Chapter 1: What? Spider-Man is Chinese?

"Sony Pictures announces the reboot of the live-action 'Spider-Man' project!"

"The project has been in development since 2001, but has yet to be filmed as of 2006."

"Director Sam Raimi has exited the project; Marc Webb has been appointed to direct!"

"Marc Webb stated: 'I will not start filming until I find the ideal candidate. Casting for Spider-Man cannot be compromised.'"

"Superstars like Heath Ledger and Leonardo DiCaprio have all failed to be cast, with the director citing that they did not fit the character's persona."

"Sony Pictures has launched a second, large-scale audition. The actors' ethnicity is not limited to white; Latinos, African Americans, and Asians are all welcome to audition."

"Shocking! 18-year-old Chinese actor Bright Xu has received the director's approval! Marc Webb declares: 'He is Spider-Man!'"

"An Asian Spider-Man is coming? Sony Pictures has gone mad! Who is this Chinese man?"

"Shocking! US media reveals that the actor playing the live-action Spider-Man is actually Chinese! So the question is, who is Xu Can?"

Spring, 2006.

North America, Los Santos.

An old apartment located in the Chinatown of Sunset Boulevard.

Xu Can sat in the rental unit of less than 30 square meters, staring dumbfounded at the agent at the door.

The room was piled high with luggage and clutter; the agent couldn't even find a place to step after entering and had to stand at the doorway.

The window was blocked by another building, making the light somewhat dim.

Although the room was slightly oppressive, Xu Can could not hide his surprise at this moment.

"Really? You're not kidding me? I passed the audition?"

The agent, Happy Hogan, was a chubby white man.

He was dressed in a suit and tie, but his bloated figure could not hide a sense of comedy.

"Of course! Xu, if you are willing to take the role, Spider-Man is yours."

However, the agent hesitated for a moment before saying with concern:

"But, I still suggest you take the other major production, 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift'."

"'The Fast and the Furious'?"

Agent Happy tried to persuade him earnestly:

"Yes, the director is of Chinese descent and will surely value you. Furthermore, Universal has high hopes for this sequel, investing 85 million dollars. It will definitely be a hit!"

"Spider-Man is, after all, a comic book adaptation, which is quite risky. And a Chinese actor playing Spider-Man—I am very worried about the reception."

"You really need to consider this carefully. Don't give up a better project just because of your own preferences!"

In Happy Hogan's view, comic book adaptations were synonymous with failure.

Except for the Superman films of the 80s, every live-action comic book adaptation since then had been a disaster in both reputation and box office.

This was practically a forbidden zone in Hollywood!

Otherwise, why did the director look for so many stars, only for them all to refuse to play Spider-Man?

It was because they were afraid the reputation would be so bad that it would negatively impact their careers.

Looking at 'The Fast and the Furious 3', the series had both a reputation and a market.

It was also a rare story set in East Asia.

The investors specifically sought an Asian director and an Asian lead, which would also help curry favor with the massive Chinese market.

Perhaps Xu Can could enter the Hollywood mainstream in one fell swoop and see his career take off.

No matter how you looked at it, 'The Fast and the Furious 3' was far better than 'Spider-Man'.

Happy talked until his mouth was dry, but Xu Can interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"Happy, I know what you mean. But I am certain that this 'Spider-Man' is truly different."

Xu Can's eyes were very firm.

Because he was a reborn person, he knew the potential of 'Spider-Man' very well!

Do you understand the weight of the 2002 box office champion?

It was precisely because of the confidence brought by Sony's 'Spider-Man' that Marvel would later firmly commit to filming 'Iron Man' when other companies were avoiding it like the plague!

Thus, they launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe to sweep the globe.

Of course, these were things from Xu Can's previous life.

Now that he had been reborn into a parallel world in 2006, the world line had shifted somewhat.

The first Spider-Man hadn't even started filming yet!

Comic book films still held a low status in Hollywood.

Marvel was still a small company on the verge of bankruptcy, unable to launch its own cinematic universe.

In 2001, Sony had attempted to film 'Spider-Man'.

Unfortunately, the Tobey Maguire of this parallel world did not pursue an acting career; he did not exist in Hollywood.

Without a suitable lead, the filming process was fraught with difficulties.

The original director, Sam Raimi, announced his departure.

In 2002, 'Spider-Man' faced project delays before it was even released.

It wasn't until 2006,

that Sony, not wanting the 'Spider-Man' IP to rot in their hands, found director Marc Webb to reboot the production!

During the open casting for the lead, Xu Can stood out from countless auditioners.

He became the first Spider-Man!

Xu Can was very active as a child.

He learned Peking Opera martial arts from a neighbor's grandfather and practiced martial arts routines and Sanda for many years.

Ever since rehearsing a play for the junior high New Year's gala, Xu Can had opened the door to a new world.

He hadn't studied acting in his previous life, but in this world, he embarked on a completely different path.

Relying on his solid Peking Opera foundation, a resonant singing voice, and a handsome appearance,

Xu Can was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy's acting department with the top score, becoming a classmate of Yang Mi.

However, before his first semester at the Beijing Film Academy ended, he was drawn into a vortex.

Xu Can accidentally witnessed a professor at the school assaulting a female student.

After a secret investigation, he also discovered the professor's corruption, use of "hidden rules," and other improper behaviors.

Xu Can filed a formal report with his real name, causing a huge uproar and becoming a hot social topic at the time.

Although that professor went to jail, ===== CHAPTER 3 =====