Chapter 50 – Another SAG Awards Win
January 2016 – Back on the Set of John Wick 2
The sound of bullets echoed across the set as Jacob Stewart fired his Glock 34 at training targets.
He was back filming John Wick: Chapter 2, fully immersed in the character again.
Wearing the iconic black suit and tie, he dove into fight rehearsals with the stuntmen, each punch and shot choreographed to the millisecond.
That morning, Chad Stahelski, the director, watched alongside stunt coordinator J.J. Perry.
Chad crossed his arms and smiled.
"This guy is insane. He's filming an action movie and at the same time winning awards like Best Actor."
J.J. laughed.
"He's having the time of his life. And you know what? He deserves it."
Jacob, after another intense scene, looked at the two of them and smiled, taking a deep breath.
"Are you talking about me?"
Chad laughed.
"Just commenting on how you're balancing two careers at the same time. Action and prestige."
Jacob smiled slightly.
"Well, I've never liked choosing just one path."
Everyone laughed.
But he knew that soon he would have to take a break from filming again.
Because on January 30th, the 2016 SAG Awards would take place.
And he was nominated for Best Actor.
January 30, 2016 – The SAG Awards
The Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG Awards) were different from other awards shows.
This award was voted on by the actors themselves. This meant that being recognized here was something special.
Jacob arrived at the event wearing a bespoke Tom Ford suit, accompanied by his agent Richard Calloway.
As he stepped out of the limousine, cameras exploded with flashes.
Journalists quickly surrounded him on the red carpet.
"Jacob, this is your first SAG Awards nomination! How are you feeling?"
Jacob smiled and calmly replied, "Being nominated by my colleagues is a huge honor. I'm just happy to be here today."
He continued walking down the blue carpet, greeting friends like Leonardo DiCaprio, Charlize Theron, Matt Damon, and Tom Hardy.
But he knew the night was only just beginning.
The event started with speeches and entertaining presentations.
Jacob was seated at the table for The Revenant, alongside Alejandro Iñárritu, Tom Hardy, and Emmanuel Lubezki.
The tension was palpable.
They knew they were among the favorites of the night.
And then, the first award involving the film arrived.
The presenter smiled at the audience and opened the envelope.
"And the SAG Award for Best Stunt Ensemble goes to… The Revenant!"
The table erupted in applause.
The film's stunt performers went up on stage to receive the award and thanked the team.
Jacob clapped energetically, knowing how much these professionals had risked on set.
But now, the next category was even more important to him.
Best Supporting Actor – Tom Hardy
When the nominees for Best Supporting Actor were announced, Jacob looked at Tom Hardy and patted him on the shoulder.
— Good luck, brother. You deserve it.
Tom smiled.
— We'll see what happens.
The nominees appeared on the screen:
Tom Hardy – The Revenant
Mark Rylance – Bridge of Spies
Christian Bale – The Big Short
Sylvester Stallone – Creed
Idris Elba – Beasts of No Nation
The presenter opened the envelope.
— "And the SAG Award for Best Supporting Actor goes to… Idris Elba – Beasts of No Nation!"
The audience applauded, and Jacob saw Tom Hardy smile and give a slight nod, accepting defeat with class.
Tom turned to Jacob and playfully punched his arm.
— Looks like it wasn't my turn this time, but you still have a chance tonight.
Jacob laughed.
— We'll see.
And then, his moment arrived.
The presenter walked to the microphone and picked up the envelope with the Most Anticipated Award of the Night category.
The nominees appeared on the screen:
Jacob Stewart – The Revenant
Bryan Cranston – Trumbo
Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl
Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs
Jacob felt his heart race.
The presenter paused dramatically.
— "And the SAG Award for Best Actor goes to… Jacob Stewart – The Revenant!"
For a moment, everything went silent in Jacob's mind.
Then, reality hit.
The entire table rose in celebration. Alejandro clapped with a huge smile. Tom Hardy hugged him. Richard Calloway shouted:
— I TOLD YOU SO, DAMN IT!
Jacob took a deep breath, adjusted his suit, and walked to the stage to applause and shouts from the audience.
He picked up the statuette, looked at the audience, and smiled.
The moment was his.
He approached the microphone and began his speech.
"I don't even know what to say…"
The audience laughed and he continued.
"Being nominated for this award was already a huge honor. But winning it? That means more than I can express."
He looked at Alejandro and Tom Hardy.
"This film was one of the most intense experiences of my life. Alejandro, thank you for teaching me to seek the truth in every scene. Tom, you were the best screen partner I could have asked for."
Jacob took a deep breath and looked at the trophy.
"And, above all, this award is for all the actors who dream of this moment. I went from someone who slept on the streets to being here today. So, if anyone is watching and thinking it's not possible… I am proof that it is."
The audience erupted in applause.
Jacob raised the trophy and smiled.
He was living the peak of his career.
And now, everything led to a single destination…
The Oscar.
