596-600

*Chapter 596: Following Instincts*

Marcia was slightly disappointed.

Rachel McAdams didn’t quite fit the appearance she had in mind, but there was something unique in her performance that stood out—perhaps she could be a pleasant surprise.

On the other hand, Eva Green was closer to Marcia’s vision of Keller in appearance, but her performance lacked the sharpness and depth Marcia was looking for.

During auditions, actors are allowed to prepare scenes that they feel best showcase their strengths. The goal is to impress, but Marcia wasn’t pleased with what Eva presented.

Eva's performance felt raw and one-dimensional—no complexity, no layers. In the script, as Evan changes the past, reality shifts with him, and Keller is supposed to display vastly different personalities. Marcia didn’t see the potential in Eva to portray those contrasts.

Regretfully.

But this time, Marcia didn’t rush to a conclusion. She turned to Anson.

Anson noticed Marcia’s gaze and responded with a touch of helplessness.

Marcia, however, stood her ground, her expression clearly saying: "Isn't this why you’re here? So, what are you waiting for?"

Anson... couldn't argue with that.

There was no reason to refuse. Regardless of his personal connection with Eva, Anson also wanted to find the right actor for The Butterfly Effect.

"...So, how has the past year been?" Anson didn’t jump straight into performance mode but started casually chatting with Eva instead.

Eva shrugged lightly. "Stagnant. I’m still learning English, but it seems I might not have a talent for languages."

Although Eva was French, her career was primarily in the U.S. and U.K., with few French films in her portfolio. To Anson, Eva had always been seen as an English speaker.

However, her performance revealed some clumsiness; her thinking still processed in French rather than English, causing her delivery to feel a bit stiff. But in this casual conversation, she seemed more at ease.

"Language isn’t about talent; it’s about practice," Anson said with a smile.

Eva paused, then lifted her chin slightly. "No wonder they say the best way to learn a language is to fall in love."

She cast a meaningful glance at Anson.

Anson caught it and smiled playfully. "So, you’ve never tried? Even in L.A., I imagine you wouldn’t be short of admirers."

"Admirers, manipulators, businessmen trading favors—it’s all just variations of the same thing. But how many would genuinely put their heart into it? I guess only a fool would look for love in Hollywood." Eva's eyes scanned Anson, finally landing on his.

Anson’s expression remained amused. "I thought the French always believed in love. Maybe not everyone, but most at least."

Eva shook her head slightly. "The French believe in romance, not love."

Is there a difference?

Anson pondered for a moment, tilting his head. "I used to have a crush on you. Should I be relieved or regretful that I never confessed?"

Calm, direct, and without warning, Anson just said it.

Not only was Eva caught off guard, but so were Marcia and Nicholas. It was hard to tell whether this was part of the performance or something real, but that didn’t stop them from eagerly watching this scene unfold—moments like this didn’t come often.

Eva blinked. After all, she was just a girl with acting dreams, and now standing in front of a top-tier heartthrob, confessing his past feelings to her. Her heartbeat became chaotic, pounding uncontrollably.

She couldn’t think, just following her instincts.

Eva looked at Anson. "Used to? I didn’t mishear, right? That’s in the past tense, so does that mean you no longer like me now?"

Confident and poised—the same scene would have been handled very differently by Rachel and Eva.

That’s where you can see the difference in personalities.

Anson was briefly stumped by Eva's question, his smile turning a little bashful as he scratched his head, "Past tense refers to a previous state, but it doesn't define the present."

Eva’s eyes widened, her body leaning slightly forward. "So, what is the present state?"

Anson noticed Eva’s gaze, burning hot as it landed on his face. He gathered his courage to meet her eyes, and their gazes collided in the air.

A brief collision, sparking flames.

Marcia held her breath. It was rare to see Anson at a loss, or maybe it was Evan.

Standing before Keller, Evan always felt out of place.

But now, Anson and Evan's shadows overlapped, making it hard to tell them apart. Marcia tried to focus on Eva, but her eyes couldn’t help but drift back to Anson.

Anson offered a slightly awkward smile. "What about you? Are you dating anyone right now?"

Eva blinked. "Me?"

She felt unsure and instinctively glanced at Marcia and Nicholas—how was she supposed to answer?

Without a script, Eva didn’t know anything about Keller, but answering about herself felt equally wrong.

For a brief moment, Eva panicked, but Anson’s relaxed and natural demeanor helped her calm down a little.

