496-500

Chapter 496: History Like Poetry

The storage room wasn’t large. After being filled with clutter, it felt even more cramped.

However.

Anson didn’t mind at all. Calm and relaxed, he sat before the piano, shoulders open, back straight, radiating an air of ease. Even in this tiny space, he seemed to embrace the grandeur and vastness of the universe.

Without realizing it, the room fell into a quiet stillness.

His mind was completely clear—no worries, no thoughts, nothing but the music filling his head. All of his attention was focused on this moment, allowing the notes to take over.

Lily, Connor, and Miles stood at the doorway of the cramped storage room, watching Anson’s performance in silence. They barely breathed, afraid any sound might disturb him.

To be honest, the performance wasn’t perfect—it wasn’t smooth either.

Anson’s piano skills clearly didn’t match his guitar prowess. He wasn’t very practiced, and the piano itself probably needed tuning, leading to interruptions in the melody. Sometimes there were even sharp, discordant notes as he explored and experimented with the composition.

But!

There was something about this moment that felt like watching a top-tier performance rehearsal at Carnegie Hall. The audience couldn’t help but be drawn into the music, feeling the warmth and color of the notes.

Miles was completely stunned—speechless from the shock and awe.

He came from a classical symphony background and understood composition and collaboration well. Relying on a single instrument often left the music feeling thin and flat, lacking the depth and complexity of a full arrangement. This was an undeniable truth.

That’s why street musicians, who often perform with just one instrument, rarely achieve a grand, full-bodied sound. A guitar or keyboard typically suits a more mellow or melancholy style.

In theory, Anson’s performance should have been no different.

Yet!

Miles could feel the layers of emotion in the piano’s bright, clear notes:

Sadness, bitterness, nostalgia, loneliness; grandeur, vastness, tranquility, and boldness.

These conflicting emotions intertwined, rushing to the surface and spreading through him. Despite the tender, flowing nature of the melody, it splashed vivid colors deep into his soul.

Unconsciously, Miles could already “see” Anson stepping onto a music festival stage, millions of fans losing themselves in the melody, the grandeur of a symphony at Carnegie Hall, and Anson basking under the spotlight, arms spread wide, ready to soar.

And then.

A single star lit up the black night sky. Its weak light wasn’t enough to drive away the darkness, and the night threatened to swallow the star whole. Yet the piercing sound of the piano awakened something. Deep within Miles’ mind, the star suddenly blazed across the sky, stretching out in all directions.

Wow!

The night sky transformed into daylight. The whole world was bathed in brilliance and grandeur. Dizzying, breathtaking—his heart broke free, soaring along with the music.

All of this unfolded in the tiny storage room before him, the shock and wonder surging through him like an electric current, flooding him with awe.

It was unbelievable.

And then, Anson softly began to hum.

“Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh; oh-oh-oh, oh-oh.”

Bitterness, but not sorrow, unfolded gently on the tongue, and Miles felt his own inspiration blossom like fireworks in his mind.

He couldn’t help but start imagining when the cello should join in, how the drums and other instruments could complement the piano, layering the composition.

Piece by piece, the fog and confusion lifted.

Lily and Connor both watched Anson intently.

One man, one piano.

That was all. Anson hummed like a wandering minstrel, and while the tender melody was moving, it seemed much thinner compared to “Wake Me Up” or “Heroes.”

Was that normal?

The question had barely formed in their minds before they were pulled back into the world of music.

Anson opened his mouth again—this time, not humming but singing full lyrics. As melody collided with lyrics, the chemistry between them ignited.

“I once ruled the world, commanding the tides, but now I stand alone at dawn, wandering the paths that were once mine.

Life and death were in my hands, I savored the fear in my enemies’ eyes and listened to the people’s cheers: ‘The old king is dead, long live the king!’ But now, with authority slipping through my fingers, I realize that my grand ambitions were no more than an illusion, a mirage.”

Just a short verse.

Yet the simple lyrics packed a powerful punch. The grandeur of time, the weight of history, and the weariness of life all converged into an air of carefree abandon. The music suddenly brightened.

Anyone who loves music knows that having a unique voice is like starting ahead in a race. Singers who add color to their music with their voice can easily leave a lasting impression.

