The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 329

Right after the 77th Academy Awards announced their nominations, the 25th Golden Raspberry Awards declared theirs as well. Matthew and Johnson found themselves on the list, nominated for Worst Actor and Worst Supporting Actor respectively, and they even received official invitations from the Razzies to attend the ceremony.

Matthew was actually a little baffled. National Treasure had been well-received by audiences, yet here he was, nominated for such a crappy award.

“Let’s just say the professional critics’ opinion of the film was... mediocre,” Helen said, walking around the rented office. “Not redecorating?”

Matthew gestured at the office’s interior and replied, “I don’t think it’s necessary.”

Helen walked to the window and gazed into the distance, where the small Angel Acting Agency building was just visible. “That’s for the best,” she added. “It’s easier to have everything close by.”

Matthew nodded. “That’s what I was thinking.”

Helen brought the conversation back to the previous topic. “Do you want to go to the ceremony?”

“Of course not,” Matthew grimaced in annoyance. “I want to rent a truck, haul a load of National Treasure DVDs, and dump them on their doorstep.”

He was indignant. “I doubt the Razzie judges even saw the movie. They probably just read the critics’ reviews!”

“Unlikely,” Helen said bluntly. “Their jury is made up of a few industry professionals, professional critics, and a small number of former actors who are largely ignored. The critics' opinions are what really sway the vote.”She was calm. “Don’t worry. As long as your movies do well at the box office, a nomination for Worst Actor—even an actual win—won’t affect a studio’s decision to cast you.”

Matthew shrugged. “I just don’t get it. With so many genuinely bad movies every year, how did National Treasure end up on their list of the year’s worst films?”

“You don’t have a chance of winning, anyway,” Helen said, ever the pragmatist. “The other nominees for Worst Actor are Colin Farrell and George W. Bush. Farrell starred in Alexander, which had a much worse reception than National Treasure, and Fahrenheit 9/11 has basically guaranteed George W. Bush the award.”

She suddenly looked at Matthew. “Fahrenheit 9/11 also earned Britney Spears a nomination for Worst Supporting Actress.”

“Oh?” Matthew replied nonchalantly, saying nothing more. What was in the past was in the past.

He changed the subject. “What’s the plan for the Mr. & Mrs. Smith publicity?”

“It’s all set,” Helen picked up the thread. “I’ve contacted ATC and Akiva Goldsman, and the Mr. & Mrs. Smith team is giving us their full support. By the way, Summit Entertainment is working on getting you an invitation to the Oscars.”

Knock, knock, knock!

Just then, the office door opened, and Bella walked in, carrying a large box of documents.

Seeing her, Matthew said, “Bella, come here for a minute.”

Bella set down the box and quickly walked over.

Matthew introduced them. “Helen, this is Bella, my personal assistant. Bella, this is Helen, my agent.”

The two of them would undoubtedly be dealing with each other often in the future.

Helen greeted Bella, studying her for a few moments before turning back to Matthew. “I almost forgot. Zack Snyder flew to New York yesterday to meet with Frank Miller again. My people are with him.”

“Let’s hope it goes better this time.” Matthew knew that Zack had finished post-production on all the test footage last week. “He’d better get those adaptation rights.”

Helen watched Bella leave to attend to her duties, then turned back to Matthew. “I saw the finished footage. It’s completely different, very unusual. And in terms of visuals, it perfectly matches the style of Frank’s illustrations.”

Matthew hadn’t seen the footage himself, but he’d spoken with Zack enough to have a good idea of what the test shots looked like. He didn’t know how Zack had originally managed to secure the rights and become the film’s director, but he was confident this footage would impress Frank Miller.

After all, how many authors in commercial genres, especially novels and comics, wouldn’t want to see their work adapted into a film if the right conditions were met?

These days, a film adaptation didn’t just give a novel or comic book wings; it could make it soar, like the Harry Potter book series.

Without the Harry Potter films and Warner Bros. promoting them, could the book series ever have reached the heights it did?

