The Jones Firm didn't just travel to England; they occupied it. Anastasia chartered a private jet for the inner circle, ensuring that the "Granite Sanctuary" protocols followed them to a sprawling, 14th-century manor in Derbyshire. As filming for The Princess Bride began, the Firm's reach expanded once more, securing new territory for the rest of the team.
The Expansion of the RosterWhile Anastasia prepared for her role as Buttercup, Sarah and Robin were busy finalizing two major deals that would define 1987 for the Firm's other stars.
Anastasia had personally hand-picked their next moves. For Keanu, she directed Robin to pass on several "teen heartthrob" roles. Instead, she secured him a gritty, high-octane thriller titled Point Break. His contract was a landmark deal for an up-and-coming lead, ensuring a massive upfront salary plus a percentage of the film's gross earnings, solidifying him as a premier action star.
Meanwhile, riding the wave of her award wins, Jennifer Grey was offered the lead in a nostalgic, music-heavy drama called Dirty Dancing. Anastasia recognized the script's potential to become a cultural touchstone. She negotiated a million-dollar salary for Jennifer, but the real genius was a unique clause that gave Jennifer a percentage of the soundtrack royalties—knowing the music would be just as big as the movie.
The Chemistry of the CrownThe first day on the set of The Princess Bride in the lush, green hills of the English countryside was electric. Anastasia stepped out of her trailer in the iconic red riding dress, her hair flowing in golden waves. She looked every bit the "most beautiful woman in the world," but the way she carried herself was pure Jones Firm—calculated and commanding.
When she met Cary Elwes for their first scene together by the farmhouse, the director, Rob Reiner, stopped talking mid-sentence.
Cary, in his Westley attire, offered a polite bow, but his eyes betrayed his surprise. He had expected a child star; he found a peer with a gaze that felt like it could see through stone.
"As you wish," Cary whispered, testing the line.
Anastasia didn't just flutter her lashes. She stepped into his space, her forest-green eyes locking onto his. "Don't just say the words, Cary. Mean them. Because in this story, I'm the one you're willing to die for."
The silence on set was absolute. Reiner leaned back in his chair, a massive grin spreading across his face. "That's it," he whispered. "That's the movie."
The Mobile FortressThat evening, the girls gathered in the manor's Great Hall. Cameron, who had traveled along as a producer-consultant for the Firm, watched the fire crackle in the hearth.
"Three movies in production at once," Cameron mused. "We have the action hero in L.A., the indie darling in New York, and now... the Queen in England."
Anastasia sat at the head of the long oak table, a script in one hand and a telex from Sarah in the other. Her seventeen-year-old mind was already calculating the box office potential of their combined projects. Between her own massive $2.5 million salary and 10% gross participation, and the record deals she'd secured for Keanu and Jennifer, the Firm's capital was reaching a level that could no longer be ignored by Wall Street.
"We aren't just making movies anymore, Cam," Anastasia said, her voice echoing off the ancient stone walls. "We're creating a world where we never have to ask for permission again."