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Chapter 178: Filming Good Will Hunting Begins
🕑 Added 2025-01-01 10:02:26 +0000 UTC"Bruce, what have you been up to lately? Got some time?"
Gilbert had previously discussed this project with Bruce Willis, who had always wanted to collaborate with him again. This time, Gilbert personally called him, and Bruce Willis was thrilled.
"Of course, I have time, Gilbert. If it's your project, I'll always make time," Bruce Willis replied.
"Haha, thank you," Gilbert laughed and added, "This time, get ready. The film won't have many action scenes; it's going to test your acting skills."
Not just "not many action scenes"—there were none at all.
Action stars are often stereotyped as being good at action sequences but lacking in acting skills. Schwarzenegger and Stallone, for instance, could pull off cool poses, but they struggled with nuanced performances.
Bruce Willis, however, was different. Although he rose to fame through action films, he had a background in Broadway theater before coming to Hollywood, giving him a solid foundation.
While not an Oscar-level actor, his acting was at least competent. With some guidance, he could deliver remarkable performances.
That's why Bruce Willis said, "Don't worry, Gilbert. Let's do a screen test. I can definitely give you the effect you're looking for."
"I'm looking forward to it, Bruce..." Gilbert said.
Though they called it a screen test, there were no other contenders for the role. Gilbert's first and only choice was Bruce Willis. If Willis agreed, no one else would even be considered.
In fact, both Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks had expressed interest in working with Gilbert again—especially Tom Cruise, whose desire to collaborate with Gilbert was an open secret in Hollywood.
It almost seemed like Tom Cruise was the hopeless romantic while Gilbert was the heartbreaker who abandoned him.
But The Sixth Sense wasn't suitable for Tom Cruise. He was too charismatic, which would overshadow the other actors, particularly the child actor's performance.
The unique appeal of The Sixth Sense lay in its mind-blowing plot twist.
While most suspense films rely on multiple twists, The Sixth Sense needed only one—enough to become legendary.
The key to this success was the child character, whose role was crucial to the film's impact. To find the perfect fit, Gilbert planned to hold an extensive casting process.
After a simple screen test, Bruce Willis secured the role and received the full script.
Skimming through it, Willis scratched his head and said to Gilbert, "I thought this would be an action-thriller with some suspense elements. But after just one read, I'm already dizzy."
Gilbert laughed. "Bruce, take the script home and study it. Remember to keep it confidential."
"Don't worry, Gilbert. I know the drill."
After taking the script home, Willis dove into studying it, frequently discussing the story and his character with Gilbert.
Like many great actors, Bruce Willis even wrote a brief character biography to better understand his role.
Additionally, he studied the scenes involving the child character he would share the screen with.
Interestingly, the script didn't specify whether the child was a boy or a girl—just a child. Willis imagined the child as a girl, analyzing the role accordingly.
After his analysis, Willis joked during a call with Gilbert, "I feel like my character is just a supporting role. The child is the real protagonist."
"In a way, that's true. So, Bruce, your performance is critical," Gilbert said.
Though it seemed like he was playing second fiddle to a child, Willis had no complaints. He loved the script and was eager to be part of the film.
While Willis had accepted the role, the pre-production for The Sixth Sense didn't start immediately.
Gilbert first visited Boston to check on Good Will Hunting, directed by Sofia Coppola and produced by Gilbert himself.
The film was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, starring Damon, Stellan Skarsgård, and Robin Williams. Ben Affleck and his brother Casey Affleck also made cameo appearances.
"First time directing a feature film—how does it feel?" Gilbert asked after surveying the well-organized set, feeling reassured.
Sofia, with her usual nasal tone, responded sharply, "Gilbert, do you think I'm a child or an idiot? I've studied under you for years and directed several short films. I can handle this."
"That's good to hear." Gilbert wasn't bothered by her tone—she was always like that, and he'd given up trying to change her.
