The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 190

"I can't believe it."

Looking at Fox Sherman, Matthew muttered to himself, "I can't believe someone's already trying to curry favor with me."

Perhaps he wasn't thinking about it in the right way, but Fox definitely wasn't approaching him now just to cast a C-list star as his male lead. He was clearly looking ahead to next year. If Matthew was right, the film Fox was investing in was scheduled for release after Pirates of the Caribbean. By then, he stood to gain far more than what it cost to hire an actor at his current level.

True, Pirates of the Caribbean could flop, but Jerry Bruckheimer was the gold standard. In the eyes of the industry, the chances of success were far greater than failure.

Besides, all business ventures involve risk.

Fox spoke up at that moment. "Matthew, I'm being very sincere."

Matthew nodded, picked up the script lying in front of him, and began to flip through it. After a few pages, he frowned slightly and quickened his pace. The further he read, the more familiar the scenes and plot descriptions became, closely resembling a film he had once seen.

The heroine was a vampire, the enemy was a werewolf, and the hero was a special being—a hybrid of both.

Wasn't this that movie with Kate Beckinsale, the actress from Pearl Harbor and Van Helsing, where a werewolf and a vampire fall in love?

Thinking of the female lead, Matthew glanced at the name in the script and asked, "Who's playing Selene?""Kate Beckinsale." Fox grinned. "She's on the rise right now. She'd be a perfect match for you."

Matthew continued to flip through the script. "Could you wait a moment while I finish reading?"

Fox replied, "Of course."

Matthew wasn't a fast reader; it took him over half an hour to get through the screenplay. He only had a vague memory of the film—a heroine in black leather, werewolves, and vampires. The rest hadn't left much of an impression.

"Fox," Matthew said, closing the script and getting straight to the point. "Are you offering me the role of Michael?"

"That's right," Fox confirmed with a nod.

Matthew pushed the script back toward Fox. "He isn't the protagonist. He's a supporting character, isn't he? This is a female-led film. All the characters and the entire plot serve the heroine."

Fox, however, seemed to think this was perfectly normal. "The script has to be female-dominated. Otherwise, how could they attract a star like Kate Beckinsale? She has a special status within the cast, and then there's you."

Hearing this, Matthew immediately realized he was overthinking things. Van Helsing hadn't even been filmed yet, but Kate Beckinsale was unanimously favored by the industry and was already being promoted from the B-list to the A-list. As long as Van Helsing was successful, her position as a top-tier actress was all but guaranteed.

In that respect, Fox's reasoning wasn't unfounded.

The problem was, a role like this—an outsider who spends most of his time relying on the heroine for protection—was clearly at odds with his style and career trajectory.

Both he and Helen had a very clear vision for his path forward.

"Matthew!" Fox added, seeing that Matthew was leaning toward refusing. "The investment in this film isn't huge, but I can guarantee that the production will offer you a three-million-dollar salary for the role!"

That number was like a magnet, instantly grabbing the attention of Matthew, who had only been paid two million dollars for Pirates of the Caribbean after a long and arduous audition process. In contrast, this role as a hapless hero who was more of a supporting character could easily earn him three million.

There are only two kinds of people who aren't tempted by three million dollars: people who have far more than three million dollars, and people with their heads buried in the sand.

But temptation didn't mean he would say yes.

If this had been three years ago, Matthew, in his pure-minded state as a small-time actor, would have jumped at the chance. But as his status rose and his horizons broadened, his mindset had gradually changed.

Taking three million dollars now could cost him ten million in the future.

"Fox, I can't give you an answer right now." Matthew wasn't very interested in the script, and with Pirates of the Caribbean on his side, his decision was more or less clear. "I can't take on any project without my agent present."

This wasn't some unwritten rule; there were clear provisions in the trade associations and the California Talent Agencies Act that actors must rely on their agents to secure work.

