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*Chapter 781: Surplus Value*

The nominations for the 75th Academy Awards were officially announced.

Films like Chicago, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Pianist, The Hours, Gangs of New York, About Schmidt, and Far from Heaven were among the standout nominations. Coupled with the growing unease over potential global conflicts, this year’s awards ceremony promised to be filled with drama.

However, none of this mattered to Anson—

Edgar was right: Anson didn’t secure an Oscar nomination.

The competition for Best Actor this year was fierce.

Adrien Brody for The Pianist, Jack Nicholson for About Schmidt, Daniel Day-Lewis for Gangs of New York, Nicolas Cage for Adaptation, and Michael Caine for The Quiet American were the five actors who earned nominations.

Not only Anson but also Leonardo DiCaprio was overlooked.

After returning from the rainforest, Leonardo restructured his career. He went through several agents just to work with Martin Scorsese, even turning down Steven Spielberg's Catch Me If You Can for Gangs of New York. Ultimately, his dream came true—

Not only did he work with Martin Scorsese, but he also got to act alongside Daniel Day-Lewis.

All of this was geared toward winning awards and breaking away from his idol image.

Yet, it ended in failure.

The Academy voters still didn’t recognize Leonardo’s efforts, or perhaps they refused to. The idol image that clung to him like a curse couldn’t be shaken.

So, what hope did Anson have?

The result was entirely expected.

However, things were slightly different. Gangs of New York earned ten nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, yet neither Leonardo nor Cameron Diaz received any recognition. Still, the ten nominations were enough to justify a celebration for the crew.

On the other hand, Catch Me If You Can received only two nominations: Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Score. Christopher Walken, who hadn’t received much recognition during awards season, surprised everyone by making it into the Best Supporting Actor category—a small but welcome surprise.

However, the crew wasn’t exactly thrilled.

Here’s what happened.

Not receiving nominations was expected. DreamWorks and Steven Spielberg didn’t plan on spending money to campaign during such a competitive year. They always knew their chances were slim, so they decided to take it easy and just enjoy being part of the process.

Even if they had received no nominations, the Catch Me If You Can crew wouldn’t have been disappointed.

If they did get nominated? That would have been a pleasant surprise.

At the Golden Globes, Anson was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, which was a great achievement. The crew was elated. Anson continued to rack up nominations throughout awards season, somehow carving out a small place for himself.

However!

When the Oscar nominations were announced, Anson’s name wasn’t on the list. Instead, Christopher Walken, who had received few nominations all season, made it into the final five for Best Supporting Actor.

First of all, congratulations to Christopher—he certainly deserved recognition.

Secondly, it was obvious the Academy voters had a bias against Anson. Feeling guilty, they likely awarded Christopher a nomination as compensation for snubbing Anson.

It’s highly likely that this was a compensatory move.

Of course, this is just speculation; no one can say for sure. But the Catch Me If You Can crew was still left feeling a bit regretful.

Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks both stated publicly that they believed Anson deserved more recognition. Even Christopher Walken said Anson hadn’t been treated fairly.

It wasn’t just the crew—public opinion seemed to align as well. Many media outlets and viewers believed Anson deserved more praise.

You could see this in the film’s unstoppable box office performance—Anson was winning over audiences with his on-screen charm.

But unfortunately, what’s done is done.

At least for this year, Anson wouldn’t be receiving his first Oscar nomination.

However.

That didn’t mean Anson wouldn’t attend the Oscars.

After the Academy announced the nominations, they seemed to sense the public pressure. Though not directly criticized, there was a persistent buzz surrounding Anson, proving just how hot his popularity was at the moment.

So, the Academy responded quickly—

Of course, the Academy wasn’t about to issue a statement specifically for Anson. Instead, they took a smarter, more strategic approach.

They announced the lineup of presenters for the awards ceremony.

In the second batch of announced guests, Anson’s name wasn’t on the list.

However, rumors began to spread that Anson might attend the ceremony. If he did, would he just be a guest, or would he present an award?

The buzz around Anson slowly built.

