486-490

### Chapter 486: Witnessing History

Box office, box office, box office.

This was the only word in Gloria's mind as she anxiously opened the newspaper. But the moment she saw the number, she began to doubt her eyes—

Wait, how many zeros is that?

Could it be a mistake?

One, two, three… Gloria carefully started counting the zeros, focusing intently. She counted them once, then checked again, and then a third time.

Finally, Gloria could confirm that her eyes were not playing tricks on her.

$130 million.

"Spider-Man" had raked in $130 million across North America in just three days after its premiere—not $90 million, not $100 million, but a staggering $130 million, shattering the previous record by $40 million.

At this moment, when looking back at "Jurassic Park III," the once seemingly insurmountable $70 million opening weekend suddenly seemed small in comparison.

Unbelievable, astounding.

But it was really happening.

"Ah!"

Gloria turned to her mother, unable to contain her excitement, and let out a cheer.

"Ahhh, Mom, Mom!"

"Anson's movie broke $100 million on its opening weekend! A hundred million!"

"Ah!"

Seeing her daughter jumping up and down with joy, Mrs. Preston was equally shocked. She instinctively brought the newspaper closer to her face—

"Making History!"

Not just in the entertainment section, but as the front-page headline of the Los Angeles Times. This historic moment was given its due recognition, with Anson’s photo gracing the cover, his expression solemn as he held Spider-Man’s mask, the intensity of it all leaping off the page.

$130 million!

In the face of this number, any words seemed to lose their meaning.

Even Mrs. Preston’s heart began to race, pounding in her chest. Even if she didn’t fully grasp the significance of the number, she could still feel the heat of the summer box office frenzy.

Looking up, Mrs. Preston could see Gloria spinning in place with a beaming smile, her genuine joy making the sunlight in the room seem dim in comparison.

"Ah, ahhh."

Gloria used all her strength to express her happiness. She grabbed the brown paper bag Mrs. Preston had prepared, snatched up her school bag, and dashed out the door—

"Mom, I’m off to school!"

"Haha."

Even from far away, Gloria's laughter could still be heard, followed by another shout.

"A hundred million! A hundred million!"

Soon, a commotion broke out as well, indicating the school bus was about to join in the celebration. One could easily imagine the noise in the school today.

Mrs. Preston shook her head, laughing quietly to herself, and then opened the newspaper to read in detail.

"…Witnessing History."

"Spider-Man" had utterly dominated the North American box office this week, delivering on all the hype and expectations with absolute strength and confidence. The market, which had been dormant since the brief resurgence during the release of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," found its outlet now, fully igniting the summer.

The world’s first film to break $100 million in its opening weekend had made its debut, completely unannounced, and without warning.

And not just breaching the $100 million mark, but surging all the way to $130 million, disrupting all norms and signaling a new era for the North American box office.

Every audience member was both a witness to history and a creator of it.

"…Anson Wood shone on the big screen with an unparalleled charm—a youthful, vivid, nuanced, and deeply complex charisma. Every frame he appeared in radiated both the character’s and the actor’s individual allure, serving as the final and most crucial piece of the puzzle in making history…"

Carter Robins watched Hayden Christensen's expression carefully. Hayden didn’t read the entire article; he set the paper aside and looked out the window with a calm face, his eyes slightly unfocused, revealing little emotion. It was hard to discern what he was feeling.

Carter was unsure.

As an agent, Carter had met all kinds of actors with various personalities, and reading people’s emotions was key to his livelihood. But now, looking at Hayden’s reaction, Carter couldn’t quite figure it out.

He had thought Hayden was an open book—somewhat naive, somewhat simple—but now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

As Carter pondered this, Hayden suddenly got up and walked toward the kitchen, which caught Carter off guard. He quickly spoke up.

"Hayden, this doesn’t mean anything. Maybe the market is just waking up, and we’ll easily surpass their record, just like how 'Harry Potter' topped 'Pirates of the Caribbean' last year."

Hayden, "I know."

Carter was surprised, "What?"

Hayden didn’t repeat himself, instead asking, "I’m making breakfast—eggs, do you want some?"

"No, I’m not hungry," Carter replied. "Hayden, I’m serious, there’s no need to get thrown off by their success."

