The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 116: A Good Actor

Few people who had worked with Vin Diesel would likely want to do so again, but if there was money to be made, it was no longer a problem. In Hollywood, everything revolved around massive profits.

For The Fast and the Furious, the premiere of The Mummy Returns was a free promotional platform.

According to Helen, the promotional trailer for The Fast and the Furious would be shown in theaters during the run of The Mummy Returns.

With the release of The Mummy Returns just around the corner, a few things had taken Matthew by surprise.

Universal Pictures had not included his character in any of the pre-premiere announcements. The advance publicity remained focused on the male and female leads, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, followed by the two supporting actors, Arnold Vosloo and John Hannah.

The Scorpion King was completely absent from the released trailer.

If not for the two Scorpion King posters that had been released, Matthew might have worried that all his scenes had been cut.

A week before the premiere, the film’s team held an official meeting with Helen and Matthew to confirm that he would be part of the post-release promotional tour. They provided him with a detailed plan and schedule.

According to the crew, excluding Matthew and the Scorpion King from the pre-release publicity was a carefully crafted marketing strategy. Based on the results of internal screenings at Universal, they believed the Scorpion King could become one of the film's breakout stars!

Matthew was no longer the novice he had been at the start of his career and had gradually gained some understanding of the film industry.A trailer was meant to capture the essence of a film without giving away all its best moments. Otherwise, audiences wouldn't feel that sense of surprise, which could hurt box office numbers after the wide release.

What the team told him only made him more eager for the film's release.

On the day of the premiere, Matthew first went to a styling studio Helen had recommended. The studio offered an all-in-one service that handled suit rentals and other details directly, which saved him a lot of trouble.

The fees, of course, were not cheap. For this single session, Matthew paid $4,000, which covered the suit, watch, and car rental.

As he sped toward the theater, it struck him that if he attended many more events like this, he'd soon be bankrupt.

The black Cadillac pulled up to the premiere theater and parked at the entrance under a huge white tent. Unlike the previous year when he had attended the Gladiator premiere, Universal Pictures had set up a rain canopy over the red carpet. With Los Angeles experiencing several days of rain, guests arriving for the premiere could wait inside the tent attached to the red carpet.

Although Matthew was part of the cast and crew, he was scheduled to walk the carpet later, but he had arrived a bit early.

"Over here, Matthew!" As soon as he entered the tent, Matthew heard someone call his name. He turned and saw Paul Walker waving at him. He hurried over, greeting him, "Long time no see, Paul."

Paul held out his fist, and Matthew bumped it with his own. He looked Matthew up and down. "You look like some slick rich kid."

Matthew tilted his chin up and said with mock nonchalance, "What can I say? I was born with a good face."

"Yeah, must be nice to be a natural," Paul leaned in a little closer and said conspiratorially, "Michelle's been missing you ever since you left the set."

"Oh?" Matthew had no interest in Michelle Rodriguez whatsoever. As Jordana had once said, Michelle was a man and a woman all in one. He asked, "Why don't I see Michelle and Jordana?"

"They're both busy," Paul said, then added, "I think they just didn't want to see Vin Diesel. I have a clause in my contract requiring me to be here, but they don't."

Hearing Diesel's name, Matthew couldn't help but ask, "How'd things go after I left the film?"

Paul shook his head and sighed. "What do you think? Diesel acts like he's Leonardo DiCaprio."

He didn't want to dwell on it. "Anyway, it's over now. I don't have to look at his bald head anymore."

Matthew asked again, "Are you two the only ones from The Fast and the Furious cast here tonight?"

"Yep." Paul glanced at his watch. "And he's going to be late again."

As they chatted, more people filed into the tent. Brendan Fraser, the star of The Mummy Returns, and Rachel Weisz, the female lead, arrived one after another.

Matthew was acquainted with them both and introduced Paul, who just said hello before stepping aside.

"You're looking bigger than ever, Brendan." Matthew made casual small talk with the pair. "Rachel, you've gotten even more beautiful."