"...No."

After a moment's hesitation, Eva answered.

Anson’s expression remained the same, his eyes unwavering as he stared at her. His gaze felt like it could pierce through her face and straight into her heart, hot and intense.

"No? Are you habitually single?"

Eva looked up at Anson, her eyes locking with his. "Habitually single?"

Her throat felt dry.

Anson nodded slightly. "Yes."

Eva looked away, trying to think, but her thoughts were scattered. She wasn’t sure if this was just casual conversation or if it was part of the audition. The confusion made it hard for her to focus.

But when she looked at Anson again, her thoughts slipped away, and she instinctively answered, "I guess you could say that. Habitually single."

"And you?" Eva asked, trying to regain control.

Anson nodded lightly. "Yes, that’s true."

"But not because I don’t want to try..."

His sentence trailed off.

Eva looked up at him: Why?

But in his eyes, she saw a moment of hesitation. His gaze briefly faltered, making it hard to decipher his emotions; however, Eva sensed a hint of vulnerability and fatigue.

Maybe it wasn’t because he didn’t want to try—maybe he lacked the courage, or maybe he’d lost the ability to try.

A subtle sadness flowed through his deep blue eyes.

In that moment, all thoughts disappeared. Everyone else in the room faded away. Eva couldn’t help but want to explore the layers in Anson’s eyes.

Without realizing it, she was already falling.

Then.

Anson lifted his eyes, his gaze focusing once more on Eva’s face. Their eyes met again, and in their pupils, they saw each other’s expressions reflected:

The flames quietly burned.

Step by step.

Anson moved closer to Eva, stopping just in front of her, his tall figure completely enveloping her. Lowering his voice, he asked softly.

"Can I kiss you?"

Thud.

Her heart, for a moment, stopped beating.

*Chapter 597: Dazzled*

Anson had a pair of unforgettable eyes—clear yet deep.

These are two opposing qualities.

Clear eyes should allow you to see right through them; yet, while gazing into them, you unintentionally see your own reflection—your expressions, your emotions—and then you're no longer able to decipher the secrets hidden within. In that moment, you become lost in the boundless blue of those eyes.

Deep and vast, they invite you to explore, but you always end up seeing only yourself, revealing just a hint of shyness as your heartbeat stumbles.

It’s a contradiction, yet within Anson, these two qualities collide and merge, leaving you feeling—

Confused.

This was exactly how Eva felt at this moment.

Anson kept his eyes fixed on her, unwavering. She couldn’t help but look up to investigate, only to see her own expression reflected back at her in his gaze.

Eva started to panic.

But she didn’t want to lose, didn’t want to show her nervousness, didn’t want to admit her unease.

So, she kept her smile, maintained her composure, meeting Anson’s eyes calmly and gracefully, staring back at him.

However.

Without realizing it, she began to fall deeper into his gaze, sinking inch by inch, and before she knew it, she had already started holding her breath.

The next second, her heartbeat went wild, a chaotic resonance pulsing in her mind.

Instinctively, she broke eye contact to hide her feelings, but then she heard his deep, magnetic voice, like a cello being gently played.

"Can I kiss you?"

Thud.

Her heart stopped in an instant.

She glanced up, falling into that clear, bright blue once again, but her mind, now consumed by panic and nervousness, forced her to quickly lower her eyes again, realizing how she was avoiding the situation—

This wasn’t her.

This wasn’t like her at all. How pathetic.

So.

Eva lifted her eyes again, looking directly at Anson. The urge to drown in those eyes grew stronger, her heart leaping forward.

The next moment, Eva stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Anson’s neck.

Gasp.

Marcia and Nicholas both held their breath.

They had never seen something like this during an audition.

Of course, this wasn’t unusual in Hollywood. There was no need to pretend they were naive or innocent. However, this usually happened during on-screen auditions, where real contact—real action—was required, not in the first round of auditions.

In previous auditions, merely pretending was enough; there was no need to go all the way.

But right now!

The tension between Eva and Anson was palpable, making hearts race and faces flush.

Even the well-experienced Marcia was left speechless and dumbfounded.

Still, she couldn’t look away.

Marcia stared wide-eyed at the scene before her, swallowing nervously.

And the two leading actors?

Anson gazed at Eva—so bold, so brave, so direct. Her eyes traced the contours of his face, soft and hazy, a barely noticeable smile playing at the corner of her lips as she made contact with her gaze:

Eyes. Nose. Lips.