Then, the Academy announced the third batch of guests.

Still, no mention of Anson.

The chatter and speculation exploded online.

To this, Edgar commented:

“The Academy knows how to play the game!”

This tactic of keeping people guessing had been perfected.

In fact, Edgar had already confirmed that Anson would attend the ceremony. The Academy was supposed to include his name in the third batch of guests, but they didn’t. Instead, they used the speculation surrounding Anson to generate more attention, turning even the guest announcements into a hot topic.

They were squeezing every last drop of value out of Anson.

Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!

Finally, after the buzz reached its peak, the Academy revealed the answer—

Anson Wood.

In the fourth batch of guest announcements, Anson’s name was listed prominently.

Fans rejoiced, and many even applauded the Academy.

See, that’s how you play the game.

Just a short time ago, the Academy was under fire for snubbing Anson. But now, without saying a word, they had turned the situation around and were being praised for inviting him to the ceremony.

The media celebrated the Academy’s boldness, calling it a sign of progress to invite a so-called “pretty boy” like Anson to the Oscars.

Edgar: ???

Once again, the Academy’s leadership showed their experience. The Oscars’ authority and influence were not earned by chance—their crisis management skills were impressive.

But even the Academy, with all its experience, couldn’t control everything.

Some things were simply beyond their grasp.

This time, it was Anson.

While the Academy was using Anson’s popularity to generate buzz, Edgar had been working hard on Anson’s next project.

Finally, it was confirmed: Anson’s next film would be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

*Chapter 782: A Matter of Choice*

During this period, Edgar had been extremely busy, much busier than he ever anticipated.

Award season? He didn’t expect it to be this intense!

First, the Academy was using Anson to create a buzz, and Edgar was doing the same—using the Academy to further promote Anson.

Edgar seized the opportunity to showcase to Sony Columbia: "Look, this is Anson's momentum right now, even the Academy is strategically riding the wave." He used this momentum to gain more leverage in negotiating for Spider-Man 2.

It wasn't direct pressure, not a forceful clash, but a series of subtle nudges to build the right atmosphere.

Edgar and Eve were secretly working behind the scenes, leveraging the Academy's resources to control public opinion, playing the role of the clever strategist who waits to strike.

It was thrilling.

Second, Edgar personally met with Disney to officially begin discussions about The Princess Diaries 2, trying to understand the plans for the sequel.

Third, negotiations for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind were progressing with new variables emerging every day, requiring constant focus to navigate the many parties involved.

When the Oscar nominations were announced, it brought a significant twist: Nicole Kidman, as expected, earned a Best Actress nomination for The Hours.

Moreover, from the overall perspective, Nicole was indeed the frontrunner.

Focus Features found it hard to let go of the "Anson + Nicole" pairing, which meant Edgar had to align with Michelle's strategy.

And that wasn't everything. Other matters kept piling up, making Edgar feel that even 24 hours in a day were not enough.

Finally.

The deal was sealed, and the negotiations for Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind concluded—

Focus Features, Michelle and Charlie, and Edgar found a balance, and the deal ended happily for everyone.

Anson was officially cast as the male lead, Joel, in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, starring alongside Kate Winslet.

Finally!

The breakthrough in negotiations came from Edgar focusing on a key point:

The age gap.

Anson was twenty years old. Of course, in love stories, age isn’t necessarily a barrier, and Hollywood has plenty of films that defy age boundaries. But Eternal Sunshine isn’t that kind of story. If the creative team wanted the audience to focus on the love story without distractions, the casting had to account for this factor.

Kate Winslet was twenty-seven.

Nicole Kidman was thirty-five.

The answer became clear immediately.

The decision was now in Focus Features' hands. Would they lean toward Nicole or Anson?

If Nicole was chosen, then forty-year-old Jim Carrey would be the right fit for the male lead. If Anson was chosen, then Kate Winslet would be the perfect match.

After some brief hesitation, Edgar successfully persuaded Focus Features to go with the younger duo, Anson and Kate, to lead the film.

It worked!

Anson had finally achieved his goal.

