April 1st marked the official beginning of Maleficent's shooting, and the project immediately carried the weight of something massive. Alex hired Guillermo del Toro as director, bringing his distinctive storytelling approach and visual precision to every aspect of production. His involvement alone elevated expectations, and the entire crew adjusted quickly to his detailed style as cameras finally started rolling.
Angelina Jolie stepped fully into the lead role, and once filming began, her schedule became overwhelmingly busy. Hours disappeared into makeup preparation, costume fittings, rehearsals, and scene work that demanded both physical intensity and emotional depth. The character required complete immersion, and Angelina committed herself entirely, leaving little room for anything outside the production. Then there was a travel schedule for the filming. Toro wanted the movie to look as real as possible. All in all, she'll be busy for the next few months.
The main casting lineup reflected the scale of the project.
Saoirse Ronan joined as Young Aurora, while Amanda Seyfried stepped into the role of Adult Aurora. James McAvoy took on King Stefan, bringing a strong dramatic presence to the story. Andrew Garfield, riding the massive wave of fame after the success of Spider-Man, was cast as Diaval, adding another high-profile name to the already stacked ensemble.
The Three Fairies completed the remarkable lineup, with Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, and Helena Bonham Carter taking the roles. Each brought their own distinct presence and experience, making the cast feel unusually powerful for a single fantasy film.
It was an ambitious and expensive lineup that very few studios could afford, yet Alex had assembled them together without hesitation.
...
While production for Maleficent accelerated, another Titan-backed project started to dominate the global box office.
The Hobbit had opened weeks earlier, and by April 1, the numbers painted a clear picture of success. The film crossed 410 million worldwide, surprising analysts who initially predicted a slower climb for a fantasy adventure released outside the peak holiday season.
The momentum grew stronger each week.
Families returned for repeat viewings, fantasy fans brought friends, and international markets responded far better than expected. Europe showed particularly strong attendance, while Japan and South Korea reported packed evening screenings throughout major cities. Even smaller territories reported steady performance, signaling long-term legs for the film.
Industry projections quickly shifted.
Analysts updated forecasts, raising expectations from moderate success to major blockbuster territory. New projections estimated 700 million to 800 million global total, with some optimistic predictions pushing even higher depending on late international expansion.
Inside Titan Studios, the finance department tracked the numbers closely. The upward trend showed consistent growth instead of sharp drops, something that usually indicates strong audience satisfaction.
Critics began publishing full reviews within days.
CinemaScope
Rating: 9.2/10
"The Hobbit delivers a visually rich adventure anchored by emotional storytelling. The world-building feels immersive, and the pacing balances spectacle with character moments. This may become one of the most memorable fantasy releases in years."
Global Film Journal
Rating: 8.8/10
"Peter Jackson brings scale and heart to The Hobbit. The visuals impress consistently, while the characters maintain emotional grounding. Some scenes stretch slightly longer than necessary, though the overall experience remains engaging."
The Daily Screen
Rating: 9.4/10
"The Hobbit succeeds as both spectacle and storytelling. The cinematography stands out, and the emotional beats land effectively. This marks a significant milestone in fantasy filmmaking."
Online audience reactions followed almost immediately.
"This movie felt like stepping into another world."
"Peter Jackson really delivered something special here."
"The visuals alone are worth watching on the big screen."
"I went in with high expectations and somehow they were exceeded."
"Fantasy movies rarely get this level of care and detail."
Some criticism surfaced as well.
The Critical Lens
Rating: 6.5/10
"The Hobbit impresses visually, though pacing occasionally slows momentum. While entertaining, some segments feel stretched beyond necessity."
Indie Screen Review
Rating: 5.3/10
"The film delivers strong visuals and atmosphere, though narrative pacing fluctuates. Fans of fantasy will likely appreciate the experience despite uneven sections."
Online debates followed as usual.
One viewer posted, "The pacing felt slow in the middle, but I still loved the journey."
Another replied, "Fantasy stories need time to breathe. That's part of the charm."
A third added, "The visuals alone justify the ticket price."
