Thane Astris: The Starborn Wizard

The internal screening of the film ended with the final heartwarming moments, and the screen faded to black. The room erupted into applause, cheers, and whistles from the cast and crew. James stood up, turning to face the audience.

"Thank you, everyone! This movie couldn't have happened without your incredible work."

Thane sat back in his seat, knowing, without a doubt, that the movie was going to exceed expectations at the box office. It was better than anything he had ever experienced in his previous life, thanks to his contributions to both the acting and scriptwriting. It was something truly special.

Thane even assisted James in selecting the release date for Home Alone, settling on November 6, 1987—the first Friday of November. This strategy was designed to avoid direct competition with Three Men and a Baby, a potential rival.

James was a name as big as Spielberg's in the industry. With decades of experience in film production and direction, his reputation was beyond question. His productions were known for both their critical and commercial success, and his involvement alone could guarantee an audience. For Home Alone, he had made a strategic decision to release the movie through his own distribution channels in North America.

While the "big six" studios controlled much of Hollywood's distribution, they couldn't touch James's dominance in the market. People were well aware that an 7-year-old had written the script and Chris Columbus, a relatively fresh director, was at the helm. Still, the industry had its eyes on this movie. The big studios weren't always united, and they'd prefer to see how it played out before getting involved. They didn't want to risk giving up the rights to profit on a successful venture simply because they were squabbling over control. James had no fear of backlash from the major studios. They were simply too eager to see Home Alone succeed—knowing that if it did, they might still get a chance to distribute it globally.

Though Thane was confident that no movie could halt Home Alone's momentum, he understood that Three Men and a Baby could have delayed the film's success by a few weeks had they clashed directly.

Thane vividly recalled that in his previous life, the movie grossed around $285 million in North America and achieved a total worldwide box office of about $475 million.

This time, with a production budget of $20 million—$2 million higher than before due to Amelia's participation—he estimated that the film would easily surpass $300 million in North America alone.

Under the contract James had arranged, Thane and Amelia stood to take home 30% of the worldwide gross if the film surpassed $120 million in North America.

The thought of the money they would earn thrilled Thane, but he quickly grounded himself, turning his focus to how and where to wisely invest the profits. With his newfound wealth, he knew he needed a strategy to make the most of it, ensuring long-term growth and stability.

From that day forward, Thane began learning about investing and finance from Bree, while asking Amelia to buy him books to maintain the appearance that his knowledge came solely from his reading.

He understood the power of wealth and was determined to amass as much as possible before completing his education.

More importantly, Thane harbored a deep desire to extend his parents' lifespan, cherishing the time they had together. While he knew parting was inevitable, he was resolved to delay it for as long as he could.

The day of the premiere arrived. The night air was cool, a slight breeze brushing through the bustling streets of Hollywood. It was a night that felt larger than life. Thane, Amelia, and James stood before the grand entrance of the theater, its red carpet unfurled and shining under the lights. This wasn't just any night—it was the premiere of Home Alone, a movie Thane had been intimately involved in, and one that would change their lives forever.

Thane's heart raced with excitement as he looked up at the towering letters on the marquee, "Home Alone: A Chris Columbus Film." He couldn't believe this moment had finally arrived. He had worked tirelessly alongside his mother, Amelia, not just as a scriptwriter, but as a young prodigy who had woven his own creativity into the fabric of the movie. It was a surreal feeling—his name was now attached to something that would soon be seen by millions.

"Are you ready?" James asked, giving his son a proud pat on the back.

"I think so," Thane replied, adjusting his suit with a nervous smile. Amelia, ever calm and poised, held his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. They had been through this journey together, and now, they were about to witness the culmination of their hard work.

The theater's entrance was filled with flashes as photographers scrambled to capture every moment. Thane blinked against the lights, but there was a gleam of pride in his eyes. The spotlight wasn't what he craved—it was the fact that they had created something special.

The trio stepped forward onto the red carpet. James, tall and imposing with a smile that made everyone feel like they were his favorite person, led the way. Amelia, always elegant, glided beside Thane, who wore a mixture of curiosity and wonderment on his young face. The photographers shouted their names, calling out for pictures. Thane stood tall, his posture straight, his youthful excitement obvious but controlled—he had been on this path for years, after all.

As they moved down the carpet, a few familiar faces greeted them. Chris Columbus, the director, approached with a warm smile.

"You made it," Chris said, extending a hand to Thane. "I think we've got something truly special here. You should be very proud."

"I'm just glad it's finally here," Thane replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Trust me, you'll be even prouder when you see the audience's reaction," Chris said with a wink.

Amelia exchanged a look with James, who beamed with pride. They both knew Thane was destined for greatness, and this was only the beginning.

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Word count - 1000