Hayden paused, "I know. Carter, I know Anson can do well. He’s always been like that, so it doesn’t surprise me that he’s getting this kind of praise."

Carter: …

Is this reaction normal?

Hayden picked up two eggs, "You sure you don’t want any?" Carter shook his head, and Hayden started cracking the eggs. "James has always had personality and talent; he knows his appeal, so he seizes every opportunity. And Anson, well, he’s definitely a unique guy, isn’t he?"

"It’s no surprise the movie is successful. Everyone’s shocked, but I’m not. $130 million, it seems about right. But they are them, and we are us, right? Their success doesn’t mean we’ll fail. Maybe we’ll succeed too."

Sure, that made sense.

But Hayden's reaction was really odd.

Looking back, one day out of the blue, Hayden contacted him, asking for help finding a new apartment as quickly as possible. Within 24 hours, he had moved out completely, vanishing from Anson and James’s villa like a puff of smoke.

Carter was baffled. He naturally assumed there must have been some issue between them, or perhaps Hayden was jealous of Anson and James and decided to leave. Or maybe it was a case of two tigers in one mountain. Whatever the reason, it seemed like something bad had happened. Otherwise, why would Hayden have gone so far as to move out and change his phone number, cutting ties with those friends?

Of course, Carter didn’t react outwardly.

A truly prepared superstar should clean up their circle of friends, getting ready for the media attention that was sure to come. The world of fame and fortune was far more complicated than it seemed.

But now, the situation in front of him was a little different from what Carter had imagined.

Carter was full of questions. Worried that Hayden might be upset, he rushed over to Hayden’s apartment early in the morning, ready to play the role of the super-agent, comforting Hayden, building trust, but—

That’s it?

Things didn’t seem right.

All the motivational pep talks Carter had prepared were now useless!

What was going on?

So, now what?

Carter looked up to see Hayden holding up a frying pan, flashing a big smile, "You sure you don’t want any?"

Carter: What?

*Chapter 487: Congratulations from All Sides*

As an agent, Carter had seen too many dark sides in Hollywood's small circle. It wasn’t that he was being cynical, but the spotlight in the entertainment world often blinds people, pulling them in before they even realize they’re trapped.

And indeed, reality was just as harsh—

With the explosive box office success of Spider-Man's premiere, discussions swept across North America, putting the Star Wars: Episode II team directly in the crossfire.

These two films were undoubtedly the biggest attractions of the first month of the summer season, with other films avoiding direct competition. No one wanted to get caught between these two juggernauts, even other blockbuster films made way.

Spider-Man and Star Wars: Episode II were released just one week apart, making it inevitable that they would clash.

It’s no surprise that once Spider-Man took the market by storm, Star Wars: Episode II was the first to respond, with all eyes on them.

20th Century Fox didn’t drop the ball with their PR efforts either.

“Congratulations to Spider-Man for surpassing $130 million in its opening weekend!”

On the surface, they played the role of gracious competitors, but behind the scenes, their marketing team was working overtime.

There was both excitement and anxiety.

On one hand, if an underdog like Spider-Man could achieve such a staggering box office, then surely Star Wars: Episode II could easily hit $100 million on opening weekend, right?

On the other hand, Spider-Man's unexpected success might have already drained some of the summer box office potential, leaving less room for Star Wars: Episode II, especially with just a week between their releases.

So, just like ducks paddling furiously underwater while appearing calm on the surface, the Star Wars: Episode II team was also feeling the pressure and anxiously watching the situation unfold.

What Carter and Hayden saw in the Los Angeles Times was just the tip of the iceberg.

“$130,000,000! History.”

“Spider-Man has arrived, the summer season is back.”

“Unexpected but not surprising, Spider-Man rewrites North American film history.”

“Anson Wood, the man who’s writing a new chapter in North American cinema.”

“Finally! Breaking the $100 million mark!”

“From $70 million to $90 million in four years; from $90 million to $130 million in just six months, what happened in between?”

“Spider-Man: It’s not just about $100 million…”

Spider-Man, Spider-Man, and more Spider-Man. Over 260 media outlets across North America were all reporting on the film’s historic achievement, fueling the hype.

And it wasn’t just North America—other countries around the world were also celebrating Spider-Man's success, marking this historic moment in film. Even though this wasn’t yet the era of social media, newspapers and magazines ensured that the news reached every corner of the globe, inviting everyone to join the celebration.