But artists whose music itself radiates color are truly rare—one in a million. Even if their voice isn’t outstanding, their music becomes their identity. These are the ones who leave an indelible mark on history.

From “Wake Me Up” to “Heroes,” Lily had sensed this but couldn’t be entirely sure. Now, she finally understood.

Anson was that kind of artist—an artist whose music had its own distinct color.

His notes were his personality and his essence—his identity.

No one could replicate it.

In that moment, inspiration flowed freely. Everything else faded away. Right now, this moment, dedicated to music and only music, gave their lives meaning.

The years of persistence and struggle, the unspoken stubbornness and pride, all melted away, rekindling the passion and fire deep within their souls. The seed of “dreams” that had lain dormant suddenly burst into full bloom.

“Hear Jerusalem’s bells ringing, Roman cavalry choirs singing. My sword, my shield, my missionaries on the distant frontiers. For reasons I cannot explain, once you’re gone, I’ll never hear honest words again—this was my reign.”

An overwhelming surge of emotion.

Note: Viva La Vida by Coldplay.

Chapter 497: A Heart Full of Passion

As the final note of the song lingered in the air, the melody slowly faded, leaving behind a faint echo.

The remnants of the music and lyrics swirled around like smoke, with sparks seeping through pores into the bloodstream. The rushing blood and pounding heartbeat collided fiercely in the depths of the soul, filling it with excitement and emotion too powerful for words.

Unconsciously, someone stepped forward, only to stop abruptly, feeling nervous, and stared blankly at Anson, standing still.

Though Anson sat at the piano, and they stood watching, at that moment, it felt as if the roles had reversed. They looked up at him in awe.

Passion surged through them.

Lily was flustered, hurriedly closing her eyes, trying to catch her breath, seeking a bit of rationality amid the overwhelming rush of emotions.

Miles, unable to contain himself, took a bold step forward but stopped short when Anson glanced his way, as if standing before a forbidden boundary, too intimidated to cross.

“Uh, Anson, may I ask... what was that song just now...?”

His voice trembled slightly with excitement and anticipation, revealing his genuine curiosity—he still loved music, still loved creating, and still hoped to see the cello integrated into pop music.

Anson didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he was caught up in the inspiration swirling around him.

Then he spoke.

“‘Viva La Vida.’”

Lily opened her eyes again, though she didn’t quite understand, her curiosity still piqued.

Miles immediately made the connection. “Frida Kahlo?”

Connor finally snapped out of his shock. “Who?”

Anson was about to explain that it referred to the biography of Frida Kahlo but then remembered the film "Frida" wouldn’t be released until later that year. Most people still didn’t know much about the Mexican woman with the iconic unibrow.

Miles, however, was an exception. “She’s a Mexican painter, a woman with a free spirit. She has a painting titled ‘Viva La Vida, or Death and All His Friends.’”

But why Frida?

Their eyes returned to Anson, waiting for more.

“Frida contracted polio at six, which left her with a limp. At eighteen, she survived a tragic accident that shattered her spine, taking away her ability to have children. Her life was filled with pain and suffering.”

“Yet, she didn’t give in.”

“She kept creating, kept fighting, kept pursuing her passions. She loved fiercely, and she faced all her challenges with unwavering courage.”

“Was she perfect?”

“No, of course not. A lot of what we know about her has been romanticized after her death, imagining her as a symbol of perfection.”

“But does that matter?”

“No, because what truly matters is that despite her broken life, she lived fully. She embraced her struggles, her pain, her sorrow, because they were what made her life so brilliant and dazzling.”

From Louis XVI to Frida Kahlo, to Brad, and finally to Lily, Connor, and Miles standing there—they all faced their own struggles, their own choices, and Anson was no exception.

Viva La Vida.

This time, Anson hoped he wouldn’t have any regrets, that when this borrowed time ended, he could open his arms and embrace his fate.

In the present moment, Anson sat quietly in the storage room, but the cramped space couldn’t contain his spirit. It filled the entire world, the entire universe.

Miles, finally unable to hold back any longer, stepped forward eagerly. “Anson, can you play that first verse again?”

“Oh, wait... I forgot about the cello...”

