Before leaving the AA office, Bryan Lourd shared some "heartbreaking" news with Dunn . "Dunn , you need to be careful while filming. I just got word that things aren't looking good over at the *Blade* set!"
"Something happened?" Dunn 's expression changed, and he asked with concern, "Bryan, what's going on?"
Bryan Lourd shook his head and sighed, "It's not good. There was an accident on set—a backdrop wall collapsed, injuring several people."
Dunn 's face turned serious as he asked, "That serious? No one was killed, right?"
What, were you hoping for fatalities? That's too harsh!
Bryan Lourd's expression shifted slightly, and he cast a deep look at Dunn before replying with a sigh, "No one's in life-threatening danger, but several people have been hospitalized. The production's losses are estimated to be at least three million dollars."
Dunn frowned. "That's really unfortunate! Hey, wasn't *Blade* one of AA's bundled services? You guys..."
Bryan Lourd waved his hand dismissively, "It's got nothing to do with us. The backdrop was part of an old set New Line Cinema had bought a long time ago."
"What a shame. How could New Line have been so careless?" Dunn shook his head as if he was deeply disappointed. "Filming action scenes is already risky enough; safety should always be the top priority."
Bryan Lourd nodded, "Yes, I hope this incident serves as a wake-up call for New Line Cinema."
Dunn 's eyes flickered, and he said with a smirk, "A wake-up call? I doubt it. New Line is still a small company, and Marvel has no experience in film production. I wouldn't be surprised if something even bigger goes wrong. What do you think, Bryan?"
Bryan Lourd's face tightened, and he cast a sharp glance at Dunn . "Maybe, maybe not. Who knows?"
Dunn seemed confident as he declared, "I'm certain it will! Bryan, my predictions are usually spot on, aren't they?"
Bryan Lourd gritted his teeth, showing a hint of helplessness, and sighed, "Maybe."
Dunn finally laughed. "Bryan, even though I'm young, I understand the importance of integrity over profit."
This was essentially a promise.
Bryan Lourd began to regret his partnership with Dunn . Had he made a mistake?
But the ship had already set sail, and there was no turning back.
"Of course, I've always believed that," Bryan forced a smile.
Nicole Kidman and Pat Kingsley exchanged puzzled looks, sensing something strange about the conversation. There was an unspoken tension that they couldn't quite put their finger on—especially with Dunn . What did New Line Cinema's movie have to do with him?
Hollywood wasn't exactly known for empathy, after all.
---
*My Big Fat Greek Wedding* had officially begun filming.
Dunn 's version of the script had undergone two months of revisions and was significantly different from the original. It had more comedic moments, a richer plot, and, most importantly, a more believable and emotional journey for the main characters. Unlike the original's somewhat inexplicable romance, this version showed the couple overcoming numerous obstacles, making their eventual happiness feel earned and genuinely touching.
Another key difference was the change in director. While Garry Marshall's directorial skills weren't exceptional—his overall rating was only 79, making him far from an award-winning director—his comedies had a consistent track record of box office success.
In contrast, the original film's director was so bad that he could be compared to a recent film school graduate. The original's impressive box office performance had nothing to do with the director; it was all thanks to the story's appeal.
Now, with a better director, a stronger cast, more investment, and powerful backing, Dunn was confident that his version of *My Big Fat Greek Wedding* would surpass the original.
At this moment, Dunn was in Nicole Kidman's dressing room, staring at the Australian goddess, who had lost all her ethereal charm.
Nicole Kidman looked slightly pale, her once youthful skin now appearing aged. Her hair, dyed black and twisted into a high, strange bun atop her head, only added to her bizarre appearance. Dressed in a bulky costume that hid her refined figure, she looked more like a supermarket mom than a glamorous movie star.
"It's still not ugly enough! Add some freckles to her face," Dunn suggested as he stood behind Nicole, critically observing her look.
