From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Sam Raimi's eventual direction of "Spider-Man" after a winding journey was widely discussed and known throughout Hollywood.

In other words, half of Hollywood had already been alerted. It was very difficult to keep the preparation work for "Spider-Man" a secret; it was no longer a secret at all.

So, since it was impossible to keep a low profile, it was better to be openly high-profile.

The casting process was the same.

James Franco, as he spoke, thought of something, "In fact, the top five talent agencies should have received the news and submitted resumes."

"Chris, didn't you submit a resume?"

Chris, like James, belonged to Creative Artists Agency. Although their work didn't overlap, their sources of information should have been the same.

Chris helplessly spread his hands, "They think I'm too handsome."

James immediately flipped him off, "Get out."

Chris laughed heartily.

James turned to look at Anson, "If you choose our company, you'll also get a chance this time. They're looking for fresh faces; and not only that, but there are many other opportunities."

Anson was just about to speak when another voice came from the side.

"If Anson also gets a chance, then you might not get an audition."

Anson was startled, "Hayden?"

Hayden's figure was nowhere to be seen. Even if he wanted to squeeze under the sofa with his height and build, it would be difficult, but how did his voice suddenly appear?

"Hey, Anson."

Chris picked up the phone on the table and gestured towards Anson.

Anson smiled wryly, "So, you've been here the whole time? Wait, is Brad also hiding in some corner, secretly observing?"

"Haha, I knew the news before you did. I already congratulated James."

Anson, "So, how are you doing now? Or is everything currently confidential?"

Hayden wasn't in Los Angeles.

Three weeks ago, when Anson was still in San Francisco, Hayden finally received the news—

The audition, passed.

Although it was still confidential to the news media, and no information had leaked for the time being, a small number of well-informed agents and executives had already learned about it, including the young partners who lived under the same roof as Hayden.

"Star Wars: Episode II", Hayden was officially confirmed as the actor playing the male lead, Anakin Skywalker, ushering in a turning point in his career.

No wonder!

Looking back now, everything made sense. All those mysterious things, those non-disclosure agreements, those countless auditions, were all explained.

After the news of the successful audition came out, Hayden immediately packed his bags and left Los Angeles, needing to go for training. There was a series of preparations before filming started, but everything was still subject to a non-disclosure agreement.

Watertight.

Hayden, "Uh... I'm, good?"

Hayden was very cautious. He didn't know what he could say and what he couldn't. He had to think twice before speaking each time, for fear of accidentally letting something slip.

Anson and Chris exchanged a look, and both of them burst out laughing.

James widened his eyes, "Hey, Hayden, what do you mean by what you just said? Explain it to me."

Chris said casually, "It means Anson is more handsome than you."

Anson raised his right hand and high-fived Chris.

Clap.

That crisp sound made James protest vehemently, "Get out, all of you get out. Anson, come on, let's fight."

Anson remained calm and shook his head gently, "I don't bully kids."

One second, two seconds—

Roaring laughter!

"Really!" To increase credibility, James even puffed out his chest.

"Sony Columbia's preferred actor was Leonardo DiCaprio."

James dropped a bombshell without showing any emotion.

Anson blinked, "What?"

This was indeed unheard of, and the level of explosiveness was second only to Nicolas Cage being a Superman candidate, even after the costumes and styling were all finalized, and a short film of screen tests was filmed.

But thinking about it carefully, it wasn't surprising.

"Titanic" was hailed as the box office bomb of the end of the century, sweeping the global box office and earning Leonardo DiCaprio incredible popularity, but after becoming famous, Leonardo once lost himself.

Because he completely lost his living space, it was difficult to move an inch when he appeared anywhere; even more so because he completely severed contact with ordinary people, everyone—literally everyone—wanted to take advantage of him, trying to get a piece of the pie from him. He was completely reduced to a tool.

The past two years had been very hard for Leonardo, because he couldn't trust anyone and couldn't build close relationships, and he once lost himself.

Therefore, in the past two years, he starred in a series of unknown low-budget independent films, and even went to remote mountains and forests to find tranquility. It was also in these two years that he began to pay attention to environmental protection and find peace of mind in nature.

Against this background, Sony Columbia's move to focus on Leonardo had to be said to be a somewhat risky but very clever move.

James was very satisfied with the effect he had created. Hayden on the other end of the phone also gasped. He regained his smile.

"But unfortunately, that didn't work out."

"Leonardo refused, and Sam also didn't like this choice. Both sides didn't like it, a two-way rejection."

"It was precisely because of this that Sony Columbia adjusted its strategy. They wanted to choose an actor who was different from Christopher Reeve, to change the traditional image."

Christopher Reeve, the actor who played Superman, was also considered the template for superheroes, perfectly in line with Americans' impression of traditional handsome men.

In fact, every Superman since then has more or less seen the shadow of Christopher Reeve, all of whom are the same type of actor.

Sony Columbia wanted to break the situation, so they wanted to change the style.

James shrugged slightly, "So, I think I have a better chance than Anson."

Looking at James's serious explanation, Anson directly showed a smile, silently clenched his fist and waved, cheering for James, "James, believe in yourself, you can do it."

That expression, that tone...

Why did James feel like he was being comforted like a poor little dog? That's an illusion, right, an illusion?

But Anson didn't give James time to react, and immediately changed the subject, "First Hayden, then James, and if we add a Chris, wow, it seems like there are a bit too many superheroes in our house."

Chris: ???

Anson gave Chris a look to calm down, "I think you're very suitable to play Captain America. Give those production companies some time, let the bullets fly for a while, they'll realize this."

Chris immediately understood and let out a long sigh and exclamation, "Ah, it would be great if that were the case. Look at me, please look at me."

Hayden's voice quietly came from the other end of the phone, full of innocence, "Shouldn't we look at James first? He's the one who has to go to New York for an audition tomorrow."

Ah, that's right.

Hayden couldn't resist the urge to complain, "Another New York? Why can't they audition in Los Angeles."

"Yeah, why not? I also don't understand why we have to fly to New York."

"Maybe it's because Spider-Man lives in New York?"

"Ah, it seems like that's the case."

Third update.