plot of the upcoming movie was not great, then the whole franchise might be affected.

"Salvatore, take these scripts away. If you're interested in this project, why don't you audition your other clients?"

"You mean Scarlett Johansson? That's what I'm thinking."

Their conversation turned to Star Wars. Kazir never read the script because he already has an idea of the plot.

'Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace (1999)'

Enough for Kazir to remember.

'Now I know why Liam Neeson was practicing swordplay when I called him.'

Liam had a big part in this movie.

"Damn, I feel like I'm their advisor."

He muttered after Salvatore left the office. He was clearly influencing Hollywood from now on. No one could deny it.

Post-production on John Wick had finished three days ago and Kazir Grey had so much free time. So he spent most of his time in the office, sometimes writing original scripts.

"It's August 17. We have three weeks to promote John Wick before it opens."

He might have to do another round of interviews and travel all over the country.

Then there was the project he wanted to start before November. He wanted to shoot The Bourne Identity in early 1999.

Another project was Taken 2. He already gave some hints to Fremont Smith. Maybe the young man already has an idea.

"Damn, I just realized this might be my only free time from now on. Haha, how fun!"

He grinned. Instead of feeling burdened. He was happy to see another day.

...

...

...

Unfortunately... The next day, someone contacted him for the first time in so many years.

Someone he had already forgotten. He could not believe that he would meet her again.

"Mother..."

Kazir greeted the woman, who was in her early 50s. Even though she was over 50, she still looked young and beautiful. As if time had never cursed her.

"Hello, Kazir, my son."

The woman smiled and sat down. Their meeting place was the park. The one who chose this place was his mother, Eliza Cohen. This was her maiden name, for it seemed that Eliza had divorced her second husband a few years ago...

++++++

[Next chapter... I want to show how fragile human beings are. One sentence can easily break a person's heart].