1056-1060

Chapter 1056: The Eyewitness

"Lucas Wood appears in front of Sony Columbia, joining the protest."

A post emerged on an online forum and rapidly spread like wildfire.

After all, this had been the most popular and sensational topic for the past few days. The sheer volume of information had reached an overwhelming point, with people thinking, "Why is it still about this?"

But despite the fatigue, a casual glance at the news or posts once again shocked people with the developments.

The public opinion, which had gradually stabilized after Sony Columbia’s official statement, seemed to waver once more, sparking speculation—

Things might not be so simple, and Sony Columbia might not be as innocent as they claimed.

"Not surprising. After all, it's Wall Street."

Whispers spread across the internet and the streets.

However, not everyone could keep up with the latest news immediately—it was Monday, and people still had their jobs. If they missed the lunchtime gossip in the breakroom, by the time afternoon tea rolled around, they’d overhear a discussion and realize:

Wait, when did this happen? How did things escalate to this point? What’s the situation now?

Things were changing fast.

Although this phrase isn’t typically used to describe such events, it certainly applied now, as updates kept coming in by the minute.

Quietly, on this busy Monday, heading to the breakroom for gossip became the best form of slacking off for employees in various companies.

People had thought that fan gatherings, Sony Columbia’s official statement, and Lucas’s appearance—three updates in one day—were already outrageous and crazy enough.

But they never expected it wasn’t over yet.

"What?!"

A gasp followed by murmurs filled the breakroom, with everyone whispering so much that individual words were indistinguishable. Yet the palpable shock spread in ripples, leaving everyone stunned.

From a distance, John Quinn noticed this scene. The small breakroom was packed with people, even spilling out, resembling a carnival.

Unconsciously, John paused—

It was partly due to Lucas Wood, and partly due to Brad Pitt. John had also found himself unable to stop following the news over the past few days.

He was still in New York, delaying his return to San Francisco, primarily because of Brad Pitt. John hoped the collaboration would still proceed.

But what surprised him most was realizing Anson Wood's influence far exceeded his expectations in just these few days.

Such treatment was rare in Hollywood.

John thought of Leonardo DiCaprio after Titanic, and despite scoffing at it, he couldn't help but listen in on the latest updates.

"...Heath Ledger said in a phone interview with US Weekly that Sony Columbia had contacted him..."

A voice came from the center of the breakroom, reading aloud the news from a PDA, instantly becoming the center of attention.

"They asked about my schedule for the next three months and prepared for a short audition, inquiring if I was willing to immediately join the cast to play Peter Parker."

Whoa!

Gasps filled the room, and the whispering stopped entirely. Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked on that tiny PDA.

"At the time, I didn’t even know Anson was injured."

Silence.

Even breathing and heartbeats seemed to pause. Though they suspected Sony Columbia might not be so innocent, the truth was still unexpected:

Anson was injured, and Sony Columbia was already making backup plans?

Not even waiting a second.

Excuse me, but what is Sony Columbia thinking? Do they have brains stuffed with straw?

"I said ‘no,’ I wasn’t interested."

"Anson is my friend. I respect my friends' work, and I’ve always believed Anson is the best choice for Peter Parker. If Anson completes his work successfully, I have no reason to compete for the role, so I declined."

"It wasn’t until later that I learned Anson was injured."

"When I heard the news, my first reaction was anger. I don’t know what Sony Columbia was thinking. At that moment, they should’ve shown their support for Anson, not considered how to replace him. Especially since he's an outstanding actor."

"I sincerely hope Anson recovers soon. I don’t believe anyone else should play Peter Parker on the big screen."

Clap, clap, clap.

Scattered applause rang out in the breakroom, praising Heath Ledger’s response.

However, not everyone agreed.

Some felt that while friendship is important, so are opportunities. Heath should’ve seized this chance, and this wasn’t the time to display noble character.

Others argued that no one rejects fair competition, but stabbing a friend in the back is unforgivable.

There was also a small minority who thought that since Sony Columbia could spin the truth to protect their image, why couldn't Heath? Maybe Heath went for the role but wasn’t selected, and now he’s pretending to be noble, acting like a loyal friend.

