Carl looked at Ethan and said, "He's an extra we found locally in Paris, named Morbès. I went around his neighborhood asking about him and found out that he was previously involved in a grassroots organization called the Paris Preservation Union. From the name alone, you should know what kind of group this is."
"These people really have too much free time." Ethan was speechless. He had initially thought this guy was sent by a competitor to mess with him, but it turned out he was just part of a local extremist protectionist group.
"Yeah, with so much vandalism and urine stains all over the city, they don't bother dealing with that. Instead, they come to our movie set to make trouble." Carl was just as exasperated.
France had numerous unions and grassroots organizations, constantly staging strikes and protests. The Paris Preservation Union was one of them. Their mission was to protect Paris's environment and image from any damage, condemning any act of destruction against the city.
If they actually carried out real, constructive actions, that would be one thing. But unfortunately, they were more interested in leeching off media attention—disrupting movies, interviews, and TV shows, flashing the middle finger as a symbol of their defiance against those they deemed as harming Paris.
The next day, newspapers immediately published reports about an "incident" on the Inception set.
An actor accused Ethan of physically threatening him and even resorting to violence.
But Ethan had already prepared for this. That afternoon, he gathered a group of journalists and showed them photographic evidence.
The photos clearly captured the hawk-nosed actor flipping the middle finger during the explosion scene.
His gesture was subtle, as he had positioned his left hand behind the airblast, making it hard to notice.
If someone didn't have keen eyes, they wouldn't have spotted it at all.
Within just half a day, major media outlets began reporting a new angle—exposing the rogue union's attempt to sabotage the film.
Ethan wasn't concerned with all this noise. After finishing the street explosion scene, the crew had already left Paris for Canada.
Meanwhile, as Inception was still filming, Juno had completed post-production and entered its promotional phase.
"What's this movie? Juno?"
Judy and Milon were standing outside a pharmacy, hesitating.
Milon wasn't interested in the poster; his mind was entirely focused on Judy's stomach. "Just one test, and we'll know if you're pregnant?"
"Of course," Judy replied impatiently. "I told you, you should've used protection."
Milon scratched his head sheepishly. "I was just… too excited at the time."
"Hmph." Judy wasn't letting him off the hook. "So, if I really am pregnant, do you want to be a dad?"
"What do you mean?" Milon was caught off guard, then quickly nodded. "Of course, I'd take responsibility."
"Who said I need you to take responsibility?" Judy rolled her eyes, leaving Milon confused.
He scratched his head, watching as Judy walked into the pharmacy.
Left alone, Milon glanced around absentmindedly and noticed the movie poster nearby.
"Why would they put a poster like this next to a pharmacy?" He found it odd but, upon seeing the pregnant teenage girl on the poster, seemed to understand.
"Unplanned pregnancy, Juno, directed by Ethan Li Norton?" Mirren exclaimed in surprise. He hadn't expected this film to be Ethan's work.
The theme intrigued him—probably because he was currently stressing over his own "Schrödinger's baby."
When Judy walked out of the pharmacy with a test kit in hand, Milon pointed at the poster. "How about… we go watch this movie this weekend?"
"Juno?" Judy looked at the poster. Seeing Ellen Page's pregnant character made her think of herself.
If she were really pregnant, she'd probably end up waddling around just like that.
"Let's go." She made the decision.
"Alright."
The two walked away from the pharmacy.
Not long after, another young couple stopped outside.
Just as similar scenes were unfolding outside pharmacies across New York—and all over the country.
"Wanna see this movie?"
"A teenage pregnancy in school… Isn't that basically us? Of course, we have to see it. Let's see if the guy in the movie is as much of a jerk as you."
"Hey, babe, I took responsibility!"
"Then why didn't you remember to use protection?"
"I was caught up in the moment, you know how it is, babe. I couldn't control my little guy!"
"Hmph!"
At the same time, a few Black women with big bellies walked past the poster.
But regardless of their state or status, everyone who saw this poster was captivated by Ellen Page's pregnant look on it, which led them to decide to watch the movie over the weekend.
On the weekend, Milon and Judy arrived at the cinema.
"There are so many people." The two of them looked at the young crowd, exchanged glances, and subconsciously realized that these people must be here for Juno.
"Yeah, look, some of them even have big bellies." Following Milon's gaze, Judy nodded with relief, "Luckily, I'm not pregnant."
"Yeah." Milon also felt a sense of escaping disaster. If they had a child, he had no idea what his future would become.
Would he become a stay-at-home dad?
Or an irresponsible workaholic?
Everything was an unknown.
Thankfully, that test strip hadn't shown two red lines.
Chatting as they went, the two of them bought their tickets and walked into the theater together.
The theater lights dimmed, and the screen lit up.
The whole story started with a couch.
Juno was a 16-year-old high school girl. Just a few days ago, she and her little boyfriend had tasted the forbidden fruit—without any protection.
Unfortunately, she got pregnant.
The place where it happened? That brown, plush couch.
Juno didn't believe she was pregnant and tested herself three times in one day, but the truth was undeniable.
"If it were me, I'd do the same." Judy watched the girl on screen worrying over her test strips, deeply relating. If she ever found out she was pregnant, she'd lose her mind.
But Juno didn't go crazy. She just took a tough candy rope, hung it from a tree, and attempted to hang herself.
However, as soon as she put her head through it, she found the posture uncomfortable, so she bit through the candy rope.
"Hahaha." Just a few scenes in, and the audience was already laughing. Everyone felt how quirky this girl was.
Juno went home, not knowing what to do, so she called her best friend.
Her friend gave her two suggestions.
One was to join a support group for unwed mothers. The other was to get an abortion.
This left Juno torn, so she went to the one responsible for getting her pregnant—her little boyfriend, Bleeker, who was wearing baggy yellow shorts.
