The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 188

The film had a fair number of emotional scenes between Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, but unlike The Scorpion King, which was straightforward and openly depicted intimacy, Pirates of the Caribbean was far more subtle. This presented a bit of a challenge for Matthew. The romantic scenes couldn't be too risqué, not to mention Keira Knightley was only seventeen, and while her mother didn't accompany her for the entire shoot, she still visited every few days.

After finishing his scenes in the governor's palace, Matthew left the set. He had no scenes scheduled for the next two days, and since the cave set in Studio 2 hadn't been built yet, the production crew was preparing to go on location—first to Long Island, New York, and then to the Caribbean.

Matthew had a general idea that the crew would be shooting some of the Interceptor's scenes on Long Island.

Matt O'Connor, the team's marine consultant, had managed to find a huge old sailing ship, the Lady Washington, which would stand in for the Interceptor during filming.

As for the Black Pearl, the production team had invested a significant amount of money into building a prop vessel in the Caribbean.

In other news, the team had officially retitled the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, ostensibly to leave room for a sequel.

This was standard practice. Most top-tier commercial Hollywood films were designed this way, leaving the door open for a sequel from the very beginning, regardless of whether the first film was a success. If it was, a sequel could be fast-tracked.

For the studio and the distribution company, a sequel to a major hit meant less risk and greater profits.

Matthew was eagerly looking forward to filming in the Caribbean, which, by all accounts, had breathtaking scenery.

Since there was no filming for the next two days, and the crew had been given a special two-day weekend, Matthew ended up with four days off.However, over the years, he had grown accustomed to a routine. Even when he wasn't working, he didn't stay up late. He was in bed by eleven, up at six-thirty in the morning, and would go for a fifteen-minute run before starting his day.

On his first day off, Matthew drove to the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts in North Hollywood, a box of videotapes in hand, to find David Astor and get a new batch.

"There are none left, Matthew."

In his office, David put the tapes away, rubbed his bald head, and said, "There's nothing more. You've watched everything I have."

It had been three years. How many tapes could he possibly have to keep this diligent young man busy?

"I've been practicing a lot," Matthew said, scratching his head in embarrassment. "But my acting hasn't improved much. Am I hopeless?"

David shook his head. "No, of course not."

He thought for a moment, then asked, "Matthew, I've been following your work. Especially after Band of Brothers—The Mummy Returns, Black Hawk Down, and The Scorpion King—I've seen them all more than once. Did you find it was relatively easy to shoot the action scenes?"

"That's true. The action scenes are easier," Matthew muttered.

"The truth is, you are improving," David said. Despite his reputation as a veteran actor and acting coach, he still had a pretty sharp eye. "It's just that the pace of your improvement has been slower. That's limited by both your natural talent and the types of films you've been in."

Matthew understood what he was getting at. "David, are you saying that doing independent films is a better way to hone my acting skills than commercial movies?"

"Exactly. I've said it before." David let out a soft sigh. "With your current acting skills, you can handle most commercial entertainment films without much trouble. The roles don't demand great performances, and the directors' expectations are relatively low."

"Well, thanks for the reminder, David." Matthew knew his mentor only wanted what was best for him.

The veteran actor had never asked for anything in return and was always willing to help him.

David looked at Matthew, thought for a moment, and added, "Now that you're famous and have chosen a path that suits you, strive to be the best you can be. If you need my help with anything, just ask."

Matthew smiled. "I will. I still need a lot of guidance when it comes to acting."

He then helped David Astor put the videotapes back on their respective shelves one by one before taking his leave.

...

Walking through the courtyard of the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts, Matthew glanced back at the classroom where he once studied. Through the window, he could make out the figures of people inside; Hollywood was a place that never lacked for newcomers.

Anyone, even an A-list star, could be overtaken by countless others the moment they stopped moving forward, all eager to take their place.

As Matthew walked toward the school entrance, wondering if he should enroll in acting classes again, the Nokia phone in his pocket began to ring.

He pulled it out and glanced at the screen, recognizing a number he hadn't seen in a long time.

"Hello, this is Matthew Horner," he answered, then asked uncertainly, "Is this... Rachel?"

"Matthew!" The voice on the other end was clearly surprised. "You really haven't changed your phone number in two years?"

"Of course not," Matthew chuckled. "I kept the number just in case you'd call."

"Hehe," a laugh came from the other side. "You're still such a smooth talker."

Matthew recalled their time together in acting class and asked, "Where are you now? In Canada? Or did you come back to Los Angeles?"

"I'm back! Do you have time to meet up?"

"I'm free today," Matthew said, checking the time. "Lunch is on me."

There was a brief pause on the other end before she asked, "Where can we meet?"

Matthew remembered a good restaurant nearby. "I'm in North Hollywood, at the acting school where we used to have classes together. I'll meet you at the entrance."

"What a coincidence, I'm in North Hollywood too! Wait for me, I'll be there in ten minutes."

After hanging up, Matthew walked out of the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts and stood by the entrance, waiting patiently. Less than ten minutes later, a clear voice called out.

"Matthew!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Matthew turned his head and saw Rachel McAdams.

She wore a straw hat to shield herself from the sun, her curly blonde hair cascading down and swaying gently in the breeze. Her face was lightly made up, and she looked as sweet as ever, with distinct dimples framing her smile. She had on a simple, short denim jacket over a horizontally striped shirt, and a pair of brown leggings that highlighted her long legs.

The most striking thing to Matthew was that Rachel had arrived on a bicycle.

"Rachel, it's great to see you," Matthew immediately greeted her. "You're as beautiful as ever!"

"Thanks." Rachel dismounted from her bike. "You're looking better than before, too."

Matthew opened his arms and gave Rachel a gentle hug. "Are you back in Hollywood for good?"

"Yes." Rachel stepped back from the hug, looking Matthew up and down. "And I'm not planning on leaving."

Her tone was unusually firm. "This time, I'm not running away from Hollywood!"

Matthew nodded. "Come on, let's get some lunch."

He glanced at the bicycle. "Do you want to leave it inside the school? I know the security guard at the gate. He can watch it for you."

Rachel wheeled her bike into the performing arts school. Matthew had visited David often enough that the guard at the entrance knew him. He exchanged greetings and took the bike, while Matthew led Rachel to his car and headed east on Laurel Valley Boulevard to a restaurant.

It was a high-end restaurant. Like most people, now that Matthew had money, he found himself drawn to life's pleasures.

Lately, he had also been thinking about buying a house. He had saved most of his initial salary from The Scorpion King, and the first payment for Pirates of the Caribbean had already come in. The remaining two payments would arrive by the end of the year at the latest. By then, he would have at least two million dollars, enough to start thinking about buying a home of his own.