The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 163

"Look at this crowd."

Standing before the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Jennett, a reporter from the Los Angeles Times, surveyed the swarm of journalists and muttered, "More people than I expected."

His photographer, positioned beside him, nodded in agreement. "I was at the premiere for 'The Mummy Returns' last year, and there weren't many more reporters than this."

"Look!" an unknown reporter nearby exclaimed. "It's Orlando Bloom! Orlando's here too!"

Down the red carpet leading into the auditorium, the fairytale elf prince strode gracefully, igniting a chorus of ecstatic shrieks from the fans lining both sides.

The "Kiss a Donkey's Ass" controversy stirred up by the media in recent days, while not a massive sensation, had drawn far more attention to the film than anyone had anticipated.

Consequently, the premiere of "The Scorpion King" had attracted more fans and journalists than any of the major summer blockbusters from the previous year.

As the film's lead actor, Matthew was one of the last to walk the red carpet. The moment he stepped out of his car, he was greeted by a sea of flashing lights and countless pictures of donkey rears.

All of these donkey photos were held aloft by fans, with Rex Reed's name scrawled across them, a unique way of expressing their disdain for the critic's comments and showing their support for "The Scorpion King."

Aside from the donkey posteriors, the most common sight at the boisterous premiere were various posters for "The Scorpion King." Most of them featured the film's protagonist, Mathayus.This was definitively a male-led film, and naturally, the promotional focus was squarely on Matthew's character.

As he made his way down the red carpet, Matthew smiled and waved to the fans on either side, projecting his sunniest disposition.

About a third of the way down the carpet, he spotted a group of fans holding up posters of Mathayus. Matthew waved directly at them, offering a smile and a slight nod.

"Matthew! Matthew Horner!"

A girl's scream pierced the air from that direction.

Then someone else shouted, "Autographs! Give us some autographs!"

The cry instantly grew louder as others joined in, "Matthew! Autographs!"

Matthew immediately walked over, took a pen from a female fan, and began to sign the poster she held out.

The girl closest to him instantly threw her arms around Matthew's arm. He realized at once that the fans were getting overexcited and hastily stepped back, just as two security guards moved forward to form a barrier against the surging crowd.

Matthew had no choice but to retreat and continue down the red carpet, soon arriving at the press area.

He stood before the countless cameras, striking a well-practiced pose to allow for photographs, before moving into the interview zone, where reporters instantly surrounded him like sharks that had scented blood.

"What do you think of film critic Rex Reed's comments?" a reporter asked, naturally zeroing in on the hottest topic of the media frenzy.

Matthew's expression was composed as he declared, "The Scorpion King will definitely gross more than ten million dollars in its opening weekend in North America. I'm confident of that!"

Another reporter immediately followed up, "So, you think Rex Reed will definitely be kissing a donkey's ass?"

"Actually, I personally found a donkey for him." Matthew, of course, couldn't show any weakness. With the premiere underway and the theatrical release just days away, this was the perfect time for fresh headlines. "FedEx has accepted my commission and is currently delivering the donkey to Rex Reed's office in New York."

The reporters froze, completely blindsided by Matthew's response.

Before they could formulate their next questions, Matthew took the initiative. "I hope that when old Rex puckers up to kiss a donkey's ass, he kisses the one I sent him."

He looked at the journalists earnestly. "You can pass that along for me, can't you?"

With that, Matthew broke away from the reporters and headed toward the group photo area, quickly making his way to the backdrop emblazoned with sponsors' logos.

Even though the film was a period piece that couldn't feature modern product placement, the premiere had still attracted a number of sponsors. For instance, Matthew's suit and the luxury car he arrived in were both provided by sponsors.

A good number of the cast and crew had already gathered there. Matthew greeted them and saw Stephen Sommers approaching.

"Matthew, you look much leaner," Stephen remarked, giving him a thorough look from head to toe. The tailored suit accentuated Matthew's physique perfectly.

He asked, "Still training?"

"Yeah, I never planned on stopping," Matthew said noncommittally, then smoothly changed the subject. "It's time for the group photo."

Stephen nodded and joined the line with the rest of the cast and crew for the group picture.

Matthew stood relatively close to the center with director Chuck Russell and the female lead, Kelly, who were also central to the film's promotional campaign.

Steven Brand and Clark Bernard were barred from all subsequent promotional events after Helen had notified the production team.

Helen had officially terminated their contracts for just cause and had informed all the major agencies in the industry about the situation.

For those two, making a comeback in Hollywood had just become at least twice as difficult.

After the group photo, Matthew and Kelly, as the male and female leads, accompanied the sponsors for another photo session. They chatted as they made their way into the VIP lounge inside the auditorium, where most of the red carpet guests were waiting. The screening wouldn't begin for a while, as the general audience had to be seated first.

"Matthew, that old bastard is definitely going to be kissing a donkey's ass!"

Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy came over, with Michael speaking first. "We've got your back!"

James smiled. "We each bought a hundred tickets for this Friday."

"Thanks!" Matthew said gratefully. "If the box office tops ten million this weekend, drinks are on me."

His own expectations weren't that high; after all, it was his first leading role. Universal Pictures, however, was brimming with confidence. Based on early market reactions and survey data, they were projecting a twenty-million-dollar opening weekend for "The Scorpion King."

Matthew chatted with Michael and James for a bit before Helen approached with Stephen in tow, and the four of them fell into a brief conversation.

The door to the VIP lounge opened, and Orlando, who had just stepped out to use the restroom, returned. He immediately scanned the room, his eyes quickly locating Matthew and, just opposite him, a face he had seen many times in photographs.

Stephen Sommers, the target of his visit to the premiere!

Orlando didn't hesitate, striding over immediately. Matthew spotted him from a distance and, since Helen was the one primarily engaged with Stephen, he gave Orlando a wave. A smile bloomed on Orlando's handsome face as he walked toward them.

"At a time like this," Matthew opened his arms and gave Orlando a warm hug, "I'm so glad you're here to support me!"

Orlando's eyes flickered toward Stephen before he replied to Matthew, "The more important the moment, the more I have to be here for you!"

He spoke as if he had truly come just to support Matthew.

Stephen was chatting with Helen, whose gaze occasionally drifted toward Matthew, or more specifically, toward the elf prince beside him.

She knew Matthew's closest friends were Michael and James; she had never heard him mention any friendship with Orlando.

Could it be...? Seeing Orlando's slender figure and beautiful face, an unwelcome thought crossed her mind, but she quickly shook her head.

Matthew broke the hug. Orlando glanced past his shoulder and asked with feigned casualness, "Are these your friends?"

"Oh, right." Matthew quickly pulled him over and made the introductions with enthusiastic initiative. "Orlando, this is Helen, my agent. And this is Stephen, he's an amazing director!"

Then he introduced Orlando. "Stephen, this is Orlando, the elf prince Legolas, and a friend of mine."

The three exchanged polite greetings, and before they could even start a proper conversation, Matthew noticed Orlando persistently moving toward Stephen.

Matthew found a random excuse to pull Helen away, creating an opportunity for Orlando to speak with Stephen alone.

As he walked away, he cast a deliberate glance back, hoping Orlando wouldn't let him down.

...

After greeting a few people along the way, Matthew and Helen headed toward the screening hall together. Seeing no one else was around, she paused, ready to ask the question that had been on her mind.