The buzz, the shock, the praise—Spider-Man was generating Titanic-level excitement.

In late 1997, Titanic was released with a production cost reportedly over $200 million, forcing 20th Century Fox to bring in Paramount to help share the risk and complete the film. However, its opening weekend was a disastrous flop—just $28 million in three days.

Forget about recouping costs; it was a financial hemorrhage.

But against all odds, 20th Century Fox launched a series of year-end couple’s movie events, leveraging the millennium’s "apocalyptic" fear alongside the film’s positive word-of-mouth to turn the tide.

Not only did the movie top the North American box office for 15 consecutive weekends, but its weekend box office drops remained below 10% for three months, including four weekends where the box office defied expectations and increased.

The rest is history.

So, what was initially dubbed a "disaster of the century" turned into a "box office bomb of the century," drawing even the most uninterested audiences to theaters.

The hype was unmatched.

Now, Spider-Man seemed to be experiencing a similar trajectory:

Breaking out in a big way.

First, Anson generated a huge buzz, then the film made history with its opening weekend box office—not just barely breaking records, but setting a whole new bar.

Compared to Jurassic Park III, Spider-Man’s opening weekend nearly doubled the box office. Compared to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, it saw a 45% increase.

The success was overwhelming, and the widespread discussion meant even casual moviegoers were noticing this film:

Maybe they should buy a ticket and see what the fuss was about?

The first weekend of May 2002 saw an explosion in the North American box office, giving audiences a taste of the summer heat they hadn’t felt in a long time.

The champion? Spider-Man.

The runner-up? The Scorpion King.

Third place? Changing Lanes.

It’s worth noting that Spider-Man dominated the market almost single-handedly, with the runner-up The Scorpion King only managing a paltry $9 million over the weekend. Its third-weekend box office was still bleeding, down nearly 50%.

To put it accurately, Spider-Man swept through the entire market like a T-Rex, leaving other films completely overshadowed.

Murder by Numbers suffered the same fate, with its weekend box office down another 43%, bringing in just $3.6 million. After three weeks, its cumulative box office was $23 million, and soon, no one would be talking about Sandra’s attempt at a career shift.

No wonder even the Star Wars: Episode II team was worried about getting squeezed out of the market—

Spider-Man was, indeed, a monster.

Now, the most crucial question was how Spider-Man would fare in the following weeks. How much would its box office drop in the second week? The third week?

If Spider-Man experienced a significant drop in its second weekend, then Star Wars: Episode II would have nothing to worry about; but if it turned into another Titanic, the Star Wars: Episode II team might really be in trouble.

However, everything was still unknown.

After all, no previous film’s box office trend could serve as a reference since a $100 million opening weekend was uncharted territory.

The only comparable example was last year’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Its second-weekend drop was 36.3%, with a weekend gross of $57 million.

But there’s only one data point, so its relevance is limited.

Moreover, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone had the advantage of Thanksgiving weekend for its second weekend, which drew in families. A 36% drop was an exceptionally strong performance.

Based on past experience, any drop below 50% is considered good; but those past experiences don’t really apply here, serving only as a rough guide.

The first to venture into uncharted territory will have to forge their own path—

On its second weekend, Spider-Man saw a drop of 31.1%, with a weekend gross of $96.5 million.

Chapter 488: The 100,000 Point Critical Hit

The second week of May 2002 was somewhat "quiet" in the North American movie market.

By "quiet," I don’t mean that the box office took a nosedive. It’s just that there were fewer releases than usual. Typically, the summer movie season is bustling, with blockbusters hitting theaters every week, keeping audiences on their toes.

This year was no different. All the major studios were gearing up to make a big splash in the summer lineup, but the second week of May was a rare exception.

Sandwiched between the releases of "Spider-Man" and "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones," no studio wanted to risk going head-to-head with these juggernauts. As a result, this week became a Russian roulette for low-budget films trying to make a mark.

One such film was a low-budget comedy, "The New Guy," made for just $10 million. Another was a thriller, "Unfaithful," which had a larger budget of $50 million but wasn’t exactly the type of film typically favored in the summer.

