….
The shooting of [The Hangover] had been put on hold following the completion of its first schedule - though in truth, this was something everyone had anticipated.
It wasn't an unexpected disruption so much as a calculated pause, understood by the Regal from the beginning.
The main reason behind the break was Keanu Reeves - and the relentless pace of his schedule.
Following the breakout success of [Following], directed by Regal and released just the previous year, Keanu's momentum in Hollywood had become undeniable.
Yet even with the flood of offers that followed, he remained selective, signing onto only five new projects since then.
The first of these, [A Scanner Darkly], had already premiered earlier in the year.
Though not the primary lead, Keanu played a major supporting role, and the film, with its striking rotoscope animation and philosophical themes, became a modest commercial and critical success.
His thoughtful, understated performance added an emotional undercurrent to the ensemble.
The second project, a psychological thriller titled [The Last Horizon], hit theaters about a month and a half before [Death Note], around December. Unlike [A Scanner Darkly], [The Last Horizon] faltered at the box office, failing to meet expectations despite an aggressive promotional campaign.
However, critics singled out Keanu's performance for high praise, highlighting his haunting intensity and magnetic screen presence as one of the film's undeniable strengths.
At present, Keanu was simultaneously working on three major productions. One was [Driftwood Cross], a grounded action-drama set in a windswept coastal town, where he played the lead, a disillusioned former soldier drawn into a web of corruption and personal redemption.
[Driftwood Cross] was already deep into filming and edging toward completion. Early industry whispers suggested it could be a quiet, crowd-pleasing hit, with Keanu's gritty, emotionally charged performance drawing special attention.
The other project was [The Hangover], where Keanu took on a critical supporting role, bringing a sharp, unpredictable energy to Regal's unconventional ensemble comedy.
While the [Driftwood Cross] had been signed shortly after [The Last Horizon], [The Hangover] dropped into his schedule out of nowhere… just recently meaning.
Now, with [The Hangover] officially on hold for a week, Keanu was balancing three active projects. [Driftwood Cross] was nearing its final days of shooting, while [The Hangover] and a newly launched fantasy epic titled [Evershade] had just begun principal photography.
…the reason for the break now is to finish [Driftwood Cross] and get ready for the release and as a part of it... Right now Keanu is in a promotion.
The interviewer leaned forward with a grin, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes.
"We've already covered quite a bit about your film [Driftwood Cross]" The interviewer said, shifting in his seat. "So if you don't mind, Mr. Keanu… let's talk about your latest project. You're teaming up with Regal again. And, well—it might be a bit off-topic, but considering the noise his last film made, I have to ask… what's it like working with him?"
Keanu let out a quiet laugh, his eyes lighting up with amusement. "Well, first of all…"
"I don't know exactly what stories are out there… but I will say this - Regal? He scares me."
The interviewer blinked, half-laughing. "Wait, wait. Scares you?"
Keanu nodded, surprisingly serious. "For real. I am telling you - he scares me. And honestly? I don't think it's just me. Anyone who's worked closely with him for more than a day or two would probably say the same."
The interviewer tilted his head, intrigued. "Okay, but how exactly? Like... is he the kind of director who yells or snaps when something goes wrong? Is that the kind of fear you're talking about?"
Keanu waved his hand quickly. "No, no, not at all. That's the thing. Regal's probably one of the most laid-back directors I've ever worked with. Seriously. He's calm, collected - treats everyone with real respect. Never raises his voice, never makes a scene."
"Then what is it?" the interviewer pressed, smiling.
Keanu exhaled, taking a beat to gather his thoughts.
"Well..." He started, his voice dropping into a thoughtful tone. "You're not afraid he will explode on set. You're afraid because... you know deep down that if you don't deliver? If you're not pulling your weight? He could literally just walk over and do it himself."
The interviewer blinked again, letting out a laugh, half-joking, half-stunned. "Wait, literally?"
"Literally." Keanu said, nodding. "He's that kind of person. He learns fast. Observes like a hawk. He explains a scene by acting it out, and suddenly you realize - he's better at it than you at that moment. I have seen it personally. The change… in his skills, acting especially, from the [Following] to now during [The Hangover] shoot, I watched him improve in real time. Like, not just theory or blocking - actual acting. You start thinking: 'Okay, what if he doesn't need us at all?'"
He gave a small, crooked smile.
"I am not even sure at this point if he really wants actors. I think what he wants is a face - just someone to project his ideas through. If he thought he could play every character himself without boring the audience? He would probably do it. He would be in the movie."
"And that's Regal." He finished simply. "Regal Seraphsail."
The interviewer stared at him for a beat, scribbling furiously. "That's… kind of terrifying, yeah. So he's the kind of director that keeps everyone sharp, whether he means to or not."
Keanu shrugged a little, the ghost of a smile crossing his face.
"Yep. But here is the thing." he added, leaning forward slightly. "He doesn't do it to be cruel. He does it because he knows what he wants. And if you are not giving it? He will find someone who will. But if you are on point? He is the first to back you, push you further, make you better."
