Chapter 3

Xu Can finally spoke:

"Hey, good morning, Fletcher..."

With just a few short words, Xu Can portrayed the image of a bullied high school student who was angry but dared not speak out.

The originally tall and sunny Xu Can suddenly turned into an insecure nerd.

The following lines of dialogue, whether in tone or expression, were impeccable!

Director Marc Webb's eyes lit up.

He didn't expect Xu Can to get into character so quickly!

He thought Xu Can was inexperienced and would need some time to adapt!

The script reading proceeded smoothly.

"...I think you were very brave just now."

"What?"

Stone Sister secretly glanced at Xu Can beside her, then quickly returned her gaze to the script.

"A bit dorky, but very brave. You'd better go to the infirmary and get checked for a concussion."

"Uh..."

"What's your name?"

"Peter... You're Gwen, right?"

"Gwen Stacy... Remember to go to the infirmary."

Even though it was just a script reading, the male lead Xu Can and the female lead Emma Stone had already begun eye contact.

Director Marc Webb watched from the side and nodded silently.

It seemed this casting choice was indeed correct; half of his anxious heart was put at ease.

The dramatic scenes should be fine; it just remained to be seen how the action scenes would go during actual filming.

It was said that Xu Can had studied Chinese martial arts, so his skills should be pretty good, right?

"Hey, Peter!"

"Gwen."

"Hahaha, sorry, I got used to calling you that while reading the script. I should call you by your real name."

The two met for the first time, and the collaboration went very smoothly.

After a few scenes, Emma Stone and Xu Can made rapid progress.

"Xu, are you free later? Want to go grab a drink?"

"Sure, it would be my honor." ===== CHAPTER 6 =====

The simple-minded folk of Los Santos.

Sony Pictures, outside the studio.

"Good morning, Xu."

"Good morning, Emma. Is your head still spinning?"

"Ugh... my head is killing me."

Emma Stone rubbed her head with a bitter smile; the feeling of a hangover was truly uncomfortable.

"I knew it, why did you drink so much yesterday... Here, drink this, it'll make you feel better."

Xu Can took a cup of honey lemon tea out of his bag; he had been prepared.

"Wow! Thank you, Xu! You are so sweet! That's so heartwarming."

Emma Stone was truly warmed by Xu Can; she didn't expect him to care about her so much.

"We're friends, after all. Let's go in, it's almost time."

Xu Can didn't expect that he would end up drinking with Emma Stone until late last night.

The young man and woman hit it off immediately, chatting and drinking for a long time.

Emma Stone complained that she saw no hope in her acting career, and Xu Can shared many interesting anecdotes from the Beijing Film Academy.

As a result, Stone Sister got drunk, and Xu Can took a taxi to send her home and carried her to bed to settle her in.

By the time he returned to his own apartment, it was already late at night.

Since today was the official start of 'Spider-Man' filming,

Xu Can got up very early and prepared hangover tea for Emma Stone.

He actually hadn't slept for long.

He had been thinking about a question all night.

When reading the script, what exactly was that state of sudden awakening?

"Could it be a golden finger?"

Xu Can could clearly feel that when he concentrated, he seemed to merge with the character!

He was Spider-Man!

After stepping out of the set, that mysterious state disappeared completely.

Xu Can was still just Xu Can.

Today was the official start of filming, which was a perfect opportunity to test whether the "character possession" state could appear again.

If he could really merge with the character during filming in the future...

Xu Can had already started to let his imagination run wild.

"Scene 1, Take 1, Shot 1..."

"Action!"

Marc Webb, sitting in the director's chair, gave the order.

The clapperboard operator skillfully dropped the board.

The 'Spider-Man' project, which had been in development for years, finally began official filming!

Peter Parker, played by Xu Can, stepped on a skateboard and glided through the school hallway, his movements so handsome that the actresses nearby had their eyes fixed on him.

Leaving the teaching building and arriving on campus, Peter Parker spotted Gwen Stacy at a glance!

