1692-1694

Chapter 1692: The Past is Gone 

Taking a deep breath, his heart pounding wildly and his ears ringing, Brad Renfro finally mustered the courage to voice his question. 

“Anson, why… why did you invite me to star in this project, The Hangover?” 

Anson’s expression didn’t change, not even a flicker of his eyebrow. “Because you’re the right fit.” 

Brad froze, caught off guard. “But there are countless actors in Hollywood who’d fit the role. I bet if you just let the word out, half of Hollywood would come running, tripping over themselves for a chance to work with you. You had endless options…” 

“But he chose you.” It wasn’t Anson who answered, but Chris. 

Still buzzing with excitement, Chris practically bounced in place. “The pilot says circling for too long might be an issue, but two loops are fine. He just needs to check with the tower.” 

“Haha, Anson, we’re gonna get a bird’s-eye view of all of Las Vegas!” 

Chris and Anson exchanged a high-five, then Chris turned back to Brad, who was still standing there, stunned. 

“Out of thousands of actors, Anson picked you.” 

“Because you’re his friend—that’s a fact no one can deny. If others are jealous, let them stew in it. Not everyone’s seen Anson drunk and lying in his own vomit, right? When you’ve got that kind of dirt on him, you’d be a fool not to use it.” 

“But it’s also because you’re an actor. A damn good one.” 

Brad blinked, surprised. 

Chris flashed a wide grin. “Brad, do you really think Anson would tank his own movie just to do you a favor?” 

Brad blurted out, “No way!” Even if Anson might do that for Chris, there’s no chance he’d do it for him. 

Chris clapped Brad’s shoulder. “Exactly. Friendship’s one thing, but the real reason Anson chose you is because you’re you.” 

“Ugh, that sounds confusing. You get what I mean, right?” 

Brad, watching Chris slip into his half-muttering tangent, felt a twinge of urgency. “But don’t you guys mind? After how I treated you back then…” 

Chris shrugged lightly. “Everyone screws up. You mess up, I mess up, Anson messes up. If we cut ties over every fight, we’d have no friends left.” 

“Sure, Hollywood’s got no real friends. I’m only sticking around Anson for the clout. People can’t wrap their heads around why Anson still calls me a friend. I tell them I’m like Tobey Maguire to his Leonardo DiCaprio, haha.” 

Half-joking, half-ranting, Chris seemed a little tipsy—whether from lack of sleep or the thrill of being up in the air, it was hard to tell. 

“Brad, in this cutthroat world, we’re all rookies who can lose our way. What matters is whether you can find your way back.” 

“Some people never do. Others end up on a completely different path.” 

“You came back, and we’re here with open arms.” 

Brad’s face softened, a mix of emotion and hesitation lingering. 

Anson, with zero finesse, kicked Brad’s leg. 

“Don’t overthink it. This isn’t a marriage proposal. Besides, marriages fall apart too. We’re not talking about some eternal bond here. Maybe in three months, someone’s jealous again, stirring up drama behind our backs, and then I’ll have to pull out the big guns.” 

Brad looked at Anson’s exaggerated eye-roll, and the walls he’d built up over time finally crumbled. Guilt and regret surged, overwhelming him, leaving him raw and unable to hide it. 

Naturally, Anson and Chris noticed immediately. 

“Oh, God, is someone about to cry?” 

“Rare moment! I think this is the first time I’ve seen him tear up.” 

“Eh, maybe hold off. If this was ten years ago, Holes era, it’d be cute. Now, with all that weathered stubble? Pass.” 

“Oof, shots fired!” 

Watching Anson and Chris roast him like he wasn’t even there, Brad couldn’t hold it in anymore. He swiped at his eyes. 

“Get lost!” 

He flipped them off, not just one finger but both, full commitment. 

“Get lost!” 

“Look in the mirror, you wrinkled messes. Feeling inferior next to Hollywood’s number-one heartthrob? Attacking me won’t change the fact that this is raw talent. Be jealous all you want—unless you’re reborn, you’re stuck with reality.” 

Blabbering on, Brad finally let his true self shine through. 

Laughter erupted, filling the air. 

Anson watched Brad, letting out a quiet breath. 

The past was just that—past. No need to dwell on it. Anson had let it go, genuinely. If anything, he was more worried. 

In his previous life, based on memory, Brad’s final years were rough. Drifting aimlessly, he somehow ended up with a kid, then passed away just five days after wrapping his last project in 2008, the cause of death never clear. 