The distribution companies for both films knew the risks. They hoped to find a niche audience by avoiding direct competition with the blockbusters, trying to carve out a small piece of the pie.

But as it turned out—success was elusive.

This summer belonged to "Spider-Man."

"Unfaithful" earned $14 million in its opening weekend—not bad, but far from impressive, especially given its $50 million budget.

"The New Guy" made $9 million in its opening weekend. Though the numbers weren't eye-catching, considering its $10 million budget, it managed to scrape by.

However, neither film made much of a splash in the market, as all eyes in North America were focused on one movie: "Spider-Man."

In its second week, the buzz around the film continued to grow. The film's popularity was spreading beyond its initial fan base, with more and more people flocking to theaters. The movie's audience ratings only fueled the hype further.

Unlike media reviews, audience ratings reflect the general public's taste. At the time, IMDb was still in its early stages and Rotten Tomatoes didn’t even exist yet, so audience ratings were the most authoritative reference point.

After watching a movie, viewers could fill out a simple rating card at the theater's exit, and the collected feedback would be used to give the film a final score.

The lowest score was an F, and the highest was an A+.

Generally speaking, if a commercial movie wanted to succeed at the box office, it needed a rating of B or higher. Most box office hits had a minimum rating of A-.

"Spider-Man" scored an A.

Although it didn’t receive the highest grade, an A was more than enough for the general public.

As a result, waves of moviegoers continued to pour into theaters, creating a rare surge of enthusiasm.

In fact, the daily box office numbers from Monday to Thursday hinted at what was coming. Industry experts began predicting the weekend's box office numbers but were surprised when the anticipation didn’t cool down as the weekend approached. This led to constant adjustments in their forecasts.

And yet—they still underestimated the market's enthusiasm.

In its second weekend, "Spider-Man" saw a box office drop of only 31.1%.

This would be impressive even for a film that debuted with a $40 million opening weekend, but to see it happen with "Spider-Man" was extraordinary. People thought "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" had set a high bar with its Thanksgiving boost, but it paled in comparison.

$96 million.

This was "Spider-Man's" second weekend box office, which not only set records in its opening weekend but also blew away the debut numbers of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in its second weekend.

Sweeping. Crushing. Dominating.

"Spider-Man's" second weekend box office was even more astonishing than its first.

Last week, people were gasping in amazement; this week, they were left speechless, stunned into silence.

Even Sony Columbia was taken aback.

Despite going all-in and pinning their hopes on "Spider-Man" breaking records, seeing the actual numbers felt like a 100,000-point critical hit.

Why?

Because in 2002, a North American box office of $100 million was the benchmark for success. It was a surefire way to land in the top 20 or even the top 10 of the year-end box office rankings.

In other words, a total box office of $100 million was the goal for countless films.

Yet now, "Spider-Man" was approaching this benchmark in just two weekends, leaving the whole of Hollywood in shock. Even seasoned industry veterans were nearly scared out of their wits.

So, is this really another "Titanic"?

In just two weeks, "Spider-Man" had already amassed a box office total of $280 million.

The impact was profound and far-reaching!

From the looks of it, "Spider-Man's" two-week cumulative box office had already secured a spot in the top 15 of North American box office history, temporarily sitting at 14th place, and this was just the beginning.

Three hundred million seemed like a given, four hundred million appeared achievable, and five hundred million or even six hundred million was the real goal. The stakes and scale were now on a completely different level.

This sweeping momentum utterly disrupted the existing perceptions of the North American market, drawing millions of eyes to the film.

The success of "Spider-Man" was undeniable, but to this degree? It was nothing short of epic.

And so, all eyes turned to the monster set to debut in the third week of May—

"Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones."

The tension of the competition was palpable, and it was mounting on both sides.

For "Star Wars: Episode II," the dominance of "Spider-Man" had nearly drained the entire market, creating unimaginable pressure. It was no longer a matter of strategy or marketing; they needed a miracle.

For "Spider-Man," riding high on record-breaking success, facing such a formidable opponent could lead to a catastrophic drop in its third-weekend box office. In that case, forget about $600 million—even $400 million might be in jeopardy.

Mutual restraint, mutual entanglement.

For 20th Century Fox and Sony Columbia, this was bad news. The pressure was mounting, and there was little they could control.

But for moviegoers and fans, this showdown was pure entertainment. No matter what, the audience was the ultimate winner.