“But it doesn’t matter. Here, right here, just like how the cello comes in. What do you think?”

They were already deep into their work, Miles and Anson bustling with energy.

Clearly, “Viva La Vida” was completely different from “Wake Me Up” and “Hero.” Not in terms of theme but in the complexity of the arrangement.

“Wake Me Up” and “Hero,” though intricate, were fundamentally built on four instruments—cello, guitar, keyboard, and bass, with drums serving as support. The arrangements emphasized layering and cooperation between band members, but they weren’t overly elaborate.

“Viva La Vida,” on the other hand, was on a whole other level.

The grandeur and vastness could be felt from Anson’s composition of the main melody to the lyrics. A single piano couldn’t do it justice.

Miles, with his professional insight, suggested they should fully utilize the strengths of an orchestra.

It wasn’t just about using a symphony orchestra, though. While classical grandeur was important, their band was about breaking musical norms, pushing boundaries with pop, electronic, and other elements. They needed to layer different instruments and tracks to enrich the arrangement.

Music and art, like life, are about balance. Simplifying complexity and making simplicity profound are equally challenging, and it’s easy to stray off course.

Now, Anson and Miles were trying to enrich the music, not by simply adding more instruments but by finding harmony between them.

This was Anson’s weakness.

To be honest, Anson had never formally studied music. When his passion turned into a profession, he hit a wall.

How to arrange, how to coordinate, how to balance, how to achieve harmony—this was a whole new world for him.

“Wake Me Up” and “Hero” had clear layers and straightforward arrangements. Anson had relied on intuition and inspiration. But now...

It was a mess.

Luckily, Miles was experienced. His systematic knowledge and quick thinking helped connect the dots.

Clearly, this was going to be a huge project.

Lily and Connor were left dumbfounded.

Had they skipped a few steps in this process?

They exchanged bewildered looks. So, what now? Were they just going to go along with Anson’s proposal?

But... why not?

Without Anson, they would’ve had no hope from the beginning. No “Tonight Show,” no record deal, no “Wake Me Up” or “Hero.” Now that Anson was willing to help continue the band’s journey, why refuse?

Besides...

Connor glanced at Lily and gave a helpless smile. “Can you say no?”

Though he didn’t say it outright, Lily immediately understood. Could she say no to “Viva La Vida”?

Such a grand, moving, beautiful song.

A smile crept across Lily’s face. She wanted to try. She wanted to believe in her passion again. She wanted to chase her dream one more time, even if it meant ending in disaster.

“I couldn’t say no to ‘Wake Me Up,’ and I couldn’t say no to ‘Hero.’ Do you think I can say no to ‘Viva La Vida’?”

Lily said, then looked at Anson and Miles, who were already hard at work, and joined them in the small storage room. Connor followed suit, and soon the entire group was working together, drenched in sweat and driven by their shared passion.

### Chapter 498: A Bucket of Cold Water

*Tuesday, May 14, 2002*

On one side, Anson, who had just stirred up a movie-watching frenzy across North America with "Spider-Man," was at home messing around with music with a group of friends, seemingly lost in another world.

On the other side, "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones" made its dazzling debut. Without a doubt, this was the biggest event of 2002 in the North American film market. No one had forgotten the grand spectacle three years earlier when "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace" was released.

Back then, the film also premiered during the third week of May, the weekend before Memorial Day. It raked in $64 million over its opening weekend and eventually grossed $430 million in North America and $924 million worldwide. This impressive performance earned the movie the second spot on the all-time box office charts in both North America and globally, trailing only behind "Titanic."

Sixteen years after the original "Star Wars" series concluded, the franchise proved it still commanded the top spot in North American pop culture.

Now, with the release of the second installment of the prequel trilogy, the excitement was palpable from the trailers alone. Fans were eager to see Anakin Skywalker's transformation into the fearsome Darth Vader. The entire North American market was whipped into a frenzy, eager for the film's release. No one wanted to miss out on this event.

And indeed, the hype was justified. The franchise lived up to its reputation as a major draw.

From television to radio to newspapers and magazines, the promotion was everywhere. Even the history-making "Spider-Man" had to step aside to make way for "Star Wars: Episode II."

