The news of Will Smith parting ways with the Bad Boys II crew spread like wildfire, quickly becoming a media feeding frenzy.
Sure, in Hollywood, Natalie's Best Actress win, the Golden Globes' apology, and Kirk Douglas's death were the bigger bombshells. But to the average Joe outside the industry, nothing beat the buzz around a superstar's next move!
Natalie's fame was on the rise, no question, but compared to action icon Will Smith? She was nowhere close.
Across all of Hollywood, not a single actress could touch Will Smith's scorching popularity right now!
Fans cared about what the media covered, and the media followed the fans.
When Will Smith got axed from Bad Boys II, Columbia Pictures had to step up and spin it—
"We all know Will Smith is a superstar with a massive fanbase. But in filmmaking, actors are just one piece of the puzzle. Like Dunn Walker once said: the film's value comes first, then the director's, and only after that the star's. Sometimes, we have to prioritize the big picture and make tough calls."
"To the Bad Boys fans out there—don't worry! Martin Lawrence is still on board as the lead. Plus, we've brought in action legend Bruce Willis for a special role. He'll inject fresh energy and richer storytelling into Bad Boys II. We'll keep the sting of Will's absence to a minimum and deliver an action-packed blockbuster that lives up to your expectations."
"Director Michael Bay has already spoken with Bruce Willis, and they had a great chat. Bay's raving about how Willis is the perfect fit for Bad Boys II. He's promising fans a thrilling, explosive, epic action flick to repay all the love you've shown over the years…"
The whole thing blew up big time.
Columbia's statement didn't do much to calm the storm.
Will Smith's influence was just too huge. He seemed downright pissed, blasting producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay in front of the press. He didn't hold back, saying flat-out he was "disappointed—really disappointed"—in Columbia Pictures' chairwoman, Amy Pascal.
To the outside world, Will Smith was the story. But inside Hollywood, all eyes were on the Golden Globes.
After the Hollywood Foreign Press Association caved, issuing a public apology, Dunn's phone wouldn't stop ringing, and his inbox was flooded.
Big names he barely knew—Robert Zemeckis, Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster, John Pasquin, Jim Carrey—reached out, pleading the Golden Globes' case.
Enough was enough!
The HFPA had owned up, apologized publicly, and sacked a slew of execs, including the president. Their sincerity was clear.
No need to keep kicking them while they were down.
Hollywood needed the Golden Globes. Filmmakers needed it too. If it went under, no one would win!
Heads of the major studios chimed in too, urging Dunn to let it go and quit feuding with the Globes.
This had to wrap up fast.
It was a tidal wave of pressure—too much for Dunn to fight. So, reluctantly, he took their advice and reached out to the HFPA himself, offering to talk it out.
They jumped at the chance, and things were heading in a positive direction.
Dunn was thriving in Hollywood, weaving through power players like a fish in water, his momentum unstoppable.
Meanwhile, Michael Douglas was getting a harsh lesson in how cold the world could be.
As Kirk Douglas's son, he'd been born with a golden ticket, handed Hollywood's vast resources on a platter from day one.
At 32, he'd nabbed his first Oscar—and not just any Oscar, but Best Picture!
His producing gig on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest didn't just shine at the Oscars—it became a timeless classic.
But let's be real: what did 32-year-old Michael Douglas have to offer as a producer on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest?
The director was cinematic titan Miloš Forman, and the cast had genius like Jack Nicholson.
What gave Michael the clout to call the shots?
Simple: his dad was Kirk Douglas!
With his father's connections lighting the way, Michael's career sailed smooth. He stepped from behind the scenes to the spotlight, became an actor, and soon enough, an Oscar-winning one at that.
But now? Trouble.
Kirk Douglas was dead—his biggest backer, gone!
Normally, losing a pillar like that wouldn't be the end of the world. After all these years, Michael had built his own rep and ruled his corner of Hollywood.
Except this wasn't normal. His dad had been locking horns with Dunn Walker!
And the outcome? Brutal.
The Golden Globes folded, the HFPA apologized, Natalie Portman became the new Best Actress… and Kirk Douglas kicked the bucket!
It was like lightning bolts crashing down on Michael Douglas's head.
He was reeling!
Kirk was gone, but barely anyone in the industry showed up to pay respects. Even his old man's lifelong buddies mostly stayed away—just a quick condolence call, if that.
That kind of cold shoulder opened Michael's eyes.
In the showdown with Dunn, his dad hadn't just lost—he'd crashed and burned!
So bad that industry folks didn't even want to mourn, scared of getting tangled up.
Dunn's rep might not mean much to outsiders, but in Hollywood? It was loud—and he was known for holding grudges.
Now that a heavyweight like Kirk Douglas had bitten the dust, who'd dare cross Dunn?
Michael Douglas was stuck.
To keep surviving in Hollywood, it looked like he had just one path left.
…
Post-Oscars, Dunn's plate was full.
He had to prep talks with the HFPA to settle the Golden Globes mess once and for all. Then there were the Disney negotiations—Michael Eisner was all-in on a full partnership with Dunn Films.
But out of nowhere, Michael Douglas called him up, his tone dripping with sincerity. "Dunn, I really appreciate what you said at the Oscars. My father was a filmmaker through and through—he poured his life into building up Hollywood. I believe your words would've sent him off with a smile."
Dunn got goosebumps just hearing it.
He knew exactly what Michael meant—the "speech" from when he'd accepted Best Adapted Screenplay, where he'd "praised" Kirk Douglas while slyly tearing him apart.
And now Michael was thanking him over the phone, saying his dad "left with a smile"? That was downright creepy.
But after a second's thought, Dunn got the gist.
Like the HFPA, Michael didn't want to keep fighting. He was waving the white flag, looking to patch things up!
Michael Eisner had been run ragged by Dunn; Kirk Douglas had straight-up croaked. At this point, who'd dare go toe-to-toe with him?
Looking for a death wish?
Hollywood right now was simple: side with Dunn and thrive; cross him and crash.
Dunn couldn't help but feel smug, though he kept his voice heavy with mock sorrow. "Michael, I'm truly sorry about Mr. Douglas's passing. He was a beacon in Hollywood, a legend. His loss hits the whole industry hard. But he's gone now—I hope you can find peace and not take it too hard."
Michael let out a relieved breath. "Thank you, thank you for your concern."
"When's the funeral?" Dunn asked.
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Oh, I'm tied up tomorrow," Dunn said with a dramatic sigh. "Tell you what—I'll swing by tonight to pay my respects. It's the least I can do to send off a senior figure I admired so much."
Michael's voice lit up. "Oh? Really? That'd be an absolute honor!"