This is the charm of the summer movie season—clashes between giants, with stakes as high as they come.

With the release of the second-weekend box office numbers, all eyes were on "Star Wars: Episode II." This was shaping up to be an unprecedented summer, a first for Hollywood as they were about to witness a "Godzilla vs. King Kong" level of spectacle.

And then, it happened—finally, it was here—

The premiere of "Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones," also at the Grand Theatre!

### Chapter 489: Same World

At the Four Seasons Hotel, the guest room was bustling with activity. Makeup artists, stylists, and the movie's promotional team were all moving around, busy with the final preparations for the upcoming premiere. Despite the chaos, everything was well-organized, with everyone performing their tasks efficiently.

Hayden sat quietly in a chair, receiving his final touch-up. He observed the scene before him, sensing the tension in the air—tight shoulders, hurried steps, and scattered focus—all of it hinted at the pressure that was building up, even though no one spoke about it.

Even with the release of "Star Wars: Episode II," the team couldn't help but feel nervous, especially after seeing the box office records set by "Spider-Man." They were on high alert, doing everything possible to ensure everything was perfect before the movie's premiere.

In the midst of this storm, Hayden found himself lost in thought, his mind drifting.

Originally, Hayden hadn’t been worried at all—

"Star Wars" was undoubtedly the biggest franchise in North America, deeply influencing pop culture across the continent. A film like this couldn’t possibly fail. Any actor cast in it was guaranteed success, even if they played a minor role. Half of Hollywood's actors were fighting for a part, so why should Hayden be concerned?

But now, without warning, a sense of fear and panic gripped his heart. His thoughts raced chaotically, without any clear direction. His gaze became unfocused as he stared ahead.

So, would "Star Wars: Episode II" succeed? Or fail? What kind of box office performance would it achieve? Considering "Spider-Man" debuted with $130 million, could they surpass that number? And then there was Anson...

Unintentionally, Hayden recalled his unexpected encounter with Anson on "The Tonight Show." Anson was still as calm and confident as ever, casually creating a buzz with his impromptu street performances—a very typical Anson move.

Even Jay Leno, who made Ewan and Natalie feel a bit uneasy, didn’t faze Anson. He remained at ease, with an air of confidence that made it seem like he could control the entire world.

“Hayden!”

A voice called out, pulling Hayden back down to earth from his daydream. He quickly lowered his eyes, trying to hide his emotions, fearing that someone might notice his sudden confusion. He kept his gaze fixed on the floor, not daring to lift his head.

Carter was so caught up in his excitement that he didn’t notice Hayden’s attempt to mask his feelings. He couldn’t wait to share the good news.

“We’ve got it, we’ve got it!”

“Hollywood Boulevard is already packed, and the crowd stretches over to the surrounding streets, filled to the brim with people.”

“The fans at the front of the line arrived 48 hours early. You should see them—they brought tents and blankets, fully prepared like they’re on a camping trip, and they’ve slept outside the Grand Theatre for two nights.”

“The anticipation is through the roof—they can’t wait to get into the theater.”

As he rattled off the news, the whole room erupted in excitement. The joy was palpable, like a dam bursting open.

Even Hayden couldn’t help but lift his head, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. Amidst the mixed emotions, a quiet thrill began to take root.

Someone nearby, trying to contain their excitement, cautiously asked,

“So, how does it compare to two weeks ago?”

They didn’t mention “Spider-Man” by name, but the film was like Voldemort—a taboo that no one dared to utter aloud, yet its presence loomed over them like a dark cloud.

Carter turned to see everyone had stopped what they were doing, their eyes filled with both nerves and anticipation.

“It’s definitely better.”

Wow!

Just one sentence was enough to make everyone raise their arms and cheer. The world seemed to spin faster, leaving them all a bit dizzy.

Hayden was no exception.

Carter looked back at Hayden, and they exchanged a glance before breaking into a smile.

"Star Wars" truly lived up to its name, with the fans' enthusiasm taking the premiere to a whole new level, once again igniting the market’s energy—

The media and industry insiders were all buzzing with excitement.

This summer season was shaping up to be the best in a decade. The market’s pent-up energy was ready to explode, and the focus on the movie was pushing the excitement to new heights. The entire summer box office could benefit from this, creating a joyful atmosphere across Hollywood.