But, there was a small problem.

The story of Eternal Sunshine takes place in winter.

Some screenwriters can adjust the timeline of a film without much impact, but not Charlie Kaufman. Every detail he writes is intricately tied to the story. In Adaptation, for instance, the setting had to be summer because the orchids bloom in that season, and the stifling heat drives the characters’ actions. The movie had to be filmed in the summer.

The same goes for Eternal Sunshine. The cold, wintry setting is a subtle reflection of the characters’ internal states and acts as an external obstacle to their emotional journey. You can feel the chill throughout the story.

Naturally, the movie was best filmed in winter.

This meant they needed to move quickly—

After all, winter in the Northern Hemisphere was already halfway over, and time was running out.

In fact, this urgency was one of the reasons Focus Features rushed the negotiations. During the talks, Michelle had been scouting locations, and the crew was already in place. Once the cast was confirmed, they could start shooting immediately.

Once Anson joined the crew, the work schedule and filming timeline would be unpredictable, depending on how well the team meshed, and filled with uncertainties.

So—

Anson might not be able to attend the Oscars.

The choice was in Anson’s hands.

The Oscars? Or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?

Of course, Anson could try to do both—shoot the film while taking a day off to fly to Los Angeles and attend the Oscars. But it wasn’t that simple. Attending the Oscars required extensive preparation, from choosing an outfit to rehearsals, the ceremony itself, after-parties, and media interviews.

One day might not be enough.

Plus, having his mind split between two things could be distracting, and that was the real issue.

The best solution was to make a clear choice.

For Anson, the decision wasn’t hard—

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

If he could attend the Oscars, great; if not, he was always willing to choose the work.

Award shows are all the same—after attending a few, they lose their novelty. But each project is different; the work is the soul of an actor, with every film and every role offering something fresh and exciting.

Besides, Eternal Sunshine was a project Anson had been chasing for so long.

The choice wasn’t difficult at all.

Perhaps the only regret was that Anson couldn’t keep his promise to Hedi Slimane.

Anson called Hedi to apologize, but Hedi, busy with Paris Fashion Week, didn’t mind at all. He even jokingly seized the opportunity.

"No worries, there's always next year. Or the year after that, and the year after that."

It sounded like Hedi was ready to sign Anson up for a lifetime contract with Dior, which made Anson laugh.

Then Hedi revealed his true intention.

"How about another runway appearance?"

That was the real goal.

Anson realized but didn’t hesitate. He agreed quickly, leaving Edgar stunned when he found out—

Given Anson’s current status, walking a runway wasn’t a small deal. How could he just casually agree?

But Edgar didn’t dwell on it, knowing it wasn’t worth getting sidetracked by minor issues.

It seemed to Anson that Edgar was a bit…

Happy about missing the Oscars.

At first, Edgar fulfilled his agent duties by pretending to persuade Anson, saying, "After all, it’s the Oscars, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" But when Anson asked, "Are you sure?" Edgar dropped the act, revealing his true feelings.

"Honestly, it's no big deal. Not attending is just fine."

That downplayed it, but in reality, Edgar was almost itching for action, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

Chapter 783: Unmasking

TMZ: "Anson Wood's new project set to begin, possibly missing the Oscars."

This headline popped up on TMZ's official website.

TMZ, the gossip site that took the internet by storm last summer, has quickly grown in just six months, becoming a new hub for gossip exploration among the younger generation. All eyes are glued to it the moment it breaks news.

As Edgar said, missing the Oscars isn’t a big deal. More than a few actors have declined Oscar invitations before.

Aside from big names like Woody Allen and Katharine Hepburn, who would rather stay at home than attend, scheduling conflicts are the most common reason for skipping the event.

Filming commitments, stage performances, or tours—these work obligations often leave stars unable to attend. In a choice between work and the Oscars, many pick work, and while the Academy might not like it, they have to accept it.

But... Anson Wood?

