Tycoon Actor in Hollywood

While Lucas was deep in his preparation for the Joker role, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" premiered without him. The absence of one of its stars at the premiere sparked some speculation, but the film's quality quickly became the focus of attention.

After the premiere in Odeon Leicester Square from a week ago, viewers were buzzing with excitement.

"It's even better than the first one!" exclaimed a fan leaving the theater.

Another attendee nodded enthusiastically, "Lucas Knight really nailed Peeta's character development. It's a shame he couldn't be here tonight."

The nationwide release saw an impressive opening day, raking in $32 million at the box office. Critics and audiences alike praised the film's increased depth and emotional resonance.

Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 95% fresh rating, with the critics consensus reading: "Smart, smoothly directed, and enriched with a deeper exploration of the franchise's thought-provoking themes, Catching Fire proves a thoroughly compelling second installment in the Hunger Games series."

On IMDb, the film quickly climbed to an 8.7/10 rating, with many reviewers specifically mentioning Lucas's performance as Peeta.

Variety's review noted: "Knight brings a newfound vulnerability to Peeta, adding layers to a character that could easily have been overshadowed."

The New York Times praised: "The ensemble cast shines, with Jennifer Lawrence and Lucas Knight delivering standout performances that elevate the material beyond typical young adult fare."

As news of the film's success spread, many wondered about Lucas's absence from the promotional circuit, unaware of the intense preparation he was undergoing for his next role.

***

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" premiered on November 22, 2013, and its box office performance quickly surpassed expectations. Over the following weeks, the film's popularity soared both domestically and internationally.

By the end of its theatrical run in early 2014, "Catching Fire" had amassed an impressive $1.3 billion at the global box office. The domestic take was $424 million, while international markets contributed a staggering $876 million.

The film performed exceptionally well in countries where "The Hunger Games" franchise had already established a strong fanbase. In the United Kingdom, it grossed $55 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Germany saw similar success with $43 million, while France contributed $32 million to the international total.

In Asia, the film was particularly popular in Japan, earning $25 million, and South Korea, where it grossed $30 million. Australia also showed strong support with a $32 million box office take.

The film's success in China was particularly noteworthy, with a $65 million gross, a significant increase from the first film's performance in the country.

Industry analysts noted that the film's increased budget and scope, combined with the growing star power of its cast, including Lucas Knight, had contributed to its massive financial success.

The Hollywood Reporter ran an article titled: "'Catching Fire' Blazes Past $1 Billion: How Lionsgate's Gamble Paid Off"

As the box office numbers continued to climb, the absence of Lucas Knight from the promotional circuit became even more noticeable, leading to increased speculation about his next project.

***

On January 15, 2014, production officially began on the highly anticipated "Joker" film. Warner Bros. had been meticulously preparing various locations across New York City to transform them into the gritty, 1980s-inspired Gotham City that would serve as the backdrop for Arthur Fleck's descent into madness.

The production team focused on several key areas of the city.

The Bronx: Crews were seen setting up in the borough, particularly around the iconic staircase on Shakespeare Avenue, which would later become known as the "Joker Stairs."

Lower Manhattan: Several streets were being dressed to resemble a run-down version of themselves from decades past, complete with vintage cars and retro storefronts.

Newark, New Jersey: While not in New York proper, nearby Newark was also being prepared for filming, with its art deco architecture serving as a perfect stand-in for old Gotham.

Brooklyn: Certain neighborhoods were being transformed to depict the less glamorous side of city life, crucial for Arthur's backstory.

Local residents watched with a mix of curiosity and excitement as their familiar surroundings were gradually altered. Vintage subway cars were spotted being transported to various locations, and period-appropriate advertisements began appearing on buildings and billboards.

The film's low-key production title, "Romeo," was seen on various signs around the shooting locations, attempting to maintain some level of secrecy despite the high-profile nature of the project.

***

The project, still known publicly by its working title "Romeo," was officially announced. Warner Bros. revealed that the script was written by Lucas Knight himself, with a budget of $55 million allocated for the film. The studio also disclosed that Lucas would be paid $25 million for his role, with an additional percentage of the box office earnings.

This news stirred significant interest in the industry. Experts and analysts were quick to comment:

Martin Scorsese remarked: "It's an intriguing development. Knight's proven himself as an actor, but writing and starring in his own script? That's a bold move."

