The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 436

Nickelodeon, the international children's channel based in Burbank, was the most-watched kids' cable network in the nation, with many of its programs holding considerable sway over young audiences.

In the backstage area behind one of the channel's studios, Lily Collins finished her makeup and strode briskly from her dressing room toward the men's room next door.

Although she had only graduated from Harvard-Westlake School the previous year and had just enrolled in the University of Southern California's journalism and broadcasting program, her mother's connections—bolstered by the columns she had written for media magazines throughout high school—had helped Lily land a position as a guest host for a popular show on Nickelodeon with relative ease.

Then, after six months of hard work and with another push from her mother, she managed to oust the original host and take over the coveted spot.

Today's exclusive interview was one she had been anticipating for a long time.

When she reached the men's dressing room, Lily saw a young woman in her mid-twenties standing by the door. Her face was unfamiliar; Lily had never seen her with Matthew before.

"Is Matthew ready?" Lily asked bluntly.

Bella Anderson gave her a peculiar look. "He is."

Without giving Bella another glance, Lily moved to knock on the door, but Bella put out an arm to stop her.

"What do you think you're doing?" Lily demanded, her tone sharp."Mr. Horner doesn't like to be disturbed by strangers," Bella stated coolly.

Lily finally gave Bella her full attention. "And who are you? Don't you know Matthew and I are friends?"

Bella had been working for Matthew for some time now and couldn't recall him ever mentioning a friend like this.

She was about to speak again when Matthew's voice called from inside the room, "Who is it, Bella?"

Before Bella could answer, Lily called out, "Matthew, it's me, Lily!"

"Come on in, Lily."

At his words, Bella lowered her arm. Lily shot her a triumphant look as she pushed open the door and stepped inside. The moment she saw Matthew, a sweet smile blossomed on her face.

"Hi, Matthew."

Matthew returned her smile.

He stood a few feet away, giving her an appraising look. "You've grown into a beautiful young woman."

Her smile widened. "Really?"

"Absolutely," Matthew said with a perfectly straight face. "Of all the young women I know, you're the most beautiful."

Lily's confidence seemed to swell instantly. "I think you're right."

She looked him over in return. "You, on the other hand, are getting old. You're starting to look like a middle-aged man."

Matthew rubbed his face, which he thought was rather well-maintained. "Am I really?"

"Of course... not!" Lily stepped forward with a grin. "You're just as handsome and charming as ever."

She clasped her hands behind her back. "I bet you never imagined I'd be the one interviewing you on television, did you?"

"You're right, I didn't," Matthew admitted with a nod. "It feels like no time at all since we last saw each other, and now you're a television host."

At that, the smile on Lily's face morphed into mock outrage. "But I wrote you a letter to tell you all about it! You just didn't bother to read it!"

She put on a hurt expression. "Matthew, you broke your promise!"

Matthew held up his hands defensively. "Haven't I been a little busy these past few months? After shooting two Pirates of the Caribbean films back-to-back and then 300, the agency has been handling my mail."

He had no qualms about throwing Helen under the bus when it suited him. "Besides, I replied as soon as I wrapped on 300. If I hadn't, would you even be getting this interview today?"

Lily considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I guess that's true."

"Exactly." Matthew casually changed the subject. "So, Lily, you haven't prepared any tough questions for me, have you? If you have, you need to warn me now. You can't make me look like a fool on TV."

"No, of course not." Lily moved a little closer. "They're all super easy questions, don't worry."

With Lily as his inside source, Matthew wasn't worried about the show's crew springing any trick questions on him. Besides, the program was aimed at a teenage audience; they weren't likely to delve into anything too controversial.

Lily glanced at the clock on the wall. "I should get going. See you on set in a few minutes."

Matthew gave a slight nod.

Shortly after Lily left, an assistant director came to let Matthew know it was time to get ready for his appearance.

A few minutes later, Matthew followed the assistant director and waited in the wings for his cue.

Onstage, Lily sat before the cameras, her eyes sparkling. She looked relaxed and completely at ease as she introduced the show's next guest.