From the public's perspective, for an idol like Anson, the dream is to appear on the Oscar stage. After all, countless "idol stars" would do anything just to walk the Oscar red carpet. Even if they’re just standing in a corner, their fans would be overjoyed, trembling with emotion over a single photo.

For idols, exposure and attention are often more important than their actual body of work, right?

When it comes to the Oscars, every other commitment can wait.

So, is TMZ's report completely false?

Not exactly. TMZ did add a question mark: “may miss the Oscars."

Suddenly, netizens understood. "May miss" really means, "Despite being busy with work, it’s the Oscars—Anson will find a way to attend, even if just for a brief appearance."

So, is this just a publicity stunt?

On one hand, it builds Anson’s professional image and increases his market value. On the other hand, he’ll still show up at the ceremony, maintaining good relations with the Academy.

Managing both his image and hype, Anson wins public favor while demonstrating his skill in handling different social situations. It’s a masterclass in PR.

A genius move!

TMZ’s article, like a small pebble, disrupted the calm, sending ripples across the media landscape.

The Academy, however, was irritated—like they’d swallowed a fly.

Why would TMZ drop this bombshell after the Academy teased Anson’s appearance at the Oscars?

No way the Academy would believe there was no behind-the-scenes maneuvering.

Whether Anson attends or not, the hype has already taken off. Even the Oscars are now a stepping stone for Anson’s headlines.

More importantly, the Academy has to keep its composure and act carefully.

Publicly, they ignore gossip from sites like TMZ. Behind the scenes, they maintain their distance, refusing to check in with Edgar again. After all, Anson already confirmed he’d attend, so why wouldn’t he?

So, the Academy remained silent.

And as things unfolded, the Academy’s assumptions seemed to be correct.

The *LA Times* reported: "Confirmed! Anson Wood and Kate Winslet to collaborate for the first time in Charlie Kaufman’s new, untitled project."

The *New York Times* added: "Anson Wood is already in New York preparing for his new role, with filming expected to start next week. He might not make it to the Oscars."

*Hollywood Reporter* chimed in: "Anson Wood is fully immersed in his new role; the Oscars have been put on the back burner."

And *Entertainment Weekly* quoted Anson himself: “I’d love to attend the Oscars, but if it conflicts with my schedule, I’ll prioritize my work as an actor.”

The *New Yorker* further quoted Anson: "The Oscars are a rare opportunity, but this new project is a rare challenge. I don’t want to miss out."

Step by step, the news grew more intense. But words like "might," "probably," and "depending on the situation" kept cropping up. Every article seemed to suggest that Anson would, in the end, attend the Oscars—the hottest star in Hollywood couldn’t miss the industry's biggest event.

Of course, just as expected.

Netizens were smug: “We knew it.”

The Academy also breathed a sigh of relief, confident in their position.

Until—

TMZ: “Breaking: Confirmed, Anson will not attend the Oscars.”

Wait, is this for real?

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

The public erupted, but with skepticism—TMZ’s sources still lacked authority.

Hesitation lingered until the news was officially confirmed.

The *New York Times*: “Anson Wood will not be attending the Oscars in three weeks—‘It’s unfortunate, but I believe I’ve made the right choice.’”

Boom. A real bombshell.

Even the *New York Times* made it the top story in its entertainment section.

A tidal wave of shock.

Everyone was stunned.

The shock was so overwhelming that no one knew how to respond. One by one, people fell silent, processing the news as the world seemed to spin faster.

Everyone’s gaze turned to the Academy—

"Oscars, what now?"

It was like a slap in the Academy’s face.

Not long ago, the Academy had been riding high, using Anson's star power to drum up excitement, smiling while soaking up the attention.

Now, with those smiles still lingering, the slap landed, leaving them stunned.

Of course, the Academy wasn’t completely blindsided.

How could they be?

Edgar had formally notified the Academy by email, expressing regret and disappointment. He stressed how much Anson wanted to attend the Oscars but ultimately had to prioritize his work, thanking the Academy for the invitation.

With such heartfelt sincerity, the Academy had no choice but to keep quiet—swallowing their pride.

Edgar’s approach left no room for further discussion. What more could the Academy say?

