996-1000

Chapter 996: Full Power

"Three, two, one, action."

Mr. Azzi was visibly irritated, like a flea that couldn’t stay still.

"For god's sake, someone ordered a pizza twenty-one minutes ago."

He didn't even bother looking at Peter, instead turning to enter the pizza shop, muttering angrily to himself, his chest burning with rage.

"Hamilton, Burton & Smith Law Firm, eight thick crust supreme pizzas..."

Before he could finish speaking, he turned and saw the two Italians making pizzas and couldn’t believe his eyes. His temper flared instantly.

"Blah blah... @#%&$ blah..."

He shouted in a torrent of Hindi, a language switching that rendered his already thickly accented English almost incomprehensible.

The Italians behind the counter were not about to back down, angrily gesturing back while shouting, "I told you, I don't understand that language."

"Speak English!"

Mr. Azzi didn’t hold back either, shouting right back, "Hell, you can’t make pizza!"

"I can’t make pizza? I've been making pizza for five years."

"Shut up!" Mr. Azzi shouted at the Italian man, as if an angry bull thrashing about in the small pizza shop.

Nearby, an onlooker was eating his pizza, holding it in his mouth, his right hand pulling the rest as the cheese stretched without breaking. His eyes darted back and forth between Mr. Azzi and Peter, as if captivated by the drama.

In the span of a second, his gaze shifted at least seventy or eighty times, completely unable to hide his excitement.

Mr. Azzi’s attention was clearly not on the bystander. He strode behind the counter, giving a slap to the sign hanging on the inner wall of the restaurant—

"Joe’s Pizza: Guaranteed in 29 Minutes."

Mr. Azzi kept grumbling, "If it doesn’t get there in eight minutes, it’ll be past the guaranteed twenty-nine minutes, and then I don’t get paid. And on top of that, this big customer is going to switch to 'Yurt's Pizza'."

Peter stood in front of the counter, looking exhausted. He took a deep breath to steady himself. "Why don’t you just send Salim?"

Mr. Azzi: "Salim got fired yesterday."

Peter: ...

Mr. Azzi was about to say more but was interrupted, "Excuse me, where’s my cheese pizza?"

"Him, 'Mr. Smile’." Without turning, Mr. Azzi pointed to the Italian behind him, yelling like a lion, not even looking at the customer. He turned back to the despairing Peter. "I'm counting on you now, alright?"

"You need to get it there on time."

Taking a deep breath, Mr. Azzi forced a smile, but it looked more like an evil grin from a cartoon villain. "Peter, you’re a good guy, but you’re unreliable. This is your last chance."

Peter was startled.

Mr. Azzi showed no mercy, "You have to cross forty-two blocks in seven and a half minutes, or you're fired."

Peter was stunned, trying to argue for himself, but his thoughts and words got stuck.

The bystander’s eyebrows were dancing as he used his tongue to roll the cheese into his mouth, his expression utterly exaggerated.

Mr. Azzi stared blankly at Peter, then turned to grab the tall stack of pizzas and put them on the counter.

Bang.

Pushing the pizzas forward, he and Peter stared at each other. Mr. Azzi's mouth curved into a smile—an empty, emotionless grin—but seeing Peter not responding, he immediately frowned and roared like a lion.

"Go!"

It was like thunder in a clear sky, the roaring waves opening to swallow Peter whole.

Peter’s knees bent slightly, instinctively taking a small step back, driven by survival instinct to put distance between them.

A beat late, Peter finally found a trace of rationality in the storm: save the job.

He grabbed the stack of pizza boxes and rushed out of the pizza shop.

Snap.

The bystander's cheese string finally broke, leaving him frozen in place.

"Cut!"

Sam halted the filming.

This time, before Sam could say anything, someone in the crew couldn’t hold it in.

Pfft.

They let out a laugh, and then a murmur of laughter quickly spread throughout the crew.

This was definitely comedy.

Whether it was Asif's rhythmic speech, his almost incomprehensible curry-accented English, the natural comedic timing paired with his eye rolls and mumbling, or Anson's cartoonish reactions, from his expressions to his body language, all of it had a certain absurdity to it. Then add in the attention-grabbing bystander with his perfectly timed reactions, and the chemistry of the scene exploded.