Matthew had been on plenty of talk shows and interviewed by countless people, but this was the first time he'd been interviewed on television by someone under the age of eighteen.

Some might wonder why he wasn't on a show for adults, but this was classic Disney. The primary target for the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise was, after all, the teenage demographic.

How could a film shot, produced, and distributed entirely by Disney ever be something like the adults-only 300?

In fact, Helen had told him that Disney Pictures was planning to survey parents across North America after the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The questions would focus on whether the series was too violent for minors and what content they deemed appropriate for their children.

Matthew had no doubt the series would get progressively tamer, eventually becoming as sanitized and family-friendly as the Marvel movies.

Perhaps in a future Pirates of the Caribbean film, Captain Jack Sparrow wouldn't even need his wit and cunning to defeat his enemies. When the main villain appeared, Johnny Depp could just break into a dance, and the baddie would be instantly vanquished.

It was a perfectly plausible scenario in the Disney playbook.

Hearing this, Helen had already started carefully considering whether the franchise would still fit Matthew's career niche if Disney Pictures continued to produce sequels.

Disney Pictures had also stated they had plans for more sequels and were just waiting for the final box office numbers for Dead Man's Chest. A film that exploded at the box office was certainly not going to be the final chapter.

But even if there were sequels, Matthew doubted Disney would reunite the "iron triangle" of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann. The combined salaries he, Depp, and Keira Knightley now commanded would be a financial nightmare for the studio.

Every film, even a sequel to a blockbuster, carried significant risk. Risk management was paramount, and over-investing in talent would inevitably multiply that risk.

If Disney Pictures couldn't offer him a suitable salary, he certainly wouldn't be nodding his head in agreement.

As Matthew was lost in thought, Lily finished her introduction onstage. Her enthusiastic announcement was met with a roar of applause from the hundreds of teens in the audience. Cued by the assistant director, Matthew walked onto the stage amidst the music and cheers.

Lily stood before Matthew, beaming. "Everyone, please give a huge welcome to my good friend, Matthew Horner!"

With that, she opened her arms. Matthew stepped forward and gave Lily a hug, then turned to wave at the audience, which erupted in another wave of applause.

Matthew and Lily then took their seats on two armchairs facing the audience.

"Matthew, do you remember how many years we've known each other?" Lily began, her tone perfectly calibrated to sound like a dear friend.

"Well..." Matthew replied, feigning deep thought. "I got a letter from you after Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl came out in 2003. Then I paid a visit to Harvard-Westlake School and helped you take down your principal."

Lily's eyes crinkled with a smile. "I admired you so much back then. I was hoping a hero like you would descend from the heavens and overthrow the principal's tyrannical rule."

A collective gasp went through the audience. Lily spread her arms wide and announced, "You guessed it! The girl who asked Will Turner for help was me."

She turned back to Matthew. "And we've been good friends ever since."

Matthew nodded. "That's right. You write to me every week. Unfortunately, I get so busy with work that I sometimes forget to reply, and I always feel terrible when I remember."

Lily seized on his point, transitioning to her next question. "Are all actors as busy as you are?"

"Not necessarily," Matthew answered candidly. "During my first few years in Hollywood, I often went long stretches without finding any work. During the toughest times, even getting a meal was a challenge."

"But you made it through," Lily said, looking at him intently. Then she asked, "Can I ask you something? Matthew, what is your ultimate goal as an actor?"

Matthew fell silent for a few seconds. It seemed like a simple question, but it wasn't easy to answer. The truth—that he wanted to make more money and meet more women—was hardly an appropriate response for this venue.

"I'm waiting for the day I can make a film that shakes the world—not for anyone else, but for myself." Matthew decided on a suitably grand response. "One day, when I'm old enough to have lost all my teeth, with bags under my eyes and age spots bigger than my pupils, I want to be able to sit in a rocking chair, watch one of my movies, and yell at my grandkids, 'Look! Look at that! That cool, handsome guy on the screen is your old grandpa! Wasn't he amazing?' I'll be happy then, because I'm convinced that feeling will be a thousand times better than being chased by paparazzi all day, constantly watched, and forced to act like a perfect angel!"