Actually, it's no wonder Ryan knew nothing about the situation with Home Alone. You see, because of the filming for Terminator 2, he didn't even attend the premiere before Thanksgiving. This had even led to a lengthy spat between Carter Eisner and James Cameron.
Once he learned that the box office on premiere day reached an astonishing $18 million, he was completely relieved and threw the film out of his mind.
Besides, although the movie was a box office success, critics were merciless with their verbal attacks. They admitted it was a wonderfully funny, all-ages film, but argued that as a screenwriter, Ryan had lost the edge he had in The Sixth Sense. The new work lacked humanistic concern and offered nothing thought-provoking. Its plot was purely funny for the sake of being funny.
Moreover, as the lead actor, his performance didn't even reflect half the depth he'd shown in The Sixth Sense.
Come on! Everyone knows this is an all-ages comedy film. Isn't the point just to let people have a good laugh during the holidays? Thought-provoking? Humanistic concern? What the heck is that?
Ryan really wanted to find a place to go head-to-head with those stuffed, bored critics. What is there to critique about a film like Home Alone? Even a first-grade kid knows it's impossible for a child to defeat two adult burglars. How shameless of them to act like they take it so seriously.
And then there were the tabloids, constantly pushing his image to the extreme for shock value and sales, making him out to be some kind of monster. Not to mention the endless rumors suggesting he had a ghostwriter.
Of course, very few people actually believed this kind of gossip. After all, unless someone was completely brainless, they would understand that an orphan with no money or influence couldn't possibly afford such a successful ghostwriter or creative team. Don't be ridiculous! Do you really think everyone is as brain-dead as the aliens in his stories?
Even if not for his own peace of mind, he had to consider his eyes. From the day after the premiere, Ryan actively distanced himself from newspapers and magazines. After all, he could pass the time writing scripts or having fun playing the guitar and composing music.
"Jamie, take Ryan to see those reporters and get rid of them," James Cameron looked at the production spokesperson, showing absolutely no guilt about throwing the boy into the fire.
"Hey, Jim, you can't do this," Ryan naturally protested.
"I'm the director and producer. I'm in charge of everything on this set. Now! Immediately! Go hold a live press conference—unless you want to redo every shot thirty times!" After the threat came the bribe: "Ryan, if you get rid of those annoying folks, I promise you three days off for Christmas."
"Three days off? Sounds nice." Ryan followed the spokesperson and several assistants toward the edge of the set, completely unaware that everyone around him was holding back laughter.
Finally, as they walked out of the set, he realized: Christmas already comes with three days off!
"Quiet! Quiet! We can't hear anything with all this noise!"
When some people from the crew appeared, the buzzing voices grew louder. Jamie had to raise his voice to shout them down.
Once the reporters saw their target was really there, they finally quieted down. Others nearby gathered as well. Ryan swept his gaze across the group—there were dozens of journalists.
"Ryan, is this your look for Terminator 2?" His aura and expression were completely different from The Sixth Sense and Home Alone. If not for his somewhat familiar face, they'd have thought someone else showed up.
"No wonder critics say he becomes the character he plays," a reporter whispered to his colleague.
Ryan gave a sly smile. "Looks like you're here for Terminator 2, huh?"
"Crafty little devil," the reporter muttered, then quickly shook his head and asked, "Home Alone has already made over $150 million, and it's still a long way from leaving theaters. Do you think it will surpass The Sixth Sense?"
"Sorry, you'll have to ask the American audience."
"Some critics say your acting has regressed a lot. In Home Alone, all you do is act cute and funny. What's your response?"
"Come on! Home Alone is a comedy, right? If I'm not being funny in it, should I be brooding and lonely like in The Sixth Sense?" Ryan shot him a "Are you stupid?" look.
"There are rumors that several studios are interested in purchasing other stories from your Ryan's Story Collection. Is that true?"
"Sorry, I haven't received any offers or inquiries."
"Ryan, remember me? I'm Mick Taylor from the Los Angeles Times entertainment section." A reporter finally made it to the front. Ryan looked at him, found him familiar, then recalled that this was the same reporter who'd had some contact with him and Harvey Weinstein in the past.
"Hello, Mick. Long time no see."