Sofia added, "By the way, I should thank you for lending me Duer. With his help, things have gone much smoother. But since your new project is in the works, have you found a new cinematographer?"
"Don't mention it, Sofia," Gilbert replied, watching the actors in the distance. "I still have John—your cousin."
In terms of skill, the younger John Schwartzman was slightly better than Duer Randolph. However, Randolph's extensive experience made him ideal for assisting Sofia, a novice director, on her first feature film.
There was also an unspoken Hollywood rule: relatives shouldn't work in the same production crew. It was believed to bring bad luck.
When Sofia acted in her father's The Godfather Part III, she won a Razzie for Worst Supporting Actress, which shattered her confidence.
That's why, despite having a legendary director as her father, Sofia was sent to study under Gilbert.
Of course, this rule wasn't absolute. Both The Rock and Saving Private Ryan had Sofia and John Schwartzman working together without incident.
However, on set, Schwartzman and Randolph often clashed over creative differences.
Only Gilbert's authority kept the peace; otherwise, the crew would have been in constant turmoil.
After Saving Private Ryan, Gilbert spoke with both cinematographers and decided to separate them. John Schwartzman officially became Gilbert's cinematographer, while Duer Randolph went on to mentor Sofia.
This arrangement proved wise, as Randolph's experience helped Sofia overcome many challenges during production.
After talking with Sofia, Gilbert chatted with Matt Damon.
Damon expressed his gratitude. "Gilbert, thank you. Without your support, I don't know when this film would've gotten made."
"You're welcome, Matt." Gilbert greeted Ben Affleck nearby and added, "I invested in this film because I believe in its potential for success. How's working with Sofia?"
"Great, Gilbert. Sofia is talented and has a clear vision. At first, I wasn't sure about her, but when she stepped into the director's chair, she really reminded me of you."
"Well, she's my protégé, after all," Gilbert said proudly.
Since Good Will Hunting was progressing smoothly, Gilbert felt confident leaving the project in Sofia's hands. Producer Cain Wexman, who had worked with Gilbert for years, ensured everything ran efficiently without interfering with the director's creative process.
Before leaving Boston, Gilbert spoke with Cain.
"Cain, after this project, I need you to handle something big."
"What is it?"
Gilbert didn't beat around the bush. "Remember The Lord of the Rings? Starting next year, I need you to move to New Zealand to begin its pre-production."
Cain's eyes lit up. "You're making The Lord of the Rings? That's a massive project—one of the most challenging adaptations ever. Are you sure about this?"
"Don't worry, Cain." Gilbert exuded confidence. "We won't know what's possible until we try."
Though adapting The Lord of the Rings would be daunting, Cain had faith in Gilbert after years of collaboration. Without hesitation, he accepted the task.
"Don't worry, Gilbert. I'll make sure everything is ready."
"Thanks, Cain. Trust me, we're going to create something extraordinary."
Back in Los Angeles, Gilbert received news that 20th Century Fox had pulled out of The Sixth Sense due to James Cameron's influence.
Warner Bros. and Disney, unable to outmaneuver each other, decided to co-invest in the film as usual.
Disney's Touchstone Pictures handled North American distribution, investing $20 million, while Warner Bros. took care of overseas distribution, also investing $20 million.
Gilbert's Melon Studio served as the production company, with him as the writer, director, and producer. He personally invested $15 million, bringing the total budget to $55 million.
In his previous life, The Sixth Sense had a $40 million budget. Bruce Willis received a $20 million salary, reflecting his rising status as an A-list action star after hits like Die Hard with a Vengeance and 12 Monkeys.
The additional $15 million in this timeline was entirely Gilbert's salary, along with a share of the box office profits.
This level of compensation was reserved for top-tier directors in Hollywood. But given Gilbert's track record of six consecutive box-office hits, it was well-deserved.
In a business that valued commercial success above all, Gilbert's treatment was nothing short of exemplary.