After all, it’s Hollywood, where anything is possible.

The fragmented discussions flared up again, but the gossiping PDA holder dropped another bombshell.

"Regardless of whether Heath Ledger is covering for his image, Sony Columbia is definitely lying. That’s now a fact. Because there are other witnesses."

"Robert Pattinson, another actor on the TMZ list, confirmed: 'Yes, they invited me to audition for Peter Parker. I attended, and I’m waiting for a response; but I didn’t know Anson had been injured when I auditioned. I had no idea he was hurt the day before.'"

Whoa.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

In other words, within just 24 hours of Anson’s injury, Sony Columbia had already set a series of events in motion, showcasing the efficiency of a big corporation.

If Anson’s injury was serious, forcing Sony Columbia to make a contingency plan, that would be understandable, even if uncomfortable. But based on the timeline, it was clear that Sony Columbia began making alternative plans before Anson's condition was confirmed, moving faster than anyone could imagine.

So, should this be considered professional or cold-blooded?

"Wait, who is Robert Pattinson anyway? Can we even trust what some nobody says?" someone in the crowd questioned.

The PDA holder shrugged. "You got me. I don’t know who he is either, but I doubt some nobody would want to mess with Sony Columbia, right?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

If Sony Columbia was lying, they would’ve issued a gag order to everyone on the audition list. Even though they didn’t have time to make them sign NDAs, verbal warnings would’ve been inevitable.

Now, some unknown actor was willing to step forward and reveal the truth—

It seems this was what Sony Columbia had been hiding all along.

*Chapter 1057: Exposing the Lies*

The Vanity Fair is such a thing—top actors have the power to challenge major film companies, but they carry so many vested interests that they often refuse to speak up. Meanwhile, lower-tier actors lack that power, but they still carry the courage and boldness of idealists.

When faced with a giant like Sony Columbia, seasoned Hollywood veterans would never speak up lightly when the situation is unclear. Only the fearless rookies, with nothing to lose, would speak out passionately and reveal the truth.

That’s precisely why someone like Robert Pattinson, an "unknown," is often the one telling the truth.

However, real life is never that simple.

Because Robert Pattinson is a nobody, he has no credibility or reputation. When he stands up to confront a giant like Sony Columbia, his words will face countless challenges and attacks. Even his character, his work, and his life could undergo complete scrutiny.

After all, it’s much easier to trust Sony Columbia than to believe a stranger.

This is contradictory, but it’s also the reality, which is why the road of an ant challenging a giant is always long and difficult and often ends in failure.

The PDA holder understood this as well. He scanned the faces in the break room, noticing the various expressions, a hint of amusement showing on his own face. He deliberately waited a moment, allowing the hushed discussions to spread, letting suspense and controversy brew before raising the PDA in his right hand high—

Just like Frodo lifting the One Ring.

"‘Us Weekly’ found a third witness."

Instantly, the room erupted.

Speculations rushed in. "Jack? Could it be Jake Gyllenhaal?"

"Didn’t I read somewhere that Jake and Anson are friends? Shouldn’t Jake avoid getting involved, like how spouses shouldn’t testify for each other in court because they might give false testimony to benefit their partner? It’s the same with Jake."

"Exactly! Now, to help Anson, Jake might say anything. His testimony shouldn’t count. It’s not credible."

Everyone was familiar with the list TMZ had published, with all the names on it well-known. The moment they heard there was a third witness, Jake Gyllenhaal’s name immediately came to mind, and people began sharing their opinions.

The PDA holder couldn’t hide his smugness. "No, it’s not Jake Gyllenhaal."

Shock!

Everyone's eyes widened, like maids eavesdropping on secrets in a dramatic soap opera.

"It’s Henry Cavill."

Everyone: ??? Who?

"Ahem." The PDA holder realized his bombshell didn’t have the expected impact, so he awkwardly added, "He’s a new actor who’s appeared in a movie and a few TV shows—not a complete nobody."

"But anyway, Henry Cavill confirmed that he also auditioned for Peter Parker."

Since his bombshell didn’t create a stir, the PDA holder, an expert in gossip discussions, quickly returned the focus by presenting evidence.

