Chapter 16 – The Arrival of the Second Trailer
September 2014 – The Countdown to John Wick
The sun had already set over Los Angeles when Jacob Stewart entered the Lionsgate studio for a special meeting. Only a month remained until the premiere of John Wick, and expectations were stratospheric.
Since the release of the first trailer in January, the internet had embraced the film in a way no one expected. The hype was real. Now, with the release of the second trailer, it was time to raise the audience's excitement to a new level.
Richard Calloway, his agent, was already waiting for him in the studio's reception area.
"Excited?" Richard asked with a smile.
"Excitedly," Jacob replied, taking a deep breath.
The two walked down the corridor to a large screening room, where Chad Stahelski and several Lionsgate executives were already seated, chatting animatedly.
As soon as Jacob entered, Chad stood up and shook his hand.
"Ready to see your face in another trailer?"
Jacob laughed.
"As if I had a choice."
Everyone laughed, and one of the Lionsgate executives, a tall man named Daniel Morgan, picked up the remote control for the giant screen.
"Okay, folks, this is the second and final trailer before the release. The first one was a hit, but this one… Well, I think you'll like it."
The atmosphere in the room changed instantly. The projector was turned on, and the lights dimmed.
The screen went dark.
And then, the second John Wick trailer began.
The first scene was of a deserted road at dawn. Melancholy music played in the background as the camera slowly zoomed in on an isolated house.
Quick cut to Jacob Stewart as John Wick, holding a necklace and looking at the horizon.
A female voice echoed over the soundtrack:
"Sometimes life gives us something precious… only to take it away later."
The music swelled slightly.
Cut to John Wick receiving the puppy Daisy. A moment of peace.
But then, the mood changed drastically.
The screen darkened.
Sounds of breaking glass. Muffled screams. The dog's bark.
Silence filled the screen before exploding into action.
John Wick, bruised and furious, dug into the concrete floor. The camera focused on his hands, dirty with dust and blood, retrieving a safe containing weapons.
"—People keep asking me if I'm back…" Jacob's deep voice as John Wick echoed.
Quick cut to a scene of him cleaning a pistol.
Cut to Ian McShane as Winston, sitting in the Continental, smiling enigmatically.
"—And what do you answer?"
The music swelled.
Cut to a nightclub filled with red lights. John Wick, in a black suit, moved with lethal precision, taking down enemies with rapid shots and brutal blows.
— Yes… I'm back.
The trailer then transformed into a whirlwind of action.
Gunfire. Hand-to-hand combat. Car chases.
Unseen scenes appeared:
John Wick sliding across a car hood while firing.
A brutal fight in a dark corridor, illuminated only by gunfire.
A villain saying: "You made a big mistake coming here, John."
And finally, the iconic scene of John Wick walking through the rain, his face serious and a gun in his hand.
The music reached its climax.
The screen went dark for a moment…
And then, only John Wick's cold voice:
— I'm going to kill you all.
The title "John Wick" appeared in sharp white letters.
"In theaters this October."
The Impact of the Trailer
Silence filled the room for a moment before being broken by applause and excited murmurs.
Jacob, still absorbing what he had just seen, felt a rush of adrenaline.
"Man… That was incredible," he said, looking at Chad.
"You made it look real, Jacob," Chad replied, smiling.
Richard patted Jacob on the shoulder.
"Get ready. This is going to blow up the internet."
And he was right.
The trailer was posted on YouTube and Lionsgate's social media that night.
In less than 12 hours, it had already surpassed 20 million views.
In the comments, fans were freaking out:
"OH MY GOD, THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST ACTION MOVIE OF THE YEAR!"
"Jacob Stewart looks like a real professional assassin! This guy was born for the role!"
"Brutal action, impeccable visuals, a perfect protagonist… I NEED TO SEE THIS!"
The hype was uncontrollable.
The hashtag #JohnWick trended on Twitter, and celebrities began to react.
Chris Pratt tweeted:
"Someone hold this guy back before he kills everyone at the box office."
Hugh Jackman posted:
"This is the kind of movie I love. Counting down the days to see it!"
Even Quentin Tarantino praised the trailer in an interview, saying:
"John Wick looks like a masterpiece of modern action. And Jacob Stewart… This guy has a future."
Jacob was sitting on his couch at home, watching everything unfold. He looked at Lucky, who was lying next to him.
— I think we made something big, kid.
Lucky just tugged at the tail, but Jacob knew he was right.
Now, there was only one month left until the premiere.
And the world was ready to meet John Wick.
Chapter 17 – The Most Desired Man in Fashion
September 2014 – Milan Fashion Week
Jacob Stewart stepped off Armani's private jet at Milan Airport under a flawless blue sky. As soon as he stepped onto the tarmac, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom awaited him. The driver, an Italian in an impeccable suit, opened the back door and smiled.
