The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 464

"You really are something else, Matthew."

In the Angel Acting Agency office, Helen put on a pair of black-framed glasses and looked at Matthew with a rare expression of surprise. "You went so far as to solicit a donation from the Church of Scientology while they were trying to brainwash you!"

Matthew sat across from Helen with a cup of tea and replied calmly, "I just thought I'd give it a shot, see if their conscience might stir them to make a sizable donation to the fund."

He took a sip of green tea. "Sadly, they weren't moved by my little speech."

Helen, who had already heard Matthew's account of the situation, cautioned, "Just be careful they don't actually brainwash you."

"Don't worry," Matthew said, raising a finger and wagging it. "That kind of thing doesn't work on me."

When he had returned that evening, he carefully recalled some of what David had said, and it all struck him as similar to many ideas prevalent in Buddhism, such as reincarnation and the like, but with a more modern spin.

If he had to find a fitting description, it would be giving a science-fiction gloss to ideas commonly found in Buddhism.

Helen was unconcerned about the other aspects, except for one point. "This Amber Heard you mentioned, is she attractive?"

"She looks good," Matthew replied, setting down his teacup as he thought of the blonde he had seen that day.Helen found the right words and began, "This isn't an era where fame is built on films and roles alone anymore; marketing is becoming increasingly crucial for stars. If you want to keep your audience engaged, you have to maintain 'freshness' and find ways to stay relevant."

She lifted her coffee cup, took a sip, and continued, "Any star needs to stay in the public eye for as long as possible."

Matthew understood Helen's point. "But major film stars can't just take roles indiscriminately if they want to ensure the quality of their work, and films have production cycles, which creates an unavoidable gap between them."

Helen nodded gently. "You're right."

She set her coffee cup aside and moved step-by-step toward her prepared topic. "That's why we have to fill that gap with marketing. It's about maintaining momentum; we have to constantly keep you in the spotlight."

Matthew affirmed her words.

Helen had clearly given the matter a great deal of thought. "It's why I suggested setting up the charitable foundations; charity can both burnish your image and increase your visibility. I also never interfere in your personal life, because your private affairs give the media reporters something new to write about and generate a certain level of attention."

Helen knew Matthew's character and understood that she needed to take her time to make an impression. "I've carefully studied celebrities, especially showbiz stars. From romances to friendships to best friends, the public always eats it up. Every time a new female partner appears on the scene, it generates one hundred percent buzz."

She suddenly sighed. "Actually, I made a big mistake in that area."

Matthew countered, "I think you're doing a great job."

Helen gently shook her head. "I should have insisted that you and Charlize get married last year."

Matthew shrugged. "I never intended to turn a fake engagement into a real marriage."

Helen paid no attention to his remark. "The amount of hype and excitement a wedding between two popular stars can generate is far greater than I could have imagined."

She offered an example. "You know that Jennifer got married again, right?"

"Yeah, I know," Matthew answered, vaguely recalling that Jennifer seemed to be married to some B-list actor whose name he had forgotten. "It was in the first half of last year, wasn't it?"

He couldn't remember exactly when Jennifer Aniston had remarried, but with all the changes, it seemed neither Brad Pitt nor Angelina Jolie had the same level of fame they once did, and Jennifer was clearly suffering for it.

"Take 'the Anistons'—they might not have the biggest box office draw, but the amount of buzz they've been able to generate is staggering." Helen used this example to try and sway Matthew with facts laid bare. "Their biggest selling point today is their relationship. Anything related to their partnership can spark media and public discussion. They rely on their constant media presence to attract interest from filmmakers, becoming stars who have the least to worry about getting their projects made."

Helen maintained her composure. "Aniston was already hugely popular, and that lucky actor was a B-lister at best before this. But as soon as they got married, everything changed, and they became the most famous actor couple in Hollywood."

She recalled for a moment, then added, "Someone did the math. In the one year the Anistons have been together, they've appeared on the covers of major magazines more than ten times, both separately and together. And in that year, they not only became hot commodities, but their fees for films and endorsements skyrocketed. Aniston's film offers are reaching twenty million dollars, and her husband now has the nerve to demand ten million or more."

At this, Helen took a large gulp from her coffee cup, and Matthew gradually understood that there was a clear purpose behind her words.

"If you and Charlize had gotten married last year, the effect would have been far greater than with the Anistons." Helen shook her head. "The impact a marriage between two A-list, popular stars can have isn't just sensational—it's a continuing sensation."

"Helen," Matthew cut her off. "I told you, I have no intention of getting married."

"I know." Helen folded her arms. "That's why I didn't suggest it before."

Matthew was puzzled. "Then why are you telling me all this?"

"I ran into Britney at an event the other day," Helen answered quietly. "She asked about you, and I can tell she's very concerned about you."

She suddenly sped up, clearly trying to finish her sentence before Matthew could interrupt her again. "If I'm right, Britney is the only girl you've ever truly loved, isn't she? Why don't you get back together? You're a top-tier movie star, Britney is a pop diva, you two—"

"Alright, Helen." Matthew cut her off anyway. "Don't say any more about it. Just don't."

Helen wasn't insistent. She had recently begun planning some big moves and desperately needed Matthew to get infinitely closer to superstar status. She added, "Matthew, it would be good for both you and Britney. It would make you the number one couple in Hollywood. If you want, I can reach out to her agent and record label, and I'm sure they'd be thrilled to see it happen."

Matthew was unmoved. "Helen, that's the end of it. Don't bring this up again."

He raised a hand to stop Helen, who was still about to speak.

Helen glanced at Matthew, realizing that today was not the day to press the issue, and swallowed her words.

Though she was still a good friend to Matthew in addition to being his business partner, it wasn't out of the question that he might change agents if one truly annoyed him. Especially given his personality.

And right now, Matthew Horner was a hot commodity for many agencies in Hollywood.

"If there's nothing else," Matthew said, standing up, "I'll be leaving."

He didn't want to discuss this topic with Helen again; he and Britney had a good beginning and a good end. There was no need for a sequel.