The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 330

"Wouldn't you like to have a bigger platform?" Pat looked at Matthew and asked rhetorically. "CAA manages and possesses resources that no other agency in all of Hollywood can compare to."

CAA was indeed the boss in this industry; Matthew was well aware of that.

Pat added, "The Angel Agency you're with couldn't possibly provide you with better resources. And your agent, Helen, although she worked at CAA, she was just a mailroom clerk who was only learning how to be an agent with us. If it weren't for the network of contacts her father, Michael Rosenfeld, built back in the day, do you think she could have achieved what she has?"

Matthew just listened.

Last year, he had learned that Helen's father, Michael Rosenfeld, was one of the five founding fathers of CAA, though not as famous as Michael Ovitz or Ron Meyer. He had been pushed out of CAA's core leadership by Michael Ovitz after the agency gained power and was now, so to speak, in retirement.

Helen's last name came from her grandmother. She didn't say more than that, but he had heard Amanda mention it before, and it involved issues like her parents' divorce. Prying into such family conflicts was never a good idea.

The connections of Helen's father had played a huge role in her getting to where she was now.

But Matthew knew perfectly well that Helen was not the person Pat was making her out to be.

Pat continued, "Matthew, you can look at CAA's client list. Eighty percent of Hollywood's top stars today work under CAA, and most of them were single-handedly elevated to the pedestal as America's biggest stars by CAA."

She suddenly asked, "Don't you want to be in the top echelon? To become a superstar like Tom Cruise or Leonardo DiCaprio?""Yes, very much so." Matthew didn't hide it in the slightest. "I've dreamed of becoming a superstar ever since I came to Hollywood."

"Has the Angel Agency ever produced a superstar? Does Helen have any experience creating superstars?" Pat was confident. CAA had been growing faster in recent years after the painful departure of Michael Ovitz, and recruiting people was an easy and familiar process for them. She softened her tone and pointed to herself. "CAA has that experience, and I have even more of it."

Matthew nodded, because Pat was absolutely right.

CAA's status in the agency industry was undeniable, and Pat was definitely a top-tier super-agent.

To be honest, Matthew was a little excited right now. Between the Angel Agency and CAA, between Helen and Pat, ninety-nine percent of people would choose CAA and Pat.

Matthew didn't hide his expression. Pat saw his excitement and said, "When I took on Tom Cruise, he was in a similar place in the industry as you are now—young and gaining popularity. And I was the one who guided him to the title of superstar."

The middle-aged woman, with a style and temperament completely different from Helen's relatively introverted type, spoke with confidence. "You should know that my work with Tom is finished. I need a new candidate with enough potential to fill the void left by Tom's departure."

Hearing this, Matthew asked hesitantly, "You want to make me a superstar?"

Pat replied seriously, just as confidently, "Exactly."

Matthew raised a hand and propped up his chin. Anyone could say something like that. Helen was currently pushing him toward superstar status to the best of her ability.

It takes more than empty words to turn a B-list star into a superstar.

He looked at Pat and asked, "Do you have a specific plan?"

Pat, who had naturally come here prepared on behalf of CAA, said, "CAA will develop a personalized plan for you. I can briefly disclose some of it to you."

"Of course." Matthew was interested. If CAA was truly sincere and the plan they developed aligned with his career goals, it wasn't out of the question that he would agree. "Tell me."

Instead of answering directly, Pat posed a rhetorical question: "Matthew, what is your biggest weakness?"

Matthew didn't quite understand what she meant. "Weakness?"

He actually had far too many weaknesses, such as greed, excessive lust, an unconventional view of things, low morals, and even a bit of forgetfulness.

"In your career as a star," Pat said immediately. "You lack major awards."

She explained, "With your current commercial appeal, you definitely wouldn't be a B-list star if you had a Golden Globe, an acting award from one of the three major European film festivals, or even an Oscar."

Matthew nodded slightly.

Unfortunately, that was a path he didn't want to take.

Pat had no idea, of course, as the awards she mentioned held immense appeal for the vast majority of actors.