It was too funny!

Sam looked at the crew, bewildered, glancing left and right. Finally, he couldn’t hold it in, and the tension in his mouth relaxed.

The chemistry in this scene had been completely unexpected.

Asif deserved applause. There was no sign of the earlier stumbling—his lines, his accent, his expressions—everything was perfect, and his portrayal of an irritating boss was masterful. The slightly exaggerated comic book style wasn't overdone but carried an underlying humor.

Moreover, such a long line, with the focus of the entire scene on Asif's shoulders, was delivered in one go without a single stumble—

No wonder Anson had suggested shooting this scene now. Asif was clearly in the zone.

Sam loved Asif's subtle facial expressions; they were beyond words and brought the character to life more than lines ever could.

Sam thought for a moment and spoke through his walkie-talkie to the pizza shop, since he was standing behind the monitor at the street corner, far from the camera. Shouting wouldn't have worked.

"Excellent." Sam said, then thought, "Asif..."

Asif's heart tightened, and he held his breath, swallowing dryly.

"Brilliant performance." Sam’s praise made Asif clench his fist, exhaling long. "Let's do it again. This time, Asif, make your expressions... a bit more animated. We’ll add more comedic effect. Be more emotionally exaggerated with the employee, the customer, Peter."

"Basically, just follow your instincts, and slightly exaggerate the details. I know you can nail it."

Having his work recognized, Asif felt warmth surging in his chest, with countless words stuck in his throat, not knowing how to express them. In the end, he simply said, "No problem." He paused. "Thank you, Director."

Sam also paused, his thoughts churning. "You should thank Anson."

Asif quickly looked at Anson, mouthing silently, "Thank you."

Anson returned a smile.

Sam continued, "Anson... everything’s great, just do it as you see fit. We’ll do one more take, and then get some close-ups. Anson, the close-ups will focus mainly on you. Let's give the audience a good look at our Spider-Man."

Surprisingly, Sam even cracked a small joke.

*Chapter 997: A Bit of Adjustment*

Somewhat unexpectedly, Sam made a small joke—something that was truly rare.

After saying it, Sam realized it as well, feeling a bit awkward. This wasn't his usual behavior, but he adjusted his posture slightly, trying to relax.

The pressure was real and would likely continue until the movie premiered.

Yet, this brief work session made Sam realize he wasn't the only one under pressure. Anson, like him, bore the weight of massive public expectations—just like Hayden Christensen did for "Star Wars: Episode II." When the film faced criticism, Hayden became the scapegoat for countless passionate fans. If George Lucas was overwhelmed by criticism, then Hayden faced even more, possibly two or three times as much.

Now, Anson was in a similar situation.

However, was Anson nervous?

No, not at all.

On the contrary, Anson fully enjoyed himself. Even when he wasn't the focus of a scene, he used his energy to spark a chemistry on set.

In this scene, Peter Parker was weary, tired from being caught in the whirlwind of life. He had to fulfill his responsibilities, all while worrying that Aunt May might discover his secret identity, putting her in danger as it happened before. Because of this, Peter moved out and rented a small apartment.

Juggling school, work, and the pursuit of justice had Peter caught in a mechanical routine, with his soul lost amidst the endless hustle.

So, when Peter faced Mr. Aziz, he was exhausted and sluggish.

On one hand, he struggled to transition quickly between being a superhero and his busy work. On the other hand, his mind was crowded with too many thoughts without the time to address them, leading to slow reactions and being out of sync.

Clearly, this version of Peter Parker was a bit different from people's expectations.

The challenge here was that Peter's introduction needed to pique the audience's curiosity—what had happened to Spider-Man? But at the same time, it had to avoid alienating viewers since this wasn’t the Spider-Man they hoped to see. Striking the right balance was key.

Anson's performance managed to solve this issue.

Adding a slight comic-book flair to his acting, like a seasoning, instantly transformed the bitterness of the scene into self-deprecating humor, lightening the atmosphere.

This was both a fact and a pleasant surprise.

Sam appreciated Anson—not because Anson was the undisputed lead of the film or because he was the hottest star in Hollywood at the moment. Sam honestly believed:

Anson was genuinely a good actor.