Naturally, all eyes were once again on the Grand Theatre.

And what about the "Spider-Man" team?

The promotional period had ended, the movie had been in theaters for two weeks, and its box office trajectory had stabilized. Now, all they could do was wait to see how "Star Wars: Episode II" would perform. But honestly, there wasn’t much left for the team to do.

So, they took a break.

At least, officially, they did. But they were closely watching the premiere of "Star Wars: Episode II" on Hollywood Boulevard.

Click.

Edgar hung up the phone and looked at Anson, gesturing toward his phone. "That was Adam Scott."

Anson looked confused.

Edgar explained, "He’s the head of marketing at Sony Columbia. We had a bit of a spat after the 'Tonight Show' incident."

Edgar made it sound trivial, but the behind-the-scenes drama was anything but. Sony Columbia had nearly blacklisted Anson.

But now, things had changed—

Sony Columbia was thrilled with the movie’s success. Their all-in gamble had paid off, and they recognized that "The Tonight Show" had played a crucial role.

Adam Scott was savvy enough to personally call Edgar to apologize. Edgar didn’t rub it in—he didn’t need to, as Adam was already feeling the sting. But Edgar did suggest that Adam should apologize to both Anson and Jay Leno.

You had to hand it to Edgar—he was sharp. By linking Anson and Jay together, he subtly elevated Anson’s status, further cementing his place in the industry.

Anson understood, nodding slightly. “I thought the promotional period was over?”

Edgar replied, “The opening weekend box office for ‘Star Wars: Episode II’ hasn’t come in yet. We don’t know how it will affect our movie’s performance, so the promotion isn’t really over.”

“He called to discuss your upcoming schedule. Sony Columbia is considering adding some follow-up promotions.”

Anson asked, “Like what?”

Edgar shrugged. “Probably magazine interviews or maybe a few more post-screening Q&As in different cities.”

Basically, the usual stuff.

From a communications standpoint, there are many strategies for promotion and marketing, but the key is always to connect with the target audience.

Of course, in the age of social media, online promotion and marketing are a bit different. With the fast pace of information updates, the criteria for what counts as a “buzz” or “hot topic” are constantly changing.

That’s why, in 2002, movie promotion strategies were still fairly fixed and lacked innovation.

Even if they did more follow-up promotions, they’d likely be preaching to the choir. The target audience had already been reached, and it would be hard to attract a new crowd. The promotions could end up being a waste of time, energy, and money without yielding any significant results.

Anson casually suggested, “Why not make full use of the hype around ‘Star Wars: Episode II’?”

*Chapter 490: Cautious Publicity Stunt*

After hanging up the phone, though Edgar’s expression remained neutral, internally, he felt nothing but disdain. He believed the marketing department at Sony Columbia lacked talent. They were missing out on a golden opportunity and didn’t even know how to seize it.

Magazines. Screenings. Tours.

They had already gone through all these routines once. What was the point of doing it all over again?

However, Edgar was clever enough to realize that now was the crucial moment to shape Anson's public image. He could either take this chance to belittle Adam for some short-term satisfaction or, more wisely, forgive and forget to boost Anson's reputation.

When you're in the spotlight, scrutiny follows.

Right now, all of North America's attention was on Anson. Countless people were looking for any mistake he might make. A single misstep could lead to a swift downfall, even before he could fully enjoy his success.

Edgar’s true aim was the sequel.

Given the current momentum, it was clear that Sony Columbia was already planning sequels, likely not just one but a whole trilogy, with Anson at the very center. Edgar had already started laying the groundwork, stirring up hype for a big contract for Anson's participation in the sequels.

So, if Sony Columbia wanted to add more promotional activities, they would fully cooperate.

Edgar genuinely hoped that "Spider-Man" would smash box office records. The higher, the better—after all, Anson stood to earn a cut of the profits.

But was this the best strategy?

Then.

"Why not make the most of the buzz around 'Star Wars: Episode II'?"

Anson’s voice broke through Edgar's thoughts, causing him to look up.

"What do you mean?" Edgar asked. "Everyone wants to ride their wave, but if we’re not careful, it could backfire. Their fans aren’t just numerous—they’re fanatical, and not exactly rational."

