The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS): feeling a little aggrieved.
Anson had already said everything—both good and bad—playing both the villain and the hero. After stabbing someone in the back, he then graciously helped bandage the wound with a smile.
Something about this didn't feel right.
Normally, the Academy issues commands from on high, and even if they used Anson to stir up media buzz, it would be considered an honor for him—at least the Academy was paying him attention. But now, the roles had completely reversed, and the Academy, disoriented, had become a puppet, dancing to Anson's strings.
This...
However.
Could they refuse this olive branch?
Probably not—the Academy had no choice but to accept.
Not only the media and the general public, but even the Academy's members had seen everything unfold. Hollywood insiders, well-versed in its politics, couldn't help but admire Anson for pulling off such a brilliant move. He not only made the Academy look good but also preserved its dignity and image, earning widespread respect.
At this point, the truth didn't matter anymore—it was all about appearances.
No matter how the Academy responded, Anson had already smoothly made his exit.
A slap in the face, a bit of manipulation, and yet he walked away unscathed. The saga of "Anson vs. The Academy 1.0" had taken a dramatic turn and reached an unexpected conclusion.
This was something the Academy hadn't foreseen at all.
Now, they realized Anson's rise wasn't pure luck. "Spider-Man" might have been lucky, "Catch Me If You Can" might have been a coincidence, but after a third instance, it became clear—this wasn't random. There was more going on behind the scenes than met the eye.
So, was this twenty-something really not to be underestimated?
Here's the kicker: Anson had been in Hollywood for nearly three years, and everyone was well aware of his connections and family background. Yet no one had found anything unusual. How could that be explained?
The more they thought about it, the more suspicious it became. If even Hollywood's network couldn't dig anything up, could he actually be a hidden aristocrat?
Otherwise, how could Anson rise so quickly in just one year and maintain such poise and control under the intense spotlight?
Anson's response to this: "I'm innocent."
The narrative was spiraling out of control.
Then.
The Academy finally issued an official response.
"Though it's unfortunate, we believe the stage belongs to the actors and their performances. We look forward to seeing Anson back next year with a project that will shine once again."
Short and sweet.
At the same time, they subtly indicated that Anson would return. After all, no one could refuse the Oscars—it was as simple as that.
There's always next year.
With that, the matter seemed to be settled.
Who would've thought that whether Anson attended the Oscars could become such a hot topic, sparking a chain reaction?
It once again highlighted Anson's influence.
But!
The most unbelievable part? This wasn't the end! No one had anticipated the unexpected twists to come.
Things had just started calming down.
On one side, Anson stayed in New York and joined the cast of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" to begin filming, hoping to wrap production quickly before winter ended.
On the other side, the Oscars were proceeding on schedule. Despite Anson's absence, Hollywood's elite were still scrambling for a spot on the red carpet, as the Oscars never lacked for buzz.
At this point, Anson's connection with this year's Oscars seemed over.
Then, the White House officially announced the start of the Iraq War.
That sent shockwaves rippling across the globe, with Hollywood included.
Hollywood's stance had always been clear—anti-war. The White House's announcement caused an uproar, with criticism and condemnation flooding in from all sides, targeting Washington.
In the midst of this, the Oscars found themselves in an awkward position.
If they went ahead, the glitz and glamour might seem inappropriate, and the ceremony could turn into a platform for actors to make political statements, diverting attention from the awards.
If they canceled, it would look like they were backing down, avoiding the issue, and showing cowardice in the face of a major global event.
They were stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Amid all the outcry, the voices calling for the cancellation of the 75th Academy Awards grew louder. Many, including actors, media outlets, and the public, felt the Academy should take a stand and, like in the past when the Oscars had been canceled due to war, show a clear position.
Once again, the Academy found itself in the hot seat.
And this time, it was really sweating.
Unintentionally, Anson was pulled back into the fray.
"Look at Anson—that's what a responsible Hollywood actor should do."
"He distanced himself from the Academy long ago."
"Anson could've attended if he wanted to. Even while filming, it wouldn't have been an issue. But he refused, turning down this crucial opportunity to showcase himself, making a statement as an actor. That's a role model."
Uh, didn't Anson refuse to attend before the White House's announcement?
But online, no one cared. Anson became a hero, praised for his principles and courage, willing to risk his career to stand up to the Academy's spineless elites. Overnight, he was showered with praise.
And this narrative? It took off like wildfire.
Soon, several guests announced that if the Academy went ahead with the Oscars, they would consider boycotting the event.
This included Nicole Kidman.
Suddenly, the Academy was in a bind, facing an incredibly tough decision—standing at a crossroads in history.
Rumors swirled. Some said the ceremony would be postponed by a month, others that it would be canceled altogether. But after much back and forth, the Academy finally displayed boldness and resolve—
The ceremony would go on, but the red carpet would be canceled.
The Academy stated that, in moments like these, filmmakers needed to show unity and courage. Rather than avoiding the issue, they should use the stage to make their voices heard, harnessing the power of cinema to change the world.
Once this was announced, Hollywood exploded like boiling water.
Aki Kaurismäki, Michael Moore, Spike Lee, and other confirmed Oscar attendees immediately declared they would boycott the event in protest.
Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins, and several past Oscar winners also voiced their decision to skip the ceremony, causing an even bigger stir.
Now, every invited guest had to consider:
Should they attend? And if they did, what message should they send?
The Oscars had become a hot potato, caught in a delicate situation.
Meanwhile, Anson, having already confirmed his absence, was buried in work on his new film. As the rest of Hollywood buzzed with activity, he was far removed from the chaos, back to the grind.
Lucky, without a doubt.