731-735

*Chapter 731: Double Crown Champion*

The year-end global box office rankings for 2002 differed slightly from those in North America.

Although the differences weren't vast, they still highlighted the varying preferences across different countries and regions.

The champion was Spider-Man, with $1.27 billion.

The runner-up was The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, with $936 million.

In third place was Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, earning $878 million.

Here, Warner Bros. triumphed with both The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter remaining their ace franchises, despite the second films in both series seeing declines in their box office performances. The challenge for them was to innovate in future films and reverse the downward trend, but they still managed to gain a slight advantage in the fierce competition at the top of Hollywood’s pyramid.

Similarly, Sony Columbia needed to learn from this experience. How to produce Spider-Man 2 was undoubtedly a huge challenge.

However, what was both unexpected yet unsurprising was that Star Wars: Episode II was pushed out of the top three.

The competition was incredibly fierce.

At the same time, this confirmed once again that Star Wars might only be a nostalgic favorite for North American audiences, with little special appeal for other regions.

Or more accurately, audiences in every region have their own cultural traditions, and naturally, their fanaticism differs.

Nevertheless, for Hayden Christensen, it was a difficult situation to digest, again proving the adage, "The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment."

Originally, joining Star Wars was supposed to be a major turning point in his career, possibly leading to smooth sailing in the future. But instead, he hit a wall, and had to watch as Anson surpassed him.

Losing to Spider-Man in a direct battle was bad enough, but then Catch Me If You Can also slightly outperformed it, landing a heavy punch right on the throat.

It was a hard pill to swallow.

Reality is indeed cruel.

However, the so-called disappointment is only relative to the high expectations. In fact, Star Wars: Episode II performed well in overseas markets.

In fourth place was Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, with $645 million.

Fifth place went to Catch Me If You Can, with $642 million.

The former narrowly won by a mere $3 million.

This created a somewhat ironic situation. Although Star Wars: Episode II performed better than Catch Me If You Can in the global box office, it didn’t feel like something worth celebrating—

A strange situation where winning still felt like losing.

Observers, however, would calmly say, "A win is a win," at least there's something to talk about. Otherwise, just look at the films that ranked lower.

In sixth place was Men in Black II, with $440 million.

Seventh was Die Another Day, with $430 million.

Eighth was Signs, with $408 million.

Ninth was Ice Age, with $380 million.

Tenth was My Big Fat Greek Wedding, with $368 million.

The rankings shifted slightly, though these changes were still significant.

The James Bond series continued to maintain its strong appeal in overseas markets, securing a top ten spot.

Meanwhile, Ice Age and My Big Fat Greek Wedding emerged as surprise dark horses, relying on word-of-mouth to gain moderate success in overseas markets. Like Catch Me If You Can, they managed to stay in the top ten.

Surprise after surprise after surprise!

With two films performing exceptionally well, Anson managed to secure spots in the global year-end box office top ten. The rare feat of having two films make the list made him a hot topic worldwide.

According to incomplete statistics, in January alone, 77 media outlets worldwide published exclusive interviews with Anson, and 31 of them featured him on their covers.

And not just in North America.

From Europe to Asia, from Oceania to South America, and even in Africa, Anson’s face and name were appearing everywhere, dominating the spotlight.

Rising!

At the top!

It was hard to tell whether he was still on the rise or had already reached the summit. The only certainty was that Anson’s momentum was still climbing.

His appearance on the cover of People was just the tip of the iceberg.

There was no doubt that 2002 belonged to Anson.

Of course, Anson's achievements were only part of the story. When people looked back on the past year, and when they browsed the North American and global year-end box office rankings, there were other highlights as well.

The biggest surprise in the global rankings wasn’t Catch Me If You Can or My Big Fat Greek Wedding, but a film just outside the top ten.

In eleventh place was Minority Report.

This film, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, performed mediocrely during North America’s summer box office season, falling far below expectations. But with the star power of both Spielberg and Cruise, it managed to stage a comeback overseas.

Globally, it earned $358 million—a solid performance.

However…

Tom Cruise's exorbitant $20 million salary, even with Spielberg opting for a share of the box office revenue to lower costs, still pushed the film’s production budget over $100 million.

After deducting the high distribution and marketing costs, 20th Century Fox barely broke even, and might even incur a small loss. They could only hope for a boost from future DVD sales and rentals.