Anson chuckled. "I’ve never experienced it myself, but I’ve heard about it; don’t worry, we won’t offend those passionate fans."

Edgar didn’t interrupt, trusting Anson and waiting patiently.

“Captain, what if I, James, and Kristen went to the theater and bought tickets to support 'Star Wars: Episode II'?”

Edgar: What? "You’re competitors!"

Anson nodded. "If the media keeps pushing the narrative that we’re competitors, the audience will naturally see us as bitter rivals. In that case, die-hard 'Star Wars' fans would never buy tickets to see 'Spider-Man.'"

"But if we present the movies as friendly competitors, we can suggest that both films could succeed together. We could even remind Hollywood that this summer is crucial—after breaking the ice together, it shouldn’t just be our two movies reaping the rewards. Other films should also share in the success."

"Look at it this way."

"So far, our box office numbers are good, the momentum is strong, and victory is within reach. But we’re not suppressing our competitors to secure that win. On the contrary, we’re encouraging audiences to return to the theaters and support the summer blockbusters."

“What do you think the audience will make of that?”

Edgar was stunned.

Even though Edgar always knew Anson had a head full of wild ideas, he was still blown away by Anson's vision time and time again.

How did Anson even come up with this?

At that moment, Edgar's brain couldn’t keep up. He just tried to follow Anson’s line of thinking. “They’ll think the three of you are 'Star Wars' fans, too. Those die-hard fans might be proud to see you have good taste and might start seeing 'Spider-Man' in a new light.”

“They might also find the off-screen interactions between two rivals entertaining, and even people who weren’t interested in the movies might hear about it, creating a situation where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Edgar’s mind was racing, bursting with ideas and inspiration. Even though he wasn’t a marketing expert, he could see the potential chemistry at play, and he couldn’t help but get excited.

When he looked at Anson again, his eyes were filled with admiration.

In truth, these ideas weren’t entirely Anson’s own—they were inspired by his past life.

In 2023, the North American summer box office saw a slight recovery, showing some signs of competition, but overall, it fell short of expectations. As the summer season was winding down, three major blockbusters were released back-to-back.

"Mission: Impossible 7," "Barbie," and "Oppenheimer."

The marketing team behind "Barbie" came up with a clever idea: the film’s director, Greta Gerwig, and the lead actress, Margot Robbie, each bought tickets and took photos with the movie posters to show support for their competitors, "Mission: Impossible 7" and "Oppenheimer."

This stunt quickly caught on. Tom Cruise, along with director Christopher McQuarrie, replicated the gesture, buying tickets and posing with posters.

Unfortunately, the "Oppenheimer" team, led by director Christopher Nolan, didn’t participate, as Nolan wasn’t known for such promotional tactics.

Even so, the stunt sparked a huge wave of discussion on social media.

In the end, all three movies succeeded together, dominating the box office.

"Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," despite being vastly different in style, theme, and tone, became a viral sensation, coining the term "Barbenheimer," which swept across the internet. This even led to the creation of a new movie project titled "Barbenheimer."

Of course, the success of this promotional strategy heavily relied on the power of social media, where images and short videos were shared and reshared, providing endless content and creating many iconic moments. The buzz wasn’t just superficial—it was substantial.

But the original idea itself was indeed fitting for the current situation.

As Anson pointed out, they needed to capitalize on the "Star Wars" hype. However, the approach had to be adjusted for the times.

Anson continued to brainstorm.

"We could even tweak the strategy—I could go with the director to some cult-favorite theaters, attend special screenings, and watch the movie alongside other hardcore 'Star Wars' fans."

"If the three of us young actors go, it shows that the younger generation also loves 'Star Wars.' If the director goes, it shows support from the artistic community and his generation."

"We could even have Kristen bring some girlfriends along, showing that 'Star Wars' has a strong female fan base too."

“The key is, while showing off our 'Star Wars' tickets, we should also display our 'Spider-Man' tickets, subtly suggesting that both films appeal to a wide audience.”

If they stopped here, in 2002, without the amplification of social media, the buzz might not reach "Barbenheimer" levels. But even in different times, the desire to chase trends and be part of the conversation was the same.

So, to generate real buzz, the idea just needed a little tweak.

“And then, the final step is up to the marketing department—spreading the word.”