186 Timeskip

At the venue, Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins, along with the "Hunger Games" team, observed the actors they had chosen for their roles.

Having already introduced themselves to the cast, they were now watching the mock scenes being played back on the monitors.

"Why does Lucas look so different?" Suzanne inquired, her attention fixed on Lucas, who was in the midst of rehearsal with his fellow actors.

"His manager mentioned that he underwent this transformation for his last project, fully committing to the role," Gary explained, glancing at Lucas. The actor before them didn't quite match the image they had seen in his profile earlier.

Suzanne nodded in understanding. The decision to cast Lucas Knight as Peeta didn't really concern her, despite him being taller and leaner than the somewhat stockier build described for Peeta in the books. After all, the studio was prioritizing talent and strong performances over strict physical conformity.

In adaptations like "The Hunger Games," while certain physical traits can be significant to align with the source material, casting decisions are heavily influenced by an actor's capacity to capture the character's core and convey their emotional journey.

Particularly after witnessing Lucas's mock scenes alongside other characters, the production team was convinced. They felt Lucas's portrayal resonated with their interpretation of Peeta. Any physical discrepancies from the character as described in the novels were deemed minor or irrelevant, overshadowed by Lucas's compelling performance.

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As time flew by, two weeks quickly elapsed with Lucas diligently working alongside his fellow "Hunger Games" cast members, rehearsing scenes and refining their portrayals. Throughout this period, Lucas not only made significant strides in his recovery but also formed a closer bond with Jennifer. However, it was clear to Lucas that Liam, one of his co-stars, seemed to harbor some resentment towards him.

With his hair now fully regrown, thicker and more robust than ever, Lucas had returned to his original look. Yet, as he delved deeper into embodying Peeta Mellark through his personal "Mind Workshop," he observed a subtle shift towards a stockier build, though he remained predominantly lean.

In immersing himself in the role, Lucas began to acquire Peeta Mellark's distinctive skills, notably his exceptional strength, strategic thinking, and most importantly, his talent for camouflage. These abilities not only augmented Lucas's physical preparation but also enriched his understanding and portrayal of Peeta, enhancing his performances in ways that deeply impressed the production team and further solidified his embodiment of the character.

Along the journey, Lucas began to grasp the true extent of his "Mind Workshop's" capabilities. Initially, he had thought it only allowed him to hone specific, standout skills of any character he immersed himself in. However, discovering he could acquire a broad array of a character's abilities opened up a world of endless possibilities for him.

He reminisced about his role in "Game of Thrones," recalling how he mastered horse riding by simulating the experience in his "Mind Workshop." But now, Lucas sensed something different, almost as if his "Mind Workshop" had undergone its own form of leveling up. Its capabilities seemed to have expanded, allowing him to spend longer periods in this mental space and to tap into a wider range of skills than before.

Lucas speculated that his continuous involvement in various projects and his dedication to fully completing them might have contributed to enhancing his "Mind Workshop." This evolution not only surprised him but also excited him about the potential growth and the myriad opportunities it could unlock for his future roles.

As Lucas pondered the boundaries of his "Mind Workshop," he couldn't help but wonder about the extent to which immersing himself as Peter Parker might endow him with some of Peter's attributes, like the famed spider sense, formidable physical strength, and notably, his sharp intellect. Even if he couldn't access Spider-Man's quintessential powers—the ability to cling to walls and swing from webs—the thought of acquiring Peter Parker's intelligence alone was enticing.

However, Lucas also began to recognize the limitations of his "Mind Workshop." It appeared that unless he was actively involved in a project featuring the character he wished to explore, he couldn't delve into or practice that character's traits within his mental workshop. This restriction prevented him from freely experimenting with and adopting the personas of characters in projects he wasn't a part of.

Moreover, Lucas acknowledged that even if these constraints didn't exist, limitless immersion could potentially have adverse effects. Diving into too many characters without focus could dilute his concentration on the role at hand. Additionally, there was the possibility of negative side effects from absorbing an array of skills in a brief timeframe. This understanding highlighted a critical balance Lucas needed to maintain: leveraging his "Mind Workshop" to enhance his acting while ensuring he remained focused and unaffected by the myriad of characters' abilities he might otherwise adopt.

With the "Hunger Games" project not set to begin filming for a while, since it was only March 2011, the cast temporarily went their separate ways as the production team carried on with auditions for other roles.

"Let's keep in touch while we're waiting for our project to start, okay?" Jennifer suggested, locking eyes with Lucas.

"Absolutely," Lucas agreed, nodding. He already had Jennifer's phone number, and they had been exchanging texts quite frequently for some time. Then, catching Liam's gaze from a distance, Lucas offered a nod, which Liam returned with one of his own.

After wrapping things up, Lucas and his manager caught a flight back to Los Angeles for a brief taping of "Modern Family." Once completed, Lucas found himself with some downtime in Los Angeles, a perfect opportunity to relax before heading back to New York for his next commitments.

Back in New York, with a window of free time before his schedule ramped up with other projects, Lucas seized the chance to catch up with friends. He reconnected with Paul, caught up with Liza and Leo over meals at a restaurant, and even stepped back into his old shoes as a part-time waiter there. He dropped by the bar where Samantha worked, enjoying conversations with her and her aunt, the bar's manager.

A visit to Bellevue Hospital with Liza was also on his agenda, a place they frequented together.

Lucas and Liza were greeted with mixed reactions from the children. A few weeks prior, the kids had reveled in Lucas's bald look, affectionately dubbing him "Bald Dylan" and laughing merrily. Now, seeing his hair fully grown back, they couldn't hide their disappointment, letting out sighs that drew a wry chuckle from both Lucas and Liza.

As time marched on and Christmas rolled around, Lucas, with Liza's help, prepared special gifts for the hospital's young patients. This thoughtful gesture brightened the day for both the kids and their parents. The parents and nurses also recognized Lucas, several parents approached, their faces lighting up with smiles, as they requested his autograph, adding a touch of celebrity sparkle to their holiday season.

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