The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 427

For a moment, they were silent, as if digesting what Matthew had just said.

Neither of them had expected Alexandra Daddario, a young actress, to have that kind of background.

David and Goldsman were both Hollywood veterans, and it only took a moment of reflection for them to reach the same conclusion.

Goldsman took the lead and asked, "What do you think, David?"

"If what Matthew says is true, our biggest problem might soon be solved."

Goldsman nodded slightly, his brow furrowed for a moment. "A high-ranking prosecutor in New York... one can only imagine his influence."

He was no idealist. He had no illusions about politicians who spouted slogans about being the purest and most just in the world, only to use their power for personal gain behind the scenes.

And it wouldn't take much—just a few well-placed words would be far more effective than them jumping through hoops.

A few words from a New York politician for his daughter's future? That was nothing.

David added, "Warner Bros. already contacted me. They want to maintain a good working relationship with Matthew Horner and hope the production team will properly respect his opinion."Hearing this, Goldsman glanced at David. As the producer representing Warner Bros., he was a seasoned pro who knew which way the wind was blowing.

If he had insisted on using Paula Patton as before, David certainly wouldn't have risked offending him with such remarks.

"Alright then," Goldsman said directly to David. "It's settled."

David replied succinctly, "Yes."

"What about Francis? He might have his own opinion."

"It's fine. I'm the one who decides, not him."

David nodded. "We'll notify her as soon as possible after tomorrow's auditions."

Goldsman kept his eyes on the papers sent over by the art director, saying, "Good."

****

As Matthew was leaving Warner Studios, he had just settled into the car driven by Brown Williams when his phone rang. It was Helen, who was waiting for him at the Angel Agency with Alexandra.

"To the agency," Matthew told Brown.

As the black Mercedes sped down South Beverly Street, Matthew glanced back at the distant Warner Studios lot before slowly turning his head forward.

The road ahead for Alexandra would be anything but simple.

For an actress of her type, if she relied solely on her looks, her career path would be severely limited.

Before the Mercedes-Benz arrived at the Angel Agency, Matthew's personal cell phone rang again. Very few people had this number—either close partners, good friends, or actresses he'd been involved with.

The caller was Michael Fassbender, informing him that he and James McAvoy had confirmed their vacation to Hawaii for the beginning of next month and asking if Matthew wanted to join them.

Since Disney Pictures hadn't yet confirmed which premieres for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" he would need to attend, Matthew couldn't commit to a schedule just yet, so they agreed to wait a little longer.

After hanging up, he arrived at the Angel Agency and went straight to Helen's office.

"How did it go?" Helen didn't even wait for Matthew to sit down. "Did you succeed?"

Alexandra, sitting on the sofa, looked over at him with an anxious expression.

Matthew poured himself a glass of water, sat on the sofa next to Alexandra Daddario, and said, "Barring any surprises at tomorrow's audition, the role of Anna is yours."

"Really?" Alexandra immediately pressed, "Are you sure?"

Matthew nodded slightly. "I'm sure."

He smiled at Alexandra. "It's a supporting role, no need to be so nervous."

Alexandra shook her head. "I've always dreamed of being an actress. Last time, I had to put my budding career on hold for school, but it didn't take long for me to realize my mistake and return from New York."

She looked incredibly determined. "This role is important to me!"

Having climbed his way up from the very bottom, Matthew could understand Alexandra's feelings. He remembered being more ecstatic than she was now when he was offered a role with just a little more substance.

How many aspiring actors didn't dream of becoming a glamorous star?

"Anna," Helen said, knowing what was at stake for Alexandra to land the role. She confirmed, "What did your father say?"

Alexandra nodded. "I spoke with him on the phone last night. For him, it's a trivial matter."

Helen felt a wave of relief. "That's good. I won't let anything go wrong now that we're so close."

Another significant actress for the Angel Agency meant another stream of income.

Although Alexandra's profile might not allow her to become a major A-list star, she had the potential to become a solid B-lister.

Actors were an agency's resources, and stars were high-quality resources—the very foundation of its profits.

"Anna," Matthew looked at Alexandra with a serious expression, "whatever the reason you were cast, you have to be prepared."

Alexandra understood Matthew's meaning. "I will."

Matthew thought for a moment before adding, "The film's director is Francis Lawrence, and he'll be in charge of the entire set during filming. Anna, you need to be prepared for a tough time."

Helen also chimed in, "Matthew and I can't watch over you all the time. You have to learn to handle trouble on your own, whether it's on set or from other sources. This industry is more complicated than you think."

Alexandra was no longer the little girl she had been two years ago. "I'll become stronger," she said.

She glanced at Matthew. "Just like Matthew."

Smiling, Matthew stood up. "Wait for the good news tomorrow."

He checked the time and said to Helen, "I have an appointment today, so I'm leaving."

Helen nodded slightly. Just as Matthew was about to leave, she remembered something else. "Skydance Pictures has paid out your full base salary for '300'. Stop by the finance department before you go and sign the papers so they can transfer the money to you."

"Got it." Matthew turned to Alexandra. "See you later, Anna."

Alexandra smiled back at him. "See you."

Matthew then went to the Angel Agency's finance department before getting back in the car and heading to a gun club.

Unlike Matthew and Nibora, who were amateurs, Brown Williams was a professional and had the proper permits to carry a weapon as a bodyguard.

Even in Beverly Hills, a district synonymous with wealth and fame, the security situation had worsened in recent years, with numerous cases of celebrity homes being robbed.

Although Brown was paid well, Matthew was definitely the A-list star with the fewest bodyguards in all of Hollywood.

This was also related to his line of work, which required him to project a solitary and natural image on camera.

And Brown was a capable bodyguard.

Typically, Hollywood stars hire bodyguards from professional private security firms. For a big-name star, the standard package included a bulletproof SUV, a driver skilled at evading paparazzi, and three bodyguards for $4,000 a day, four days a week, with overtime and extensions costing extra.

Then there were others, like Johnny Depp, who employed his own personal bodyguards who had been with him for over a decade.

Matthew himself spent a considerable amount on Brown, paying him up to $300,000 a year.

Of course, that was far from the top end. It was rumored that Jennifer Lopez spent as much as $1.5 million a year on bodyguards.

Even his ex-girlfriend Britney, who had recently been harassed by obsessive fans, had spent $240,000 on security in just a few months.