Meanwhile, industry headlines began appearing across entertainment outlets.
"Peter Jackson Delivers Career-Defining Hit"
"The Hobbit Surpasses Expectations With Massive Global Numbers"
"Fantasy Adventure Dominates Spring Box Office"
For Peter Jackson, the success carried special significance. The Hobbit officially became his biggest box office hit, surpassing his previous films and establishing him as one of the most reliable directors in large-scale fantasy productions.
By the end of the first month, April 10, the film showed no signs of slowing.
International expansion continued. Repeat audiences increased. Merchandise sales rose steadily. Theater owners extended premium screen availability due to continued demand.
The trajectory remained clear.
The Hobbit was heading toward 700 million to 800 million global total, and possibly even beyond if momentum held through the coming weeks.
At Titan Studios, the finance team saw new numbers on the screen. Analysts smiled as they updated projections. Titan produced another hit movie and continued its winning streak of successful films.
...
[Alex's penthouse] [Morning]
The penthouse felt unusually quiet.
Alex eased the bedroom door shut, pausing for a second to make sure it did not click too loudly. Inside, Asher slept peacefully in the crib, tiny chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm that finally promised a few uninterrupted hours. The little guy had spent most of the night testing the limits of human endurance, and Alex had learned very quickly that newborns did not care about sleep schedules or executive responsibilities.
He rubbed the back of his neck as he stepped into the hallway, fatigue settling behind his eyes. Even with his stamina, staying awake through the night while rocking a restless baby had taken more out of him than he expected. He moved quietly toward the kitchen, careful not to disturb Halle, who had collapsed into sleep on the couch the moment he took over.
The coffee machine hummed as he leaned against the counter. He watched the dark liquid fill the mug, inhaling the familiar smell as if it carried actual strength instead of just caffeine. 'Oh, yeah. Caffeine.' He took the cup, blew gently across the surface, then he grabbed the tablet from the dining table and walked toward the balcony.
He opened the glass door and stepped outside. The cool air touched his face. Below, the streets were busy with cars while the city continued its normal rhythm.
Alex placed the tablet on the little table beside the long chair and then rested his forearms on the railing and took a slow sip.
"That hits differently today," he murmured, glancing back toward the quiet interior of the penthouse.
The place felt bigger without everyone around. Max and Caroline had left two days earlier, heading to Los Angeles with Scarlett for photoshoots and promotional appearances. Scarlett's film, Lucy, had shifted its release date to late May to avoid clashing with The Blind Side and The Hobbit, and the three of them had turned the trip into a mix of work and chaos, which Alex suspected meant Max had already gotten into at least one questionable situation.
Evangeline had flown out as well, busy promoting The Hobbit alongside Peter Jackson and the cast. Interviews, podcasts, talk shows, and press junkets filled her schedule. The film's success had turned the promotional tour into something much bigger than originally planned, and Alex knew she was probably running on just as little sleep as he was.
That left only three people in the penthouse.
Halle, Asher, and him.
He took another sip, watching the sunlight climb higher between buildings.
"I didn't expect things to slow down like this," he admitted quietly, though the words carried a faint smile. "But this feels good."
He walked over and slumped down on the long couch. He leaned back slightly, stretching his shoulders. Then he took the tablet and opened the camera inside the bedroom to keep an eye on Asher.
A moment later...
Alex's phone began to ring. He took it out of his pocket and checked the screen.
Jessica Weldon.
He took another sip of coffee before answering, his voice still low out of habit. "Morning, Jessica."
Jessica sounded cheerful and a little proud. "Good morning, Mr. Wilson. I hope I didn't wake you."
Alex leaned back into the couch and glanced toward the bedroom camera again. Asher still slept peacefully. "No, you're good. I've been up for hours already. So, what's going on?"
"I wanted to let you know the house is finally completed," Jessica said, her tone warming with excitement. "Structurally, everything is finished. The landscaping is complete, and the wiring is finished as well. We are ready for your walkthrough before we start painting, and the interior works like furniture placement, custom security system and all."
