After the New Year, 1992 rolled in. The Shallows had completed its North American theatrical run, raking in a total of $41.279 million.
This put it behind MGM's Thelma & Louise, landing it at 29th place on the 1991 North American box office chart.
Similarly, The Shallows gradually concluded its overseas theatrical run.
The film earned $64.5 million internationally, bringing its global total to $105 million when combined with its North American gross.
Gilbert's debut film breaking the $100 million mark worldwide stunned the industry and led to his name being frequently mentioned again after more than a month.
While the media didn't focus much on him, instead giving more attention to Gwyneth Paltrow, many film companies began re-evaluating Gilbert's potential.
In short, if not exactly a hot commodity, Gilbert was certainly no longer ignored.
Universal Pictures, in particular, was the envy of other film companies. The Shallows had an investment of only $3.5 million, and with marketing and distribution costs, the total didn't exceed $8 million.
Turning an $8 million investment into $105 million worldwide seemed like a huge win for Universal Pictures.
Little did they know, Universal Pictures had its own regrets, as the director who created this miracle wouldn't be collaborating with them on his next film.
Meanwhile, Robert Iger of Touchstone Pictures was ecstatic, boasting to everyone about his brilliant achievement of snatching Gilbert away from Universal Pictures.
Currently, Touchstone Pictures' most important task was to urge Gilbert to start production on Final Destination as soon as possible.
Production Underway
After the New Year, Gilbert returned to Los Angeles to officially begin preparations for Final Destination.
Touchstone Pictures adopted a third-party system, which is a common practice in Hollywood: establishing a film-related studio with separate accounting.
Many popular films have studios that can exist for several, even more than ten, years.
At the project planning meeting, Gilbert discussed with Touchstone Pictures producer Kane Waxman.
"Regarding the cast, I believe a small-scale audition will suffice.
For Alex, I suggest Matt Damon, and for Claire, I recommend Cameron Diaz," Gilbert proposed.
Kane Waxman generally agreed: "Okay, Gilbert, as long as they meet the requirements in their auditions."
With the producer's agreement, the matter was largely settled. Soon, Touchstone Pictures' audition invitations were sent to Matt Damon's and Cameron Diaz's agents.
Matt Damon had signed with Sheena Boone a while ago, though his good friend Ben Affleck signed with CAA.
Initially, Ben Affleck was puzzled by Matt Damon's decision to sign with Sheena Boone, as CAA seemed much more powerful.
But Matt Damon just smiled and explained, "I trust Sheena, and Director Gilbert."
"Just a director roughly our age. He might be a flash in the pan; why do you trust him?" Ben Affleck still didn't understand.
Matt Damon pointed to his head and said, "It's a gut feeling, Ben. I think Director Gilbert is destined for great things."
Whether he was destined for great things or not remained to be seen, but Gilbert had given him the Final Destination script early on.
This was the latest work by a director whose first film had grossed over $100 million, and it was for the lead role. It was certainly better than being an extra at CAA.
It was called an audition, but it was essentially pre-arranged. As long as their performance wasn't bad, other candidates wouldn't really be considered.
As a result, Matt Damon and Cameron Diaz both passed their auditions and became cast members for Final Destination.
Cameron Diaz, with an excited heart and trembling hands, signed her acting contract.
Though the salary was only $100,000, given mainly out of consideration for Gilbert, it was for the lead female role.
If she could follow the path of Gwyneth Paltrow, who starred in Gilbert's first film, Cameron Diaz believed she could become the next American sweetheart.
Matt Damon was equally thrilled. His salary was slightly higher at $150,000.
After signing his acting contract, Matt Damon hugged Gilbert: "Thank you, Gilbert."
"Don't be so modest, Matt. If you hadn't performed so well in the audition, I wouldn't have been able to convince Touchstone Pictures to cast you as the lead," Gilbert replied.
Matt Damon promised: "Don't worry, I'll do great."
"Good, want to grab a drink later?"
"Can't," Matt Damon pointed towards the door. "There's a beautiful lady waiting for you outside!"
Gilbert looked outside and saw Cameron Diaz. He then told Matt Damon, "Alright, we'll go for a drink another time then!"
"No problem, waiting for your call anytime..." Matt Damon made a phone gesture.
Gilbert walked out, and Cameron Diaz naturally took his arm, and they walked away together.
"Thank you, Gilbert, for this opportunity," Cameron Diaz expressed her gratitude as they walked.
"You're welcome, Michelle. I always look out for my own," Gilbert said.
Cameron Diaz smiled charmingly: "Someone like you must be very popular with women."
Gilbert gently patted Cameron Diaz's arm, encouraging her: "The most important thing right now is to make this film great. You need to put in the effort."
"Mmm-hmm," Cameron Diaz nodded determinedly: "I will work hard."
Personal Moments and Cultural Mix
On the drive back to Cameron Diaz's apartment, Cameron Diaz began practicing her "banana-eating" technique directly in the car.
Upon arriving at Cameron Diaz's apartment, since Gilbert had opened a "back door" for her professionally, Cameron Diaz reciprocated by allowing Gilbert to enter her "back door" as well.
Young men and women are always tirelessly enthusiastic about such matters. Westerners, with their more open views, clearly engage in more diverse activities than those in that Eastern country.
Of course, when it comes to variety, no one can surpass the perverts from that little island nation in the Pacific.
Cameron Diaz, who had seemingly "studied abroad" in the land of the rising sun, was clearly well-versed in these arts, making Gilbert wonder if she had worked as an "actress" in the Japanese adult entertainment industry.
Of course, Cameron Diaz didn't mention it, and Gilbert didn't press the matter.
A Taste of Home
The film's preparation went smoothly. Amidst his busy schedule, Gilbert also celebrated the 1992 New Year, which was the year he was born in his previous life.
He wondered if another version of himself would be born now, follow his trajectory, and then transmigrate.
However, Gilbert rarely pondered such perplexing thoughts; overthinking was useless and could easily lead him into a strange loop.
But he did celebrate New Year. At Cameron Diaz's apartment, Gilbert and she made a batch of dumplings together.
In his previous life, Gilbert was from Northeast , and their New Year traditions included making pork stew, wrapping dumplings, and chatting on a heated kang bed.
While pork stew wasn't feasible, dumplings certainly were.
Eating this delicacy from across the Pacific, Cameron Diaz commented: "The taste is so strange, and eating it with this apple cider vinegar makes it even stranger.
But once you get used to it, it's actually pretty good."
Gilbert smiled and explained: "This is a dish from across the Pacific, called jiaozi."
"It usually tastes better with local vinegar. Apple cider vinegar really isn't suitable for this."
He said "jiaozi" in , and Cameron Diaz repeated it, though her pronunciation was a bit clumsy.
"Don't they sell them in Chinatown? Why did you make them yourself?" Cameron Diaz asked, puzzled.
Gilbert recalled fondly: "An old friend taught me this. Cooking, like filmmaking, is a source of joy for me.
If I weren't making movies, I might have become a chef."
"Then making movies is better," Cameron Diaz said, holding Gilbert's hand. "As for good food, I can be your customer anytime."
Cameron Diaz thought it would be nice to develop a relationship with Gilbert, perhaps as boyfriend and girlfriend, each getting what they needed.
However, at the moment, Gilbert didn't seem to have any further intentions beyond the physical and professional aspects of their relationship.
After the New Year and Valentine's Day, the Final Destination crew was fully prepared, and filming officially began at Disney's own production studio.