End of Filming
Scott and I were still working on the script for the Superman movie. Even though I was busy with "12 Angry Men," Scott had taken over most of the writing during this time. We had a system where we would only include what we both agreed on into the script. So far, we had encountered some disagreements, but we were able to work them out by making compromises.
Scott sat opposite me in my new office in the newly renovated HQ of Stardust Entertainment. Yes, I had an office now—perks of being one of the high-level guys in the company. I also held some shares in the new company. The office was medium-sized and sparsely furnished, with only a desk and some chairs.
I read through the part of the script written by Scott.
INT. LEXCORP HEADQUARTERS - LEX LUTHOR'S OFFICE - NIGHT
The room is dimly lit, with the city skyline glowing outside the massive windows. LEX LUTHOR, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, sits at his grand desk, his fingers steepled in front of him. Across the desk, several of his top executives and advisors stand nervously.
EXECUTIVE 1
(voice trembling)
Mr. Luthor, we've received reports of Superman's involvement in Nishapur.
Lex's expression remains calm, but his eyes narrow slightly.
LEX LUTHOR
Go on.
EXECUTIVE 2
Superman has been disrupting our operations there. He's provided aid to the local population and exposed several of our facilities.
Lex's gaze shifts to a newspaper article from the Daily Planet lying on his desk. The headline reads: "War Profiteering in Nishapur: The Untold Story" by Clark Kent. Lex picks up the newspaper, skimming through the damning accusations against him and other businessmen involved in the conflict.
LEX LUTHOR
(reading aloud)
"War profiteering... gaining cheap access to resources... exploiting the suffering of the people."
He places the newspaper down, his face a mask of controlled fury.
LEX LUTHOR
Is this Clark Kent becoming a thorn in our side?
EXECUTIVE 1
Yes, sir. His articles have been gaining traction. People are starting to ask questions.
Lex leans back in his chair, contemplating.
LEX LUTHOR
Deal with the annoying reporter. I have bigger fish to fry.
The executives nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. Lex dismisses them with a wave of his hand.
LEX LUTHOR
(to himself)
Superman.
"So, we agreed on the Nishapur plotline?" I asked Scott, leaning back in my chair.
"Yes," Scott nodded. "I think we can introduce Metallo here as well."
"Ah, the soldier route. Good choice," I said, smiling.
As we continued discussing, my pager buzzed with an alert from Julie reminding me it was time for filming to begin. Today was the last day of filming "12 Angry Men." The movie was ahead of schedule, with the last two days reserved for reshoots that Ron thought were necessary.
"Scott, I have to go. I'll call you tomorrow," I said, standing up.
"Sure thing, Danny," Scott replied, gathering the pages from the desk.
I walked out into the hallway, and as I headed towards the elevator, my phone rang. It was Haley.
"Hey," I answered.
"You cannot believe what happened," Haley said, sounding annoyed and angry.
"What happened?" I asked, curious.
"My stupid sister went and embarrassed herself by kissing a boy at his house. His friends saw it, and now everyone at school knows. I'm so embarrassed! Even my friends know about it now," Haley ranted.
"Why did Alex do something like that? That doesn't seem like her," I asked, puzzled.
Haley was silent for a moment.
"You had something to do with it, didn't you?" I accused.
"Yes, I might," Haley admitted.
"What did you do, Haley?" I asked.
"Okay, Mom read texts in Alex's phone between her and some boy in her class," Haley began.
"Of course she did," I responded, remembering how Claire was with her children when it came to invading their privacy.
"She then asked me to go talk to her to give her some advice, you know..."
I sighed. "What did you tell that poor girl, Haley?"
"She told me she never kissed a boy before, so I told her if she doesn't kiss a boy, everyone will think she's a lesbian..." Haley said quickly.
"So, Alex went to the boy's house to kiss him," Haley explained, sounding defensive.
"So, it is your fault," I said.
"No, it's not," she protested.
"Yes, it is. You gave her bad advice," I replied.
"Look, Haley, I'll come over in the evening. Just don't make your sister feel worse than she does now. She's probably more embarrassed than you about all this."
"Fine," Haley said, cutting the call.
"So much drama in that family," I muttered as I got into the elevator.
.
.
.
I arrived on set, and the place was buzzing with activity. Crew members were darting around, adjusting lights and cameras, while the cast gathered in the jury room, preparing for the final scenes. Ron Howard was giving orders, his voice calm but authoritative. Dave and Sam were huddled over a monitor, discussing the shots, and even Chris was present, taking a break from overseeing the production of Finding Nemo, which was set to release next year.
As I approached Chris, he glanced up and smiled. "So, how's the script coming along?"
"Great so far," I replied. "How long until we can see Nemo? I hope you fixed that problem with the animation."
"Next month…. We can hold a screening," Chris said. "And yes, the animation is fixed now. No one will have to see that monstrosity again."
