While Final Destination was in intense production, the North American Film and Television Saturn Awards, founded in 1972, announced this year's nominations.
The Shallows was fortunate enough to receive a nomination for Best Horror Film, and Gwyneth Paltrow also earned a nomination for Best Young Actor.
Unlike the Oscars, the Saturn Awards are specifically for science fiction, fantasy, and horror films.
Getting two nominations was quite a surprise, especially since Universal Pictures barely did any public relations.
Furthermore, judging from the nomination list, films like Terminator 2, Edward Scissorhands, and The Silence of the Lambs were all strong contenders.
Gilbert was simply delighted to be nominated.
The awards ceremony is in May, and Gilbert confirmed he would attend the Saturn Awards to coincide with Final Destination's promotion.
To discuss the Saturn Awards, Gwyneth Paltrow, whom Gilbert hadn't seen in a while, visited the Final Destination set.
"So, this is your new partner?" Gwyneth Paltrow eyed Cameron Diaz, who was beside Gilbert, with a hint of disdain.
"Hey, hey, hey, what kind of look is that? Michelle is much prettier than you," Gilbert naturally defended his current companion against his former one.
Gwyneth Paltrow was even more dismissive: "Johnny's is much bigger than yours too."
"Johnny? Wasn't it George last time?" Gilbert expressed confusion.
Gwyneth Paltrow casually replied, "George was no good, just for show."
Gilbert was speechless. Gwyneth Paltrow's playful antics were even wilder than his; she was the true wild card.
Because they were so familiar with each other, these jokes were perfectly acceptable.
Cameron Diaz, feigning innocence, was secretly on high alert, determined to prevent any rekindling between Gwyneth Paltrow and Gilbert, effectively blocking her out.
As for having Gilbert all to herself, Cameron Diaz had never considered it. She just wanted him to have fewer women.
She simply wanted to give and receive, and Gilbert was the best option.
"By the way, who are you attending the awards ceremony with?" Gwyneth Paltrow asked.
Gilbert distinctly felt his arm tighten, a clear sign of Cameron Diaz's tension, as her grip on his arm unconsciously tightened.
It had already been decided, so there was nothing to hide.
"I'm taking Michelle. What about you?"
Gwyneth Paltrow looked at Cameron Diaz again, curious about what special qualities this beauty possessed to earn Gilbert's attention.
However, since they were no longer involved, she had no say in the matter. So she nodded and said, "Perfect, then I'll bring Johnny."
After both had confirmed their companions, Gwyneth Paltrow lost interest in lingering and left.
With the day's filming concluded, Cameron Diaz, as usual, didn't stay in her own room but slept in Gilbert's.
After some yoga exercises, Cameron Diaz and Gilbert practiced a few new moves.
Even after Cameron Diaz was utterly exhausted, Gilbert remained energetic.
Cameron Diaz couldn't help but curse him silently, calling him a pervert. Gilbert's stamina was incredible. She also wondered who this man Gwyneth Paltrow mentioned, who was even more powerful than Gilbert, could be.
"You're already so strong, who could be even more powerful than you?" Cameron Diaz asked curiously.
Gilbert rested one arm behind his head and cradled Cameron Diaz's head with the other, inhaling the scent of her golden hair.
Hearing Cameron Diaz's question, he knew she was curious about Gwyneth Paltrow's words from earlier.
"There might be, but definitely not that 'Johnny' person. Gwen is regretting it and wants me, this old bull, to come back and graze on her pasture," Gilbert explained.
Hearing such a vivid and amusing analogy, Cameron Diaz couldn't help but chuckle, finding Gilbert very humorous and witty.
Final Destination, which began filming in February, was expected to wrap up by mid-April and was now in its final days of shooting.
Cameron Diaz was curious about Gilbert's plans after this film, so she asked, "After Final Destination, do you plan to continue making horror films?"
"I don't know, it depends on how this film does!" Gilbert, contemplating his ideal plans, told Cameron Diaz, "If everything goes smoothly, I should produce a blockbuster action film."
Action films were very popular in Hollywood at the time, giving rise to many action stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.
Gilbert, of course, also wanted to make one and join the feast of 1990s action films.
This would be pure commercial filmmaking, and Cameron Diaz was very interested.
"Then, do you think I'd have a chance to star in it?" Cameron Diaz asked expectantly.
"You?" Gilbert thought for a moment. "You're still too young and not quite suitable for the female lead. If you're willing to play a supporting role, it could be considered."
Even a supporting role was an opportunity. Cameron Diaz barely thought twice before agreeing: "Gilbert, you know I'll never refuse you if you have a request."
Gilbert smiled, but didn't respond.
Cameron Diaz held this view now because she had no qualifications and only got the female lead role through connections.
But if Final Destination became a hit, whether she would remember today's promise was uncertain.
Even if Cameron Diaz wanted to uphold today's agreement, her agent behind her wouldn't allow it.
It's difficult to go back to eating coarse food after enjoying delicacies.
However, who knows what the future holds? If Final Destination bombs, then there will be no need to think about the next film.
After more than two months of hard work, Final Destination finally wrapped up filming in a small town near Santa Monica.
Gilbert, who didn't place much importance on wrap parties, simply held a small party with the crew before disbanding it and rushing to Touchstone Pictures' post-production editing suite.
Final Destination is a horror story based on the idea that when Death wants you, no one can stop it.
Even eight years later, in the millennium, its creative concept would be considered unique, let alone in the current era.
There was actually another horror film with a somewhat similar premise to Final Destination, called Scream.
Director James Wong was inspired by that film to adapt the Final Destination script in the way he did.
But, unfortunately, Scream, that classic teen horror film, was released in 1996.
Therefore, Final Destination's premise is absolutely unique in Hollywood and very eye-catching.
However, Hollywood studios receive many creatively unique scripts each year, but very few are actually put into production.
Hollywood never lacks creativity; what it lacks are talents who can turn ideas into reality, and a willingness to take risks.
Often, only after someone successfully tries something will other film companies follow suit, with numerous similar films exhausting the genre's potential.
It's understandable; the film industry itself is a gamble. Until a film is released, it exists in a quantum state of success and failure.
With investments often reaching tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars, film companies can't afford to be careless.
So, the dream many have of impressing a film company with a creatively excellent script is largely a fantasy; the probability of success is infinitely close to zero.
Even Gilbert only got his directing opportunity through his connection with Spielberg.
Even with that, Universal Pictures was still cautious and wary, fearing that Gilbert would mess up the project.
It was only because of The Shallows' success that Gilbert had some capital to direct his second film.
Even now, rumors persist that Gilbert is Spielberg's illegitimate son!
This goes to show how rare opportunities are in Hollywood. If you can't seize them, then it's time to jump off a building.