Her eyes held a gentle, delicate touch, leaving a slight warmth on Anson's skin.

Although they appeared close, Eva didn’t actually kiss him. Her gaze held a hint of ambiguity and mischief.

Her warm breath brushed against Anson's cheek, and their breaths intertwined.

Though they hadn’t physically touched, it felt more intimate than any actual contact.

Silence spread between them, their gazes tangled, exchanging unspoken words, as if there was a hidden tug-of-war where neither was willing to back down.

Eva stood on tiptoe, her breath barely grazing Anson’s lips before she whispered softly in his ear.

“You shouldn’t have asked.”

Was she provoking Anson?

He shouldn’t have asked; he should have... acted.

Anson’s lips curled into a subtle smile. He could feel the heat from Eva’s wrist, almost burning his skin. He moved closer to whisper in her ear.

A pause.

It was clear that Eva’s breath hitched, the tension between them escalating to its peak.

Then.

"Thump. Thump. Thump."

Anson finally spoke, but instead of words, he mimicked the sound of her heartbeat—

Frantic. Strong. Almost explosive.

Though Eva had seemingly taken the initiative, boldly and daringly reversing the situation, even teasing Anson, in reality, she was utterly flustered. Her palms were sweaty, her heart pounded in her chest. She had to force herself to take control, doing everything in her power to hide her true feelings.

But she never imagined that Anson would see right through her.

The imitation of her heartbeat, soft and low, reverberated in her ears, carrying a subtle hint of laughter. His words tore down her facade, creating a whirlwind that overturned her entire world before she even had a chance to react.

Damn it!

Eva was startled. She quickly looked up, stumbling into Anson’s eyes, seeing a playful and carefree gleam in that ocean of blue.

Gasp.

Her heart was entirely captured.

It was as if her arm had been scalded. Eva stepped back, retreating half a step.

Her wildly beating heart made her stomach churn, almost making her want to throw up. But when Eva looked up again, fortunately, Anson hadn’t followed her. He stayed where he was, maintaining the distance between them.

That gave Eva a moment to regain her composure. She quickly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, only to realize how hot her ears felt. She had no choice but to let her hair fall back down again.

Marcia caught the scene in her eyes.

From her angle, she couldn’t see the details of their interaction. She assumed that the two had already kissed passionately, and now, seeing their breathless, flushed faces, her mind ran wild, her imagination leaving her parched.

Involuntarily, she stared, holding her breath.

Yet.

Her heart pounded violently in her chest, as if about to burst.

Eva lowered her hand, still feeling the lingering heat on her fingertips, both embarrassed and flustered, frustrated and anxious. All these conflicting emotions swirled inside her, but this chaos helped her break free from her chains—

After all, she had already embarrassed herself. There was no point in trying to salvage her dignity now. Better to face it head-on and avoid looking even more ridiculous.

She lifted her head again, once more locking eyes with Anson, meeting his gaze.

Then, she noticed.

“Are you always this direct?” Eva asked, her heart still racing, her voice slightly hoarse, betraying her brief moment of confusion. But now she realized something:

Anson had done it on purpose.

He had deliberately kept his gaze steady, so direct that it was hard not to feel exposed. Any small reaction would be noticed, making it impossible to hide her flustered state.

Ultimately, she lost her composure.

So, she asked.

Anson's lips curled into a smile. “I’m trying.”

Eva didn’t quite understand. She looked at him, puzzled.

Anson explained, “I got used to waiting. I got used to hiding. Then one day, I decided I didn’t want to do that anymore.”

It was true in his past life, and it was true now. It was also true for Evan.

At this moment, the line between acting and reality had completely disappeared. What was false was also true, and what was true was false. Yet no one could tell the difference.

*Chapter 598: Direct Confrontation*

In his previous life, for a very, very long time, Anson hid his emotions. Even the slightest surge of feeling could have become a force that destroyed his life, constantly reminding him that everything was just an illusion held together by sheer willpower.

Then, he arrived in this life.

He decided to be braver, bolder. He decided to start enjoying life.

Evan felt the same way.

And so...

Standing in front of Eva, even though his heart was racing, Anson displayed incredible determination and resilience. He held himself with a confident and upright posture, like a mirror, reflecting Eva’s own image back at her.

Eva widened her eyes, staring intently at Anson, trying to detect even the slightest sign of wavering in his eyes.

