From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Everything seemed absurd and laughable.

If the news leaked, and people learned that Sony Columbia was actually preparing to replace Anson, not only the greatest contributor behind the glory of "Spider-Man", but also the undisputed leader of the new generation of Hollywood actors, their first reaction would probably be:

Are you kidding me?

What kind of onion news is this? Even if you fabricate news, there should at least be some logic. Such outrageous nonsense can be seen through at a glance, so what's the point?

However, things were indeed happening—

Judging from Michael's actions, he was determined to win.

Even before the meeting, Michael had already begun collecting information on potential actors, comprehensively considering them, and providing a perfect solution that left no room for refusal.

Michael and Amy once again engaged in a tit-for-tat confrontation, sparks flying, but this power game was still indecisive in the short term.

Amy, with deep roots and years of management in the upper echelons of Sony Columbia, stood on the edge of a cliff, and she would fight with all her might for her career.

Michael, betting everything, appeared to be aggressive now, but his standing up also put himself in a position with no retreat. Once the competition failed, his career might also run aground.

"Spider-Man" was still the most important task for Sony Columbia at the moment. Even if Anson had no accident, Michael would still find a way to integrate himself into it and exert his influence—

If Anson knew about this, the chaos and division between the second and third films in the series might be able to find a deeper reason.

The atmosphere was completely tense, and Ian wisely closed his mouth, avoiding the eye of the storm.

Unexpectedly, an abrupt voice interjected from the side.

"I think Michael makes sense."

Laura Ziskin, another producer, was also one of the key figures who nodded in agreement to choose Anson in the first place. She was the fifth person who had been silent throughout today's meeting.

Ian doubted his ears, "Laura?"

Although Laura wasn't the one who liked Anson the most at the beginning, she also quite appreciated Anson, but now she had actually defected.

Ian's gaze quickly shifted between Laura and Michael.

Perhaps, Laura wasn't "betraying" Anson, but choosing a completely new camp.

"Indeed, Anson currently needs to recuperate and recover, three to six weeks, but no one can guarantee whether it will be three weeks, six weeks, or even more time?"

"We can't keep waiting."

"We need to be prepared. If Anson needs six weeks or more to prepare, then releasing it in the summer of next year will be a joke. We can choose to continue waiting for Anson until he recovers, but the cost may be an increase of 10 to 20 million in investment."

"But we can also choose to show the company's grandeur and prove to Hollywood that no one is irreplaceable, and that the latter should win between actors and projects. The film company refuses to be led by the nose by actors."

Brilliant—

This quietly switched to the topic of salary disputes, and obviously the film company was still not satisfied with the situation that actors were earning more and more.

Ian guessed that Laura should have chosen a completely new camp.

Seeing that Sam was about to speak, Laura took the lead and used the interrupt skill.

"Moreover, choosing a successor is not such a simple matter."

"Remember how long it took us to choose the final actor back then? Anson's ability to stand out was not just luck."

"Now we are re-selecting Spider-Man, and it is still after an accident, and we also need to face the pressure of time. Things are not that simple."

Laura looked at Sam after saying this, and then turned to Michael.

"We should give these candidates a chance. While interviewing them, we should wait for Anson and see Anson's injury situation and recovery progress."

"Prepare for both possibilities and try to minimize losses as much as possible."

"After all, we are now the victims, and every day we delay, we will suffer more losses."

Reasonable and well-founded.

After Michael's impact and paving the way, Laura's compromise solution sounded much more pleasant and reasonable, and it was easier to accept.

The premise was that everyone present was a good boy.

However, they were not.

Ian gently raised his chin. Michael and Laura's red and white combination seemed to be sure of victory, but he would not be easily fooled.

"Hehe, time is tight and the situation is difficult, so maybe you already have actors you like. Why not speed up the progress and save us from going through the motions of auditioning one by one and wasting time."

In Ian's view, the seemingly reasonable arrangement on the surface was that Michael and Laura might have already decided on the actor internally. The decision was made within 48 hours, not giving Anson time to recover, and ending the whole situation quickly, while Anson might not even have time to speak—

Although Anson is now in full swing, in the eyes of the film company, his foundation is still unstable and far from being comparable to a true top superstar.

Laura didn't panic, and looked at Ian quietly, "You are also one of the interviewers, you also have a vote, you can use your own eyes to make a judgment."

Ian didn't believe it—

Inside the board of directors, some votes supported Michael and some votes supported Amy; so if they were to re-select the actor now, it would be better to say that it was another team-standing vote rather than an "audition" selection.

Choose Michael or Amy?

If they chose Michael, they would naturally be willing to choose the actor that Michael had already decided on internally. The matter seemed responsible but was actually simple and clear at a glance.

Laura's calm gaze stared directly at Ian, without denying or refuting Ian's guess, but asked with a smile.

"So, what is your position?"

Ian choked.

So, had he already decided to choose Amy? Standing on the opposite side of Michael? Once a choice was made, would there be no way to turn back later?

For a moment, he was filled with thoughts.

Ian closed his mouth, he needed to think about it.

Laura was not surprised, because Ian was also a smart person, and it was easy to deal with smart people, they understood at a single point.

Amy's heart was stuck in her throat. Although she knew that Ian should not have made a choice yet, she still had a chance to keep Ian in her camp; but what was certain was that Michael should be able to achieve his goal in today's meeting—

Auditioning potential actors was imperative.

As for what would happen next, whether the actor Michael had decided on internally could become the new Spider-Man was another matter, and they would continue to fight.

But as far as the current situation was concerned, Amy could no longer continue to stop Michael, because Amy's suggestion was reasonable and well-founded, and the board of directors would not refuse.

Amy could no longer continue to anger the board of directors.

Thinking of this, Amy calmed down, her mind also filled with thoughts.

Michael had been observing the situation, keenly capturing the different thoughts of Amy and Ian, and the tension at the corners of his mouth relaxed slightly.

"So, let's settle the matter like this, let's notify these actors first…"

Bang.

An abrupt sound interrupted Michael's concluding remarks.