Rachel just laughed, while Brendan Fraser gave Matthew a wide grin and clapped him on the shoulder. "Why are you so tan?"

Matthew rubbed his cheeks. "Can't be helped. I spent a few months in North Africa."

"You must be sick of the sun by now," Rachel remarked. "I filmed in Morocco too and my skin tone didn't change a bit."

Matthew nodded and offered a casual compliment. "Your skin looks even better than the last time we met."

Rachel smiled happily again.

"That's because she's nourished by love." Brendan deliberately lowered his voice. "I'll let you in on a secret. Rachel has captured the heart of a certain director."

"Really?" Matthew feigned curiosity. "Rachel, who is it?"

Rachel was gracious and answered directly, "His name is Darren Aronofsky."

The name was unfamiliar, so Matthew assumed he was just a little-known director, but Brendan added, "He's a talented Harvard graduate and is recognized in his circle as a promising rising star in the directing world."

Matthew nodded. "A fitting match for the equally talented Rachel."

A star like Rachel wouldn't be looking for an ordinary guy. He recalled that during the filming of The Mummy Returns, Rachel had just broken up with Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes.

Rachel was one of those women who was headstrong and open when it came to romance. She had told people like Matthew and Brendan about her personal life herself. Darren Aronofsky was already her fifth boyfriend since she entered the acting world.

In that respect, Hollywood actresses were little different from their male counterparts, breaking up and moving on as naturally as eating or drinking.

However, Rachel's choice of boyfriends seemed particularly beneficial for her future.

And there was nothing wrong with that.

Brendan changed the subject. "What have you been working on lately?"

"I don't have any roles lined up at the moment." Matthew gave a small, self-deprecating smile. "I'm unemployed."

Brendan grinned broadly and clapped him on the shoulder again. "I'll give you a call if I come across any interesting roles."

He said it as if Matthew were his little brother.

Brendan had the capital to back it up. Rachel had mentioned that if the movie sold well, he could ask Universal for $20 million for a third film.

It was clear to Matthew that Brendan was counting on the film's success to pave the way for a swift sequel.

Then, cast and crew members came over to announce the start of the red carpet premiere ceremony, but the three of them stood still. The first to walk the red carpet were those who had used their connections to get more exposure.

The Mummy Returns was not just some unknown film; it was the sequel to the smash hit The Mummy and a first-rate production in its own right.

Universal Pictures had dared to position the film at the start of the summer season, clearly confident in its audience appeal.

Matthew stood waiting for a while when Paul walked over, ready to head to the red carpet.

"Vin Diesel never showed up." Paul shrugged casually. "Not that it matters."

Matthew was speechless. Perhaps Vin Diesel had already cast himself in the role of a big shot, thinking he was the number one man in the heavens and on earth, in the entire galactic universe.

Just as Paul started walking toward the red carpet entrance, a bald head appeared.

Matthew was standing directly opposite the entrance. The bald-headed Diesel spotted him first and then strode toward him.

Matthew saw Diesel too. At any rate, the bald head and scowling gaze were familiar.

Diesel wore a grim expression, as if Matthew owed him billions of dollars.

Matthew narrowed his eyes and casually unbuttoned the front of his tuxedo jacket to allow for easier movement, just in case.

Several people noticed Vin Diesel and turned their heads to look at him.

"Who's that guy?" Rachel saw him too and alerted Brendan, who was standing beside her. "Looks like he's headed for Matthew."

Brendan turned just in time to see Diesel’s bald head and drawled unhappily, "Well, look who it is. Stay here."

They were a short distance from Matthew, with quite a few people between them, and Brendan wasn't exactly quick on his feet.

Matthew subtly rolled his shoulders and wrists, just in case, his eyes sharpening as he watched Diesel closely.

If his opponent made the first move, he wasn't against testing the results of his recent, continuous training.

Diesel marched toward Matthew but abruptly stopped about six feet away, where Matthew’s punches would be unlikely to land.

"Matthew Horner!" His eyes were filled with pure rage. "You did this!"