Unfortunately, she failed.

She began to doubt her own judgment. Reality? Performance? Truth? Illusion? Her mind was a jumble of confusion. “So, that’s it? A snap of the fingers?”

Snap.

Eva snapped her fingers. “And then, the magic happens just like that?”

Anson’s lips curled slightly, but it wasn’t a smile; it was a hint of calm amusement and a dash of carefree slyness. “That’s called acting, Miss Green.”

In reality...

Anson’s heart was pounding like a drum, his eardrums buzzing, and an indescribable itch lightly scratched at his heart, making the world spin for a moment.

He had the urge to rely on his eyes to mask his nervousness, but soon he realized that Eva was even more nervous than he was. This calmed him down.

After speaking, Anson took half a step back, subtly hiding his brief moment of panic and... his racing heartbeat. The cold air rushed in like a tide, and goosebumps began to prickle wildly across his skin.

Eva was stunned.

She stared at Anson, thinking carefully, and looked at him in disbelief.

After a brief delay, Eva finally understood. This was an audition, a performance.

But the crux was, where was the reality and where was the performance? Where was the truth, and where was the script? Everything blended together so perfectly that it was impossible to distinguish one from the other.

At this moment, Eva’s inexperience became apparent—

Having never truly acted before, everything she knew was theoretical, learned in the classroom. When it came to actually performing, she couldn’t distinguish between reality and fiction, and the line between herself and the character completely blurred.

Oh, God!

Now Eva realized that her supposedly bold and adventurous move might have seemed like nothing more than a little girl’s doll game in Anson’s eyes; plus, Marcia and Nicholas were watching.

Eva covered her face with both hands, unable to hide her slight embarrassment.

This scene made both Nicholas and Marcia smile.

Marcia let out a small sigh of relief, masking her own racing heart. In the end, she was experienced and mature enough to quickly regain her composure. Just as she was about to comfort Eva, she realized she was a step too late.

Eva lifted her head again and looked at Anson. “So, how did I do?”

She was so poised, so calm, with a direct gaze that held no hint of hesitation or awkwardness, staring clearly into Anson’s eyes.

This simple gesture made Marcia want to applaud Eva.

Anson shrugged lightly. “Are you asking a vase for its opinion?”

Eva hadn’t expected that response, but she quickly replied, “Looking at a vase from the perspective of another vase might actually give a more accurate assessment.”

Anson raised an eyebrow: “?”

Eva spread her hands. “Hey, let’s face a harsh reality: no one’s going to see me as a serious actress.”

Anson responded, “No, I’m more surprised that you think you deserve the title of ‘vase.’ You know, not everyone can be called a vase.”

Eva widened her eyes and silently raised her right hand. With her palm facing away from Anson, she lifted her left hand and covered her right hand, leaving only her middle finger standing. She calmly used that finger as if it were a lipstick, pretending to touch up her makeup.

Her unruffled expression and movement made for a perfect comeback.

Pfft.

Marcia couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Despite being flipped off, Anson showed no signs of distress. He spread his hands. “See, that’s exactly what I meant. No one should call you a vase.”

“You should be called a ‘water lily.’”

Quiet, yet brilliant.

Pure, yet vibrant.

As he gazed at Eva, the image in his mind came to life naturally, and the words just flowed out, surprising even him.

Eva’s beautiful eyes paused for a moment. She hesitated for a second before retorting, “Wait, did you just compare me to an oil painting? You know that’s kinda weird, right?”

Anson tilted his chin slightly, showing a look of sudden realization but said nothing more. Instead, he turned his head, scratched it lightly with his right hand, but discreetly tucked his thumb, index finger, ring finger, and pinky in, leaving only his middle finger to scratch.

Eva saw it.

Once again, action met with action.

When Anson finished scratching his head, he turned back to Eva with a perfectly innocent expression.

Eva’s mouth almost curled into a smile, but she forced herself to stay composed and nodded slightly. “So, is the audition over?”

Anson didn’t answer but walked straight to the door, expressing his gentlemanly manners by opening it for Eva.

Eva didn’t rush either. She pretended to lift an imaginary skirt and curtsied, greeting Marcia and Nicholas before turning to leave with light steps.

Once she stepped outside, the actors who had just returned from lunch all turned their attention toward her, only to see Anson’s smiling face as the door closed behind him.

