The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 469

The US Open is one of the top four tennis tournaments in the world, and Rolex was the main sponsor of this year's competition. According to Helen, Rolex had brought him on as a representative to present the championship awards, though whether it would be for the men's or women's singles or doubles was yet to be determined.

Since the US Open was still some time away, Matthew was in no hurry to travel to New York. Instead, he first arranged to meet with Rachel.

Rachel had called him the other day, saying she had something important to discuss with him in person.

Matthew had known Rachel for much longer than Jessica Alba or Scarlett Johansson, and the two had once come close to being good friends, much like he and Amanda were.

Unfortunately, an environment like Hollywood has a profound effect on people.

They had fallen into the familiar industry pattern of "give and take," and their chance at genuine friendship had vanished.

"You summoned me in quite a rush."

Inside the Viper Room on Hollywood Boulevard, Matthew picked up a bottle and poured a small glass of wine for Rachel, who sat at the table across from him. "Something important?" he asked.

Since it wasn't yet dark, the bar was particularly quiet, with few patrons. Rachel lifted her glass and took a small sip, a dimpled smile gracing her features. "Would you believe me if I said I just missed you and wanted to have a drink?"

Without giving a direct answer, Matthew raised his own glass and clinked it against Rachel’s.He lifted his glass for a drink, and Rachel smiled before taking another sip from hers.

"I’ve been here a few times," Rachel remarked, glancing around. "Never seen Depp before."

Matthew set his glass down and stated impassively, "Depp sold off most of his shares in the bar after he moved to France. He rarely comes back."

In fact, he, Keanu Reeves, and Charlize Theron rarely came to the Viper Room for a drink anymore either.

Rachel’s eyes darted around the bar before finally settling on Matthew. "You haven’t taken on a new project since I Am Legend, have you?"

"No." Matthew took a sip from his glass and declared nonchalantly, "Seems no film crew is interested in me lately."

Rachel laughed. "Very few film crews can afford your exorbitant fees."

With his salary, only a dozen or so stars in all of Hollywood could command such a monstrous paycheck.

"You’re on quite a roll yourself," Matthew said, smiling at Rachel. "Are you on the B-list now?"

Rachel shook her head. "Barely."

She was only a supporting actress in Mean Girls, with all the attention focused on Lindsay Lohan. The Notebook was panned by critics, but after grossing over eighty million dollars at the North American box office, it finally made her a true star. And with the unexpected hit Wedding Crashers, she had firmly established herself in Hollywood.

Of course, all of that paled in comparison to the man sitting across from her.

Despite her pride in being a Hollywood star, Rachel knew better than to compare herself to Matthew; it would only be painful.

She changed the subject. "Back when we were in acting class together, I never imagined we’d end up where we are today."

Matthew nodded slightly. "Yeah, it’s amazing when you think about it."

He could tell Rachel had something to say, and she definitely hadn’t sought him out just to catch up.

Rachel raised her glass and drank with Matthew, then gestured for him to take the bottle and pour a little more wine into both their glasses. Afterward, she said, "It’s been a long time since we’ve had a drink together. Do you remember, Matthew?"

Matthew looked at her, puzzled.

Rachel’s dimples reappeared. "At the end of our acting course, right before I went back to Canada, we had a drink together and said that someday we’d be in a movie together."

Matthew lowered his gaze, recalling the memory. "Yes, we did talk about that."

Before Rachel could react, he added, "But we were both drunk at the time."

Hearing him dismiss it as drunken rambling, the dimples on Rachel’s face froze for half a second before quickly returning to normal. She was once again certain of one thing: the Matthew Horner of today was not the simple, enthusiastic Horner from acting school.

In that case, she stopped beating around the bush. "There’s a project, and they’re interested in you for the lead role," she said.

"Inviting me to be the lead?" Matthew stopped swirling his glass and asked, "Why?"

Rachel understood what he meant. "I’m set to be the lead actress in the project, barring any surprises," she explained.

She smiled again. "I’ve always wanted to be in a film with you, in memory of our... friendship."

Matthew, of course, didn’t believe such nonsense and simply asked directly, "Rachel, which film company is behind this project? Who’s the director? Who’s the producer? What’s the investment? Am I the only candidate for the male lead?"

"No." Rachel answered the last question first. "Nicolas Cage and Tom Cruise are also interested in the lead role."

She thought for a moment before replying, "The producers prefer you. They found out we were friends and were quite insistent that I reach out to you."

Matthew frowned slightly. A project that could attract the interest of both Nicolas Cage and Tom Cruise must have a certain appeal.

"It’s a major, first-tier production with an investment of about one hundred and fifty million dollars."

Rachel looked at Matthew, remembering the producer’s instructions, and said, "The film is a sci-fi action movie, a perfect fit for your genre. I can’t say any more than that; it’s confidential."

Matthew nodded. Since it was confidential, he couldn’t press Rachel. He couldn’t help but wonder, though—he didn’t recall hearing about any new sci-fi action films being prepared by the Big Six recently.

Helen kept a close watch on the Big Six and their Hollywood affiliates; if one of them had a project in the works, she would have heard about it.

Rachel watched Matthew. Although she was basically set to get the lead role and had drafted a contract with the producers, who were also pleased with her, there was no hundred-percent guarantee. There were rumors that one of the great director Steven Spielberg’s goddaughters was also interested in the part.

She felt threatened. Knowing the other party’s background and industry connections, she knew she needed the backing of at least one heavyweight if she wanted to fight for the role and guarantee her success.

This was the leading lady in a major, first-tier production, not a small film like Mean Girls, which would always have limited impact.

So, when the producer approached her, she had agreed without hesitation.

If Matthew could be secured as the male lead, then the female lead could never fall into someone else’s hands.

Matthew said frankly, "I can’t judge the project, so... I can’t give you a definite answer."

"I know." Rachel nodded gently. "It’s not my place to discuss certain details. I’m just delivering a message."

Her dimples appeared again. "The producer wanted to invite you for a chat, but he didn’t know any of your friends or have your contact information, so he had to ask me to reach out."

Why hadn’t he contacted Helen? Matthew was puzzled at first, but then he realized: if they secured an agreement with him first, it would be much easier to negotiate with Helen.

Seeing that Matthew didn’t respond, Rachel studied his face but saw no emotion. She had no choice but to venture, "Matthew, do you... want to meet him?"

Matthew thought for a moment. He hadn't actually taken another role since filming I Am Legend. A one-hundred-and-fifty-million-dollar investment was definitely a top-tier Hollywood production, and a sci-fi action film fit his niche. There was no harm in taking a meeting.

Perhaps he would stumble upon a hit film he’d already seen in his past life. If so, it would be well worth it.

"Alright." Matthew made his decision. "We’ll meet tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Matthieu’s Café on Great Street in Southboro."

Hearing this, Rachel immediately replied, "Great! The producer said any time during the day would work."

Having arranged the meeting, Matthew had no desire to drink any longer, and Rachel was eager to leave. They exchanged a few more words, said their goodbyes, and left the bar.

"Back to Beverly Hills."

After getting into a black Mercedes SUV, Matthew first spoke to the driver, then dialed Helen’s number and explained the general situation.

After listening, Helen offered her opinion, "I don’t think it’s a Big Six project. It’s probably some other small or mid-sized film company looking to hit the jackpot."

She paused briefly before adding, "Go to the meeting first, and we’ll talk afterward."

Matthew replied, "I’ll be in touch tomorrow."

The next day, after a morning at the gym and lunch at a nearby Chinese restaurant, Matthew walked into the café five minutes early, just before three o’clock, and saw Rachel.

With Rachel was a white man in his thirties.