fimls.
People don't really know much, nothing of real interest. But even when the Wachowski brothers, who hardly draw much attention, are concerned, there's a part they don't yet realize—the success they lived and will live again once The Matrix comes to light, a success more effective than anything else, proving that all they really needed to do was follow their artistic vision. And now, that becomes the reason behind the development of one of the most remarkable series in the months ahead.
Although he wished to deny it, to contradict the whole situation, Larry couldn't complain. Even though he had wanted Will Smith, Billy was acceptable in his eyes—more dedicated than he had ever imagined at the start, at least twice as much, and in many ways strikingly similar.
-Brother, I think we need to reshoot the opening scenes. – Larry remarked, realizing that some of the footage could be refined. That's what happens when you shoot everything in one go: there's so much eagerness to create and so little space for judgment that it becomes a true headache.
-Time is short, but we'll add our own touch when it comes to judging the special effects. We've been given carte blanche, after all. – Andy commented.
-Billy Carson has a gift for dialogue. His lines are so easy for his character to absorb, they end up throwing me off. – Larry admitted. Many lines had been modified by Billy during the script readings, but he pushed it further when he began shaping a character that stitched together some plots while skipping others—like the way Neo constantly questions destiny, his life, or the reality of the story, unlike in the first film. Small changes that carried great weight in the making of the film—so different and unyielding, they couldn't have been done any other way.
-Then there's no other choice. – Larry sighed deeply. What else could he do when his creative vision was being stifled by time? Still, he longed to start over, to reshoot, to give new takes that could be molded however they wished. But it's complicated for anyone to achieve so much with so little. It makes things difficult to pursue, hard to shape to your advantage. That's often the struggle of filmmaking—an endless sum of countless tasks. Larry handed Andy the new creative design he intended to use. It was different, bold, almost reckless. He had known for weeks, even months, that disagreements were inevitable, and all that remained was to shape something new for the third installment—a heavier, more intense plot.
The two slept ten feet apart, talking late into the night for at least the past two weeks. They had decided the work would have to move quickly, leaving the final say to the editing team.
-Then I think in the coming days we can suggest some of this and that to Billy. – Andy replied, jotting down a correction. For months now, they had started a sort of tradition—each of them cooking their own recipes on a special day. This time it was Andy preparing a typical Australian dish, with reason and without, though he was fairly confident.
-It smells amazing. – Larry remarked.
-Darling, it smells better than amazing—we should do this more often. – Andy added, tasting a bit. – I bought a new book, it's from a TV series I borrowed a few months back. I'm not sure, but I think it carries traces of David Weber and dystopian fiction. –
He handed over a fifteen-volume set. Larry was almost certain that, though he wanted to, or though little of it remained, sometimes the best way to fail is to want to read and lose yourself completely. That's when it becomes worthwhile.
Larry grimaced.
-I'll start tomorrow. –
-You'll start when you're meant to start. – Andy replied.
It was September 8th. For at least the past year, he had been in a relationship with Monica. Their work had drawn them into multiple events, and Monica's ambition couldn't be denied. Her drive was brilliant, always wanting, always achieving.
-So it seems you won't be arriving on the 20th. – Billy remarked, fully aware of countless setbacks, and that in the next outcome—one no one fully grasped—the truth would still prove more direct than anyone expected.
-No, just one extra day, only one. But I've already spoken with Jim—if they try to add another, I'll refuse entirely. – Monica replied. She had been longing for nearly a hundred days now to rest and see Billy. Work had kept her close to her beloved Italy, where she could drink wine, bask in the sun, and not be bothered.
-Well, then there's nothing left to do but live. Australia has its charm, but also a certain restlessness that comes with island life. – Billy responded.
Monica sighed through the phone.
-So, can I know where you're taking me? – Monica finally asked.
-I chartered a private jet. I can say with certainty we'll have at least four stops, some longer than others. A good plane, enough time to rest. – Billy replied, smiling at the thought of a holiday in Norway, in a secluded villa where no one else could intrude.
-I'm afraid I'm no good at hiding how much I hate surprises. I hate them so much—it could be thousands of years, but for me it feels like more than thousands. – Monica pouted into the phone, almost visible to Billy, who felt renewed by how much people could change when life weighed heavily on them.
-I think you won't know one place, the second you'll recognize, and the third is a wild guess—the kind you don't like. – Billy admitted, not really knowing what to do or not do.
-It was in the papers that you bought Lamborghini about two weeks ago. The Italian press has gone completely mad. For at least five days now, people have been buzzing about what you'll do next. Many believe you're about to accomplish something huge. – Monica remarked.
-And Lotus. I bought those two. And of course I have a huge project—but even though it seems almost forgotten, uncertain, I think in the coming years there will be surprises. – Billy said. He already planned to secure a stake in Formula 1, when money came crashing down like a staircase of opportunities. He was certain nothing could be too difficult, not when the higher circles earned their margins of profit.
-That's wonderful. My friends in modeling have spoken so much about your work. – Monica replied.
How difficult it all seemed.
-It may be difficult or complicated. – Billy said, finishing the map. – But people will understand gladly how each part is done, how the sport can become a playground, how every detail can be shared with the public, indifferent or incompetent though they may be. But in the next thirty years, expect to see a new kind of America, a new kind of South America, using the resources at hand with the power they bring.
That could be tied to the plan he held—a good business, creating thousands of jobs in his own way.
-Another one of your secret plans, the ones you keep things from me about. – Monica said.
-Nothing's hidden. It's just that clarity is missing—from my side as much as from others. – Billy replied.
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