The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 501

On Sunday morning, a black sedan turned onto a quiet road in Beverly Hills, drove a short distance, and pulled to a stop in front of a private club.

"This is it," Donadoni, who was behind the wheel, announced, glancing at the club's entrance. He turned to Giovanni Salvatore, seated beside him. "The meeting with Helen is here."

Giovanni nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Let's go."

He stepped out of the car first and made his way to the club's entrance, waiting as Donadoni exchanged a few words with the doorman before they both passed through the doors.

"Was the decision made at the Milan headquarters?"

"Yes," Giovanni couldn't help but say immediately. "The film 300 opened in Italy on Thursday. Mr. Giorgio Armani saw it and called the board of directors. He wants Matthew Horner."

Donadoni led the way, speaking as they walked. "Judging by the reaction over the last two days, it will be much more advantageous for us to promote him."

Giovanni nodded. "The Milan headquarters is keen to contact his representative. They want to sign a contract with Horner as soon as possible to release a commemorative Armani collection in North America and Europe before the film's wide release."

"Excellent idea!" Donadoni clapped his hands together. "We should move quickly."

He slowed his pace slightly. "Based on the first two days at the North American box office, this film is going to be this year's biggest Hollywood blockbuster. With Horner's portrayal of Leonidas, it will likely become an all-time classic."This was also Giovanni's assessment. "In that case, Matthew should have both mass appeal and a certain style."

"Horner's style isn't an issue," Donadoni countered. "Don't forget, he's also the face of Mercedes-Benz and Rolex. He's never endorsed anything lower-tier."

Giovanni knew this, which was one of the reasons Armani had chosen Horner.

Choosing a star who was both popular and stylish was the right strategy for Armani. After all, this was an endorsement for Armani underwear. If it went well, it could later extend to men's ready-to-wear, not Armani's haute couture.

As for Matthew Horner's mass appeal, Giovanni needed no further proof than 300. The film had grossed $38.5 million and $34.6 million on its first two days, respectively. What more needed to be said?

"After just two days, the film has reached $73.1 million at the North American box office," Donadoni added. "It's on track to become the first R-rated film to gross over $100 million in its opening week in North America."

Giovanni paused for a moment. "Mr. Giorgio Armani gave his assessment of Matthew Horner."

"Oh?" Donadoni was intrigued. Giorgio Armani rarely involved himself in the company's day-to-day affairs, and it was quite difficult to get him to weigh in on anything. "What did Mr. Armani say?"

"Matthew Horner is stunning. That's what Mr. Armani said after reviewing his profile."

Donadoni nodded and said no more.

He thought, There must be something extraordinary about Horner for Giorgio Armani to give such an endorsement.

Soon, they arrived in front of a small building, where a waiter was waiting at the door to show them inside.

Matthew and Helen had arrived five minutes earlier. After introductions were made, Donadoni took the lead for their side.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, both parties got straight to business.

Matthew glanced at Giovanni, recognizing him as the one leading the charge for Armani.

It was Giovanni's first time seeing Matthew in person. He felt the man was just as he appeared on the poster: tall, handsome, mature, and possessing a unique charm.

Perhaps it was a preconceived notion, but his first impression was that the Hollywood star was a perfect fit for the Armani brand's positioning.

Giovanni smiled. "Mr. Horner, I'm sure you're aware of the reason for our visit. Armani is interested in offering you a position as the face of the brand."

For the sake of the negotiations to come, he framed it as an interest, not a final decision.

"It would be an honor," Matthew replied politely, matching his smile. "Armani is a high-end brand that I admire greatly. And if you've noticed, the suits I've worn on the red carpet in recent years have all been from Armani."

As he said this, his gaze shifted unconsciously to Helen beside him. He finally understood why she had insisted that, ever since he'd become an A-lister, it was best for him to wear Armani for all his red carpet appearances.

Clearly, a deal with Armani had been part of Helen's long-term plan.