Box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian observed: "While Knight's recent films have been blockbusters, greenlighting an actor-written script for a major studio project is unusual."

The public reaction was mixed:

"25 million plus box office share for an actor-written script? WB must really believe in Lucas!"

"Curious to see what 'Romeo' is about. Knight's been full of surprises lately."

Industry insiders understood Warner Bros.' willingness to take the risk, given Lucas's recent string of billion-dollar hits with "Gravity" and "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire." However, many expressed curiosity and some skepticism about the mysterious "Romeo" project.

Variety ran an article titled: "WB's Gamble: Can Lucas Knight Deliver as Both Writer and Star in 'Romeo'?"

The Hollywood Reporter's headline read: "Lucas Knight's $25M 'Romeo' Payday Raises Eyebrows and Questions"

As production began, speculation ran rampant about the nature of the "Romeo" project, with both industry professionals and fans eager to uncover more details about this secretive venture.

***

Todd Phillips and Scott Silver stood in stunned silence as Lucas walked into the room. Their eyes widened, taking in his gaunt appearance and disheveled hair.

Todd was the first to speak, his voice a mix of concern and disbelief. "Lucas? What happened to you? Did the studio lock you in a dungeon or something?"

Lucas chuckled, a sound that seemed out of place coming from his haggard form. "No, nothing that dramatic. Maybe I just tortured myself a bit," he quipped, a ghost of his old humor shining through.

Todd and Scott exchanged worried glances. Scott cleared his throat. "Well, you certainly look the part now. It's... quite surprising to see you've gone to such lengths."

Lucas's eyes lit up with a fierce determination. "I'm always serious about my roles. Speaking of which..." He produced a worn notebook, holding it out to them.

Recognition dawned on Todd's face. "Is that...?"

Lucas nodded. "The Joker's notebook."

As Todd and Scott flipped through the pages, their expressions shifted from curiosity to unease. The jokes, the self-deprecating lines, the descent into madness captured in Lucas's handwriting - it all felt disturbingly real.

Scott looked up, his face pale. "This is... intense, Lucas."

Todd nodded in agreement, a mix of admiration and concern in his eyes. "You've really dived deep into this character, haven't you?"

Lucas smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "That was the plan. I wanted to truly understand Arthur, to become him."

As they continued discussing the character and the script, Todd and Scott couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas had perhaps gone further into the role than anyone had anticipated.

As Lucas met with his co-stars and crew, their initial excitement quickly turned to shock at his transformed appearance. However, this surprise soon gave way to deep admiration for his dedication to the role. Many crew members whispered among themselves that Warner Bros.' substantial payment was clearly justified.

When filming began, Lucas fully embodied Arthur Fleck. His portrayal of a downtrodden, miserable man was so convincing that even the extras in the scene found themselves genuinely pitying him, despite knowing it was all an act.

As the cameras rolled on the streets of New York, curious residents began to gather at their apartment windows, some discreetly snapping photos or recording videos of the production below.

One resident, Maria, squinted at the thin, disheveled man at the center of the action. "Wait a minute," she gasped, nudging her roommate. "Is that... Lucas Knight?"

Her roommate, Tom, leaned in for a closer look. "No way that's him. You're just imagining things."

As Lucas entered the building for makeup and costuming, a few bystanders thought they recognized him, but their claims were quickly dismissed.

"I swear that's Lucas Knight," one woman insisted to her friend.

Her companion scoffed, "Are you kidding? That guy's way too thin to be Lucas. Plus, why would he be here?"

Another onlooker squinted at the gaunt figure. "It kind of looks like him, but... nah, can't be. Lucas is buffer than that."

When Lucas emerged in full Joker makeup, the disconnect between his current appearance and his public image was even more pronounced, leading most observers to dismiss any resemblance as coincidence.

Meanwhile, at a distance from the filming location, a small group of paparazzi managed to capture photos and videos of Lucas both before and after his transformation into the Joker.

As they reviewed their footage, one photographer zoomed in on a shot of the thin man without makeup. "Guys, does this look like Lucas Knight to you?"

His colleague peered at the screen, skepticism evident in his voice. "No way... but wait..." He zoomed in further. "The bone structure... the eyes... holy shit, I think it might be!"

Another paparazzo pulled up a recent photo of Lucas for comparison. "It's hard to believe, but... yeah, I think you're right. It's him. What the hell happened to him?"