The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 1854: Distinguish between public and private matters
"No no no no."

Anson laughed, a wide, unrestrained laugh, shaking his head as he repeatedly rejected the idea.

"No, this shouldn't be done. There's no need for this."

"If people refuse to work with someone because they dislike them, then more than half of Hollywood's actors would be permanently unemployed."

A single teasing remark easily made Annie laugh as well.

"And to turn down Ang Lee's project? That's not worth it. If anyone should be leaving, it should be Jack, not you sacrificing your career."

"Hollywood shouldn't operate like this."

"The behind-the-scenes story of 'Baby's Beloved' is known to everyone in Hollywood. This is the way Hollywood operates: entertainment to the death, profit above all else."

"What Happened in Babylon" is a classic film released in 1962, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Bette and Joan are sworn enemies. They have clashed in public many times, wishing they could tear each other apart. Their hatred is an open secret in Hollywood.

Bette Midnight, with her acting talent, is hailed as one of the greatest actresses in Hollywood history, yet she is constantly ridiculed and ignored because of her appearance, and has to prove herself time and time again; Joan, with her beauty, is always regarded as a pretty face and spends her whole life trying to prove that she has acting skills, but ultimately fails.

They were jealous of each other for having what they desired, and they constantly competed openly and secretly, to the point that they didn't even dare to arrange for award ceremonies to be held nearby.

However, as the 1960s approached, both of their careers fell into a slump and they were gradually forgotten. Joan Crawford decided to take a gamble and carefully selected a novel to be adapted into a film. Believing that this work could turn her career around, she approached Bette Davis and asked to collaborate with her.

Despite Betty's initial difficulties, she eventually realized it was an opportunity, so they temporarily put aside their hatred and collaborated for the first time in their professional careers.

This is how the work "The Shocking Change in the Boudoir" came to be.

Sure enough, the movie was a huge success after its release, and Betty and Joan both returned to the spotlight.

Ironically, however, they still couldn't get what they wanted. Betty won another Oscar nomination for Best Actress for "What Happened to Baby Jane" but was still considered "ugly." Joan gave a brilliant performance but was once again ignored and was still seen as a pretty face who only dazzled the big screen because of her looks.

This story was later adapted into a "gathering of rivals," telling the behind-the-scenes story of this legendary rivalry.

If Betty and Joan hadn't been able to put aside their personal grudges and cooperate, there would have been no classic masterpiece like "What Happened in Babylonia," and later, no beloved classic series like "Nemesis."

As Anson said, in the world of Hollywood, if you refuse to work with someone just because you dislike them, you don't know whether it's their loss or yours, and in the end, everyone might be unemployed.

Anne was taken aback, making no attempt to hide her surprise. "'A shocking turn of events'? So, between him and me, who is Betty and who is Joan?"

Anson thought about it seriously for a moment, "Aren't you two both Joan Crawford?"

Annie choked on her words, but the slight upturn of her lips betrayed a hint of her inner turmoil. "What I mean is, we haven't gotten to that point yet, have we?"

Anson nodded. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean. Betty and Joan had to use all their strength to barely suppress the urge to tear each other's cheeks apart when they were in the same space, yet they still managed to complete this project together. You haven't even reached that level, so what difficulty could you possibly have?"

Anne, “But…”

She understood the reasoning; but she still felt awkward. After all, she had no experience with this before, and it was her first time encountering it, so she didn't know how to deal with it for a while.

Looking at Annie's conflicted expression, Anson simply found her adorable. "Relax, relax, he's not a devil."

Annie couldn't hold back any longer. She glared helplessly at Anson, and after a moment of restraint, she finally couldn't hold back anymore. "In the movie, my scenes with Jack are the main ones. Doesn't that affect you?" Anson paused, his eyes darting left and right. Why did he feel like this was a death trap question?
“I mind, of course I mind, I mind a lot, I hate all of this, it’s absolutely awful,” Anson said.

Anne looked at Anson, whose face was full of vigilance—

Clearly, this wasn't the answer she was waiting for, but hearing it wasn't bad, and she couldn't help but smile as it crept onto her lips.

Anne looked up at the sky speechlessly, "That's not what I meant. I didn't ask if you were jealous..."

Anson shook his head, his face resolute. "Scarlett came here today really only because of work..."

Now things are really messed up; the more we try to explain, the worse it gets. How did things get to this point?
Anne simply gave up resisting and looked at Anson with great interest and a meaningful look. "Go on, keep explaining. I think you might need to explain more."

Sure enough, Anne is still Anne, with a touch of rebellion and a bit of adventurous spirit in her bones.

Anson didn't explain, but instead looked Anne up and down carefully. "Look, you can do this job. Director Ang Lee can see Lulin's shadow in you."

Annie opened her mouth slightly, never expecting Anson to come back again, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.

Anson clenched his fist, his face serious. "Go for it! When the movie comes out, you'll outshine Jack and make the audience completely forget Jack's performance."

puff.

Annie's smile instantly blossomed. In the end, she couldn't help but feel a little eager to try it out after Anson said that. Is this normal?

Anson's lips curled into a relaxed smile. "If I remember correctly, the first actor confirmed for this project was Heath Ledger, right?"

Anne nodded. "Yes. How did you know?"

Anson: "We are friends. In fact, when Sony Columbia was looking for a replacement actor behind my back, they also approached Heath, who refused and told me about it over the phone."

Anne stared wide-eyed, unable to believe her ears; she had never known this before.

Anson laughed. "Yes, Heath thinks it's a very unethical thing to do. He even scolded the casting director at Sony Columbia."

Anne covered her mouth, not expecting Heath to be so fiery. "I thought you two had only worked together once in 'The Butterfly Effect'."

Anson said, "But before that, Heath also competed for the role of Peter Parker, and we've known each other for a long time. I believe Heath knew about those things, and it won't affect his future collaboration with Jack as an actor. You should also have the right mindset."

"In fact, I think this project will be very interesting."

Maintaining a clear distinction between public and private matters is a reflection of professionalism and also an extension of an actor's work.

So far, Anson has not encountered any actors with whom he has a bad chemistry, but that doesn't mean he won't in the future. If he had to choose between a harmonious working atmosphere on set and a brilliant production, Anson would choose the latter, even if it meant working with actors he doesn't like.

Anne looked at Anson, who was rubbing his hands together in anticipation, and was both surprised and amused. After thinking about it seriously, she smiled and said, "Okay, I will do my best to complete the filming."

Anson tilted his head and said in a deliberately pleased tone, "Oh, look, our Annie has grown up. It's her birthday, she's another year older, how sensible she is."

(End of this chapter)