1657-1659

Chapter 1657 – A Broader Vision 

Anson had to admit: vision and strategy require growth. 

From his past life to the present, Anson had always been a “pawn”—fighting his way forward alone. He knew nothing about the capital games played on Wall Street. Managing a top-tier publicly traded company was out of the question; he didn’t even understand how small private businesses operated. 

He’d never truly opened his eyes to the bigger picture. 

That’s why, despite being the one to initiate battles with Sony Columbia, establish Forest Pictures, and ally with Warner Bros., the grand design had always been George Lucas’s. Anson simply played defense, responding as events unfolded. 

In other words, Anson had never tried to take the initiative to reshape the game. From a strategic and visionary standpoint, he hadn’t yet entered the capital arena. To put it plainly: Anson was still an actor—not a corporate leader. His view of the world was fundamentally different. 

Until now. 

The appearance of Bob Iger and the introduction of The Chronicles of Narnia unrolled a grand canvas before Anson, sparking an endless stream of inspiration. 

Anson couldn’t help but wonder: What if he used his own advantages to completely rewrite the rules of the capital game? 

In his original timeline, Bob Iger would eventually become a titan of the industry. Under his leadership, Disney experienced unprecedented success: 

• In 2006, they acquired Pixar. 

• In 2009, Marvel Studios. 

• In 2012, Lucasfilm. 

• In 2019, 20th Century Fox. 

Disney became a behemoth—an unstoppable force. 

But now, in the summer of 2004, things were still in flux. Bob hadn’t fully seized control yet. Disney was still mired in internal power struggles. The big acquisitions weren’t even on the radar. Even Bob Iger himself wasn’t entirely sure what Narnia meant for Disney. 

So… what if Forest Pictures acted first? What if they disrupted the Hollywood power game before it even began? 

Of course, that wouldn’t be easy. Forest Pictures simply wasn’t big enough—not even close. 

Even for a company the size of Disney, those acquisitions weren’t simple. They used a mix of cash and stock to complete each deal. 

In fact, acquiring Pixar was what started it all. 

Disney convinced Steve Jobs to accept mostly stock in the deal. That not only made Jobs one of Disney’s largest shareholders, but it also allowed him to return and take control of Apple. It was a brilliant strategic move. Apple was the key to persuading Jobs. 

The Disney-Pixar deal was worth about $7.4 billion in total—cash plus stock. 

Clearly: 

1. Forest Pictures didn’t have that kind of capital. Even pooling all of the Wood family’s assets wouldn’t be enough. 

1. Even if Lucas managed to secure the financing, they couldn’t offer Jobs a way back into Apple. Without that incentive, Jobs would never agree. 

So, acquiring Pixar? Out of the question. 

Not just for Forest Pictures—likely not even for Warner Bros., Sony Columbia, or other industry giants. Disney’s success came from a complex web of factors, not to mention Bob Iger’s personal abilities and strategic foresight. 

So even if Anson could predict the future, some events and turning points were simply too entrenched to change. 

If Pixar was off the table, what about Marvel Studios? 

That might be a completely different story. 

As mentioned before, in the North American market, DC Comics and Marvel were long-time rivals, but DC had the overwhelming market share. 

The reality was even more brutal. 

In the '90s, poor management at Marvel Comics led to plummeting sales and near-bankruptcy. To stay afloat, they began selling off film rights: 

• Spider-Man to Sony Columbia 

• Fantastic Four and X-Men to 20th Century Fox 

• The Hulk to Universal Pictures 

These deals helped Marvel survive—but didn’t solve their deeper problems. 

At this point, Marvel Studios was little more than a hollow shell. They didn’t produce their own films—just licensed the rights. They had no control over production. So when Spider-Man became a box office hit, Marvel saw barely a trickle of the profits, while Sony cashed in massively. 

It was this success that finally pushed Marvel Studios to say: Let’s do it ourselves. 

That was around 2003. 

But making movies was easier said than done. Marvel had no experience, no personnel, and—most critically—no money. It was a total shot in the dark. 

The rights to Iron Man, for example, had been bounced around Hollywood for years—starting at Universal, then to 20th Century Fox, then to New Line Cinema—before returning to Marvel, still unproduced. Even Marvel didn’t know how to get the project off the ground. 

With no distribution pipeline, they had to sign a partnership with Paramount. With no cash flow, they couldn’t attract directors or actors. 

Worse yet, after more than a year of planning, they still didn’t even have a finished script for Iron Man. 

In short: it was a mess—full of frustration and despair. 

In the original timeline, Marvel kept struggling until 2005, when they finally went to Merrill Lynch. They mortgaged part of their assets and secured a $525 million loan—betting everything on one movie. 

