The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 356

More guests, including Akiva Goldsman, Orlando Bloom, and Stephen Sommers, approached to bid them farewell. Matthew and Charlize had to entertain a dozen more groups before they could finally resume their conversation.

"This is our engagement party," Matthew said, lowering his voice to speak to Charlize. "Do you really think now is the right time to be discussing this topic?"

Her expression remained unchanged as Charlize replied breezily, "Perfectly appropriate."

She asked, "So, have you come up with a suitable reason for our breakup yet?"

Matthew shook his head. "No."

Given their high-profile relationship and public engagement, they couldn't just break up. The potential for negative fallout was too high.

"But it has to happen," Charlize said, glancing at Matthew. "You know me, and I know you. We can’t actually be together."

Their engagement had been a sham from the very beginning, a complete performance for the public. Strictly speaking, there had never been any discussion of them officially getting married.

If she were to take this performance seriously, she’d have to be out of her mind.

"We could stay together a little longer," Matthew replied firmly.Charlize shook her head. "Can you promise to be faithful to your partner? Don’t lie to me, Matthew."

"I..." Matthew hesitated for a moment. "I probably could... in the future."

Even if he had claimed he could, Charlize knew him too well to believe it.

Once, while out drinking with Charlize, Johnny Depp, and Keanu Reeves, the topic had come up. Matthew had spoken about his original intentions for coming to Hollywood and had been very confident that those intentions wouldn't change.

He had dug this pit for himself, and ultimately, he would be the one to fill it.

Honestly, he didn't want to lie to Charlize about it, just as he hadn't fed Britney a line of nonsense after they got together. Instead, he had tried to guide and influence her, hoping to prevent her from making reckless mistakes.

In fact, recent events had proven his efforts fruitful. Britney’s career was still thriving, and she hadn't descended into a complete mess.

Getting back together was out of the question, but deep down, Matthew still wanted to see Britney’s career soar.

Noticing that Matthew had drifted off into his thoughts, Charlize asked, "What’s on your mind?"

Matthew replied casually, "Just something from the past."

Another guest approached to offer congratulations. After they dealt with him, Charlize whispered, "Actually, I’ve come up with a reason. It’s a good one, and it shouldn’t damage either of our reputations."

Matthew didn’t respond, feeling conflicted.

Charlize was neither a nymphomaniac nor a fool. Looking across Hollywood, most celebrity couples ended in divorce the moment one partner cheated. A few might have ignored the infidelity, but they usually reached a tacit agreement to see other people.

One had to have a clear understanding of what they were getting into from the start.

Charlize leaned close to his ear and began to whisper.

As he heard her words, the corners of Matthew’s mouth began to twitch, and a rare look of embarrassment crept onto his face.

"Sally, you’re joking, right?" He turned his head to look at her. "That’s your reason for us to break up?"

"Why not?" Charlize’s expression was serious. "I’m not joking."

She stressed, "I’ve thought about this for a long time. This reason won’t cause any backlash."

Matthew still looked a bit flustered. "I know it won’t cause any backlash, but is it really a good idea?"

Charlize gave a slight shrug. "Do you have a better reason?"

Matthew considered it for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

Charlize added, "You can discuss it with Helen. We have some time before we need to break up."

Matthew didn’t answer, his attention caught by the approach of Robert Iger, the new CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

"Hello, Matthew. Hello, Charlize." Robert Iger greeted them both before adding, "Congratulations. You two make a wonderful couple."

"Thank you," Charlize replied with a smile.

Matthew, however, returned the sentiment in an equally congratulatory tone. "And congratulations to you as well, for taking the helm at The Walt Disney Company."

He didn’t know the exact details of the internal power struggle at Disney, but he knew it had been exceptionally fierce. The fact that Robert Iger had managed to secure the CEO position was proof that he was no ordinary man.

It certainly couldn't hurt to be on good terms with a man like that.

Matthew recalled what Jerry Bruckheimer had once said about Robert Iger: "He’s always been calm, rational, and sensible. He knows how to rely on others to get results, so he doesn’t need to rule with an iron fist."

