The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 2115 Be confident
Taking a deep breath, Michael, who was usually glib and obsequious, surprisingly revealed a rare righteous spirit.

“I know you just finished filming a movie and have a full schedule coming up, so you don’t plan to commit to another high-pressure project for the time being.”

"But I have to try, or I'll never forgive myself for the rest of my life."

His words were righteous and resolute, a desperate gamble, and even a hint of tragic heroism emanated from them. Even Eduardo couldn't help but glance at Michael sideways.

It was clear that Anson was also somewhat moved; his deep blue eyes shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

“Michael, I can feel your sincerity. I believe you genuinely love this project and have poured your heart and soul into it.”

"But I can't accept it."

Michael: ...

Her smile vanished instantly.

Not to mention Michael, even Eduardo was completely taken aback. He thought Michael had convinced Anson, and that Anson would definitely agree, leading to a touching and memorable collaboration. If the film was a success, the negotiations at Cannes would become a much-talked-about behind-the-scenes story.

As a result, this is it?
A complete reversal!
Michael was a little flustered. He thought everything was going well, he thought he had it all figured out, he thought he had convinced Anson, but what was going on?

“Anson…” Michael’s smile was almost impossible to maintain.

Anson, witnessing this, burst into laughter. "Hahaha, sorry, Michael, I didn't mean to."

Michael's heart leaped back into his veins. Was Anson just joking or playing a prank? "You mean, you're willing to take it on?"

Anson waved his hands repeatedly, "No, I mean, I didn't mean to tease you, but your expression... haha."

Anson, completely disregarding his image, burst into unrestrained laughter. The passing crowd noticed this scene, but no one stopped.

Michael quickly took a deep breath. "Anson, I thought everything was going well."

Anson nodded. "Of course, your speech was very persuasive, but I still have the right to refuse, right?"

Michael: ...

A breath caught in his throat, all his sweet talk vanished, his mind went blank, and he couldn't utter a word as he looked at the self-righteous Anson in front of him.

Yes, Anson was right. He didn't even need to explain or linger; he simply refused and turned to leave, leaving Michael helpless.

This is the current situation. Standing before us is Anson Wood, an entity that even giants like Sony Columbia and Warner Bros. need to treat with caution.

If Johnny Depp can act recklessly, Anson can do even more whatever he wants.

This reality slammed into Michael's chest, and he could barely maintain his composure.

Anson noticed, and still smiled. Although there was no need to explain, he decided to explain anyway, "I believe this is an interesting project, quite different from the current film companies' concept of commercial genre films. You are expecting a unique post-apocalyptic movie."

"However, I currently lack the time and energy to prepare for other projects. I must focus all my energy on the upcoming 'Spider-Man 3'." "Schedule is one aspect, but my own situation is another."

"You should know that I haven't had a break since the beginning of this year, and I'll be busy again during the summer season. I haven't had a moment to relax in the first half of the year. To be honest, my family is very, very angry. They almost flew to Cannes to arrest me. Before joining the 'Spider-Man' crew, I promised them that I would take a break for a while and not consider any projects for the time being."

“Any project.”

"So, it's not directed at you, it's just a matter of time."

Be frank and sincere.

Michael… couldn’t refuse. Anson always did. His eyes were clear and bright as he looked over, and he spoke sincerely as an equal. His focus and seriousness were convincing, making people want to believe him and genuinely believe that this was reality.

Michael was both anxious and helpless, "But..."

Anson, however, had already changed the subject. "Ah, we've arrived at our destination. Michael, time's up. Thank you so much for your appreciation and for coming all the way to Cannes. It's been a very pleasant fifteen minutes. I hope your project can find a suitable actor. I believe you have many options in Hollywood."

After saying his goodbyes, Anson quickly joined the queue at the entrance of the cinema.

Michael stood there, staring blankly at Anson's back as he watched Anson high-five and chat with the other reporters. The group, which had seemed tired and quiet just a moment ago, was immediately invigorated by Anson's arrival, and all eyes turned to him.

Indeed, Hollywood's A-list actor roster, while not long, is consistently substantial, offering a wide selection within the $20 million club.

Johnny Depp, George Clooney, Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, Will Smith, and many more.

But, "none of them are Anson Wood," Michael muttered to himself.

Logically speaking, being rejected should make you feel frustrated and angry. After spending so much effort, you still hit a wall in the end. Your heart, which was soaring high, crashes to the ground and shatters into pieces.

However, Michael did not do that. He stood there blankly, his thoughts churning, a feeling that was hard to describe swirling on his tongue.

At the entrance of the Palais des Festivals, Anson had already assumed the role of guest film critic, preparing for a new day of work.

Anson wasn't lying when he rejected Michael; it was indeed due to scheduling conflicts and lack of energy.

In fact, from a certain perspective, Michael's words were not all bluff. Although a small part of them were exaggerated sweet talk, they were based on reality overall.

"I Am Legend" is indeed a unique commercial genre film. It focuses on the apocalypse, but does not follow the conventional route of large-scale scenes. Instead, it focuses on a person's mentality, from a state of loneliness to the search for the meaning of life, and finally returns to the grand scenes of a commercial blockbuster.

Without a doubt, the success or failure of this unique work rests entirely on the male lead; it is a complete one-man show, a stage exclusively for showcasing the actor's personal charm.

In its previous life, "I Am Legend" starred Will Smith, who single-handedly infused the film with unique charm. At a critical juncture in his career, when he encountered bottlenecks and crises, he used this unparalleled work to refute doubts and prove that his ability to become a box office superstar was not just a matter of luck.

More importantly, it's not just because of his skin color. In fact, he does possess screen charisma, exuding a unique charm and sexiness. He was able to compete with box office superstars like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Johnny Depp for fifteen years, relying on his superstar aura.

"I Am Legend" is far from being Will Smith's comeback film, but it is undoubtedly a work that further solidified his superstar status and earned him a voice at the top of the Hollywood pyramid for the next decade. Even if the subsequent box office flops do not affect his status.

(End of this chapter)