"This proves that Sony Columbia is lying. That list wasn’t some secret project audition pool; it was the list of Spider-Man candidates."

"No matter how Sony Columbia tries to spin it, their attempt to hide the truth says it all—they’re clearly a bunch of rats."

The room buzzed with whispers.

In the narrow, cramped space, the heat rose as everyone whispered excitedly. Although no one was speaking loudly, the tension was palpable.

Now, the room was in chaos.

John Quinn, slightly disinterested, had thought there might be something truly shocking, only to find out it was just another case of a Hollywood giant lying. Isn’t that just business as usual? What company would foolishly reveal their true intentions? It wasn’t anything worth being surprised about.

As John turned to leave, he found the exit blocked by a cleaning lady with a mop, listening intently. She turned to see John’s face and exclaimed, "Mr. Quinn!"

Her shout was like a thunderclap, causing everyone in the room to look at John.

Although this wasn’t John’s company—he was only borrowing the office—everyone knew who he was, unlike the rest of the ordinary workers there.

John, feeling a bit embarrassed, was about to say something to defuse the situation, but before he could, the people around him acted first.

After exchanging glances, they scattered in all directions like birds fleeing a storm.

The room, which had been bustling just moments ago, was now completely empty. The break room was deserted.

John stood at the doorway, slightly disoriented, looking at the empty room left in the wake of the storm, unsure how to react.

Meanwhile, while John wasn’t fazed by the "big news," the interview with Us Weekly quickly spread.

All thanks to TMZ.

Initially, Us Weekly was a weekly publication. Their last issue had just been released, and they were still preparing for the new one. They hadn’t planned to follow the incident closely since, in 2003, the demand for up-to-the-minute news wasn’t as extreme.

But the news couldn’t be stopped.

So, Us Weekly ran an interview with the three audition candidates and updated their website, casually dropping a bombshell.

Unfortunately, it didn’t make a splash.

Compared to other magazines, Us Weekly’s website was barren, drawing almost no traffic. Even though they updated it quickly, the clicks were pitiful, and the story was soon drowned in the sea of internet information.

However, TMZ was ready. They were geared up for a showdown with Sony Columbia, monitoring all developments, including their competitors. Naturally, they didn’t miss Us Weekly’s report.

Without hesitation, TMZ reprinted Us Weekly’s story.

And they did it without delay.

TMZ had taken timeliness to new heights.

But TMZ was different. Standing at the center of the storm, they led in visits and page views. Some people even refreshed the site every 30 minutes, unwilling to miss a single update.

When Us Weekly’s report appeared on TMZ’s homepage, it caused an explosion.

At that moment, people didn’t know whether to be more shocked that TMZ would so boldly reprint a competitor’s news or that there was still a twist to the story.

In the end, the eager public couldn’t contain their excitement, and Us Weekly’s report spread far and wide.

Everything became clear once again—

Sony Columbia had lied.

Harry Percy’s list was real. Us Weekly and Entertainment Weekly’s reports were real. Sony Columbia was ruthlessly planning to abandon Anson. That was real too.

Not only did Sony Columbia fail to take responsibility for the accident, but they were also ready to abandon the very person who had cemented Spider-Man’s success without any valid reason.

Now, the situation truly exploded, reaching new heights.

Chapter 1058: The Returning Crowd

Blair was a bit anxious. Every now and then, she would look up and glance around—

The crowd was slowly thinning.

Not quickly, just in twos and threes. It didn’t seem like a lot, but over time, the gaps in the crowd were growing.

“Blair.”

A voice called Blair’s attention back. She saw Gloria’s bright smile, which made Blair a little embarrassed.

“Gloria, aren’t you worried?”

“No, I’m not.”

“But...”

“This was a voluntary event from the beginning. Remember? Before it started, we were worried that not enough people would show up, and it might not work. But look at how many came. No matter what happens next, I won’t be disappointed. We’ve already achieved our goal today.”

Gloria was serious.

After all, this was the first time in Hollywood that a group of fans had organized a collective protest because of a casting decision or a studio replacing an actor. It was unheard of.

In Hollywood, fan culture doesn’t exist like it does in other places. Even in the world of rock and roll, where fans are passionate, they don’t unite like this.