And that wasn't all.

Anson's dedication and presence naturally triggered a response from the other actors. A subtle atmosphere spread on set, and the final result of the scene wasn't what Sam had initially planned, but it pleasantly surprised him, sparking new ideas for the direction of the film.

Sam, being from a background in horror movies, had a special interest in darkness and gore. Crafting a terrifying atmosphere was his forte, and since "Spider-Man 2" had a somewhat heavier core theme, the overall tone of the movie was intended to be darker than its predecessor.

However, Sony Columbia was concerned that the soap opera aspects of school life might clash with the dark, suspenseful tone, and they had multiple discussions with Sam about this.

This issue remained unresolved.

With this in mind, Sam had just instructed the cinematographer to closely follow Anson's movements—not to create a documentary feel with handheld cameras but to create a sense of pressure and tension, letting the audience feel Anson's struggle, running all over the place. This was a classic thriller/suspense movie technique.

Now, Sam had some inspiration. Perhaps they could incorporate some black humor, like in campus thrillers such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" or "Scream," to add chemistry.

It wasn't about changing the film’s style but using some seasoning to enhance the experience, like adding sugar to food to bring out the salty and savory flavors. The sugar might be subtle, but it's essential.

Making a movie, in some ways, is like cooking.

Of course, the actors remain at the core.

Sam's gaze returned to Anson, and he felt slightly more confident.

Inside the pizza shop, Anson was chatting and laughing with one of the extras.

Asif wasn’t surprised when he saw this. Waiting for Anson to return, he raised his chin slightly, signaling, "What were you chatting about?"

"Thanking him for his great performance, and then we talked about our favorite comedy films. He's a huge fan of Buster Keaton. Now we know where his acting style comes from," Anson replied casually.

During the peak of Marvel superhero movies, adjusting the narrative rhythm with humor from extras or subtle details became a refined technique. All sorts of gags were woven seamlessly into the main storyline, creating the foundation for the film's widespread appeal and fan excitement.

Anson wasn't a director; he didn't know exactly how to insert those gags—Marvel's later films failed to do so too, often descending into childish slapstick—but as an actor, he could start with his performance.

A facial expression, a movement, a glance.

It wouldn’t disrupt the film’s pacing or require a particular focus on the acting detail. It would be like an Easter egg, hidden in the scene, waiting for the audience to discover.

Anson thought he could give it a try—

Buster Keaton, after all, was a legendary comedian.

Anson looked at Asif, rubbing his hands together eagerly, "What do you think?"

Asif hesitated, "Me?"

Anson said, "Yes, you. We need to put on a good show next, don't we?"

Gulp.

Asif swallowed, his heart pounding uncontrollably as he looked at the eager Anson. A sense of indescribable enthusiasm burst forth in his chest.

Under an unbelievable amount of pressure, "Spider-Man 2" officially announced the start of filming.

According to incomplete statistics, over three hundred media outlets gathered on the streets of Manhattan on the first day of filming—an unprecedented special treatment.

Even when "Titanic" declared itself the most expensive production ever, or when "Star Wars: Episode I" started filming, or when stars like Will Smith began "Men in Black II" or Tom Cruise began "Mission Impossible II," there wasn’t such fanfare.

It was just the first day of shooting, yet the media came out in full force, eager not to miss a single highlight.

This scene alone easily made history, once again serving as significant proof of Hollywood reaching a new peak.

There was an uproar, even within Hollywood—many questioned if it was really necessary.

Nevertheless, it happened.

Even though the crew didn’t allow media interviews, reporters still flocked to the scene, their cameras all pointed toward the production.

This was true fame.

*Chapter 998: The Effect of Publicity*

*All Hands On Deck.*

*In the Spotlight.*

"Spider-Man 2" has just started filming, and it's already effortlessly setting records and making history, proving its overwhelming popularity once again. The hype is almost ridiculous—it's just the start of filming, but is it really that big of a deal?

However, the true professionals understand that the brand value of "Peter Parker + Anson Wood" has now far exceeded expectations. The incredible influence surpasses even Leonardo DiCaprio's, making Anson arguably Hollywood's current leading star in terms of popularity and attention.

