From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“… Heard that you are negotiating with Anson-Wood to play Johnny Cash?”

Michael-McCuske pushed open the conference room door, exchanging greetings and chatting casually, as if it were just a normal conversation.

Mangold's eyes lit up, revealing a smile, “Yes. He is truly an excellent actor, isn't he? We all believe he is the one to play Johnny…”

Before he could finish speaking, McCuske interrupted, “I don't think that's a good idea.”

Mangold's smile froze on his lips, and he turned to look at Kitsch, who was next to him. Both of them were about to sit down, but now their movements were frozen.

Unfortunately, Kitsch had no answer either—

So, is this the reason Sony Columbia summoned them to a meeting today?

Mangold's lips curled up again, “To be honest, we thought so at first too. Could that Spider-Man kid really handle this role…”

Mangold tried to make a lighthearted joke, not only reminding McCuske that Anson was working with Sony Columbia on Spider-Man, but also preparing a follow-up to steer the topic back.

However, he didn't get the chance, because McCuske interrupted him again.

“I like your initial idea, keep it up.”

The atmosphere became slightly serious.

Mangold and Kitsch both realized that McCuske was not joking.

But why? Could the rumors that Sony Columbia was targeting Anson be true?

McCuske cursed inwardly—

The big shots at the top are fighting, but they want the little shrimps like them to clean up the mess.

He now has to play the bad guy in front of outsiders, like an unforgivable villain; he doesn't mind rejecting or even blacklisting others, but the point is that this is not his decision, and the target is still Anson.

Damn it!

They have all seen the result of Sony Columbia's open and secret struggles with Anson. Even a cunning old fox like Michael-Linton suffered a silent loss, let alone a small fry like him who is neither up nor down?

However, what else can he do?

McCuske took a deep breath and tried his best to show a kind smile.

“Believe me, I know how excellent an actor Anson is. We still believe that Anson is the perfect choice for Peter-Parker. He has done an excellent job, and we are all looking forward to the movie's release.”

“But, even excellent actors have their limitations.”

“We don't think that an important figure like Johnny Cash should be played by him. Maybe he can strike a handsome pose in front of the camera and make girls scream with his sparkling blue eyes, but it's difficult for him to interpret the vicissitudes and pain that Johnny experienced.”

“Right?”

McCuske looked at Kitsch at the end, completely ignoring Mangold—

Hit the snake seven inches from the head.

Kitsch's words swirled in his throat, almost ready to nod.

But in the end, Kitsch still controlled himself, “We thought so at first too, but after truly meeting Anson, we changed our minds.”

McCuske was slightly surprised, not expecting Kitsch to defect as well.

“Moreover… Anson was the actor Johnny personally appointed before his death,” Kitsch added.

The words were implicit, but the meaning couldn't be clearer:

Don't use Anson.

Every word was directed at Anson.

Simply put, if it's Anson, Sony Columbia won't cooperate.

From beginning to end, Kitsch and Mangold had almost no room to maneuver. Saying it was a meeting, but McCuske had already determined his position from the beginning. Rather than a meeting, it was more like a one-sided announcement.

Damn! Damn it! Damn it!

Mangold wanted to open his mouth to refute, but how could he argue reasonably?

The "Walk the Line" project has been tossed around for a full ten years. Even after Mangold joined, two years have passed.

It was not easy to finally persuade Sony Columbia to cooperate. They also thought that choosing Anson as the male lead would be a good way to please him and get twice the result with half the effort; but they did not expect it to backfire and hit the wall hard again.

Now what?

Mangold wanted to be tough, they just wanted to use Anson, and if Sony Columbia refused, they would immediately turn around and seek other cooperation.

But in the face of cruel reality, Mangold chickened out.

Leaving the conference room and arriving at the parking lot.

Mangold and Kitsch sat in the car, not saying a word, silently smoking.

Worry, is just one word.

Mangold sighed softly.

“Now it seems that the rumors are true. Sony Columbia's high-level power struggle is in a stalemate, and the faction resisting Anson currently has the upper hand. ‘Spider-Man’ is like this, and we are the same.”

“Otherwise… should we give up on Anson?”

As soon as the words fell, Kitsch shook his head, “No.”

Mangold was very surprised, he thought Kitsch was never that satisfied with Anson.

Kitsch took a deep breath, “After Johnny left, we are now completely passive. Apart from the adaptation rights, we have nothing.”

“Today they ask us to replace the male lead, and we obediently compromise; tomorrow they ask us to revise the script, and we have no room to refuse; the day after tomorrow they replace the producer and even the director, completely hollowing us out, and we are still at their mercy.”

“Don't you understand this set of tricks in Hollywood?”

Maybe Mangold doesn't understand, but Kitsch, who relies on connections, management, and parasitism to barely occupy a place in Hollywood, couldn't be clearer.

Mangold choked, “But, what do we do?”

Kitsch had no answer either—

They have been working hard for ten years, but they are still stuck in place.

That sense of powerlessness is almost about to devour their souls.

They could only sit quietly in the car, exhaling smoke, letting the smoke gradually engulf the figures of the two people.

Just then, the sound of the phone vibrating broke the silence.

Mangold took out his phone and glanced at the caller ID, “Anson's agent.”

Kitsch covered his cheeks with his hands, rubbed them hard, and couldn't tell what he was thinking for a moment. He finally understood what the ostrich was thinking—

Occasionally hiding, doesn't seem so bad.

Mangold couldn't hide. He took a deep breath and immediately answered the phone, “Hey, Edgar.”

“Good morning, director.” Edgar's voice on the other end of the phone seemed refreshed, obviously not realizing that Sony Columbia was stabbing him in the back.

“Good news, Anson has finished reading the script, and he is willing to take on this role. Being able to play Johnny Cash is undoubtedly an honor, and Anson can't wait to join the crew to play this role.”

“So, when do you have time, I think we should sit down and talk about the specific details of the contract.”