The film's premiere was a star-studded event, with half of Hollywood turning out. Just when people were marveling at the presence of both Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise at the "Spider-Man" premiere, the spectacle of the "Star Wars: Episode II" premiere, rivaling that of the Golden Globe Awards, left them speechless, jaws dropped in awe.

The overwhelming momentum of the film swept across the entire North American continent like a hurricane.

Almost immediately, news headlines couldn't contain their excitement—

Stories like "Star Wars: Episode II" to Face Off Against "Spider-Man," "A Titanic Clash Hits North America," and "A Cosmic Battle Between Mars and Earth Ignites North American Box Office Fever" flooded the media.

All of this excitement was sparked by the premiere alone, which sent the media into a frenzy.

Amid all the buzz, the critical consensus for "Star Wars: Episode II" was quickly released:

*A score of 54.*

Audience: ...

Wait, was there a mistake?

Nope, there wasn’t.

Out of 39 professional media outlets, the film scored a 54.

A bucket of cold water was thrown over the hype.

First of all, 39 media outlets was significantly less than the 50 that reviewed "Spider-Man." How could that be?

Wasn't the premiere supposed to be grand enough to crush "Spider-Man"? Didn't 20th Century Fox pour all its resources into this? Weren't both movies supposed to save the industry together, with equal coverage from all the media?

What the hell?

Secondly, 54 points?

... Damn, 54 points!

Of course, it might not be all that bad.

Out of the 39 outlets, 16 gave positive reviews, with the *Chicago Tribune* giving it a perfect score of 100—wait, was that Roger Ebert?

No, Roger Ebert was with the *Chicago Sun-Times*, my mistake.

But the point is, the average score from those 16 positive reviews wasn't enough to offset the impact of the 18 mixed reviews and 5 negative ones, which severely dragged down the overall media score.

Among the criticisms, Hayden Christensen was the primary target.

Even before the film's release, Anakin Skywalker had already attracted a lot of attention. Every move by the production team sparked widespread discussion. But the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment, and all the criticism and blame fell on Hayden.

His stiff, lifeless, expressionless performance became the main target of both audiences and critics.

Of course, the film's problems went beyond that. The lengthy runtime, lack of excitement, ineffective storytelling, and bland direction all exposed the thin characters and shallow plot. The over-two-hour runtime certainly didn't help. The film's issues went far beyond Hayden's performance—

But blaming the lead actor is always the easiest and most effective approach.

Director George Lucas also came under heavy fire, with the criticism of both him and Hayden sharply contrasting with the buzz of the premiere.

Amid all the troubles and disaster, the only silver lining was that the "Star Wars" franchise had the most loyal, die-hard, and passionate fans in North America. These fans would endlessly forgive the film's flaws. Even if it was garbage, they could sculpt a rose out of it. They would never give up on George Lucas.

For reference, three years ago, "Star Wars: Episode I" received an even worse media score of 51, yet that didn't stop it from becoming a box office hit.

And now?

Those crazy fans were still in high spirits: Look, the second film scored three points higher than the first! A whole three points—this was a significant improvement.

Maybe 20th Century Fox could still hold out hope that the combined effects of "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars" would create box office magic—

*$100 million on opening weekend?*

Why not!

Dreams are worth having, just in case they come true.

*Thursday, May 13*

"Star Wars: Episode II" took an unconventional route, choosing not to release on Friday, but instead launching a day early on Thursday. If it managed to rake in part of its box office early on Thursday and still gross $100 million over the weekend, it would undoubtedly make history from another angle—

Breaking "Spider-Man's" $130 million weekend record head-on might be tough, so 20th Century Fox sought another way to make its mark.

Bright and early, the line of fans already stretched out the door of the theater. The die-hard fans were well aware that "Spider-Man" was making history, so how could they lose?

Early screenings were sold out.

Everything was going just as the media predicted—the clash between "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II" was indeed drawing audiences back to theaters.

Then, the fervent fans, queuing up to buy tickets and determined to defeat "Spider-Man," noticed some commotion at the AMC Century City theater—

Wait a second, was that... *Anson Wood?*

No way, why was Anson here on the opening day of "Star Wars: Episode II"? Was he here to convince people to buy more tickets to see "Spider-Man"?

