Chapter 460: Back to the Forefront IV
However, as much as Sullivan wanted that to happen, Alex seemed much more content to remain in the shadows.
Which is already a matter of miraculousness that the boy's feats still haven't been overblown to massive proportions.
Despite it being a shared secret within Creed company walls, it's not like those walls are soundproof enough to not be heard by outsiders.
Making for an obscure anomaly, indeed.
Especially with his old mouth bragging left and right to whomever had ears to listen.
Granted, they were actually just old friends and close acquaintances... but it's either that those people never believed him or they're too envious or too scared to spread such unbelievable facts around.
So, he was just stumped all around... but given how frozen and unapproachable Alex still is... maybe it's for the better for now.
Since his efforts to make the boy show emotion haven't made any progress. And being the face of all this socialization and carpet-side noisiness would probably drain the boy out. Intensifying that coldness some more.
With all that mentally said, Sullivan Creed was somewhat begrudged in being the current public face of it all.
Of course, other than that, he's also involuntarily taking on his grandson's other responsibility of chaperoning his girlfriends to premieres.
Oh, the stuff he does for Alex.
In any case, what else can he do?
The boy didn't want to be in the limelight, and Galina's taken the stance to be mostly hands off and just watch from afar as her daughter takes the stroll... meanwhile, from what he's been told, that Jaid should really be hands off and far away from her own daughter.
So, Sullivan's sort of content to be the one to show them around.
Making for a striking sight of an old gentleman that seems to just be taking a leisurely stroll through the hustle and bustle of this whole venue... with eye-catching young ones in tow.
It also can't be helped when this young duo each had their own mark in popular culture. And when you put one and one together... the intrigue in them would be sure to double.
Which is why when some media outlet representative got the chance, they'd go ahead and call out to the old producer to ask...
Things like... what are you doing here, Milla? Where's your signature black and white?
For the girl ditched the look she was known for and went with an odder ensemble of clothing. Pinky and fluffy and quite girly.
To which, little Milica revealed that she was part of the movie, in her first movie role ever. And that her style of clothing would also reveal to be a part of that role.
An answer somewhat succinct like Alex and engaging enough to make people wonder where in the movie she was. Given the seconds of screentime she had, it was good and perhaps another narrative that the publicity of her participation can take.
And yes, somewhat the same set of questions made its way to Drew... but most of her presence here could be surmised by what she's wearing... which matched the girlish and cutesy futuristic style that her counterpart had and depicted her most popular role of recency.
Wonder Drew of Creed Games. A gimmick whose photo and reporting coverage could probably draw in the multitude of Creed gamers that are growing out there in the world.
Overall, Sullivan was satisfied with what these girls knowingly or unwittingly contributed... but as somewhat mentioned... one and one can be doubled...
And when the crowd asked what brought their pairing here together... their private status as "best friends" became public and that it all began when they found themselves enrolling as classmates in the same private school.
Such simple facts that seem to send many into scribbling things into their notes... and Sullivan even found himself curious of the ripples it would cause.
Even more curious of the waves that would be made when their relationship with his grandson would be publicized as well. In the far future, perhaps.
Which would be a public relations nightmare for sure... but he actually found it quite humorous to look forward to...
------------
------------
------------
Of course, before looking forward, it's also good to be back to the present... or Back to the Future?
For after a BttF-adjacent extra like Milla Jovovich, the actual BttF stars eventually started to take the spotlight...
This was mostly their evening to begin with...
Then again, there are actually still extras to pay attention to... especially when they're "heaththrobs" packaged as a trio. Garnering them extra attention than they normally should have.
Case in point in the case of River Phoenix, who played not even a significant role in the first movie and none in this second one. However, he was here because of his rising stock as a notable name and face... and of course, as a supporter.
The same could be said for Keanu Reeves, who had a much more prominent role as the main character's brother, only in the first film while he's just going to be named in this one. But as mentioned... he was also here for support.
Support for the film series as a whole, for the production company in a way, and for Johnny as well.
With that said, there was also Johnny Depp, here by virtue of being Douglas J. Needles... the only one in their group who had a certain part to play in this part II.
Of course, other than this, Johnny already has a role under the Creed banner again with some weird director... so his emphasis on being here was more apparent than the previous two.
All in all, they're really just extras and contributing as they can. For the sake of it... and for the sake of their current and potential roles in any other Creed production.
From Match, Skinhead... 3-D, to Whitey, Data, and Spike... fellow supporting characters of the actors who share the same sentiment.
