Starlight Management, West Hollywood.Private Screening Room.
A woman with striking, feline eyes and endless, tanned legs sat cross-legged in the front row, her gaze fixed on the massive theater screen playing Jujutsu Kaisen.
This was Maya West, the CEO of Starlight Management and one of the most powerful women in the industry. Seated around her were several of the agency's biggest stars: Della Rose, Julian Cross, and a handful of rising starlets.
Maya casually popped a can of sparkling water, taking a sip. "So, what's the consensus on this series?"
When silence met her question, she smirked. "Relax, guys. This isn't a board meeting. You're usually chirping like birds; why the funeral silence?"
In reality, Della Rose (the industry's reigning "It-Girl") had been bored and scrolling through new releases when she spotted Leo Vance's name. Out of pure curiosity and a bit of a morbid desire to see a train wreck, she had dragged Maya into watching it. Since it was the weekend, Maya had indulged her.
Technically, Leo Vance was signed to Starlight Management. However, the contract was essentially a decorative piece of paper. Maya had only signed him as a massive personal favor to his sister, Lauren Vance. She'd met the "Hellraiser" exactly once and promptly wiped him from her memory.
She had expected a disaster. Instead, she had watched the Gojo vs. Sukuna fight and found herself unable to look away.
Della Rose was even more gone. She had spent the last forty minutes screaming every time Gojo appeared on screen.
"I'm telling you, Maya, Gojo Satoru is the hottest thing to happen to television in a decade!" Della exclaimed, her eyes practically turning into hearts.
She had already blasted the agency's internal group chat, inviting everyone to come watch. Now, half the roster was crammed into the room.
Della cleared her throat, trying to sound professional. "Okay, look. The pacing is lightning-fast, the supernatural concept is fresh, the action is top-tier, and most importantly... Leo looks like a literal god in that blindfold."
Maya rolled her eyes. "So, basically, you're just thirsty."
"I prefer the term 'deeply appreciative'!" Della giggled. "I just need to know what he looks like without the mask. If he's even half as handsome underneath, I'm calling my agent to get me a guest spot in Season 2."
Julian Cross, a leading man himself, spoke up. "Maya, have we actually met this guy? If he's on our roster, why haven't we seen him at any of the parties? I know his reputation is... complicated, but still."
"I almost forgot he was ours," Maya admitted, feeling a bit of a headache forming. "People used to cross the street to avoid him. Now, suddenly, he's a heartthrob?"
She had to admit, she was curious. She wanted to see if the "Hollywood Hellraiser" she met two years ago was really the same man on that screen.
"Never mind that, Maya! Next episode! Fast!" Della urged. "My Global Stream subscription actually expired today, I just renewed it for five years. Let's go!"
As Episode 2 began, the world of Jujutsu Kaisen expanded.
Gojo Satoru (Leo Vance) informed Itadori and Megumi that they were going to pick up the third and final first-year student.
When Bella Brooks (Nobara Kugisaki) appeared on screen with her short, stylish ginger bob and sharp eyes, the audience was instantly captivated. She didn't look like a typical "damsel"; she looked like a total boss.
Her introduction, cornering a scout in the middle of Times Square and demanding to know why he hadn't offered her a modeling contract had the viewers howling.
[Haha! Nobara is a total social terrorist. I love her!]
[She's so unapologetically herself. Finally, a female lead with some teeth!]
[I love this trio. The dynamic is perfect.]
The plot then moved to a high-stakes mission at a haunted detention center. The trio encountered a "Special Grade" Curse Spirit. Seeing Yuji Itadori get brutally overpowered by the monster made the audience's hearts sink.
But then, Sukuna returned.
With one hand in his pocket, Lucas Miller's Sukuna flicked off the ground, appearing instantly beside the monster. He gripped the Special Grade's head with a single hand, his voice a low, terrifying rumble:
"You're going to die here."
What followed was a one-sided massacre. Sukuna tore the monster apart with a casual, terrifying elegance. Then came the Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine. The visual of the massive, bone-chilling shrine amidst a sea of skulls sent shivers down the viewers' spines.
Even though Sukuna was a villain, the audience couldn't help but cheer. He was just too powerful.
"Oh my god! Lucas Miller is killing it!" Della Rose cheered as the Special Grade was shredded. She had worked with Lucas on a historical drama years ago when he was just a kid, and she was stunned by his growth. "His acting is on another level! Did Julian Thorne teach him that?"
"Sukuna is a beast!" the other actors in the room shouted.
"He's too strong," Maya mused, her producer-brain working. "If he gets all twenty fingers, who could possibly stop him? What happens if Itadori can't take the wheel back?"
"Maya, don't be a buzzkill," Della laughed. "Gojo is right there. He's the Strongest, remember? He said he'd win."
On screen, Sukuna pulled the finger from the Curse's chest, looking bored. "Done."
He waited. Two seconds. Three. Itadori didn't switch back.
Sukuna's lips curled into a jagged, evil smile. "So annoying... but if you're not coming back... then I guess I'll have some fun."
The episode cut to black.
[Wait, what?!][Is Itadori trapped?][I need Episode 3 right now!]
Leo's Penthouse, West Hollywood.
Leo and Riley were curled up on the sofa, watching the premiere.
"Leo! Come on, give me a spoiler!" Riley said, shaking his arm with a terrible, exaggerated pout. "Gojo beats him, right? Tell me he's okay!"
"Riley, stop. You're scaring me. Talk like a normal person," Leo said, mock-shuddering. He reached out and playfully covered her mouth.
"If I talk normally, will you tell me?" Riley asked, her eyes hopeful.
Leo nodded. "No."
"Ugh! You're the worst!"
Ding-dong!
Leo's phone buzzed with a message from his sister, Lauren.
[Lauren: By the way, the $120 million licensing fee for the Global Stream deal just cleared the holding account. It'll be in your production account by morning. Your first backend profit-share check will be issued in two weeks. Nice work, 'Director'.]
[Leo: Copy that. Thanks, Sis.]
Leo leaned back, a small smile playing on his lips. The money was nice, but the real fun was just beginning.