So today, they were making history.

Not only had they made the audience's voice heard, but Sony-Columbia had also responded. There was no doubt that this was a major victory.

Plus—

More than a thousand fans had gathered peacefully outside the Sony-Columbia offices, with no incidents or disruptions. That alone was something to be proud of.

So Gloria wasn’t anxious or nervous. Whatever happened next was just a bonus.

But Blair didn’t feel the same.

“What if they still go ahead and replace Anson?”

She finally said it—that was Blair’s biggest fear.

Standing in front of a giant like Sony-Columbia, she didn’t have much confidence.

Gloria smiled, “Then Anson will need our support even more.”

“No matter what Anson does next, whatever role or project he takes on, we’ll need to show our support. We’ll stand right behind him and make Sony-Columbia realize what they’ve lost.”

“They’re a beast. They have the power to make any decision they want, and we’re still too small to change that. But we can make them realize their stupidity, and maybe even regret it.”

She paused, then looked at Blair with a smile.

“Or do you have a weird thing for Anson in a Spider-Man suit?”

It took Blair a second to react. Her face flushed, and she let out a scream, “Gloria, you crazy person!”

Nearby, Karen and Elaine were laughing uncontrollably.

Blair was in disbelief. “Elaine, I can’t believe you’re laughing too!”

Elaine covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescent moons. “I’m an adult, okay?”

“Elaine! I won’t allow it! Weren’t you supposed to be the sweet little princess?” Blair screamed.

Laughter broke out around them.

After some playful banter, Blair calmed down a bit, her nerves relaxing slightly.

For the moment, she could breathe again.

Instinctively, she looked around, and then stopped, confused.

“Wait, is it just me, or does it feel like the crowd is growing again?”

Karen waved her hand dismissively. “You’re imagining things. It’s the same as when you thought the crowd was shrinking earlier. It’s just your imagination.”

Blair frowned, “Karen, I’m not joking. Look for yourself.”

Karen finally turned to look around—

Blair was right. The crowd in front of Sony-Columbia was indeed growing again. The street seemed to be getting lively once more.

But Karen didn’t think much of it. “It’s probably just rush hour. People are leaving work.”

“Even if they’re not leaving, maybe they’re taking a break for dinner before heading back to work for some late-night overtime.”

That explanation made sense.

After all, this was Midtown Manhattan, one of the busiest areas for office workers. It was normal for the after-work rush to start early.

Blair felt a bit disappointed. She had hoped people were coming back.

But thinking it through, it didn’t seem likely. Anson wasn’t exactly the Backstreet Boys or ‘N Sync. There’s a difference between a pretty-boy actor and a pop idol.

Yet, Gloria was quietly observing, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

“Wait. Something’s happening...”

Following Gloria’s gaze, they watched for a bit longer and saw that, indeed, many of the passersby were heading toward them.

At that moment, a tall woman in a chic dress approached them and asked politely, “Excuse me, are you here to support Anson? I mean, are you protesting Sony-Columbia?”

Gloria quickly stood up. “Yes, we are. Can I help you?”

The woman smiled. “Great. I made it in time.”

Gloria and the girls exchanged glances. “What’s going on?”

“Well,” the woman began, “I think Sony-Columbia should apologize. Not just apologize—they should be condemned and punished.”

“What?”

“For lying. How can they blatantly deceive people like that?”

Gloria, Blair, and the others were dumbfounded. They had no idea what she was talking about.

The woman paused, realizing they didn’t know. “Oh, right. You’ve been here the whole time, so you haven’t heard what happened, have you?”

Seeing their confused faces, she quickly filled them in.

The report from US Weekly, TMZ’s repost, and the internet uproar.

“What they’ve done is absolutely unacceptable, with no moral standards.”

“At least, that’s how I feel. I can’t find any reason for them to replace Anson, nor any justification for how they’ve handled this situation. It could’ve been so simple, but they’ve turned it into a mess.”

“If we should criticize the paparazzi for their role, we should criticize Sony-Columbia even more—120% more.”

“I just can’t tolerate it.”