------------
Moving on in a much awkward-er stance than others would be Lea Thompson, acting out the versatile Mrs. McFly that's about to be tested in many timelines.
Previously starring in the lambasted Howard the Duck, she had the same thought process as co-star Robbins before her.
Hence, the awkwardness.
Other than that is the weird fact that she's strolling through with Eric Stoltz to her side.
Which should be a given, given that in the film, they're technically a couple. So a propaganda of romance was necessary in public outings like this.
However, this arrangement wasn't exactly what Creed Pictures wanted to push. Since it's more of a plan drummed up by their agents and management.
After all, aside from this high-profile sequel, both of them also led-starred earlier in a film called 'Some Kind of Wonderful'. Partnering up once again.
A low earner in the theaters but continuing their public facade of romance from there to here shouldn't be too bad.
Lea Thompson was professional if need be... but something deep in her felt conflicted. For she didn't really love this regularly co-starring Stoltz...
She actually had feelings for their recent project's director. Not in the sense of BttF's Robert Zemeckis but on the director named Howard.
Not really Howard the Duck, for he was Howard Deutch. The 'Some Kind of Wonderful' director.
And these connections sure stirred something deep within her... and it's also some kind of wonderful, in a way.
Of course, as opposed to his plus one's complications, Eric Stoltz was more go with the flow and felt to have peaked with the many movies he's in for the year.
They may not be as big as this Back to the Future... but it really is a productive year for him.
----------------
Trailing not too far is the antagonistic villain that is personified by Thomas Wilson.
But, unfortunately, Biff Tannen's infamy may have screwed him over.
With no other recent projects to show for, and his last ones were roles that really weren't that notable.
According to his agent, perceptions and stereotyping had already formed on him... and it's something that's hard to shake off.
It comes in the territory of playing the enemy apparently... and Thomas could only breathe out his frustrations.
Nonetheless, he's here in this premiere, smiling for the cameras and answering the throwaway questions that he could.
It's part of his obligations, after all. Even if his stint as the hated Tannens from Biff to Griff would only further harm his already-harmed career.
For what it's worth, the Back to the Future film series would probably be the biggest project that he'd be a part of... and why not just enjoy it while he can.
-------------
And enjoying it is what's also on Christopher Lloyd's mind.
Because quite unlike Wilson's dilemma, his portrayal of a kooky character like Doc Brown didn't put a hamper to his employments. It just boosted it instead.
Bringing quite a significant name recognition than the already plentiful of other movie roles he had. This year's 'Walk Like a Man' and 'Legend of the White Horse' included.
So, there's no denying that a good sequel to his most well-known project is expected to help his cause even more. Paving him a spot in Hollywood productions that he is sure to try and take.
Even when these spots are certain to be typecastedly eccentric and barmy as the DeLorean tinkerer, what's bad about that?
That could even be a niche that he'll fill in... cause why not?
However, those are thoughts for the future, specifically after this premiere of the 2nd Back to the Future.
---------------
After the biggest supporting role came the female lead herself, which is still a supporting role in its own right. And maybe that big supporting role was the other main character to begin with.
Either way, the distinction was lost on Claudia Wells. What's important is that she's Jennifer Parker... and no one can take that away from her.
Of course, her possessiveness of this stint wasn't from nothing. It's due to only having a string of television roles in TV movies that got her to be this way.
Not that that's bad in of itself, however, the silver screen may not be gold but it's the standard of the industry these days.
It's also not like Claudia didn't try to reach for other theatrical movie roles... it is just that for some reason, a certain actress takes away the roles she's been aiming for.
That nuisance that people call Elizabeth Shuey. From 'Link' to 'Adventures in Babysitting'... the Karate Kid's girlfriend always seems to one-up her.
That girl could probably even breastfeed some grown man to get the chance to beat her.
Almost as if she's out to replace any role she has eyes on. Of course, these may just be coincidences but Claudia didn't even doubt that when given the chance... Shuey-ptooey would be Jennifer Parker in place of her.
Which may seem like an exaggeration but something tells her that it could happen, or it may have happened in another life.
Thankfully, the trilogy was a back-to-back-to-back filming and she could be rest assured. Even if her Elisabeth paranoia still sets in from time to time.
------------
Contrasting the female lead, the male lead followed next or close by... with the attention on him being higher than the rest.
It just came into the main character's territory. With the red carpet pretty much becoming his personal stage in a way.
Michael J. Fox took up the responsibility as he could... and gladly he did.
And although a lot of thoughts ran through his head at these moments... he's more or less just relieved that the sequel is finally here.
And he and his co-stars are back to the forefront that they've previously been in.