April 25, 1996.

  Everything turned out better than expected… The Phantom Menabsp;brought in enough reveo cover all box office expenses, debuting iionally on April 7th and domestically on April 1st. For A was a relief to see the financials. The sings kept rolling in, and critics gave it a solid 81% positive rating. Although some pared it to the inal, feeling it didn’t have the same impact or uniqueness, the earnings still doubled the target.

  -Mr. Lucas, it’s a pleasure to see you in such high spirits,- Anne remarked. The success was fantastic, though it hadn’t yet crossed the 700 million mark. With a worldwide box office total of 434 million and a domestic tally in the U.S. of 342 million, it amouhly 776 million. Every bit of revenue was a blessing, but Lucas was a little disappoi not reag 800 million. For two simple reasons: the first Star Wars film hit that figure twenty years prior, and achieving the same result felt underwhelming. But now Ice Age and Star Wars from Lux Animation ranked among the highest-grossing titles in history.

  With Star Wars, they were up against Jurassic Park, which grossed 940 million; managing costs was intense.

  -Anne, good to see you... Sorry I couldn’t meet sooner, but I've been caught up in the excitement. A fourth success pces Star Wars above any series, - Lucas ented sincerely, weighing his mixed feelings silently. His youthful, flushed face, paired with his square, clear gsses perched on his nose, only amplified his “nice guy” image.

  Anne sighed, fog oask at hand.

  -o apologize, besides, we’re practically neighbors. A quick trip from San Jose to San Francisco is nothing. Now, I’d like to address something that, in my view, may be a bit premature, for myself and others. Billy wants to buy a stake in Lucasfilm. The iation process has both parties discussing the pertages. Lux Animation has proven it lead Star Wars in the right dire. - Anne expined.

  -The kid wants to buy my pany! I thought we were doh that in our st meetings! Once again, Billy mao surprise me, always ing up with some new idea or intricate pn that’s simply exhausting. But Anne, why did they send you here? Did you see the news? - Lucas asked.

  -I haven’t, is something happening? - Anne replied.

  -Nothing that s us directly… covered the progress of Star Wars, highlighting Lux Animation as one of the most successful panies. Yes, in the ‘90s, its remarkable growth pces it among the top 50 emerging paypically, they release these rankings every decade, but the list is ing out sooner, - Luoted.

  -We’ve worked hard to achieve that; we’re active in nearly every field. But we particurly excel in id animation produ. Enough about that, though, Mr. Lucas. I came to iate a share purchase. First, let me outlihe reasons for this offer: Billy says Lucasfilm needs a successor, and he’s willing to step up despite any differences. Sedly, we’re a generous 500 million for 60% of the pany. Lastly, he simply wants to do what he loves, - Anne presented.

  -A better offer than I’d anticipated, - Lucas remarked, gripping his walking stick. -Add another 200 million, and I might accept. -

  Anne replied with slightly lower numbers, which he still deed. She sehat Lucas wouldn’t find the idea so far-fetched, with 650 million nearly within reach.

  ***

  -You ’t do it; you’re not that kind of man, - said Kate.

  -Our desires don’t always matter as long as we know that the fruit of tradition stirs our hearts, - Billy replied, moving from thought to a swiftly, with a poised yet restless response.

  -You deny it? -

  -I would deny my as, but they drive me. My heart beats at every opportunity since I met you. I feel alive as the sky, intrigued by the clouds you watch so ily; they hint at a new dawn, - Billy replied.

  -You’re exaggerating, but I won’t deny there’s truth in your words, - responded Kate. In their pyful games, they sometimes acted like a quaint, chivalrous couple, and at other times, they were two young souls oreets of London, shy and reserved in each other’s pany.

  -Goodness! I sound like a fool, in love with a man leadio ruin, a man who only desires my body, - ughed the young woman, mastering her shyness and embarrassment.

  -Such powerful words, spoken in the heat of the moment. Don’t be armed or weighed down by this desire to corrupt what is good. I could never deny you something as precious as reition, - Billy assured.

  The aprovising and seeing chemistry unfold delighted Kate, who was a lively, occasionally uable young woman when she wao be. She adored cssiovels, especially those expl love and women’s perspectives from earlier eras—a profession not sidered “suitable” for women at the time. It was frowned upon.

  -You’re something special, - she almost remarked about nguage but decided against being so rebellious with her words. It was surely not wise to reveal the type of humor she possessed.

  Billy hough certain things were undeniable: Kate was tale what she did. Yet Billy was looking for the best actress, aing her art of his duty under Cameron’s dire. They he best for Titanic. His long hair often obscured his vision, f him to brush it aside—it nearly reached below his eyes, though he usually wore it shorter.

  The tests for Red from improvisation and joyful spirit to dignity, resistance, camera work, elegance, and the subtlety of a woman’s whispers, all for Titanic.

  They sat as they requested further details like a dance, and to deliver certain ses. At this point, he repeated the same steps as with the five previous actresses; each had strengths and weaknesses.

  …

  Later that evening, they reviewed the work carefully. Billy shared his thoughts on each actress and how they would approach their roles. Usually, he would note down his impressions, which James would review and add his insights, while the producers would read through all the arguments as they saw fit. Celebrating the Hollywood festivities, each actress appeared in photos as if part of a fashion shoot, dressed in evening gowns, tea dresses, and seven looks from the test finalists.

  All the details were nearly plete, paving the way for a long, grueling shoot that would span much of the summer in studios and into the fall for the sed phase of filming for Titanic, a daring produ expected to run up to 180 days—a time estimate double the 90 days initially projected. But when every detail had to be fwless, promises were rarely an option.

  ...