Chapter 459: Back to the Forefront III

For the most part, some of the before-mentioned really needed this.

Being cast as someone who was previously not that prominent or important, this was their chance once again to become somewhat the focus of public attention, through these situations. Barring the other projects they were part of.

It's their way back into the spotlight and what being back to the forefront is all about. Even if they were just there to prop up the event and not even be a footnote in many newspaper coverage.

Though, this all would have been made better if their pull was as strong as Tom Cruise's. Still, they were good enough...

And considering that Creed Pictures isn't as established in the industry... being able to call on just those that worked with them was more than enough... but it also hinges on the fact that it's all that they could do.

Lately, the Majors have been quite cold, specifically when theatrical distribution capabilities became established right under their noses.

So, inviting the truly big names wasn't that ideal, for even the peripheral brokerage agencies may still cooperate with projects but seem to also have a lofty and don't-want-to-get-involved attitude.

The semi-exiled premiere of Creed's last feature was due to these factors stacking up.

In any case, this Hollywood industry is mostly about exchange and relations.

A mutual equivalence of I scratched your back, so you now scratch mine...

And Creed Pictures may have had to pull that card to call up these people and to actively bypass the hidden lock-out.

Making it so that it was mostly actors who worked with Creed Pictures that are in attendance.

Top Gun, most obviously. But, to break that up... another set of people came up and leading them is an action star who is very hard to miss.

With his bulky frame and figure, it was none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger... with his own form of swagger.

However, he's not exactly an odd sight and presence when it comes to these Creed premieres. For he was here the last time around, albeit with a different entourage of heavy hitters.

Unfortunately, Director Cameron couldn't make it due to his Aliens' obligation, specifically on post-production... while Stallone was indisposed for many reasons.

But, even without Rocky Balboa, a Creed subbed in. The black and Apollo kind in the form of Carl Weathers...

And going by that combination, the next succession of guests could be surmised.

Although they're not so heavy in fame but they somewhat packing... in male machismo...

From the members of the elite paramilitary rescue team to the guy underneath the Yautja suit... this was what the Predator cast list brought unto the carpet.

And maybe some exotic femininity as well with their plus ones and with Elpidia Carillo in the mix.

Then again, they also brought in some publicity and propaganda for their shared film... but their pandering was more authorized and approved, given that the Creed projects only had each other to depend on...

However, before this whole thing devolves into some Top Gun 2.0 or something more Predator-y... they're obviously still not the main stars of the evening.

So, to break that chain off... the attendees eventually varied to those that are not specifically shown in the spotlight but are part of the behind-the-scenes of it all.

These are the types whose names just flash in the opening or are among the many in ending credits. Even then, only a handful of them are eyed on or slated to be able to attend.

Unfair, given that they contributed just as much, but that's just how things are... in Hollywood and the rest of the world.

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In any case, the relatively more notable personality among these many names was Bob Gale. Or Curious Bob, as Alexander dubs him.

Not really that credited as the screenwriter on this one, but bumped up to a producer in a sense.

So, his stake on this movie was just as high... but the fact that all of his involvement was done and dusted for more than a year or two ago also gave it an added heft of apprehension.

Such a long wait between participation and the actual release just gave leeway to a disconnect... but the gap also made him realise how out of work he was.

For the most part, aside from being busy with his own life, Back to the Future was truly atop as its most exciting highlight.

Which was why he was here to see it through and had his fingers crossed that this 2nd part was strong enough to cross the series's potential into the 3rd one.

After all, there's still a part III on the way...

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On his way as well is another Bob but could be more differentiated as Rob. Even more so as Innovative Rob.

Then again, his specifically identified as Robert Zemeckis, the director of this whole time-travelling affair.

For directors are perhaps the go-to name that people are interested in among the overlooked name drops.

Making it so that as he passed by, designated interviewers and hungry photographers are clamoring for his thoughts and images.

Which was quite understandable, given that even within his directorial rank, Zemeckis was on a hot streak... and maybe it won't be long for people to flock to his movies by virtue of his prominent identity alone and not because of those he'll cast.

Unlike his writer pal, he's sort of a desirable commodity... but that's not to say that the flopping of this Back to the Future would do him no harm.

Directorship and just about the rest of the talents in the film industry is mostly about having one good run after another. And just one blemish is enough to stain for forever.

However, aside from having high hopes that this sequel will succeed, he was also here to accommodate for his next project.

Case in point, he wasn't just here hand-in-hand with Mary Ellen to try and give her some sort of role in any other Creed films...

For he was also here, dragging along a certain someone, but it's more like this certain someone was the one dragging him along.

Another plus one that he'd rather be a minus one, to be honest.

But, it can't be help since this drag happened to be Michael Eisner... a person with strong influence and very headstrong to convince otherwise.

"Are you sure that you can convince them with your proposal, Mr. Eisner?" This was a question Robert hesitated to ask, given the disconnect between them, but it happened in this not-so-rowdy red carpet area, so why not?

Eisner obliged to answer by saying. "I'm not really sure if those Creeds are up for it, but even if they aren't... attending this premiere is not too bad."

The Disney man then added. "I was here the first time around and had a good feeling about the first movie, so I guess I'm hoping that this one won't do badly. After all, that "good feeling" and your involvement are why I had you take up Roger Rabbit. Haha."

That last chuckle's undertone was as good as heard and Robert felt that he really shouldn't have asked.

In all bluntness, he felt that continuing to work with Industrial Light and Magic was good enough for all the rotoscoping and layering effects that he was aiming for.

Yet for some reason, this guy just wants to bring in Creed Entertainment after Creed Graphics became whispered around.

And yes... Robert was able to get a clue of Creed Graphics' capabilities with post-production recent touch-ups of BttF II and found their tech to be advanced, but only slightly... probably...

Then again, working with ILM's effects would still be his preference given the state of things... with Creed Graphics only being exclusive to Creed projects and that George Lucas is a pal to his own mentor.

In any case, this Michael Eisner just seems to have a weird obsession with the Creeds... and maybe it's best that he didn't sink deeper into that...

Perhaps it's best to just think about how the movie will do well and be a neutral middleman of potential agreements and whatnot.

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Lo and behold, after all the Creeds that were mentioned over and over... it seemed to have summoned Sullivan Creed himself.

Making for a striking sight of an old gentleman who seems to just be taking a leisurely stroll through the hustle and bustle of this whole venue.

Of course, aside from that, what makes him a target of attention is the fact that he owns the film company and executively produced this very film.

So, he was such a person of interest for many people in this event... and his leisurely stroll wasn't going to be so leisurely for long...

Then again, his thought process was mostly on how his grandson has now evaded all this hassle and how to turn things around... given how much of an old placeholder he was.

After all, it's just inevitable that Alex will eventually be the true forefront for all of this at some point.