Chapter 2: Chapter 1
**"Sony Pictures Announces Plans to Reboot the Live-Action Spider-Man!"**
**"This project, initiated in 2001, had stalled until 2006."**
**"Director Sam Raimi exits; Marc Webb steps in!"**
**"Marc Webb states: 'I won't start filming until I find the perfect Spider-Man. There can be no compromise on casting.'"**
**"Superstars like Heath Ledger and Leonardo DiCaprio were turned down. The director said they didn't match the character design."**
**"Sony Pictures opens a second large-scale audition. The race of actors is not restricted to white. Latinos, African Americans, and Asians are encouraged to audition."**
**"Shock! 18-year-old Chinese actor Xu Can impresses the director! Marc Webb declares: 'He is Spider-Man!'"**
**"An Asian Spider-Man? Is Sony Pictures crazy? Who is this Chinese actor?"**
**"Breaking News! U.S. media reveal that the new live-action Spider-Man is Chinese! But who exactly is Xu Can?"**
---
**Spring 2006, North America, Los Santos.**
In a small, dimly lit apartment in Chinatown on Sunset Boulevard, Xu Can sat in stunned silence, staring at his agent standing by the door. The cramped space, filled with luggage and various items, barely allowed room for his agent to stand.
Despite the gloomy surroundings, Xu Can couldn't contain his surprise.
"Is it real? Are you serious? Did I really get the role?" Xu Can asked, still in disbelief.
His agent, Happy Hogan, a jovial, rotund man in a suit, smiled and replied, "Absolutely! If you're on board, the role of Spider-Man is yours."
However, Happy hesitated, a concerned look crossing his face. "But I'd still recommend you consider another big project—*Fast and Furious 3: Tokyo Drift*."
"*Fast and Furious*?" Xu Can echoed.
Happy nodded earnestly. "Yes, the director is of Chinese descent, and he's likely to be very supportive of you. Plus, this sequel is a major project from Universal with an $85 million budget. It's bound to be a hit!
"On the other hand, *Spider-Man* is a comic book movie, which comes with risks. And with a Chinese actor playing Spider-Man, I'm worried about how it will be received."
"You really need to think carefully. Don't turn down a safer, bigger opportunity just because of personal preferences," Happy advised.
To him, comic book adaptations had become synonymous with box office failures. Aside from the Superman films of the 1980s, live-action adaptations of comics had consistently underperformed, making them a risky choice in Hollywood. This was why so many big names had turned down the chance to play Spider-Man—they didn't want to jeopardize their careers with a potentially disastrous project.
In contrast, *Fast and Furious 3* was a proven franchise with a solid reputation and market. Its East Asian setting, combined with an Asian director and lead, was designed to appeal to the massive Chinese market. This role could be Xu Can's ticket into mainstream Hollywood, potentially launching his career to new heights.
From any perspective, *Fast and Furious 3* seemed like a much better choice than *Spider-Man*.
Happy's mouth went dry from trying to persuade him, but Xu Can interrupted by raising his hand.
"Happy," Xu Can said firmly, "I understand what you're saying, but I'm convinced that this time, *Spider-Man* will be different."
Xu Can's eyes were filled with determination. As someone who had been reborn into this world, he knew exactly what potential *Spider-Man* held.
Did Happy understand the significance of being the box office champion of 2002?
It was the confidence that came from Sony's success with *Spider-Man* that led Marvel to take the bold step of making *Iron Man*, which in turn sparked the creation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that would take the world by storm.
But these were memories from Xu Can's previous life.
Now, in this parallel world in 2006, things had taken a different turn.
The first *Spider-Man* film had not yet started production.
Comic-book movies were still considered low-status in Hollywood, and Marvel was still a struggling company on the brink of bankruptcy, unable to launch its own cinematic universe.
In 2001, Sony had tried to start filming *Spider-Man*, but in this world, Tobey Maguire hadn't pursued acting, and there was no one by that name in Hollywood. Without a suitable actor, the project had been fraught with difficulties.
Director Sam Raimi eventually withdrew, and by 2002, *Spider-Man* faced delays that pushed its release back.
It wasn't until 2006 that Sony, determined not to let the *Spider-Man* IP slip through its fingers, brought in Marc Webb to restart the project.
During the casting process, Xu Can had stood out among countless auditioners and was chosen to play the original Spider-Man.
---
As Xu Can remained silent, his agent Happy Hogan sighed and forced a smile.
"Alright, you can report to the set tomorrow," Happy said.
"Thanks, Happy."
"Good luck, and I hope you're making the right choice."
"Don't worry, Happy," Xu Can replied confidently. "You can't even imagine what this movie will become."
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