The atmosphere was subtly tense.
For the longest time, the general public had been confined within the framework of stereotypes, with their first reaction to any situation being to blame the "pretty faces."
This time was no different.
After various news reports surfaced, people instinctively labeled Anson as the mastermind behind the publicity stunt.
What's more, in the "Anson vs. The Academy" scenario, public opinion easily sided with the Academy, believing that this was all just another publicity stunt by Anson. Many were convinced he wouldn't miss the Oscars, thinking it was simply a ploy to boost his fame like a typical celebrity move.
Even Charlie Kaufman was dragged into the mess.
How ridiculous.
Public opinion seemed one-sided.
But then, something unexpected happened—completely shocking everyone as the situation took a sharp, 180-degree turn, blowing away all predictions.
Anson was actually going to miss the Oscars. What?
So, what exactly happened here?
One possibility is that it's still all part of Anson's self-promotion, perhaps for a new project.
But here's the thing: this is Charlie Kaufman we're talking about—a maverick known for doing things his own way, someone who doesn't care for or need publicity stunts.
Because even if he did try to promote the film, it wouldn't necessarily draw people into the theaters.
Sad as it may sound, that's the truth.
Taking a step back and looking at it from another angle, the mere fact that Anson chose to work with Charlie Kaufman is telling enough:
It wasn't about box office numbers or awards, but purely because he admires Kaufman's work and wanted to make something that truly interests him.
After two back-to-back box office hits, Anson, now able to make his own choices, decided to take on a project as an actor that reflects his own preferences—not as a romantic comedy prince or a superhero in a big-budget movie, but as a part of a quirky, unclassifiable film by a true visionary.
That's… honestly unbelievable.
Now, it seems Anson isn't just a pretty face or a celebrity with a label; he's an actor with a brain—maybe even smarter than anyone gave him credit for.
Impressive.
Publicity stunt?
Now, it seems like a joke.
If Anson was really trying to stir up buzz, would he have chosen Charlie Kaufman's film? Why not stick with "Spider-Man 2"? Sony-Columbia would've gladly capitalized on the Oscars buzz to promote the sequel.
But he didn't.
So, if this isn't a publicity stunt, what's really going on?
Is it all just a coincidence?
Or is there another possibility—the Academy?
As wild as it sounds, and despite how absurd and laughable it might be, the idea doesn't seem so far-fetched anymore.
Here's one theory: Anson was negotiating to join Kaufman's project and couldn't confirm his schedule, leaving his Oscar attendance uncertain.
The Academy knew this. Either they were confident Anson wouldn't miss the ceremony, or they decided to use the uncertainty to their advantage, hyping up his appearance for publicity.
In any case, the Academy released the guest list early, teasing the media and audience, creating a buzz.
Meanwhile, Anson, caught in a tricky situation, tried his best to cooperate with the Academy, showing sincerity by not publicly calling out the publicity facade.
But in the end, when things couldn't be resolved, Anson had to make a choice—
He stuck to his job as an actor and regretfully decided to miss the Oscars.
Even if it was the Oscars.
So now, who's really behind the publicity stunt?
All eyes shifted quietly toward the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The Academy, on the other hand, was left in a tough spot, unable to explain themselves.
What could they say?
First, it's all just rumors.
Despite the speculation, no one had openly accused the Academy of using Anson for a publicity stunt. But if they came out with an explanation now, wouldn't that be admitting to the rumors?
Second, even if the Academy wanted to clear their name, what could they say?
Explain the whole backstory?
The key point is this: while Anson isn't completely innocent, the Academy isn't spotless either. Both sides had their own agendas.
The Academy tried to leverage Anson's fame, while Anson pushed back against their arrogance.
Even if everything was made public, it would end in a lose-lose situation. Sure, the Academy might come out slightly ahead thanks to their power and connections, but at the cost of damaging their own reputation over such a minor issue.
In truth, the Academy's leadership was still reeling from shock.
In Hollywood, the Academy doesn't control everything, and the leadership can't sway the voting of its members. But never underestimate the Academy's influence. With their connections, it would be easy to subtly undermine Anson and make his career difficult.
Take this situation, for example. The Academy didn't need to do anything drastic. Just perpetuating the "pretty face" image of Anson could ensure he wouldn't receive an Oscar nomination for the next five to ten years, cutting off his future with the awards entirely.
The Academy believed that even if Anson didn't know this, his agent certainly did.
They thought Anson would quietly swallow the Academy's scorn, but to their surprise, Anson fought back—and did so fiercely.
That's what shocked the Academy the most.
They couldn't explain it, but they couldn't stay silent either.
So, the Academy was caught in a difficult position, forced to maintain their air of authority without saying a word.
The situation had reached a stalemate.
Just as everyone thought the Academy had embarrassingly botched their publicity, The Los Angeles Times managed to land a phone interview with Anson.
"I wanted to attend the Oscars. Believe me, I needed the chance to promote myself."
"So, I kept trying to rearrange my schedule until the very last moment, but then I realized I shouldn't be so selfish. If I want to be a real actor, I need to learn how to make sacrifices."
"Though I deeply regret missing the Oscars, I hope one day I'll walk the red carpet with my own work."
This was the only interview Anson gave after announcing his absence, and it immediately drew all the attention.
Lighthearted, honest, and reflecting his role as an actor.
He even helped the Academy save face.
With a bit of self-deprecating humor, Anson brushed off the publicity rumors, making the speculation seem childish. At the same time, he redefined himself as an actor and showed respect for the Oscars, defusing the situation without anyone realizing it.
The whirlwind of rumors quietly settled down.