Wasn't he worried about getting mobbed?

Jesse Herold, a Fox TV reporter, had been on-site at the AMC Century City two weeks ago to report on the opening of this summer's movie season. Now, he was back to push the summer box office hype to new heights.

Along with Jesse was the ever-loyal Alexander Porter.

Although many teams had volunteered to cover the event, Jesse turned them all down. After all, if you've gone through hardships together, you should enjoy the success together too.

Amid the bustling crowd, Jesse quickly caught sight of the commotion. After wrapping up an interview, he keenly looked in the direction of the disturbance.

What he saw nearly made his eyes pop out—

What on earth?

*Chapter 499: A Pot of Hot Oil*

Anson?

Wait, why is Anson here?

The usually quick-witted Jesse suddenly found his mind coming to a halt, almost choking on his own saliva in surprise. Last time, they had witnessed history here; little did they expect to witness another extraordinary scene this time.

Though his thoughts were racing, Jesse quickly regained his composure, called out to Alexander, and swiftly made his way over.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Anson stood there casually, without any special actions or words, yet it seemed as if the sunlight naturally gathered on him like a spotlight. The surrounding crowd blurred into the background, making it effortless to spot him.

Before realizing it, Jesse’s focus had narrowed down to Anson alone.

So, it turns out that people really can carry their own aura.

Not just Jesse, but others in line also began to notice Anson, their gazes subtly drifting towards him.

By the time Jesse reached him, a quiet commotion had already started, with some people even striking up conversations with Anson, creating a particularly lighthearted and cheerful atmosphere.

The more Jesse looked at this scene, the more miraculous it seemed.

Clearly, this was a line to watch "Star Wars: Episode II", but when did it turn into an Anson fan meet-and-greet?

Taking a few quick steps, Jesse rushed to Anson’s side.

“Anson, may I ask why you’re here?”

With that one question, all eyes turned toward them.

Bathed in the attention, Anson appeared especially relaxed, replying, “To watch a movie, of course.”

It was so natural, so straightforward, that Jesse was at a rare loss for words—

Of course, Anson was here to watch a movie. What else could it be? Just because Anson starred in "Spider-Man", does that mean he can't watch a movie?

It was precisely because people thought "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II" were competitors that they were surprised to see Anson here. But breaking away from such stereotypes, this scene didn’t seem so surprising after all.

Seeing Jesse at a loss for words, leaving a rare pause in the interview, Anson’s smile widened. He gestured to the side, “I’m here with the director to support 'Star Wars'. Honestly, who could say no to 'Star Wars'?”

What a statement!

At that moment, Jesse snapped back to reality and noticed Sam Raimi quietly standing nearby—

Blinking rapidly, Jesse’s mind raced, “Wow, wait, wow!”

“Ladies and gentlemen, the director and lead actor of 'Spider-Man' are at the cinema, ready to buy tickets for 'Star Wars: Episode II'. Looks like Sam and Anson are Anakin Skywalker fans too.”

Before he could finish speaking, someone in the line shouted, “Good choice!”

Amidst the hubbub, Anson turned and responded, “Thanks for the compliment.”

Boom.

The crowd burst into laughter.

Meanwhile.

In San Francisco, Lucas was watching the morning news. When the assistant changed the channel, Lucas accidentally caught a familiar face on Fox Morning News, nearly choking on his drink, coughing violently.

The caption on the screen read, “'Spider-Man' director Sam Raimi and star Anson Wood personally came to the cinema to support 'Star Wars: Episode II'.”

And on the screen, Anson was smiling brightly, saying the now-iconic line, “To watch a movie, of course”—

Even Anson himself didn’t expect that this line would spark widespread discussion across North America.

Because it was so obvious—going to the cinema was naturally to watch a movie. What else would you do there, play tennis?

And because it was so straightforward, he openly expressed his love for the film, showing support even for a competitor.

In 2002, this kind of situation was extremely rare, very, very rare. During the summer box office season, film companies were in a life-or-death struggle, with actors even avoiding mentioning their competitors’ names during promotions to prevent inadvertently helping them with publicity.

And yet, Anson took a completely different approach.

The entire North American market was left questioning: “Wait, you can do that?”

