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The success of "Iron Man" was just the beginning. At that time, Disney had not yet fully figured out the formula and was still experimenting. This is why Robert Downey Jr.'s final paycheck for "Iron Man 3," after box office bonuses, reached $50 million—an all-time high for an actor, and one of the last instances of such a massive payday.
This marked a true turning point.
Leading film production companies, especially Disney, began shifting the risk, making actors the tied-in spokespersons for their superheroes. Audiences flocked to theaters because of the comic book characters and intellectual property, not because of the actors themselves. As long as the studios held the rights, they controlled the narrative.
If the studios wished, they could replace actors and reboot franchises at any time.
Take, for example, the "Spider-Man" series.
Or the "Superman" and "Batman" series.
At the same time, after "Iron Man," the trend of bundled contracts increased. Disney chose lesser-known, third- or fourth-tier actors to play superhero roles, signing them up for multiple films in one go. This approach not only proved cost-effective but also avoided future problems. It ensured that the studio wouldn't be held hostage by the actors and could maintain control.
This is why Leonardo DiCaprio is often referred to as "Hollywood's last great movie star." After him, whether it was Johnny Depp or Robert Downey Jr., they all became synonymous with a single role, unable to replicate the star power of the '80s and '90s.
So, after 2010, it became necessary to carefully consider taking on a superhero role.
But!
Before 2010, superhero movies were an entirely different story.
During this period, superhero films hadn't yet dominated the mainstream market. Forget about rewriting box office history; there were plenty of flops. However, looking back from 20 years later, the first decade of the 21st century did produce some outstanding superhero films.
Movies like "Blade," "Hellboy," "The Dark Knight," "Watchmen," "X-Men," "Wolverine," and "Batman: The Dark Knight"…
These films often followed a lighter, B-movie path, abandoning mainstream audiences to instead highlight their unique characteristics and showcase different types of appeal.
And among them, "Spider-Man" stood out as a classic.
Even 20 years later, when superhero films like "The Avengers," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," and "Guardians of the Galaxy" were conquering the big screen, both critically and commercially, the 2000 version of "Spider-Man" remains an undisputed masterpiece.
The key reason lies in the director, Sam Raimi, who took the time to delve into the world of a high school student, exploring Peter Parker's psychological changes after unexpectedly gaining superpowers. He used Parker as a starting point to examine the theme "With great power comes great responsibility," offering a deep analysis of the superhero identity.
This thematic core runs throughout the trilogy, not only giving Peter Parker a compelling growth arc but also thoughtfully considering what it means to be a superhero—before being a hero, he's just an ordinary person with his own emotions and vulnerabilities.
This quality is particularly rare and precious among superhero movies.
As a result, in the original historical timeline, "Spider-Man" made history, breaking numerous North American box office records and completely changing the status of comic book-based superhero movies. It even elevated the significance of the North American summer movie season, leaving a brilliant legacy.
For younger audiences, they may be more familiar with Andrew Garfield's version of "The Amazing Spider-Man" or Tom Holland's portrayal of the character.
But for those who love superhero movies and genre films, the earliest version of "Spider-Man" is an unmissable classic.
At this moment, Anson was on a plane to New York for the "Spider-Man" audition, his excitement and anticipation causing his spirits to soar.
However...
This was a challenge.
It wasn't that Anson lacked confidence; it was more that he wasn't sure if his style matched what Sam Raimi was looking for.
In the previous timeline, Tobey Maguire became the first Spider-Man. This shy and reserved actor had also started as a child star and was a close friend of Leonardo DiCaprio. Before playing Spider-Man, Maguire had already delivered a series of impressive performances.
He had starred in Ang Lee's "The Ice Storm" and "Ride with the Devil"; worked with Woody Allen in "Deconstructing Harry"; and teamed up with Terry Gilliam for "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas."
Just last year, he co-starred with Charlize Theron in "The Cider House Rules," which, after being selected for the main competition at the Venice Film Festival, went on to earn seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won Best Supporting Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay.
His resume was nothing short of remarkable.
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Moreover, with his working relationship with Ang Lee and close friendship with Leonardo, the intricate connections have tightly linked Tobey with the "Spider-Man" crew, including the director and producers, who must have already noticed him.
However, what truly worries Anson is the actor's personal style.
Tobey Maguire is not a typical handsome guy. Of course, this doesn't mean he isn't good-looking, but rather that he doesn't fit the common image—neither tall and powerful nor strikingly handsome. He was chosen to play Spider-Man because of the warmth and friendliness he exudes, much like the boy-next-door, which adds a human touch to his appeal.
The essence of "Spider-Man" is that he is the friendly neighborhood hero full of a sense of justice in New York City, and this is the key reason Tobey stood out.
Moreover, James Franco has mentioned that Sony-Columbia didn't want a stereotypical handsome guy like Christopher Reeve, which indirectly proves that the casting strategy of the director hasn't changed from the previous life to this one.
In the previous life, Tobey defeated James Franco to win the role.
But what about this life?
Clearly, Anson is not at all "neighborly."
Oh, and there's James Franco too!
Besides Tobey, Anson also has to compete directly with James for the role of Peter Parker, which is a bit thrilling.
A real challenge.
Anson felt somewhat... excited.
Acting, after all, is a kind of challenge, isn't it? In "The Princess Diaries," Anson had a small taste of it—Michael was a boy-next-door character, and perhaps those experiences can serve as the fuel for this audition, allowing him to explore further in the world of acting.
After all, he has nothing to lose.
Regardless of success or failure for now, he intends to fully enjoy this unexpectedly granted opportunity, showcase his abilities to the fullest, go into it with ease, leave no regrets, and then calmly face the outcome.
Outside the plane's window, the aircraft is slowly descending, passing through thick white clouds. The sprawling city below is like a Lego game coming into view, gradually enlarging and becoming clearer in sight.
He thought he would feel unfamiliar, but in fact, a sense of familiarity surged within him—
The Wood family lives in New York.
Although Lucas and Anson are both on the West Coast, the two brothers were born and raised in New York, spending their rebellious youth here.
Now, Charles Wood and Nola Wood still live here, with their work and life entirely centered in this city.
Originally, Anson was concerned about when he should return to New York; otherwise, the Wood couple might head to Los Angeles at some point. But unexpectedly, the opportunity appeared just like that—without any planning or hesitation, before he even realized it, he was already stepping onto New York soil.
Anson had finally come home.
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