Hollywood's Broken Prince (Part 2)

In Hollywood, the nickname "Prince" carried a very deep implication. In the center of the modern film industry, there was basically only one "King." That was Tom Cruise, who had just inherited the throne from his predecessors and was actively reigning. And the title of "Prince" was bestowed upon the superstars deemed qualified to succeed him as the next king.

But what was slightly puzzling was the adjective "Broken."

What exactly does that mean?

Damaged, shattered, ruined. In other words, the moment that modifier was attached, he was no longer a prince in the conventional sense.

The media explained the reason Sion earned this nickname like this:

"Broken Prince." A title given because he took on quirky, striking roles like a character actor. Looking at the reference photos of himself accompanying the article, Sion had to admit it was a perfect fit.

Smirking arrogantly with one side of his lip curled up, standing casually with his hands in his pockets, or running a hand through his hair. In most of those photos, it was striking that Elena Asimov was sitting right next to him.

Well, if that's the image people want from me, I'll give it to them.

Sion didn't immediately pick up a hammer from his toolbox to break his own head... instead, he picked up the phone next to the sofa.

"Chloe, I'm back. Walk me through this month's schedule."

He began to ponder how to project the image people desired.

"...I was hoping for a vacation."

"Sigh. Muscle isn't something you can maintain just by working out hard."

Rest and nutrition were crucial, but the life of a Hollywood superstar made it difficult to manage even those. That was why the occasional breaks were so vital. However, since this was the life he had wanted, Sion accepted the situation with good humor.

"How did things go over there? Did they shoot the movie well?"

"Okay. I'll have to reward her with a deep kiss."

Joking as usual, Sion chuckled, imagining how he would tease her when they met for the first time in a while.

It's my first time attending a premiere as a producer.

Actually, Chloe had handled all the real work, so he had considered sending her instead.

"Ah, absolutely not."

On rare occasions, she expressed her refusal so firmly when it came to things like this, leaving Sion with "no choice" but to step up himself.

The premiere of Rainbow Road was held ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠at a large Hollywood theater. With numerous reporters and industry insiders in attendance, Sion was catching up on sleep in the waiting room, waiting for the entry time. Though, it was really just him sitting there slightly dazed.

At some point, a knock sounded. Knock, knock.

The door swung open, and when he gave a casual "Yeah," someone stepped inside.

"Oh..."

Appearing before a slightly drowsy Sion were the three main figures of the film: Director Daniel Summit, and the leads, Elena Asimov and Leo Walker.

"Sion! Did you finish your filming well?!"

"...Hello."

"My, you look exhausted. They said it's about time to head out, so we came to pick you up."

Daniel was as bright and cheerful as ever, while Leo remained stoic in the absence of cameras. Elena Asimov, unlike her usual self when meeting him, had her lips tightly pursed.

As Sion stood up, trying to figure out what that meant, she suddenly rushed forward and threw herself into his arms.

For Sion, who had only been planning to tease her, this was an entirely unexpected reaction.

Sion definitely saw it. Behind her, Leo Walker's face turned completely pale.

He wondered what kind of emotional shift she had undergone during filming, but for now, he accepted the hug, patting her back.

"Did you have a good trip?"

"..."

A short greeting. No answer came, only the top of her head visible. Her soft hair smelled wonderful. The clean white suit she wore suited her incredibly well. Sion gently stroked Elena's hair as if it were nothing. Yet, even as he thought she was acting like a child, this childish side of the brilliant actress made his heart flutter slightly.

"Yeah. It looks like you did a great job filming over there too, Ellie."

"...I think I understand with what kind of heart you recommended this movie to me. So, I guess I just wanted to see you."

"Oh, if I charm you just a bit more, I might get a kiss."

"..."

This time, Elena stared up at him without answering, and Sion smiled easily. He gently patted her shoulders to calm her down and pulled her back.

While filming this project, she had been able to break through another layer of the boundaries she felt had surrounded her as an actress. Because of that, she thought even more deeply of Sion, who had chosen the best film and team for her as if he fully understood her situation.

Meeting him for the first time in months under these circumstances, her heart had momentarily overflowed, leading her to throw herself into his arms and act quite spoiled.

"You have to watch my performance properly, Mr. Producer."

"I'll look forward to it."

With a bright smile, Sion began walking toward the screening room with the group. Leo, Daniel, and the guiding staff led the way, while Sion walked a few steps behind, chatting with Elena, who refused to leave his side.

"Sion, what's your schedule after this?"

