1615-1617

Chapter 1615: Making a Big Splash Hollywood: ??? 

Shock. Confusion. The gossip mill was churning so fast the crowd literally dropped their popcorn. 

The latest drama surrounding William Morris was just too explosive—too unexpected, too sudden. Even industry insiders were caught flat-footed, struggling to react. 

Edgar Cook got kicked out? Wait—that Edgar Cook? The agent for Anson Wood? 

What on earth was William Morris thinking? And what about Anson? Is he staying with William Morris? Or leaving with Edgar? 

But here’s the kicker: whether Anson stays or goes, why make a move like this now? Did the William Morris leadership lose their minds? 

What happens to Anson’s negotiations with Sony Columbia? Even outsiders who barely understand how Hollywood works know this is a massive deal. Once the contract’s signed, the agency gets 10%—a multimillion-dollar cut just sitting there. Is William Morris really willing to walk away from that? 

Rumors flying everywhere: 

• Edgar was planning to take Anson and leave. William Morris, realizing it was a done deal, struck first. To them, protecting the company’s image was more important than keeping Anson. 

• Brian Swarthstone tried to poach Anson and failed. When his plan backfired, he lashed out at Edgar to save face. 

• Anson refused to cooperate with William Morris, especially when it came to stuffing their rookie actors into the Spider-Man series. That created serious tension. Now that Anson and Edgar are becoming more powerful, the agency decided to cut their losses early and destroy Anson’s future. 

• William Morris is now whispering that Anson is a “troublemaker,” a “cancer” in the industry. The real problem isn’t Edgar—it’s Anson. They’re warning other agencies not to take him in, claiming he’s disrupting the whole industry. 

• Edgar grew wings and was preparing to strike out on his own—quietly recruiting colleagues, trying to follow in the footsteps of Michael Ovitz. Brian caught wind of it and made the first move, cutting off the threat and showing everyone who’s boss. 

Rumors. Whispers. Chaos. 

And yet—this is where William Morris shows its real power. The move may have been sudden, but their follow-up was ruthless, sharp, and perfectly calculated. 

In the middle of all this noise, one thing became clear: even if Edgar and Anson want to fight back, they’re already at a disadvantage. They’ll be forced to constantly defend themselves— And whether Hollywood believes them is a whole other story. 

William Morris has the connections and resources. Sure, blacklisting Anson outright might be too difficult. But making his career a painful uphill battle? That’s easy. 

Fast. Brutal. Precise. 

For years, William Morris has been overshadowed by CAA (Creative Artists Agency), and people got used to mocking them. But don’t forget—William Morris is still the second-largest talent agency in Hollywood. Not some pushover. 

Brian Swarthstone also proved his chops as a CEO. Faced with real crisis—even Anson isn’t off-limits. When it’s time to cut, he cuts. No whining, no hesitation. 

Anson may be a rare talent—but at the end of the day, he’s just one man. 

From strategy to crisis control to mopping up the mess, William Morris demonstrated what it means to be a true Hollywood juggernaut. People were starting to see them in a whole new light. 

But what about Edgar? Or more to the point—what about Anson? 

He’s the one at the center of this hurricane. Will he stay with William Morris? Or take his chances on the open market? 

Right now, the biggest contract on the table is the Spider-Man renewal. From an agency’s perspective, 10% of that deal means millions—maybe tens of millions. No one’s giving that up without a fight. 

In other words, Anson is the golden goose. 

And here’s where things got really interesting: Silence. No comments. No action. Not a single move. Just…nothing. 

Even the media didn’t quite know what to do. Was Edgar Cook’s departure even newsworthy? Sure, it was a big deal in industry circles—but did the public care? Would audiences really be interested in the fate of Anson Wood’s agent? 

Total uncertainty. 

Still, Entertainment Weekly decided to take the plunge. They called Anson directly, looking for a statement. 

Anson’s response? 

“Oh, really? I had no idea. I’ll get in touch with him and see what’s going on.” 

Word for word, that was his exact quote. 

The Entertainment Weekly reporter was stunned. Other media outlets fell completely silent. Was Anson seriously unaware? That…couldn’t be, right? 

So maybe this whole debacle was just internal drama between William Morris and Edgar? And Anson’s not involved at all? That would mean Anson stays at William Morris? 