Alex straightened slightly, the fatigue in his eyes easing as interest replaced it. "Already? That was fast."
Jessica chuckled softly. "You gave me a generous timeline and an even more generous budget. That combination tends to speed things up."
Alex smiled faintly and took another sip. "Fair point. How does it look?"
"I think you'll like it," she replied confidently. "The view turned out even better than expected. And the glass structure you approved for the living area came together beautifully. The lighting alone is worth seeing in person."
Alex leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You're selling it well."
"I'm not exaggerating," Jessica said. "I'd really prefer you see it before we finalize the interiors. Your input will help avoid unnecessary changes later."
He nodded to himself. "I won't be able to make it today. So, I'll meet you tomorrow evening around four or five."
"Okay. I'll be waiting for your call," Jessica replied.
Alex disconnected the call.
[A few minutes later]
Alex closed his eyes for a moment after finishing his coffee when he got another call from an unknown number. He picked it up, "Hello."
There was a moment of pause before a female voice came through, soft and familiar in a way that pulled something deep from his chest. "Hello... How are you doing, son?"
Alex closed his eyes, leaned back against the couch, and let out a slow breath he did not realize he had been holding. Hearing her voice again felt strange, like opening a door to a memory he had locked away years ago. He could not even remember the last time they spoke directly without intermediaries.
"I'm doing great, actually. How are you and Dad doing?" Alex asked, keeping his tone steady even though his grip tightened slightly around the phone.
His mother let out a quiet breath that sounded almost relieved. "We're doing fine. Your father is still buried under paperwork, and he refuses to admit he's getting older. Some things never change."
Alex gave a faint smile and rubbed his forehead while glancing toward the bedroom camera again. Asher remained asleep, tiny hand curled beside his face. 'I'm never gonna let you go through what I went through, son.'
"That sounds like him," Alex replied softly. "Still working himself to death while pretending everything is under control."
She chuckled quietly, and for a brief moment, the conversation felt normal. "He says the same thing about you, by the way. We have been keeping an eye on your recent projects. Titan Studios is doing very well."
'Yeah, I doubt it'd be this easy without you two helping me from the shadows. And without Rachel and the resources of the High Table, it would've been hard to reach where I am today.' Alex leaned forward slightly and rested his elbows on his knees. "I figured you'd be watching from somewhere."
"We always have," she answered gently. "Even when we stayed away."
The words settled between them, carrying years of distance that neither of them addressed directly. Alex stared out at the city skyline while the morning light reflected off nearby buildings.
"I know why you did it," he said quietly, breaking the silence. "Doesn't make it easier, though. It's been hard at the start, you know... Really hard. I used to blame you two for abandoning me without realizing the truth."
"I know," she replied softly. "But you were safer that way. Our world is not something we ever wanted touching your life."
Alex exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair. "Funny thing is, it still found its way around me anyway."
"We noticed," she said, her tone shifting slightly, becoming more focused. "And I am... We're really sorry for..." Before she could continue...
Alex interrupted. "Don't be sorry. I've received enough help from the High Table. So, it's good. Just make sure my family doesn't get involved in this. I don't want them to walk in the streets while looking behind their backs."
"No harm will ever come to them," She replied.
There was another small pause before her voice softened again. "We also heard the news. Congratulations, Alex."
His expression warmed immediately as he glanced at the bedroom door again. "Yeah... he's sleeping right now. Kept me up all night."
"I would expect nothing less," she said, her voice carrying genuine warmth. "You used to keep us awake all night..." She let out a small chuckle. "What's his name?"
"Asher," Alex replied quietly, the name rolling easily from his lips.
"That's a strong name," she murmured.
"Yeah..." He nodded. "You know, despite the danger and all... I'd like it if you two could get some time out of your busy schedule and just... you know, maybe we can meet sometime? You and dad... I'd like you to meet your grandson, and I don't know... hug things out?"
--
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[5 advance chs] [All chs available for all tiers] +
[Reborn in Castle: 18 chs early access] > [Release date: Hopefully in mid May or June. By then, I'll have enough chs for a stable update]