And that's not all.

The media worked together to capitalize on the moment—motivated by their own goals, Sony Columbia's promotions, and the hype on social media. It was a confluence of factors.

Does anyone remember the incident of the stolen Spider-Man suit before the first movie started filming?

Back then, Sony Columbia offered a $25,000 reward, sparking media speculation. Many thought it was a publicity stunt orchestrated by Sony Columbia to draw attention to the production, especially since the New York police could not find any leads after a long investigation.

Because of this, paparazzi went to extreme lengths to capture photos of Anson in his Spider-Man costume, which became a hot topic in the entertainment world.

And what happened then?

For a long time, there were no leads, and the incident quietly faded away. People began to believe it was all a play scripted by Sony Columbia.

However, after eighteen months of investigation, the NYPD announced they had solved the case. Based on a tip, they finally found the suspect.

It turned out that it was a former security guard at the costume workshop. He had kept the four stolen suits, hoping to eventually sell them for a good price. But the reward from Sony Columbia was always there, and after Spider-Man became a massive success, the costumes became too famous to sell easily. They turned into hot potatoes, and eventually, a close friend betrayed him.

Sony Columbia paid $25,000 to the tipster.

Boom, boom, boom.

The news exploded—

It was true? The workshop really had been robbed?

The debates surged.

One camp insisted this was still all staged by Sony Columbia, and the so-called former security guard was just a scapegoat. How else could the robbery conveniently happen before the filming of "Spider-Man," and the case be solved just before "Spider-Man 2" started production?

Another group believed that the theft was real. They argued the sequence of events was quite convincing but suspected that Sony Columbia delayed the announcement of the solved case until "Spider-Man 2" began filming to create buzz.

In other words, whatever the case may be, Sony Columbia's influence was behind it all.

Of course, some people thought it was all just a coincidence.

The theft of the costume was simply because "Spider-Man" was about to start filming, and the security guard thought it might be valuable. The tipster chose this moment to come forward because "Spider-Man 2" was starting production, and the news was back in the public eye—he wanted to make sure Sony Columbia was ready to cash the reward check.

The situation could be interpreted as a conspiracy or as something simpler.

But does any of this matter?

The answer is no.

Journalists aren't Sherlock Holmes, and whether this was a real crime or a publicity stunt is ultimately irrelevant. No journalist is willing to invest time in a deep investigation, and even if they proved it was all manipulated by Sony Columbia, it wouldn't change anything.

The only thing that really matters is that the news grabbed the spotlight.

With the case solved, the four costumes were finally revealed. People realized that the suit seen in the movie had undergone multiple changes during development. These four suits demonstrated the designer and team’s process of constant revision—no doubt, they were collectibles.

Following this, the design team behind Spider-Man's suit announced that there would be changes and upgrades for "Spider-Man 2."

They created thirty-five suits for Peter Parker, with each one requiring thirty professionals several weeks to complete, pouring their efforts into the designs. Compared to the first film, the new suits featured over a hundred subtle changes aimed at offering a fresh visual experience while maintaining the original style.

This revelation sent netizens into a frenzy.

Passionate Spider-Man fans began playing "spot the difference," comparing the stolen suits with the final versions used in the first film, trying to deduce potential changes for the sequel.

Eventually!

Some fans even sketched their imagined version of Spider-Man's new suit—

Some drew it with golden accents, others with black touches.

This evolved into a small-scale activity, with more and more fans joining in, eventually turning into an imaginative, creative outlet.

In 2003, before the social media boom, when people still relied on forums and instant messaging for daily interactions, such a phenomenon was truly unexpected—remarkable even. It highlighted just how deeply Spider-Man was beginning to influence everyday life.

And so—

The buzz fully erupted. There was widespread debate, whether about Sony Columbia's manipulation within the industry or the general public's discussion of the new costume. The topic was on everyone's lips.

Even if this was a publicity stunt by Sony Columbia, considering Anson's star power, the attention on the movie, and the heat of the topic, the media couldn't afford to miss out.

Anson's new look in "Spider-Man 2" became the hottest scoop, with countless lenses pointed at him simultaneously—everyone trying to be the one to get an exclusive shot.