“So, I thought, since Monday has already gone this crazy, why not do something meaningful and let Sony-Columbia know that we won’t be manipulated?”

Her words came out in a rush, leaving Gloria and the others stunned—

They had never expected another twist to unfold in just one day.

The US Weekly report had landed a hard blow on Sony-Columbia, and now their initial response to the protest had backfired, exposing their weakness and deceit, sparking even more public outrage.

This turn of events was something even US Weekly hadn’t predicted, let alone Michael Lynton.

At this point, Michael had completely lost control of the situation.

Everything was spiraling into a full-blown disaster—for Sony-Columbia.

*Chapter 1059: The Tide Has Turned*

In the morning, Sony Columbia reacted swiftly. They issued a statement at the first opportunity to mitigate the damage before things worsened, showcasing Michael’s crisis management skills both in terms of response time and the content of the statement—earning widespread praise.

By evening, however, the situation took a sharp turn for the worse. Michael Lynton’s proactive and firm stance backfired, exposing their ugliness and corruption. What was meant to calm the situation instead triggered an outpouring of negative emotions among the public—leading to a storm of criticism.

The same event sparked completely opposite reactions in the morning and by the evening.

Welcome to the 21st century, a new era of information overload, and a chaotic time when news cycles shift rapidly, catching everyone off guard.

Without an official statement, the situation might have spiraled out of control in the morning.

But at the same time, without the statement, it wouldn’t have provoked the public’s sensitive nerves and moral boundaries by evening, unleashing a wave of backlash.

It’s difficult to say whether Michael Lynton’s crisis management was good or bad.

One thing, however, was certain: Sony Columbia was under siege.

Amid the bustling rush-hour traffic in Manhattan, throngs of people continued to flood towards 550 Madison Avenue.

Endlessly.

Gradually, the Sony Columbia building became completely surrounded once again.

In the morning, over a thousand people gathered, creating a spectacular scene that became a hot topic for media outlets and forums alike.

And now?

Three thousand people, at least, and the numbers were still rising.

The usual frustration and stress of rush-hour traffic on Madison Avenue transformed today into an unusual scene of drivers casually watching the spectacle.

Literally, the area was gridlocked with a sea of people—a rare sight. As more and more people joined from all directions, the long, monotonous Monday found its outlet, with the unsuspecting Sony Columbia becoming the target of the public’s frustration. Like a tide, New Yorkers swarmed towards the building.

The airwaves buzzed.

"...Midtown Manhattan traffic is completely paralyzed due to a massive protest around the Sony Columbia office building..."

"It’s clear that Sony Columbia did not anticipate this; the situation has spiraled completely out of control..."

"Reports suggest New York isn't alone. The West Coast headquarters of Sony Columbia has also been surrounded by over 1,500 fans, signaling their protest with red objects..."

The radio broadcast painted a vivid picture of the scale of the events.

Initially, all attention was focused on New York, leaving Los Angeles in the shadows. But as the situation in New York took a dramatic turn, more eyes turned westward, revealing that both cities were feeling the wrath of Anson's fans.

"...Fox News has dispatched helicopters to cover the scene..."

The taxi driver stuck his head out of the window, glancing up between the skyscrapers.

The helicopters appeared, circling above 550 Madison Avenue.

From high above, the scene was even more striking—throngs of people spread out from the Sony Columbia building in all directions, easily surpassing 3,000 people.

Five thousand? Eight thousand?

All of them were waving various red objects, symbolizing their protest, creating a rolling wave of red that looked like flames engulfing the building. Even the steel and concrete structure couldn't withstand the heat for long.

Vehicles were lined up like matchboxes on the streets, unintentionally forming a blockade around Sony Columbia.

The building was isolated.

It was a grand and overwhelming sight.

When Ian Bryce, drenched in sweat, finally reached the Sony Columbia building after running four blocks, the sheer mass of people made his knees buckle.

Ian tried to squeeze through the crowd to reach the office building, which was only a short distance away.

But it was nearly impossible.

In the end, Ian gave up—after all, there wasn’t much he could do.

This was a battle between Sony Columbia’s board and top executives. His opinion or perspective wouldn't matter at this level of corporate interests. Even if he attended the meeting, he’d likely just be scapegoated. Thinking it over, he realized there was no need to push through.