From this perspective, the media’s widespread declaration that Steven and Tom had hit a stumbling block wasn't without reason. Their performance indeed left much to be desired.

But that's the nature of risk—

The $20 million club!

High expenses and high costs mean the box office results must be exceptional; otherwise, all the risk falls on the film studio, essentially turning them into employees for the actors and directors, which they naturally dislike.

This is why, even though Anson is now flying high at the top of the pyramid, Hollywood studios are still cautious about offering him a $20 million salary.

However!

The $20 million club is one thing, but value for money is another.

As of now, Anson’s meteoric rise has created a very brief window of opportunity before he wises up and demands a $20 million salary. If studios can strike a deal with him within this small window, it would be the perfect scenario.

It’s clear that more than a few producers and studios share this clever idea. In fact, half of Hollywood’s attention is now focused on Anson, which is the true treatment of a superstar.

Then, the following scene unfolded—

In January, while Catch Me If You Can was still in theaters, with its box office performing well but not yet having reached the number two spot on the North American year-end charts, and with most overseas markets yet to release the film, the savvy veterans of the industry who are always watching for opportunities made their move, racing against time.

Right in front of them, they were seizing a window of opportunity.

Project after project was being sent to William Morris Agency. Script after script piled up on Edgar’s desk. Voicemail after voicemail filled up Edgar’s inbox. "Coincidental encounters" were happening all over Los Angeles.

"It's all your fault."

Edgar, sweating and flushed, couldn’t even finish a sentence before gulping down a glass of iced tea, then continued.

"You went on vacation in Napa Valley and turned off your phone, so I became the target of everyone. God, where did they learn these coincidental encounter scenes from? Don’t they know you should never trust the movies?"

"Professionalism. Please, stay professional!".

*Chapter 732: A Lingering Fear*

Breathing heavily, sweat pouring down his back.

Edgar looked a bit disheveled. It was January, but he was sweating like it was the peak of summer. This made Anson's eyes fill with surprise.

Looking at the neat stack of scripts in Edgar's hand, Anson was even more puzzled—

A pile of scripts shouldn't cause this kind of reaction, right? Was Edgar some kind of delicate princess?

Still, Anson offered, "You could have asked Noah for help."

Before the words even settled, Noah, who had been waiting in the kitchen, eagerly turned around as soon as he saw Edgar's empty cup. "Of course, what do you need help with?"

However, Noah was so eager that the tray in his hand almost flew out, nearly turning into a deadly weapon. This scared Edgar enough to make him immediately squat down.

Luckily, Noah controlled it just in time, still unaware of the danger. "Mr. Cook, is there anything I can help with?"

Noah Newman, this young assistant, had been with Anson for a while now. Though he was rash, he was focused and simple-minded, not easily influenced by the outside world. During flash mob events, he had indeed helped Anson quite a bit, acting as half assistant, half bodyguard, willing to do the dirty and tiring work.

In just half a month, Anson had grown accustomed to Noah’s company.

Edgar sighed, "Just be careful with that tray."

Even after being teased, Noah wasn't upset. He obediently nodded, put the tray away, and headed back to the kitchen.

Edgar felt like he had just punched a pillow, but said nothing more. He put down the thick stack of scripts in his hand and noticed Anson’s gaze.

"It's not because of this."

"I'm not strong, but I'm not a pushover either."

"A crazy person just followed me all the way from Los Angeles to Malibu. First, he pretended to bump into me at a coffee shop, then waited for me outside the company, and then at a gas station. I thought I finally lost him, but then I saw him on Highway 1. I was so shocked I nearly swerved into the Pacific Ocean. All this sweat is from being scared."

Such relentless pursuit was dangerous enough to call the police.

Anson had never experienced this himself, but given the recent wave of fan frenzy, he felt a chill. "So what does he want?"

Edgar let out a long breath. "You."

Anson: ...

Edgar saw the expression on Anson's face. "To be precise, he has a project he wants you to join. I've already accepted the script and promised him that I'll read it seriously. If there's any news, I'll contact him. If!"

Anson raised his chin slightly, "So, have you read it?"

In Hollywood, this kind of thing happened every day. Writers who felt underappreciated, producers at the end of their rope, actors who didn't know what else to do—they all tried everything to grab at any lifeline.