Nicole, who had spent a decade showcasing her most beautiful side on screen, was visibly upset. "Are you trying to ruin me?" Her voice was cold, but she restrained herself from arguing with Dunn , holding back out of professional courtesy.
Dunn , however, remained indifferent. "Nicole, trust me, this will be the most significant breakthrough of your career—not like that… not like that nonsense with Kubrick!"
Kubrick, a fraud?
The makeup artists around them shuddered. Only someone as bold as Dunn , a rising star in Hollywood, would dare to speak so disrespectfully about the legendary filmmaker.
Nicole's face turned pale with anger. She had gone to great lengths, pushing her boundaries in *Eyes Wide Shut*, showing her body in ways she never had before, all to revive her declining career. And now, Dunn had the audacity to mock Kubrick!
"Dunn , you're going too far!" Nicole snapped.
But Dunn remained unapologetic, sighing, "Nicole, that movie will disappoint you. The only one who can bring you success is me!"
"Hmph!" Nicole scoffed. Between Kubrick and Dunn , she naturally trusted the former more.
Dunn shook his head, speaking more seriously. "Nicole, your beauty is mesmerizing, but it's also your curse. No matter what role you play, you always come off as just a pretty face. Do you understand what I mean?"
The makeup artists tensed up again. Complimenting Nicole's beauty was one thing, but saying he was "mesmerized"? And so openly? Nicole… she was still Mrs. Cruise, after all.
Traditionally, Hollywood had always glamorized its leading ladies, especially those who were box office draws. Who had ever heard of making a star deliberately ugly?
Nicole, naturally, didn't trust Dunn 's words. She responded coolly, "I just want to finish this movie."
Her meaning was clear—she respected her profession, but not Dunn as a director.
"You'll come to trust me," Dunn shrugged and walked away.
---
The first scene was set in the protagonist "Toula's" home.
Nicole stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at her face, now devoid of its youthful glow. Her expression was a mix of melancholy, bitterness, and resignation. "Toula, you're already thirty years old," she muttered, then clenched her fist determinedly, "Come on, you can get married!"
This scene wasn't in the original script. It was a new addition by Dunn 's writing team, designed to quickly establish Toula's background and personality while setting up the comedic tone of the film.
"Cut!" Dunn called out from behind the camera, frowning. "Nicole, you need to understand that Toula's character is conflicted. She's over thirty, unattractive, unloved, and desperate to marry a Greek man—she's insecure. But at the same time, she's optimistic and has a positive outlook on life. I need a complex performance, not a straightforward one."
Being criticized for her acting in the first scene made Nicole frustrated. She began to suspect that Dunn was targeting her.
When they reshot the scene, Dunn interrupted again. "Nicole, your performance is off. You're doing well with the sorrowful side, but you're not showing her cheerful side. Don't always see yourself as an ugly woman—sometimes, you need to forget that and show the playful, coquettish side of a pretty girl."
"Don't you think that's disgusting?" Nicole snapped, unable to hold back any longer. Making an ugly woman act cute—how revolting!
Dunn chuckled. "The fact that you thought of that shows you're starting to understand the character, but it's not enough! We're making a comedy here, and the contrast is what creates the biggest laughs. Do you get it?"
Nicole took a deep breath. "I'll try."
"Alright, first scene, third take—action!"
Nicole stood in front of the mirror again, her face full of sorrow and resignation. She sighed bitterly, "Toula, you're already thirty years old, ahhh!"
She suddenly went wild, shaking her rolled-up hair, her hands digging into her scalp as she scratched frantically. Then she abruptly stopped, her expression changed, and she tilted her chin up slightly, flashing a sweet smile at her reflection in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she confidently clenched her hands in front of her chest and declared, "Come on, you can get married!"
"Cut!"
Dunn stood up with a smile. "Very good, Nicole, that was great."
Nicole sighed in relief and asked her assistant for a glass of water.
"But I believe you can do even better!"
"Huh?" Nicole was taken aback, turning to look at Dunn in surprise, feeling like she had just been played.