Once a brief, bright star in Hollywood, Brad had faded quietly, his fall even more understated than Macaulay Culkin’s persistent ups and downs. 

But now, things seemed to be turning around. In this parallel timeline, Brad had woken up, cut ties with his past, and was ready to restart his career, truly tapping into his potential as an actor. 

Maybe this time, Brad could carve out a different life. 

Anson’s invitation for The Hangover was serious. 

In his previous life, The Hangover hit theaters in 2009, a surprise box-office smash. Now, it might premiere three or four years earlier, under entirely different circumstances. 

It wasn’t just the release date. With Anson as the lead, this was essentially a brand-new movie, requiring a fresh approach, not a copy of the original. 

The original The Hangover had a stellar cast, their chemistry a key factor in its success. The only downside? It launched Bradley Cooper to stardom while overshadowing everyone else. 

Even after the film’s massive success, the other actors’ careers didn’t see major boosts. 

Why? Partly because Bradley Cooper hogged the spotlight, and partly because the others lacked that extra spark. 

Now, with The Hangover as a new project, Anson wondered: why not start from scratch and create something fresh? 

It was a risk, sure, but a necessary one. 

For one, Bradley Cooper was 38 when he shot the original. Anson, not yet 23, couldn’t just replicate the old cast. Everyone needed to be younger. 

So, why not lean into the risk and turn “midlife crisis” into “youthful chaos”? 

Originally, The Hangover was about middle-aged guys escaping their mundane lives—a theme barely touched on in the film. Now, it could be about young people burning bright, crashing through life, perfectly timed with the American Pie-fueled craze of the early 2000s. 

And that’s when Brad’s name popped into Anson’s head. 

Chapter 1693: A Heavy Blow 

Parallel universe, parallel universe—this was the key point Anson kept reminding himself of. 

The Hangover was still The Hangover, but to be precise, everything was already completely different. If Anson stubbornly tried to build the entire project based on his memories from his previous life, it would be like chasing a moving target—possible to succeed, but far more likely to fail. 

So, everything had to be reimagined from scratch. 

In the movie, there were four main characters: a groom and his three buddies. 

Among the three buddies, one was Phil, played in the original timeline by Bradley Cooper. Handsome, charming, and a bit of a rogue, Phil was the one clinging to the last threads of rationality, trying to find direction amid the chaos. This role went to Anson. 

Another was Stu, played in the original by Ed Helms, a traditional comedian who, before his career took off with The Hangover, was a regular on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In the film, Stu was responsible for the goofy, prankish humor, while also desperately trying to maintain his rationality and dignity. That contradiction created fresh comedic moments, embodying the classic midlife crisis archetype— 

His life was a mess, but he went to great lengths to preserve a facade of dignity. Like someone who’d been laid off but didn’t dare tell their family, dressing in a suit every morning to “go to work,” only to spend the day on a park bench with pigeons. 

For a forty-year-old, this was relatable; but for someone in their twenties, it was tough to pull off convincingly. 

So, Anson considered a different approach: why not model the character after a young quarterback? 

In high school, he might’ve been the captain of the basketball or football team—handsome, charismatic, a real Prince Charming. The homecoming king, the dream guy for every girl. But in reality, he’s all brawn and no brains, constantly messing up, yet refusing to admit his failures, desperately trying to maintain his cool image. 

If not handled carefully, this character could overlap with Phil, but with the right nuance, it could showcase a distinct youthful perspective. 

Then, Anson thought of Chris Evans. 

Despite his good looks, Chris often played the lovable goof who meant well but screwed up, oblivious to his mistakes. Most importantly, Chris and Anson were two different types of actors, and their presence alone could give their roles unique flavors. 

The last buddy was Alan, played in the original by Zach Galifianakis. He wasn’t the groom’s friend but the bride’s brother, dragged along at her request. Unexpectedly, this goofy, socially awkward nerd turned out to be a wild card—fearless, unrestrained, and naively diving into all sorts of chaos, repeatedly pulling Phil and Stu into a rollercoaster of madness. 

As mentioned earlier, The Hangover was a breakout moment primarily for Bradley Cooper. The other actors didn’t see much of a career shift, with one small exception: Zach Galifianakis. 

