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In the United States, college tuition is expensive. Many kids from average families who attend college often apply for student loans, much like car or mortgage loans, to finance their education. They then gradually repay the loans after graduation once they start working, with many not being free from debt until after they turn 30.
As a result, some kids from impoverished families opt to enter the workforce right after high school instead of attending college.
In *Spider-Man*, both Peter Parker and Mary Jane are in this situation. Due to family circumstances, they both start working after high school—Peter tries to become a newspaper photographer, while Mary Jane hopes to become an actress.
However, the path to becoming an actor is far more difficult and challenging than imagined.
The screen test scene for today is an unexpected encounter between Peter Parker and Mary Jane on the street. Peter has just finished an interview at the newspaper and, not wanting to miss Mary Jane, chases after her to say hello.
Mary Jane, while chasing her dream of becoming an actress, is forced by financial necessity to work as a waitress in a restaurant. She is ashamed of this job and keeps it a secret from her boyfriend, "Little Goblin" Harry, and doesn't want anyone else to know either.
This encounter happens against this backdrop.
Mary Jane doesn't want any of her high school classmates to see her in such a downtrodden state. She tries to hide, to avoid, to put on a smile, but ultimately, her true, impoverished situation is exposed in front of Peter.
In Anson's view, the decision to choose this scene for the screen test is primarily about testing the chemistry between the two leads.
In keeping with Anson's understanding of Sam Raimi, the director is entirely faithful to the original source—
Rather than being a story about a superhero saving the world, *Spider-Man* is more a tale about a young man growing up and facing the world.
Instead of having the actors don superhero suits to showcase their superhero physiques, Sam Raimi wants to see Peter Parker's expression and demeanor as he encounters a crucial moment of emotional transformation on his journey to maturity.
This scene represents a turning point.
Here, Peter Parker has fully embraced his identity as Spider-Man. While secretly fighting crime, he is also beginning to navigate adult life. When he reunites with Mary Jane, he is more courageous and determined.
Meanwhile, Mary Jane is trapped in the confines of her own life, trying to chase her dreams but repeatedly thwarted by reality. Even though she has a new boyfriend, one with looks and wealth, she is still afraid to reveal her true self.
Standing in front of Peter Parker, her first reaction was to hide herself, but during their conversation, she unexpectedly discovered that being with Peter always felt especially comfortable and relaxed, allowing her to be herself in his presence.
Although Mary Jane didn't fall for Peter, the seed had already been planted.
This scene is crucial for Peter's growth and the overall emotional arc, making the chemistry between the two actors incredibly important.
So, the production team chose this particular scene—
Based on Anson's judgment, it seemed that Sam still had the final decision-making power; moreover, the screen test played a critical role in the competition.
After careful observation and judgment, Anson gained an understanding of the character's state, emotional context, and the focus of the scene, which prepared him well for when he finally stepped into the audition room.
In front of him were the same people—
Familiar faces like Laura Ziskin, Ian Bryce, Sam Raimi, and others.
But the situation had slightly changed.
In front of Ian Bryce was a professional camera mounted on a tripod, with a cameraman standing behind it, personally handling the on-site filming.
Although it wasn't overly elaborate, everything was in place: camera angles, lighting, makeup, and styling. Each audition segment was filmed and archived.
It's worth noting that the footage from the screen test might not only be viewed by these interviewers; higher-ups at the film company and other producers might also watch it together and share their opinions.
In addition, all auditioning actors, both male and female, entered the audition room together, taking seats in a row against the wall.
At this point, they could see each other—not only their competitors but also their scene partners—and they would be auditioning in front of their rivals, adding a different level of competition to the atmosphere—
It felt almost like a beauty pageant.
Kate Bosworth immediately noticed Anson, the guy who completely ignored her at the acting academy last time. Her eyes widened, and her diva attitude flared up, but she quickly reined herself in.
This wasn't the place to act out.
Kate's mind was very clear.
She just shot Anson a fierce glare before controlling herself. Minor frustrations would only disrupt her bigger plans; once she secured the role of Mary Jane, she'd deal with him later.
However, Kate was destined to be disappointed because Anson wasn't paying any attention to her at all.
Anson, of course, noticed Kate's name, but it didn't matter to him. There was nothing particularly noteworthy, and he didn't think Kate was anything special.
Actors' primary job is to act.
In the classic movie "Gone with the Wind," there's a famous kissing scene between Scarlett and Rhett, which has been voted by countless film professionals as the most romantic kiss in film history. But in reality, the filming of that kiss was a disaster.
Vivien Leigh, who played Scarlett, and Clark Gable, who played Rhett, couldn't stand each other—they absolutely loathed each other.
Vivien Leigh thought Clark Gable was arrogant and self-important; meanwhile, Vivien Leigh, who was in the midst of a divorce from her husband Laurence Olivier, was constantly having emotional breakdowns, frequently halting filming, which Clark Gable saw as the actions of an overly emotional woman.
The two of them were so disgusted with each other on set that they avoided being in the same place unless absolutely necessary. And when they filmed that kissing scene, their animosity was at its peak.
Despite secretly hating each other, they had to remain professional in front of the camera.
To annoy Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable deliberately smoked without brushing his teeth afterward; after getting choked by the smoke, Vivien Leigh retaliated by eating a bunch of garlic.
Regardless of how their breath smelled, both actors maintained absolute professionalism and delivered a performance that made countless people swoon.
So, that famous romantic kiss in history was actually a mix of cigarette smoke and garlic.
But that's the life of an actor.
As an actor still in training, Anson wasn't sure if he could handle a garlic-and-cigarette kiss; but dealing with someone like Kate was really no big deal.
Moreover, with four male and four female actors in front of him, any number of combinations was possible. Each actor might have to pair up with different scene partners, and under such circumstances, one Kate Bosworth wasn't a distraction at all—Anson had never worried from the beginning.
Actually, what Anson was really thinking about was whether they could create an entirely new version of "Spider-Man," given that Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, the two main leads from his previous life, were not present.
After just a brief moment, Ian Bryce keenly noticed the subtle change in the atmosphere and couldn't help but become curious.
So, Ian spoke up.
"Ready?"
"You've already received the lines in advance, right?"
"Anson, Kate, you two step forward and give it a try."
End of part four.