The interviewer nodded as he scribbled into his notebook. "Interesting. Now, speaking of Regal 'knowing what he wants' - there's been quite a bit of noise around the marketing campaign for [Death Note]. The anonymous letters, the broken website launches, the Times Square countdowns…"
He paused, leaning in. "Some people are calling it reckless. Others are calling it brilliant. What's your take?"
Keanu's smile widened, but his eyes sharpened. "Ah, the whole 'Kira is Watching' campaign." He said, tone light but measured. "That was all Regal, wasn't it?"
The interviewer nodded. "His concept, yeah. But a few critics have really gone after it - saying it's manipulative, that it toys too much with real-world panic. That it blurs the line between fiction and ethics. How does Regal react to that?"
Keanu folded his hands and looked at them for a moment. "You know, most directors I've worked with? They get defensive when people tear into their ideas. Regal doesn't. He just listens. Not passively, either - he absorbs everything. Then he'll say something like, 'Okay, so we went too far. But did it move you? Did it make you look twice? Did it make you care?' And suddenly the room's quiet."
The interviewer gave a lopsided smile. "Well, he's not wrong."
Keanu leaned back slightly. "That's the thing. Regal's not trying to please everyone. His goal isn't comfort. His goal is to make you feel. Whether that's discomfort, awe, tension… even outrage. Because in his mind? A strong reaction means he did something right."
The interviewer nodded, jotting down notes. "Fair point. But just one more thing. The Golden Globes speech. The weirdly timed talent show clip. Some people say he's just chasing headlines now. That he's more showman than storyteller. What would you say to that?"
Keanu laughed under his breath. "That Golden Globes speech? That was pure Regal. Didn't mention the film once, didn't thank anyone the way you're 'supposed to.' But everyone left that room with his movie in their head. That's his way. The talent show too - it wasn't about winning anything. It was just him planting a seed, letting curiosity grow."
The interviewer leaned in again. "So, you're defending him?"
Keanu's expression didn't change. "I am. Look, Regal isn't trying to be likable. He's trying to be honest - with himself, with the audience. And in this business? That kind of clarity is rare."
He paused, then added softly, "And honestly? If I didn't respect how relentless he is about that honesty… I wouldn't have come back to work with him again."
The interviewer jotted a final note. "Always thoughtful, Keanu. Appreciate your time."
Keanu stood, slipping on his jacket with a half-smile. "Anytime. Just… if you call him a publicity hound to his face? Be prepared. He will probably prove you right in ways you won't see coming."
As he walked off, the interviewer turned toward the camera with a shake of his head. "Well… there you have it. A man both intimidated by Regal Seraphsail - and completely in his corner."
.…
[Same Time]
[Location: Gwendolyn's Apartment – Night]
.…
Meanwhile, Regal was busy with something else entirely - catching up on his long-overdue fan event for the launch of his second [Harry Potter] book.
Since the book had been released just a week after his [Death Note] movie hit theaters, he hadn't had time to properly celebrate or meet the fans. Now, weeks later, he was finally making up for it.
The event was winding down.
Right now, Regal was seated at a table, calmly signing copies for the last wave of fans. A little distance away, Gwendolyn stood with her arms crossed, quietly observing the scene.
"Isn't his voice really sweet?" One of two girls who had just gotten their books signed whispered as they walked away, not realizing Gwendolyn could hear them.
"Yeah." the other girl giggled. "He is handsome too. Should I hit on him?"
Behind them, Gwendolyn's eye twitched. "…you little brats, don't even dream about it. He is mine." she muttered under her breath, already rolling up her sleeves and taking a step forward, ready to confront them.
Just then–
"Where are you heading off to, Gwen …I mean, Boss?"
It was Maggie, hurrying toward her, looking slightly out of breath.
?!!Gwendoyln froze mid-step, quickly smoothing down her sleeves and forcing a bright, innocent smile.
"Oh, nowhere special." She said sweetly. "Just... thought I would offer those girls a little friendly advice."
"...." Maggie gave her a deadpan look. Even without hearing the earlier conversation, she could guess what Gwendolyn had been planning.
"Yeah, you don't have time for that…." Maggie said quickly. "The chairman is here."
Gwendolyn blinked. "Chairman? Chairman of what?"
Maggie gave her a pointed look. "Your dad, of course."
"My dad?" Gwendolyn repeated, her voice flat. "What is he doing here?"
Still glancing back at the two retreating girls with reluctance, Gwendolyn finally followed Maggie to the far side of the hall.
There, sitting in a sleek, high-end wheelchair, was her father - looking as imperious as ever.
"Tsk, tsk... To think I had to come all the way down to your workplace." He said the moment he spotted her.
Gwendolyn crossed her arms. "First of all, this isn't my workplace." She said irritably. "And second, do you have to start nagging the second you get here? What are you doing here anyway?"
"Okay. Let's meet after once this is finished."
.
…..
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
Author Note:
Visit Patreon to instantly access +1 chapter for free, available to Free Members as well.
For additional content, please do support me and gain access to +10 more chapters.
–> [email protected]/OrgoWriters