What really embarrassed the Academy was how quickly the news leaked.

Right after Edgar informed them of Anson’s decision, the Academy was frustrated but not overly concerned. After all, the Oscars would still be full of stars; losing one wouldn’t hurt. They just needed to come up with a strategy to maintain their dignity—

No rush, they’d been flaunting Anson’s appearance for a while.

But before they could strategize, the news leaked.

First TMZ, then the *New York Times*. The Academy couldn't believe Edgar wasn’t behind it, and suddenly they were caught in a very public firestorm.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

*Chapter 784: A Graceful Exit*

The atmosphere was subtly tense.

For the longest time, the general public had been confined within the framework of stereotypes, with their first reaction to any situation being to blame the "pretty faces."

This time was no different.

After various news reports surfaced, people instinctively labeled Anson as the mastermind behind the publicity stunt.

What’s more, in the "Anson vs. The Academy" scenario, public opinion easily sided with the Academy, believing that this was all just another publicity stunt by Anson. Many were convinced he wouldn’t miss the Oscars, thinking it was simply a ploy to boost his fame like a typical celebrity move.

Even Charlie Kaufman was dragged into the mess.

How ridiculous.

Public opinion seemed one-sided.

But then, something unexpected happened—completely shocking everyone as the situation took a sharp, 180-degree turn, blowing away all predictions.

Anson was actually going to miss the Oscars. What?

So, what exactly happened here?

One possibility is that it’s still all part of Anson’s self-promotion, perhaps for a new project.

But here's the thing: this is Charlie Kaufman we’re talking about—a maverick known for doing things his own way, someone who doesn’t care for or need publicity stunts.

Because even if he did try to promote the film, it wouldn’t necessarily draw people into the theaters.

Sad as it may sound, that’s the truth.

Taking a step back and looking at it from another angle, the mere fact that Anson chose to work with Charlie Kaufman is telling enough:

It wasn’t about box office numbers or awards, but purely because he admires Kaufman’s work and wanted to make something that truly interests him.

After two back-to-back box office hits, Anson, now able to make his own choices, decided to take on a project as an actor that reflects his own preferences—not as a romantic comedy prince or a superhero in a big-budget movie, but as a part of a quirky, unclassifiable film by a true visionary.

That’s… honestly unbelievable.

Now, it seems Anson isn’t just a pretty face or a celebrity with a label; he’s an actor with a brain—maybe even smarter than anyone gave him credit for.

Impressive.

Publicity stunt?

Now, it seems like a joke.

If Anson was really trying to stir up buzz, would he have chosen Charlie Kaufman’s film? Why not stick with "Spider-Man 2"? Sony-Columbia would’ve gladly capitalized on the Oscars buzz to promote the sequel.

But he didn’t.

So, if this isn’t a publicity stunt, what’s really going on?

Is it all just a coincidence?

Or is there another possibility—the Academy?

As wild as it sounds, and despite how absurd and laughable it might be, the idea doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore.

Here’s one theory: Anson was negotiating to join Kaufman’s project and couldn’t confirm his schedule, leaving his Oscar attendance uncertain.

The Academy knew this. Either they were confident Anson wouldn’t miss the ceremony, or they decided to use the uncertainty to their advantage, hyping up his appearance for publicity.

In any case, the Academy released the guest list early, teasing the media and audience, creating a buzz.

Meanwhile, Anson, caught in a tricky situation, tried his best to cooperate with the Academy, showing sincerity by not publicly calling out the publicity facade.

But in the end, when things couldn’t be resolved, Anson had to make a choice—

He stuck to his job as an actor and regretfully decided to miss the Oscars.

Even if it was the Oscars.

So now, who’s really behind the publicity stunt?

All eyes shifted quietly toward the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The Academy, on the other hand, was left in a tough spot, unable to explain themselves.

What could they say?

First, it’s all just rumors.

Despite the speculation, no one had openly accused the Academy of using Anson for a publicity stunt. But if they came out with an explanation now, wouldn’t that be admitting to the rumors?