Then, Ian spotted Laura Ziskin, equally drenched in sweat and looking flustered.

Laura glanced at Ian. "I’m stuck."

Ian laughed, enjoying her misery. "I can see that."

Laura rolled her eyes in exasperation, glanced again at Ian's relaxed expression, and gave up struggling. She simply stood there quietly.

"I think we might miss the meeting," Ian said.

Laura shrugged lightly. "I don’t think they were planning to wait for us."

The entire Sony Columbia headquarters was completely surrounded, and the streets were blocked. So how were the board members supposed to arrive?

The answer: helicopters.

The headquarters had a helipad on the roof.

One by one, board members arrived, but Michael Lynton was still waiting for Laura to show up.

Even though Laura was just a producer, Michael needed support from the production team, and if necessary, he could push her out as a scapegoat.

Unfortunately, Laura never made it.

Michael maintained his calm and gentlemanly demeanor on the surface, but the row of cold sores at the corner of his mouth betrayed the truth—

He was in a tough spot.

To be precise, he was at a dead end. Sony Columbia had backed itself into a corner, and now, there seemed to be no way out.

"Sir..." The assistant appeared again.

Michael took a deep breath. "Tell the board I’ll be there in three minutes."

"No, it’s not the board..."

Michael looked puzzled, seeing the assistant hesitate. "At this point, what could be worse? Just say it."

The assistant winced awkwardly. "The actors have spoken."

Michael hesitated for a moment: actors? Which actors?

The assistant clarified, "Tom Hanks."

Michael’s heart sank.

If Tom Hanks had spoken, that meant the floodgates were about to open, and other actors would surely follow, supporting Anson.

Didn’t the assistant just say "actors"? Plural.

Michael struggled to stay composed. "What did Tom say?"

The assistant responded, "He said he supports Anson’s decisions 100%."

What did that mean?

If Anson decided to walk away from the Spider-Man franchise, Tom would support him. If Anson chose to stay, Tom would support that too.

Unconditionally, 100%.

It was a sign of trust, but it also meant Tom was willing to back Anson and support actors like Heath Ledger, who had already spoken out.

Michael realized:

The tide had turned.

*Chapter 1060: Clearing the Misunderstanding*

The scene was chaotic, noisy, and intense.

On one side, fans and moviegoers surrounded Sony Columbia's headquarters in both New York and Los Angeles, voicing their demands with an unyielding stance.

On the other, Hollywood peers finally broke their silence and united as one.

It wasn't so much that Anson, young as he was, had built such a powerful network, but rather that the talent agencies sensed an opportunity and joined forces in a coordinated effort.

Actors stood united again, aligning themselves against the film studios, ready to leverage their collective power.

Tom Hanks was merely the one who sounded the horn.

If anyone believed that Tom Hanks was simply a nice, honest guy, they were naive. Sure, Tom was a good person, but calling him naive or simple was far from the truth.

For Tom to have thrived in the industry for thirty years, it took more than just charm.

Knowing how to read the situation, understanding the balance, and mastering the art of negotiation and confrontation—these were the qualities that allowed someone to secure their place in the industry’s relentless pursuit of fame and fortune.

In this case, Tom recognized the situation and chose to speak out boldly.

Were Tom and Anson friends?

Undoubtedly, yes. Which is why Tom’s stance was even more resolute.

Soon, more actors stepped forward.

Ryan Gosling, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Aniston, Rachel McAdams, Charlie Kaufman, Steven Spielberg, and Garry Marshall all voiced their support. Even Kate Winslet, who had been away from the public eye for a while, gave a phone interview expressing her position.

Then, Kristen Dunst, James Franco, and Alfred Molina, among others from the Spider-Man 2 cast, all publicly backed Anson, standing united behind him.

One after another.

In just a matter of hours, waves of support poured in like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, and all of Hollywood was in an uproar.

Sony Columbia was in trouble.

Despite calling an emergency board meeting, there was little they could do.

In this dire situation, Michael Lynton, the CEO, surprisingly found a moment of clarity.

Frustration, anger, resentment, regret, bitterness.