And what they usually encountered were lies.

Those agents, producers, directors, and actors mostly just said they would read the script seriously but would toss it into the trash the moment they turned around, not willing to give it a second glance.

Of course, Anson wasn't planning to blame anyone—

After all, there were far too many people in Hollywood who needed saving, discovering, and redeeming. The truly talented ones might be one in ten thousand. Even the people at the top of the pyramid may have been passionate and hopeful before, sincerely wanting to help others, only to be met with disappointment and backlash again and again, eventually becoming indifferent.

Anything was possible.

But this time was different. Edgar might have encountered a stalker, and such people were often very dangerous, only a step away from exploding, so Anson asked the question.

Edgar took a deep breath. "Of course, I read it seriously and gave him my feedback. I don't think the script is right for you."

"In fact, I was very polite. It was a terrible script, completely lacking in talent. I couldn't see any reason why the role had to be you. I think he just wants to use your name to attract investors."

"But he still followed me all the way here, right to your doorstep."

No wonder.

Anson raised his chin slightly.

Edgar sized up Anson for a moment. He thought Anson would be nervous too, but—

He wasn't.

Edgar had to explain further, "I've already notified the police."

Not just for his own safety but also for Anson's.

"How come you're not worried at all?" Edgar glanced at Anson in disbelief.

Anson shrugged. "I trust your ability. You’ll handle it well."

Edgar: ...

Anson continued, "Besides, I don’t think he’s a stalker; it’s just a tactic. Otherwise, he shouldn’t have come to you, because the decision-making power is with me. If he wanted to threaten or force someone, he should have followed me."

Edgar paused. "You mean, he just wanted to scare me."

Anson nodded. "Right. Maybe when the police show up, he’ll run off before they even get close. But this is just my guess. To be safe, you should still pass on the information. Who knows what other crazy plans he might have."

Edgar: ..."Damn it."

He cursed under his breath, a rare sight for the usually smiling Edgar, showing his frustration and anger without hiding it.

But it was just a brief moment.

Taking a deep breath, Edgar regained his composure and returned to his usual demeanor. "Maybe this is a warning."

"Things are different now. Anson, I know you don't like having a lot of people around you, but this kind of thing could happen to you anytime. You need a personal bodyguard for safety."

Anson: ???

Wait, how did this turn to me?

Edgar flashed a sly smile, looking like his plan had succeeded. "By the way, we still need to deal with that guy outside. I’ll check in with the LAPD again, not just here in Malibu."

With that, Edgar stepped outside and got busy again.

Anson was left standing there, utterly confused—

So, did that stalker even exist?

After a while, Edgar came back, having swiftly handled the situation.

Anson squinted at Edgar, who cleared his throat. "Anson, you need to be mindful of your safety."

Edgar finished his statement, looking at Anson with a face full of innocence but with a firm gaze that wouldn't back down.

Anson's eyebrow twitched slightly. "Tell Luca I got it."

Edgar: ...

Cough, cough.

Edgar quietly looked away.

Without needing a reply, Anson knew he guessed right. He rolled his eyes helplessly. "So, I heard you’ve been so busy you’re standing up sleeping lately. Is that true?"

Edgar immediately stood up straight, his expression firm. "Of course it’s true. My phone doesn’t stop ringing 24/7. I’ve set it to silent now."

Anson looked at the troubled Edgar. "I thought that was a good thing. You enjoy being in the spotlight."

Edgar shook his head like a rattle. "No, no, no, I don't like it. I still prefer being behind the scenes. Otherwise, I would have become an actor."

In his words, there was a casual confidence.

To be honest, Edgar wasn't the kind of person who catches your eye immediately, but his low-key and subtle charm grows on you over time.

Anson raised his chin slightly, like a casting director, giving Edgar a once-over. "Yeah, you're made for the big screen."

Edgar: ...

Blinking, Edgar responded enthusiastically, "I specifically brought some after-dinner reading today. If you have time, you might want to check it out."

Chapter 733: Seizing the Opportunity

"Post-dinner reading?"

Anson casually picked up a script and flipped through it. "I thought the main focus this year was 'Spider-Man 2.' And if we also consider the discussions for 'The Princess Diaries 2,' we probably won’t have time for any other projects, right?"

