From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

The air was somewhat still.

Clearly, Eric and Mackie hadn't anticipated that Anson would take the initiative and start a conversation.

Even more unexpectedly, Anson's first question was, "Why do you think I'm suitable for the role of Evan?"

Eric looked at Mackie, and Mackie looked at Eric. They thought they had prepared thoroughly, but they both stumbled on the first question:

To be honest, they really hadn't considered it.

Moreover, and more importantly, when Anson posed the question, their brains started working, and they truly began to think, only to realize that they still didn't have an answer.

They knew Anson was handsome and charming, but it wasn't until they sat down face-to-face that they realized they had no real concept of it.

The Anson before them, with his unrestrained, free, and lazy temperament, completely shattered their expectations. Whether it was his hairstyle, his clothing, or his aura, everything deviated from what they had imagined, leaving their minds in a state of chaos.

So, was Anson really suitable?

Their minds raced, and then they realized... they actually had no answer. They opened their mouths but both faltered, which was completely different from what they had imagined.

Could this disaster get any worse?

Mackie took a deep breath and勉强 regained his composure, forcing a smile, "Anson..."

"You could say, I'm a gimmick, a headline."

"And not an actor."

Eric became uneasy.

Anson noticed it and maintained his smile, "Don't worry, I'm not about to get angry. This isn't an interrogation, I'm just discussing a fact."

"What I mean is, I don't mind being a gimmick. But the key is, assuming we find investment and the movie goes into formal production, if I'm not the right actor, if I'm not suitable for the role of Evan, the movie won't succeed."

"My acting career might suffer a slight setback, but what's worse is that the script you worked so hard on would be for naught, which would be a more severe blow to you."

"So, I imagine, not just any name will do, right?"

"Have you ever thought about why it's me?"

"A pretty face, an idol, is he suitable for this project?"

"What if—just hypothetically—I'm not the right choice at all?"

Insightful, sincere.

Anson's words were also the focus of Eric and Mackie's repeated discussions, but they hadn't anticipated that Anson would bring it up as soon as they met.

Things were deviating from the expected track.

When Mackie looked at Anson again, his gaze changed slightly. From his entrance to his greeting to getting to the point, Anson's reactions completely shattered expectations, not just taking the initiative—

Maybe they were all wrong.

Taking a deep breath, Mackie regained his composure.

"Of course. You're suitable for this role."

"We watched 'The Princess Diaries,' we watched 'Spider-Man.' Your performance was outstanding. In the characters you played, we saw more than just a simple high school student. We also saw his reflections on life, his pursuit of ideas. His charm radiated from the inside out."

"A character that can move the audience is definitely not a coincidence or luck. Your performance gives the character life."

"We believe you can perfectly portray the role of Evan."

His affirmation showed Mackie's sincerity. Regardless of his true thoughts, at least the attitude he displayed at this moment was without any problems.

However, Anson wasn't buying it.

Anson gently raised his chin, "So, it's all about me, and not about Evan."

Mackie was stunned, "What?"

Anson continued, "Those compliments are all about me, but there's no description of Evan. It's like a bunch of clichés that can be applied to any actor. No matter who's sitting here today, it would be applicable, because it has nothing to do with the character."

"You're just trying to convince me to take on this project, but you still haven't answered my question: Am I suitable for the role of Evan?"

Mackie: ...

The atmosphere was slightly tense.

The smile on Anson's lips turned upwards, "Relax, relax. This isn't a courtroom, and you're not defendants. I'm just trying to start a conversation."

"Let me guess, you haven't thought at all about whether the actor is suitable for the role, because when you were creating this story, you focused on a setting, a concept, a gimmick, but you never really thought about the root of the character, which is the character's motivation."

"Naturally, you have no requirements for the actor."

"To be honest, it doesn't matter whether a pretty face or a实力派 plays this role, because the actor isn't the focus at all, right?"

—These words were a bit heavy.

Eric glanced at Mackie.

If it were normal circumstances, if someone were to criticize their script, Mackie would have already fired back.

They had spent seven whole years on this script, and they knew every detail, every part inside and out. They had repeatedly revised and adjusted it, and although they couldn't say it was 100% without flaws, any doubts would not escape their eyes.

If someone nitpicked or refused, the two of them would definitely defend the script without backing down, even to the point of stalling cooperation negotiations due to being too assertive.

However.

At this moment, Mackie couldn't say a word. It seemed that things had been out of their control from the very beginning.

More importantly, Anson was sincere and gentle, without provocation or arrogance, completely engaging in conversation on an equal footing.

Unknowingly, they were actually listening to Anson's words—

This was a new experience.

Since the two screenwriters were both silent, Anson continued to speak.

"The details and loops of the movie, everything is perfect, and you can indeed see the effort you put into constantly polishing and adjusting it, but in this story, Evan is still not a complete person."

"If he loves Keller so deeply, even to the extent of moths flying into a flame, why, in the seven years they were separated, did he never contact her, not even a phone call?"

"Or rather, not a phone call, but there's no trace of her in his life."

"This is the root, and it's also the motivation."

"Of course, in commercial genre films, such motivation is often not important. A simple 'Love is everything' can make all stories reasonable; but the difference in this movie is that this love becomes the fulcrum to leverage the entire earth, even becoming Evan's motivation to burn his own life. If the movie doesn't make that clear, it's undoubtedly a regret."

"Especially when the movie is so perfect and impeccable in other detailed aspects, but leaves a flaw at the starting point, at the root, I think this is an important part that is worth discussing and should be discussed."

Anson wasn't aggressive. After throwing out the question, he left the space open, waiting for Mackie and Eric's answers.

Involuntarily and silently, Eric and Mackie fell into contemplation, their thoughts surging; instead, Anson took a step back and quieted down.

The atmosphere had quietly reversed position.