...

Since there was no news from Zack yet, Matthew went with Helen to Warner Studios to meet with Akiva Goldsman. Charlize Theron and her agent arrived soon after, and the three parties carefully worked out the next steps and the details of their execution.

In a competitive world like Hollywood, not moving forward meant moving backward. It went without saying that both Matthew and Charlize were extremely career-focused—a fact underscored by her firing her agent of ten years for the sake of an Oscar.

As the previous year’s Best Actress winner, Charlize was naturally a presenter for this year’s Best Actor award. Meanwhile, Summit Entertainment had managed to secure Matthew an opportunity to appear on the Oscar stage, even if it was only to introduce a Best Picture nominee, and to walk the Oscar red carpet.

Admittedly, the Academy Awards ceremony was a highly anticipated event, watched live by an average of over thirty million people in North America alone each year.

It wasn’t just Mr. & Mrs. Smith; essentially all Hollywood films released in the summer used the Oscars as a promotional platform. Having the male and female leads appear as award presenters was one of the most common tactics.

Every year, the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards were the two most important promotional battlegrounds for Hollywood films.

After leaving Warner Bros., Matthew returned to his office to make preparations. In the middle of the afternoon, he received a call from Sean Daniel, who wanted to meet him for a chat that evening.

Matthew and Sean were old friends, having worked together several times, so of course, he wouldn’t refuse.

What he didn’t expect was that when he arrived at the café where they had arranged to meet, Sean wasn’t alone. With him was a middle-aged woman who looked much like Helen, with glasses and a cool demeanor.

“Matthew, I’d like to introduce you,” Sean offered. “This is Ms. Pat Kingsley, an agent with CAA.”

“Pat,” he added, introducing Matthew, “this is my friend, Matthew Horner.”

Matthew raised his eyebrows. Who in Hollywood didn’t know Pat Kingsley? She was the former manager of two huge stars, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Then, after Tom Cruise fired her for failing to secure him an Oscar, all sorts of negative stories about him had surfaced, and it was clear to everyone that Pat was the one behind the attacks.

“Hello, Matthew.” Pat flashed a professional smile.

Matthew gently shook her outstretched hand and replied, “Hello, Ms. Kingsley.”

Just then, Sean said, “Have a seat.”

Matthew walked past him and pulled out a chair to sit down.

But Sean had no intention of joining them.

Looking at Matthew and Pat seated across from each other, he said apologetically, “Sorry, I’ve overstayed my welcome. I have to go.”

It was clear he didn’t want to be part of the ensuing conversation.

Pat knew this and let Sean leave.

When the waiter brought their coffee, Pat immediately said, “Matthew, I’m here on behalf of CAA.”

The moment Matthew saw Pat, he had guessed her intentions. It wasn’t the first time he’d been approached by an agent from another firm, but it was a first from someone at CAA’s level.

He said nothing, simply looking at Pat, who stated directly, “In CAA's assessment of actors—both male and female—born after 1980, you rank first in terms of potential.”

“Oh...” Matthew drawled, looking calm. “That sounds like good news.”

Pat’s words took an unexpected turn. “But people with potential don’t necessarily become superstars.”

“I agree with that,” Matthew nodded. “There are plenty of people who think they’re geniuses or have the talent to succeed, only to end up falling flat at Hollywood's starting line.”

He declared shamelessly, “And it’s often people like me, who have a clear understanding of themselves, who end up rising to the top instead.”

Pat frowned slightly, sensing that the young man sitting opposite her, who had become famous at such a young age, had a remarkably clear head on his shoulders, which was not good for her.

“You’ve made a good point,” Pat maintained her professional smile. “But to become better, to climb higher, you need a platform.”

Her tone gradually gained momentum. “The Angel Agency is small. You’re currently its only real star client. And while Helen seems capable, she’s too young and lacks sufficient experience in the agency business.”

“Ms. Kingsley,” Matthew interjected, “I like to be direct, so let me ask: are you trying to poach me for CAA?”