September 3.
George Lucas was pacing back and forth, trying to piece together the events that had just unfolded. Thanks to Monica’s connections, he managed to get in touch with soone who facilitated introductions in Italy, and the proposal he received left a remarkable impression on him.
Due to the aging of the population, they were allowed to purchase a grand estate that had been abandoned for 20 years, under the condition that they would restore and renovate it along with the surrounding villa and inject funds into the area. The deal with the Italian governnt was sealed for €20,000, but the total investnt would need to reach around €1 million. The property could not be resold, but Billy claid it as his own. It was breathtaking—perched by a lake, surrounded by vast adows and cultivated fields, it naturally embodied the aesthetic of the scenes they needed to film.
-How long will it take to build the set? - asked George.
-About a year, - replied Mauri, an Italian whose English was rough but who was the best in the field of restorations. The cost of materials seed entirely disproportionate to him, but this had to be a luxury villa. Perhaps the town itself could be adapted into sothing reminiscent of Naboo. If only one family lived there and everything else was abandoned, it didn’t matter.
-Then there’s nothing more to discuss. We’ll accept the deal, - George stated, sealing the agreent while examining the villa designs and how they would be incorporated in the coming days. Every detail had to be considered, from purchasing second-hand furniture to acquiring large tapestries. After all, the idea of Star Wars wouldn’t just fade away after three films; they were planning at least 15 more, with sequels already written for Luke and further expansions into Darth Vader’s life.
-What do you think, Steven? - George asked his friend and ideological ally, who stood nearby with his usual calm deanor.
-It’s a very good investnt—expensive, yes, but a long-term project that aims to create a new kind of setting. It’s similar to what Paramount did with Star Trek. They had a vision, but eventually sidelined it, and that’s likely why they lost many fans. Planning always takes ti, and the environnts we’re aiming for require just that—ti, - Steven remarked.
Thinking about the grand do, they had built most of the sets for the original films, the new ones, and additional locations planned for the upcoming Darth Vader series, which had already been discussed. The entire project was simply ambitious.
-A similar idea. Change always finds us in ways we can’t foresee. I just hope everything turns out as it should, - Lucas comnted, curious about how things would unfold in the coming months. He was signing contracts with various entities, securing characters, and facing the expensive reality of hiring actors. The production budget was reaching $100 million—excluding prior investnts—pushing the total to $130 million, an astronomical sum for managing such an extensive cast, characters, sets, and filming logistics. Steven ticulously reviewed everything, taking photos as the trilogy's director, his work defined by a minimalist precision.
-We’ll shoot grand scenes here, but everything looks too subdued for a fantasy series of this scale, - Steven observed.
The two n walked at a leisurely pace, adjusting their steps to match one another.
-I heard you offered Billy a role without even having him audition, - George remarked as they descended a steep, two-ter slope.
-I did, in fact. His talent is exceptional, and he has consistently delivered in various films. I convinced his agent that this was an opportunity to strengthen ties with Universal—a favor for a favor, settling so outstanding matters, the director responded, following George closely, lost in thought.
-Well, I want him too. Charisma is essential for these characters who will soon take the stage, - George added. He was uncertain whether the young man would accept the role, but it wasn’t just any role—it was one that truly mattered, perhaps even one that could help satisfy a relentless hunger.
They took a few more photos before getting into a small van parked nearby, not far from their hotel. As they rode, George made a ntal note: Billy might just buy the hotel.
***
In New Zealand, a young man—though not so young—was gulping down a large mug of beer, drinking eagerly from different angles, trying to cool himself with every sip. In his hands, he held a thick script, almost like a ream of paper—the script for The Lord of the Rings resting on his lap. It contained everything needed for the grand saga, a project he had been working on for quite so ti.
Anna Washington, exhausted from the long journey, arrived carrying a test—an exam on The Lord of the Rings compiled by so of Raimon’s friends. Raimon was an expert on the subject, unlike the heavyset director who had admitted it wasn’t his specialty and that he preferred Dungeons & Dragons instead.
-So, we’ll be reviewing the script. Billy is interested in producing a Lord of the Rings film, and he’s willing to invest, as long as the project is ambitious enough, Anna said, looking over the script, which she intended to have reviewed. She handed a questionnaire to Peter, who seed taken aback.
-You have thirty minutes, Mr. Jackson. I expect you to answer the questions within that ti, Anna instructed. She already had most of the answers in her folder. If the man responded with a simple "no" to any of them, it was rely a test to gauge his knowledge on the subject and to preempt any potential conflicts with the Tolkien estate.
-What is this? -
-An interview, Mr. Jackson. We want to determine if you’re truly a worthy director. As a director, you need to be fully aware of every detail, Anna explained.
Peter carefully examined the exam, pausing at so of the more complex questions. It covered everything—from maps detailing the Fellowship’s journey to the nas of the great Elves, battles, fortresses, and quick-fire questions about every major event. It left him genuinely astonished.
Anna ordered a glass of wine and waited as the man completed the test.
-I think that’s everything… You’ve surprised ! - Peter admitted.
-My boss never traditionally does things, - Anna said. -I believe now you can share the rest of the information with ! -
-Yes! Well, it’s bold, but I plan to film all three movies simultaneously, with a budget of $250 million, - Peter Jackson said, shifting in his seat at the daunting figure.
-Then do what you have to do. The production plan must be ticulously detailed in every aspect—I expect it within four days, - Anna replied.
-I already have it prepared. If you can accompany to my ho, my wife has been helping with everything, - Peter Jackson offered.
Anna nodded. They were close to confirming everything. Little did she know that Jackson had already scouted locations, taken countless photos, and created a detailed plan that seed unreal. Few people dared to take this man’s words at face value. Anna was there out of obligation.
But once they arrived, they t the two ambitious spouses—lovers of fantasy—who had bound their vision into pages that even Anna, despite her skepticism, could not ignore. Billy’s words resonated like two stars colliding:
-If they dare to co to us and invite us to a eting, even at the risk of their reputation, then they have bravery. And only bravery will make a great film -
Billy had committed to The Lord of the Rings with a minimum budget of $400 million. He wanted to recreate Tolkien’s world on a full scale, with fortresses and castles built inside a massive production studio akin to Star Wars, to create a live-action saga spanning nine films. And beyond that, he intended to use the franchise to establish a the park.
Now, he was eting soone with a similar vision, though not quite as ambitious or audacious. This was the dividing line, a wake-up call for what they hoped to achieve with The Lord of the Rings. They weren’t just assembling the best cast—they were reshaping it in ways that felt almost cold and calculated. It was an approach Anna had never encountered before, but now, she understood.
....
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