This chubby, bearded comedian left a lasting impression with his “quietly unhinged nerd” role, earning the label of a “character actor.” Whenever a film needed a lovable, bumbling, funny guy, Zach was the go-to. He leaned into this stereotype, repeating similar roles but making characters instantly recognizable to audiences. 

Riding this wave, Zach stayed active in Hollywood for a few years, landing a string of familiar roles, ensuring he wasn’t overlooked again. 

It’s no exaggeration to say that while The Hangover made Bradley a star, much of the film’s success hinged on Zach’s performance. 

This highlighted the importance of the Alan role, which was also the key to Anson crafting a fresh The Hangover in this parallel universe. 

This actor, this character, would be the spark igniting the film’s chemistry. 

Brad Renfro wasn’t right for this part. Anson had another role in mind for him. 

The groom, Doug. 

In the original, this role was played by Justin Bartha, a heartthrob whose breakout was 2004’s National Treasure. He was the kind of actor who was “super handsome, easy on the eyes, and always popping up in movies and TV, but you can never quite remember his name.” 

In The Hangover, as the groom, Justin was mostly absent, functioning almost as a plot device. It seemed like any actor could’ve played him without much impact. But Anson disagreed. The groom could absolutely be the linchpin of the story— 

Present in spirit, though absent from the screen, he was the core of the entire narrative. 

Even if Doug didn’t appear on-screen, he was everywhere. He lived in Phil and Stu’s conversations, drove the story forward, and was the reason for the film’s dizzying twists and turns. 

In other words, the audience’s perception of Doug would build gradually, layer by layer, with curiosity and anticipation peaking. When the mystery was finally revealed, if the payoff hit hard, the film’s impact could soar to new heights, even transforming it entirely. 

In the original, The Hangover was excellent, no doubt. But in Anson’s opinion, director Todd Phillips didn’t capitalize on Doug as the story’s linchpin. As a result, when the ultimate suspense was unveiled, it lacked the explosive, adrenaline-pumping, laugh-out-loud punch that could’ve elevated the film from great to iconic— 

Justin Bartha was a classic leading man who could’ve been the perfect linchpin, injecting vitality into the film. Unfortunately, Todd didn’t leverage his charisma. 

Digging deeper, The Hangover’s success was almost accidental. Todd didn’t fully grasp why it worked, stumbling into it blindly. That’s why the sequels—The Hangover Part II and III—saw their reputations plummet, unable to sustain the magic. 

Later, Todd bounced back with Joker, earning an Oscar nomination. But once again, he didn’t understand the reasons for its success. By the time Joker 2 rolled around, it was a disaster—crashing at the box office, savaged by critics, and even snagging a Razzie nomination. 

From Oscar to Razzie: that was classic Todd Phillips. 

Now, Anson was pondering how to make the most of Doug’s role— 

Innocent. Pitiful. Pure. 

Doug needed to be a little lost lamb, completely clueless, swept up in the chaos, inexplicably abandoned, and still blissfully unaware when he’s finally rescued, like Sleeping Beauty. 

A blank slate. 

This image would push the film’s absurdity and humor to the max. The funnier the buildup, the more Doug’s appearance would amplify the laughs exponentially. 

Who could embody this? 

Brad Renfro. 

After a year of self-discipline, slimming down and regaining the clear-eyed innocence of his youth, Brad was perfect to bring a spark to the role of Doug. 

That’s why Anson extended the invitation—not just out of friendship, but because Brad was the right fit. 

Chapter 1694: Reckless and Wild 

As a friend, Anson always wanted to help Brad within his means. But the key was that help shouldn’t be a one-way handout—it should be a mutual give-and-take. 

Anson didn’t want to force a role on Brad that he wouldn’t enjoy, standing on his high horse dictating what Brad should do. Nor did he want to get himself into trouble just to help Brad, only for their friendship to sour and turn them into enemies. 

The Hangover was the perfect opportunity—a chance to showcase Brad’s charm without burdening him. 

More than just a helping hand, Anson genuinely wanted to create a project with friends, free from baggage, ambition, or pressure. Just a group of buddies coming together, letting their wild ideas collide to form something special. 

He’d thought such a chance might take years to materialize. After all, Hollywood was ruled by capital, not a playground for messing around. 

Just look at Will Smith. 

Will’s son, Jaden Smith, had always dreamed of superstardom and showed real talent early on. In 2006, at just eight years old, Jaden starred alongside his father in The Pursuit of Happyness. The film was a massive hit, landing in the top ten at the North American box office and earning Will an Oscar nomination. 

