NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Chapter 10:
Chapter 10:
....
While Adam was traveling to Canada to film the next scenes for Bogus, he had no idea about the ripple effects his actions were causing.
The system he had and the decisions he'd made were altering the world in ways he likely would never fully understand.
These changes triggered shifts in events that were supposed to unfold differently.
One of these changes began with his grandmother's unexpected decision to publish the Harry Potter manuscript.
Adam never knew that after his sudden interest in the story he found in her office and his request for the second manuscript, she had personally reached out to the author: a young British writer named Joanne Rowling.
Despite her talent, Rowling was struggling financially. Apparently, her literary agent had spent six months trying to sell the book to publishers without success for various reasons. However, after hearing her story and understanding the dedication and passion behind her work, Adam's grandmother decided to take a chance on her, even though fantasy novels weren't the kind of books her small publishing house usually handled.
It was a somewhat risky decision, but she had her reasons.
'If Adam liked this manuscript so much, maybe there's something special here. Something other kids might love too,' she thought. While it wasn't the type of book her small poetry-focused publishing house typically released, she trusted her instincts. Plus, this would help the struggling author, and the idea of encouraging her grandson's newfound love of reading also played a major role in her decision. If all went well, this could be an unexpected success for her small publishing house.
Motivated by this, Adam's grandmother reached an agreement with Rowling: she would publish Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and provide Rowling with an advance of £3,000. Additionally, she would financially support the author so she could complete the second manuscript in the series. She even planned to gift the completed second book to Adam to keep his enthusiasm for reading alive.
However, since Adam's grandmother didn't have much experience publishing this kind of book, she decided to consult with professionals who could guide her publishing house through the process of carefully editing the manuscript before release.
Even though the manuscript was complete, it likely needed some fine-tuning to ensure it was as polished as possible. While those professionals handled the editing, her publishing house focused on the production side of things: designing the book's cover, formatting the text, and preparing it for printing. Once everything was ready, they sent out a few advance copies to select authors, critics, and booksellers to gather feedback and quotes for the official launch.
What neither Adam nor his grandmother knew at the time was that this decision would change the book's destiny, bringing it to readers much earlier than originally planned.
Ultimately, this would not only benefit Rowling but also fill the coffers of the small family publishing house... and lead to many more changes in the future.
....
Meanwhile, another series of events was unfolding.
Alvin Sargent, the renowned screenwriter and two-time Academy Award winner, couldn't help but be deeply impressed by Adam's performance in Bogus. To him, Adam wasn't just a talented child; he was a phenomenon.
Before traveling to Canada to continue filming alongside Adam and the rest of the production team, Alvin decided to attend an annual screenwriters' gathering in Los Angeles. This event, typically held just a few days after the Oscars, brought together some of the biggest names in the industry to discuss projects, exchange ideas, and socialize.
Normally, Alvin didn't bother attending, but his excitement over what he'd witnessed in New Jersey drove him to go this time. Besides, he didn't have much to do until the production team finished preparations for filming in Canada.
At the gathering, Alvin mingled and chatted with some of his peers. Naturally, he couldn't help but talk about Adam with several of his colleagues.
"This kid, Adam White.... believe me when I say if you haven't heard of him yet, it's only a matter of time before he becomes a star," Alvin told a group of screenwriters, capturing their attention. "He's absolutely incredible. He's just 9 years old, but he acts with a natural talent I can't even begin to explain. His ability to improvise is something you rarely see, even in seasoned adult actors."
One of the attendees, David Koepp, listened intently. Koepp, though not as established as Alvin, had already gained recognition for his work as the screenwriter of Jurassic Park (1993) and was currently working on his next major project: adapting The Lost World: Jurassic Park, the sequel to Steven Spielberg's blockbuster hit.
The way Alvin spoke about Adam sounded almost unreal, but Koepp knew Alvin's words couldn't be taken lightly. His curiosity began to grow.
Unexpectedly, Alvin's glowing praise of young Adam left a strong impression on Koepp.
At the time, Koepp and Spielberg were working together to shape the screenplay for The Lost World: Jurassic Park. While Michael Crichton's novel provided a solid structure, Spielberg wanted the movie to focus more on action and spectacle, downplaying some of the book's more complex scientific and philosophical themes. Both agreed the screenplay needed to be more fast-paced and accessible to a general audience.
While Adam was traveling to Canada to film the next scenes for Bogus, he had no idea about the waves his actions were creating.
