….
[Spider-Man: Web of Destiny] has officially entered pre-production.
The project was in full swing with all guns blazing, with every department going their all out.
Storyboarding, costume modeling, early visual concept passes - everything was moving forward smoothly - with the experience and teamwork they generated from the past films.
But Regal, ever the multi-tasking, hadn't thrown himself fully into it yet.
Similar process to [Harry Potter] filming, Regal is in his work to finish other tasks before he could commit himself into the sets and making.
Obviously, the most important thing will be to–
–finish the script for [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets].
He needed to get it done - fast.
The scripting of the second volume of Harry Potter had to be completed and submitted to the Red Studio, so they could move ahead with the pre-production work without delay.
Regal understood that the faster he delivered, the smoother the pipeline would run - and the closer they would be to getting back on set.
However, unlike his previous projects, this time Regal wasn't doing everything on his own.
For the first time, he made the conscious decision to bring someone else into the creative process from the very beginning–
Chris Columbus.
–as a collaborator
Right, it was already agreed upon, finalized, and put to paper:
Chris Columbus will be directing [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets].
It marked a first for Regal - having onboard another director during the scripting process.
It wasn't just a professional courtesy.
It was a smart move.
If Chris was going to direct the second film, he had to be part of its creative DNA from the outset.
Regal didn't want any confusion or second-guessing once the cameras rolled.
If things moved at the current pace, production on the sequel would begin within a matter of weeks.
In fact, if everything went as planned, it was even possible that [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets] would hit theatres before [Spider-Man: Web of Destiny].
The advantage of being a sequel is clearly held by Chamber of Secrets.
Unlike Spider-Man, which still required new casting, extensive location scouting, and full crew assembly, Harry Potter 2 already had its infrastructure in place.
The core cast was set, the crew was familiar, and the design departments were already in sync from the first film.
The sets could be rebuilt with minor modifications, costumes resized and reused, and the entire production could essentially roll forward without ever needing to slow down.
There was no need for auditions… or anything other painstakingly time taking process.
Just forward motion.
The only thing left was to dive headfirst into the actual making - and they were nearly there.
….
On the other hand–
Chris Columbus was in the middle of a personal transformation.
During the first few weeks, every night - after long hours at the office or those endless conversations with Regal, he would lie awake beside his wife and whisper–
"Is this actually happening?"
She would chuckle, sometimes swat his arm and tell him to shut up and sleep.
He wasn't some big-name studio director with ten blockbusters behind him.
In fact, he hadn't even directed a feature film yet.
But now… now he is attached to the sequel of a billion-dollar phenomenon.
It overwhelmed him, humbled him.
Still, there was no time to bask in the dream.
That was the fastest way to ruin it.
So, after more than a month and half he was sure it was real, and the feeling of finally making it to Hollywood felt really true.
It really had been a tough journey, but it was all worth it.
But, he still had a mountain to climb.
And Regal made sure he knew it wasn't going to be easy - but it was going to be worth it.
….
Right after meeting Regal for the first time, he had met him almost everyday from then on.
They had long hours of casual talks about random stuff–cinema, structure, obscure screenplays, studio politics, old editing techniques, foreign directors, even bizarre casting stories.
But no matter how light or fun the conversation started, it always gravitated back to film.
And eventually, Chris had to admit it - quietly, internally, humbly:
Regal was on another level.
Chris had expected.
The dude made four blockbuster films, and that too without any backing.
Still, in all honesty, Chris had to put away his pride and come to agree to that.
Come on, Regal is younger than him!
It stung.
But, that only made him feel pathetic to even have a comparison.
However, he wasn't disheartened by it for too long.
Not after hearing the same man - Regal - speak with genuine respect about his work on [Home Alone].
Chris could tell there was no flattery in it, or fluff, Regal had watched his film, studied it, and admired it.
And more than anything, understood where its heart was - and where it could have gone if the budget hadn't been so tight.
And even if Chris had any lingering doubts about Regal's sincerity, they were shattered the moment he slid a proposal across the table.
To direct the second Harry Potter film.
It had to be their tenth meeting by then - maybe the eleventh, he couldn't recall clearly.
They had met too many times too fast, all of them intense.
But this?
Asking him to direct the sequel to a billion-dollar phenomenon?
He remembered blinking in silence, just yesterday, the news broke - Philosopher's Stone had officially crossed the $1 billion mark.
And here was this calm, maddeningly driven twenty-something offering him the keys to a juggernaut.