But if that were the case, why didn’t William Morris say so during their whole PR blitz? If they really wanted to reassure everyone, they would’ve made a big show of saying, “Don’t worry, Anson’s still with us.” 

Nothing made sense anymore. This Hollywood storm just took a wild new twist— 

And who doesn’t love a juicy behind-the-scenes story? 

All the media outlets went into a frenzy. Paparazzi were deployed everywhere. Even seasoned insiders turned to TMZ: “Hey, you guys got any inside info?” 

Harry Percy (at TMZ): “Oh, now you remember us?” 

At first, people just instinctively looked to TMZ for gossip. But nobody expected this: 

TMZ actually broke a story first thing that morning. 

“Anson Wood is about to join a brand-new talent agency— A move that could shake the entire foundation of Hollywood.” 

Buzz. Buzz. BUZZ. 

Hollywood snapped into motion. Not just L.A.—the whole East and West Coasts were suddenly in play. 

If TMZ’s scoop turned out to be true, this would be the most earth-shaking move in years— Something not seen since that moment a decade ago. 

Back in 1995, when Michael Jackson left CAA to join a then-little-known agency called United Talent Agency (UTA), the entire entertainment landscape shifted. All eyes turned to UTA. 

It was only then people remembered—the founders of UTA came from William Morris too. They left, built their own shop, and survived in the brutal talent agency world by merging with others. That was the birth of UTA. 

And when they stole Michael Jackson from a leading agency, it sent a clear signal: they had arrived. 

In just five years, UTA became one of the top five agencies in Hollywood. 

Now, it’s obvious Anson holds that same kind of power. Whichever agency he joins next—that’s where the future is headed. 

Chapter 1616: A Meteoric Rise 

Anson Wood leaving William Morris to join a new agency? 

A breaking report from TMZ dropped like a bombshell into the already chaotic storm, sending the industry into a full-blown meltdown. The turmoil quickly escalated into a catastrophic tsunami, sweeping across the entire entertainment world with crushing force— 

And not just Hollywood. 

Let’s not forget that Anson also holds massive influence in the music industry. His hit single “Sunflower” is still reigning atop the Billboard Hot 100. 

Whoever signs Anson next instantly becomes the center of industry attention. It doesn’t matter who it is—even if it’s Edgar’s newly founded agency, they will be thrust under the blinding spotlight simply because the name involved here is Anson. 

So… who is it? 

In Hollywood, the Big Five talent agencies are fiercely competitive, constantly poaching from one another with zero fear of retaliation. William Morris isn’t the issue here. The real question is: who can convince Anson? 

Speculation ran rampant. Just like that, William Morris became yesterday’s news. 

Brian: ??? 

Sure, everyone knows the entertainment industry is a fast-paced, fickle place where yesterday’s drama fades quickly. But for William Morris’ internal implosion to fizzle out in less than 24 hours? That was wild—even for Hollywood. 

Bottom line? Let’s set the internal strife aside for now. The fact that William Morris couldn’t hold on to Anson, even pausing negotiations for the “Spider-Man” sequel to try and fix things—only for this scandal to explode—was a major blow. More than anything, it revealed serious weaknesses in their operations. 

What did they do wrong? How did things fall apart at the worst possible moment? 

A rumor began to spread. 

Apparently, William Morris was playing both sides. Sony-Columbia wanted to lock down Anson for both Spider-Man 3 and 4 in one package deal, but Anson was only willing to negotiate one film at a time—he might not even be interested in a fourth film at all. The talks stalled. 

So William Morris made a risky move: behind Anson’s back, they pitched a new face to play Peter Parker… while also trying to lure Anson with the role of James Bond in a new trilogy, pushing it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

But Anson saw through it. And that’s when things blew up. 

William Morris, now on the defensive, tried to strike first—firing Edgar to “cut off Anson’s right-hand man,” hoping to isolate and regain control over their star client. They believed Edgar was manipulating him. They hoped to force Anson’s hand. 

Instead, it all backfired. Spectacularly. 

The rumor had all the marks of a true story—every detail, every motive lined up. 

William Morris had been caught completely off guard. 

And now, they weren’t just cleaning up one mess—they were drowning in a second one. 

Wave after wave of drama pounded the industry. Just when people thought the summer couldn’t get any more insane, another explosive reveal would hit, pushing things to a whole new level of chaos. 

Then came the final bombshell. 