Eva knew all eyes were on her, observing her every move. She held her breath, raised her head, straightened her back, and walked out of the building, bathed in their gaze.

All the way to the parking lot—

“Oh, God.”

Eva buried her head in her hands and kicked the ground repeatedly.

She deeply felt like she might have messed it all up.

...

Inside the room.

Anson turned around, and Marcia and Nicholas exchanged gossip-laden glances that were almost impossible to hide. Marcia was the first to speak.

“What’s the deal between you two? Do I need to give you a pass here? You’re the producer; you can make the call.”

Thump, thump.

Anson’s heart was still racing. After Eva left, all the suppressed emotions surged up like a tidal wave, flooding his mind. The dopamine rush left him parched.

Whoo.

Exhaling softly, Anson laughed, using his smile to mask the lingering excitement. “She works at the front desk of the acting academy. We’ve met a few times, that’s all.”

Marcia wasn’t convinced.

But Anson had no intention of explaining further. Hollywood gossip was like that; no explanation could stop people from speculating. Rather than the truth, people often preferred to believe their own prejudices.

At the end of the day, people choose to believe what they want to believe and what they can believe.

Anson deftly changed the subject. “So, what did you think of the audition?”

### Chapter 599: Dry Mouth

"What did you think of the audition?" Anson asked, quickly changing the subject.

Marcia, experienced as she was, immediately noticed Anson’s hurried attempt to shift the conversation. She was about to call him out, but a third party interrupted her.

Nicholas, finally finding an opportunity, couldn't contain his excitement, "The air was practically on fire, wasn't it?"

Marcia shot Anson a knowing glance. Nicholas’s interruption had given Anson a chance to catch his breath, and pursuing the matter further wouldn’t yield any more information.

With a sigh, Marcia switched topics, nodding, "No doubt, the chemistry between you two is something to look forward to."

"But?" Anson caught the implication in her tone.

Marcia didn’t deny it. "But, I think Rachel might be a better fit."

"Rachel McAdams..." Marcia began to explain, but Anson cut her off with a nod, "I know which Rachel you mean."

Marcia continued, "Eva’s boldness, courage, and intensity are undoubtedly sexy. She would light up the screen, and I can imagine why Evan would fall for her—she’s a beacon of light."

"But."

"For most of the movie, she’s supposed to be disheveled, broken, even dirty. There should be a beauty in her brokenness and resilience."

"Eva... she’s too strong, too vibrant, too dazzling."

"Of course, if she were a skilled actress, maybe she could pull off the role, but clearly, she lacks experience. Right now, she can only show one side of the character and can’t fully embody the different facets written in the script."

"If we go with Eva, I personally think Claire Danes might be a better fit."

A professional always has a professional opinion. Even though casting directors and actors have different roles, Anson respected Marcia’s professional interpretation, recognizing the overlap with the actor's craft.

Anson didn’t give his opinion. "And Rachel?"

Marcia elaborated.

"Rachel has the potential. Her presence can convey both brokenness and scars, but as I mentioned earlier, we need a director who can capture that."

"Rachel isn’t an experienced actress either, and if the director's lens fails to interpret her performance, the character could turn out to be a disaster."

Her words trailed off there.

Nicholas pondered over it and could understand Marcia’s point, but he still couldn’t help expressing regret, "I love the tension between Anson and Eva. That chemistry could really make the audience feel the heat."

"It would be such a shame to miss out on that."

The scene that had just played out was still vivid in his mind—it was extremely impactful, making one blush, with a racing heart and dry mouth.

Marcia agreed—

The sparks between actors are a mysterious thing. The actors themselves might not even feel it, but they can easily captivate the audience.

Take, for example, Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, or Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.

These actors might be friends, mere colleagues, or even enemies off-screen, with no romantic ties whatsoever, but the chemistry they create on-screen is intoxicating.

However, Marcia had a different perspective, "Anson and Rachel also have sparks. To be honest, this handsome guy just seems suited to romancing different beauties. I’m not worried about the chemistry at all."

"In 'The Butterfly Effect,' the chemistry between Evan and Keller shouldn’t be earth-shattering. It should have the innocent, romantic idealism found in a Nicholas Sparks novel. It shouldn’t be tainted, flawless, and perfect because it’s everything Evan dreams of—a hundred percent perfect."

"So, I actually think Eva isn’t quite right. She should be starring with Anson in an epic love story or a Shakespearean tragedy—a love so profound that it ends in heartbreaking sorrow."

