Chapter 1017: Head-On Collision

After exiting the taxi, Gavin Hunter hurried down the street. But just as he passed an intersection, he stopped in his tracks. What greeted him wasn't the usual buzz of a premiere or the glitz of the Oscars; instead, he was enveloped in the grand spectacle of a carnival.

A little girl with a marshmallow perched on her father's shoulders, her face smeared with pink cotton wool as she eagerly chewed her treat. Nearby, a boy wielding a Darth Vader lightsaber and donning a Superman cape dashed after his friends, while others frolicked about, causing chaos on the street.

On the sidewalk, two couples painted green and dressed as Shrek and Fiona posed for pictures with passers-by. Overhead, the sound of a chorus of "Wow!" accompanied a group of helium balloons drifting into the sky, while a little girl beneath them wiped her eyes in tears.

Gavin stood frozen, his eyes wide in astonishment. For a moment, he wondered if he had taken a wrong turn. This wasn't Highland North Street—it felt more like Universal Studios or Disney World. The crowd, at least five to six hundred strong, was unlike anything he'd expected.

Suddenly, loud, upbeat music flooded the air, and a group of staff members dressed as colorful dolls danced through the crowd, further enhancing the carnival atmosphere.

Now, Gavin realized: This was the premiere of Madagascar 3. The characters from the animated film, along with others from DreamWorks' famous works, animatedly populated the streets.

Just two days ago, Gavin had heard buzz that Paramount and Warner Bros. were going all-out for the premiere, each trying to outdo the other in marketing stunts. Hollywood studios and reporters alike were eager to see which studio would emerge victorious in the battle of publicity, beyond just box office numbers.

As Gavin stood there, marveling at the sight before him, he realized that the scale of this event was beyond his imagination. Paramount had transformed nearly three blocks of Hollywood Boulevard into an amusement park, filling the area with trampolines, bouncy castles, slides, and swimming pools—making it feel like a garden party rather than a film premiere.

Gavin only caught a glimpse of the park's edge, yet the colors and sights overwhelmed him. DreamWorks' animation magic had been fully brought to life on the streets, with everything from vibrant decorations to giant inflatable characters. Even How to Train Your Dragon's Toothless was perched atop a high-rise, overseeing the scene.

"Damn," Gavin muttered under his breath. Paramount had clearly spared no expense. This premiere might end up costing eight figures.

Thinking back to the voice actors for DreamWorks' previous films, Gavin knew that Jeffrey Katzenberg, the company's founder, would have invited A-list stars to attend. Today's premiere would undoubtedly be packed with big names, perhaps outshining even Prometheus from the previous night.

Edge of Tomorrow—the film Gavin had worked on—was facing immense competition, especially now. Unless Renly Hall personally reached out to invite icons like Steven Spielberg or Tom Hanks, it seemed unlikely that the film would steal any of Madagascar 3's spotlight.

Gavin shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips. With DreamWorks' split in 2004, the film and animation departments had been under different owners, and today, Paramount was dominating the stage.

Not wanting to attend the Madagascar 3 premiere, Gavin turned left and walked down the street, heading west. After just 500 meters, he arrived at a completely different scene.

On this stretch of street, soldiers in full military attire stood guard, rifles slung over their shoulders as they patrolled the area. Two platoons formed in the distance, with a non-commissioned officer lecturing his troops. Behind him stood a dark green tent, its entrance guarded by sandbags.

What truly caught Gavin's attention was the transformation of the street itself. What had once been an open road was now covered by a black roof, turning it into a tunnel. The entrance was eerily sealed off by metal detectors, manned by armed guards and professional security personnel.

At that moment, Gavin couldn't shake the feeling that he'd stepped into an actual military base, not a movie premiere. The rapid shift in atmosphere—from carnival to something far more intense—left him momentarily stunned.

"Queue up! Please form an orderly line and don't stray!" A stern voice broke his reverie. "Sir, please proceed to the inspection line, or leave the premises immediately."

Gavin chuckled. He realized that this must be Warner Bros.' response to Paramount's extravagant display. The company had turned the premiere into a hyper-realistic military operation, rejecting any potential spies. While it was clearly a stunt, Gavin had to admit it was a clever one.

Not wasting time, he quickly joined the line and turned to ask a staff member, "Is there anything I should be aware of? Any prohibited items or things to check?"

"Didn't you see the signs?" The excited young woman in front of him pointed to the side. "No dolls, no pink, no balloons, no horseback riding… and no whales or sharks allowed."

Gavin blinked in confusion. "What if I'm wearing something pink? Like, a T-shirt?"

The woman pointed to a group of girls standing nearby in pink dresses, laughing and joking around. "Oh, that's a nice shirt!" she exclaimed. "Is it free?"

Gavin's curiosity piqued, and he followed her gaze to a table filled with Edge of Tomorrow memorabilia—T-shirts, jackets, hats, and other accessories. These weren't simple, mass-produced items. Each one was thoughtfully designed, featuring iconic lines from the film written in artistic fonts. "This is not the first time," "No courage without fear," and "The end of reincarnation, the eternity of time"—phrases that fans could wear with pride.

Gavin's reporter instincts kicked in, and he approached the table, eager to examine the gear. It was clear that these weren't your average promotional items—they were designed with care, and each item felt unique.

"Are these free?" Gavin asked, intrigued.

"Yes," the staff member replied, smiling. "Once you change into them, you can wear them right away. All we ask is that you post a picture on Facebook or Instagram."

"And for those not wearing pink?" Gavin asked.

"There's a souvenir shop inside," the staff member said, pointing to the black tunnel.

"A souvenir shop at a movie premiere?" Gavin's jaw nearly hit the floor. After years of covering premieres in Hollywood, he'd never heard of such a thing.

"Yes, it's only open this week, from today until Sunday. The shop is located in the lobby of the Chinese Theater, and you'll find it once you enter."

The staff member continued: "All of these items were designed in collaboration with Renly Hall and Eaton Dormer, our costume designer. For example, these T-shirts feature quotes from the characters in the movie, handwritten by the actors themselves."

Just as Gavin was processing the information, a scream pierced the air. Turning around, he saw a girl showing off her T-shirt, pointing proudly at a signature on the shoulder: Renly Hall.

Gavin's excitement grew. "Wait—these are limited editions? Once the weekend is over, they're gone for good?"

The staff member nodded. "Yes. After Sunday, that's it. This batch is exclusive to Los Angeles. It's Renly and Eaton's request."

"Jesus Christ," Gavin muttered, caught between excitement and disbelief. "I better get back in line."

And so, Gavin hurried back to the end of the line, eager to enjoy what would certainly be a premiere unlike any other.

This summer was definitely shaping up to be one to remember.