The real-world response was the best proof. Before Lucas could react, a colleague who had never shown any interest in movies glanced over and said, “Lucas, isn’t that your brother? Suddenly, I feel like watching 'Spider-Man'.”

Lucas was taken aback, then chuckled, “Sure, I’ll buy the tickets, you get the popcorn. After work today, let’s go as a whole company?”

Laughter and chatter erupted around them.

And this was just the beginning—

Through Fox Morning News, Anson and Sam’s trip to the cinema to watch 'Star Wars: Episode II' quickly went viral.

Before the summer box office season began, Hollywood showed a united front, with the seven major studios banding together to encourage audiences to return to theaters. But once the season started, it was every studio for itself, fighting tooth and nail.

Was this normal?

But audiences hadn’t noticed this yet because the film industry had always been like this.

Until now.

Anson and Sam’s actions, consistent inside and out, resonated deeply:

Indeed, there is competition between movies. Audiences have limited time and money, often only able to choose one film. The market potential is relatively fixed; but when the entire box office market is sluggish, movies should stand together as partners and comrades-in-arms. Winning or losing no longer matters because this is about the rise and fall of an entire industry.

Audiences can support 'Spider-Man', or they can support 'Star Wars: Episode II'. It doesn’t matter which movie they choose; what matters is the film itself, and that they buy a ticket and go to the cinema to enjoy the visual feast.

This level of magnanimity, this attitude, this vision, is truly something to be admired.

While 20th Century Fox and countless professionals and media outlets were focused on breaking 'Spider-Man'’s opening weekend box office record, Anson and Sam were looking higher and thinking further ahead.

Instantly, the topic became a hot debate—

From The Tonight Show to SNL, talk shows big and small were buzzing with discussion. Anson won widespread praise from entertainment industry professionals, who were deeply impressed by this young actor, not yet twenty.

The most incredible part was that SNL, always on-trend, even parodied Jesse’s interview with Anson. Though it was a comedic sketch, it still showed how Anson was making his mark on popular culture, even beyond the role of Peter Parker. Anson Wood, the actor, was beginning to establish his own identity, which was the true unexpected reward.

His breakout status? 100%.

This wave of excitement was something the premiere of 'Star Wars: Episode II' hadn’t anticipated—a pot of hot oil suddenly poured onto an already raging fire, causing it to explode—

And it spread like wildfire.

Jay Leno even joked on his show, “'Spider-Man' has made its move. Now it’s 'Star Wars: Episode II'’s turn.”

*Chapter 500: A Dazzling Competition*

20th Century Fox was in a bit of a panic, scrambling to figure out what to do.

Adam Scott commented, "Now you know how flustered and embarrassed I was when I saw Anson recording 'The Tonight Show'? Now it's someone else's turn to experience the power of Anson's bold moves, haha!"

To be honest, 20th Century Fox was caught off guard.

This kind of situation had never happened before.

However...

Before "Star Wars: Episode II" could respond, the second wave of moves from the "Spider-Man" team had already arrived, intensifying their efforts.

On one side, some viewers saw James and his crew from the "Jackass" series heading to the theater to watch "Star Wars: Episode II."

On the other, other viewers saw Kristen and her group of girlfriends posing for photos with their "Star Wars: Episode II" ticket stubs in front of a poster.

Then, on Saturday morning, during a phone interview on NBC's "Today Show," Anson made an enthusiastic call to action.

"Please head to the theaters."

"We have 'Spider-Man,' we have 'Star Wars,' we have 'Unfaithful,' and a slew of other great films coming to theaters soon. Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise's collaboration, 'Minority Report,' is also about to be released."

"Hey, trust me, this summer, the theater is definitely worth a visit."

Calm, poised, and full of humor—

He wasn't just promoting current releases; he was also plugging upcoming films.

Here's a detail: "Minority Report" was produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox.

In other words, Anson had already promoted two of 20th Century Fox's films. If 20th Century Fox still remained silent, it would be unreasonable.

Finally, someone took action.

Also on Saturday, Anson's fans were the first to respond to their idol's call.

Gloria in Los Angeles and Blair in New York—fans, without any organized activity, spontaneously responded to Anson's call, heading to theaters to watch both films and doing one thing in unison:

Posting their ticket stubs.