"From that perspective, Rachel is more suitable. She’s purer, simpler, sweeter. She often represents a pure, innocent fantasy of first love and happiness. If the director can capture the fragility and sadness in Rachel, I believe she and Anson can take the movie to another level."

Nicholas Sparks is best known for The Notebook—in simple terms, he’s the "American Qiong Yao."

Anson looked at Marcia in astonishment, "Wait, Nicholas Sparks isn’t intense enough for you?"

His question made Nicholas chuckle quietly to himself. Marcia opened her mouth slightly, about to explain herself, but seeing Anson’s smile, she realized he was joking.

So, Marcia ignored him, deliberately turning away to avoid his gaze. Taking a deep breath, she refocused on Nicholas.

"I think we should see more."

"It’s too early to make a decision... There might be even better choices later on."

Marcia paused briefly before adding one last sentence, which made Anson look at her with a faint smile as if to say, "That’s it?"

Marcia, however, was unfazed.

"Now you understand how tough my job is, right?"

"To be honest, the work we spend ten days, half a month, or even longer on can be easily overturned by a single word from the director or producer."

"That’s what happened with The Princess Diaries too."

Anson innocently pointed at himself, "Are you complaining to me? I swear I’ve never made things difficult for any casting director."

Marcia shrugged it off, "Of course, it’s your first time as a producer. If I don’t give you a hard time now, I might never get another chance."

Well... that’s one way to look at it.

Anson couldn’t help but chuckle, "Tom Hanks told me that as a producer, I should learn to respect the professionals. So, does that mean...?"

Marcia smiled, nodding repeatedly, "Tom, oh dear Tom, that’s exactly why Tom is so well-liked. Who could refuse him? Dear Anson, please, do trust Tom’s golden rule—it’ll make your life in Hollywood much smoother."

"And what about the other Tom?" Anson asked, following up—

Tom Cruise.

A subtle, meaningful smile appeared on Marcia’s lips, "Well, that’s a different story."

Though she didn’t reveal any secrets, Anson still caught the undertone.

From an outsider’s perspective, Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Leonardo DiCaprio might all seem like top-tier actors, with no real difference between them. They’re all megastars, commanding storms and armies, standing at the pinnacle of the pyramid.

But in reality, things aren’t so straightforward.

Within Hollywood, there’s a clear distinction between actors, and the crew members have strong preferences regarding who they enjoy working with. Even though they might just be workers with no power to change or shake up the worlds of these superstars, never forget:

It’s the little guys who are the toughest to deal with.

Even if they’re just workers, they are still the foundation of the industry.

From what Marcia just said—

Let’s set aside how the rest of the crew feels about Tom Cruise, but it’s clear that casting directors don’t like him.

Now, that’s an interesting tidbit.

*Chapter 600: Foresight*

From the 1980s all the way to the third decade of the 21st century, Tom Cruise has undoubtedly become a significant symbol of Hollywood. Despite the ups and downs, and the crises in his career, he has managed to sustain his brilliance. This is a skill—relying on luck alone is not enough.

However, what’s somewhat surprising is that Tom Cruise's reputation among Hollywood staff isn't as positive as one might imagine, at least not with casting directors.

Thinking about it seriously, it's not hard to understand why.

The reason isn't complicated.

In the future, Tom Cruise would take control of all major decisions on a film set, from directors to main co-stars to writers, to secure as much of the profit share as possible. All these roles would be handpicked and personally negotiated by him, meaning the casting directors' jobs would be reduced to selecting minor roles only.

Casting directors wouldn’t have much of a role, so it's hard to imagine them liking Tom.

Of course, that’s in the future. Right now, actors participating in box office profits aren't mainstream in Hollywood. The $20 million club is still the norm, and Tom Cruise doesn't yet have absolute control. But he's already started interfering with productions bit by bit.

He needs to be the absolute lead in his projects, so other supporting roles are not allowed to feature A-list actors. Even well-known supporting actors are rarely used, as the spotlight should be entirely on him, even if it’s not for profit-sharing reasons.

This is a business strategy.

This summer’s premiere of “Spider-Man,” where Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt appeared one after the other, made the media extremely excited.

The reason lies in the 1994 film “Interview with the Vampire,” where Tom and Brad co-starred. Back then, Kirsten Dunst, who was still a child, shot to fame because of this movie.

