Dreams of Stardom (Hollywood SI)

"What the hell are you doing walking so slow?" Patty groaned, running ahead of her best friend, Claire. "Don't you remember the last time we couldn't get the tickets for [The Perks of Being a Wallflower]? Do you want to repeat that experience?"

"Calm your horses, Pat," Claire said leisurely. "This isn't that big of a film. It's very niche. I don't think there'll be a big crowd for it."

"I don't care!" Patty retorted. "On the off-chance there is a crowd, I don't wanna wait to see the film."

Claire rolled her eyes but chose not to argue with Patty any further. Thanks to Patty's incessant reminders about Claire's pace, they reached the theater in record time.

As soon as they arrived, Patty slammed two ten-dollar bills on the counter (surprisingly devoid of other moviegoers) and proclaimed, "I want two tickets for [Brick]. The next show."

"Ahh," the man at the counter said uncomfortably. "This is embarrassing."

Patty turned toward Claire and glared. "See! Because of you, I missed the show. It's booked out!"

Claire angrily retorted, "As if you would have gotten tickets if I had run here at full speed. What good would five minutes do?"

"Anything is better than not seeing the film!"

"In your dreams! I—"

Claire was cut off by the loud clearing of someone's throat. The two girls turned toward the man at the counter in unison, who was raising his hands to pacify them. "Sorry to interrupt your disagreement, but you wouldn't have gotten the tickets even if you had booked them five days in advance."

"And why is that?" Patty snapped.

"Because we're not showing [Brick]," the man said matter-of-factly. "See for yourself. Do you see any posters of it anywhere?"

And true to his words, there weren't any posters of [Brick] in and around the theater. The posters displayed were for [Cinderella Man], [Lords of Dogtown], and [The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants].

"They're showing it in very limited theaters," the man continued. "Why don't you girls watch that Sisterhood movie? It was released a few weeks ago and girls love it."

Ignoring the man, Claire turned to Patty and asked in a forced calm tone, "You dragged me here to the movies at 9 in the morning for a show that isn't even playing? Don't tell me you didn't even check where it was showing."

Patty replied in a meek voice, "I thought Warner must have learned from their mistake after [The Perks of Being a Wallflower]."

"You think?"

"Don't get snarky," Patty shot back. "Let's go to some other theater."

"It's not available in any theater in the area," the man at the counter said kindly before they could leave. "Maybe it'll come around in a few weeks? It usually happens with limited-release indie films."

"Ugh!" Patty shouted, uncaring of her surroundings. "I fucking hate Warner Bros! This is the second fucking time!"

(Break)

[Brick] opened in only 150 theaters across North America. While that number was solid for a limited-release movie, it was abysmal for a film starring Troy Armitage. This marked Troy's first film to open on so few screens. Nonetheless, the PG-13 rating (compared to the R-rating in the original timeline) worked to its advantage. The presence of Troy in the lead role also boosted its popularity far beyond what Joseph Gordon-Levitt could have achieved in the original version.

The biggest challenge [Brick] faced was the stiff competition from other films. Russell Crowe's [Cinderella Man], a major release with an $88 million budget, had strong reviews from critics and audiences alike. [The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants] and [Lords of Dogtown], each made on a $25 million budget, also had favorable reviews. The former was particularly popular with teen girls, while the latter appealed more to young male audiences.

Technically, the only major strength [Brick] had going for it besides Troy was the critical acclaim.

"The story is never clear while it unfolds, but it provides a rich source of dialogue, behavior, and incidents that will keep you hooked till the last minute. If you miss even a part of it, you may regret it. Troy Armitage as the lead, Brendan, dominates as usual. Because the movie is told from his point of view, there's not a single scene where he's not present. The supporting cast also delivers great performances, including Emma Stone (Emily), Anna Kendrick (Laura), Michael B. Jordan (Brad), and Noah Fleiss (Tug)."

 – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

 Rating: 3.5/4

"I didn't know what to expect from a movie that mashes up film noir tropes with teenage angst, but Rian Johnson's [Brick] blew me away. It's moody, atmospheric, and unapologetically strange—in the best way. The script is full of cryptic slang that makes you lean in and pay attention, and the twists keep you guessing until the end. Troy Armitage completely disappears into his role. It's not a movie for everyone, but if you like your mysteries with a side of high school drama and a heaping dose of style, you'll love this."

 – Felicity Schwartz, Newsday

 Rating: 8/10

"[Brick] is a very pretentious movie. It is difficult to sit through the entirety of the film and not laugh at the absurdity of the plot. The characters act as if they are some sort of villains, but I find it hard to digest some of their actions when they are just kids. The only saving grace was Troy Armitage, who once again proves he is a force to be reckoned with in any role he does."

