In America, the Best Actor award starts with stereotypes.

At the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles, the premiere of "Rush Hour" has just begun on the giant screen.

On a bustling street in Los Angeles, a man in a police uniform, his sleeve stained with blood, walks toward a terrified little girl in the back row.

There was no deliberately scary, ear-piercing music, only upbeat car music and a man humming along casually.

"But it's just a sweet, sweet fantasy..."

The voice was very gentle, like a lullaby to a child.

But the fact that these words came from the mouth of a killer who had just killed two people sent chills down one's spine.

The moment the car door opened, the camera zoomed in sharply, giving the man a close-up—on his face, which was made up to be too pale and even somewhat inhuman, a strange smile appeared, almost identical to the classic scene in "The Shining"!

That's the kind of smile that only a madman would have—elegant, gentle, yet chilling!

"Mother……"

In the darkened stands, a little girl began to cry.

Many adults also wiped the sweat from their foreheads; despite the air conditioning being very strong in the screening room, many people's backs were already soaked with sweat.

All the viewers held their breath, eagerly anticipating how the main characters would defeat this terrifying killer.

But as the plot progressed, the audience's palms became even sweatier.

Especially when the assassin used his powerful Tongbei Fist to fight Jackie Chan in the abandoned building, many viewers closed their eyes, fearing that Jackie Chan would be killed by this terrifying assassin.

When the audience saw Jackie Chan cleverly dodge using various props and hold out until his teammates arrived, they cheered in unison.

They had already become part of the main characters' team.

As the plot neared its end, the dying assassin's final middle finger gesture brought the audience to a standstill.

At this moment, art has been created.

This is no longer just a simple action comedy; it also incorporates reflections on life.

As the end credits began to roll and the lights in the theater gradually came on, the audience did not leave immediately, as if they were still immersed in that "violent emptiness".

A few seconds later, the first round of applause rang out, followed by a second, a third… eventually coalescing into a roar powerful enough to shake the Chinese Grand Theatre.

Several months later, Chen Zhuo became famous again.

This time, he became famous not as the subject of a scandal, nor as a pretty boy, but as a screen persona.

His name is "Killer Sand".

……

"Incredible! This action movie is even better than the giant monster movie!"

At New Line Cinema's celebration party, the flashbulbs were so bright they were dizzying.

Robert Shaye—the New Line CEO who once doubted "Rush Hour" and planned to release it during the off-season—is now holding champagne, beaming and boasting in the crowd:

"This movie has already grossed 50 million in just one week! Keep in mind its budget was only a little over 30 million! I knew Jackie could bring us a miracle. Oh, and George too, although he's still young, he'll definitely be an actor who rivals Jackie in the future! Everyone says the Big Six are powerful, but New Line is the opening weekend box office champion of the summer! This is all thanks to my keen eye! Hahaha..."

Even the usually critical Los Angeles Times gave Rush Hour a very high rating in its latest review:

"The success of 'Rush Hour' is inseparable from the well-matched partnership of Cheng Jieji and Chris Tucker. Cheng Jieji's physical comedy paired with Tucker's chaotic banter made this film a summer blockbuster hit. But what truly made this somewhat formulaic film stand out was a newcomer actor known for his scandals. His portrayal of 'Killer Son' completely broke away from the traditional assassin role. He was manic, evil, yet possessed a touch of elegance, reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter from 'The Silence of the Lambs.' His exit scene was filled with the emptiness of a Western, giving this commercial film an artistic flair. Watching him, you would forget that he was a newcomer. Such a brilliant performance is something most actors who have been famous for one or two decades cannot achieve."

In the center of the banquet hall, Chen Zhuo, dressed in a well-tailored black evening gown, held the beautiful and charming Alicia on one arm and held a glass of champagne in the other, elegantly greeting wave after wave of producers and actors who came to toast him.

Six months ago, he was a nobody who no one paid any attention to.

A few months ago, he was just a pretty boy with nothing but good looks.

Now, it's completely different.

Even some white people who dislike Asians and have negative favorability ratings look at him with a hint of awe.

After all, the assassin he played was too terrifying. Who knows if such a person has a special side business? Moreover, the auto repair shop owned by this kid's relative belongs to the On Leong Chamber of Commerce, which is an organization with intricate connections to the underworld.

As for those close to him, their curiosity and affection were palpable in their eyes.

"Oh, this is incredible, Chen! Your prediction came true! You're no longer the leading man in the scandal; you're now 'Killer Sang' from 'Rush Hour'!"

Mariah Carey's energetic voice carried from a great distance.

"And you know what? You even made my song popular again. I never thought my song would become popular again in this way."

"My God, this is amazing! I never knew hip-hop elements and killers could go so well together. All those hip-hop teenagers have gone crazy. They're imitating your expressions and your humming style like crazy on the streets."

"You flatter me. The reason it's become popular again is because Ms. Kelly's songs are good enough, it has nothing to do with me."

Chen Zhuo responded with a smile, humble and easy-going.

"He's got a sweet tongue, Alicia, you'd better keep an eye on him. People who are sweet-talking and good-looking are too easy to cheat on."

"Let me tell you..."

Maria whispered something to Alicia.

Chen Zhuo felt a sharp, tingling pain in his lower back, as if he had been twisted countless times.

"Chen Zhuo, sister-in-law, you're here."

Jackie Chan also came over with a glass of champagne. He patted Chen Zhuo's shoulder hard, so hard that Chen Zhuo almost cried out.

"You're something else, kid. A lot of media outlets are saying that you outshone me in the movies and are the new king of villains."

Chen Zhuo smiled wryly: "It's all just media hype, brother, don't take it to heart."

Jackie Chan laughed heartily: "What's our relationship? Why would I take it to heart?"

"But you, kid." His eyes suddenly turned serious. "Your fame has skyrocketed this time, and you'll definitely get a lot of offers to make movies. But you'd better be careful. Don't just take any movie role. Remember, you can succeed countless times, but one failure could send you plummeting into the abyss, leaving you with no roles to play."