However, Tom and Brad fought fiercely over screen time on set, and when the movie was released, Brad faced a lot of criticism while Tom stole the spotlight, leading to a fallout between the two.

Since then, Tom and Brad have tried to avoid each other as much as possible.

Eight years later, thanks to “Spider-Man,” thanks to Kirsten, and more importantly, thanks to Anson, the three main actors of “Interview with the Vampire” reunited, instantly igniting media enthusiasm. Even though the two never shared a frame, just appearing on the same stage created quite a buzz.

In fact, it wasn’t just Brad; later on, Tom also cut ties with almost all other A-list actors and had multiple conflicts with casting directors, writers, directors, and producers. This all paved the way for Tom gradually turning his projects into one-man shows.

Fighting for screen time has always been a timeless topic in the entertainment industry.

So, when faced with Anson’s recent joke, Marcia didn’t respond directly, but the disdain hidden in her expression and tone was still palpable.

But.

Small talk remained just that—small talk.

Anson merely mentioned it in passing and didn’t press further. After exchanging a knowing glance, the afternoon’s auditions officially began.

Later events indirectly proved Marcia’s foresight:

The real drama was yet to come.

Not long ago, Anson himself was one of the many actors frequently auditioning, just like James Franco and Chris Evans, who are still going to auditions. So, it’s not surprising to see future stars or familiar faces in the audition lineup.

Anson has also slowly gotten used to this.

However, the reality was slightly different.

Seeing those future shining stars on the big screen, still young and raw like unpolished gems, nervously auditioning with awkward and clumsy performances to win a role—it felt a bit surreal, even slightly absurd.

Moreover, the familiar faces were far more than expected. It was hard to tell whether there were too many Hollywood productions or too few, leading to young actors grabbing any chance to make an appearance, or perhaps it was a combination of both.

In any case, it was dizzying.

For instance, Megan Fox.

This future global sensation, thanks to her sexy role in “Transformers,” still appeared youthful. At just sixteen, she had a fresh, plain look, dressed conservatively, like a modest Catholic schoolgirl.

Anson admitted he didn’t recognize her at first. After double-checking her name on the resume, he could barely match the face to her future image. Yet, it was hard to imagine that this girl would later become famous for her sex appeal—her current aura and facial features were far from the impression she’d leave in the future.

However, her beauty was undeniable. She had already appeared in two productions, and just last month, she participated in the filming of “Bad Boys II” starring Will Smith.

Unfortunately, Megan was still playing minor roles and trying to find more acting opportunities.

Moreover, her lack of acting talent was apparent, with her stiff, expressionless performance style shocking everyone. Even her basic line delivery was poor.

This was a true example of a "pretty face" in Hollywood, and even Anson and Eva had to admit defeat—

One thing’s for sure: Hollywood can always use another pretty face. And then another.

If Megan were to appear in “The Butterfly Effect,” she’d only be a tool—incapable of carrying any character weight or conveying any storyline.

Upon reflection, Michael Bay’s use of Megan in “Transformers” was a stroke of genius. That was the correct way to showcase her.

Then there was Amanda Seyfried.

This seventeen-year-old girl already had noticeable large eyes on the big screen, but in real life, they were even more striking.

She looked like a Barbie doll.

Before her breakout role in “Mean Girls” in 2004, Amanda was more active in television, appearing in shows like “Veronica Mars” and “House M.D.” It wasn’t until “Mamma Mia!” that she truly made her mark and established herself in the film industry.

Her roles in “Letters to Juliet,” “Red Riding Hood,” “In Time,” “Les Misérables,” “Ted 2,” and “Mank” all showcased her presence.

Throughout her career, Amanda often played the beautiful “pretty face” in various films, until David Fincher’s “Mank” finally allowed people to see her acting talent.

Somewhat surprisingly, Amanda’s audition already hinted at her thoughtfulness.

She prepared a monologue from the classic play “Death of a Salesman,” showing her attempt to delve into the character and dissect the lines.

Although her performance was a bit raw, it was clear she had put in serious preparation, even though her experience was limited to soap operas, with no big-screen experience yet.

Anson was deeply impressed by her.

After all, Anson himself had climbed the ranks through auditions just like this.

From what Anson knows of the distant future, Amanda’s roles are still mostly limited to sweet yet slightly sinister characters, like a fox. This made Anson wonder:

If given some space, could she bring out the nuances and depth of a character?