TMZ: “Anson Wood signs with Creative Artists Agency (CAA).” 

Hollywood: …wait, what? 

CAA was already the top dog. Now they had Anson too? That’s like giving a tiger wings. 

Translation? William Morris just lost their biggest star to their biggest rival. 

And it wasn’t just a loss—it was a full-on humiliation. They had been counting on Anson to lead the charge, boost the company’s value, attract projects, and fight off the growing power of CAA. 

Instead… they handed him over on a silver platter. 

Brian: Don’t talk to me. I need a moment. 

TMZ’s scoop sent shockwaves through Hollywood. No one even knew how to respond. Silence ruled—until CAA broke it. 

CAA released an official statement: 

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Anson Wood and Edgar Cook to the CAA family…” 

A lot of polite fluff followed, but the core message couldn’t be clearer: TMZ’s report was legit. 

Anson had officially joined forces with the most powerful agency in the game. 

Hollywood snapped out of its daze—and completely lost it. 

Just hours ago, people were worried about Anson’s future. 

Now? His future looked brighter than ever. 

So, who’s the clown now? 

No one even had the time—or the interest—to laugh at William Morris. No one bothered taking cheap shots or making snide remarks. All eyes were locked on Anson and CAA. 

That’s where the spotlight was now. 

But it still wasn’t over. 

As Hollywood was still reeling from the Anson–CAA bombshell, Sony-Columbia dropped their own. 

TMZ: “Sony-Columbia and Anson have reached an agreement. Talks for continuing the Spider-Man franchise have been finalized.” 

BOOM. 

BOOM BOOM BOOM. 

This was a signal—a second one, right after the CAA deal: 

The negotiations that William Morris couldn’t get anywhere with? CAA handled it swiftly, strategically, and successfully. Proof of power. 

No wonder they’re the industry leader. 

Brian: It was a trap. This whole thing… it was a trap. 

That meeting between Edgar and Asha? It had been a carefully laid setup. In fact, Edgar had probably been orchestrating the whole thing from behind the scenes well before that. 

Now, Brian finally realized he had underestimated Edgar. 

He thought he’d struck fast and hard, catching Edgar off guard. 

But in reality, Edgar had seen it all coming. 

No wonder Edgar and Anson were so calm while everything exploded. 

Now it was official—Hollywood had a new “threat.” 

And William Morris? They had completely lost control. 

Not only did they lose their top client, but their reputation was in shambles. 

They didn’t even have time to think about Anson or Edgar anymore. The agency’s phone lines were jammed with furious clients. 

One after another, people demanded answers: 

• Why isn’t my project moving forward? 

• Why am I being underpaid? 

• Why does it feel like you’re not really representing me? 

And it wasn’t just struggling actors. Top-tier A-listers were calling in to vent their long-simmering frustrations. 

William Morris was under fire from every direction—overwhelmed, scrambling, and on the verge of collapse. 

Chapter 1617: The People's Choice 

Teetering on the edge, caught in a storm. 

It was hard to believe that a top-tier agency like William Morris was in such deep trouble—besieged on all sides, being hunted down like prey. 

To outsiders, this might seem unbelievable. But for those within the industry, this wasn’t exactly shocking. 

On one hand, someone like Anson Wood—an industry heavyweight—had the kind of influence to shake things up in a big way. One move from him could send ripples across the whole system. 

On the other hand, actors in Hollywood are often more emotional than rational. While that's not true for everyone, picture this: most actors are constantly struggling to make ends meet. After landing a role, they might go six months to a year without another gig. It’s a feast-or-famine lifestyle, filled with anxiety about paying the bills. 

Even A-list and B-list actors aren’t exempt. Sure, they earn more, but they also spend more. And they're always living with the fear of being replaced or forgotten. Their jobs are never secure. One day they’re on top, the next, they’re out of work. That constant anxiety never really goes away. 

So, if the rumors were true—that William Morris had dropped the ball during negotiations between Anson and Sony-Columbia—it made perfect sense that actors across the board would start to worry. 

What’s more, rival agencies seized the opportunity to stir the pot, fanning the flames and spreading doubt. In that atmosphere, actors—already feeling like drifters with no real anchors—began to waver. Emotions flared. 

And suddenly, William Morris was running around trying to put out fires. 