"Welcome to Milan, Mr. Stewart."
Jacob got into the car and sighed. Just a year ago, he had nowhere to sleep. Now, there he was, as one of the most talked-about men in the world, heading to one of the most exclusive fashion events.
Richard Calloway, his agent, sat beside him, reviewing the week's schedule.
"Okay, Jacob, here's the plan. Armani wants you in the front row of the main show. There will be interviews, photo shoots, and private events. You'll meet some of the most influential people in the world of fashion and film."
Jacob nodded, gazing at the Italian city passing by the window. "— Sounds fun."
Richard laughed.
"— Fun? You have no idea. Incredible women, lavish parties and…" He paused, winking. "— I think you'll like what's coming."
Jacob raised an eyebrow.
"— What do you mean?"
Richard smiled.
"— You'll see."
The Main Event
When they arrived at the venue, a crowd of photographers was at the entrance. As soon as Jacob got out of the car, the flashes started going off.
He wore a perfectly tailored black Giorgio Armani suit, a dark shirt underneath, and Italian leather shoes. His hair was naturally combed back, and his presence exuded confidence.
The models and celebrities around him immediately noticed his presence.
Inside the event, the venue was a spectacle of sophistication. A huge gala hall, with soft lighting, minimalist decor, and the illuminated catwalk in the center. The biggest brands in the world were there, and Jacob felt the weight of that moment. As he walked, he was approached by Leonardo DiCaprio, who greeted him with a smile.
"We finally meet, Jacob. You're everywhere lately."
Jacob shook the actor's hand and laughed.
"I tried to follow in your footsteps."
Leo smiled.
"Careful, or you'll end up with a private island."
They both laughed, and Jacob went to his seat in the front row.
Next to him was none other than Rihanna, wearing a tight black dress, covered in sparkling jewels. She looked at Jacob and smiled.
"You're the man in the suit now, right?"
Jacob smiled back.
"Looks like it."
Rihanna examined his outfit from head to toe and nodded, biting her lip slightly.
"I have to say, you wear Armani better than anyone I've ever seen."
Jacob felt the intensity of her gaze and laughed.
"Thank you. Coming from you, that means a lot." She leaned a little closer.
"What else are you good at besides wearing suits?"
Jacob raised an eyebrow, but before he could answer, Emily Ratajkowski, sitting next to Rihanna, joined the conversation.
"If he fights like in the John Wick trailer, I think we could discover some very interesting things."
The two laughed, and Jacob noticed something there.
There was a different vibe to the conversation.
They were clearly interested in him. And more than that… they didn't seem competitive with each other.
He noticed when Rihanna looked at Emily and smiled mischievously.
"You know, Emily… I think Mr. Stewart could show us some things later."
Jacob blinked, surprised by the boldness.
Emily crossed her legs slowly and looked at Jacob.
"Do you mind sharing attention, Jacob?"
Jacob laughed and took a sip of champagne.
"Honestly? That's news to me."
The two laughed, and Rihanna picked up her cell phone.
"Well, then we'd better exchange contacts."
Jacob saw his cell phone vibrate with Rihanna and Emily Ratajkowski's numbers saved in his contacts.
This was really happening.
The event continued, and Jacob realized that it wasn't just Rihanna and Emily who were interested in him.
Soon, he was approached by Margot Robbie, who gave him a kiss on the cheek and said:
"You're making women swoon with this Armani campaign."
Jacob smiled.
"And I'm just getting started."
Margot winked.
"I want to see where this goes. Here's my number."
Blake Lively also approached, complimenting his style and saying he looked like a real "mystery man."
Dua Lipa, who was at the after-party, sat next to him and whispered:
"I've heard you have something special. I'm curious."
Jacob laughed and added another contact to his growing list.
After the show, Jacob was invited to an exclusive Armani dinner, where only the most important names were present.
He sat at the main table, surrounded by Hollywood stars, designers, and models. But next to him, Rihanna, Emily, Margot, Blake, and Dua were all seated together.
The atmosphere between them was… fun.
They were clearly flirting with him, but what was most impressive was the lack of jealousy or rivalry between them.
Margot picked up her wine glass and looked at Jacob.
"So, Mr. Stewart… How does it feel to be the most desired man tonight?"
Jacob smiled and took a sip of champagne.
"Confused."
The women laughed.
Emily rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand.
"I have a theory…"
"What?" Jacob asked.
She smiled seductively.
"Some women like exclusivity… But some like to share good things."
Dua Lipa laughed and raised her glass.
"A toast to the good things in life."
The others raised their glasses too, all smiling at Jacob.
And that's when he realized…
He wasn't just an action star.
He had become the most coveted man of the moment.
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