The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 185

The pre-production training ran from early July through August. In addition to practicing various action sequences, Matthew rehearsed several scenes with his two co-stars, Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley. The experience only reinforced his conviction that Depp could completely outclass both him and Keira in terms of acting.

Matthew concluded that Keira Knightley's acting skills were currently no better than his own.

During rehearsals, Keira would use the same mannerisms over and over to express her character’s emotions—habits she carried over from her own life. Her signature moves included biting her lip when she was indignant and opening her mouth wide when she laughed to convey a sense of spontaneity and cheerfulness.

It was clear that both he and Keira were, for all intents and purposes, just for show. The only one capable of carrying the film’s dramatic weight was Depp.

Then there was Geoffrey Rush, an Oscar-winning actor who was, of course, far from bad.

However, Geoffrey Rush was mostly a loner on set, rarely speaking to the other actors.

As the training period wound down and production preparations were finalized, Matthew focused on rehearsing a few of the more important scenes.

Many directors dislike their actors rehearsing in advance, believing it can stifle their performance. But a quintessential commercial producer like Jerry Bruckheimer wasn't bothered by such things; his crew operated with the precision of an assembly line manufacturing fine instruments.

In mid-August, the crew wrapped up all preliminary work and gave the actors a three-day break.

After finishing his workout, Matthew returned to the locker room, changed his clothes, and swung by the training hall to say goodbye to the head of the prop team, picking up an aluminum prop sword on his way out.With the long scabbard slung across his back, Matthew left the training hall just in time to run into Keira Knightley emerging from her locker room.

"Hey, Keira," he greeted her casually.

They were both heading out, and Keira Knightley fell into step beside him. "Taking the sword again?"

"Yeah, it's a prop," Matthew said, adjusting the scabbard as he walked.

He was so used to handling a steel saber that this lightweight aluminum prop felt strange in his hands.

Keira tapped the long scabbard. "Practicing on your days off, are you?"

"Daily exercise is good for you," Matthew stated matter-of-factly. "And it keeps you sharp."

Keira shrugged. "I suppose."

She added, "I played a lot of soccer before filming 'Bend It Like Beckham.' I should invite you to a game sometime."

"Alright," Matthew agreed easily.

"The English kind of football," Keira specified. "Not American football."

"Whatever you like," Matthew replied, unconcerned. "American football, English football—they're both fine with me."

Matthew walked out of the studio with Keira and was met by a portly man who stopped abruptly as he passed by.

The man asked uncertainly, "Matthew? Matthew Horner?"

Hearing an unfamiliar voice call his name, Matthew paused and turned to look at the man, studying him from head to toe.

The man was sizing him up as well, gradually connecting the dots between the athletic young man with a commanding presence before him and the broke kid from three years ago.

"You are Matthew Horner!" he confirmed, his voice certain now.

Matthew also recognized the man and offered a smile. "Long time no see, Mr. Coulter."

The man was Dennis Coulter, his temporary agent from the Starlight Agency back in the day.

"That's me!" Dennis smiled, but it was a strained, awkward expression. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Keira realized Matthew had run into an acquaintance and whispered, "I'm going to head out. My driver's waiting."

Matthew nodded.

Their contracts stipulated that the production would provide transportation, but those who, like him, drove their own cars received a travel allowance.

Watching Matthew whispering with Keira Knightley, Dennis felt a storm of conflicting emotions.

He had seen all of Matthew's films—Band of Brothers, The Mummy Returns, and The Scorpion King—and had watched him climb from a nameless background actor to a sought-after leading man, and then from a leading man to a bona fide star.

Who would have thought that this kid from the sticks, this extra he had let slip through his fingers, would have so much potential?

No, back then he wasn't even an extra. He was the lowest of the low, just background filler.

"Mr. Dennis Coulter," Matthew said to his former agent. "It's been three years since we last saw each other."

"Yeah," Dennis shifted his bulky frame slightly. "I'm here on business."

He pointed toward the studio Matthew had just left. "The production needs a lot of extras, and I have a couple of clients."

Matthew nodded. "You should hurry. The crew is packing up for the day, there won't be anyone left soon."

Dennis opened his mouth as if to say something more, but he swallowed his words.

Matthew took it in stride. "I should get going."

"Right," was all Dennis could manage. "See you around, Matthew."

"Goodbye." Matthew turned and walked away.

He didn't bring up the past, let alone offer any help.

Dennis watched Matthew's retreating figure. The words he'd wanted to say—the plea for help—remained stuck in his throat. Three years had passed. He was still an agent for a group of extras, while the other man had become the lead in a top-tier Hollywood production. The chasm between them was simply too vast.

...

Instead of going home, Matthew drove to the Angel Acting Agency. The Pirates of the Caribbean production had already transferred the first payment of $600,000 to the agency, and he needed to go sign for it and get the funds moved to his account.

When he pulled up to the agency building, he parked his car and went inside. He found Helen in the lobby, talking to a girl with short blonde hair. Her back was to the door, but her figure was similar to Helen's, and something about her seemed familiar.

Standing next to the blonde was a brunette who looked about fifteen or sixteen. She must have noticed him, because she turned to look toward the entrance.

The first thing that struck Matthew about the brunette was her mature physique. She still had the baby fat of a teenager on her face, yet her body was surprisingly voluptuous, with a chest that was hard to miss.

Then there were her eyes—a startlingly light blue, as bright as gemstones, so vivid they almost looked artificial.

Seeing the brunette looking at him, Matthew offered a smile. The moment it bloomed on his face, the short-haired blonde turned her head as well, and with a single glance, her whole body spun around.

"Matthew!" She took a step forward.

"Amanda!" Matthew recognized her as the girl who had been a temporary assistant at the Angel Agency, someone he'd been friendly with and who had helped him during the Britney Spears music video audition. "Shouldn't you be in England?"

"I'm on summer break," Amanda said with a grin. "I came to visit Helen."

She glanced over at the brunette. "And to help a friend."

Matthew walked over to them and said to Amanda, "What's with the haircut?"

Amanda's short blonde hair wasn't even as long as his.

"It's my new style." Amanda seemed to recall their old friendship and was clearly thrilled to see him. "It's been a few years, and now you're a big star."

Matthew shot a look at Helen. "That's all because Helen was willing to back me."

Helen glanced at Matthew but said nothing.

"Are you staying in Los Angeles for a few days?" he asked Amanda.

"I'm heading back tomorrow." Amanda's expression turned a little odd. She looked at the brunette and said, "I wouldn't have even come to L.A. if I didn't have to bring Anna here."

Only then did she remember her manners and introduce the brunette to Matthew. "This is Alexandra Daddario, a friend of mine."

Then she introduced Matthew to her. "Anna, this is Matthew Horner, my friend from Los Angeles."

The brunette greeted Matthew, then said, "I know who you are. You're a Hollywood star."

"That I am." Matthew, who was naturally thick-skinned enough to own it, looked from Amanda to Helen, then asked the brunette, "Are you hoping to make it in Hollywood too?"

Alexandra nodded.

Helen then invited them all upstairs. Alexandra, curious about the agency, asked for a tour.

The girl was the daughter of a friend of Amanda's father and was interested in pursuing a career in Hollywood, so Amanda had brought her to Helen for some basic information.

Amanda, who hadn't yet finished her studies, didn't stay long in Los Angeles. The next day, Matthew dropped her off at the international airport.

For the next two days, Matthew focused on preparing for the start of filming at Disney Studios.