"According to my sources, Universal Pictures has already made an offer to your agent to purchase the adaptation rights for Jurassic Park. Can you confirm?"
Ryan shrugged. "I don't know. Pat only comes to see me on Fridays. That's when I get updates."
"Are you willing to sell it?" Mick Taylor pressed.
"Well…" Ryan dragged out his response, "That's a secret!"
Since the reporter had always been friendly and had never attacked him, the boy hooked his finger for him to come closer and whispered, "Depends on the terms!"
The rest of the questions quickly moved beyond Home Alone, covering everything from the next Harry Potter installment to whether he had plans after Terminator 2…
The most absurd one was someone asking about Nicole—whether she would find him an adoptive father.
"For the last time, Nicole Kidman is my sister!" Ryan gritted his teeth, a million voices in his head screaming that he could not let this ridiculous idea stick.
"Ryan, do you have a girlfriend? Have you ever dated a girl?"
Ryan glanced at the tabloid reporter's press badge once and, under the protection of a few assistants, turned around and went back into the set.
Everyone present glared at that tabloid reporter. Ryan Jenkins was the hottest topic right now. He had finally agreed to answer questions, and this idiot scared him off with such a stupid question. Obviously, he was about to become everyone's enemy.
"Why are you all looking at me like that? The public has the right to know!" the reporter complained indignantly.
"Idiot! Couldn't you have saved that question for the end?"
Regardless, after that chaotic press conference, even though some reporters still lingered around the set, they were much quieter. After all, whether it's journalists or paparazzi, there's usually an unspoken rule to maintain silence while a production is filming—otherwise, they'd become enemies of every studio in Hollywood.
"Ryan, here are two film offers."
Closing the trailer door, Kinsley first handed over two contracts. Ryan only glanced at them: Big Daddy Junior and Little Rascals Unleashed. He hadn't even heard of them. Without hesitation, he said, "What kind of movies are these? Pass."
"There's also this—an advertising deal."
Ryan didn't even bother taking the papers. "Just tell me."
"Children's cough syrup, Pizza Hut pizza, and an offer from Esprit."
"I'm not very familiar with these. What do you think? Also, what's Esprit?"
"No need for the cough syrup at all. Pizza Hut is worth considering. Esprit wants you to be their kidswear ambassador."
"What's your recommendation?" Ryan looked at his agent.
"Don't agree to anything for now. Wait until Home Alone passes the $200 million mark." From these two films alone, Kinsley had already seen potential in the boy beyond his writing.
"No." Ryan wagged his finger. "Wait until the Academy announces the Oscar nominations."
"You're that confident?" Kinsley understood what he meant—she and Harvey Weinstein were both working hard to campaign for him.
"I trust you and Harvey. And of course, I trust The Sixth Sense." Ryan smiled brightly. "I think, barring surprises, both Nicole and I will get nominations."
Since the film had received several Oscar nominations in his previous life, why not now? In fact, this version wasn't any worse—in some ways, it was even slightly better. The only flaw was its slow pacing. But would that be a problem for Oscar voters?
Those art films all move at a snail's pace and put viewers to sleep. The core members of the Academy—the old guys—have always had a taste for that. Even though The Sixth Sense is a thriller, it explores family, love, and human connection, all of which align with mainstream American values.
Besides, it's a suspenseful drama, not a sci-fi movie.
"What about the offers to purchase adaptation rights?" Kinsley asked.
"Pat, many works aren't suitable for adaptation right now. The problem lies in special effects and post-production technology." Ryan tapped his fingers. "What did Universal offer?"
"You can personally write the screenplay. Two million dollars plus 2% of North American box office revenue."
"Reject it."
Although he didn't know how much the rights had sold for in his previous life, Ryan didn't even have to think twice to refuse. After all, this was a gold mine. "Pat, until 1992, reject everyone—no exceptions."
He had always been thinking about how to maximize profits and unite his own team. If he just wanted to be rich, he could write the entire Harry Potter series and then do nothing.
But this life wasn't like the last. In the past, he had drifted aimlessly for half his life and ended up alone. Now that he was in Hollywood, he was determined to leave his own star on the Walk of Fame—right in the most prominent spot.