Made In Hollywood

The Cruise couple didn't stay long and soon returned to Los Angeles. By late October, Tom Cruise gave Duke a definite answer about continuing with the Mission: Impossible sequel. Duke's words undoubtedly played a role, as did the overseas box office performance of Mission: Impossible.

It must be said that during this era, Tom Cruise's star power was astonishing. As long as the film and role allowed him to perfectly showcase his cool and suave persona, it was guaranteed to be a box office hit.

The North American box office for Mission: Impossible was just over $180 million, but by late October, its overseas box office had already reached nearly $300 million and was still climbing.

To not produce a sequel for such a smash hit would make Tom Cruise nothing short of a fool.

Duke left the sequel's work to the Duke Studio. Meanwhile, after two months of preparation, his new project in Wellington's studio was ready for filming.

The set in front of the camera was a messy room. After the first test shot ended, Duke walked to the center of the room and called Jason Statham and Gerard Butler over.

"Jason, your character is taciturn and primarily modeled after Emil. You need to maintain that silence."

Though there were two robbers, all films inevitably have a primary and secondary focus. Duke's setting was no exception. Turning to Gerard Butler, he added, "Jerry, your performance had some issues."

Circling the set, Duke stopped and continued to address Gerard Butler, "Emil's extreme mindset stems from his family circumstances. He also suffers from epilepsy after being beaten by a psychiatric patient. However, his epilepsy is controllable. In daily life, he isn't an irritable person. As the backbone of this duo, he remains relatively calm."

"Your earlier performance," Duke held up one finger, "was overly fierce. This was just a casual, everyday life scene. Emil is only with Larry, his long-time robbery partner. There's enough trust between you two—even a special kind of camaraderie."

Gerard Butler thought for a moment and then asked, "Can you give me five minutes?"

"Sure."

Duke nodded and returned to the director's monitor. Gerard Butler paced the set, practicing his blocking according to the instructions. After some thought, he called Jason Statham over, and the two began discussing their characters and the upcoming scene.

Five minutes passed quickly. Seeing Gerard Butler motion to him, Duke instructed an assistant director to notify all departments to prepare. Filming officially began.

"Critical Emergency, Scene One, Act One."

The assistant director placed the clapperboard in front of the camera lens. "Action!"

As with previous films, John Schwartzman personally operated the camera. Duke sat behind the director's monitor, watching the footage.

Sunlight, controlled by the lighting crew, poured through the window into the room. Gerard Butler, lying on the sofa, suddenly woke up. His face showed a mixture of panic and ferocity, as if he had relived the family events he wanted to forget or the beatings from psychiatric patients in his nightmares.

His movements startled Jason Statham, who was lying on a single-seater sofa. With a cold expression, Statham's face softened slightly only when looking at Butler.

"Another nightmare?" he asked. "You look awful."

"I've had dreams like this for over a decade," Gerard Butler slowly sat up. "You get used to it after a while."

He grabbed a large metal box, opened the lid, and casually tossed a pistol onto the sofa. Rummaging through a pile of bullets, he found his epilepsy medication, took out two pills, and swallowed them. Afterward, he held up the bottle and gestured to the other side.

"Want a couple? They'll calm you down."

Jason Statham shook his head, got up, walked over to a table, and picked up an AK-47 with a drum magazine. Pulling the charging handle, he reminded, "Let's find our next target..."

"Cut!"

Duke called for a halt. Seeing the two actors look his way, he said, "Jerry, Jason, your performances were good, but I want them to be better. You have five minutes to adjust."

Filming had just begun, and the crew needed time to adapt, especially the actors, who had to find their rhythm. Private rehearsals and acting in front of the camera were completely different. Having directed so many films, Duke understood this well. Through guidance, blocking, and other methods, he tried to get Gerard Butler and Jason Statham into the right mindset.

His expectations weren't high. Even at their peak, these two actors weren't known for their acting skills, let alone now.

