From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

After-dinner reading material?

Anson casually picked up a script and flipped through it. "I thought this year's main task was 'Spider-Man 2.' If we add the 'Princess Diaries 2' that's being discussed, I probably won't have time to take on other projects this year, right?"

Yes, 'Princess Diaries 2.' Just as the film company and producers were setting their sights on Anson, preparing to seize the opportunity before 'Catch Me If You Can' climbed to even greater heights, Garry Marshall had already taken the lead.

However, Edgar seemed slightly worried.

"Are you sure you're ready to join 'Princess Diaries 2'? They might not be able to offer a very high salary, and they might also secretly increase your screen time, potentially affecting Anne's position in the film."

Anson chuckled. "That's where you come in."

Edgar looked over.

"I don't want that to happen. It's supposed to be 'Princess Diaries,' but they shift the focus. That could completely disrupt the screenwriter's concept and framework, resulting in a film that's unbalanced, chaotic, and ultimately ruined."

"A supporting role is just a supporting role. I'm the green leaf; Anne is the red flower. So, there's no need to expect too high a salary. A friendly appearance is fine."

Edgar: ???

Looking at Edgar's stunned expression, Anson couldn't help but laugh.

"Captain, I have friends in Hollywood too. Don't be so surprised."

Edgar gently shook his head, smiling wryly, hesitant to speak—

What he wanted to say was that Anson's idea wasn't wrong in itself. Such things weren't uncommon in Hollywood. Top stars would make cameo appearances or play supporting roles in other films for friends, creating some buzz.

But the timing was wrong.

At this point in time, Anson's momentum was rising sharply. Once Anson decided to join, the producers and screenwriters of 'Princess Diaries 2' might have to exert all their strength and would still be unable to give up the idea of squeezing out Anson's value. Even if Anson was willing to take a friendly cameo salary, the script and character might not be designed according to Anson's ideas.

The words were already on the tip of his tongue.

In the end, Edgar swallowed them back down.

Firstly, he hadn't sat down with the director and producers to discuss it yet, so there was no need to jump to conclusions.

Secondly, Edgar also knew that 'Princess Diaries' was Anson's starting point on the big screen. From a perspective of gratitude and repayment, he should give the crew a chance.

Thirdly, one of the important reasons Edgar had initially chosen Anson was that Anson remained calm and collected even when others were lukewarm towards him. Now, Anson was still able to maintain such a mindset in the face of great success—

He shouldn't stop him.

Thoughts stirred slightly.

Then.

Edgar temporarily suppressed those various worries, nodded, "Okay, I'll talk to them and see."

"But."

"Even if it's not this year, there are countless projects that want to connect with you now. They're trying to seize the gap before 'Catch Me If You Can' breaks through $300 million at the box office, to complete cooperation negotiations with you before you increase your bargaining chips even more."

"All kinds of projects have already taken up half of my office."

"I think I need to give them a response; at the same time, I do need to prepare for the next step. It's always good to have more choices and more references."

On the surface, Anson now seemed infinitely glamorous, reaching the top of the pyramid overnight; but looking at Leonardo DiCaprio's treatment over the past three years, everyone wanted to take a bite of his flesh and blood, but no one treated him as a real person. No wonder Leonardo ran to the rainforest to escape the world.

Edgar didn't want that to happen.

If he wanted to avoid such a situation, the choice of the next project was crucial. In Edgar's view, there were two options.

One was Tom Cruise, further pushing him to new heights in commercial films, making Anson a brand-new symbol.

The other was Tom Hanks, getting rid of the labels given by the media and the public, and finding a breakthrough in his identity as an actor.

Including "Spider-Man 2" and "Princess Diaries 2," Edgar needed to pave the way for Anson more comprehensively and with a longer-term perspective, designing a development framework.

But at the same time, Edgar knew that Anson wasn't a Barbie doll to be manipulated. Anson had his own ideas and opinions, even more foresight than him.

So, that's why Edgar was visiting today.

Otherwise, Edgar also knew that Anson had just returned from vacation, and he didn't need to rush to his door to disturb him—it was less about arranging the next work and more about looking to the future and laying out a plan.

However, Anson's focus was slightly different.

"Office?" Anson raised his eyebrows slightly.

Before, Edgar and the other three agents and assistants shared an office, and he only had a desk; but now?

Edgar was stunned. He hadn't expected Anson to notice this detail, but he didn't deny it. "Yes, I have my own independent office now."

"Captain, you should have told me. I could have at least sent you some flower baskets and fruit to spruce up the place for you."

Anson was genuinely happy for Edgar.

Anson revealed a hint of curiosity. "I guess your agency's offices must be competing in these things."

Edgar, however, seemed very calm. "I already sent them in your name, and the most luxurious category. You should have seen the envious looks in the entire office, although they turned around and started cursing me, but I don't mind."

"Haha."

Stunned, Anson reacted, laughing heartily, "Hahaha."

Anson's eyes were full of smiles, "Remember to reimburse my accountant."

Edgar couldn't help but smile, "Of course."

Wait, where were we?

"Right, 'Spider-Man 2.'"

"Anson, honestly, I'm a little worried."

"Last April, Sam already signed a sequel agreement with Sony Columbia, but up until now, the script hasn't been written."

To be precise, the internal screening of "Spider-Man" was already highly praised. Coupled with Sony Columbia's all-in belief, the sequel project was determined early on. Even a month before "Spider-Man" landed in the summer, Sam Raimi had already completed the renewal, determined to continue directing the sequel.

Of course, this was a good thing. The series of films maintained the same style and the same vein. The production company tried its best to ensure that the quality of the film could be continued—

After all, looking at the performance of this year's sequel movies, except for "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," which barely surpassed the first film in the series with the help of a comeback in the overseas market, the box office of all other sequels was inferior to the previous work.

If "Spider-Man 2" wanted to avoid such a situation, the production company needed to strictly control it from the beginning.

However, things weren't that simple.

In the blink of an eye, nine months had passed, and "Spider-Man 2's" script still hadn't come out, which really couldn't bring any confidence.

Anson didn't hide his surprise either. Such a situation was obviously unfavorable. What if the script still wasn't finished when the movie started shooting?

But Anson's focus was slightly different.

"Sony Columbia renewed with Sam early on, but none of the actors have renewed yet. Are you worried about that?"