Second, even if the Academy wanted to clear their name, what could they say?

Explain the whole backstory?

The key point is this: while Anson isn’t completely innocent, the Academy isn’t spotless either. Both sides had their own agendas.

The Academy tried to leverage Anson’s fame, while Anson pushed back against their arrogance.

Even if everything was made public, it would end in a lose-lose situation. Sure, the Academy might come out slightly ahead thanks to their power and connections, but at the cost of damaging their own reputation over such a minor issue.

In truth, the Academy’s leadership was still reeling from shock.

In Hollywood, the Academy doesn’t control everything, and the leadership can’t sway the voting of its members. But never underestimate the Academy’s influence. With their connections, it would be easy to subtly undermine Anson and make his career difficult.

Take this situation, for example. The Academy didn’t need to do anything drastic. Just perpetuating the "pretty face" image of Anson could ensure he wouldn’t receive an Oscar nomination for the next five to ten years, cutting off his future with the awards entirely.

The Academy believed that even if Anson didn’t know this, his agent certainly did.

They thought Anson would quietly swallow the Academy’s scorn, but to their surprise, Anson fought back—and did so fiercely.

That’s what shocked the Academy the most.

They couldn’t explain it, but they couldn’t stay silent either.

So, the Academy was caught in a difficult position, forced to maintain their air of authority without saying a word.

The situation had reached a stalemate.

Just as everyone thought the Academy had embarrassingly botched their publicity, The Los Angeles Times managed to land a phone interview with Anson.

“I wanted to attend the Oscars. Believe me, I needed the chance to promote myself.”

“So, I kept trying to rearrange my schedule until the very last moment, but then I realized I shouldn’t be so selfish. If I want to be a real actor, I need to learn how to make sacrifices.”

“Though I deeply regret missing the Oscars, I hope one day I’ll walk the red carpet with my own work.”

This was the only interview Anson gave after announcing his absence, and it immediately drew all the attention.

Lighthearted, honest, and reflecting his role as an actor.

He even helped the Academy save face.

With a bit of self-deprecating humor, Anson brushed off the publicity rumors, making the speculation seem childish. At the same time, he redefined himself as an actor and showed respect for the Oscars, defusing the situation without anyone realizing it.

The whirlwind of rumors quietly settled down.

*Chapter 785: Drawing a Line*

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS): feeling a little aggrieved.

Anson had already said everything—both good and bad—playing both the villain and the hero. After stabbing someone in the back, he then graciously helped bandage the wound with a smile.

Something about this didn’t feel right.

Normally, the Academy issues commands from on high, and even if they used Anson to stir up media buzz, it would be considered an honor for him—at least the Academy was paying him attention. But now, the roles had completely reversed, and the Academy, disoriented, had become a puppet, dancing to Anson’s strings.

This...

However.

Could they refuse this olive branch?

Probably not—the Academy had no choice but to accept.

Not only the media and the general public, but even the Academy’s members had seen everything unfold. Hollywood insiders, well-versed in its politics, couldn’t help but admire Anson for pulling off such a brilliant move. He not only made the Academy look good but also preserved its dignity and image, earning widespread respect.

At this point, the truth didn’t matter anymore—it was all about appearances.

No matter how the Academy responded, Anson had already smoothly made his exit.

A slap in the face, a bit of manipulation, and yet he walked away unscathed. The saga of "Anson vs. The Academy 1.0" had taken a dramatic turn and reached an unexpected conclusion.

This was something the Academy hadn’t foreseen at all.

Now, they realized Anson’s rise wasn’t pure luck. "Spider-Man" might have been lucky, "Catch Me If You Can" might have been a coincidence, but after a third instance, it became clear—this wasn’t random. There was more going on behind the scenes than met the eye.

So, was this twenty-something really not to be underestimated?

Here’s the kicker: Anson had been in Hollywood for nearly three years, and everyone was well aware of his connections and family background. Yet no one had found anything unusual. How could that be explained?

The more they thought about it, the more suspicious it became. If even Hollywood’s network couldn’t dig anything up, could he actually be a hidden aristocrat?