"Yes, 'The Princess Diaries 2'," Edgar replied. Just as many in the industry were eyeing Anson, trying to find an opportunity before he reached the peak of his success with "Catch Me If You Can," Garry Marshall had already made his move.

However, Edgar looked a little concerned.

"Are you sure about joining 'The Princess Diaries 2'? They might not offer a big paycheck and could sneak in extra scenes for you, possibly affecting Anne's role in the movie."

Anson chuckled. "That's where you come in."

Edgar looked over at him.

"I don't want that to happen. It’s 'The Princess Diaries,' and shifting the focus would mess up the script's structure. It could lead to an uneven and chaotic movie, potentially ruining it."

"A supporting role is just that—a supporting role. I'm the sidekick; Anne is the star. So, there’s no need to expect a big payday. I’ll do it as a favor."

Edgar: ???

Seeing Edgar's dumbfounded expression, Anson couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

"Captain, I have friends in Hollywood, too. Don’t be so surprised."

Edgar smiled and shook his head but held back from saying more.

He wanted to point out that Anson wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t unusual in Hollywood for top stars to do a cameo or play a supporting role in a friend's movie just to generate buzz.

But the timing wasn’t right.

At this point, Anson's career was skyrocketing. Once he decided to join, the producers and screenwriters of "The Princess Diaries 2" would likely try their hardest to maximize his value. Even if Anson agreed to a friendly cameo fee, they might not follow his vision for the script and role.

The words were on the tip of Edgar's tongue.

But in the end, he swallowed them.

First, they hadn’t even sat down with the director and producers yet, so there was no need to jump to conclusions.

Second, Edgar understood that "The Princess Diaries" was Anson's big-screen debut, and from a perspective of gratitude and loyalty, he should give the team another chance.

Third, Edgar had originally chosen to represent Anson because, even when others were lukewarm towards him, Anson maintained a calm demeanor. And now, even in the face of massive success, he still held that same mindset.

He shouldn't stand in the way.

His thoughts swirled for a moment.

Then.

Edgar pushed his concerns aside for now and nodded. "Alright, I'll talk to them."

"But."

"Even if it's not this year, the number of projects hoping to get you on board is already overwhelming. They’re trying to strike a deal before 'Catch Me If You Can' hits $300 million at the box office, before you gain even more leverage."

"A variety of projects have already taken over half my office."

"I think we need to give them some kind of response. We also need to prepare for what's next. More choices and more options are always better."

On the surface, it seemed like Anson was on top of the world, having climbed to the peak overnight. But looking at how Leonardo DiCaprio had been treated over the past three years made it clear: everyone wanted a piece of him, but no one treated him as a person. No wonder Leo had retreated into the wilderness to escape.

Edgar didn't want the same fate for Anson.

To avoid such a scenario, the next project choices would be crucial. In Edgar's view, there were two paths.

One was the Tom Cruise route, pushing Anson further into blockbuster territory, turning him into a new icon.

The other was the Tom Hanks route, breaking free from the labels the media and public had put on him, seeking new challenges as an actor.

Including "Spider-Man 2" and "The Princess Diaries 2," Edgar needed to map out a comprehensive and long-term development plan for Anson.

But at the same time, Edgar knew Anson wasn’t some Barbie doll to be moved around at will. Anson had his own ideas and vision, possibly even sharper than his own.

That’s why Edgar was visiting today.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been in such a rush to disturb Anson, who had just returned from vacation—it wasn’t just about planning the next project, but looking ahead to future moves.

However, Anson's focus was slightly different.

"Your office?" Anson raised an eyebrow.

Previously, Edgar had shared an office with three other agents and their assistants, with just one desk of his own. But now?

Edgar was momentarily stunned; he hadn’t expected Anson to notice that detail. But he didn’t deny it. "Yes, I have my own office now."

"Captain, you should’ve told me! I could’ve at least sent some flowers or fruit baskets to help spruce up the place." Anson was genuinely happy for him.

Anson looked a bit curious. "I’m guessing there's a bit of office competition going on?"

Edgar remained calm. "I've already sent them in your name. And they were the most luxurious ones. You should’ve seen the envy in the office, even though they started cursing me the moment I turned my back. But I don’t mind."

"Haha." Anson paused, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha." He gave Edgar a thumbs-up.

Nice!