 – Rex Reed, Observer

 Rating: 1.5/4

While the reviews weren't unanimously positive, the film received praise from the majority, earning an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average score of 7.6/10. On Metacritic, it scored 77/100 based on 44 reviews. Although this was a lower rating than most of Troy's recent films, it still outperformed the other movies released during the same period. Moreover, Troy Armitage's dedicated fanbase ensured a consistent audience, as many would watch anything he appeared in, regardless of the reviews.

All the positive reviews, Grand Jury Award win at Sundance, Troy's appearance on The Ellen Show, and his recently revealed relationship with Rihanna generated significant buzz for what was otherwise a small indie film. As a result, there was a frenzy to watch [Brick], especially given its limited number of screens.

Typically, limited-release films are granted wider distribution when they earn at least $2,000 per theater, but [Brick] exceeded all expectations. On its first day, the film earned an impressive $1.15 million, averaging $7,667 per theater. Saturday saw an additional $1.2 million, followed by $0.95 million on Sunday, resulting in a weekend haul of $3.3 million.

"Are you sure these are the correct numbers?" Barry Meyer asked Alan Horn in astonishment.

"100% sure," Alan replied with a huge grin. "More than a thousand theaters across the nation have requested a print of the film. What should we do?"

"Order 3,000 more prints," Barry said decisively. "And increase the marketing budget by $3 million. Let's see how far we can take this."

Alan nodded in agreement, recognizing the opportunity. Their other recent release, [The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants], hadn't managed to earn even $1,500 per theater even once ever since its opening day, despite receiving a wide release from the start. It was clear that prioritizing [Brick] was the smart move. The aim was to capitalize on its momentum before their big summer blockbuster, [Batman Begins], debuted in two weeks.

(Break)

"Action!" Rian Johnson called out.

Harry Melling, who played Dudley Dursley, stepped forward wearing a fat suit.

"Who is Cedric, Potter? Is he your boyfriend? Is that why you moan his name all night? 'No, Cedric! No!'" he sneered, mimicking a dramatic cry. His group of bullies erupted in uproarious laughter. "Maybe that's what we should call you now—Harry Poofter!"

I ignored his childish jabs and looked away, my attention caught by a small child playing with his mother in the park.

"What are you looking at, Potter?" Dudley asked, following my gaze. A glint of realization appeared in his eyes. "Oh. Poor baby is looking for his mummy. What happened to her, Potter? Is she dead?"

Hatred surged through me as I stared back at Dudley. Rising from the swing, I pulled my wand from my pocket and jabbed it hard beneath Dudley's chin. Narrowing my eyes, I asked menacingly, "What were you saying, Big D?"

Dudley's friends continued laughing, but Dudley himself froze, sensing the danger in my tone.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, gusting fiercely as the sky darkened unnaturally fast. The laughter died immediately, and an eerie silence fell as everyone sensed something was wrong.

"Dudley, we should go," one of his lackeys called out nervously.

Dudley glanced at me skeptically. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I'm not doing anything!" I said forcefully.

Dudley's friends scattered like leaves in a storm, abandoning him without hesitation. Their panicked footsteps quickly faded, leaving just me and Dudley standing in the ominously quiet park. Without exchanging another word, we bolted in the direction of what was supposed to be the Dursley home.

There was no home nearby because the Dursley home was a set created entirely in the Leavesden Studios, but currently we were shooting outdoors. A steadicam operator ran smoothly alongside us, capturing every moment as we sprinted with exaggerated urgency. Soon, we reached the tunnel—a dark, damp passage that echoed our hurried footsteps.

As we slowed down, I glanced around, scanning for threats, real or imagined. That moment of distraction was all Dudley needed. His fist came out of nowhere, slamming into my jaw lightly. But I acted as if it was the worst thing to happen to me. I stumbled backward, my wand slipping from my grasp and clattering onto the tunnel floor.

"Stop doing it!" Dudley bellowed, his voice cracking with fear, before turning and bolting deeper into the tunnel.

"You're running in the wrong direction, you idiot!" I yelled after him, rubbing my jaw. But Dudley froze mid-stride, terror etched across his face. Although invisible to us on set, a dementor was now "attacking" him—a dark presence that would be added later through CGI.

I dropped to my knees, frantically searching the uneven ground for my wand. My hands scraped against the cold, gritty concrete before finally grasping the smooth handle. Before I could react further, a harness and wires jerked me off my feet, slamming me against the tunnel wall.

Suspended in midair, I fought against the restraints, my heart racing. In the film, this would be the moment a dementor attacked me, its skeletal fingers reaching for my soul. The realism of the stunt was unsettling, even knowing the creature would only exist in post-production.

With my wand still in hand, I shoved it forward and shouted with everything I had, "Expecto Patronum!"

The tip of the wand glowed brilliantly, the effect powered by a cleverly concealed battery pack. The harness released me, and I landed awkwardly but safely on the ground. Panting, I scrambled to my feet, aiming my wand toward Dudley. The gesture seemed to work; his thrashing slowed, then stopped entirely.