After the pleasantries were exchanged, Iger naturally steered the conversation toward business. Now that the years of internal strife at Disney were finally over and the long list of problems left behind by Michael Eisner and Michael Ovitz was gradually being sorted out, the company was poised to return to a path of rapid growth.

Film production had always been a cornerstone of Disney’s business.

"Matthew, Disney has collaborated with you on several films, and every one of them has been a success," Iger said, offering another warm smile that was almost reminiscent of Mickey Mouse. "I hope we can continue to work together in the future."

"That’s what I was hoping," Matthew said, seizing the opening. "With Disney’s support, it’s hard not to be successful."

Thinking of 300, he added, "Zack Snyder, the director of Dawn of the Dead, and I are planning to collaborate on a new project, but we haven’t found the right distributor yet."

Iger, who knew the film industry inside and out, asked carefully, "And your role in the project is...?"

Matthew understood his implication and replied, "I’m the lead actor."

Remembering Disney Pictures’ typically family-friendly strategy, he added, "It’s going to be an R-rated film."

Upon hearing that Matthew was starring, Iger immediately assured him, "In that case, I’ll have someone from Touchstone Pictures or Bowery International get in touch with you."

He only promised they would get in touch, making no firm commitments.

Matthew understood perfectly. A CEO couldn’t be responsible for the specific details of every film, nor could he make a snap decision based on a few words. Iger’s response was more than enough for him.

While Matthew was speaking with Iger, Akiva Goldsman approached Helen, who had tucked herself away in a corner of the ballroom.

"Why are you all by yourself?" Goldsman asked, sitting down across from Helen. "Not going to congratulate Matthew?"

Helen pushed her black-framed glasses slightly down her nose with one finger, glanced around to make sure no one was listening, and said flatly, "It’s just a show. What’s the point?"

Goldsman smiled. "To keep up appearances for the press, at the very least."

"We’ve poured so many resources into this," Helen replied calmly. "We’ve dragged Dior and Mercedes-Benz into this farce. If their engagement doesn’t generate the expected public reaction, we might as well pack up and leave Hollywood."

"Fair enough." Goldsman changed the subject. "Helen, is Matthew’s schedule open around 2007?"

Helen thought for a moment before shaking her head. "Nothing’s locked in yet."

She then asked, "Do you have a new project?"

Goldsman nodded. "I want to offer Matthew the lead role in my next project."

He had mentioned the new project to Matthew before, back when the script was still in its early stages, but it had only been a casual suggestion. Now, with Mr. & Mrs. Smith having a stellar opening week and its commercial success all but guaranteed, his desire to cast Matthew in the lead role had solidified.

The screenwriter he’d hired had originally wanted to make the male lead a black character to better align with the current climate in Hollywood. But after seeing the box office numbers for Mr. & Mrs. Smith come in the day before, Goldsman had flatly rejected that idea.

The appeal of a lead actor is crucial, and Matthew had once again proven his box-office value.

Finding a producer and distributor for the project would be a much smoother process with a bankable star like Matthew attached.

Helen, who remembered Matthew mentioning this before, considered it and said, "Our last collaboration was a success, so if your next project is a good fit, Matthew will definitely prioritize it."

Goldsman knew Helen wouldn’t commit based on his word alone, so he added, "I’ll send you a copy of the script as soon as it’s finished."

"Don’t worry," said Helen, who was an old friend of his. "I’ll make sure Matthew gets it right away."

Goldsman glanced over at Matthew and Charlize. Matthew was still deep in conversation with Iger. It was clear that with one successful film after another, Matthew was becoming a guaranteed box-office draw in the eyes of the major Hollywood studios.

What kind of salary would it take to land Matthew for his next project?

...

As the evening wound down and guests began to depart, Matthew and Charlize stood at the ballroom entrance to see them off. Each guest received a gift bag from Dior before being chauffeured home in a Mercedes-Benz.

It was nearly midnight by the time the last of the guests had departed. Matthew and Charlize retired for the night, while Lister’s crew arrived shortly after to begin the cleanup, overseen by the estate’s security and staff.

As the night ended, Matthew’s mind was preoccupied with one thing: the grand finale of their spectacular show.