I laughed, remembering the severe error in the animation that had caused some very non-family-friendly scenes to render.
"Alright, let's get this finished," Ron called out.
"So, Oscars?" I asked Chris, raising an eyebrow.
"We've made all the preparations. You'll need to make some appearances, of course, have some dinners," Chris said with a smile.
I sighed, "I thought so."
"Hey, kid, if you want to win," Chris said.
"Yeah, I know," I replied, walking next to Ron.
"Hey, Danny, ready to finish this?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, then on to post-production. Sounds boring," I said with a smirk.
"Yeah, it can be a bit boring," Ron admitted. "Everyone ready?" he asked, getting a positive response from the cast and crew.
He yelled, "Action."
Tom Hanks, playing Juror 8, began his lines with a calm but firm voice. "Listen, she wasn't wearing them in bed. That's for sure. She testified that in the midst of her tossing and turning she rolled over and looked casually out the window. The murder was taking place as she looked out, and the lights went out a split second later. She couldn't have had time to put on her glasses. Now maybe she honestly thought she saw the boy kill his father. I say that she saw only a blur."
J.K. Simmons, as Juror 3, interjected angrily, "How do you know what she saw? Maybe she's far-sighted." He looked around, but no one answered. "How does he know all these things?" Juror 3 shouted louder, his frustration evident. The room fell into silence.
"Does anyone think there still is not a reasonable doubt?" Juror 8 asked, looking around the room. His gaze landed on Gary Oldman, playing Juror 10, who looked down and shook his head.
"I think he's guilty!" Juror 3 proclaimed loudly.
"Does anyone else?" Juror 8 asked calmly.
Michael Stuhlbarg, as Juror 4, replied quietly, "No. I'm convinced."
Juror 8 turned back to Juror 3. "You're alone."
"I don't care whether I'm alone or not! I have a right," Juror 3 retorted.
"You have a right," Juror 8 agreed. The room paused, everyone looking at Juror 3.
"Well, I told you I think the kid's guilty. What else do you want?" Juror 3 demanded.
"Your arguments," Juror 8 replied firmly.
"We're not convinced. We're waiting to hear them again. We have time," Juror 8 continued.
The camera pulled back to a long shot of the entire jury. Juror 3 stood there, frustrated, for a moment. Then he began, and the camera slowly moved in on him.
"Everything... every single thing that came out in that courtroom, but I mean everything... says he's guilty. Do you think I'm an idiot or something? Why don't you take that stuff about the old man... the old man who lived there... and heard everything, or take the knife, what, just because he... found one exactly like it? That old man saw him. Right there on the stairs. What's the difference how many seconds it was? What's the difference? Every single thing. The knife falling through a hole in his pocket... you can't prove that he didn't get to the door. Sure, you can hobble around the room and take all the time you want, but you can't prove it! And that stuff with the el! And the movies! Now there's a phony deal if I ever saw one. I betcha five thousand dollars I'd remember the movies I saw the night I killed my father... as if I ever would! I'm telling you, every single thing that went on has been twisted and turned in here. That business with the glasses, how do you know she didn't have them on? The woman testified in court... and that whole thing about hearing the boy yell... Listen, I've got all the facts here! You guys..."
He paused and looked around. "Well, what do you want? That's it!" JK shouted.
Tom waited silently. JK looked around furiously, then shouted, "That's the whole case! Somebody say something."
No one did. "You lousy bunch of bleeding hearts!" JK yelled. No one moved. Everyone watched him silently.
"You're not gonna intimidate me!" JK screamed. There was no answer. "I'm entitled to my opinion!" he shouted again.
Still, there was no answer. Suddenly, he strode swiftly to Tom, standing in front of him with utter hatred.
"Move the camera," Ron ordered. The camera moved in on them.
JK's expression changed to one of even more anger as he glanced down at the table where the photo of him and his son was.
"Rotten kids, you work your life out," JK angrily tore the photo, but then quickly regretted it. The camera focused on his face as he played the part perfectly. JK hid his face with his hands and fell to the table, sitting down and hiding his face.
Then he softly said, "Not guilty."
"Long shot of the entire jury," Ron ordered the operator next to him.
A shot from behind the foreman appeared on the screen.
Everyone got up.
Silently, the jurors gathered their belongings and began to walk toward the door. The camera moved in close on the door, catching the face of each juror as they exited.
"Cut!" Ron yelled. "Good work, everyone."
The actors visibly let out a collective breath, some of them smiling at each other.
"That's a wrap," Ron said to the applause of everyone there.
"Great job," I said, clapping my hands. The cast looked pleased with the praise.
"If I don't win any awards for that, I will retire from acting," Gary Oldman joked, to everyone's laughter.
'Time to put this movie together' I thought, as everyone congratulated each other on completing the filming.