The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 444

After delivering his speech, Matthew descended from the auction stage to a round of applause. The next speaker was UNHCR Commissioner Guterres, whose organization had provided powerful support for Matthew's two charitable foundations throughout their establishment.

As soon as he stepped down, Bella approached him. "Quentin and Harvey found me," she said quietly. "They'd like you to join them at their table when you have a moment."

Matthew glanced toward the back left of the ballroom, where Quentin and Harvey were occupying a spare table, having been the last to arrive.

Matthew nodded. "Understood."

The UNHCR High Commissioner was still addressing the audience, and Matthew, as the host, couldn't very well walk away. He returned to his seat at the main table, applauding at appropriate moments in cadence with Guterres’s speech.

He waited until Guterres had finished his speech and the banquet had officially begun. Matthew greeted a few important guests before finally making his way over to Quentin and Harvey.

Matthew exchanged a few pleasantries with them before taking a seat. He'd crossed paths with Harvey a few times, but this was his first time meeting Quentin, who he knew had only heard of him by reputation.

"Harvey. Quentin." Matthew didn't have much time to spare, so he got straight to it. "You wanted to see me?"

Harvey, ever himself and always a bit arrogant when dealing with actors, gestured toward Quentin. "He wants to talk. Asked me to make the introduction."

Matthew shot a glance at Harvey, slightly annoyed by his manner and tone, but didn't let it show. After all, he was the host tonight.Quentin was an eccentric, but unlike Harvey, he kept a smile on his face as he addressed Matthew. "I've seen a few of your movies. They do well with the masses."

"And I was thinking, maybe we should work together sometime?" Quentin clearly wasn't joking. "How do you feel about playing a psychopathic killer?"

Having seen films like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Matthew knew that Quentin's movies were always unconventional, considered outliers even in the world of independent cinema.

Of course, coming from him, this was meant as a compliment, not a slight.

Quentin's films were unique in that they were polarizing: people either loved them or hated them. As it happened, Matthew fell into the former category.

Looking at Quentin's memorable, unconventional face, a thought surfaced in Matthew's mind.

"A killer?" Matthew asked, his curiosity piqued. "Can you tell me more?"

He was interested in Quentin's film, but he had serious reservations about actually starring in it.

Quentin seemed intrigued. "Robert Rodriguez and I are planning to work together on a grindhouse-style film. Robert is doing a zombie movie, and I'm doing one about a psychopathic killer."

Hearing this, Matthew instantly recalled the films Planet Terror and Death Proof.

Those two films had made an impression on him, an impression that stemmed from two main sources: they were incredibly dark and absurd, and the production itself had a certain deliberate crudeness.

If Kill Bill and Dawn of the Dead were considered B-movies, then these two were practically shoddy productions from a small-time film company.

Quentin, oblivious to Matthew's thoughts, explained enthusiastically, "The hero of this film, originally a not-so-successful Hollywood stuntman, turns out to be a bloodthirsty psychopathic killer. He specializes in picking up impressionable young women, and then taking them for one last ride after getting them all worked up."

Matthew listened to Quentin and thought for a moment. He couldn't recall how those two films had performed at the box office, but based on their circulation, they certainly weren't blockbusters. Quentin's films, which catered to a niche audience, never did exceptionally well commercially. It seemed his most successful movie to date had grossed just over a hundred million dollars in North America.

But even that hundred-million-dollar haul required two separate theatrical releases—one in the nineties and another in the new century.

Matthew was an A-list star now, and Quentin's offer was a business proposition. And since it was business, he naturally had to consider the financial return.

Quentin's films didn't bring in big box office numbers, and their budgets were relatively modest, which meant the salary would be lower.

That aspect alone was unacceptable for Matthew. Furthermore, the role of a psychopathic killer didn't align with his established image and career trajectory.

After considering it, Matthew had his answer. As much as he admired Quentin's filmmaking style, he didn't want to waste his time, so he said directly, "I'm sorry, but a role like that doesn't fit my niche."

Quentin scratched his head but didn't say anything. As much as he wanted to work with popular movie stars, this wasn't the first or second time he'd been turned down.

Seeing Matthew's refusal, a hint of displeasure flickered across Harvey's face. He immediately interjected, "Matthew, maybe you should reconsider?"

Not wanting to provoke Harvey, but also unwilling to risk his future, Matthew gave a firm refusal. "No, Harvey. I'm scheduled to shoot I Am Legend in the second half of the year, so my schedule won't work."

Harvey pressed, however. "Schedules can be adjusted. By taking the lead role, you could earn the friendship of The Weinstein Company."

Matthew stood up, his tone still amicable, befitting the host of the evening. "All I can say is I'm sorry, Harvey."

With that, he lingered no longer, said goodbye to Quentin, and went to mingle with the other guests.

He made his way over to Britney's table.

"I'm glad you could make it." Although Britney's agency had ultimately never confirmed their past relationship, instead opting for a virginity publicity stunt, Matthew held no grudges. "I hope we can still be friends from now on."

When Britney had broken up with him back then, it would be a lie to say his heart hadn't felt a pang of sadness. But after so many years, he had long since come to terms with it. Perhaps ending that relationship when they did had been the right decision. After all, he was enjoying his life now.

Britney looked more mature than the last time they'd met; the once shy girl had truly grown up. She looked at Matthew and said, "How could I not come when you needed support?"

She patted Matthew's arm gently. "I want to witness the rise of another Hollywood superstar."

Matthew shook his head. "Years have passed, and I'm still no match for you. You're the biggest diva in pop music now."

They chatted for a few moments before Britney added, "You're the host tonight. Don't linger on my account. Go say hello to everyone else."

Matthew did just that. He didn't stay long, quickly moving on. Then he joined Amanda and began making the rounds from table to table.

"Let me introduce you."

Approaching the table where Helen was seated, she made the introduction. "This is Scott Borchetta, the head of Big Machine Records. Scott was previously the CEO of DreamWorks and left last year to start his own business."

Matthew extended his hand. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you."

He had just greeted Scott when a young blonde woman sitting next to him stood up eagerly. "Hi, Matthew!"

The girl looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, with well-defined brows and peach-colored eyes. She had been sitting, but when she stood, Matthew realized she was remarkably tall, close to five-foot-eight, and perhaps a little stooped from being so slender and tall.

The girl was clearly excited. She gripped Matthew's hand tightly as they shook, her voice betraying a slight nervousness. "Matthew, I'm a huge, huge fan of you and your movies! I've seen every single one at least five times."

Matthew smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."

He looked at the girl and asked, "And may I ask your name?"

"Oh... sorry." The girl let go of Matthew's hand, her face flushing slightly with embarrassment. "I was so excited to see you that I forgot to introduce myself."

"It's all right," Matthew replied graciously.

The girl quickly introduced herself. "I'm Taylor Swift. I'm a singer signed with Big Machine, and I'm releasing my first album this year."

Her face grew red again. "You can call me Taylor."

Matthew nodded. "Taylor."

He added politely, "Good luck with the album."

"Can we take a picture together?" Taylor instantly pulled out her phone, blinking her clear eyes as she asked, "Please?"

"Of course." Matthew maintained his composure.

He then put an arm around Taylor, and Scott Borchetta took a picture of them together using her phone.

As Matthew walked away, he gave the young singer a thoughtful look. While he knew little about the American music scene beyond established megastars like Britney and Madonna, the name Taylor Swift rang a bell, even if he couldn't quite place it.

She'd made a rather good first impression: innocent, natural, and so very shy.