Chapter 51 – Between Shots and Awards: Glory at the BAFTA
February 2016 – Total Focus on John Wick: Chapter 2
After winning the SAG Awards, Jacob Stewart didn't have time to rest.
From the next day, he returned to the set of John Wick: Chapter 2, completely immersing himself in the role of the ruthless assassin.
New York was cold, and the production was filming night scenes in damp alleys, full of neon and intense shadows.
Jacob was exhausted, but nothing could distract him.
He trained every day, practicing brutal fight choreography and intense shooting sequences.
That night, he was filming a motorcycle chase, where John Wick faced assassins in the pouring rain, dodging bullets while riding at high speed.
After a perfect take, Chad Stahelski, the director, shouted:
— CUT! That was BEAUTIFUL!
The crew applauded, and Jacob got off the motorcycle, taking a deep breath.
Chad approached and patted him on the shoulder.
"Jacob, you're outdoing yourself. Seriously. You don't have to do all this alone, we have stunt doubles."
Jacob laughed, still out of breath.
"But I like doing it."
Chad crossed his arms, smiling.
"And that's why you've become the most respected action actor today."
Jacob grabbed a bottle of water and took a sip.
He knew filming would continue until February 14th, but there was something important in between…
The BAFTA Awards.
February 14, 2016 – The BAFTA Awards in London
The night of February 14th wasn't just Valentine's Day in the United States.
It was also the day of the 2016 BAFTA Awards, the biggest awards ceremony in British cinema.
Jacob flew to London just for the event, putting filming for John Wick 2 on hold for a few days.
He knew The Revenant was nominated in eight major categories.
And he himself was nominated for Best Actor.
Upon arriving at the awards ceremony at the iconic Royal Opera House, Jacob was greeted by a sea of flashes and journalists.
Wearing a black Tom Ford tuxedo, he walked the red carpet alongside his agent Richard Calloway, who was more excited than ever.
"Jacob, if you win this BAFTA tonight, you can write this down: the Oscar will be yours."
Jacob smiled slightly.
"You're very confident about that, huh?"
Richard laughed.
"After the Golden Globes and the SAG Awards? That's practically a done deal."
But Jacob didn't like to count his chickens before they hatched.
He knew Hollywood was unpredictable.
And that night was only just beginning.
The Awards Ceremony Begins
The Royal Opera House was packed with British and international film stars.
Jacob sat at the table for The Revenant, next to Alejandro González Iñárritu, Tom Hardy, and Emmanuel Lubezki.
The tension was palpable.
Then, the first award for the film was announced.
The presenter opened the envelope and read the winner's name.
"And the BAFTA for Best Sound goes to… The Revenant!"
The film's sound team stood to receive the award, thanking Alejandro and the entire production for their impeccable work.
Jacob clapped, feeling his pride swell.
But he knew there was more to come.
Minutes later, the next BAFTA for The Revenant was announced.
"And the BAFTA for Best Cinematography goes to… Emmanuel Lubezki – The Revenant!"
Lubezki took to the stage and, in his speech, thanked Alejandro and the entire team.
"This film was a unique challenge. We had to film only with natural light, in extreme locations. But it was worth every second."
Jacob applauded, knowing how much Lubezki had strived to make The Revenant an unforgettable visual experience.
But now, the two most important categories were approaching.
The presenter smiled before opening the envelope.
"And the BAFTA for Best Director goes to… Alejandro González Iñárritu – The Revenant!"
The table erupted in applause.
Alejandro stood and hugged Jacob before going up on stage.
In his speech, the director made a point of mentioning Jacob.
"Directing The Revenant was like climbing an icy mountain without gloves. But, alongside a dedicated team and an actor like Jacob Stewart, everything became possible." This award is for everyone who fought to tell this story.
Jacob felt a shiver down his spine.
Hearing that from one of the world's most respected directors was something he would never forget.
But now, the most anticipated moment of the night had arrived.
The room fell into absolute silence.
The nominees appeared on the screen:
Jacob Stewart – The Revenant
Matt Damon – The Martian
Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs
Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl
Jacob held his breath.
The presenter opened the envelope.
— "And the BAFTA for Best Actor goes to… Jacob Stewart – The Revenant!"
For a moment, he froze.
The entire table rose in celebration.
Tom Hardy hugged him. Alejandro high-fived. Jacob stood up, took a deep breath, and walked to the stage.
This moment was his.
He picked up the trophy, looked at the audience, and began his speech.
"Well… I still haven't gotten used to this."
The audience laughed, and he continued.
"This film changed my life. It tested my limits, made me discover things about myself I never imagined. And all of this was only possible because Alejandro guided me down the right path."
He paused and looked at the trophy.
"I want to dedicate this award to all those who have ever felt hopeless. I've been there. I know what it's like. But I also know that if you believe in yourself, unbelievable things can happen."
Jacob raised the trophy.
"Thank you, BAFTA. Thank you, United Kingdom. This night is unforgettable."
The audience erupted in a standing ovation.
And Jacob knew, at that moment…
The Oscar was right there.
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