From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“I wasn't peeking, really.”

Even though nothing had happened, he was caught at a strange time, and inexplicably felt guilty. Ryan was also dumbfounded.

A conditioned reflex to defend himself, but why did it feel so weird after saying it?

Ryan couldn't help but scratch his head.

Compared to Ryan's surprise, Anson seemed much calmer, his face serene. “It’s okay if you were peeking. I’m used to it anyway.”

That's it?

Ryan: … …

Ryan immediately realized he was making a fuss about nothing, a helpless but amused expression on his face. He shook his head slightly, and patted the steering wheel. “Damn, you got me there. Be honest, this isn't the first time, is it?”

Anson's face was full of坦然— —

Anson waved his hand, making a sprinkling motion, “Didn't feel a thing.”

Ryan revealed a regretful expression, “Looks like I still need to keep working at it.” He even clenched his fist and cheered himself on, instantly lightening the atmosphere.

Anson chuckled softly, thinking—

In fact, it's easier to confide in strangers because they aren't in your life and won't have any entanglements with you. There's no shame or worry, and things become much simpler.

On the other hand, it's difficult to open up to family and friends about those worries and burdens. You don't even know how to start, and over time, it just fades away. It's not that you don't talk, but that you don't know how to have a conversation.

Actually, Anson was worried.

Of course, as a transmigrator, Anson knew the box office results of “Spider-Man”, but the problem was that this little butterfly he was was changing the course of history.

The Tobey Maguire version of “Spider-Man” from his previous life was already completely different from Anson's current version. It wasn't just the actors' interpretation of the roles, but the entire film's atmosphere had also changed. Plus the changes in the environment before and after the film's release, the controversy surrounding Anson himself as a pretty face, and so on, all these subtle changes were altering the trajectory of history.

Therefore, no one could guarantee that a successful movie from his previous life would still be successful this time, because it was already a different work, a different time and space.

To be precise, it wasn't worry, but a mix of anticipation, nervousness, fatigue, and other emotions. He wasn't at ease because of the success of the previous work, but rather even more uneasy because of it—

Moreover, this was Anson's first time as the lead actor on the big screen. Without the cover and help of other actors, he was standing under the spotlight, every move scrutinized under a microscope by the audience.

He, as an actor, was truly standing in the center of the spotlight, accepting critical scrutiny, and the entire summer's box office responsibility rested on his shoulders. Experts and reporters were already eager to dissect him.

All sorts of factors collided, focusing the pressure on “Spider-Man” to a whole new level, as if the entire future of Hollywood depended on it.

Even knowing that this was an illusion, that Hollywood wouldn't be destroyed by the success or failure of one movie, it was still inevitable to be drawn into the vortex when you were truly in it.

The anticipation was real.

The nervousness was also real.

It wasn't until this moment that Anson realized he wasn't as carefree as he thought he was, and he hadn't completely seen through things after all. Some things, even with two lifetimes of experience, still needed to be learned slowly. No wonder people always say:

You live and learn.

Not just knowledge, but also the wisdom of life.

This realization made the corners of Anson's mouth curve up slightly, revealing a self-deprecating smile, and he felt a little more relaxed now.

“I'm worried about the feedback.”

The words were spoken so easily, simpler than he imagined.

Ryan was stunned, quickly turning his head to glance at Anson. He thought Anson didn't want to talk about it, and then subconsciously said, “Worrying is normal, isn't it? It would be weird if you weren't worried, right?”

So matter-of-fact.

Ryan quickly explained, “What I mean is, before every work is released, we worry. That's because we care and because we love it. We can't predict the reaction of the critics, and we can't predict the reaction of the audience.”

“After a movie is released, people always like to blame the actors for the good or bad.”

“Of course, we need to take responsibility, and we can't deny that sometimes the success or failure of a movie does depend on the actors.”

“But honestly, the actors' responsibility is limited. Once the movie is finished, we lose control. We're just as ignorant as the audience. We only know what we've filmed after the movie is released.”

That wording—

Anson liked it, “Hahaha.”

Ryan shrugged slightly, “So, we go into the movie theater just as unprepared as the audience, and then watch ourselves make fools of ourselves on the big screen.”

“I have to say, it's almost impossible not to worry about audience reviews.”

Anson understood the reasoning.

But that's life. The bystander sees more than the player. Even if those principles are simple and obvious, they can still easily trap you when things happen.

At this time, family, friends, and lovers will play the role of onlookers.

The smile in the corner of Anson's eyes deepened, “It's the same even after experiencing it many times.”

Ryan nodded repeatedly, “God, you don't know how worried I was today, worried that the reporters would catch me and keep asking questions, but then I realized that no one cared. After all, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt are on the same stage, wow, who has the mind to pay attention to anyone else.”

Today, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt unexpectedly appeared at the same event, but the gossiping eyes were destined to be disappointed, because nothing happened. Obviously, they also knew that their every move was closely watched, so they were extra cautious.

There was no deliberate avoidance, but there was no direct conversation either—

It was up to the reporters to make up their own stories.

Anson didn't care about Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. They didn't need to worry either. Instead, he turned to look at Ryan, “Are you still worried now? Brad too, he's been particularly anxious lately.”

He was referring to “Murder by Numbers”.

This movie wasn't a blockbuster, but it was a medium-sized focus film. The production company, Warner Bros., even held a wide release in two thousand eight hundred theaters, which showed their expectations.

However, Sandra Bullock's attempt to broaden her acting range was met with poor reviews. It wasn't terrible, but it was definitely not optimistic. The media's comprehensive score was only fifty points, eventually settling in the mediocre range.

Two weeks after its release, the film, which cost $50 million to produce, had only grossed $18 million, which was destined to be a loss.

Obviously, for Sandra, these results were far below expectations.

Now it seemed that Ryan and Brad Renfro, as supporting actors, were also under tremendous pressure.