Kingdom Come (1)
"Halting Star Wars' Solo Run: Sion Lee Crowned the Face of Turn-of-the-Century Action!"
"Joe Pesci, Sion Lee, and Jason Statham: Three Men, Three Colors, a Perfect Trio."
July 15, 1999.
Since it was a project he had prepared for a long time, Sion felt a greater sense of accomplishment than usual.
It was a peaceful weekend afternoon. Filming for Fight Club had wrapped, and Sion was busy pruning his roses. Like a young mafia boss, he held pruning shears in his hand, wearing nothing but a loose shirt, looking completely relaxed. Yet, the fact that he couldn't stop thinking about work proved he was a severe workaholic.
Even when I'm resting, I'm not really resting.
But what could he do? The sweet taste of success tickled the back of his mind every time, whispering, Working is the most fun, isn't it?
Anyway, it was a lot of hard work.
Since it was a film aimed at the turn-of-the-century aesthetic, persuading those around him on minor creative directions hadn't been easy. The friendship between Alex and Esposito, and the story of those abandoned by their country, had initially faced skepticism, with many saying, "Is this really necessary?"
But Sion had been certain.
Even for action blockbusters where things just blow up, we need to write deeper narratives now.
Just as the reception of Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars, or movies like Batman Forever and Batman & Robin in his past life had proven.
The era where people watched movies simply because famous stars starred in them or because of flashy special effects was over. From now until the era of streaming platforms (OTT) arrived, the culture of "going to the theater to watch a movie" was rapidly rising to become a mainstream cultural phenomenon, not just a casual holiday activity.
In other words, even flashy action movies needed to contain narratives that gave food for thought and displayed deep emotional resonance.
Of course, we shouldn't lean too far in that direction either.
While staying faithful to the core appeal of the genre, they had to add just a bit more depth. And when it came to those "basic" elements, the collaboration between Warner Bros. and CK Entertainment was flawless. Each side brought in the industry's top talent, aiming to produce a film of the highest caliber.
The action sequences in Venice and the ship action scenes in the first half were absolutely perfect, even to Sion, who had watched countless films in his future life.
The only problem was that it cost an astronomical amount to produce.
A production budget exceeding $100 million. A threshold treated as a major studio's flagship lineup. When marketing costs were factored in, a single film cost over $200 million, which was why everyone had been visibly tense when the movie opened. If this flopped, heads would roll.
But it succeeded spectacularly.
Globally, it had already recouped $200 million by its second week of release. This meant the break-even point was just around the corner. He heard it was performing exceptionally well in the European and Asian markets.
And why wouldn't it? Asia had always loved the incredibly handsome Sion Lee more than anyone (especially with his rumored half-Korean identity helping), and Europe went without saying. Sion Lee was an actor moving forward having caught two rabbits at once.
None of them know.
That these two films shared the exact same underlying sentiment. As he was contemplating how to express this through his future Hollywood activities...
Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-beep-!
The phone in the living room rang loudly. Sion laid down his pruning shears, took off his gloves, and went inside to answer it.
"Yes, this is Sion Lee."
"What were you doing?"
It was Charlie Kang. During Sion's "Oscar targeting incident," Charlie had been consumed by immense worry and anxiety, but he had finally entered a period of stability, briskly handling various tasks once again. In other words, he was playing his usual role as a Hollywood social butterfly, actively communicating with related companies and agency actors to support their activities.
"I was taking a rare break," Sion replied. "Contemplating what kind of trouble I should stir up next."
"Do whatever you want now... In all my years, I've never seen anyone like you. Any other actor would have had their career cut short and been buried alive after causing such trouble, yet you walk out of it completely unscathed."
"Well, I don't think an actor of my caliber would have had their career cut short, no matter who said it," Sion replied.
Hollywood wasn't run by a single company; it was a system where large and small capital and countless interests clashed and competed.
"Even so, you know how the artistic community is. Disrespecting authority can lead to serious trouble."