If Iron Man failed, Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios would both go under. 

Even then, due to cash shortages, Iron Man’s production was grueling and drawn out over two years. 

Only after its incredible success did Marvel Studios finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

The rest is history: Disney saw the potential in superhero films. Bob Iger shifted strategies—from fairy tales to comic book heroes. In 2008, Disney bought Marvel. In 2009, they bought the distribution rights to Iron Man 3 and The Avengers from Paramount. That was the beginning of their meteoric rise. 

In other words: Disney didn’t lead the charge. They weren’t pioneers—they were opportunists. 

Right now, Disney hadn’t even noticed Marvel. Meanwhile, Marvel Studios was still at rock bottom. 

For Forest Pictures, that’s fantastic news. If Anson wanted to beat Disney to the punch, Marvel was the perfect target—without the massive obstacles that came with Pixar. 

For example: if Anson personally approached Marvel Studios and offered full funding, while giving Marvel creative control over the ideas, filming, and production—essentially forming a partnership—Marvel wouldn’t even need to mortgage assets or take out risky loans from Merrill Lynch. 

Would Marvel Studios really say no to that? 

Chapter 1658: Heaven’s Will 

History often comes down to timing—miracles are made by making the right choice at the right moment. 

Take Avatar, for example. 

If it had been released a year earlier, 3D technology wouldn’t have been mature enough, and the market wouldn’t have been ready, so it might not have blown up the box office. If it had been released a year later, 3D would have already flooded the market, leading to audience fatigue, and the film could have easily been forgotten. Either a bit too early or too late, and the outcome would have been completely different. 

That’s exactly why timing, opportunity, and unity are so important. 

The situation now is no different. 

If it happened earlier, Marvel Studios hadn’t yet hit rock bottom. They still had high hopes, despite their setbacks. They might have rejected any help outright, determined to make Iron Man on their own. They wouldn’t even consider acquisition proposals. 

If it happened later, Marvel would’ve already mortgaged everything and entered an all-or-nothing phase. Even partnering with Paramount, Marvel would still hold onto creative and production control with a death grip. 

So, looking back at the past timeline—after Iron Man exploded in success, Disney stepped in to acquire Marvel Studios. Bob Iger once again demonstrated his skill and pulled off the acquisition. But it was a cash-and-stock deal that cost Disney $4 billion. 

Forest Pictures doesn't have $4 billion either. 

But right now? Things might be different. 

It’s easy to add flowers to a bouquet, but hard to deliver coal during a snowstorm. Forest Pictures is swooping in at just the right time, recognizing Marvel’s hidden value—like a savior riding in on a white horse. 

Maybe, just maybe, Forest Pictures, with its current size, could swallow Marvel Studios whole—without needing $4 billion. 

It’s 2004. Marvel is stuck in the middle of nowhere, lost in despair. Even a small glimmer of hope or a bit of kindness might be the lifeline they’re praying for. 

Of course, nothing is certain. Forest Pictures is still a newcomer—no reputation, no backing, not even a public company. But they do have one invaluable asset: 

Spider-Man himself. 

Marvel sold the adaptation rights for Spider-Man to Sony/Columbia, and then had to watch helplessly as Sony raked in the profits. Marvel didn’t even get the scraps. With Anson directly clashing with Sony/Columbia, Marvel emotionally has already aligned itself with him. 

Just like Disney had Steve Jobs in their corner when acquiring Pixar, Forest Pictures has a natural advantage with Anson at the helm. 

Over on one side, Bob Iger is still looking for a breakthrough for Disney. 

On the other, Anson’s found inspiration and opened a door to a brand-new world. 

Maybe everything really is destined. Who would’ve thought the premiere of The Princess Diaries 2 would end up being such a pivotal moment? 

Of course, all of this is the undercurrent behind the scenes. The public doesn’t see it at all. The general audience’s focus is still on the movie itself. 

Just as expected, Anson’s surprise appearance at the Princess Diaries 2 premiere completely stole the spotlight, dominating entertainment headlines. 

For a moment, it felt like Anson was the main character. 

Luckily, Anson was connected to the movie. He played the male lead in the first film. Though he didn’t return for the sequel, his gracious presence at the premiere, cheerfully promoting the movie, highlighted his loyalty and the tight-knit bond with the crew. 

In doing so, The Princess Diaries 2 gained an extra boost of attention. 

Even though the buzz revolved almost entirely around Anson, the film was still mentioned often enough not to be completely forgotten. 

Even Chris Pine couldn’t escape the comparisons. 