With a pipe in her mouth, she sat on the couch and told him she was pregnant.
Her roguish demeanor once again made the audience laugh, and Judy curved her lips into a smile, getting immersed in the entertaining story.
Hearing the news, Bleeker was at a loss, not knowing what to do.
Juno saw his anxiety and told him she'd handle it before hopping on her bike and leaving.
She went to the abortion clinic, planning to end this unexpected life inside her. But outside the clinic, she ran into a classmate protesting against abortion.
The classmate tried persuading her, but she still walked inside.
Inside the clinic, though, she was disturbed by how indifferent the doctors were toward life. Coupled with her classmate's words echoing in her mind, she ended up running out of the clinic.
She decided to keep the baby.
Of course, she knew she couldn't raise the child herself, so she planned to give it to a family who could.
But before that, she had to tell her parents.
After all, there was no way to hide a pregnancy for nine months.
When she broke the news to her parents, her father didn't blame her. Instead, he was more curious about the person responsible.
Juno told him it was Bleeker.
"Bleeker? That kid can even get it up?" Her father knew Bleeker but had always thought the boy was weak and delicate, almost girlish.
"Yeah, that's right. He's amazing, especially on the couch."
"Hahahaha!" The audience burst into laughter again because they noticed the father was sitting on a similar couch.
Milon laughed too, and just then, Judy leaned close to his ear and whispered, "You're just like Bleeker."
"Hm?" Milon was stunned for a moment, then chuckled and held Judy's soft hand.
In the movie, Juno's parents asked about her plan.
She explained her arrangement, and her stepmother worried about whether she could stick to it. Her father also criticized her.
But in the end, the family decided to face this challenge together.
Soon after, her father took Juno to meet a couple eager to adopt. They had always wanted children but never had their own.
Juno made a deal with them—no money, no updates in the future. Once she gave birth, they would go their separate ways.
Winter arrived quickly, and Juno's belly grew bigger.
After an ultrasound, she sent the scan to the adoptive couple.
They were hesitant to tell anyone about the adoption, fearing Juno might back out.
Juno reassured them she wouldn't. Then, she went to see Bleeker and told him everything was arranged.
But Bleeker said he still wanted to be with her after she gave birth.
Juno was caught off guard. She joked about introducing him to other girls, but he refused them all—he only liked Juno.
"So, if I got pregnant, would you still like me?" Judy asked Milon as they watched.
Milon nodded. "Of course."
"Men always say nice things." Judy pouted and glanced around the theater. "Look at them—big bellies, no men beside them. When these guys hear the word 'pregnant,' they run faster than rabbits."
Milon squeezed her hand. "I wouldn't, baby."
Judy didn't respond, just turned her eyes back to the screen.
Days passed, and Juno's belly grew. At school, she faced scornful looks and was even given a new nickname.
"Pig-no."
Juno ignored it, but then her best friend told her Bleeker was going to the dance with another girl.
Furious, Juno confronted him. Bleeker reminded her that she had refused to go with him and told him to go with someone else—so why was she mad now?
"She was speaking in opposites!" Judy was indignant and shot Milon a glare.
Milon sighed helplessly and muttered, "Guys don't understand 'opposites.'"
Juno then visited the adoptive couple but only found the husband, Mark.
From their first meeting, Juno and Mark got along well. He was a composer, played guitar, and watched her favorite movies with her.
This time, he gave her a great CD.
As music played, they danced at his house. But then Mark confessed—he didn't love his wife anymore and was planning to divorce her.
And he thought Juno was a special girl.
Juno was shocked. She tried to persuade him to stay in his marriage because if he got divorced, her baby would have nowhere to go.
That night, she asked her dad what true love was.
Her father told her: "Someone who loves you no matter how you look, no matter the situation—that's love."
So, Juno went back to Bleeker. They made up and kissed in front of everyone.
Her best friend teased them, and Juno responded with a kiss and a middle finger.
"So cool."
Judy loved Juno's boldness, and Milon was happy they got back together.
Finally, Juno gave birth in the hospital. The adoptive couple didn't divorce but instead welcomed the baby with joy.
After recovering, Juno and Bleeker sat on the porch, each strumming a guitar.
Halfway through, Juno leaned over and kissed Bleeker.
The movie ended on this happy note.
As Judy and Milon walked out of the theater, she said, "I want to buy this movie on DVD."
"Then we'll get it when it comes out."
"Okay. Next time, use protection."
"Got it!"
And just three days after its release, Hollywood headlines were dominated by this film.
"$10 Million! A Single Mom Brings Her Baby to Conquer Hollywood!"
"Examining the Current Single Mother Demographic Through Juno!"
"A Heartwarming Masterpiece, a Model Example of a Low-Budget Film."
"A Million-Dollar Investment Recouped in Three Days—Another Success for Norton's Eye Studios!"
"Sold Out! The Film Is a Sensation! Ethan Has Once Again Unearthed a New Genre!"
No one ever doubted Ethan's ability. He had already proven himself by turning low-budget productions into massive successes.
But this time, it still felt unbelievable.
This was a film shot in just over a month, with an investment of less than $5 million, yet it had completely ignited the current movie season.
Those so-called blockbuster films, filled with flashy gimmicks, paled in comparison to this one.
In just three days, the box office had surpassed $10 million, and instead of declining, the numbers kept rising!
Yes, Juno made more money on its fourth day than on any of the previous three.
This not only indicated that more and more audiences were flocking to theaters, but it also proved that the film's word-of-mouth had achieved organic, viral growth. Now, the only question was: how long could this momentum last?
Professional film critics were almost unanimously praising the movie, with hardly any negative reviews.
This further fueled the wildfire of Juno's box office success.