Jay Leno wasn't fond of movie premieres—it was purely a promotional event.
If he wanted to watch a movie, a premiere was obviously too noisy; it was better to find another time to go to the theater and contribute to the box office. As for promoting a film, "The Tonight Show" was already enough. Besides, agreeing to attend one premiere might lead to attending others.
After all, social obligations are an art of balancing favors.
Of course, living in this circle, Jay Leno inevitably had to attend premieres occasionally, very occasionally.
However, this time was a bit different.
Jay Leno had promised Anson he would attend to support "Spider-Man." He didn't want to go back on his word. Though he didn't believe his presence at the premiere would bring any significant promotional effect, he was curious about Anson's performance. What surprises could Anson, as an actor, bring?
So, he showed up.
At the Chinese Theatre, everything was as expected—no different from the usual scene. Hollywood summer movie premieres were all the same, with increasingly loud and grand ceremonies following the same pattern. Switch out the guests and the backdrop, and they could immediately hold the next premiere.
To Jay Leno, the premiere of "Star Wars: Episode II" in a couple of weeks would probably be the same, no difference at all.
Standing on the red carpet, fastening his suit button, Jay Leno was about to take a step forward and greet Tom Cruise when suddenly—
Hmm?
A slight breeze brought a subtle change, delicate and light. It didn't steal Tom Cruise's spotlight but felt like a refreshing breeze from the San Fernando Valley, carrying the freshness of spring and the brilliance of summer, gently wrapping around Hollywood Boulevard. Instinctively, he turned to look.
And then, Jay Leno saw Anson.
It was almost unbelievable, even Jay Leno himself couldn't believe it, but it happened. Amidst the bustling crowd, he locked onto Anson's position instantly; everything seemed so simple and clear.
Anson was walking along the street, unhurried, calm, making eye contact with faces, smiling at every pair of eyes, nodding, and greeting.
Occasionally, he stopped to chat; occasionally, he raised his right hand to high-five the crowd.
Occasionally, he took photos with fans; occasionally, he returned to the center of the road, posing for the camera flashes.
The road in front of him was still asphalt, no red carpet laid out, with cars neatly parked. But to Anson, it was all part of the stage.
On closer look, the faces were different, but the joy, excitement, and happiness they radiated were all the same, colliding with one another.
As a result, the air began to stir.
Maybe not everyone liked Anson; perhaps not everyone even knew Anson, but here's the curious part: no one could resist Anson.
Jay Leno imagined a scenario where an audience member, with a face full of disdain, resisted, saying, "Who are you?" What would Anson's expression be then?
At this thought, Jay Leno's smile couldn't help but widen. Anson was still Anson, able to play with even the most formulaic of premieres. The red carpet extended, transforming the world into a stage, with actors and audiences interacting on equal footing, instantly changing the entire atmosphere.
Wait, "Spider-Man," Peter Parker, and this scene?
Jay Leno, known for his quick wit, immediately made the connection, his eyes lighting up, but then he hesitated slightly—
The atmosphere was indeed there, but what about the premiere's buzz?
Just then.
"Anson, ah!"
A scream exploded in the air, rolling forward like a wave, turning ripples into a storm, and the whole world spun.
Jay Leno immediately noticed the shifting camera flashes. Once the first reporter noticed the commotion, the second and third quickly followed—
It was happening!
The heat gradually rose, swelling in the air.
Among the crowd, this scream surged like a tidal wave, gripping Blair by the ankles and dragging her quickly to the ground. Excitement and a rush of emotions boiled within her, breaking free from any restraint.
"Ah!"
Finally, Blair screamed too.
She turned to see Karen, equally bewildered, thrilled, and excited. The two exchanged a look and then screamed together, smiles spreading across their faces, blossoming wildly.
Anson also noticed, not only Blair but also the departing Eve, and a smile crept onto his face.
Ah, ah, ah.
Blair's eyes met Anson's, filled with tension, excitement, and frenzy.
This small group of friends, though few in number, were all Anson's supporters, unconditionally cheering him on. They had been planning today's premiere support activities, hoping to add some color to the event despite their limited strength.
Now, they were noticed!
Before she realized it, Blair's screams had already escalated, instantly igniting the entire scene.
Boom!
The wave swept through the venue with unstoppable force.
And it was still heating up.
The reporters, ever alert, quickly noticed what was happening, immediately spotting Anson in the crowd, their minds full of questions, like seeing a random person on an F1 track, completely baffled by what was happening. Yet somehow, the scene didn't feel out of place.
As a result, no one paid attention to the race anymore; all eyes were on the intruder.
Click, click, click, click.
The sound of camera shutters and silver flashes quickly consumed the Chinese Theatre.
On stage, Tom Cruise was startled by the sudden burst of energy, instinctively turning to look, but found no clues within his line of sight, only more questions.
Not just Tom, even Jay Leno, who had witnessed the whole thing, was momentarily taken aback by the overwhelming wave of energy, his heartbeat thrown off rhythm.
After a pause, Jay Leno chuckled—
The buzz was there too.
Indeed, the "Spider-Man" premiere became a hot topic, without a doubt. Even before the reviews were out, reporters couldn't wait to craft passionate stories, showering the premiere with praise for its surprises.
People had initially worried that gossip would overshadow the premiere's focus. No one expected that even the gossip about Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt appearing together couldn't steal the spotlight—it became just background noise.
Everyone was talking about Anson.
Whether it was Anson's unconventional entrance or the top stars reacting to Anson's presence, every topic revolved around him, pushing the buzz from "The Tonight Show" to new heights.
This was something no one had anticipated, and it was hard to tell whether people were particularly interested in Anson because of "Spider-Man," or they became interested in "Spider-Man" because of Anson. But does it matter?
No, not at all.
What truly mattered was that all eyes were on Anson, with the buzz far exceeding expectations.
So, how was "Spider-Man"?