….
Despite Regal's quick movement to meet RDJ, naturally, he didn't have concrete proof to show him, as his immediate focus was [Spider-Man], not [Iron Man].
At best he would use him for a few seconds in the post credit scene.
But still, Regal took the time to explain the long-term vision he had in mind for him.
The role, Iron-Man, though currently confidential, was nothing short of game-changing, a character that would someday lead an entire franchise.
Yet, as he spoke, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind, he could already picture Stan Lee's raised brow, and worse, Tolliver and Carrow's inevitable outrage.
Those two, so deeply entrenched in their obsession with optics, corporate morality, and financial risk management, would undoubtedly go ballistic over the idea of casting a man with RDJ's history - a former addict.
Still, Regal dismissed the thought with a shrug;
He would deal with that storm when it came.
As for RDJ, it was clear that a part of him had hoped for something more immediate, something tangible, a role he could walk into tomorrow.
Instead, Regal offered him a small cameo in the near future, with the promise of a full-fledged, career-defining film to follow.
It wasn't what RDJ had expected, and he didn't try to hide the trace of disappointment in his eyes.
And yet, beneath that surface was something else too: cautious intrigue.
Because to him, this young director, in his mid twenties, was speaking with a confidence and ambition so vast, it almost felt surreal.
Were it not for the sheer clarity of the vision Regal laid out, RDJ might have thought the whole thing was a scam, too grandiose to be real.
But still, there was a glimmer of hope at the end of that tunnel, and for a man who had walked through as much darkness as RDJ had, that was enough - for now.
….
Soon, the two of them stood, locking eyes, and shared a handshake that wasn't meant to intimidate, but to transmit something far more important: a mutual anticipation of what was to come.
With that, RDJ turned and walked out.
Back inside, Regal lowered himself slowly into the chair RDJ had just vacated.
For a second he Regal thought to rope him into something sooner than planned…
Like if it isn't his film something else.
At least that way, Regal wouldn't have to worry about his mental state for a while.
But none of that would matter without a solid script.
He stared at the empty coffee mug on the table.
"Tomorrow." He whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "We start."
….
Outside the building, RDJ stepped into the evening air where Rock, Regal's nearly-silent, bodyguard-like associate, was already waiting at the curb, holding open the back door of a taxi.
To RDJ he had been the one to let him in earlier, and now here he was, wordless, waiting to escort him out.
"Hope you are not charging me for valet." RDJ chuckled, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in a half-joke that deserved at least a smirk.
Rock blinked once, no reaction.
"Right…" RDJ muttered to himself, slipping into the backseat.
As the taxi pulled away, he leaned back as his thoughts ran back to the meeting - specifically, the sheer amount of confidential details Regal had casually laid out.
It felt strange, how open the kid had been.
Regal had practically handed him the blueprint of his entire cinematic vision, no legal paperwork, or a non-disclosure agreement, with just a 'keep this between us'
It should have made RDJ feel important, instead, it made him suspicious.
"…they can't be that big of secrets." He mumbled, shrugging to himself.
But somewhere deep down, a slow chill crawled up his spine.
….
[Next Day]
….
It was early morning… like any place half the world and Regal's house too.
He sat in his chair, finally creating a new doc file…
Then the smell of fresh toast drifted in from the hallway.
"So, dear Jr., what are you getting yourself into this time?" Gwendolyn's voice chimed from the doorway with knowing mischief.
Regal didn't look up. "New project, obviously."
She stepped inside, arms crossed, her expression sly.
"Oh? Already working on the next [Harry Potter] movie?" Her smile was gentle but undeniably fake, she knew it wasn't that - and he knew she knew.
"No, this one's… different."
He paused, then turned in his chair to face her fully.
"I am thinking of letting someone else direct the next [Harry Potter], I will still write it, of course. That part's non-negotiable."
Gwendolyn's brows lifted only slightly, like she had been waiting for that. "Ha… I knew it, I was just waiting for you to say it out loud."
Regal studied her for a second, he half-expected a joke, something along the lines of 'You abandoning our child already?' But it didn't come.
Instead, she just walked over to the edge of his desk, resting her palm lightly on the surface.