"For that authority to be respected, they have to set an example. But when things stagnate, they rot," Sion said, reflecting on the recent events. "The key was timing. And the time was ripe."
"I still wonder how you read that timing so damn perfectly."
"It's the turn of the century, Charlie. The turn of the century."
Hearing that shameless voice, Charlie Kang let out a soft sigh. Sitting in his office, talking to Sion, he looked out the window at the beautiful view and honestly... couldn't help but marvel. A spacious office, a level of success that was difficult for an Asian to achieve. It was all the result of partnering with the actor Sion Lee.
Nearly ten years ago, when a young Sion had suddenly crossed over to Chicago to shoot an indie film, Charlie had only sighed, wondering what kind of trouble he was trying to cause...
Adapting to this is probably a form of addiction.
Now, no matter how massive the trouble Sion stirred up, Charlie found himself looking forward to it with a strange sense of anticipation, even while nursing heartburn.
"I've booked a schedule for you. It's something even I didn't expect."
"What is it?" Sion asked.
"Where is it? MTV?"
"No, I told you it's a serious interview. It's NBC Nightly News. Hosted by Tom Brokaw. You're going to be on their cultural segment."
"...What?"
"It seems even the great Sion Lee can be surprised."
NBC Nightly News was one of the most trusted, mainstream news programs in the United States. It competed for the top ratings spot and was a "serious" news program focusing primarily on politics, current affairs, and economics, meaning appearances by Hollywood stars were exceptionally rare.
"Why are they calling me? Do they need a new anchor?"
"If you became the anchor, it would be the most hilarious and unprofessional news broadcast in history. They want to feature you in the cultural segment. It's the end of the millennium, and you're currently positioned as the idol of the younger generation. They want to hear your thoughts."
"Interesting. I should give them something fun to talk about."
"...Uh, just to be clear, this is a really serious news program, okay? Don't go on there and target someone else to cause trouble. Got it?"
"Yep! Trust me, Charlie!"
"..."
An oddly cheerful reply. Hearing that voice, Charlie barely suppressed the urge to ask, Can I really trust you?
To put it simply, the project to suppress Sion Lee had ended in failure.
"..."
New York. Inside his office.
Albert Payne watched the television with a sour expression. A meaningless commercial was playing.
Since the incident, his "clients"—though they didn't show it openly for the sake of their dignity—were all inwardly uncomfortable. It was inevitable. For those who possessed money, fame, and everything that made up the hierarchy of modern society, the most important issue... was ultimately their petty pride.
They didn't want a mere Hollywood actor standing up to them. He was just a clown, after all.
But sometimes, such clowns could move the world. An era had arrived where a Hollywood star saying "I eat this these days" had a far greater impact than the head of a massive conglomerate telling people to eat ice cream.
That was why capitalists, while utilizing clowns, secretly feared them. Like the Joker in a deck of cards. Chaos that destroys the king's order—in other words, the Joker. A leader who guides the sentiments of the masses.
Well, it's not like that kind of thing will happen these days.
The world was becoming increasingly diversified, and thus more entrenched. Furthermore, Albert believed that as the internet developed and people gained access to more information, their judgment would only become cloudier.
But in such a situation, the power of an idol becomes even stronger. People who had learned too much and been swept away by it, instead of the simple schemas provided by ideology, would inevitably entrust their identities to a star like Sion Lee.
And according to the conclusions Albert had drawn from observing the current situation, Sion was someone who predicted these changes and movements, meticulously preparing himself accordingly.
In this day and age, there were three highly effective ways to bury a Hollywood star.
First, spreading an image-damaging scandal. But since Sion Lee usually stayed cooped up at home when he wasn't filming, they couldn't even attempt this. To spread false rumors, there had to be some shred of basis.
Second, blacklisting him from studio casting. But even this had been rendered useless because Sion had started working as a producer himself years ago, as if he had anticipated this. The films they made possessed a small but potent power, and more and more people wanted to invest in them.
The final method they chose because of this was disrupting his Oscar campaign to coax and manipulate him...
