Chapter 59

Los Santos, Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel

The audience erupted in thunderous applause, standing to honor Xu Can. This moment marked a significant triumph for him, a young actor who had faced relentless skepticism since his debut in "Spider-Man."

Many would have crumbled under such scrutiny, but Xu Can persevered, delivering outstanding performances in one film after another. He shaped numerous memorable characters, earning him the respect of his peers and, tonight, his first Oscar. Although it was for Best Supporting Actor, everyone who had seen "The Dark Knight" knew this award was tantamount to a leading role—an acknowledgment of Xu Can's undeniable talent.

Hollywood's elite gave him a heartfelt ovation. Xu Can stood with a smile, embraced Emma Stone beside him, and gracefully walked to the stage, the camera following his every move. His sharp and stylish appearance in "John Wick" had already captivated audiences, and now, Xu Can exuded a unique blend of Peter Parker's boyish charm and John Wick's intensity—a combination that outshone even the most polished runway models.

Female guests couldn't help but be entranced, including Scarlett Johansson, who had just worked with Chris Evans. Despite admiring Evans, she found herself comparing him to Xu Can, and surprisingly, Xu Can emerged as her preference.

"What on earth am I thinking?" she thought, blushing at the unexpected reverie.

As Xu Can approached, Scarlett hugged him gently and kissed his cheek. The brief contact sent a jolt of electricity through them both, though they quickly regained composure.

Taking the microphone, Xu Can gazed at the audience with a faint smile, pausing for a moment. For those new to public speaking, a brief silence can be powerful—it draws the audience's focus and creates an aura of confidence.

When he finally spoke, his words were measured and impactful. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to receive this year's Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor."

He continued with humor and grace, praising his fellow nominees. "Javier, your portrayal of the killer in 'No Country for Old Men' was even more twisted than the Joker…" He then turned to another nominee, "And John, you played your role with such disturbing accuracy."

The audience chuckled, the tension lifted. Even those who had lost to Xu Can were pleased by his words, recognizing the brilliance of his Joker performance.

"I want to thank my parents back in China for supporting me in pursuing acting and helping me reach where I am today," Xu Can said earnestly. "I also want to thank Nolan, Bale, and everyone who worked on 'The Dark Knight.' This film's success is due to the hard work of many."

Ending his speech with a playful remark, Xu Can said, "I'll save the rest of my speech for when I win the Oscar." The crowd erupted in cheers, some wondering if Xu Can was serious about an Oscar nomination or if it was just his unshakable confidence—either way, it was inspiring.

As Xu Can left the stage, the applause was as intense as if he had won a lead actor award. His charisma and talent were gradually conquering Hollywood.

The ceremony continued, but Xu Can was content to enjoy the food prepared by an international chef, unconcerned with the rest of the awards. Having eaten his fill, he found himself a bit bored. With no phone to play with, he turned his attention to the woman next to him, playfully teasing her under the table.

"Stop it!" she whispered, wide-eyed, but Xu Can didn't relent. She glanced around, relieved that no one was paying attention, and tried to endure the teasing.

Unbeknownst to her, another guest had noticed everything and lowered her head, lost in thought.

Golden Globe Awards Aftermath

The news of Xu Can's Best Supporting Actor win at the 65th Golden Globe Awards spread quickly online, silencing critics who had questioned his portrayal of the Joker. While it wasn't a complete victory over the "old vs. new Joker" debate, Xu Can was now widely recognized as the best villain of the new century. His performance was extraordinary, a fact no one could deny.

"The Dark Knight" surged back to the top of IMDb's Top 250, surpassing "The Shawshank Redemption" with a score of 9.4/10. Globally, the film's box office earnings exceeded $1.108 billion, ranking fourth in film history behind "Spider-Man." If not for delays in China, it might have climbed even higher.

Hollywood's interest in the Chinese market was growing, recognizing the potential of the burgeoning film industry there. Movies like "Iron Man" were already being promoted in major Chinese theaters, and fans, still reeling from the excitement of "Transformers," were eager for more.

Xu Can's new film "Iron Man" was about to introduce Marvel superheroes to Chinese audiences, opening up a new world for them.

Hollywood's Focus on Xu Can

While discussions about the Golden Globe Awards continued, the anticipation for the upcoming Oscars was palpable. "The Dark Knight" had become the focal point of Hollywood, sparking debates about whether a comic book movie could finally break through traditional biases.

Meanwhile, Xu Can was busy preparing for the world premiere of "Iron Man," his first directorial effort and the inaugural film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film had the potential to either solidify his reputation or invite ridicule on a global scale.

At the premiere, held at the iconic Bank Cinema, Xu Can walked the red carpet with Robert Downey Jr., Pepper Potts, and the rest of the cast. Downey, fully in character as Tony Stark, joked with Xu Can, asking why his hands were shaking. Xu Can reassured him with a smile, "Don't worry, this movie will open the door to the world for you. Just don't ask me for an excessive raise when the time comes."

Xu Can then left the red carpet, uninterested in the fanfare, and entered the theater. He couldn't help but miss the company of Taylor Swift, who was in New York for a TV show appearance, or Emma Stone, who was attending a funeral. Gwyneth Paltrow, dressed in a stunning backless gown, joined him on the red carpet instead.

As the theater darkened and the familiar title sequence of Galaxy Pictures filled the screen, the audience was spellbound. Xu Can's production team had outdone themselves, creating a visually stunning introduction that set the tone for the groundbreaking film that followed.

Many years later, fans would look back on this moment, watching "Iron Man" on demand on the world's leading streaming platform, GalaxyTV+. They would remember it as the film that marked the beginning of Marvel's cinematic dominance.

As the premiere concluded, the future of Hollywood seemed more uncertain—and exciting—than ever, with Xu Can at the center of it all.

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