But this is the norm in talent management. If Anson Wood landed a major role and a big paycheck, other actors would ask, "What about me?" If he didn’t get the part, they’d worry, "Does that mean I won’t either?" 

The anxiety never stops. 

This time, though, things really had gotten out of hand. William Morris was being overwhelmed by a tidal wave of problems. They couldn’t even begin to focus on Anson or Edgar—they were drowning in crisis after crisis, and the situation kept snowballing. 

No one knew when—or if—the chaos would end. 

Quietly, William Morris faded from the public eye. 

Only those in the industry noticed what was really happening. The long-standing feud between William Morris and Creative Artists Agency had just hit a new milestone. 

But for the general public, there was only one thing that mattered: Had Anson reached a deal with Sony-Columbia? Would he continue playing Peter Parker? 

And if they had reached a deal—what were the terms? Would this shake up Hollywood? Could it impact other top-tier stars? 

It was unthinkable, but TMZ’s website exploded with traffic. The servers even crashed for a while as everyone waited for an update—anything at all, even though there was still no official confirmation. 

Finally, all that constant refreshing paid off. 

TMZ headline: “Anson Wood Signs Historic Contract with Sony-Columbia.” 

Well... duh. Everyone kind of expected that, didn’t they? 

And yet! 

The internet went wild. Fans were cheering, celebrating all over social media. The hype for Spider-Man 2 skyrocketed, sucking the entire market into a frenzy of anticipation. 

They celebrated that Anson would stay on as Peter Parker. They celebrated that he was finally getting the respect and recognition he deserved. They celebrated their everyman hero. 

Unlike stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp, or Tom Cruise, Anson’s rise was more in line with someone like Will Smith. 

Back in the day, Will Smith became a symbol for the Black community with his relatable, street-smart cop in Bad Boys. He was like that cool, approachable friend from next door—yet still capable of stepping up to save the day. That role launched a 20-year run as a box office titan. 

Anson followed a similar path. 

But he also took it further. He didn’t fit the traditional Hollywood hero mold from the past 30 years. 

His version of Peter Parker was the real boy-next-door—shy, introverted, kind, sincere, and even a little vulnerable. He wasn't some invincible, overconfident, untouchable superhero. He felt real. Like someone you might actually know. 

And when the moment of truth came, he still chose courage. He stood up, took on the weight of responsibility, and did what was right. 

He was an ordinary person—just like millions of others. He struggled to make rent. He agonized over a crush he couldn’t confess to. He lost sleep over arguments with his boss or clients. He was us. 

And yet, he wasn’t just an ordinary person. When everything was on the line, he stood tall and sacrificed himself to save others. 

From comic book to real life, Anson brought a sense of authenticity and relatability to Peter Parker. And from real life to comic book, he gave fans the belief that they could be Spider-Man too—that even in the mess of everyday life, they could rise and be heroic. 

That’s what set Anson apart. He echoed Will Smith’s impact, but also evolved it. 

And that sent the image of Spider-Man soaring to an unprecedented level of popularity. 

But here’s the real key: Anson himself. 

Not just because he was handsome, but because of what he represented. Since Spider-Man hit theaters, Anson’s career had been completely transformed. This past March, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind pushed him to new heights and earned him a new title: 

"The Indie Heartthrob." 

From The Butterfly Effect to Elephant to Eternal Sunshine, Anson radiated a certain poetic sadness—a quiet, scholarly vibe. Even though some still called him just a pretty face, the stereotype had quietly started to change. 

Now, his image as an introspective, artsy leading man blended seamlessly with Peter Parker’s nerdy high school hero. The line between fiction and reality blurred, making him even more captivating and magnetic. 

Imagine if someone like Arnold Schwarzenegger had played Peter Parker—it just wouldn’t have worked. Or if Anson had the unshakable, flawless persona of someone like Will Smith or Tom Cruise—who never show weakness or vulnerability—the character wouldn’t have had the same emotional impact. 

It’s because Anson allowed Peter to be vulnerable, to make mistakes, to feel, that Spider-Man became a phenomenon. 

That’s why Anson Wood isn’t just a star. He’s a true icon—someone people don’t just admire, but relate to and aspire to be. 

Boys want to be him. Girls want to be with him. 

So when Anson and Sony-Columbia needed support, practically the whole world stood behind him—hoping he would sign that historic deal… 

And make his dream come true.