Yup... His system and the choices he had made were affecting the world in ways he likely would never fully understand. These shifts were causing changes to events that were supposed to unfold differently.
One of these changes started with David Koepp, following Steven Spielberg's guidance, making significant decisions while adapting Michael Crichton's The Lost World novel into a movie.
Koepp had already taken many liberties to shape the story for the film format, altering much of the book's content. He had removed certain secondary characters, merged others, and even created entirely new ones to better fit the narrative. For example, Kelly, one of the two children in the novel who sneaks onto the island with Malcolm's team, was reimagined as an original character for the screenplay. She became Ian Malcolm's African-American daughter, providing a stronger personal connection to the protagonist while still maintaining a link to her novel counterpart—albeit without including the second child, Arby.
However, Alvin Sargent's comments about Adam began to influence Koepp in an unexpected way. At first, it was just a fleeting thought: 'What if I included this kid in the script as Arby, Eddie Carr's son?' But the more Koepp thought about it, the more sense it made.
In the novel, Arby was a child prodigy in technology, but Koepp had initially removed him, feeling that the character didn't fit well with the story Spielberg and he wanted to tell. Now, though, he began to reconsider.
'Maybe I can reimagine Arby in a way that works better for the movie,' Koepp thought, as new and unexpected ideas emerged—concepts he hadn't even considered before. He envisioned ways to use this character to tie certain parts of the screenplay together more seamlessly, with just a few additional scenes and minor modifications.
These changes wouldn't disrupt the script but would instead enrich it, adding depth and cohesion.
What began as a passing idea soon grew into a full-fledged rewrite. Koepp reintroduced the character as Arby Carr, the son of Eddie Carr, the team's engineer responsible for technology and transportation. Arby would be a slightly apathetic but incredibly talented kid with a knack for technology. Although frightened by the film's dangerous situations, he would find moments to shine with his ingenuity.
Koepp also decided to create a dynamic between Arby and Kelly, Malcolm's daughter. The two children would have completely opposite personalities: Kelly, an athletic and brave girl, would be resourceful and unafraid of action, while Arby, though timid and cautious, would bring essential technological skills to the table. Their contrasting traits would not only add tension and humor but also allow both characters to experience personal growth throughout the story.
Additionally, Arby's presence would make Eddie Carr's eventual death more impactful, as the audience would see him through his son's eyes.
Arby would be portrayed as a young, nerdy, and incredibly tech-savvy boy, though a bit scared of the island's many dangers. Meanwhile, Kelly would be a courageous girl, much better suited for action but entirely out of her depth when it came to technology—just like her father, Ian Malcolm. Their differences would highlight their unique strengths and create memorable moments as they helped each other throughout the film. In one climactic scene, Arby would finally find his courage, assisting Kelly in a life-or-death situation.
The new character of Arby Carr would have several important secondary roles, adding depth to the story.
By this point, Koepp's idea was no longer just a passing thought sparked by Alvin's praise of Adam White.
Now, it was fully integrated into the script... even if Adam didn't end up playing the role. That said, Koepp knew it would be ideal to cast a young actor with the extraordinary talent Alvin had described.
Actors like that didn't come along often, and if Adam lived up to the hype, he could elevate the character even further.
When Koepp presented the revised script to Spielberg, the director approved it almost immediately.
"I like it," Spielberg said, reviewing the updated screenplay. "Kids are always an emotional anchor in movies like this. They were a big hit in the first film"
Spielberg was initially a bit surprised by the sudden changes to the script. However, since no existing roles were altered and the revisions mostly added a few new scenes that better tied the story together, he quickly gave his approval. He also saw the potential in showcasing a child who struggled with the dangers of the island while another thrived, creating a balance that would resonate with the audience. Additionally, Arby could serve as the reason Kelly managed to access certain technology on the island.
The inclusion of Arby, though somewhat tropey, was likely to appeal to audiences. It also allowed for a nod to the two children from the novel, albeit with significant differences.
...
So...., yes, without even realizing it, Adam had become an inspiration for a renowned screenwriter, influencing the story of one of the most anticipated movies of the 90s. Even though no one on The Lost World: Jurassic Park team knew who Adam was beyond Alvin's glowing praise, his talent had already left an indelible mark on the industry.... before his first movie had even hit theaters.
Meanwhile, Adam was nearing his destination in Canada, completely unaware of the events unfolding around him. What he saw as an exciting opportunity to use the system, live in the magical world, and act in a movie was, for the world, a series of changes that promised to reshape countless futures.