From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Life isn't a math problem where finding the right formula guarantees the correct answer.

The only thing they can truly believe in and control is themselves.

Anson turned his head, looked into Brad's eyes, and with sincerity and a smile, said, "I'm serious."

Brad was stunned.

Anson continued.

"Really."

"You know John Travolta, right?"

"In 1978, he became incredibly famous with 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Grease.' He not only received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, but the box office numbers were also through the roof. Back then, everyone knew him."

"But this is Hollywood, and fame doesn't last forever. After some twists and turns, he hit the lowest point of his career in 1983."

"That year, he starred in 'Staying Alive,' directed by Sylvester Stallone. The movie was a complete flop, met with widespread criticism."

"From then on, he basically disappeared from mainstream Hollywood. No one remembered John Travolta, and no one cared."

"To make a living, he could only act in movies that no one knew or cared about, but later, even those movies forgot him."

"By 1989, John could barely find work, and he was only thirty-five years old. This should have been the golden age for a Hollywood actor, but he was considering retiring and switching careers, seeking a breakthrough in other professions."

"He even considered becoming a real estate agent, really."

Anson looked at Brad, a helpless smile on his face—

Do these stories sound familiar? No one knows better than Brad himself.

Brad was silent, frozen in place, because he knew what happened next, but he still looked at Anson, anticipating the story.

"In 1993, a director found John, who had almost become a missing person, hoping he could star in his film."

"This was an independent film crew, a very, very small one. Due to budget constraints, they couldn't even afford to pay John his salary. Finally, the director fought hard, and they could offer John a $140,000 salary, plus a share of the box office revenue."

"But the problem was, it was questionable whether an independent film could even be released, let alone make money at the box office. The director was practically talking nonsense."

"However, John agreed."

"The director was Quentin Tarantino, and the movie was 'Pulp Fiction.'"

"Everyone knows the rest of the story."

A true story, not a fabrication.

In 1994, "Pulp Fiction" was released, causing a sensation in the United States. It first won the Palme d'Or, the highest award at the Cannes Film Festival, and then grossed $60 million at the U.S. box office, eventually receiving seven Oscar nominations the following year, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

More importantly, "Pulp Fiction" became a film that went down in history, truly laying the foundation for independent films to enter the mainstream.

John Travolta turned his career around and started a second chapter.

And—

This isn't an isolated case.

"Brad, do you know why everyone yearns for Hollywood?"

Anson didn't preach any grand principles. No amount of motivational talk can heal inner wounds. Life, in the end, still needs to be walked out step by step.

Relying on your own strength.

Brad's consciousness was a little blurry, half-dreaming, half-awake. The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile, "Because here, anything can happen."

"Heh, if it weren't for Hollywood, how could a director have picked an unruly kid from a juvenile detention center to star in a movie?"

But unexpectedly, director Joel Schumacher spotted Brad at first glance in the juvenile detention center and brought him to Hollywood.

At the premiere of "The Client," reporters focused on Brad. Hollywood loves such dramatic stories.

At the time, a reporter asked, "How will the movie change your life?"

The precocious Brad replied, "My name is Brad Renfro, born on July 25, 1982. The movie won't change my life in any way, and my life won't be any different because of it."

Perhaps, from that moment on, Brad had already foreseen his fate.

Huff.

Brad didn't continue speaking, but stared at the projection screen in front of him. Neither of them spoke, and Anson rewound the film.

The same scene played again.

Brad quietly watched the scene. Although he had seen the movie before, he didn't feel the power of the image until today—

Perhaps there is an invisible hand guiding everyone towards an unknown and mysterious tomorrow. The confusion of life and the destiny become life's most wonderful and difficult puzzle. That passionate and vibrant red color is as if fate is beating and flowing in the pulse.

Brad thought for a moment, "So, here, can anything really happen?"

Anson chuckled, "Believe me, it's happening right now."

Knock knock!

A knock came from the door.

Anson glanced at Brad, "Did you bring your tail back with you?"

Brad's eyes were half-closed, and he opened them at Anson's words, thinking blankly, "No... I don't think so?"

Knock knock!

Even in this short moment, the knock sounded again, and although he couldn't see what was happening outside, he could sense the urgent anxiety.

Seeing that Brad's eyes had lost focus and he was about to pass out, Anson shook his head helplessly, supported himself to stand up, and jumped off the sofa.

Knock knock!

The knock sounded for the third time.

But Anson still maintained a leisurely attitude, coming to the door at his own pace. As soon as he opened the door, he saw fingers knocking for the fourth time.

At the same time, his left hand was holding a phone in a conversation, his expression mixed with excitement and anxiety, and the whole person was like a restless flea.

"Oh, God, Anson."

Anson was very surprised, completely unexpected that the visitor was looking for him, "Captain Cook?"

Edgar let out a long breath, gesturing with the phone, "I called you, but you didn't answer. I thought something happened."

Anson pursed his lips, "I was watching a movie, and my phone was on silent."

Edgar didn't know how to respond for a moment, but thinking about it, it was normal that Anson was unaware of the situation outside.

Taking a deep breath, Edgar explained his purpose in the most concise and direct way, omitting the ins and outs, omitting the causes and consequences, and getting straight to the point.

"I need you to take the next flight to New York with me to audition for 'Spider-Man,' so, what do you think?"

So sudden?

Anson blinked, and without any further ado, said, "Give me a minute, I'll grab my wallet and keys."

Fourth update.