….
The scripting of MDC's first cinematic entry - [Spider-Man: Density of Web] - was steadily taking form.
Regal had been holed up in his apartment for three weeks straight now, with almost close to no contact with the outside world, other than Gwendolyn or Simon checking up on him, or informing the progression of a few things he asked them to.
And finally, in line to his effort, the rough draft was nearly complete.
It wasn't complete - but it went smoother than he had expected.
He could feel it taking its true shape now.
Now comes the hard part: refinement.
Solidifying structure, smoothing transitions, framing the scenes, foolproofing every sequence till it stood unshakable.
Regal would read it forwards, backwards, aloud, uncountable number of times, until he feels damn sure everything is right.
Alas, before diving into it, he had to put that stuff onto hold for some time -
Because something else now demanded his attention.
Something he had been quietly anticipating for months.
January was drawing to a close.
And that meant one thing -
The third book in his [Harry Potter] series was due to hit shelves in mid-February.
[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban].
Thankfully, the manuscript had been completed long ago.
So, the books were already printed after thorough editing, proofreading sessions a dozen times over.
And now, it was out of his hands now, soon to be in the hands of thousands more.
What remained was the waiting.
And strangely enough, Regal was more excited than usual.
He wanted to hear the reactions and reviews regardless of the - good or bad.
He can't wait to witness the fandom spark again, especially after the cliffhanger of Chamber of Secrets.
Regal, as the author, knew very well that - Prisoner of Azkaban - is the turning point of the series.
It deepens the lore, matures the characters, and starts exploring morally gray areas, distinguishing it from the simpler innocence of the first two books.
Harry also enters into his third year at Hogwarts amid news that Sirius Black, a dangerous escaped prisoner from Azkaban, is supposedly hunting him.
The school is placed under the protection of soul-sucking Dementors.
As the year unfolds, Harry discovers that Sirius is not the villain he was made out to be - he was James Potter's best friend and is actually trying to protect Harry from the real traitor, Peter Pettigrew, who has been disguised for years as Ron's pet rat, Scabbers.
The story ends with Pettigrew escaping, Sirius going on the run, and Harry learning more about his parents and their past.
….
Also, from word of mouth to online forums, the momentum around the third book was not just hype anymore - it was becoming something bigger.
It felt natural, and groundbreaking.
And the anticipation? Through the roof.
The reason was clear.
[Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone] was still running strong in theaters.
Even months after release, the buzz hadn't died.
If anything, it had ignited a whole new wave of fans - young readers, older skeptics, and even those who had never touched a fantasy book before.
The film had done more than just complement the books.
It had amplified them, brought them new waves of people across the globe, and overall, according to calculation, the reach was multiplied tenfold.
Regal had watched the numbers skyrocket, book sales soared and online discussion boards exploded, even some schools started adding it to reading programs.
It was insane.
Actually, if things kept going the way they were…
There was a real chance Regal might pull off something impossible - replicate the success of the [Harry Potter] phenomenon from his past world, right here, in this alternate 2010s timeline.
Even with streaming platforms rising and the shortening attention spans and with the ever-growing distractions of modern tech.
Fifteen more days.
That's all that stood between him and the official launch of - [Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban].
Regal obviously wasn't nervous, he was looking forward to it.
But now came the part he wasn't looking forward to—
The interviews, press and promotional grind.
Dozens of networks, podcasts, book panels and public Q&As.
Yeah… that part?
If there is one thing, Regal existed, it was this part…
With films, he could dump all that onto his actors, they were the faces and the quotable personalities.
But when it comes to books?
There was no one else.
No fallback, other than Gwendolyn accompanying as the editor here and there.
It was just him.
Alone in the spotlight.
….
A Week Later.
....
Just a week to go before the official launch of the third book, [Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban], and while the publishing team was buzzing with preparations -
Regal found himself knee-deep in a completely different storm.
Another sticky situation with a major decision.
When Regal made the announcement - that he wouldn't be directing the second [Harry Potter] film, the reaction was instant and unanimous.
Red Studio, and especially his fans…
Everyone had a single question.
"So… who is going to direct it then?" Simon was the first to voice it aloud, setting off a chain reaction of confused glances and quiet panic.
"Alexander?" Daren suggested hopefully.
But that idea was shot down before it could take flight.
Alexander was already busy, neck-deep in the intense filming schedule of [Whiplash], and besides, Regal didn't think he was the right fit - not for this film.
It wasn't about capabilities to handle the budget or the scale of the film.
In Regal's mind, directing wasn't about technical skill or years of experience.
A solid team can make even a newbie who doesn't even know about lensing could possibly produce something magnanimous…
That is if they have an eye for imagination.
So, it was never about understanding technology or ability to deal with so many people, but it is about understanding the characters, and the strong mindset for decision making.
In fact he is sure even a newbie director who didn't even know how lenses can work crank out studio hits with the solid team assisting him each step.
And Regal wishes someone like that to take over the franchise.
They need instinct.
And more than that - it needed someone who could understand children, and not just direct them, but see them.
See what made them tick, what made them magical, and someone who could feel the soul of a scene before they even rolled the camera.
And after combing through dozens of names, Regal found someone who fit that exact, impossible mold -
"Hello, Director Serpahsail, I am Chris and it's a real pleasure to meet you."
The man standing in the doorway looked like he was fresh out of college, glasses, slightly disheveled shirt, late twenties - there was a certain nervous energy about him, but it was grounded in sincerity, and curiosity.
Regal stood, walked over, and shook his hand with a smile. "Thanks for coming out on such short notice, Chris."
"Of course, though I am still half-convinced this is some elaborate prank." Chris laughed sheepishly. "I mean, getting a call from you out of nowhere?"
Regal chuckled. "Nah, why would I prank someone who made a film like [Home Alone]?"
Chris blinked. "You… actually watched it?"
"Hum-um." Regal nodded. "I sure did, and gotta say I loved every bit of it, truly a good comedy film."
Chris scratched his head, caught off guard. "Coming from the guy who won four Globes with a comedy film… that means a lot."
"Come on." Regal waved it off. "...they are different pictures, it's easier to crack up adults with dark humor. What you did - making something that clicks with kids and parents alike? That is way harder, you beat me there."
Chris gave a soft laugh, trying to hide how stunned he was. "...I honestly don't know what to say, I am honored."
….
And just like that, the conversation kept flowing as Regal learned more about him.
He had done his homework beforehand, of course - before calling the dude personally.
What he discovered was interesting - and surprising.
Unlike in his past life, this Chris Columbus hadn't cracked into the Hollywood system yet.
Film school graduate, yes and even passionate and talented - absolutely.
But since graduating four years ago, Chris had struggled to get a foot in the door.
He had been making short films, assisting in student projects, script polishing gigs, but nothing big.
[Home Alone] was a self-produced indie short film that barely made the local circuit.
But fortunately Regal saw it.
And more than that - he saw him.
Someone who actually directed one of the best films in [Harry Potter] in his past world.
And luckily, he is just waiting to get a real chance to do it.
And right now, [Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets] needed a fresh pair of eyes - and who could be better than him?
Chris Columbus, in Regal's mind, might just be that person.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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