From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Frank Miller's "Sin City"—

Perhaps the general public isn't quite as familiar with it, as the influence of two-dimensional comics is relatively limited.

But in Hollywood, people are no strangers to it. Over the past decade, more than one or two producers have tried to buy the adaptation rights to this comic, but all were unsuccessful.

Until now.

Finally! Someone has finally persuaded Frank Miller, and the adaptation of "Sin City" is finally underway!

It shouldn't be Forest Films, a new player in Hollywood, getting involved, right?

However, the reality is not so—

"Sin City" not only features flying blood and gore, severely challenging the limits of Hollywood film companies' tolerance; but its completely visual comic presentation further challenges Hollywood's aesthetic system in all aspects.

People often have this kind of inertial thinking that Hollywood seems to be a cradle for the film industry, full of challenges, innovation, and freedom.

In fact, this is not the case. It's an illusion.

On the surface, Hollywood is filled with sex comedies full of vulgar jokes such as "American Pie", "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", "The Hangover", and "Sausage Party"; but in reality, most of those who crossed the ocean and left their homes to pioneer in North America were Protestants, so Hollywood is conservative at its core.

At least in the one-acre, three-point field of film, Europe is the real freedom.

In addition, setting that aside for the moment, the biggest difference between the Hollywood film industry and other countries and regions is the industrialization of the entire production system.

Simply put, assembly line production—

The three-act structure of the script, the formula of narrative grammar, the routine of shaping characters.

Everything strictly follows the template, because these templates are the results of industry testing and polishing, and also a guarantee of success. Just follow this formula to ensure quality.

Not only Hollywood genre films, but also art films of factions such as Sundance and the Independent Spirit Awards are no exception, with industrialized template thinking.

Over time, people's thinking becomes standardized, constantly copying and pasting within the template, and movies also become assembly line products. Although it can guarantee average quality, it becomes increasingly difficult to discover "variables" here.

A movie like "Sin City" challenges tradition, challenges formulas, challenges routines, and even challenges the entire Hollywood production system in every aspect. Film companies are all shrinking back and dare not take risks, even with Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino as directors, it's no use.

Frank Miller was not surprised by this situation—

See, I told you. If Hollywood adapts it, they will inevitably modify my work beyond recognition. They can't accept the spirit in my comics; now, we are preparing to shoot and produce completely according to the spirit of the comics, and no one in Hollywood dares to take risks, for fear of becoming a heretic:

Not only in terms of religion, but also in terms of the Hollywood production system.

Unexpectedly, yet reasonably, the opportunity came into the hands of Forest Films after twists and turns.

No, to be precise, the opportunity appeared in Anson's hands. The role invitation, Forest Films obviously hasn't entered Robert and Quentin's sights yet.

But Anson believes this is an opportunity, a great opportunity.

After Anson's explanation, Lucas finally understood the special nature of this project, even to the point of being earth-shattering. Any producer or film company that can successfully produce this project and push it to the market will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention. This is a simple math problem—

Imagery, style, color, everything will become a unique existence.

However, Lucas's focus is still on Anson.

"You just said the role isn't suitable for you?"

Anson waved his hand, "No, it's not that it's not suitable, it's just simply boring. Yes, boring."

Lucas was a little curious, "What role?"

Anson, "Dwight."

"A former criminal who lives quietly after plastic surgery. In order to teach his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend a lesson, he accidentally discovers that this ex-boyfriend has violent tendencies and is bullying a group of prostitutes against the rules. Then, those prostitutes join forces to kill this violent guy, but accidentally discover that he is actually a police officer, so Dwight must protect this group of prostitutes."

Lucas opened his mouth slightly and raised his chin, revealing a knowing expression, "Indeed, a little boring."

Anson, "In such a distinctly stylized work, the focus is not on the actors' performances, because the characters have no arc, only a slice, so characters with distinct personalities can stand out."

"Compared to Dwight, this ex-boyfriend's role is more impactful."

"Unfortunately, in their eyes, I'm still a vase lacking charisma, right?"

Edgar chose "Sin City" partly because he hoped that Anson could subvert his image, break away from the good-boy, boy-next-door image of Peter Parker, and go a step further after shedding the high school student label, going a step further on the basis of "Walk the Line", so he chose such a subversive work.

Rather than saying Edgar chose "Sin City", it's better to say Edgar chose Robert and Quentin.

However, in the eyes of "badass" Quentin, Anson is still too well-behaved.

Maybe Lucas doesn't know, but Anson knows that Quentin has always had a crazy streak in choosing actors. He doesn't care whether the other party is a big name or how big a name they are. Anyway, as long as he is interested, he dares to step forward and invite them.

The same is true for this "Sin City". There is a villain role in the movie, Little Roque, a very, very small role, and Quentin is preparing to persuade Leonardo DiCaprio to play it.

Ordinary people would say Quentin is crazy, but Quentin believes this is his vision.

In other words, Quentin and they have their own precise vision for each role. Inviting Anson to play Dwight is because they think Anson fits Dwight's image.

As for the others, everything is unimportant.

So, even if Anson expresses his desire to play the role of this ex-boyfriend, Quentin and they would not be interested.

Anson is very clear about this.

In fact, "Sin City" has such a strong directorial style that all the actors are overshadowed, and in the end, there is only one beneficiary:

Jessica Alba, the actress playing Nancy.

In her previous life, with the debut of "Sin City" and "Fantastic Four" one after the other, Jessica Alba became extremely popular and was crowned as a goddess.

The movie already has a radiant vase, so there is no need for Anson to step forward and steal the spotlight, so he lacks interest in playing this work.

But if it is Forest Films investing in the shooting, then that is another matter.