"So…" She said casually. "Got anyone capable in mind?"
He shook his head again, more slowly this time. "No, I am looking… but there is no need to rush yet, I want the right one."
Gwendolyn nodded, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, then gently picked up a stack of notes from his desk, skimming them without reading.
"Well." She said as she set them back down. "Do a good job finding one then, it's our baby after all, you don't hand that to just anybody."
She added. "Anyway… what's this new one called?"
"Spider-Man: The Web of Destiny." Regal said, almost too casually.
…
"…So, it's really gonna be a film on an MDC comic character, huh?" Gwendolyn murmured, her voice noticeably dimmer as she crossed her arms.
Regal glanced sideways at her in accusation. "What's that tone? You're already backing out on me?"
But he already knew.
He could see it in the way her shoulders dropped slightly.
She wasn't second-guessing the project.
It is just… the emotions behind it.
She was the one who fought to acquire the MDC rights, she negotiated, pushed, outmaneuvered suits in boardrooms to make sure they landed in her hands.
But now that it is finally happening.. The reality of adapting one of their characters - ones that had been part of her childhood, her grandfather's legacy, her father's dream, her past - was hitting her hard.
There was a guilt in her chest she hadn't voiced.
Like maybe - she had pulled Regal into something he hadn't signed up for.
Of course, she knew it was just her mind running laps, Regal didn't know about her connection to MDC… In the past that is.
Still… It was a hell of a coincidence.
Or is it destiny of her?
She blinked herself out of it, inhaled deeply, and stepped closer to him, pushing the doubts away.
"Lemme guess… the script's already fully written in there, isn't it?"
If it had been anyone else, the question might have sounded sarcastic or rhetorical. But this was Regal she was talking to.
"I have, actually." He replied.
Then, after a pause. "In fact… three versions."
Gwendolyn blinked once, which surprised her just a little.
"…Of course you do." She muttered, rolling her eyes - but smiling.
She leaned her hip against the desk, arms crossing, the smile still playing on her lips.
"You are going to have your work cut out for this one, my boyfriend."
Regal gave a short exhale, almost a smirk.
She wasn't shocked by the 'three scripts' part, maybe mildly exasperated.
Maybe a little impressed, but mostly, she was used to it.
Because with Regal… this was normal.
She glanced at the whiteboard behind him, it was empty for now.. Except for the name, she is sure it is going to be filled with hurriedly written words in sticky notes that only the one who wrote can understand.
"Destiny, huh?" Gwendolyn muttered. "Just don't kill yourself making it."
She said it like a joke, but there was something in her voice that made him glance back at her.
She was already walking out. "Coffee's getting cold."
Regal eyes were already back on the screen.
Yeah… he did actually buy all three debut versions of [Spider-Man] from his system.
So naturally, the first thing on the agenda was to write them all down, beginning to end.
Three full screenplays.
It was almost ridiculous how fast he had gotten at this.
After all the endless hours of writing, scripting, note-taking, and revising… somewhere along the line, he had unlocked a typing-related skill in his system.
And with just a few 'minor' upgrades, he could now type stupidly fast, like 'your-eyes-can't-keep-up' fast.
If he really pushed it, he could probably become the fastest typist in the world.
But that wasn't the goal.
He opened three new document files, named them each, Web of Destiny - V1, V2, and V3, and started typing.
The words spilled out in bursts, like he was channeling them directly from his mind into the keys.
Dialogue, pacing, story structure, it was all already mapped out in his head.
Now it was just a matter of letting his fingers catch up.
Which they did.
Fast.
In less than six hours, all three versions were done, spit-polished and neatly saved.
"Done… and dusted."
He leaned back and cracked his knuckles with a little grin.
"What the fuck- dude, what are you even doing?! Your fingers were just a blur!"
It was Simon, practically shouting from behind.
Dareen followed up, eyes wide. "No seriously, back in college, you couldn't even type your own name without typos."
Regal turned, slowly swiveling his chair toward them with narrowed eyes.
"First of all, you idiots, who the hell gave you permission to break into my room?"
.
….
[To be continued…]
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