Here is a Five chapter update!!
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"It's a good contract," Paul said as we both stood near the bar inside the mansion Margot and I had hired to host our New Year's party.
The party was in full swing, with plenty of familiar celebrity faces all around enjoying themselves.
Drinks flowed freely champagne, cocktails, top-shelf liquor. And other things as well, which I turned a blind eye to as long as they were discreet and didn't cause any problems.
My eyes fell on Margot, who was taking shots with Scarlett and her friends: Samara Weaving; Brie Larson, who she'd grown close with after they filmed together; and Dakota Fanning, whom she'd met the same way as Brie. There were also others around them that I couldn't quite make out.
They were lined up at a table, laughing, taking shots of tequila. Margot threw one back, slammed the glass down, and immediately laughed at something Scarlett said.
"Daniel," Paul called, getting my attention back.
I turned to him. "The contract. Yeah, it's fine, I guess. Still not what I wanted." I took a sip of the Italian soda I'd been drinking since the party began.
It was good. I needed to get whatever recipe this was because it made me feel good sweet, fizzy, refreshing. No alcohol. I wanted to stay sharp tonight.
Paul raised an eyebrow. "What did you expect, Danny? Disney and Lucasfilm to roll over for all your demands?"
"No, just..." I trailed off.
I knew Disney wouldn't accept everything I wanted. That was unrealistic. So I'd put forward those unrealistic demands first, planning to negotiate down from there.
I had wanted complete creative control, with my cut of the film being final. But I was met with a hard no: "Lucasfilm retains final cut to protect the brand."
In the end, we compromised. I would deliver a director's cut; Lucasfilm could make changes only with my consultation; Bob Iger would serve as the final arbiter in disputes.
It was a miracle we came to this. I even had George back me up, which came as a bit of a shock to Kennedy. His endorsement still carried weight.
For casting, I had full control over secondary and supporting roles; lead roles required joint agreement.
The biggest issue was the script.
I wanted my script locked in—no changes. But Lucasfilm was adamant that I work with their story group to make "necessary changes."
To my utter horror, even though the script wasn't even finished, they suggested changing the ending—where both main characters die—into one where they develop a romance, survive it all, and get married. They wanted to add an entire romance subplot between Andor and Jyn.
I was completely gobsmacked when they suggested it. I even considered dropping the whole thing. There were some idiots high on their own supply at Lucasfilm—that's all I could say after all the talks I'd had with them.
There were other completely stupid ideas I had to shut down as well.
Kinda see why the sequels ended up sucking so much.
I did not budge on the script issue, and I ended up getting my way.
The last thing I wanted from them was time—not rushing production. We agreed on a 2021 release, with pre-production beginning in 2019, filming the same year, and then a year of post-production.
This gave me time to finish my other projects and also work on the Justice League and Superman sequels, which were the movies I planned to write for the DCU after Chapter 1 wrapped.
And that was agreed on as well.
A contract was signed. But I could tell many within the company weren't happy.
Well, fuck them.
Paul took a sip of his drink. "Ten million dollars. Not bad for directing."
I shrugged. "I would've done it for less. It's not like I'm starving for money. I just want to make a Star Wars movie."
Paul took another sip of his drink. "They must have released the news by now."
"Oh yeah," I said, pulling out my phone to check for the Disney press release.
I found it on Twitter almost immediately.
The Hollywood Reporter (@THR)
BREAKING: Daniel Adler to direct untitled Star Wars film for 2021 release
Full story: thr.com/adler-star-war...
(12.3k retweets, 45.7k likes)
I clicked through to the article.
DANIEL ADLER TO DIRECT STAR WARS STANDALONE FILM FOR 2021 RELEASE
DCU architect enters a galaxy far, far away
By Borys Kit
December 31, 2017
Disney and Lucasfilm announced tonight that writer-producer-director Daniel Adler has signed on to helm an untitled Star Wars standalone film set for release in 2021.
The film will take place between the events of Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, exploring a previously untold story during the dark years of the Galactic Empire's rise to power.
"We are thrilled to welcome Daniel Adler into the Star Wars universe," said Kathleen Kennedy, President of Lucasfilm. "His storytelling ability and vision align perfectly with what we want to achieve with this film. We believe he will bring something truly special to the franchise."
Adler, who has become one of the most successful filmmakers of the modern era with the DC Universe, released a statement through his representatives:
"Star Wars has been a defining part of my life since childhood. To have the opportunity to contribute to this universe is both humbling and exciting. I can't wait to share this story with fans."
Details about the plot and casting remain under wraps, though sources indicate the film will focus on new characters rather than established legacy figures. The project is expected to enter pre-production in 2019, with filming slated for later that year.
Adler will write and direct the film.
The announcement comes as Adler's Justice League continues its conquest of the box office, passing $1 billion in just nine days and now on its way to two billion and beyond.
More information about the untitled Star Wars project is expected to be revealed at D23 Expo in 2018.
Disney declined to comment further.
I looked up from my phone.
Paul was grinning. "And there it is. You're officially a Star Wars director."
I exhaled slowly. "Yeah. I guess I am."
I checked to see what fans thought.
Replies to @THR tweet:
@FirChaos
How the FUCK is this motherfucker EVERYWHERE?! Now he's doing STAR WARS?! WHEN DOES HE SLEEP?!
@ReblSc024
I'm so excited I could cry. If anyone can make a great Star Wars movie, it's Daniel Adler.
