Chapter 260: Sequel Trash
Chapter 260: Sequel Trash
In the third week of November, as Thanksgiving approached, a large batch of Thanksgiving-season films also arrived in theaters.
Among them, the most anticipated was naturally Home Alone 2. In addition, there was Warner’s Lethal Weapon 2 and Universal’s Back to the Future Part II. Aside from the most anticipated “sequel trash,” there were another seven or eight assorted films all trying to squeeze into the November 17 release date as well.
Of course, one film with an extremely weak sense of presence was also quietly mixed into the “other seven or eight films.” That was Steel Magnolias. Aside from Eric, who was extremely confident in the film, almost everyone else regarded Steel Magnolias as mere cannon fodder.
Compared to Disney’s emphasis on The Others, Steel Magnolias was treated no differently from an adopted child. By the third week of The Others’ release, its screen count had already expanded to 2,000 theaters, while Steel Magnolias only opened in 1,000 theaters. That was solely because Julia participated in the film. If Julia had followed the trajectory of the original timeline and filmed Steel Magnolias first, the movie would probably have been lucky to receive even 500 screens.
Because of this widespread pessimism, Julia had specifically called Eric and given him a thorough scolding, her tone full of resentment. Eric could only comfort her with gentle words and all sorts of reassurances.
Because Home Alone 2 was filmed in New York, Fox also placed the premiere in a large theater on 42nd Street in Manhattan.
After negotiating with Fox, Eric successfully convinced them to broadcast the entire premiere of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York live.
Compared to The Others, the premiere of Home Alone 2 was far livelier. After all, the first film had achieved the miracle of earning $300 million at the North American box office. At present, only two films in North American film history had ever surpassed the $300 million mark.
Fox rolled out a fifty-meter-long red carpet outside the premiere theater and invited dozens of Hollywood stars to attend the event.
“Eric, I… I… I’m so nervous.”
As the luxurious stretch limousine approached the red carpet entrance, Aniston still clung tightly to Eric’s arm as she stammered nervously.
Eric could only pat the little girl comfortingly. “Alright, Jennie, relax. You’re already a big star now. In the future, you’ll even walk the far grander Oscars red carpet. How can you shrink back over such a small occasion like this?”
“You make it sound easy,” Aniston complained while pinching Eric’s arm. Then she added, “Also, Eric, I’m cold.”
“Uh… there’s nothing I can do about that. Your gown is already very conservative. Just wait until you see the others later. Bare shoulders, bare backs, exposed thighs—there’ll be all kinds.”
“I don’t want to be like those women,” Aniston immediately pouted unhappily when she heard that.
“Of course, of course. You’ve got me, haven’t you? My baby doesn’t need to strip or show skin to be more famous than those actresses.”
“I don’t want to rely on you either. I… I…” The little girl stammered for a while without managing to continue. In the end, she could only viciously pinch Eric’s arm again. “It’s all your fault. You insisted on stuffing the role of Rachel onto me. Don’t think I didn’t hear Dad say once that you plan to make this TV series run for ten seasons. If that happens, audiences will probably only ever remember me as Rachel Green!”
Countless actresses would kill for that opportunity.
Eric silently muttered this in his heart, but his mouth did not hesitate at all. “Baby, whenever you don’t want to film anymore, I’ll immediately cancel Friends.”
Aniston glared at Eric. “Do you think I’m that unreasonable?”
“No, no, no. My little darling is the most considerate girl in the world. Look, we’re at the red carpet already. Let’s get ready to get out.”
“Hmph.” The little girl snorted lightly, but immediately took out a compact mirror from her purse and checked her makeup one more time.
As soon as Eric stepped out of the car and walked toward the premiere red carpet arm-in-arm with Aniston, the packed fans on both sides erupted into deafening cheers.
“Eric! Eric!”
“Eric, I love you!” a group of pretty girls shouted loudly while holding posters of 17 Again.
“Rachel! Rachel! Can you give me an autograph?” Clearly, the little girl had no shortage of fans either.
Eric glanced at the tight security arrangements on both sides and reassuringly nudged Aniston beside him. “Go sign a few autographs for your fans.”
This was Aniston’s first time experiencing such a scene. Even though New York’s temperature had already dropped below ten degrees Celsius, the lightly dressed Aniston did not feel even the slightest chill. Instead, excitement made her cheeks grow faintly warm.
So this was what fame felt like.
No wonder so many people liked it.
Thinking this, and hearing her boyfriend’s suggestion, Aniston skillfully leaned toward the wall of fans. She casually accepted a pen and rapidly scribbled signatures across the notebooks and posters thrust toward her.
Eric also smiled as he signed a few autographs for some fans and even took a group photo with the girls shouting the loudest.
After a brief interaction, Eric once again took Aniston’s arm and slowly walked forward.
When they reached the press interview area, Eric intimately posed arm-in-arm with Aniston for several photographs before being stopped by a reporter standing in the center of the red carpet.
She was a reporter from Fox Television.
Since Fox had agreed to broadcast the entire Home Alone 2 premiere live, they naturally wanted to maximize the benefits. Therefore, they copied the Oscars red carpet format and arranged for a dedicated interviewer at the premiere.
Under the jealous gazes of the surrounding reporters, who could only shout uselessly from the sidelines, the Fox reporter named Laura Pena invited Eric and Aniston aside for an exclusive interview.
“Hi, Mr. Williams, Miss Aniston. Why don’t you greet the audience first?”
“Hello, everyone,” Eric and Aniston said together with smiles as they waved toward the camera.
“Come to think of it, Mr. Williams, this is your first public appearance together with Miss Aniston, isn’t it?”
Under the little girl’s slightly resentful gaze, Eric spoke calmly. “Of course not. We already appeared in newspapers together a long time ago. That was back at the beginning of the year. I came to New York then, and by coincidence someone took a photo of us. I still keep that photo even now.”
“Oh, I know about that one too. You and Miss Aniston are simply a match made in heaven,” Laura Pena said with a bright smile.
As for the rumors about Eric being a playboy, unless Laura Pena wanted to lose her job, she naturally would not be stupid enough to bring up such a topic on this occasion. After all, Eric could technically still be considered one of her bosses.
“Thank you for saying that,” Eric replied with a smile.
After chatting casually for a few moments, Laura Pena shifted the topic toward Home Alone 2. However, instead of directly asking Eric, she turned the microphone toward Aniston.
“Miss Aniston, how much box office do you think Home Alone 2 will earn?”
“Of course, the more the better,” the little girl replied skillfully with a safe, universal answer.
“Could you perhaps give a specific number?” Laura Pena pressed further.