Grant was a full half-beat behind before he realized that he'd been acting like a madman, making a complete fool of himself in front of Anson and Kate. He now found himself torn between wanting to "die of embarrassment" and "offering an explanation," but in the end, his reason managed to pull the emergency brake.
"No, no, no, it's not because of Kate..."
However, Grant couldn't finish his explanation. Anson had already stepped forward, giving Grant a reassuring pat on the shoulder. With a kind but playful expression, he said, "It's okay, it's okay. The Big Bad Wolf doesn't eat just anyone. You might need to fatten up a bit."
As he said this, Anson even gave Grant an exaggerated up-and-down look.
"After all, Kate has worked with Leonardo before. Her standards are pretty high."
Grant: "???"
Even Kate hadn't expected Anson to change the subject and shift the focus in just a second.
But Kate was experienced enough not to rush to defend herself. Instead, she gave Anson a quick once-over. "True, you're the only one here who's barely qualified."
After saying that, Kate put on an expression of helplessness, her gaze clearly saying: I'll just settle for what I can get.
Grant looked at Anson, then back at Kate, totally lost in their banter. He felt like laughing—was this normal?
All eyes were on Anson.
Grant had thought Anson might get angry or at least feel embarrassed, but no. Instead, Anson spread his arms wide, beaming. "To even be compared to Leonardo, even if it's just barely, that's an honor for me. Ah-ha, I'll have to tell my mom when I get home today."
The best part was that he said this without a hint of sarcasm or teasing—just pure sincerity.
The humor of the moment broke through, and everyone could no longer hold it in.
Laughter exploded.
Even Kate wasn't immune.
By the time Mark Ruffalo walked into the apartment, this was the scene he stumbled upon: an uproarious crowd, laughter echoing, a scene of warmth and camaraderie.
At the center of it all were none other than Anson and Kate, their star power shining bright, impossible to miss.
Mark paused mid-step, unsure whether he should walk in.
Though he would later be known for his role as the Hulk in The Avengers, Mark had already earned a reputation long before that in the industry as a talented actor, boasting four Oscar nominations, two Emmy nominations, and one win. His filmography wasn't limited to superhero flicks by any stretch.
When other actors from superhero movies would eventually face career slumps, Mark and Scarlett Johansson were among the few who managed to escape that fate.
Few people know that, like many British actors, Mark has a formal acting background. He spent years honing his craft in theater. Though he never made it to London's West End or New York's Broadway, Mark had performed in countless small theaters in Los Angeles, writing and performing in plays.
Now, in 2003, Mark was 35 years old and still struggling in the theater world, feeling lost and directionless. As he got older, he had almost given up. Despite all his efforts, he couldn't land a break in film or TV, and he spent nine long years working as a bartender to make ends meet, with no breakthrough in sight.
Just when Mark was ready to quit, in 1998, playwright and director Kenneth Lonergan—who would later direct Manchester by the Sea—noticed Mark's talent. Lonergan gave Mark a chance in theater, and after receiving widespread acclaim for his performance, Kenneth invited Mark to star in his film You Can Count on Me.
The film, released in 2000, garnered critical acclaim, earning Oscar nominations for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay.
Mark became an overnight sensation, with some comparing him to a young Marlon Brando. After a decade of struggle, Mark finally entered the public eye.
His story is eerily similar to Mia's rise to fame in La La Land.
In the past two years, Mark has started getting more roles in film and television. He's still figuring things out.
Recently, Mark had just finished filming the rom-com 13 Going on 30 with Jennifer Garner, in which he played the boy-next-door heartthrob. The film, currently in post-production, is awaiting release, and no one knows how it will perform yet.
In fact, while 13 Going on 30 received positive reviews, it didn't become a massive box office hit. But surprisingly, twenty years later, it would become a beloved classic, evoking nostalgia for many, with its three main actors becoming Hollywood A-listers—a rare achievement.
On one hand, Mark was willing to take part in lighthearted films like 13 Going on 30, but on the other hand, he hadn't forgotten his love for indie films. A project like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, working alongside Kate and Anson, was exactly what he dreamed of.
Though nervous, he was secretly excited.
In retrospect, the whole thing felt surreal, like a dream.
Not long ago, he had been a struggling nobody, barely scraping by, and now he was working with Kate Winslet.
As for Anson, Mark had heard about him from Jennifer Garner.
Jennifer had worked with Anson on Catch Me If You Can, where she played a woman who mistook young Frank Abagnale for James Bond. Even though her role only took a day to film, she was undeniably impressed by Anson.
So when she heard that Mark was going to work with him, she thought it would be an enjoyable experience.
And then.
Mark found himself witnessing this scene. He hesitated, unsure whether to step forward, fearing that his entrance might spoil the moment.
And to make matters worse, he was a mere supporting actor, arriving late while the two biggest stars had been there early, waiting for him.
It was a nightmare scenario.
Instinctively, Mark took half a step back, his mouth dry. He licked his cracked lips and hesitated. Should he just leave? But then, he stopped, unsure if fleeing was the right move. He found himself stuck in a moment of indecision.
Disaster struck.
Mark noticed Anson turning his head. Their eyes met, and Mark's heart skipped a beat. His first reaction was to look up at the ceiling.
Why was he looking at the ceiling? Why was he acting so guilty?
The next second—
"Hey, Mark."
Mark's heart clenched, his muscles tensing. He stood frozen, unable to move, as if someone had pressed the pause button: What should I do? What should I do? What should I do?
Gulp.
Mark swallowed hard, trying to muster a simple greeting. A "good morning" would do, something casual and natural.
But the first thing that came out of his mouth was, "How do you know who I am?"
Damn. It wasn't a question, nor was it a friendly surprise. His stiff tone made it sound more like an accusation, full of hostility.
Mark didn't mean it like that, not at all. He swore he had no hostility. But why did it sound so wrong the moment he opened his mouth?
Now all Mark could think about was whether there was a spell from Harry Potter that could make him disappear on the spot.