On the first day, it sparked a frenzy.

A bustling crowd gathered, surrounding the set in layers, leaving not an inch of space. Never before had a project attracted so much attention.

Hollywood couldn't help but take notice—

Apparently, a film's publicity could start this early. From the very first day of production, the promotional battle had begun, steadily building anticipation and interest.

Without a doubt, this was an important revelation. Later, many production teams would emulate this, creating news on their first day and releasing press statements, turning it into a common practice—something even the "Spider-Man 2" crew hadn’t anticipated.

And even this was not the end.

The three hundred journalists on-site were just the tip of the iceberg. Besides the media, massive crowds gathered at the blocked-off street corners. All four cordoned-off intersections were packed, with dense crowds as far as the eye could see.

Some reports said there were 1,500 people; others claimed over 5,000.

The numbers varied so much it was hard to get an accurate estimate—obviously, the reporters were just guessing.

The only certainty was that the scene was overwhelming, like a grand music festival where the atmosphere was the highlight rather than the music itself. Everyone was eager for a glimpse of the sequel's filming, even if just scraps that they could later chat about with friends.

Nobody wanted to miss it.

Chapter 999: Smooth Sailing

In the summer of 2003, the summer movie season arrived as expected. Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean unexpectedly took the world by storm, becoming the hottest topic both inside and outside the industry. However, what no one anticipated was that another film could rival Pirates in popularity, Spider-Man 2, which proved once again its massive appeal.

Not only the general public, but even within Hollywood, no one was immune to its influence. Two-thirds of Hollywood was closely following the Spider-Man crew, including directors, producers, PR teams, marketers, and planners.

Of course, actors were no exception.

No matter how big or small their role, anyone involved in the Spider-Man crew instantly became the center of attention among their peers. Then, with a tone full of regret, they’d say, “Sorry, I signed a non-disclosure agreement,” which only fueled curiosity even more. And if they added, “But if I tell you, you can't share it with anyone,” rumors would spread like wildfire across Hollywood.

How much of these rumors were true and how much were fabricated is anyone's guess, but being connected to Spider-Man became a trend. Even those who weren’t in the crew were sure to say, “I have a friend in the Spider-Man crew…”—because no one wanted to feel left out.

While Hollywood was buzzing with rumors about the Spider-Man 2 crew, the cast and crew remained focused on their work, fully immersed in filming and oblivious to the outside noise.

The production was going smoothly, even exceeding expectations.

At first, when Asif had multiple takes of an opening scene, people were worried it might be a bad omen, casting a shadow over the set. But in reality, this wasn't the case at all.

Over the past two years, the actors had grown in their craft, and the chemistry and experience gained from filming the previous installment allowed them to quickly fall into rhythm. Filming progressed without major issues.

The movie’s core trio—Anson, James Franco, and Kirsten Dunst—shared an incredible rapport, making the filming process seamless. Off-camera, the three were always seen together, laughing and chatting, and Anson’s trailer became the hangout spot for the cast. But it wasn’t just fun and games; they often discussed the plot and the film, fostering a creative, welcoming environment.

This openness wasn’t limited to the main cast. Anson, James, and Kirsten invited other actors and crew members into their discussions, regardless of their roles or the size of their parts. The only rule? Don’t interrupt the work.

As a result, a little film club formed on the Spider-Man 2 set, centered around Anson. During breaks, they would crowd into Anson’s trailer to watch movies, with the large space packed full of people. Whether they were participating in discussions, listening in out of shyness, or just indulging their curiosity, everyone was drawn in by the simple and pure passion for film.

Anson joked, “I finally understand the joy of being a film festival organizer.”

His comment drew laughter from the group—even director Sam Raimi was impressed.

Slowly but surely, the pressure and attention surrounding the production started to fade, allowing the crew to focus fully on the movie. This, according to Sam, was the key to their smooth progress, something he hadn’t expected but was grateful for.

Alfred Molina admitted he was filled with doubt when he first joined the production. He regretted it up until the last minute—wondering if he had made a mistake taking on the role of Doctor Octopus.

Alfred was a classic British actor, trained in the theater, and had built his reputation through stage performances. He made his film debut in 1978 with a small role in an indie film, but none of those early films were released. It wasn’t until Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981 that he first saw his face on the big screen.