"The main reason for this meeting is that there are a few conditions I must state upfront," Giovanni continued. "Armani is a world-renowned brand, and any business partnership is aimed at mutual benefit. We intend to work with Mr. Horner, and we envision this as a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership."

Matthew knew he hadn't finished and didn't interrupt.

Giovanni's voice was calm and exceedingly confident. "For a long-term collaboration, we would require you to maintain your current physique, at least without any major changes. If you were to get engaged, we would ask that you inform Armani in advance. And when you appear in public, the clothes you wear should be predominantly from Armani."

These preliminary conditions weren't excessive; in fact, they were similar to the terms put forth by Mercedes-Benz and Rolex. Matthew had heard them more than once and knew that if he didn't agree, there would be no point in entering formal negotiations.

Matthew exchanged a look with Helen. After she gave a slight nod, he finally spoke. "Alright."

Giovanni smiled faintly and stood up. "I hope our subsequent negotiations will lead to the desired outcome."

Matthew, not expecting the meeting to be so brief, also rose to his feet. "I hope so, too."

Giovanni shook hands with Matthew and Helen and, without any further pleasantries, excused himself and left.

Once the two men had departed and the door was closed, Matthew spoke. "That was fast."

Helen found it perfectly normal. "Time is money."

"Helen, what do you think Armani will offer for the endorsement?"

"It won't be exceptionally high," Helen said, her experience evident in her assessment. "For now, it's just for the underwear line. No more than five million dollars."

She leaned back against the sofa. "Securing the underwear endorsement is just our first step. Next, we need to get the men's clothing line from them."

Matthew paced back and forth a couple of times. "Let's hope it goes as well as the Mercedes deal."

Helen fell silent for a moment before adding, "Don't be impatient. There are plenty of brands we need to secure endorsements from."

It was true. Stars like Tom Cruise and George Clooney were almost completely decked out in the high-end products they endorsed.

Compared to them, Matthew felt he still had a long way to go.

"By the way, Matthew," Helen suddenly recalled their conversation from yesterday. "What's the situation with Universal Pictures and The Fast and the Furious?"

"I just think the series has lost its way. But I also think it has the potential to become a massive franchise."

Helen frowned. "Are you sure?"

Matthew shook his head. "How can anyone be completely sure about something like this? I've spoken with David Ellison. He's interested, and the two of us are going to see if we can buy the rights from Universal Pictures."

"That will be difficult. The 'big six' studios only sell off the rights to films in their libraries two or three times a year, at most."

This was exactly what Matthew found challenging. It wasn't that the 'big six' never sold the rights to their films individually, but they did so very rarely and always for an exorbitant price.

"If we can't, we'll impress them with our price. I'll ask David to step in. I think he'll have more capital at his disposal if 300 does well at the box office."

Helen nodded. "I'll also ask around and see what Universal Pictures's intentions are."

"One more thing. Oprah's people confirmed you'll be invited to Chicago next week to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Matthew nodded. He had originally wanted to appear on Oprah's show before the film's release, but they had ended up scheduling it for after, as part of the ongoing promotion.

Just as their conversation was ending and Matthew was about to leave, his phone suddenly rang. It was Nibora, his 'Leonidas' double, from Los Angeles.

After talking for half a minute, Matthew hung up and turned to Helen. "Get in touch with Eleanor and our lawyer, Wilson. There's a problem with the 'Spartans' on the streets of Los Angeles."

"What happened?" Helen asked with concern.

"A thief robbed someone and was fleeing a Beverly Hills mall when he ran right into Nibora. Nibora was in full gear, same as mine. He knocked the thief down with his shield. Now the Beverly Hills Police Department is involved, and Ilana sent two paparazzi from TMZ to follow them and film everything."

Helen understood what Matthew was getting at. "I'll call Wilson and ask him to go down to the police station..."

She paused for a moment, thinking. "This is good promotional material. I'll see if I can get them on our side. The film's opening week is already a lock, but if this news breaks tomorrow, it'll be great publicity for the weekday box office."