This two-minute shot took the entire morning to complete before Duke finally called it a wrap.

"The director's demands are so strict."

Standing at the edge of the set, a girl in a hoodie held her mother's hand and whispered, "If I don't perform well, will he scold me, Mom?"

"Sweetheart, don't you have confidence in yourself?"

Before her mother could reply, Kate Beckinsale walked up from behind, reached out, and ruffled the girl's hood. "You did great during rehearsals."

The ten-year-old girl turned and smiled mischievously. "Hello, Mom."

Kate Beckinsale laughed as well. "Don't worry, Ellen. Duke is one of the most patient directors in Hollywood. He's very kind, and you're talented. He'll like you."

"Do you know him well, Kate?"

Ellen Page tugged her hand, curiosity in her voice. "You've been eating and chatting with him a lot recently. Is he pursuing you?"

"Sweetheart, you're overthinking."

Kate Beckinsale's gaze shifted to the set. She and Duke often discussed literature and film together, but she wasn't naive. She could guess his intentions. After all, the Rosenberg director was a well-known playboy.

"Hey, Kate, want to grab lunch?"

As filming paused, someone passing by invited her. "Join us at the restaurant?"

After lunch, Kate Beckinsale entered the makeup trailer to prepare for her scenes in the afternoon.

In a police station set, actors in uniforms and plain clothes moved about. Liam Neeson, a seasoned Hollywood actor, quickly adjusted his state and found his character after a few test shots and one break. This scene, consisting of five shots, was completed in just over an hour.

"How was my performance?" Liam Neeson asked, standing behind the monitor. "I've been in contact with two plainclothes detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and agents from the FBI's Los Angeles field office. It's given me some insight."

After an assistant handed him a cup of coffee, Duke replied, "You naturally exude a rare sense of righteousness. You're born to play roles like Jedi knights or law enforcement agents."

"Thanks."

Liam Neeson took a sip of coffee. "I prepared for this role much more than I did for Qui-Gon Jinn."

"If there's a chance in the future," Duke turned off the monitor, "we can work together again."

"What kind of role?" Liam Neeson joked, "Another cop?"

"How about a secret agent?" Duke joked back. "Or someone doing something terrifying in the name of justice?"

"Whenever you need me!" Liam Neeson dropped the joking tone, speaking earnestly. "Duke, I'm at your service."

Duke smiled and instructed his assistant, "Notify the crew to move to Stage 3."

While Liam Neeson went to redo his makeup, Duke headed to Stage 3, located in the southeastern corner of the studio. This set was designed as a cozy, middle-class home typical of North America.

Cameras were set up, lights adjusted, and the director's monitor placed. Soon, the area buzzed with activity.

Half an hour later, everything was ready. Three actors arrived, and Duke briefly discussed blocking with Ellen Page and Kate Beckinsale, who were the first to appear, before filming began.

The scene was straightforward, showcasing a mother-daughter duo enjoying a happy and warm family life, meant to sharply contrast with the tragic news Liam Neeson would bring in the following scene.

For an experienced actress like Kate Beckinsale, this scene was simple. However, for Ellen Page, appearing in her first film, it was different. Despite her stunning audition, the actual filming process was a new experience, and she appeared visibly tense and stiff.

"Cut!"

Duke temporarily halted filming and walked onto the set. Ellen Page looked at him, her tension visibly increasing.

Children and animals were notoriously difficult to direct. Duke understood this and knew that a stern attitude would backfire with child actors.

Sitting on a prop sofa, Duke gestured to the other side. "Ellen, Kate, have a seat."

"Director Rosenberg…" The young girl's gaze showed a hint of fear.

"Hey, sweetheart, take a seat," Duke said with a kind smile. "Am I that scary? Or am I so ugly that you don't dare look at me? I'm not Godzilla, am I?"

The girl forced a smile, pulling Kate Beckinsale with her as they sat across from Duke.