The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 306

Warner Studios was an old complex, with many of its rooms divided by thin partitions that offered mediocre soundproofing at best.

Matthew could clearly hear Charlize and Stuart arguing, even without trying to listen. Charlize's voice was low, but Stuart's grew progressively louder and higher-pitched, sharp with anger.

Suddenly, the argument fell silent, followed by the sharp slam of a door.

Matthew opened his own door and stepped out of his dressing room just in time to see Stuart's retreating back disappear down the hall. He was, presumably, the one who had just slammed the door.

Not every struggling actor could handle his girlfriend being an Oscar winner.

Matthew approached the door to Charlize's dressing room and knocked softly. "Sallie, can I come in?" he asked.

"One minute," Charlize's voice came from inside. A moment later, she added, "Come in."

Matthew pushed the door open. Charlize was sitting before the vanity mirror, her expression cool and distant.

"You okay?" Matthew set down his backpack, pulled a chair over, and sat beside her. He asked with genuine concern, "What happened this time?"

It wasn't the first time he'd heard Stuart and Charlize arguing on set, but their previous disagreements had been quiet, suppressed affairs—nothing as explosive as this.Charlize just shook her head slightly. "It's nothing."

She managed a faint smile. "Thanks, Matthew."

Matthew reached out and gently took her hand, not pressing for details. "We're friends," he said simply.

After all, Stuart was her boyfriend. It wasn't his place, as an outsider, to interfere.

That wasn't his intention anyway. Even if he wanted to intervene, he'd have to pick the right moment. For now, Charlize was clearly still willing to put up with Stuart's behavior.

Just then, Charlize stood up, gathered her things, and said, "Let's go."

Matthew grabbed his backpack and opened the door for her, waiting until she stepped out before following her toward the studio exit.

The long hallway was quiet, but as they walked, Matthew noticed several pairs of curious eyes peering from open doorways. Clearly, everyone had heard the shouting.

Charlize noticed them too and pulled the hood of her sweatshirt up over her head.

Once outside, they started walking toward the main gate. The parking lot wasn't far.

As they walked, Charlize put on a pair of sunglasses, shielding her face.

"How long have we known each other, Matthew?" she asked suddenly.

Matthew thought for a moment. "A little over two years, I think. Not as long as you've known Keanu or Depp, of course."

Charlize kicked at a small pebble on the pavement with the toe of her sneaker. Without looking up, she said, "He wasn't like this for the first two years we were together."

Matthew knew she was talking about Stuart.

"Then I got famous," Charlize continued. "His career never took off, and slowly, things started to change."

She sighed. "To be more accurate, his failure completely changed our lives."

Since she was willing to talk, Matthew took the opportunity to offer his own thoughts. "People change with their circumstances," he said. "But not everyone adapts well to that change."

Charlize gave a faint, unseen smile. "If he thought like you, he wouldn't be where he is now."

She stuffed her hands in her pockets. "If Stuart weren't so insecure, things could have gone perfectly."

"Have you considered another path?" Matthew ventured.

At that, Charlize stopped and turned to face him. Matthew met her gaze directly, his expression one of pure, friendly concern. "Sallie, you treat me like a friend, so as your friend, there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a while."

"Say it," Charlize prompted, lifting her chin.

"I'm not trying to meddle in your private life, I'm just... angry for you." Matthew lowered his voice. "That night outside the Viper Room... I saw Stuart hit you in the car."

Matthew looked her straight in the eye. "You know me, and you know Depp. You're our friend. He's not. If anyone ever laid a hand on you in front of me, I..."

He waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind, let's not go there. Sallie, in my eyes, you're a strong woman, but you're also far too tolerant."

Charlize remained silent, but his words didn't strike her as harsh. On the contrary, she could feel his genuine concern.

Matthew sighed softly. "Whatever you choose to do, I'll support you. But please remember, there's a difference between being tolerant and enabling his behavior."

Charlize nodded. "I know."

Matthew said no more. Charlize was older than him; she wasn't some sheltered teenager like Lily Collins or Alexandra Daddario. Even though she had brought up the topic, it was best to leave it there.

Besides, it was clear his words had sunk in. There was no need to press the issue.

When they reached the parking lot, Matthew asked before they went to their separate cars, "How about we grab a drink at the Viper Room?"

"Some other time." Charlize shook her head. "I need to think some things through."

Matthew opened his car door, then added, "Call me anytime if you need anything."

Charlize gave him a grateful smile and a nod before getting into her own car.

...

Over the next few days, Matthew and Charlize continued to work together on the film's shootout sequences. He didn't see Stuart on set again. When he chatted with Charlize, he learned she'd pulled some strings to get Stuart the lead role in a production called Wedding Witness—seemingly to keep him busy and away from the set.

Matthew didn't comment on it, simply continuing to work with Charlize as usual. They often met up for coffee or dinner after filming.

During a weekend break from filming, Matthew took the time to interview a few potential assistants who had contacted him, but none of them seemed quite right for the job.

After all, a personal assistant has access to far too much of a star's private life.

He also received a few emails in his personal inbox from Lily Collins, among others.

Most were from fans, full of well-wishes and congratulations, and many asked whether he would be attending the upcoming Junior Hollywood Awards.

Matthew ignored the rest and replied only to Lily, confirming that he would be at the Junior Hollywood Awards.

Last year, Matthew had signed a contract with Disney for two Pirates of the Caribbean sequels, which included an obligation to cooperate with Disney Pictures on all promotional activities. Even though filming for the sequels wouldn't begin until the following year, Disney was already in full swing with its preliminary marketing.

His appearance at the Junior Hollywood Awards was just one part of the strategy. The other two leads were also flying the Pirates of the Caribbean flag at major events: Johnny Depp was set to appear at the Teen Choice Awards, and Keira Knightley at the MTV Movie Awards.

Disney intended to leverage the fame of its three main stars to generate as much buzz as possible in the lead-up to the three award shows.

The influence of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was steadily growing thanks to DVD sales and television broadcasts, drawing in an ever-widening audience. Even the original Disneyland ride was being redesigned to incorporate elements from the film.

The Walt Disney Company possessed an entire production ecosystem and a massive promotional platform. Once a teen-oriented film became a hit, the actual revenue it generated—from merchandise, theme parks, and more—would often be several times greater than its box office gross.

The Pirates of the Caribbean action figures alone were a goldmine. The Jack Sparrow and Will Turner dolls were selling incredibly well, and at the end of June, Matthew had received a royalty check from Disney Pictures for $1.58 million—his share from the sales of the Will Turner figure alone.

His royalty share was just the standard union-mandated percentage, a fact that highlighted the insane amount of money Disney was making.

A box office hit generates long-term revenue not just for the production and distribution companies, but for the cast and crew as well.

Matthew knew that many stars with a few major hits under their belt could live comfortably on royalties for years, even long after their careers had faded.

Unfortunately, such cases were rare. Most stars earned staggering sums of money at the height of their popularity, but their expenses were often just as staggering.

Once they got used to a certain lifestyle, it was difficult to adjust when their income inevitably dropped, often leading to a host of financial and psychological issues.

Matthew had heard too many of those cautionary tales, and he knew he needed to be smart about his own finances.

The Junior Hollywood Awards ceremony kicked off on schedule in Los Angeles at the end of July, and Matthew walked the red carpet earlier than his officially scheduled time.