And even that backfired spectacularly.
What should they do now? Dig into Sion's past? Claim he had a secret child born ten years ago? If Sion had a "peculiar trait that others couldn't understand"—for instance, like Michael Jackson's pure-hearted fondness for playing with children—they could have used that to corner him. But based on everything revealed so far, no such trait existed.
Therefore, for now, he had to draw this conclusion:
The moment he shows even a single crack, we strike.
Albert pondered once more that he must continue to quietly monitor and watch him until then. Just as he finished organizing his thoughts, the commercials ended and the news broadcast began.
6:30 PM. NBC Nightly News.
Tom Brokaw, dressed in a neat suit, appeared and began his opening monologue in a refined tone.
But today, the anchor was reporting a slightly different kind of news. A glimpse of the people preparing the broadcast flashed by, followed by Tom sitting in his seat. Having a Hollywood actor sit directly in the studio to talk was highly unusual. Normally, when introducing a movie or an actor, they would show clips or connect via satellite to a Los Angeles studio.
The news continued to deliver the events of July 1999. Albert watched the broadcast, wondering where on earth such a bizarre concept had originated.
And finally, Sion appeared.
He wasn't wearing a neat shirt... but a leather jacket. Seeing him take off his sunglasses, rest them on his head, and lean back casually in his chair, Albert was overcome with bewilderment. And that was likely the feeling shared by most middle-aged Americans watching the news. To show up in a leather jacket for an interview like this, behaving provocatively in every minor gesture.
But Tom Brokaw was a professional among professionals.
Tom Brokaw: "That's a nice jacket."
Sion Lee: "It's sponsored. One of my jobs is being a walking billboard, after all. But I chose it to match my taste, so I hope everyone loves it. You'll find out where it's from in tomorrow's magazines."
...The sound of the sponsor squealing with joy could practically be heard from here. To boldly deliver such a line in this setting and still be loved by the public—had such a man ever existed in previous generations?
Tom Brokaw: "I hear you've been busy with your films lately."
Sion Lee: "I'm working hard. I want to give back as much as I'm loved."
Tom Brokaw: "Those are wonderful words."
For a while, the conversation that followed in a simple dialogue format was rather ordinary, which made Albert feel puzzled.
...The 'why' is missing.
If they went as far as inviting a famous Hollywood actor to the studio for an interview, there had to be a reason, but no such theme had emerged yet. But soon, Tom Brokaw's next words began to reveal a glimpse of it.
Tom Brokaw: "'Hollywood's broken prince.' That is the phrase that best captures your status. The prevailing sentiment is that you are growing into a man who represents the younger generation. Could you share your thoughts on this?"
Someone had caught the scent. The scent that Sion Lee was becoming a true force to be reckoned with, and that they needed to claim him quickly. Albert, who possessed a wealth of confidential information, felt this acutely as he watched the broadcast. Sion smirked and replied.
Sion Lee: "I might look like a party animal, but I'm actually a cinephile... and watching various films, I've noticed a certain trend. It might not be appropriate for a greenhorn with a bright future like me to say, but it's what you might call the shifting tendencies of a generation."
Like the Joker bringing chaos, he spoke in a light tone that seemed to disrupt the established order of NBC Nightly News. Yet, he never crossed the line, which irritated Albert the most.
Sion Lee: "The younger generation is always anxious and struggling, and the older generation never understands why they're like that. It's just how it is."
And that is the repetition of human history. At this surprisingly deep opening, Tom Brokaw's eyes widened slightly.
Sion Lee: "Then, at some point, a time comes when the chaos that shakes the era becomes the new order. It seems that with the perfect alignment of the times and circumstances, I'm currently being evaluated as the center of that phenomenon. I've shown quite a few cool sides of myself as an actor, after all. To those who think of me that way, I'd like to express my gratitude and venture to say this... Hmm."
Sion paused briefly, staring directly into the camera.
Sion Lee: "It's only going to get more interesting from here."