From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Three-peat!

“The Princess Diaries” launched a counterattack, unleashing an unbelievable box office surge, and inexplicably became Disney's best-performing film of this year's summer season; moreover, with a production cost of only a mere $26 million, coupled with low promotion expenses, the profit margin was exceptionally outstanding, single-handedly rescuing Disney's disastrous summer lineup.

However.

Just as Disney was buzzing with excitement, anticipating the film's continued success, a global event occurred in New York on September 11, 2001, plunging the jubilant atmosphere into freezing point overnight, and the entire North American film market fell into a state of mourning.

This turning point led to a cliff-like drop in the film market, which lasted for some time, and even as people gradually returned to their daily lives amidst the grief, the emptiness of movie theaters continued to spread.

It was a heavy blow to the entire film industry and even the entire entertainment industry, and naturally, “The Princess Diaries” was included.

In the end, “The Princess Diaries” regrettably stopped at $190 million in North American box office revenue, ultimately failing to cross the $200 million threshold for further advancement.

Nevertheless, “The Princess Diaries” still surpassed the North American box office revenue of “Pretty Woman”, becoming the new high point in director Garry Marshall's career.

From “Runaway Bride” to “The Princess Diaries”, the now sixty-seven-year-old Garry experienced a second spring overnight, rediscovering inspiration in the romantic comedy market, which once again validated the Hollywood fairytale—

Here, anything is possible.

Moreover, this was still not all.

“The Princess Diaries” was also released in twenty-three countries and regions outside of North America, a limited scope, because such fairytales and such campus-themed stories are very characteristic of American high schools, making them difficult to promote in overseas markets; coupled with the fact that in 2001, the United States was still in the exploratory stage of promoting to overseas markets, Disney's caution was not unexpected.

Limited scope, coupled with not catering to market tastes, foreshadowed in advance that “The Princess Diaries” would hardly replicate its North American box office success in overseas markets.

Facts also proved this point—

It indeed couldn't be replicated.

Despite this, “The Princess Diaries” still garnered $70 million in box office revenue in twenty-three countries and regions, allowing the film to achieve a total worldwide box office of $260 million, causing a media frenzy.

A beautiful victory, the performance of “The Princess Diaries” earned countless applause!

More importantly, “The Princess Diaries” witnessed the meteoric rise of two supernovas:

Anne Hathaway and Anson Wood.

Two newcomers, two young and new actors appearing on the big screen for the first time, displayed unparalleled charm, undoubtedly becoming the biggest winners.

Compared to Garry Marshall, the discussions surrounding Anne and Anson never stopped, and they both experienced the Hollywood fairytale—

Overnight fame, instant popularity.

In just one short night, their lives underwent earth-shattering changes, and the doors of Hollywood seemed to finally open to them.

There are also differences between actors and actors, and there are also differences between living in New York and Los Angeles; not all actors living in Los Angeles mean entering the Hollywood limelight, things are ultimately different.

And now, Anne and Anson have both pushed open that door.

Of course, for Anson, perhaps he had already pushed it open last year with “Friends”; this time, he unexpectedly pushed open another door.

… …

Whoosh.

The curtains were drawn open, and dim light scattered through the windows, dispelling the darkness, and the thick, impenetrable night seemed to dissipate like smoke.

But, it wasn't bright.

There was no golden sunlight to be seen, and even though it was already nine in the morning, the sky still hadn't fully brightened, as if there had just been an autumn rain last night, with layers upon layers of dark clouds swirling overhead, making the sky only faintly bright.

Looking out the window, the wet road was covered with fallen leaves, but there was no sign of cleaning, as if the city was very much enjoying this scene, a bit desolate, a bit gloomy, allowing one's thoughts to settle down.

Edgar thought, this kind of Paris was far removed from the romantic capital in his mind, but he could see painters, writers, and philosophers gathering at the entrance of cafes to contemplate life, imbuing the entire city with a layer of literary and artistic color.

They had been in Paris for a full thirty-six hours, and still hadn't fully adapted to the weather here—

They needed Anson to cooperate with the magazine to shoot, and to go to Paris to participate in Fashion Week.

Such a godsend opportunity, Edgar certainly wouldn't miss it, at least he thought he shouldn't miss it; but facing Anna's invitation, Edgar hesitated.

Because Anna needed Anson to participate as a model, not as an actor, to fully showcase men's fashion, as a model.

Edgar was a little hesitant.

Whether it was him or Eve, they reached a consensus, they didn't mind highlighting Anson's physical advantages, but they had to grasp the measure, and not let Anson be labeled as a model, otherwise Anson's acting career might encounter serious obstacles.

The reason was very simple, in the current Hollywood, people don't like idol groups.

Especially the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is responsible for awarding the Oscars.

The most direct example is the two top superstars, Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, they have already stood at the top of the pyramid of their acting careers, but the Oscars are still out of reach, and there are many restrictions on the roles they play.

Matthew McConaughey, George Clooney, Keanu Reeves, Johnny Depp, etc. are all the same, and the latest victim is Leonardo DiCaprio, when “Titanic” swept fourteen nominations that year, the only one who was overlooked and forgotten was the male lead Leonardo.

There has always been such a saying in the industry that an idol-type vase is equivalent to being labeled, and don't even think about winning an Oscar for the next ten years, even a nomination is difficult, and if you break through the one in ten thousand chance of winning a nomination, then that's the limit.

Now, Anson has already starred in an idol movie, and if he further becomes a model, this is equivalent to making Anson's acting path narrower and narrower, even if it is an invitation from Anna Wintour, Edgar needs to be cautious.

On the contrary, Anson was more calm—

Oscar?

Now, even the acting career hasn't been opened yet, and he's already starting to worry about the little golden man, isn't this worrying about nothing? Instead of worrying about those illusory possibilities and suspicions, it's better to be down-to-earth and seize the opportunity to shape your own edges.

Compared to the Oscar, Anson is more willing to become an actor with his own characteristics.

He doesn't think that being a model is anything, on the contrary, he should use his advantages.

So, they agreed, and came to the fashion capital, Paris.

This, then, is another door, leading to a completely different new world.