In the age of social media, this is common, with people accustomed to sharing glimpses of their lives. But in 2002, this was not typical.

Gloria, Blair, and others all coincidentally posted their ticket stubs on Yahoo Communities, including stubs for "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II," showcasing their participation in the summer blockbuster wave. A new trend quickly spread among young people.

Fashionable, popular.

This wave of posting ticket stubs became the trendiest activity of the summer of 2002, sweeping across North America.

It was grand and unstoppable.

Yet, the "Star Wars: Episode II" team... still didn't react.

Slow, sluggish, delayed, clumsy.

You can't really blame 20th Century Fox. After all, such a situation had never happened before. It even broke market rules, presenting an entirely new scenario without any warning. Especially since it involved the "Star Wars" team, they were a bit flustered. It wasn't that they didn't want to respond; they just didn't know how—or more accurately, couldn't respond as planned.

20th Century Fox understood all the reasoning. They realized right away that they should respond directly. The most straightforward approach would be to have the "Star Wars: Episode II" team also post their ticket stubs, showing a stance of fair competition and dancing along with the "Spider-Man" team.

However...

George Lucas refused, calling it "pandering to the masses." He disdained and was unwilling to participate in such a lowbrow and ridiculous promotional activity.

Natalie and Ewan expressed concerns, wondering if following suit and posting ticket stubs would mean they were being led by the nose by the "Spider-Man" team, potentially redirecting "Star Wars" viewers to "Spider-Man." But the real reason was the fear that it might tarnish the actors' personal images.

20th Century Fox: ...

Hayden was willing to cooperate, but relying on just one Hayden clearly couldn't match the intensity and heat of the "Spider-Man" team.

So, the team couldn't keep up with the pace, and 20th Century Fox uncharacteristically fell silent—

This also made them the target of jokes on talk shows, with many suggesting that the "Star Wars" team, as North America's top box office draw, lacked a sense of humor and had a narrow, shortsighted view.

The pressure mounted, layer upon layer.

In this situation, the die-hard fans of the "Star Wars" series were the first to make a move: reciprocation.

Since Anson had bought tickets to support "Star Wars: Episode II," extending an olive branch, they didn't mind buying a ticket to return the favor for Anson's promotion.

After all, "Star Wars: Episode I" held the second spot on both the North American and global box office charts. They had the confidence and the grace to welcome any challenge.

Without a doubt, this was an unprecedented occurrence in the North American film market. Even industry professionals couldn't be sure what impact Anson's move would have or how it would affect the box office performance of both films.

Setting aside everything else, at least among Hollywood insiders and casual onlookers, Anson's reputation soared:

He truly displayed the magnanimity and grace of a superstar. Despite "Spider-Man" continuously breaking box office records and having the potential to set more, he didn't crush his competitors for personal gain. Instead, he advocated for fair competition and mutual success, earning widespread admiration.

While it's unclear how the die-hard "Star Wars" fans viewed Anson, it's certain that his popularity among the general public skyrocketed.

The true power of going viral was just beginning.

Previously, "Spider-Man's" box office success had many contributing factors, but at its core, its target audience was still those who loved "lone hero-style Hollywood action movies," particularly resonating with teenagers. Its reach hadn't expanded further.

Now, things were different.

Those who weren't interested in superhero movies, action films, or teen dramas began to pay attention to theaters, and to "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II" because of this wave of buzz.

This is a massive audience, and even if just 1% of them were motivated to buy tickets, it could trigger a box office explosion—

Just like with "Titanic."

Buzz. Focus. Attention.

Suddenly, the conversation on every street corner revolved around "Star Wars: Episode II," which hit theaters that week. Yet, somehow, the discussions always circled back to "Spider-Man" in the end!

No one expected this, but the summer movie season of 2002 was heating up, dazzling everyone. The film market had truly come roaring back!

Friday, Saturday, Sunday—the weekend flew by, and before 20th Century Fox could respond to the "Spider-Man" team's sudden move, the opening weekend had already ended. Millions of eyes were now focused on the North American box office rankings for the week—

The anticipation was off the charts, reaching an unbelievable level.