That success fueled Jaden’s ambition to act, and Will was eager to nurture his son’s career, envisioning a grand plan. 

In 2010, Will convinced Sony Columbia to take a chance, investing $40 million in The Karate Kid, with Jaden as the lead and Jackie Chan in a supporting role. Riding the wave of the 2008 Olympics, the remake of the 1984 classic was a solid step forward. Despite mixed reviews, it grossed $176 million in North America, turning heads. 

Jaden’s superstar dream started to take shape, and Will decided to go big. 

This time, Will himself took a backseat, happily playing a supporting role to pave the way for Jaden as the absolute star of a new film. 

But Hollywood wasn’t sold. 

Business was business. Will Smith’s star power didn’t guarantee Jaden’s success. Plus, the era of child-led films from the ’80s and ’90s was over. There weren’t many stories like The Karate Kid left to adapt, and franchises like Harry Potter or The Chronicles of Narnia didn’t fit Will’s vision. 

Will wanted an “absolute star” project, built entirely around Jaden—a blockbuster with CGI, explosions, and action, requiring at least $100 million. 

Studios balked. Even Will’s clout wasn’t enough. 

But Will, leveraging his connections and resources, pushed the project through, personally penning the script. 

Sony Columbia, having tasted success with The Karate Kid, took it on, greenlighting a staggering $130 million budget. 

Jaden was the heart of the project. 

Sony went all out, with CEO Michael Lynton personally traveling to Europe to recruit Austrian auteur Michael Haneke (The Piano Teacher, The White Ribbon, Amour) to direct. Haneke, a two-time Cannes Palme d’Or winner and Oscar recipient known for his brutal, realist storytelling, had zero interest in blockbusters. 

“Idiotic,” Haneke scoffed, later sharing the absurd offer as a joke with friends. 

When Haneke passed, Sony turned to M. Night Shyamalan, riding high off The Sixth Sense’s success, to direct. They also enlisted a roster of A-list actors to support Jaden. 

That project was After Earth. 

Released in 2013, it scored a dismal 33/100 from critics and grossed just $60 million in North America. 

Sony lost a fortune. Worse, Will’s relentless push—demanding changes during filming and ballooning marketing costs—exhausted the studio. They never spoke of it again. 

Jaden’s acting was torn apart, critics saying he lacked not just star quality but basic talent. 

And then? Nothing. 

With Will’s backing, Jaden pivoted to music, hoping to become a singer, but made no waves. He popped up in cameos for TV shows and low-budget films, but no studio ever offered him a starring role again. 

Will wasn’t alone in this. 

So Anson bided his time, waiting for the right moment. He never expected it to come so soon. 

From every angle, The Hangover was a golden opportunity. In Anson’s mind, it was a chance to— 

Go wild. 

The movie was already a chaotic romp, right? 

And so, last night, as Anson left Los Angeles, he dragged along a half-asleep Brad and Chris, both barely coherent. 

The plane circled the city twice. 

The pilot knew his job, adjusting course. Through the windows, golden sunlight flooded the cabin, unobstructed. The yolk-like sun clumsily broke free from the horizon, its dazzling halo devouring the night. 

Nature’s glow intertwined with the city’s artificial lights, slowly unveiling the dawn of Sin City’s new day. 

Smoothly, the plane landed. The cabin door opened, and crisp, dry air rushed in. A black stretch Lincoln waited on the tarmac. 

Chris hesitated. “Anson, isn’t this a bit flashy? Doesn’t it scream to everyone that you’re in Vegas?” 

Chris had caught wind of last night’s gossip at home, never expecting Anson to slip off to the airport unnoticed. 

Brad patted Chris’s shoulder. “That’s exactly why it works. In Vegas, everyone’s rolling in fancy cars. It’s camouflage.” 

Brad brushed past Chris, heading straight for the car. A driver in a black tuxedo stood by the open door. “Welcome to Sin City, Mr. Renfro.” 

Brad stopped short, turning to Anson. “How does he know me?” 

Anson chuckled. “How else does an airline operate? We had to give them a passenger list, you know.” 

Brad threw up his hands. “Sorry, not used to private jets. My bad.” 

With a shameless grin, he hopped into the car. 

Chris and Anson exchanged a glance. Brad was definitely back. 

(End of Chapter)