### Chapter 489: Same World

At the Four Seasons Hotel, the guest room was bustling with activity. Makeup artists, stylists, and the movie's promotional team were all moving around, busy with the final preparations for the upcoming premiere. Despite the chaos, everything was well-organized, with everyone performing their tasks efficiently.

Hayden sat quietly in a chair, receiving his final touch-up. He observed the scene before him, sensing the tension in the air—tight shoulders, hurried steps, and scattered focus—all of it hinted at the pressure that was building up, even though no one spoke about it.

Even with the release of "Star Wars: Episode II," the team couldn't help but feel nervous, especially after seeing the box office records set by "Spider-Man." They were on high alert, doing everything possible to ensure everything was perfect before the movie's premiere.

In the midst of this storm, Hayden found himself lost in thought, his mind drifting.

Originally, Hayden hadn't been worried at all—

"Star Wars" was undoubtedly the biggest franchise in North America, deeply influencing pop culture across the continent. A film like this couldn't possibly fail. Any actor cast in it was guaranteed success, even if they played a minor role. Half of Hollywood's actors were fighting for a part, so why should Hayden be concerned?

But now, without warning, a sense of fear and panic gripped his heart. His thoughts raced chaotically, without any clear direction. His gaze became unfocused as he stared ahead.

So, would "Star Wars: Episode II" succeed? Or fail? What kind of box office performance would it achieve? Considering "Spider-Man" debuted with $130 million, could they surpass that number? And then there was Anson...

Unintentionally, Hayden recalled his unexpected encounter with Anson on "The Tonight Show." Anson was still as calm and confident as ever, casually creating a buzz with his impromptu street performances—a very typical Anson move.

Even Jay Leno, who made Ewan and Natalie feel a bit uneasy, didn't faze Anson. He remained at ease, with an air of confidence that made it seem like he could control the entire world.

"Hayden!"

A voice called out, pulling Hayden back down to earth from his daydream. He quickly lowered his eyes, trying to hide his emotions, fearing that someone might notice his sudden confusion. He kept his gaze fixed on the floor, not daring to lift his head.

Carter was so caught up in his excitement that he didn't notice Hayden's attempt to mask his feelings. He couldn't wait to share the good news.

"We've got it, we've got it!"

"Hollywood Boulevard is already packed, and the crowd stretches over to the surrounding streets, filled to the brim with people."

"The fans at the front of the line arrived 48 hours early. You should see them—they brought tents and blankets, fully prepared like they're on a camping trip, and they've slept outside the Grand Theatre for two nights."

"The anticipation is through the roof—they can't wait to get into the theater."

As he rattled off the news, the whole room erupted in excitement. The joy was palpable, like a dam bursting open.

Even Hayden couldn't help but lift his head, a spark of hope igniting in his eyes. Amidst the mixed emotions, a quiet thrill began to take root.

Someone nearby, trying to contain their excitement, cautiously asked,

"So, how does it compare to two weeks ago?"

They didn't mention "Spider-Man" by name, but the film was like Voldemort—a taboo that no one dared to utter aloud, yet its presence loomed over them like a dark cloud.

Carter turned to see everyone had stopped what they were doing, their eyes filled with both nerves and anticipation.

"It's definitely better."

Wow!

Just one sentence was enough to make everyone raise their arms and cheer. The world seemed to spin faster, leaving them all a bit dizzy.

Hayden was no exception.

Carter looked back at Hayden, and they exchanged a glance before breaking into a smile.

"Star Wars" truly lived up to its name, with the fans' enthusiasm taking the premiere to a whole new level, once again igniting the market's energy—

The media and industry insiders were all buzzing with excitement.

This summer season was shaping up to be the best in a decade. The market's pent-up energy was ready to explode, and the focus on the movie was pushing the excitement to new heights. The entire summer box office could benefit from this, creating a joyful atmosphere across Hollywood.

Naturally, all eyes were once again on the Grand Theatre.

And what about the "Spider-Man" team?

The promotional period had ended, the movie had been in theaters for two weeks, and its box office trajectory had stabilized. Now, all they could do was wait to see how "Star Wars: Episode II" would perform. But honestly, there wasn't much left for the team to do.

So, they took a break.

At least, officially, they did. But they were closely watching the premiere of "Star Wars: Episode II" on Hollywood Boulevard.

Click.

Edgar hung up the phone and looked at Anson, gesturing toward his phone. "That was Adam Scott."

Anson looked confused.

Edgar explained, "He's the head of marketing at Sony Columbia. We had a bit of a spat after the 'Tonight Show' incident."

Edgar made it sound trivial, but the behind-the-scenes drama was anything but. Sony Columbia had nearly blacklisted Anson.

But now, things had changed—

Sony Columbia was thrilled with the movie's success. Their all-in gamble had paid off, and they recognized that "The Tonight Show" had played a crucial role.

Adam Scott was savvy enough to personally call Edgar to apologize. Edgar didn't rub it in—he didn't need to, as Adam was already feeling the sting. But Edgar did suggest that Adam should apologize to both Anson and Jay Leno.

You had to hand it to Edgar—he was sharp. By linking Anson and Jay together, he subtly elevated Anson's status, further cementing his place in the industry.

Anson understood, nodding slightly. "I thought the promotional period was over?"

Edgar replied, "The opening weekend box office for 'Star Wars: Episode II' hasn't come in yet. We don't know how it will affect our movie's performance, so the promotion isn't really over."

"He called to discuss your upcoming schedule. Sony Columbia is considering adding some follow-up promotions."

Anson asked, "Like what?"

Edgar shrugged. "Probably magazine interviews or maybe a few more post-screening Q&As in different cities."

Basically, the usual stuff.

From a communications standpoint, there are many strategies for promotion and marketing, but the key is always to connect with the target audience.

Of course, in the age of social media, online promotion and marketing are a bit different. With the fast pace of information updates, the criteria for what counts as a "buzz" or "hot topic" are constantly changing.

That's why, in 2002, movie promotion strategies were still fairly fixed and lacked innovation.

Even if they did more follow-up promotions, they'd likely be preaching to the choir. The target audience had already been reached, and it would be hard to attract a new crowd. The promotions could end up being a waste of time, energy, and money without yielding any significant results.

Anson casually suggested, "Why not make full use of the hype around 'Star Wars: Episode II'?"