I stayed tense, scanning the dark tunnel while catching my breath. My eyes darted to every shadow, half-expecting another dementor to materialize. When none did, I rushed over to my fallen cousin and checked if he was okay.

"Cut!" Rian Johnson's voice echoed through the tunnel. "Perfect, boys. Take ten before we set up for the Mrs. Figg scene."

Rian was notoriously insistent on using real-world locations for filming. A studio set would have been far more convenient, sparing us the chaos of shooting in public areas, but Rian's commitment to authenticity always won out. This particular tunnel, tucked away near a local park, was no exception.

As I straightened, I walked over to Harry Melling, who was still on the ground. Extending a hand, I helped him up. The bulky fat suit he wore made it difficult for him to rise unassisted, and he accepted the help gratefully.

"That was some fine acting back there," I said, shaking out the stiffness in my arm.

He chuckled nervously, brushing himself off. "I hope I didn't hit you too hard."

"I can take it," I replied confidently, massaging my jaw. "No offense, but you don't hold a candle to my Krav Maga instructor."

I suppressed a shiver at the mere thought of Connor. That man was relentless and his training sessions gruelingly painful. Though he avoided hitting my face to protect my career, he spared no mercy otherwise. Compared to him, Melling's punch felt like a love tap.

"By the way," Melling said suddenly, his tone a mix of excitement and hesitation. "Think you could get me Rihanna's autograph? I'm a huge fan."

I raised an eyebrow, eyeing him skeptically. "She's only released one album."

"That I've listened to a thousand times," he retorted, grinning unabashedly. "Her voice is perfect."

I nodded slowly, trying to keep my tone casual. "I can try. She won't be here in the UK for a long time—she's on tour. And I can't exactly go to her, for obvious reasons." I pointed around the set we were working at.

Harry Melling tilted his head, giving me a dubious look. "And you're still making it work? Long distance?"

I shrugged, letting the question hang. He wasn't close enough to know the ins and outs of my relationship, and I wasn't about to start explaining.

"What about you?" I asked, steering the conversation away from myself. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Nah, man." He shook his head, a crooked grin creeping onto his face. "Girls tend to find me repulsive. After all, who would date a fat bully like me?"

His tone was light, almost joking, but there was an unmistakable edge of truth in his words. It wasn't hard to imagine how playing a character like Dudley Dursley could affect someone's self-esteem. The roles actors take on often shape how the public perceives them—sometimes unfairly so. Abigail Breslin, who I'd recently worked with on [Little Miss Sunshine], had confided in me about her own insecurities during filming because of the fat suit she had to wear. Negative roles, especially ones that became iconic, could haunt an actor's image far beyond the screen.

"I can set you up with a pretty bird," I said, keeping my expression dead serious. "Just say the word."

For a moment, he looked at me dubiously, as if trying to decide whether I was joking. Then he shook his head with a laugh. "I'm fine. I need to focus on my studies for now."

"Fair enough," I said, inclining my head in agreement.

Before we could continue, Rian's voice rang out, loud and commanding. "Alright, boys! Time for the next part of the scene."

Hours later, after what felt like an eternity of retakes and adjustments, the day's shoot finally wrapped.

"Excellent job, everyone!" Rian called out, his enthusiasm palpable.

I bumped fists with Melling before heading toward my trailer, ready to shed the boring clothes of Harry Potter and get back into something my own. But before I could get far, Rian intercepted me.

"Troy," he began, "we're done with all the Dursley scenes. Tomorrow, we start shooting at Hogwarts."

"I know," I replied, already aware of the schedule. I decided to make some small talk, "So how're you feeling about Brick's success?"

"I couldn't be happier," He said with a grin. "Thank you for everything."

"You deserve this," I said with utmost confidence.

Rian ducked his head in embarrassment before straightening up suddenly. "I almost forgot. Here's your script for tomorrow." He handed me a thin, neatly bound stack of pages.

Usually, I wouldn't need the daily script because I had the full version with me, but there had been some last-minute changes for reasons that were still unclear. I'd asked Dad about it, hoping for some insight, but he'd been uncharacteristically tight-lipped.

Flipping through the pages, one scene caught my eye.

"So, it's Harry and Cho's kissing scene," I muttered aloud. Kissing scenes had become routine for me—a part of the job that barely registered anymore.

"Yeah," Rian said, nodding. "You can talk to your girlfriend about it in advance if you want."

I snorted, shaking my head. "That's not necessary."

"Alright, then." With a wave, Rian walked off to oversee the rest of the wrap-up.

As I continued toward my trailer, I skimmed the revised script more thoroughly. Halfway through, I froze.

"What the fuck," I whispered, my brow furrowing as I reread the section. "Why is Hermione jealous in this scene after finding out about Harry and Cho's kiss?"

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