From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

With a small act of defiance, Anne slightly raised her porcelain doll-like face, looking at Anson with a beaming smile. The gentle upturn of her lips revealed a hint of mischievous playfulness, but it gradually subsided under Anson's calm gaze, a trace of nervousness flickering in her pupils.

Anne hadn't expected Anson to remain silent, responding in such a manner, dignified and composed, which instead made her flustered.

Things shouldn't be like this.

Just as Anne's eyes flickered, ready to look away, Anson spoke.

"Oh, thank you for your admiration, watching so closely, not missing a single detail."

Yet, missing Anson himself, was this a case of protesting too much?

Two red blushes flew onto Anne's cheeks.

In the end, she still couldn't control herself, her eyes darting away.

糟糕! (Tsk!)

Anne immediately realized she had lost ground. This time, she mustered her courage to look at Anson again, "Are you always so frank and direct?"

The smile on Anson's lips paused slightly. He put away his joking demeanor and replied seriously, "That's what I strive for. Although I know it's not easy in Hollywood, where everything is shrouded in a veil; but… I'm trying, at least with friends."

Anne was slightly stunned.

A sincere word exchanged for an even more sincere word, striking her chest hard.

Then.

The smile on Anson's lips rose again, "So, what brings you to San Francisco?"

Anne pulled her thoughts back, raising her voice slightly to cover her confusion, "Oh, the director wants to talk to me about the possibility of a sequel."

Director?

"Garry Marshall?" Anson made the connection immediately.

Only then did Anne realize that she hadn't explained clearly, nodding repeatedly to affirm. It was only because it was Anson in front of her that she spoke so smoothly, as if returning to the busy days of "The Princess Diaries."

"The film performed beyond expectations. Disney thinks developing a sequel is a good idea, and the director thinks so too, but there are still some things that need to be confirmed."

Such as, schedules.

Anson was slightly surprised that it was actually a serious matter.

Anson pursed his lips and joked, "I haven't heard any news at all until now. It seems I'm definitely going to be disappeared in the sequel."

Anson raised his hands in surrender, "Don't hit me, another hit and my face will swell, affecting my image."

噗.

Anne couldn't help but laugh.

Then, composing herself, Anne also became serious, "The director should just be talking to me first. After all, the project hasn't officially started yet. My agent says there isn't even a script, it's all just talk; but I believe Disney should very, very much want the sequel to start. The most important reason is you. They are eager for you to join. Honestly, who in Hollywood doesn't want you to join now?"

Anson, "What about you?"

Anne, "…What?"

Anson, "What about you?"

Anne's cheeks flushed. She cleared her throat, "Of course, I also hope you can join. The filming process was very pleasant, wasn't it? But it depends on you."

"I have no problem," Anson agreed readily.

Anne was stunned, "Are you sure?"

From a film perspective, the key to greenlighting "The Princess Diaries 2" lies with Anne Hathaway. After all, she is the absolute protagonist. If the protagonist is replaced, the sequel would just be a case of false advertising.

From a market perspective, the most important thing for "The Princess Diaries 2" is Anson and Julie Andrews. They are undoubtedly the chemical reaction of the film, and also the key factors to ensure the continued success of the sequel.

Especially Anson.

In "The Princess Diaries," Anson had limited screen time, but he still captivated thousands of young girls; but now things are different. Anson has become a hot superstar at the top of the Hollywood pyramid. Two works in the same year have achieved great success, unmatched by anyone in Hollywood.

So, Anson's joining is the key.

But at the same time, the problem also lies here. Is Anson willing to join?

First, a supporting role. Even if the screen time is increased in the sequel, the protagonist of the film is still Mia, played by Anne. So, is Anson willing to play a supporting role for Anne?

Second, salary. With Anson's current fame, the salary naturally cannot be casually dealt with; but a small project like "The Princess Diaries 2" cannot get huge investment, and the allocation of production costs becomes a problem.

The situation has undergone subtle changes.

In fact, from the producer's perspective, abandoning Anson is not a bad choice.

The salary factor is one aspect, and the fact that Anson's presence is too strong may overshadow the focus, so that the crew may have to modify the script structure is another aspect. Decisively abandoning Anson and starting a new chapter should be able to win the main creative team more room to display their talents.

However, reason is reason, and some decisions are not that simple after all.

The words are analyzed clearly, but if you really want to completely give up the hot Anson, I am afraid no producer can easily make a decision.

Moreover, with Anson, Disney's budget costs should also be more generous.

Not only the producer, but also as the absolute heroine, Anne also had her own ideas when she learned that the sequel was launched, and naturally would not miss this key.

At this time, hearing Anson's response with her own ears, so positive and so direct, Anne could hardly hide her surprise and joy, slightly startled.

Then, Anne caught the sincerity in Anson's eyes:

Not polite or greeting.

A smile climbed onto the corner of her mouth, Anne's eyes brightly fixed on Anson, trying to get confirmation.

Anson showed a smile, "Of course, why not?"

Anne shrugged slightly, gesturing with her eyes to the surrounding crowds and their sneaky actions to hide their whereabouts with the fish tank, the meaning was obvious.

"Ha."

Anson laughed.

"Filming a movie can be for acting, it can be for making money, it can be for becoming famous, there can be many reasons, and of course it can be for happiness."

"These…" Anson gestured around, "are the reasons why I can be a little willful. I can now shoot any movie I want to shoot… right?"

While saying this, he dragged out the words, revealing a hint of hesitation.

Anne almost laughed out loud, but the corners of her mouth and between her eyebrows were still filled with a smile.

Anson also chuckled, "We had a very pleasant collaboration in the crew at the beginning. If there is a chance to continue to collaborate on the sequel, I can't find a reason to refuse."

Perhaps, the great success of "Spider-Man" and "Catch Me If You Can" made Anson soar into the sky, and he has already reached the top of the pyramid in just a few months; but—

Anson is still that Anson, still the one who talked and laughed in the crew, liked to play pranks, liked to joke, and at the same time had his own ideas about acting.

Things seem to have changed, but they also seem to have not changed.

Or rather, Anson has never changed. What has really changed is the way others look at him, that's all.