These negative emotions were real and undeniably present.

But Michael knew that those emotions wouldn’t solve anything.

To hold the pressure, to sit at the helm of Sony Columbia, and to go head-to-head with another CEO, he wasn’t without skills, and he wasn’t going to give up so easily.

There was still time.

He shouldn’t be focused on a temporary win or loss, nor should he lose his cool over hitting a short-term roadblock.

Right now, controlling the situation and resolving the issue was paramount. He had to prove to the board that he was still valuable, that they should keep him and wait for the storm to pass.

Taking a deep breath in and then slowly exhaling, Michael regained his composure and began walking toward the boardroom.

In 2003, despite being well into the internet age, information still didn’t update at the lightning speed of the present day. News was still measured in days or even weeks, not in hours or minutes.

Yet something happened in Hollywood that shocked many—

In just one day, Sony Columbia issued two official statements.

One in the morning, one in the evening.

Such a scenario was extremely rare in Hollywood. Entertainment news wasn’t the stock market, and there was no need for updates to come out so quickly.

But Sony Columbia did it anyway.

In their official statement, Sony Columbia expressed their frustration:

They had sincerely hoped that Anson would recover soon, but considering the doctor’s diagnosis, they had no choice but to consider other possibilities—

Perhaps Anson wouldn’t be able to return to the set within three months.

Although it was painful, the production team was eager to share the movie with the audience, so they had to start exploring second and even third options.

That was the reason behind the auditions with other actors.

“But that is only a last resort.”

In the statement, Sony Columbia firmly reiterated their position.

They never intended to replace Anson and were sincerely hoping for his swift recovery and return to the set. Sam Raimi was still waiting for his Spider-Man to come back.

In Sony Columbia’s dictionary, Anson was the best and only Spider-Man.

Blah, blah, blah—words to that effect.

In short, the auditions were real, but it was only a reluctant move. The replacement rumors were false; Sony Columbia was 100% behind Anson, and the entire production team was waiting for his recovery.

So, all the rumors and gossip could stop.

In the midst of a difficult situation, Sony Columbia had finally shown some decisiveness.

They cut through the confusion swiftly and, at last, gave an official promise—

Anson was still Spider-Man.

Moreover, this time, Sony Columbia brought out Sam Raimi.

Reporters immediately called the director, and the man known for his honesty gave a clever response.

“I’ve been waiting for Anson,” Sam replied.

He didn’t contradict Sony Columbia, but at the same time, he made his own position clear.

The behind-the-scenes tension was something only insiders could truly grasp.

But for Gloria, Blair, and their friends, none of that mattered.

The only important thing was that Sony Columbia had finally backed down, clarifying all misunderstandings in an official statement and reaffirming their support for Anson.

That, in itself, was enough.

If Sony Columbia continued to defy public opinion and replace Anson, they would likely face collective backlash from audiences, the media, and industry insiders alike. The Spider-Man franchise could even face a boycott.

Sony Columbia wouldn’t take that risk.

“Ahhhh! Ahhhh!” Blair screamed in disbelief. “We did it! We actually did it!”

It seemed like nothing had changed. Anson was still playing Peter Parker, as he should have been all along. Everything was simply back on track, and there was no need for celebration.

But in reality, everything had changed. Everyone, including Sony Columbia, could now feel Anson’s influence and power resonating throughout Hollywood and across North America.

It was no longer just media hype or intangible momentum; it was real power, capable of turning the tide with one call.

That was the real takeaway.

Clearly, Anson was making history, quietly shifting the perception of Hollywood, and becoming the next major star after Leonardo DiCaprio.

“This is just the beginning,” Gloria said, her heart swelling with excitement as she hugged her friends, her eyes alight with passion.

They had managed to force a corporate giant like Sony Columbia into such a humiliating retreat, proving once again that the little guy could take down the giant.

Then, Elaine’s eyes widened with a mix of worry and disappointment.

“I wonder how Anson’s recovery is going.”

Amid all the joy, this was undoubtedly a crucial victory.

But they couldn’t forget the reason all of this began, nor could they forget the person they were trying to protect.

One by one, their gazes turned north, toward Mount Sinai Hospital.