He must be nuts. That was his initial thought.
And if he was honest… even now, weeks later, some part of him still felt the same.
But he wasn't given much time to sit with the insanity of it, Regal wanted an answer - Fast.
"Take your time…" He had said. "But not too much, I want to start scripting next week."
…that basically gives no time!
Chris wanted to shout.
Too quick, it was too quick.
Chris had paced his study all night, doubts eating away at him.
What if the film fails?
What if I can't match the first one?
What if I can't match… him?
The thought of trying to measure up to Regal's standard was, frankly, terrifying.
The man had rewritten the rules of filmmaking with his debut, and Chris wasn't even sure he had a rulebook.
But that's when his wife stepped in.
She didn't try to reassure him, she gave him hell.
She reminded him of the years of struggle, the scripts that went nowhere.
The favors he had pulled and the countless pitches and the fire that got him into film school.
And the way his eyes still lit up every time he watched E.T.
"Stop acting like you stumbled into this…" She gave him an earful. "You have earned a chance, now take it."
So, he did.
The next morning, he called Regal. "I am in."
Within the week, he was thrown headfirst into a whirlwind.
…
With that, Chris dove straight in.
Just like Regal had warned him, the plunge was immediate.
The moment he officially came onboard, Chris Columbus was pulled into introductions with nearly every department head involved in the Harry Potter production.
It was overwhelming.
Not because anyone was hostile - on the contrary, the team was decently professional and welcoming - but because of the sheer scale of it all.
It truly felt like stepping into another world.
Alas it didn't stop there.
Within 24 hours, he found himself accompanying script sittings with Regal.
He got to sit beside the man, to watch him work first-hand? How fortunate can he be?
However, Chris wasn't sure he was prepared for the pace.
Chris, himself also believes himself as a decent enough writer, but the speed at Regal works is simply midblowing.
Still, he didn't try to dive too deep in it.
He just classified the dude as some beast or alien and tried his best wherever he was required.
And honestly? During that one intensive week of scripting with Regal, Chris felt he had grown more than in his six years of indie filmmaking and four years of film college combined.
In fact he really felt like he needed to work as an AD for Regal film.
At least for one film.
Because it wasn't just the speed.
It was the vision.
The way Regal connected things, rewrote entire sequences just because one prop in the background could be better utilized two scenes later.
The way he saw the movie three steps ahead at all times.
Sure, Chris had read all three Harry Potter books that Regal had based his adaptations on.
But what he saw unfolding in Regal's plans?
What the sequels were building toward?
He simply enjoyed the whole process of back and forth discussions with him.
That was something else entirely.
It was... unreal.
And the craziest part? Regal had done all this alone… all this time.
Just him, some coffee, and that monster of a mind.
Still, to Chris's surprise, Regal gave him plenty of freedom to ask questions, debate points, and even suggested that Chris make minor adjustments to fit his own directing style - as long as it didn't disrupt the established flow.
Chris appreciated that. He had never worked under someone so clear and trusting at the same time.
Once the scripting phase wrapped, the next monumental task awaited: the storyboard.
That was going to set the tone for the entire movie, and Regal made it clear this part was all Chris.
He wasn't going to be involved.
Chris didn't take it personally. It wasn't like Regal was slacking, far from it.
Apparently, before diving into any major film, Regal had a habit of ticking off all his parallel ventures - businesses, meetings, studio pitches, and whatever other tasks.
Chris had caught wind of one of those main hustles: a superhero movie.
Something to do with a character from MDC Comics.
He had even heard a couple of sample scenes Regal had shared in passing.
And honestly? It blew his mind.
There was something unique, even haunting, about the tone and themes Regal was exploring with that project.
The protagonist wasn't the typical muscular hero - it was grounded, character-driven, with a heavy emotional arc.
Chris couldn't help but get excited.
Whatever Regal was planning with that superhero movie… he just knew it was going to hit hard.
But for now - his job was to finish this.
Chamber of Secrets was about to enter pre-production in a matter of weeks, and he had a storyboard meeting in the morning with the cinematography department and their lead visual artist.
A whole new chapter was beginning, and Chris, honestly?
He was loving every bit of it.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
Author: 200th Chapter. Feeling pretty proud, and gratified for all the supports you guys provide. Yeah, I know have been a tab bit inconsistent with the updates due to several personal matter. But I think I am back now (Hopefully).
But again, thanks for the support. Peace OUT!
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