After all, even if Anson had sent flowers and fruit, he would’ve had to ask Edgar to arrange it anyway. So, Edgar just skipped the steps.

Anson smiled warmly. "Make sure to charge it to my accountant."

Edgar couldn’t help but smile, too. "Of course."

Wait, what were they talking about again?

"Oh, right, 'Spider-Man 2.'"

"Anson, honestly, I’m a bit worried."

"Sam signed a sequel deal with Sony-Columbia back in April last year, but the script still isn’t done."

To be precise, after the internal screenings of "Spider-Man" received overwhelmingly positive feedback, and with Sony-Columbia betting everything on its success, they quickly greenlit the sequel. Sam Raimi had signed on to direct it even before the movie's summer release.

That was good news. Keeping the same director would help maintain the consistency and quality of the series.

After all, looking at this year’s sequels, aside from "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" relying on the international market to just barely surpass its predecessor, all other sequels had underperformed.

If "Spider-Man 2" wanted to avoid that fate, the studio would need to keep a tight rein on things from the start.

But it wasn’t that simple.

Nine months had passed, and the script for "Spider-Man 2" still wasn’t ready, which wasn’t exactly reassuring.

Anson didn’t hide his surprise. This situation wasn’t ideal. What if the script wasn’t ready by the time filming started?

But Anson's focus was slightly different.

"Sony-Columbia renewed Sam’s contract early, but none of the actors have signed on yet. That’s what you’re worried about, right?"

Chapter 734: Hidden Agendas

From Sony Columbia's perspective, every actor is an independent individual, and contract renewal negotiations should be handled separately. Often, actors themselves do not disclose their contract statuses to one another.

It's very rare in Hollywood for actors to band together in negotiations, like the cast of Friends did, making it a nearly unique case.

However, Sony Columbia hadn't anticipated that Anson had a close relationship with James Franco and Kirsten Dunst. Not only did they frequently meet in private, but they also hoped to work together on the sequel.

They firmly believed that maintaining the stability of the cast was the foundation of ensuring the sequel's quality.

Therefore, Anson knew that Sony Columbia had not yet signed James or Kirsten, and they also knew that the company was engaged in a tug-of-war with Anson’s agent.

Hearing Anson’s words, Edgar took a deep breath and held it for a long time before slowly exhaling.

"The current pace of things is what I don't like," Edgar said.

“There’s no script, no actors signed on, yet the production has already started building sets, and they’re negotiating with New York City officials to secure shooting schedules.”

“To me, this seems rash.”

“Of course, I know this is just how Hollywood operates. Every part of the production process is just one piece on a conveyor belt. Nothing is irreplaceable. Even though you’re at the top of your game, and Sony Columbia is eager to have you return, if negotiations fail, they won’t halt the sequel. They’ll find another actor and move forward.”

“But the current chaos is unsettling.”

Anson knew Edgar was right.

In a past life, Anson recalled that Tobey Maguire portrayed Peter Parker, and Spider-Man became a historic success. During negotiations for the sequel, Tobey sought to increase his salary and gain a share of the profits, taking the opportunity to break into Hollywood’s A-list.

Sony Columbia began negotiations, but after several discussions, Tobey claimed he had injured his back during training and might not be able to appear in the sequel. Meanwhile, his agent secretly leaked the news, and the media frenzy that followed garnered public support for Tobey.

Sony Columbia quickly recognized this as a power play by Tobey.

Outwardly, they continued negotiations, trying to persuade Tobey to perform despite his injury. Tobey’s side stood firm on salary demands, and as it seemed Sony Columbia was backing down, Tobey believed he was close to winning.

However, behind the scenes, Sony Columbia made a strategic move and reached out to Jake Gyllenhaal, persuading him to take over the role of Peter Parker.

It wasn’t until the media reported that Sony was ready to sign Jake that Tobey panicked and rushed back to the negotiating table.

In the end, Tobey signed on for Spider-Man 2 for a $15 million salary, and his "back injury" no longer seemed to be an issue.

Of course, in hindsight, Tobey got what he wanted. Though he didn’t make it into the $20 million club, he did break into the $10 million range for the first time in his career, finally establishing a foothold in Hollywood.

But the repercussions were far-reaching.

Tobey’s chaotic bid for the $20 million club cost him the advantage he had built. In Hollywood’s eyes, he was left with a reputation of being "weak." This emboldened studios to be tougher in negotiations.