Gwen, played by Emma Stone, sat quietly on campus,

a pair of over-the-knee boots highlighting her slender and moving legs.

She was so dazzling that Peter couldn't help but take out his camera to capture this moment.

At the same time, a luxurious Rolls-Royce slowly drove into the school gate.

Harry Osborn, played by James Franco, made his entrance.

"Peter!"

"Hey, Harry, you're here."

"Harry, you forgot your backpack."

The veteran actor Willem Dafoe, playing the "Old Green Goblin," followed into the shot.

"Peter, this is my father..."

"Mr. Osborn, it's an honor to meet you."

"Peter." Osborn smiled and stepped forward to shake Peter's hand.

"I've heard so much about you; Harry mentions you often. I hear you have quite an interest in science."

"I've read your research reports on nanotechnology and genetic technology; they were eye-opening."

"Admirable. Your parents must be proud of you..."

"Alright, alright, we can talk later. It's time for class."

The "Little Green Goblin" Harry interrupted their pleasantries and pulled Peter toward the teaching building. ===== CHAPTER 7 =====

"I hope we have a chance to meet again and have a good talk."

Old Green Goblin Osborn watched Peter Parker's back, his gaze meaningful.

"Cut!"

Director Marc Webb shouted through his megaphone.

Everyone on set looked at him blankly.

Then Marc Webb smiled very happily:

"Great! The first take is a pass! Take a 3-minute break, we're preparing for the next one!"

"Yay!"

The actors on set breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed their performance was not bad.

Director Marc Webb felt even more at ease.

The first long-take sequence was designed to be quite complex,

set in an open outdoor environment,

with many characters and extras, and relatively many lines.

Marc Webb hoped to use a long take to introduce several main characters in one go.

Emma Stone had no lines, so that wasn't a big problem;

James Franco and Willem Dafoe were both experienced actors, so there was no need to worry about them either.

The only one he was worried about was Xu Can.

This young Asian man was a newcomer who had never had any acting experience before.

Since the casting was confirmed, outside media and the company had been questioning his selection,

and Marc Webb had been under a lot of pressure.

He chose to trust his intuition and Xu Can's potential,

but he was actually very unsure in his heart,

fearing that the first sequence would require dozens of takes,

causing everyone to lose confidence in Xu Can's Spider-Man.

Unexpectedly, Xu Can had done it smoothly in one take!

His performance was impeccable,

bringing the high school student image of Peter Parker to life!

"Is this kid really a genius?"

Even the actors playing opposite him were surprised.

"I thought Xu would stumble or forget his lines, but he adapted even better than I did. I was a bit nervous at the start myself."

James Franco, also a very handsome actor, laughed at himself.

Willem Dafoe, sitting nearby, took a sip of Coke and looked at Xu Can with emotion:

"To be honest, I didn't want to take this role before. What's with an Asian Spider-Man?"

"Luckily, I listened to my agent in the end. Taking this role was a good choice."

Willem Dafoe had a premonition that this 'Spider-Man' might not be so bad after all?

On the other side, Xu Can and Emma Stone were chatting.

"How is it? Are you used to acting for the first time?"

"I don't really feel anything. During the filming, I forgot everything and was completely immersed in the character."

"Wow, maybe you really do have talent!"

Emma Stone was happy for him.

After understanding Xu Can's situation, she sincerely hoped he could fulfill his dream.

"Ladies and gentlemen, break time is over! Prepare for the next sequence!"

The deputy director urged them with a megaphone.

'Spider-Man' had been delayed for years, and Sony Pictures couldn't wait any longer.

Time was tight and the task was heavy,

and everyone on the crew was under a lot of pressure.

"Scene 1, Take 2, Shot 1!"

"Action!"

The moment the clapperboard dropped, Xu Can's mind became clear!

At this moment, he was not Xu Can!

He was Peter Parker!

"I am Spider-Man!" ===== CHAPTER 8 =====