Inside and out, top to bottom, every angle of Chris was compared to Anson—and it wasn’t pretty. He was absolutely crushed. 

But hey, as they say, “even bad publicity is still publicity.” Though the comments were mostly jabs and jokes, Chris Pine, who stepped into the male lead role for the sequel, experienced overnight fame—going from a complete unknown to a household name almost instantly. 

But the higher you climb, the colder it gets. 

That’s why The Princess Diaries 2’s marketing campaign was full steam ahead. Riding on Anson’s popularity, the movie easily stood out in the fierce summer competition. With Disney pouring in heavy promotion, eager to crack the live-action princess movie market, the buzz was everywhere. 

Billboards, ads, press coverage—you couldn’t escape The Princess Diaries 2. August brought another wave of summer blockbuster fever. 

And Disney’s release strategy? Bold and aggressive. 

With no major holiday around and the summer season winding down, Disney decided not to go the traditional Friday route. Instead, they pushed for a full-scale Wednesday release. 

The goal was to strike first and corner the market before competitors could react. 

That move thrust The Princess Diaries 2 into the spotlight, giving it the stage all to itself before the rivals arrived. 

If the word-of-mouth was great, the film could steamroll the box office. But if reviews flopped? 

Well, the first Princess Diaries wasn’t exactly critically acclaimed. It was a well-targeted chick flick that knew its audience and hit the market at the right time. Despite a mediocre 65 critic score, it was a box office success, launching Anne Hathaway and Anson into stardom. 

Given Garry Marshall’s track record, it’s better to temper expectations. No need to hope for a miracle turnaround from the sequel. 

Still, Disney pinned its hopes on Garry’s romantic comedy charm, pushing the film to open early. 

And now, the critic scores are in. 

Out of 31 media outlets, the film scored a 43. 

The only silver lining? It wasn’t a disaster—just "mixed reviews." It didn’t fall into the dreaded red zone of scathing negative reviews. 

Surprised? 

Not really. The first film wasn’t a masterpiece either, and in Hollywood, sequels being worse is more of a rule than an exception. 

But the disappointment still stings—not because Spider-Man 2 set a high bar, but because Anson’s involvement created massive buzz. The hype train kept chugging, but the actual product fell short of expectations. 

And it’s not just the reviews—the box office numbers were underwhelming too. 

On Wednesday, The Princess Diaries 2 opened in 3,000 theaters. Being a weekday, no one expected it to match Spider-Man 2’s crazy weekend numbers. Still, its opening day brought in just $8.4 million. 

A major letdown. 

Chapter 1659: A Sweet Moment 

"Annie, Annie! You're so beautiful!" "Annie, I like you—I'll always like you!" "Go Annie, you got this!" 

The cheers followed her all the way, loud and constant, a sea of excited voices. Through it all, Annie kept her radiant smile, nodding gently in gratitude to her fans and supporters. 

But the moment she stepped out of the screening room and entered the makeshift dressing room arranged by the theater, the smile faded along with her posture. Her shoulders slumped, her lips lost their curve, and even her head seemed too heavy to lift, as if gravity had suddenly grown stronger. 

Beside her, the makeup artist, stylist, and assistant all noticed. They exchanged glances silently. 

The critical reviews had been less than kind. The box office numbers were underwhelming. The pressure on Annie’s shoulders was mounting by the day. 

Just a few months ago, Magical Cinderella had bombed—both critically and commercially. The backlash had been fierce and relentless. Critics tore into Annie, accusing her of being nothing more than a Disney assembly-line product—a pretty face, a brand, a Barbie doll. 

Now, The Princess Diaries 2 was off to a rocky start, and the weight on Annie grew even heavier. The premiere weekend hadn’t even ended, yet whispers were already swirling through Hollywood: that Annie was trapped in the royal gowns of her character, reduced to a puppet of the Disney machine. 

Her career hadn’t even taken off properly, and already she was crashing into the walls of the industry, drowned in the dazzling lights of fame. 

A wasted talent. 

And truthfully, Annie didn’t need the rumors to fuel her anxiety. She had already been losing sleep in the days leading up to the premiere. Night after night of insomnia. She was still young and inexperienced, and the whirlwind of fame had swept her up before she’d had time to find her footing. 

On the surface, fans remained enthusiastic. Annie had personally attended the screenings, engaging face-to-face with audiences in hopes of salvaging the film’s image. 

But beneath the effort, she could feel control slipping through her fingers. The box office was a wild beast, one they simply couldn’t tame. 

Powerless. Frustrated. Defeated. 

"Annie..." The makeup artist finally worked up the courage to pat her shoulder gently. "This is only the beginning. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself." 