By the time of Spider-Man 3, Tobey demanded higher pay for the fourth installment, as the series’ lead. But Sony Columbia refused to comply, and the two sides parted ways.

Sony Columbia then rebooted the franchise with a new Peter Parker, resulting in The Amazing Spider-Man.

Thus, the key to negotiations wasn’t just Tobey’s agent; it was also Tobey himself. Timing was crucial, and it wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

Now, the situation was much the same.

Sony Columbia was scheming, and Anson was calculating as well. The question was: who would come out on top?

Anson nodded lightly and nonchalantly said, "If the negotiations fail and I miss out on the sequel, it’s no big deal."

Cough.

Edgar was so shocked he nearly choked. "Are you serious?"

Anson: "Of course."

Anson's straightforwardness caught Edgar off guard, and he stammered momentarily before regaining composure. Softening his tone, he said, “Anson, we can’t afford to miss this opportunity.”

Edgar thought hard about how to explain to Anson that this was a golden opportunity to skyrocket to stardom. If they could finalize the deal with Sony Columbia, Anson’s status would be cemented, and every future project would use this as a benchmark during negotiations.

But before Edgar could finish organizing his thoughts, Anson spoke again.

“Captain, do you have no confidence in me?”

Edgar: "What?"

Anson repeated, “Captain, do you have no confidence in me?”

Edgar: ...

Anson: “Even if it’s not Spider-Man 2, you should trust that I’ll still succeed.”

Anson raised the script in his hand and flashed a light smile.

Edgar’s concerns were clear to Anson, but Anson knew that if they were thinking this way, Sony Columbia must be aware of it too. So, while Edgar hoped to use Sony Columbia’s tactics to gain leverage over other studios, Sony Columbia could do the same in reverse.

It was all about calculations.

As an agent, Edgar leaned on these calculations to maximize gains.

But Anson wasn’t familiar with nor good at this kind of maneuvering. So what should he do?

Settle things purely as an actor?

No, Anson wasn’t ready for that; he was still figuring out the actor’s craft.

Anson decided to use his advantage of being a "seer." Even if Spider-Man 2 wasn’t his next project, he could still ensure his next one would be a resounding success—at least in the world he remembered.

This was Anson’s confidence. It could become a key bargaining chip in their negotiations with Sony Columbia, giving them the advantage.

Edgar was momentarily stunned, replaying Anson’s words over and over in his mind. Gradually, his frustration and anxiety began to settle.

Finally, he found calm.

Do you remember the words Edgar used to convince Anson that he was the best agent for him?

Those weren’t just empty words.

*Chapter 735: Viewing the Big Picture*

Gradually, Edgar’s emotions began to calm down.

He realized that the recent sudden success had caused him to become a bit overexcited, leading to some lapses in judgment. The allure of fame can affect not just actors, but everyone involved in its orbit. If you’re not careful, it can blind you before you even realize it.

In moments like these, he needed a little reminder.

Back when Anson had nothing, Edgar believed in his potential to succeed. Now, his confidence in Anson should only be stronger.

There was no need to be anxious or hasty. Instead, he just needed to stay calm and stick to the plan.

Edgar lifted his gaze toward Anson, with a slight smile on his lips, “You seem different now, more confident than ever.”

Anson had always been confident before, but it had been more of a laid-back, indifferent confidence—born out of not caring too much.

Now, however, that confidence radiated from him.

Anson smiled, “Is that a bad thing?”

Edgar laughed, “For others, maybe.” Because this might lead to arrogance. “But for you, it’s a good thing.”

“Whew, that’s a relief,” Anson raised his right hand, initially in a finger-gun gesture, but then he relaxed, playfully shaking his wrist as if to loosen up.

Sure enough, Anson was still the same Anson—confident, but not arrogant. That gesture was a lighthearted tease, as if to say, “I almost fired.”

Edgar couldn’t help but laugh.

Anson continued, “So, what are the terms you gave Sony-Columbia?”

Edgar replied, “Thirty-five million dollars, or 10% of the North American box office—whichever they choose.”

Wow, impressive!

The price had jumped several notches right from the start.

The $20 million club?

No, no, Edgar wasn’t interested in that. He was ready to establish an exclusive club just for Anson, where he’d be the sole member.