"Right after this, I have to go straight to the airport and fly to Monaco for filming."

"The blockbuster you're doing with Warner?"

"Yeah. Given the nature of the project, I think it might actually release earlier than Titanic. What about you?"

Titanic was scheduled for release in December of next year, while Bad Contract was currently aiming for a June release next year.

"I decided to play the young Clarissa Dalloway in Mrs. Dalloway."

"That should be good. For that movie."

"Fufu, you say that like you've already seen it."

"I can already see it clearly. You looking beautiful."

"..."

Sion smoothly deflected the truth that he had indeed already seen the movie in his past life. Elena, who had been staring at him, pouted slightly.

"We won't be able to see each other for a while again."

"Aren't you glad you don't have to see me? No teasing."

"It's fine as long as you only tease me. So hold it in until we meet next time. I'll take as much as you want."

"You'll regret that. Teasing you is the most fun thing in the world."

"...Be careful, and don't tell other women they're pretty."

"Who else would I say that to but you?"

Their gazes crossed in a subtle, lingering way. Seeing Elena hesitate for some reason, Sion gently pulled her hand and paused.

A kiss landed straight on her cheek.

"...W-what are you doing?"

"Felt like the right timing."

"No, it's not... You'll ruin my makeup."

Muttering, Elena suddenly grabbed Sion's tie and stood on her tiptoes.

A kiss that wasn't too long, yet not too short either.

"..."

"..."

The two Hollywood stars stared into each other's eyes in silence.

"Seriously, watch the movie properly."

Right after Elena said that, a voice called out from a distance.

"Hurry up!"

Leo's voice sounded slightly irritated.

Sion couldn't help but feel it was like the reaction of a younger brother whose older sister had been stolen away.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The theater was plunged into darkness. The anger-filled scream of Sunny, played by Elena Asimov, echoed long and loud.

No matter how you look at it, 'Fuck'?

E-Elena Asimov spitting out such vulgar language?!

Though it seemed simple at first glance, it was a scene that revealed her evolution as an actress.

The pickup truck she had dragged from home was stuck in the mud, unable to move. She was trying to pull it out by placing boards and leveling the surrounding ground as best she could. Her younger brother, not even ten years old, was of no help. While wrapping chains around the tires with her slender body, she ended up lifting her fingernail in an accident.

In her exhausted and frustrated state, she hurled her rage at the world itself.

The terrified brother shrank back, and Sunny, snapping back to reality, approached him to apologize. But Andy, unable to bear it as her eyes reminded him of someone, ran away.

In the empty mountains, she chased after him in bewilderment.

A daughter who resembled the violent father she hated. A son who, conversely, reminded her of the mother who had left him.

A repetition of mistakes, a cycle of pain. Yet, there was a chance to correct it. Because they were children who knew how to learn and grow from their mistakes.

Incredible. As expected of Elena Asimov.

She must have been away from the screen for several years...

Did she do this indie film because of Sion Lee's recommendation?

I never expected to see such a raw, gritty side to her when I thought she was just pure and elegant.

And Leo Walker is doing incredibly well too.

There haven't been many child actors of this caliber since Macaulay Culkin.

The key points of the movie were largely divided into three.

Director Daniel Summit's "direction."

The "acting" of the two lead actors.

And finally, producer Sion Lee's "eye."

In other words, it was a combination of sensibility, talent, and optimized knowledge.

These three distinct elements harmonized to create a deep, new style of film that had never been seen before, even by 90s standards.

Furthermore, it felt even more special because it was the comeback film of Elena Asimov, the lady of a prestigious acting family who had left the silver screen to attend college.

The first production of CK Agency as a film production company.

It seemed to signal the direction they would take in the future.

Monaco, a city-state located on the Mediterranean coast.

Due to its land area and terrain, it had no airport, so one had to land at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport in France and travel by car.

And the first thing that greeted Sion as he stepped out of the arrivals hall was a massive crowd of fans.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggghhhhh-!!

Not only them, but reporters as well. A barrage of camera flashes went off, capturing Sion Lee's image.

The Mediterranean weather sat right between late summer and early autumn. Even though he had lost some weight while filming Titanic, Sion Lee's casual shirt attire only amplified the cheers of the crowd.

After greeting them briefly while wearing sunglasses, Sion followed his agent, who was looking for the production representative sent to meet them.

"Ah, Sion. Thank you for the hard work traveling here."

"I feel like the Prince of Monaco."