Comforting words, sure—but hollow. Just more emotional platitudes with no real strength behind them. 

But what else could they say? 

They were even more powerless than Annie when it came to box office numbers and industry trends. 

Annie understood this. She took a deep breath and rallied herself, forcing a smile. "Don’t worry about me. I’m just tired. Give me five minutes, okay? I’ll rest for a bit, then we’ll head to the next stop. We’ve still got three more theaters to visit today, right?" 

They were supposed to be comforting her, yet somehow, the roles reversed—Annie was now the one comforting them. 

Once they left and the room quieted down, a soft silence fell over the space—but not completely. The paper-thin walls did little to block out the chaotic chatter from the screening hall and exiting audience. The noise spilled in, fragmented and jarring. 

Still, Annie found a moment of calm. 

Her mother had taught her since she was young: never take your negative emotions out on others. Everyone has their own life, their own struggles and burdens. No one deserves to be your punching bag. 

Only people who can’t control their emotions lash out at those weaker than them. 

So, she took another deep breath and held all that helplessness and frustration within herself. Only once the room had fully settled did she finally let her guard down. 

But even then, she wasn’t truly calm. Her temples throbbed, her nerves twitched from being stretched too far, and her ears buzzed with the phantom hum of pressure. 

It wasn’t just about The Princess Diaries 2. She was worrying about her entire career—about her future. Her thoughts raced and crowded her mind. 

Knock knock. 

A knock came at the door. Annie gathered her thoughts, took another breath, and put her smile back on. "Come in," she called out. 

Knock knock. 

The knocking continued. Annie raised an eyebrow in confusion and stood up, calling out as she moved toward the door, "Come in, it’s not locked." 

The door didn’t budge. 

Perplexed, Annie opened it herself—and found a bouquet of deep red daisies right in her face. The rich color bloomed quietly, a little shy but boldly beautiful. 

Annie froze. 

The bouquet shifted to the side, revealing the face behind it—a pair of deep, clear blue eyes sparkling beneath the crimson petals. 

Annie’s mind went blank. 

The visitor, caught a little off guard, chuckled awkwardly. "Surprise!" he said, watching her stunned expression. "Aren’t you going to invite me in? Or is Chris Pine hiding in there?" 

Pfft. 

Annie couldn’t help but laugh. "No, Chris isn’t here. He’s not even in L.A.—he’s probably somewhere in New York." 

The visitor lifted his chin slightly. "Good. He should stay on that side of the country. It suits him better." 

Annie took the bouquet, her eyes now filled with laughter. The shadows in her heart began to lift, warmth seeping in. "What, are you jealous?" 

He arched an eyebrow arrogantly. "Please. Do I look like someone with that little self-confidence? He’s not worth it." 

Annie studied his face—confident and full of swagger—but she could see right through him. 

Totally jealous. 

She smiled slyly. "True. He’s not even in the same league." 

At last, a proud smile bloomed on his face. 

What a rare sight! 

Annie had never seen this side of Anson before. Her mood lightened, and she stepped aside to let him in. "Why are you here all of a sudden? Aren’t you worried about causing a scene if someone spots you?" 

Only now did she take a good look at him. 

He was dressed in a deep blue jumpsuit, like a mechanic’s coverall, with a baseball cap pulled low. He looked rugged, unpolished, and totally unlike his usual self. If it weren’t for those unmistakable eyes under the cap, Annie might not have recognized him either. 

Of course—it was Anson. He always knew how to disappear into a crowd. 

He stepped into the small dressing room, glanced around at the bare space, and then turned to her. "I came because I was worried about you." 

Blunt and honest. 

Annie blinked. "Me?" 

Anson nodded. "You’re definitely stressing over the reviews and the box office. You were with Magical Cinderella, and this time is no different." 

Annie’s lips twitched. "Everyone else is walking on eggshells, skirting around the truth—and then there’s you..." 

Anson shrugged. "Just because no one wants to say it doesn’t mean it isn’t real. It’s like The Emperor’s New Clothes. We have to face reality—because it’s not as scary as it seems." 

"Honestly, the media isn’t worth your time. Once you’ve been in Hollywood a little longer, you’ll see—they only have a few tired tricks." 

"When you’re doing well, they’ll trip over themselves to praise you. When you fail, they can’t wait to tear you down. And if you succeed beyond their expectations, they’ll dig up dirt, spin rumors, and curse your name in the shadows. But if you shatter every ceiling and rise higher than ever before, they’ll turn into your biggest cheerleaders again." 

"They’re just soulless husks—parasites that feed off attention and traffic."