Chapter 14

The subway fight scene in Spider-Man is short and impactful. When Spider-Man confronts a group of homeless people, extending the fight any further would only serve to diminish his perceived strength.

This brief encounter also effectively introduces Spider-Man's abilities to the audience, making it easier for non-comic fans to grasp his superpowers. For example, the barbs on his hands allow him to quickly attach to any surface and climb effortlessly. He also has extraordinary reflexes, speed, strength, and a spider-sense that predicts danger.

After dispatching the subway attacker, Peter Parker looks at his palms in shock, grappling with the reality of his newfound powers. Exhausted, he drags himself home, where Uncle Ben and Aunt May express their concern. However, Peter, too overwhelmed to engage, simply grabs some meatloaf from the fridge and heads upstairs.

"It's strange—he's eating your meatloaf. No one likes that stuff," Uncle Ben jokes.

"What do you mean, no one likes it?" Aunt May retorts, feigning offense. "I've been making it for 37 years, and now you tell me?"

This light-hearted exchange brings a smile to the audience, showcasing the warmth of Peter's home life, even in the absence of his parents.

Peter heads to bed and wakes up the next morning to a world that has changed. His senses have become incredibly sharp—his ears pick up the faintest sounds, and his eyes can track the flight of a mosquito with ease. Standing in front of the mirror, Peter is astonished to find that his once-skinny frame has transformed into a muscular physique, complete with impressive chest muscles and eight-pack abs.

"Wow! Is this real?" Peter marvels at his reflection.

At the premiere, the girls in the audience can't help but swoon over Xu Can's impressive physique. "If Xu Can stood in front of them, they'd be eager to pounce," one of them jokes, while the men look on with envy. "Damn, this guy has an amazing body," one of them murmurs, impressed.

Even Emma Stone, seated beside Xu Can at the premiere, is slightly flustered. As Xu Can focuses on the movie, she sneaks a hand to his abs, teasing, "Is it real, or just for the movie? If it's fake, maybe you can come over tonight to verify."

In the film, Peter soon discovers the source of his newfound abilities—a genetically modified spider that bit him, altering his genes. At school, Peter struggles to adjust to his mutated body. In the cafeteria, Gwen Stacy sees him eating alone and approaches to say hello, but she accidentally slips. Peter's quick reflexes save her, and he manages to catch the falling tray without spilling a single item.

The audience might assume that this acrobatic feat was achieved with special effects, but it was actually performed by Xu Can in a single take.

"Hey, Peter, you look pretty good without your glasses," Gwen remarks, clearly impressed. Peter, now more confident, responds, "I'm just trying out a new style."

As Gwen walks away, Peter can't help but watch her. Meanwhile, the school bully Fletcher, fresh from playing basketball, accidentally knocks over a girl's lunch tray. Peter, now emboldened by his powers, stands up to Fletcher, demanding that he apologize and pay for the lunch.

This girl, played by a young Emma Roberts, is instantly recognizable despite her limited screen time. Although Emma Roberts initially auditioned for the role of Gwen Stacy, she ultimately played a smaller part in the film. Xu Can recalls exchanging a few words with her on set and exchanging phone numbers, though they haven't been in touch since.

Back at the premiere, Emma Stone suddenly asks Xu Can, "Which Emma do you like?" Without missing a beat, Xu Can responds, "Of course, the Emma right next to me." His casual remark makes Emma Stone smile, as it's the perfect diplomatic answer.

In the movie, Fletcher tries to retaliate, but Peter easily outmaneuvers him, eventually sending him flying ten meters with a single punch. However, instead of being hailed as a hero, Peter is met with wary looks from his classmates, who view his actions as excessive. This marks the first time Peter realizes the potential dangers of his powers.

Peter is soon called to the principal's office, where Uncle Ben is waiting for him. "It's good that you helped your classmate, Peter, but using violence isn't something to be proud of," Uncle Ben advises.

Outside the office, Uncle Ben speaks to Peter privately, sensing that something is off. "You've been acting differently lately, as if you think you're invincible. Is that true?"

Peter, still frustrated, brushes off the concern. "I don't know, maybe," he mutters.

"I had to change shifts to be here," Uncle Ben says sternly. "I need you to pick up Aunt May at 9 tonight, understand?"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Peter replies dismissively.

As Uncle Ben walks away, the audience feels a growing sense of unease. Is the inevitable tragedy about to unfold? The tension builds, setting the stage for one of Spider-Man's most iconic moments.

By this point in the film, even those in the audience who were initially skeptical have become fully immersed in the story. Xu Can's compelling performance has won them over, and industry colleagues at the premiere can't help but be impressed. If the next action scenes maintain this level of quality, the success of the live-action Spider-Man seems inevitable.

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