Otherwise, how could Anson rise so quickly in just one year and maintain such poise and control under the intense spotlight?

Anson’s response to this: “I’m innocent.”

The narrative was spiraling out of control.

Then.

The Academy finally issued an official response.

"Though it’s unfortunate, we believe the stage belongs to the actors and their performances. We look forward to seeing Anson back next year with a project that will shine once again."

Short and sweet.

At the same time, they subtly indicated that Anson would return. After all, no one could refuse the Oscars—it was as simple as that.

There’s always next year.

With that, the matter seemed to be settled.

Who would’ve thought that whether Anson attended the Oscars could become such a hot topic, sparking a chain reaction?

It once again highlighted Anson’s influence.

But!

The most unbelievable part? This wasn’t the end! No one had anticipated the unexpected twists to come.

Things had just started calming down.

On one side, Anson stayed in New York and joined the cast of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" to begin filming, hoping to wrap production quickly before winter ended.

On the other side, the Oscars were proceeding on schedule. Despite Anson’s absence, Hollywood’s elite were still scrambling for a spot on the red carpet, as the Oscars never lacked for buzz.

At this point, Anson’s connection with this year’s Oscars seemed over.

Then, the White House officially announced the start of the Iraq War.

That sent shockwaves rippling across the globe, with Hollywood included.

Hollywood’s stance had always been clear—anti-war. The White House’s announcement caused an uproar, with criticism and condemnation flooding in from all sides, targeting Washington.

In the midst of this, the Oscars found themselves in an awkward position.

If they went ahead, the glitz and glamour might seem inappropriate, and the ceremony could turn into a platform for actors to make political statements, diverting attention from the awards.

If they canceled, it would look like they were backing down, avoiding the issue, and showing cowardice in the face of a major global event.

They were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Amid all the outcry, the voices calling for the cancellation of the 75th Academy Awards grew louder. Many, including actors, media outlets, and the public, felt the Academy should take a stand and, like in the past when the Oscars had been canceled due to war, show a clear position.

Once again, the Academy found itself in the hot seat.

And this time, it was really sweating.

Unintentionally, Anson was pulled back into the fray.

“Look at Anson—that’s what a responsible Hollywood actor should do.”

“He distanced himself from the Academy long ago.”

“Anson could’ve attended if he wanted to. Even while filming, it wouldn’t have been an issue. But he refused, turning down this crucial opportunity to showcase himself, making a statement as an actor. That’s a role model.”

Uh, didn’t Anson refuse to attend before the White House’s announcement?

But online, no one cared. Anson became a hero, praised for his principles and courage, willing to risk his career to stand up to the Academy’s spineless elites. Overnight, he was showered with praise.

And this narrative? It took off like wildfire.

Soon, several guests announced that if the Academy went ahead with the Oscars, they would consider boycotting the event.

This included Nicole Kidman.

Suddenly, the Academy was in a bind, facing an incredibly tough decision—standing at a crossroads in history.

Rumors swirled. Some said the ceremony would be postponed by a month, others that it would be canceled altogether. But after much back and forth, the Academy finally displayed boldness and resolve—

The ceremony would go on, but the red carpet would be canceled.

The Academy stated that, in moments like these, filmmakers needed to show unity and courage. Rather than avoiding the issue, they should use the stage to make their voices heard, harnessing the power of cinema to change the world.

Once this was announced, Hollywood exploded like boiling water.

Aki Kaurismäki, Michael Moore, Spike Lee, and other confirmed Oscar attendees immediately declared they would boycott the event in protest.

Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and several past Oscar winners also voiced their decision to skip the ceremony, causing an even bigger stir.

Now, every invited guest had to consider:

Should they attend? And if they did, what message should they send?

The Oscars had become a hot potato, caught in a delicate situation.

Meanwhile, Anson, having already confirmed his absence, was buried in work on his new film. As the rest of Hollywood buzzed with activity, he was far removed from the chaos, back to the grind.

Lucky, without a doubt.