The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 263

Who would choose Brokeback Mountain unless they were an actor facing a career transition or serious stagnation? Matthew himself had no interest in a gay-themed film, and Helen regarded the offer with a healthy dose of skepticism. Matthew's career was on a solid trajectory; he didn't need to reinvent himself, so why take such a gamble by playing a gay character?

In her eyes, the proposals from Michael Bay and Ridley Scott were far more valuable than Ang Lee's project.

"Ridley Scott called me directly," Helen continued calmly. "Matthew, he's interested in having you for the male lead in a new film. The plot is loosely based on the Crusades."

Hearing this, Matthew immediately made the connection. Wasn't that the epic Orlando Bloom film about Jerusalem?

Recalling their previous conversations, he asked, "Didn't you say I should avoid costume dramas for the next couple of years? Are you really suggesting I take Ridley's offer?"

After all, Helen and Ridley had a good relationship.

A rare, complicated expression crossed Helen's face. "Emotionally speaking, Ridley Scott helped us when we were starting out. I want to consider his invitation."

Matthew said nothing. He was in an excellent position to advance his career and couldn't afford to risk his future.

"But my professional judgment tells me," Helen added, "that taking on another costume role won't benefit your career in the long run."

She didn't elaborate on the reasons, having already analyzed them for Matthew long ago.Matthew was the signature client of the Angel Acting Agency, the biggest star on her roster. His success not only guaranteed her a hefty commission but also effectively drove the rest of the agency's business—like securing roles for other agency actors in films like The Scorpion King and Dawn of the Dead. If Matthew's career went off track, it wouldn't just hurt him; it would hurt her and her agency as well.

Matthew still didn't respond. He wanted to see what options Helen would present. A competent agent, faced with such a situation, had to prioritize the interests of their star client.

Naturally, Helen provided a swift answer. "There's no need to consider this project. I'll find a suitable reason to politely decline Ridley Scott's offer."

Matthew nodded and picked up the thread. "That leaves Michael Bay's project."

Helen elaborated, "Michael Bay has left Jerry Bruckheimer for DreamWorks and Spielberg. This will be his first film after the split."

Hearing her words, Matthew couldn't help but think of the Transformers franchise.

But things were clearly not heading in the direction he expected. Helen continued, "It's a film about clones. The details are sparse, but it's in Michael Bay's signature style, so it's definitely an action movie."

Matthew had seen many of Michael Bay's films. He knew the Transformers series, and since arriving in this world, he'd watched Bad Boys, The Rock, Armageddon, and Pearl Harbor. With the exception of The Rock, Bay's films were largely synonymous with mindless commercial entertainment. In Armageddon, a bunch of oil drillers fly into space to drill a hole in a meteor. And the infamous surprise attack on Pearl Harbor was reduced to a backdrop for a high-stakes love triangle.

But no one could deny that Michael Bay had a brilliant understanding of the film market and was acutely aware of what kind of movies the hormone-driven, emotionally charged teenage audience loved.

Right now, he was positioned as an action star, and Michael Bay was best known for action films. In that respect, they were a perfect match.

The only thing that troubled Matthew was that he had no memory of seeing an action film about clones.

Helen must have considered this as well. "None of these offers, apart from the male lead in Michael Bay's new film, are worth considering," she said. "Bay's chances of continued success are very high, as long as he sticks to commercial blockbusters and doesn't try to get all artistic and deep. For now, I'll respond to the offer and keep a close watch on the project he's developing with DreamWorks."

Given Michael Bay's impressive track record, Matthew had no objections. He only asked, "When are the auditions?"

"Not until February or March of next year," Helen explained, seeing Matthew's confusion. "The invitation was sent out this early partly to gauge our reaction and partly to allow the production team and actors to coordinate their schedules."

Matthew understood. The schedules of many popular Hollywood stars were often booked two or three years in advance.

Helen concluded, "The two priorities we're considering right now are Jerry's adventure project and the lead role in Michael Bay's action film."

She adjusted her glasses and looked at Matthew. "Do you agree?"

"I do." Matthew handed the papers back to Helen.

Helen set the documents aside and said, "My advice remains the same as before. Matthew, until you're a certified A-list star, you need to be cautious and deliberate about transitioning into non-action films. Don't take on roles outside your brand unless you absolutely have to."

Aware of the enormous risks involved in such a transition, Matthew replied, "I'm not interested in other types of roles for now, especially not the artistic, dramatic kind."

He had no interest in playing gay men, psychopaths, or any other role that required a drastic physical transformation and risked his health. His career was going well, he was basking in the aura of a B-list star, and he could sleep with plenty of actresses like Jessica Alba. In short, he wanted to enjoy his success.

"That's not all," Helen added. "Several brands have expressed interest in having you as a spokesperson, but I've politely declined all of them."

Matthew had come to trust Helen completely and knew she had her reasons, so he didn't ask.

Of course, Helen began to explain anyway. "Most of them were mid-to-high-tier brands that fit your image, but they were all asking for long-term contracts of three to five years."

Matthew understood immediately. "They're trying to lock down a future A-lister at B-list prices?"

"Something like that," Helen confirmed. "Matthew, you're in a great position right now and you're not short on money. There's no need to rush into endorsements and things like that. Once you become an A-list star, we'll have more offers to choose from, and we'll command much higher fees."

She looked at Matthew, a flicker of excitement in her eyes. "I'm looking forward to the day you become an A-list star. Once that happens, we'll map out your path to superstardom."

Matthew knew he was still a long way from that level. "I'm still two or three blockbusters away from success."

He wasn't counting the Pirates of the Caribbean series; that was his ultimate safety net, not something to build his immediate future on.

Helen reminded him, "Don't forget to get the information from the resource room. I've had a lot of material compiled on the American War of Independence and the Knights Templar."

Matthew stood up. "Right. I'll go over everything."

His knowledge of the American Revolution was limited to the Declaration of Independence, George Washington, and Benjamin Franklin. If he wanted to star in an adventure film about a treasure hunt directly tied to American independence, he would certainly benefit from learning more about the nation's history.

Taking the thick stack of files, Matthew didn't leave the Angel Acting Agency. Instead, he went to the reading room—the latest addition to their resource center—to study the materials with the help of a computer and the internet.

Matthew focused on researching the American War of Independence and the Knights Templar. He also tried to recall the film he'd seen starring Nicolas Cage, hoping to find something useful that would help him ace the audition and land the role.

...

On the first Monday of November, Matthew arrived at Disney Studios at the appointed time in Helen's car, ready for an audition conducted by Jerry Bruckheimer himself.

Matthew was well-prepared for this audition. He had even sourced a suit, glasses, and other accessories befitting a stereotypical nerd, all to cultivate the appearance of a well-educated man.