"There's no rush. Take the script." Fox pushed the screenplay about werewolves and vampires back toward Matthew, then pulled out a business card. "You can discuss it with your agent and contact me later. I'll be waiting for your answer."

He concluded, "Matthew, I'll say it again, I'm very sincere. If you're not satisfied with the salary, we can negotiate the price."

Matthew nodded, taking the script and the business card. "Alright, I'll get in touch with you as soon as I can."

Fox looked pleased.

The two exchanged a few more words before leaving the lounge area together. Fox left the gym immediately, while Matthew took a shower and changed. He decided not to continue his workout, instead taking the script and heading straight for the Angel Acting Agency. According to the terms of his contract, matters like this had to be discussed with Helen so she could be kept in the loop.

Matthew gave her a general overview of what had happened and placed the script on her desk. "Here's the screenplay. Read it first."

Helen flipped through the script while Matthew sat on the sofa and waited patiently.

After a long while, Helen looked up. "The male lead isn't right for you. From the character's setup to his scenes, it's a poor fit, unless they drastically rewrite the script."

She added casually, "It would be better if they swapped Michael and Selene."

Matthew picked up on her point. "The female lead is Kate Beckinsale."

"The lead actress in Van Helsing?" Helen shook her head. "She has more fame and audience appeal than you do. A role swap is basically impossible."

Matthew remembered something. "The last time I was on the set of Van Helsing, I heard that Fox Sherman is pursuing Kate Beckinsale."

Helen handed the script back to Matthew. "Doesn't matter. Turn it down."

She also warned him, "But try to be polite about it. From what you said, he's a wealthy man."

In this highly commercialized society, financial standing was a form of power.

Matthew took the script and was about to say goodbye when Helen suddenly remembered something and called out to him.

"Wait." She pointed to the script in Matthew's hands. "There's a small scene with Selene as a teenager. Can you ask Fox for the role?"

Matthew frowned slightly. "You think he'll agree?"

"Fox's intentions are clear. He wants to leverage the fame you'll gain from the potential success of Pirates of the Caribbean," Helen observed, seeing the situation plainly. "According to you, he's a new investor in Hollywood without deep roots here. An actor with your obvious advantages is just as valuable as Kate Beckinsale."

She was calm. "Even if Fox refuses, it doesn't matter."

"Then I'll give it a try." Matthew set the script down and asked, "Do you want to give the role to that girl Amanda brought in?"

"Yes." Helen didn't hide it. "Her father is a federal prosecutor in New York and is very close with Amanda's father."

Matthew understood completely. "I'll call Fox tomorrow."

The phenomenon of government and business scratching each other's backs was common all over the world.

...

The next morning, while Fox was still sound asleep with Kate Beckinsale in his arms, he received a call from Matthew.

"It's alright, Matthew."

Fox wasn't offended by Matthew's polite refusal. His attitude was as warm as ever. "We can always work together in the future."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and Fox was about to hang up when he heard Matthew's question about a small role. He thought for a moment and said, "Yes, the teenage Selene and the female vampire Erika haven't been cast yet. Do you have a suitable candidate? Ah, yes, that's fine. Have her come in for an audition, and I'll let the casting director know."

Fox's reasoning was simple: Matthew Horner, like the woman in his arms, had great potential to become a popular movie star. They both belonged to a valuable group for a novice investor like him.

"Erika..."

Hearing that name, a female character immediately popped into Matthew's mind, and he couldn't help but think of Rachel. He spoke into the phone, "Fox, is the role of Erika also uncast? Could I recommend someone? Yes, thank you, thank you so much! Don't worry, her looks are definitely not a problem."

Just as Helen had anticipated, Fox was very accommodating of Matthew's request. Not only did he agree to an audition for the fifteen-year-old girl Amanda had brought, but he didn't refuse Rachel either.

Matthew then called Rachel and told her that if she was interested, she could have her agent contact the show's casting director.

"Matthew, thank you!"

Rachel was thrilled. "I don't know how to thank you."