From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

“Murder by Numbers” performed far below expectations. Despite being released for only two weeks, the estimated losses could be as high as thirty million dollars, or even more.

Precisely because of this, Warner Bros. dislikes investing in small and medium-cost projects. Once they fail, their losses are not small. It's better to invest in large-scale projects, where winning means a big win and losing means a spectacular loss.

Anson couldn't know how Sandra Bullock felt as the leading actress, but for Brad Renfro, it was a heavy blow.

In recent years, Brad had been active in various independent films. He finally got this opportunity to return to the mainstream market's attention, but the result was not satisfactory. This plunged Brad into deep pain, and the nightmares of the past years surged again.

Moreover, there is no harm without comparison.

Brad's previous work, “Ghost World,” won critical acclaim. Although it didn't win any nominations during the awards season, it was invited to screen at various independent film festivals. But now, “Murder by Numbers” is mired in a swamp of negative reviews, and the panic of an uncertain future has made Brad retreat into darkness.

For the past two weeks, Chris Evans had been staying at home with Brad, while Anson and James were busy promoting “Spider-Man.” Despite this, Anson still called Brad every few days—

Not to instill some kind of spiritual chicken soup.

Anson tried to make Brad realize that the success or failure of “Murder by Numbers” was not important. The real significance was to make the mainstream media see Brad again, and also to make Hollywood realize that Brad was still acting. Perhaps the film quality was unsatisfactory, but the actor's existence could not be ignored.

Noticing Anson's gaze, Ryan nodded slightly, "I'm thinking."

"Thinking about what kind of actor I want to be, and what kind of roles I should play. You know, I'm not the traditional handsome guy. I definitely wouldn't pass the audition for a role like ‘Spider-Man.’"

This was the truth.

The current Ryan looks particularly thin, not only gaunt but also gloomy. This appearance does not conform to Hollywood's mainstream aesthetics. Large film companies like tall, strong, and handsome actors, while those skinny male actors can often only struggle in independent films.

Ryan Gosling in his early twenties, and later the young Timothee Chalamet, are both representatives of this. Their physique and image do not conform to Hollywood's traditional aesthetics, and they often have difficulty getting leading roles.

If it hadn't been for the coincidence that “Call Me by Your Name” became a sensation, the latter would have had a very, very hard time making a name for himself.

This is also why Ryan started working out later—

The Ryan of “Half Nelson” and the Ryan of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” are only five years apart, but they seem like two completely different people.

Anson gently raised his chin, "So, you're trying to define your sense of existence?"

Ryan looked at Anson in surprise, "Yes…" There was a hint of hesitation in his words.

Anson looked frank, "Even a pretty face has a brain. Many people don't believe it, but Marilyn Monroe was actually very smart. She had a lot of thoughts about her acting career, but the environment at the time didn't allow her to think."

The smile on the corner of Ryan's mouth rose, "I believe it."

After a slight pause, Ryan still said honestly, "You really are different from what I imagined."

“Friends”? “The Princess Diaries”? “Spider-Man”? And fashion week runway shows?

Honestly, Ryan didn't think he and Anson could have any intersection, but now it seems that, if you're not careful, prejudice can blind you.

Although Ryan stopped short, Anson could still hear the deeper meaning in his words, "So, you did imagine it?"

A teasing remark directly stunned Ryan. In the end, he couldn't help but give Anson a thumbs up, "Haha, you." This wit, this eloquence, no wonder Jay Leno looks at you differently, and no wonder you can be a star on “The Tonight Show,” "Hahaha."

The laughter couldn't stop.

Shaking his head gently, Ryan protested, "I was trying to comfort you, but now it seems that someone doesn't need it at all."

Ryan thought Anson would continue to tease him back, but he didn't expect Anson to say, "Thank you."

Ryan was stunned—

When he was serious, Anson joked; when he joked, Anson was serious.

This rhythm was completely off, completely unable to keep up.

Ryan, "Huh?"

Anson looked serious, "I said, thank you."

Looking at Ryan's astonished expression, a smile appeared in Anson's eyes, "Tonight everyone is complimenting and praising, it's dazzling and overwhelming, and it's impossible to tell the truth from the false. Now someone is willing to calm down and listen, so, thank you."

"Cough cough…" Ryan became uneasy instead, coughing to hide his panic.

This made Anson laugh heartily, "Haha."

At this time, Ryan was still young and still green. You could tell at a glance that he was a rookie. His childhood experience in the Mickey Mouse Club could not help, but precisely because of this, Ryan was able to complete those performances in the early stages of his career and find his place.

Anson took the initiative to bring the topic back, "Are you also worried about the results of ‘Murder by Numbers’?"

Ryan gently exhaled a breath, "Worried. Actually, this is also my first widely released work. I don't even dare to look directly at myself on the big screen; but… from the current situation, there's no need to worry anymore."

If there are no accidents, “Murder by Numbers” has no chance of recovery. Losses are inevitable.

Anson, "Are you also worried about Sandra?"

Squeak!

Ryan's hands holding the steering wheel obviously trembled—

Fortunately, it was late at night, and there were no other vehicles on the street. Ryan quickly turned the steering wheel back, his face full of panic, "I, cough cough, why would I worry about Sandra?"

Anson himself was also stunned.

It took a whole beat for Anson to remember the news from his previous life. Ryan and Sandra fell in love while filming “Murder by Numbers,” and the two were together for more than a year.

But as of now, the paparazzi have not discovered this scandal, and it is still a secret.

Anson didn't mean anything special, but Ryan had already exposed himself.

A smile climbed onto his brow, but Anson didn't expose it. Now it seemed that Ryan and Sandra were not prepared to go public, "Because Sandra is the leading actress? Just like worrying about Brad, you must also be worried about Sandra?"

Ryan then realized that his fuss might have given him away, "Oh, of course, I'm worried about Sandra. Her pressure is greater than Brad's and mine. The two of us have nothing to lose, but Sandra is different."

Blah blah blah.

Explanation is concealment.

Ryan also realized that he was saying more and more, took a deep breath, and controlled himself with an emergency brake, "I think no actor is an exception."

"Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt are the same, whether it's the first movie released or the hundredth movie released, they are all uneasy."

"Uh, that's what I guessed."

Adding a sentence at the end showed a lack of confidence, which made Anson laugh. He didn't expose Ryan's stiff topic change, and followed the words, "Maybe Nicolas Cage is an exception."