Somewhat unexpectedly, Sam made a small joke—something that was truly rare.
After saying it, Sam realized it as well, feeling a bit awkward. This wasn't his usual behavior, but he adjusted his posture slightly, trying to relax.
The pressure was real and would likely continue until the movie premiered.
Yet, this brief work session made Sam realize he wasn't the only one under pressure. Anson, like him, bore the weight of massive public expectations—just like Hayden Christensen did for "Star Wars: Episode II." When the film faced criticism, Hayden became the scapegoat for countless passionate fans. If George Lucas was overwhelmed by criticism, then Hayden faced even more, possibly two or three times as much.
Now, Anson was in a similar situation.
However, was Anson nervous?
No, not at all.
On the contrary, Anson fully enjoyed himself. Even when he wasn't the focus of a scene, he used his energy to spark a chemistry on set.
In this scene, Peter Parker was weary, tired from being caught in the whirlwind of life. He had to fulfill his responsibilities, all while worrying that Aunt May might discover his secret identity, putting her in danger as it happened before. Because of this, Peter moved out and rented a small apartment.
Juggling school, work, and the pursuit of justice had Peter caught in a mechanical routine, with his soul lost amidst the endless hustle.
So, when Peter faced Mr. Aziz, he was exhausted and sluggish.
On one hand, he struggled to transition quickly between being a superhero and his busy work. On the other hand, his mind was crowded with too many thoughts without the time to address them, leading to slow reactions and being out of sync.
Clearly, this version of Peter Parker was a bit different from people's expectations.
The challenge here was that Peter's introduction needed to pique the audience's curiosity—what had happened to Spider-Man? But at the same time, it had to avoid alienating viewers since this wasn't the Spider-Man they hoped to see. Striking the right balance was key.
Anson's performance managed to solve this issue.
Adding a slight comic-book flair to his acting, like a seasoning, instantly transformed the bitterness of the scene into self-deprecating humor, lightening the atmosphere.
This was both a fact and a pleasant surprise.
Sam appreciated Anson—not because Anson was the undisputed lead of the film or because he was the hottest star in Hollywood at the moment. Sam honestly believed:
Anson was genuinely a good actor.
And that wasn't all.
Anson's dedication and presence naturally triggered a response from the other actors. A subtle atmosphere spread on set, and the final result of the scene wasn't what Sam had initially planned, but it pleasantly surprised him, sparking new ideas for the direction of the film.
Sam, being from a background in horror movies, had a special interest in darkness and gore. Crafting a terrifying atmosphere was his forte, and since "Spider-Man 2" had a somewhat heavier core theme, the overall tone of the movie was intended to be darker than its predecessor.
However, Sony Columbia was concerned that the soap opera aspects of school life might clash with the dark, suspenseful tone, and they had multiple discussions with Sam about this.
This issue remained unresolved.
With this in mind, Sam had just instructed the cinematographer to closely follow Anson's movements—not to create a documentary feel with handheld cameras but to create a sense of pressure and tension, letting the audience feel Anson's struggle, running all over the place. This was a classic thriller/suspense movie technique.
Now, Sam had some inspiration. Perhaps they could incorporate some black humor, like in campus thrillers such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer" or "Scream," to add chemistry.
It wasn't about changing the film's style but using some seasoning to enhance the experience, like adding sugar to food to bring out the salty and savory flavors. The sugar might be subtle, but it's essential.
Making a movie, in some ways, is like cooking.
Of course, the actors remain at the core.
Sam's gaze returned to Anson, and he felt slightly more confident.
Inside the pizza shop, Anson was chatting and laughing with one of the extras.
Asif wasn't surprised when he saw this. Waiting for Anson to return, he raised his chin slightly, signaling, "What were you chatting about?"
"Thanking him for his great performance, and then we talked about our favorite comedy films. He's a huge fan of Buster Keaton. Now we know where his acting style comes from," Anson replied casually.
During the peak of Marvel superhero movies, adjusting the narrative rhythm with humor from extras or subtle details became a refined technique. All sorts of gags were woven seamlessly into the main storyline, creating the foundation for the film's widespread appeal and fan excitement.
Anson wasn't a director; he didn't know exactly how to insert those gags—Marvel's later films failed to do so too, often descending into childish slapstick—but as an actor, he could start with his performance.
A facial expression, a movement, a glance.
It wouldn't disrupt the film's pacing or require a particular focus on the acting detail. It would be like an Easter egg, hidden in the scene, waiting for the audience to discover.
Anson thought he could give it a try—
Buster Keaton, after all, was a legendary comedian.
Anson looked at Asif, rubbing his hands together eagerly, "What do you think?"
Asif hesitated, "Me?"
Anson said, "Yes, you. We need to put on a good show next, don't we?"
Gulp.
Asif swallowed, his heart pounding uncontrollably as he looked at the eager Anson. A sense of indescribable enthusiasm burst forth in his chest.
Under an unbelievable amount of pressure, "Spider-Man 2" officially announced the start of filming.
According to incomplete statistics, over three hundred media outlets gathered on the streets of Manhattan on the first day of filming—an unprecedented special treatment.
Even when "Titanic" declared itself the most expensive production ever, or when "Star Wars: Episode I" started filming, or when stars like Will Smith began "Men in Black II" or Tom Cruise began "Mission Impossible II," there wasn't such fanfare.
It was just the first day of shooting, yet the media came out in full force, eager not to miss a single highlight.
This scene alone easily made history, once again serving as significant proof of Hollywood reaching a new peak.
There was an uproar, even within Hollywood—many questioned if it was really necessary.
Nevertheless, it happened.
Even though the crew didn't allow media interviews, reporters still flocked to the scene, their cameras all pointed toward the production.
This was true fame.