"Helen is clearly holding you back." Pat knew the art of persuasion; it wasn't about convincing the other person immediately, but about planting a seed. Besides, she hadn't just said this off the cuff; she had prepared thoroughly. "Matthew, your current path is too commercially focused, while ignoring awards. You know, business reflects your appeal, but awards underscore your status. Both aspects must be developed simultaneously."

She smiled. "Let's assume, Matthew, that as long as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series can guarantee the box office success of the first film, your commercial appeal won't be an issue."

Matthew suddenly felt that the time he'd spent coming to this cafe had been a waste.

Sure enough, Pat elaborated on the supposed superstar plan CAA had developed for him. "CAA and I believe that you don't need to act in any other commercial films besides the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series. You should direct your efforts toward winning awards. As long as the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' sequel matches the box office performance of the first film, you can spend another four to five years on this. Win a major acting award, and superstar status is guaranteed."

Matthew nodded gently, feeling no need to say anything more.

"You can think about it." Pat, of course, didn't expect an immediate answer from Matthew and said, "Both CAA and I are very sincere. The commission can be lowered to five percent."

Matthew didn't want to have too many problems with CAA, as they were extremely influential in Hollywood, and he had vaguely heard Helen say something about returning to CAA in the future.

"That's a very generous offer." Matthew didn't say what was on his mind and replied quite politely, "Ms. Kingsley, I'll give it serious consideration."

Pat smiled confidently again. "Well, then I'll be waiting for good news."

With that, she handed Matthew a business card.

Matthew took the card, placed it solemnly in his pocket, and stood up. "Goodbye."

Pat also stood and shook his hand in parting.

Without another word, Matthew left the cafe. He could vaguely see paparazzi hiding in the distance, snapping pictures, and guessed that his meeting with Pat might soon become public knowledge.

It was also possible that the paparazzi had been arranged by CAA's side to push him into their arms through the media.

Most small agencies struggled to hold onto their stars, and generous offers from major companies like CAA and William Morris were often hard for B-list stars who hadn't been famous for long to refuse.

For instance, if you wanted to win an acting award like a Golden Globe or an Oscar, even just getting a nomination, the chances were much higher with a major agency behind you.

Matthew remembered reading a statistic that over ninety percent of the more significant Oscars in the last ten years had gone into the pockets of major agencies like CAA and William Morris.

If he were interested in the Oscar for Best Actor, then CAA and Pat, who had propelled Nicole Kidman to the top, would be a good choice.

...

Getting into the Mercedes G-Class parked on the curb, Matthew didn't start the car right away. He sat in the driver's seat for a while, thinking that since he had no intention of moving to CAA, he might as well let Helen know. Putting other aspects aside, it would only be good for his contract with the Angel Agency.

His first three-year contract with the Angel Agency was expiring, and Helen's commission had previously been eight percent. By using the threat of being poached by CAA as leverage, it was entirely possible to further reduce the commission in future negotiations.

Suddenly, Matthew thought it would be great if someone else tried to poach him, like William Morris or another agency. It would be even more convincing if they all rushed to recruit him.

That way, he could easily get Helen's agent fee down to five percent.

With this in mind, Matthew dialed Helen's cell phone. When the call connected, he said, "Helen, it's me. I wanted to tell you that I was just approached by Pat Kingsley, the well-known agent from CAA."

The voice on the other end of the phone remained calm. "Did you say yes?"

"No, of course, I said no." Matthew answered righteously, "I'm a very loyal person, you know that. And you're not just my agent; I consider you a partner and a good friend. How could a little company like CAA poach me?"

Helen was silent for a moment before saying, "I hope you're telling the truth."

Matthew said nothing more; enough had been said. He chatted with Helen a little longer, started the car, hung up, and drove toward his office.

The Oscars were approaching, and serious preparations were about to begin. He was getting ready to go all out in his pursuit of Charlize.

Now that more than six months had passed since the initial incident with Stuart, there was a six-month gap, during which no one would think he was a third party in their relationship or anything of that sort.

For the sake of sensationalism, Matthew was ready to make a big splash.