@Skticn88
Not interested. There's nothing interesting between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. I'm way more excited for the Han Solo movie.
@FnbSalt (1.8k likes)
Obi-Wan movie? Yeah, this has to be it. YES.
"Well, looks like most people like it," I said.
We clinked glasses and drank.
Paul left the party after we talked a bit more—he wasn't really a party guy. I stayed back to socialize.
DiCaprio showed up with a model on his arm and kept talking my ear off about climate change, which he was obsessed with lately, along with his new yacht. I eventually slipped away and went to find my friends.
Matt was with his girlfriend, dancing. John was talking to his sister Joanna, who had a bottle of tequila in her hands.
I spotted Haley with Margot, Scarlett, and the other girls, waving Joanna over. They were out of drinks.
Weren't there supposed to be servers bringing them drinks? And where did Joanna even get a whole bottle?
I watched as Joanna practically ran over with it, everyone cheering. They started pouring and drinking, laughing and shouting over the music.
It looked fun.
I took another sip of the Italian soda—as I'd started calling it—and a server brought me another glass. I took it and drank more, feeling… looser. Warmer.
Wait.
Drunk?
Why was I getting drunk?
I hadn't had any alcohol.
"Hey!" I heard the voice of Grant Gustin behind me.
"Heeeeey," I said, the word stretching longer than I meant it to.
It was the first time I'd seen Grant since the Justice League premiere, where he and Haley, along with the rest of us, walked the red carpet and all that.
He and Haley were good together. The relationship was still going strong.
Grant grinned. "You are not going to believe what we just found."
"Whaaaat?" I asked.
"Come with me," Grant said, grabbing my arm.
I followed him and found Jensen waiting for us at the bar. He handed a drink to Grant.
Jensen grinned. "Danny boy, looks like we were right."
I squinted at him. "What? And what's with all the secrecy?"
Grant leaned in conspiratorially. "They definitely hooked up."
Jensen looked at Grant. "I wanted to say that."
Grant ignored him. "We saw them kissing in the hallway upstairs."
I gasped, realizing what they meant. "Henry and Alexandra? I'll be damned.."
Jensen laughed. "Oh yeah. Superman and Wonder Woman have been bumping uglies. I mean, it's their business, but—" He started laughing harder. "Remember the excuse they gave us? 'We're just rehearsing for a scene'?"
I laughed too.
This was none of my business, but I didn't want my lead actors falling out later because of some breakup and messing up the whole franchise. I knew they were professionals, but still—it could get awkward if things went south.
I waved it off. "Leave it be. No need to bring it up."
The other two nodded.
Jensen grinned. "All I wanted was to be proven right. And I am. And I expect money. In cash."
"Ohh, right," Grant and I said at the same time, remembering the bet.
I took another sip and started walking around, meeting more people at the party.
By the time I reached Margot, I was feeling very drunk.
And I was pretty sure this drink was not the Italian soda I thought it was.
Things were a bit blurry after that. I was drunk, and fun Daniel was out to play.
[Drunk Vision]
I'm with Margot and Scarlett. The music is loud. Everything is spinning slightly.
"Fuck that guy," I say, pointing at Scarlett. "And fuck Ryan too."
Scarlett throws her head back, laughing. "YEAH!" She downs another shot.
I do too.
Margot, swaying slightly, squints at me. "Should you be drinking this much?"
I wave her off. "Hey, it's just one night!"
Everyone around us cheers. We all drink.
[SKIP]
I'm on top of a piano.
DiCaprio is next to me, his shirt half-unbuttoned, laughing hysterically.
Jason Momoa is holding me up with one massive hand, grinning like a maniac.
Joanna is standing on a chair nearby, singing one of her hit songs at the top of her lungs.
Everyone is dancing around us, hands in the air.
The piano groans.
Then it breaks.
The top collapses slightly, and I stumble off, caught by Jason.
Everyone cheers even louder.
[SKIP]
"JUMP! JUMP! JUMP!" everyone chants from below.
I look at Scarlett next to me. We're standing on the second-floor balcony overlooking the pool.
She grins at me, wild-eyed. "You ready?"
"Fuck yeah," I say.
We jump.
The water hits like ice.
We surface, screaming and laughing. Everyone is clapping and yelling.
[SKIP]
I'm sitting on a couch with Scarlett and Margot on either side of me.
I point at both of them, swaying. "I'm going to make a movie with both of you. And it's going to be the greatest."
Margot and Scarlett look at each other.
They hug.
Then they both hug me, sandwiching me between them.
I can feel the warmth, the closeness, the—
[SKIP]
All three of us walking out of a car. Stumbling. Laughing.
And then—
Nothing.
==========
I woke up.
My head was killing me—a dull, throbbing pain behind my eyes that felt like someone was hammering nails into my skull.
I groaned, trying to piece together what happened.
I felt someone hugging me from my right side.
I was completely naked.
So was the other person, who could only be Margot.
My brain slowly started to process things.
Then I felt another person on my left side.
Wait.
My eyes shot open.
I turned my head to the right.
Margot.
I turned my head to the left.
Scarlett.
Ah. I see.
"Damn," I muttered, staring at the ceiling. "It happened again."
I lay there, trying to remember.
Looks like fun Daniel came out to play last night and fun Daniel had a lot of game too.
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The pairing is still Daniel x Margot.