Since then, Alfred had worked diligently, establishing himself as a reliable supporting actor, appearing in films like Maverick, Magnolia, Boogie Nights, and Chocolat. Despite his consistent work, Alfred, an ordinary middle-aged man without traditional leading-man looks, never quite found the spotlight he desired—no leading roles, no major awards.

Yet Alfred didn’t complain. He knew how many talented actors in Hollywood went unnoticed, so he was grateful for his steady work. But every now and then, he longed for recognition. After all, as an actor, applause from the audience was the ultimate reward. Without it, he was just another blue-collar worker, a cog in the machine.

So when Spider-Man 2 came knocking, he was tempted. He admitted to being a bit of a sellout.

Sam Raimi had been impressed with Alfred’s performance in Frida, even though it hadn’t earned Alfred any award nominations. Sam believed Alfred could handle the complexity of Doctor Octopus, much like Willem Dafoe had with the Green Goblin in the first film.

Alfred agreed to take the role, thinking it was an opportunity he needed. But as the overwhelming attention poured in, he began to regret it. He realized he had underestimated the public’s obsession with Spider-Man 2 and the attention surrounding Anson.

Facing this kind of pressure for the first time, Alfred began to second-guess his decision. Moreover, he was worried about working with Anson. With over 20 years in Hollywood, Alfred had seen his fair share of spoiled actors—those who appeared humble in front of the media but behaved entirely differently on set. Alfred figured the young star, who wasn’t even old enough to drink legally, had probably been spoiled rotten, making the collaboration a nightmare.

Alfred wondered if selling his soul for fame and money had really been worth it.

But he quickly found himself charmed by Anson. The young actor’s charisma made it impossible not to like him, and working with him turned out to be an exciting and enjoyable experience. Even the constant media attention became a non-issue, as both on and off set, the work was filled with challenges and fun.

In the end, Alfred felt that taking on Spider-Man 2 might have been the best decision of his career.

Originally, the first phase of shooting in New York was scheduled to last two weeks, but the crew finished in just ten days.

Everything was going as smooth as silk.

Next, the team was headed to New Jersey for the second phase of filming before returning to New York for the final stretch.

*Chapter 1000: Deceiving Everyone*

“...Charlie, check the second set of equipment. The positioning was off during the last shoot. The support might be a bit loose.”

“Jack, go and confirm the exact angle with the third camera crew. They mentioned that there was a flaw in the crowd scene inside the train car.”

“And someone needs to check the stunt double’s gear.”

Busy, tight, orderly, with chaos yet in perfect sync.

Harry Percy adjusted his fisherman’s hat, pulling it down to cover his face as much as possible. He tried to hide the fact that he was glancing around, avoiding detection at all costs.

After immense effort, he had finally infiltrated the set of Spider-Man 2. The last thing he wanted was to be caught before getting any exclusive scoop—exposing himself before he had the chance to break any news.

The shooting of Spider-Man 2 was running like a well-oiled machine, fast-paced and relentless.

It looked like the security system was loose, but in reality, it was extremely tight, effectively keeping out any prying eyes from the media.

This set up a fierce game of cat and mouse between Harry Percy and the production crew.

Inspired by the film Phone Booth, Harry found a way into a nearby skyscraper, where he could shoot from above using a telephoto lens.

He managed to snap a few photos, but Anson wasn’t wearing the Spider-Man suit; he just looked like any ordinary college student.

Harry didn’t even bother sending the photos to TMZ because they were far from exclusive.

TMZ may not have been interested, but other outlets were. Harry sold them off quickly and made a small profit.

However, so far, no one had captured a single photo of Anson in the Spider-Man suit—it remained a tightly held secret.

Imagine if TMZ could get an exclusive?

If Harry had his way, he’d rather avoid getting too close to Anson. He had learned his lesson after being burned too many times by the actor. He was wary.

But...

After much contemplation, Harry decided to take the risk.

You can’t catch a tiger cub without entering the tiger’s den. There’s also a saying about growing bolder with every setback. He needed to confront his fears to find freedom.

And, of course, to get that exclusive scoop.