No wonder Sony-Columbia was hesitant.

Anson was certainly talented, but not quite at the level that warranted such high demands—his marketability hadn’t been fully proven yet.

Hollywood was particularly cautious about granting entry into the $20 million club. Even Anson wasn’t an exception, because once a film's salary reached $20 million, it set a new industry standard for all future projects.

But Edgar wasn’t even satisfied with that.

This move was bold, no doubt about it.

Of course, both Edgar and Sony-Columbia knew that such terms were unlikely to be accepted. Negotiations were just beginning.

Who could predict the outcome?

Anson couldn’t help but think back to Sony-Columbia’s negotiations with Tobey Maguire in his previous life. His thoughts paused, and something clicked in his mind.

“Captain, have them send me the script.”

Edgar responded, “It’s not finished yet.”

Anson said, “It doesn’t matter how far along they are. I’m just curious about how they’re shaping this story. They’re not going to strictly follow the original comic, right? Sam would definitely want to rework it. So, what’s Peter Parker’s growth arc like? That’s the key to the film.”

Looking back at his previous life, the second film in the Tobey Maguire "Spider-Man" series had received the highest praise from both critics and audiences. It had introduced a new narrative style for superhero films. The first film had also been well-received, though the third film had gotten bogged down in complexity.

In terms of box office performance, however, the first film outperformed the second, and the third film performed slightly worse. There was a gradual downward trend.

That being said, the sequels weren’t box office failures by any means. Otherwise, Sony-Columbia wouldn’t have planned a fourth movie, and when that fell through, they wouldn’t have rebooted the series so quickly. Still, the sequels didn’t replicate the success of the first, which was a bit of a disappointment.

Now that Anson was involved, he was curious—could he change history with “Spider-Man 2”?

To Edgar, Anson’s words carried a different meaning. His eyes lit up. “Could we aim for a producer credit?”

Anson hesitated, “Uh…”

Edgar snapped his fingers. “Of course! Just like Tom Cruise in the ‘Mission Impossible’ series, we could expand our influence.”

Anson blinked. “Captain, that’s a bit too forward-thinking. I just wanted to see the script.”

“Haha,” Edgar laughed heartily. “No problem. You have your expertise, and I have mine. That’s why you need me to handle these things.”

With that thought, Edgar’s perspective shifted.

Anson had just mentioned that missing the sequel wouldn’t be the end of the world. They didn’t need to limit their focus to Peter Parker. Edgar needed Hollywood to understand that the real treasure wasn’t Peter Parker, but Anson.

A small change in mindset could lead to a whole new strategy.

Suddenly, Edgar felt a sense of clarity.

He was eager for the challenge and excited by the idea of going head-to-head with a giant like Sony-Columbia.

Who knew what the outcome would be?

As Edgar returned to reality, he saw Anson flipping through the script, a smile creeping onto his face.

For the first time, Edgar had more than one project in hand for Anson to choose from, and it filled him with pride.

This was just the beginning.

Half of Hollywood was clamoring to work with Anson. He was now the top choice for producers looking to collaborate.

Most importantly, “The Princess Diaries,” “Spider-Man,” and “Catch Me If You Can” had all been box office successes, earning massive profits. In the eyes of the studios, this was more valuable than any acting award.

As a result, writers and producers were now fixated on Anson.

To illustrate: a project struggling to find investors would suddenly attract interest the moment Anson showed interest.

“The Butterfly Effect” was a perfect example.

It was clear that there were countless projects vying for Anson’s attention.

However, not all of them—most of the projects were genre films.

Independent and art house films were still hesitant about Anson’s appeal. In those circles, his name didn’t yet carry enough weight.

But that was fine. One step at a time. There was no need to rush.

At least now, Anson had the power to choose. That was an important first step.

With a deep breath, Edgar smiled. “Let’s wrap up for today. Take your time reading these scripts. No rush. Once you’ve made your decision, get back to me. I’ll be heading back to L.A. for work…”

But before he could finish, Anson interrupted him.

“No need, Captain. Hold on a second,” Anson said without looking up.

Edgar paused. “What, you’re too lazy to read them?”

He was so surprised that he began to stammer, glancing toward the kitchen where someone was busy.

“You’re not planning to have Noah read them for you, are you?”

Noah: “Where did this come from?”