August 5.
They were the kinds of secrets where opportunities flew like sharp suggestions. Even when some refused to decide and others were reluctant to see the truth, the fact remained: Titanic was becoming the highest-grossing film in history, surpassing every other production by hundreds of millions. With a global box office haul of $1.8 billion, its impact was absolute. The lives of its actors were changed forever. They were now visible to every camera, their names eagerly summoned. Some earned decent money with their brief moments of fame. James Cameron stood as the king of the night, the clear winner in every sense, while the stars of the love story graced the front pages.
Kate, without question, was now being considered for every lead role imaginable—especially romantic dramas where she and Billy could once again be the stars of the screen.
–I just want people to recognize that my work goes far beyond what they expect from me. I want to be part of projects that give me more than just a steppingstone to commercial stardom, –Kate Winslet said.
–It's simply unreasonable for you to say no. You have a chance to give people what they want without guilt. Take on a few supporting roles, –said Robert, her agent at CAA, a firm with major industry ties.
–I'm turning all of them down. When I find a script I genuinely like, I swear I'll act in it, –Kate replied.
–You've got time. But there's a role I like—it's a thriller where you're probably not the right fit. Still, do whatever you want. Who can argue with so many whims? –Robert replied, fully aware of the script's flaws. It was a thriller-horror with anonymous villains and a plot hard for audiences to grasp. But the lead role was solid, the story compelling—even though the supporting role might get cut, a constant fear for actors. Still, what can you do?
–That doesn't matter. Just keep sending me scripts. We'll find something worthwhile when it comes, –Kate said, refusing another role. She had already turned down four, some good, others decent. But the money she earned from playing Kate was enough. Her modest lifestyle didn't require much. Who could suggest otherwise? Maybe she could do some theatre. That would be wonderful—who could deny it? Of course, it made everyone a bit uncomfortable.
–Then just do whatever you want, Kate. But at least consider the roles that come your way, –Robert said, fully aware that Billy Carson was working on a mega-production of The Lord of the Rings. With the help of his connections and his acclaimed performance in Star Wars, he had already moved the hearts of fans—despite the high expectations.
The Lord of the Rings had five major producers, each one astonishing in their own right. They were undeniably top contenders. The production boasted the names of some of Hollywood's finest, and the buzz around the project was intense. People were already clamoring for a role. About 80% of aspiring actors were eager to audition. The casting call was open, and while some hesitated, others were desperate for even a glimpse of fame. That anticipation alone made the production alluring. From afar, it could look like a masterpiece or a disaster. Yet, no matter the doubts, novice actors—those without guaranteed roles—were dying for a shot at that hallowed stage called stardom.
***
What can people do when they're faced with rejection?
–Scene 89, take 2. –
EXT. GOVERNMENT BUILDING – DAY
Trinity lifts the helicopter, pulling away as Agent Smith stands in the shattered window, aiming his gun through the curtain of rain. Bang! Bang! Bang! The black tail rotor shatters.
Trinity: Damn it, damn it, no!
Neo hears the helicopter begin to fail as it shifts in the air.
Neo: Uh-oh.
Trinity steers the helicopter toward the nearest rooftop. Morpheus and Neo cling to each other while the machine above them starts to drop. The rotor scrapes across the rooftop as the helicopter arcs too quickly, describing a curve like a setting sun. The tension cables snap tight and yank Neo off his feet, dragging him with brutal speed toward the edge.
Trinity hurls herself toward the rear door, a gun in one hand, the rope in the other. Neo slams into a ledge like a skipping stone, his feet hitting the gutter just as the force hauls him up.
The action drives him into motion, clinging to two pendulums as he slides across the narrow roof, dangling beneath Trinity's stunt double, who's also gripping a tether.
Before that, Trinity fires a shot that severs the helicopter's cord. It falls free, blades first, smashing into a glass skyscraper. In reality, the helicopter is a cube-shaped mockup with no rotors, designed to fall safely. It's anchored to release at the stunt double's signal, while the cameras do their magic.
The stunt double swings from a rope, connected to Neo, who now stands on the building's edge, watching her arc beneath him as the helicopter explodes. She crashes against a reinforced window that cracks like a spiderweb, flames erupting behind her.
She climbs the rope slowly—they pause the scene for a moment—until she's high enough to switch places with Trinity, or rather Carrie-Anne, who is lifted into Billy's arms. Both are shaking, embracing once more.
MORPHEUS: Do you believe it now, Trinity?
Trinity looks at Neo.
NEO: Morpheus… the Oracle… she told me…
MORPHEUS: She said exactly what you needed to hear. That's all. Sooner or later, Neo, you're going to realize the difference between knowing the path and walking the path.
NEO:
He just stares, eyes sharp, wanting to say something, but there are no words.
-Cut. -
Billy exhaled, almost collapsing from the pain. He'd twisted his ankle in the scene, and even with all the padding, it hurt like hell. There was nothing glamorous about it—action scenes were brutally hard to shoot, and no one could deny the strange satisfaction of watching yourself pull them off.
–Hey, you can put me down now, –Carrie-Anne said.
–Sorry, I totally zoned out, –Billy replied, still holding her in his arms, half in character, half out.
What are people supposed to do?
–Then maybe, just maybe, you'll get to relax a little in the coming months, –Carrie-Anne said.
...