Harry sprang into action.

After gathering intel, he concluded that the Spider-Man 2 crew was wrapping up their first phase of filming in New York and heading to New Jersey. The plan was to shoot a critical scene in a studio there.

According to the information Harry had gathered, Sam Raimi had personally planned the entire scene, from inspiration to detailed shot planning. It was clear this was going to be a pivotal scene in the movie.

The scene wasn’t suitable for location shooting, but Raimi also refused to use green screens, insisting on building the set so the actors could perform in real environments, adding CGI effects afterward as needed.

Sony Columbia agreed to this approach.

So, starting last November, the crew began building a studio in New Jersey, meticulously recreating Sam Raimi’s vision to scale.

Now the crew was headed to New Jersey to film this crucial scene.

Based on all the information, it was likely this would be the movie’s climactic final battle between Spider-Man and the villain.

In other words, the chances of Spider-Man appearing in costume were very, very high.

Harry followed the crew all the way to New Jersey.

This was a closed set, unlike the more open shooting locations in New York. The production crew had the place locked down tight, leaving Harry with almost no opportunity to sneak in.

But instead of feeling discouraged, this only confirmed his hunch—

This was definitely the big scene.

Harry bided his time, observing the area for three days. He felt like Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible, his patience somehow thrilling, as though he were in a spy movie.

Finally, Harry figured out the crew's security layout and found a weak point in the otherwise ironclad setup.

After all, this wasn’t a real fortress, and the security system wasn’t completely impenetrable. There were multiple gaps, but all carried risks of exposure. After careful consideration, Harry chose his entry point:

The catering truck.

Every day, the crew shared meals together, and the catering truck was the only outside entity allowed into the set. But because of this, security was extra vigilant, ensuring nothing slipped through the cracks.

Harry’s plan wasn’t to sneak in with the catering truck but to slip in with the team that cleaned up the garbage afterward. After lunch, a crew was responsible for collecting trash and keeping the set clean.

This kind of job was unappealing, even to the catering crew, and the security guards often paid less attention to them, performing only cursory checks.

This was Harry’s opportunity.

With a few Benjamins, Harry bribed a catering team apprentice to fake sick just before departure, leaving a gap in the workforce.

In the resulting scramble, the apprentice introduced Harry as a friend willing to fill in. Harry humbly offered to do any job, and the team reluctantly agreed.

As expected, Harry was assigned to garbage duty.

Harry entered the set with the catering team but didn’t enter the studio right away. Instead, he waited outside, performing small tasks like fetching drinks and ice, staying completely inconspicuous under the watchful eyes of security.

Once lunch was over, he pushed the trash bin into the studio. As usual, security conducted their routine checks but failed to find the camera Harry had hidden beneath the empty drink bottles.

It was a perfect case of “deceiving everyone.”

At least, Harry had taken the first crucial step:

Getting his equipment into the studio.

Inside, the mysterious set unfolded before him like an epic painting.

Everything was exactly as Harry had imagined. It was clear they were shooting a climactic battle scene, and it was a large-scale one:

On the left side of the studio, there was a railway track that spanned the entire width of the set. A real train sat on the tracks, with a green screen at the end for CGI effects.

On either side of the tracks were city buildings that looked incredibly lifelike, resembling Manhattan’s dense lower-east-side residential areas. Unlike other sets that merely painted backdrops, these buildings were fully constructed.

The difference? They weren’t made of steel and concrete but some special material, probably foam, designed to be destroyed without harming anyone.

So, what exactly were they filming?

Harry felt a surge of excitement.

But in the face of extreme excitement, he grew calm.

Instead of sneaking glances around, Harry focused on cleaning up the garbage.

Conveniently, this gave him access to different corners of the set. No one paid attention to a janitor, so he discreetly listened and used his peripheral vision to gather intel.

Meanwhile, his mind raced, trying to figure out the best moment to snap photos.

If he could pull this off quietly, without raising any alarms, then retreat undetected, when TMZ released the exclusive photos, the Spider-Man 2 crew wouldn’t know what hit them. They might even suspect an inside job.

There would be drama, for sure.

And the thought of embarrassing Anson made Harry giddy with anticipation.

But where was Anson now?