New Zealand was hot, but not as scorching as Arizona when he used to jog in 32-degree heat, the kind of heat that clung to you. The humidity would seep into everything, and the sand etched lines around his exposed ankles so deeply it looked as though he was getting a black clay tan.
Once in a black car, the air conditioning filled his melted spirit.
–We'll be taking you to the production studio, sir –said the driver, glancing at him through the rearview mirror. Two hours from the studio, he was joined by Scarlett. Michael Ocklars was off on another trip, and Billy's newfound adulthood now shaped the way he carried himself. It was his strength. Though his role demanded a balance between strength and vulnerability, he understood that nobility eighty years ago wasn't what it is today. It required toughness. But for Billy, the role always became layered—respect for the ship's captain, yes, but strength for the responsibilities that came with striving forward, to be the captain himself in an innocent yet ambitious way, skipping the prescribed method. Billy allowed his emotions to rise, wearing a mask of solitude as they entered traffic, his introspective nature so intense he seemed to forget his lines.
He always carried this intensity with him, cloaked in a kind of untouched joy that remained even through the chaos. But when things darkened, and his spirit dimmed, Scarlett wanted to look away and forget the sighs that lulled him into drowsiness.
When the moments closed in on him, Billy switched into his zone—his eyes dim, his posture screaming rebellion and a quiet refusal to break.
–So, everything's fine? –Scarlett asked, leaning in, trying to preserve the bubble of privacy people usually sought to keep before stepping into scenes that were now just moments away.
–It's a bit unsettling that in just a few minutes I'll be stepping into my role. I've been working for days trying to find my character's emotional pause –Billy said.
–You've got it, just relax. It has to come naturally to you, or it won't work. Besides, with that hair—long but not too long—and your profile, I have no doubt you'll turn heads. Your problem is that you're too handsome, like a young DiCaprio. All you're missing is your ship. But those kinds of chances? One in a million –Scarlett said with a shy smile.
–It's not as simple as it sounds, but I think you might see me land a big success in the coming months—no… maybe years. Saying months is too bold –Billy replied, realizing the girl was no more than a few inches from him, nearly face to face, possibly stirring something in him, still touched by melancholy.
Fortunately, he knew a thing or two about cinema—enough to recognize the critically acclaimed films. Most were artistic films. He despised superhero movies with all his heart, but couldn't deny their appeal to newer generations. And when it came to series, productions were even more enamored with them than with films, thanks to their variety of ideas.
–You're optimistic, but I don't think blockbusters like the ones from this era will happen again. My mom and some of her friends talk about how tough things have become in the industry. Fewer people are going to theaters. Plus, there's the cost-opportunity problem with piracy, and of course, the demographic shifts in the audience –Scarlett said.
–I want to be an artist. And you want to be one too, just like me –said the boy. –We could join forces in our crusade to make art and good commercial films—all together, without losing the beauty of strong performances. What do you say? You and me, creating the kind of art we dream about. Music and cinema. And I can write poetry. I'm good at stringing verses together –Billy said.
The girl shifted, captivated, biting her lip, fully aware they might be sharing a truth—one that could only be fought with two tiny forces: the desire to follow his heart, and the temptation to give in like people used to long ago.
–And then what? –Scarlett asked, almost confessing something deeper.
–Then we live our lives to the last second –Billy answered, as if it were the most obvious thing anyone could say. His career strategy had to fall somewhere between large-scale projects and those focused on refining his craft, without compromising on the minimums he was willing to do to land roles, refusing to beg or resort to casting couch deals. His contract with Warner gave him a wide margin to grow as an actor and as a creator of his ideas.
–You do everything my parents refuse to admit I should do. Like a huge gap between duty and desire. But it all makes so much sense—just giving in to those spaces without sticking to the plan –she whispered.
–That's nonsense. Plans are just lines, rules. But if you push them far enough, success always seems to fall into place. You improvise around the plans that bring you closer to what you hoped for –Billy replied.
She leaned her head, trying to contain the swirl of emotions inside her.
***
–Well, we've got a film scheduled, and our dear star has arrived –Peter Jackson said.
Looking over the timelines and Weta Digital's evolving visual transformations already entering post-production, the race against the clock was nearly done, with most elements falling into place.
–Well, the word came from above, and it's a minor role. The kid helps with promotion. We just need to shoot a few of his scenes and finish up the rest, we're already lining up –Frank Wash added.
–We're a little naïve when it comes to these things, and besides, it's not our money –Peter said, resigned to accepting his roles with grace, though trying not to show the frustration he felt at being unable to say no. He hoped the kid would be at least decent enough to handle.
–Well, we built the script from scratch, and the kid's role adds a bit more depth. Jimmy's the kind of boy who dreams of everything and more, and ends up chasing something he might never catch, Peter said.
–We'll test his performance first –Frank replied.
–He's decent. Plus, he's got the best of the best helping him pull off those pieces that are often crucial for a strong role –Peter said, fully aware of how actors could surprise people. Effort always pays off, and a good-looking face has a visual impact, a presence that audiences remember—something they welcome and embrace.
–Then let's just wait for Andy to arrive, and we'll have our quorum for the remaining sequences –said Carolynne, the third executive producer and one of the most eager to get production rolling. With the CGI already complete and all the sets ready, the only thing left was using the models to achieve the perfection always pursued by directors of this caliber.
–Director, I believe we shouldn't overstate the contribution of a supporting actor. They don't make a major dent in our overall objective, Frank said, trying not to sour the mood.
–Well, with so much talent and such a great cast, this team is undoubtedly one of the best. Each person, no matter how small their role, is a key player open to interpretation.
He was dreaming of a remake he believed could become his next big commercial hit—something that couldn't be taken lightly. King Kong was, without question, a grand and epic film, with all the traits of a story meant to be fondly remembered. With the strong backing of a major production company, climbing the ranks of the film industry was within reach, even when everything felt distant and uncertain. Because risk always weighed heavily on his shoulders.
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