"Perhaps because of that mise-en-scène, Pain Walker and Batman Forever absolutely blew up in France as well. Do you see everyone wearing white t-shirts? Those are all Lucid t-shirts."

"Should I sign some autographs before I go?"

"Ah, if you do that, we probably won't be able to leave today. There are traffic issues too, so let's hurry."

Sion gave a gentle, reassuring smile to the production representative, who was pleading in a momentarily flustered voice, and got into the prepared car.

After driving for about 40 minutes along the road and crossing the border, they arrived at the tiny country.

Monaco was a city-state and an international city closely connected to the Middle East. Within it lay a massive Middle Eastern-style studio built with Hollywood capital.

The studio, which was almost the size of a small town, was a backlot featuring a desert, a port, streets, an airport, and a town.

Arriving there and getting out in front of the filming ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠crew's base camp, Sion's impression was as follows:

"If the Middle East files a copyright lawsuit over this, they might actually win."

"Puhahaha!"

Right then, a hearty laugh echoed.

Tony Scott, the director famous for action films like Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop II, True Romance, and Crimson Tide, came out to greet Sion.

"Nice to meet you, Sion. I'm Tony Scott."

"Nice to meet you, Tony. Please take good care of me."

"The pleasure is all mine. Wow... but seriously, you are incredibly handsome. And not a speck of fat on your body. The directors who worked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with you told me 'it's a joy to work with him,' and just looking at you, I can see why."

Tony smiled with interest, scanning Sion from head to toe, and immediately said:

"Let's have some fun."

Bad Contract, a film meticulously planned by Warner Bros. and CK Entertainment, with only the script reading and actual filming left.

A project that actively capitalized on "Hollywood's Broken Prince" Sion Lee's majestic, humorous, and unpredictable uniqueness.

Above all, the non-stop banter and reckless action of the protagonist, "Alex O'Reilly"—whose character was somewhat modeled after Sion Lee's actual personality—were set to be the main highlights.

Rather than being silent and professional like a CIA agent, this cheerful, badass protagonist—who boasted a brilliant mind from MIT, experience gained from rolling in the field, quick-witted adaptability, and a natural, raw audacity—would unravel the "Bad Contract" handed to him.

The first film of the series was structured around a classic 90s action synopsis: a Russian mafia plans a biochemical terror attack within the US to spark a war, the CIA gets involved to stop it, and a lone mercenary protagonist steps in to solve all the problems before vanishing into thin air.

An action synopsis perfectly suited to the 90s sensibility. And if you added a handsome, top-tier actor and blockbuster-level, luxurious directing to that, it was the representative formula for success in Hollywood.

With all preparations complete, the first day of filming began in mid-October.

"...Wow."

A cotton shirt, a field jacket, and a lightweight tactical vest underneath.

A scene where the protagonist, rolling through the desert, chases a plane on a motorcycle and climbs aboard.

Sion, who had negotiated with Warner to perform his own action sequences unless they were absolutely life-threatening, examined the old prop motorcycle he was about to ride with curiosity.

"It looks old on the outside, but the inside is top-notch. You don't have to worry. Compared to what we'll shoot later, this is nothing."

Vic Armstrong, the action director of the film, approached his side.

"No, it's not that... I once swore to God I'd never ride a motorcycle again. It feels a bit strange."

"Hmm? Did you have a motorcycle accident? ...Ah, back in '90."

"My god, you know about that."

The very first incident he experienced right after his regression. Thankfully, he had returned to a time just before his face was ruined, and Sion had vowed, If I ever ride a motorcycle again, I'm not human!

Yet, with an easy smile, he stroked the seat of the motorcycle.

"Well, this is a movie shoot. Jinxes exist to be overcome, don't they?"

"Ha, that's a real man. Just like Alex."

Filming began with Sion's confident words.

...And it was much more mundane than expected.

The motorcycle was towed by a vehicle at a speed of 30 to 50 km/h. The plane nearby wasn't a giant cargo plane, but just a tail section built for the shoot, which, like the motorcycle, was being towed by another vehicle.

Although the speed was slow, once they reduced the camera frame rate and blasted wind fiercely from a giant fan in front, it looked on the monitor as if he was speeding at over 120 km/h.

Sion even gritted his teeth with an intense gaze, reaching out to cling to the plane as if he were traveling at an even faster speed.

Every trace of slack was completely removed from the camera, leaving only urgency and tension.

Watching his handsome face carry out the rugged mission with his forearms bulging, the staff felt certain.

This movie would be an ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠absolute hit.