The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 505

"I auditioned for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and the crew had initially approved me for the role of Tia Dalma. Just as I was about to sign the contract with the cast, the lead actor, Matthew Horner, appeared."

The woman speaking in the video was black. Matthew stood before his computer screen, watching intently.

Helen and David stood beside him, both silent, their eyes fixed on the video.

The woman in the video continued, "Horner forced the production to kick me out and then replaced me with a white actress, Eva Green. In the end, as you can see, I lost the role, and Eva became the actress in the film..."

The video wasn't long, only a few minutes, and it ended quickly.

"Do you know her?" David asked Matthew.

Matthew nodded grimly.

Helen interjected, "Her name is Naomie Harris. At the time, she was recommended by the Pirates of the Caribbean team, and they were very interested in her for the part. But I asked Matthew to help recommend Eva Green."

David looked puzzled. "So, she's telling the truth?"

Matthew shrugged. "Most of it is.""Someone must be behind her," Helen said, frowning. "Nothing she said directly accuses you of racism, but it’s the first thing it makes everyone think—that you’re supposedly a racist."

David asked, "Could an accusation like this, at this particular moment, be connected to Spike?"

Matthew’s expression was calm. "It would be hard not to see the connection."

"More than half—" Helen had barely finished her sentence when Matthew received a text from Bella.

The message contained a link to another video. Matthew opened it on his computer and hit play. The person on the screen was Paula Patton.

It was the same kind of clip, this one pointing a finger directly at Matthew. Paula Patton described in detail how Matthew had interfered with the casting for I Am Legend, costing her the supporting role that she claimed should have been hers.

"I don't know why it happened," she said, "and I'm not sure why Matthew helped Alexandra steal the supporting role that belonged to me."

The accusations from these two women, combined with Spike Lee’s earlier comments, ignited a firestorm online. Despite the work Matthew and Helen had done that evening, the wave of controversy crested over the top of many traditional media outlets the next day, including newspapers and television channels. The coverage was massive.

Then, someone else came forward, claiming that several people familiar with the casts of Pirates of the Caribbean and I Am Legend had revealed that Matthew's dislike for black actors was common knowledge on both productions. They alleged that not only had he forced the dismissal of two black actresses, but he had also ostracized other black staff members on set...

Although Warner Bros. and Disney Pictures, as well as the production teams for 300, I Am Legend, and Pirates of the Caribbean, publicly debunked these rumors—stating that casting was a production decision and had nothing to do with Matthew, that the so-called skin color casting was false, and even interviewing some black crew members who confirmed they hadn't been ostracized by Matthew at all—the storm did not dissipate. Instead, it only intensified.

Francis Lawrence accused Matthew of removing him from I Am Legend because he had insisted on using black actors.

An unnamed black actor jumped into the fray, shouting that he had faced verbal abuse from Matthew on the set of The Scorpion King.

A black screenwriter told the press that Matthew had forced script changes, demanding fewer black characters and more white ones...

In just one day, based solely on the accusations and media coverage, it felt as though Matthew could be thrown in jail for "racial discrimination" by a California court.

Helen's company spokesperson also issued a public statement to dispel the rumors, but to no effect.

The media, it seemed, was singing a different tune now. Matthew's fame and status were, to some extent, tied to the star-making machinery of the press, whether they did so intentionally or not.

Building a star is undoubtedly one of the things the media loves to do, because it attracts readers and captures attention. And tearing that star down afterward is another thing they enjoy just as much.

When a star reaches a certain height, and is then destroyed by a flood of negative press, one can only imagine the news value that can be generated.

The best example of this was Tom Cruise.

As Matthew, who had been riding high, faced this tremendous headwind, many media outlets didn't hesitate to change their stance and join the opposition, rushing to trample his reputation.

His rivals had clearly been prepared, and Matthew's camp had been caught somewhat off guard.

"Mr. Horner, is it true that numerous Hollywood insiders are accusing you of racist behavior towards black actors and staff?"

In front of the Angel Agency building, Matthew had just stepped out of his car when he was surrounded by dozens of reporters.

He and Helen had been prepared for this. Not only had they increased the number of bodyguards around him, but the Angel Agency also had security at the door to handle the paparazzi.

More than a dozen bodyguards and security guards formed a circle, securely protecting Matthew.

The paparazzi couldn't get close to Matthew, but that didn't stop them from shouting questions.

"Matthew, what do you think about the recent media reports of your alleged racism?"

"Matthew Horner, as a public figure, aren't you ashamed of discriminating against black people?"

Hearing those words amidst the chaotic jumble of voices, Matthew turned his head and stared at the journalist.

"Will you be leaving Hollywood over this?"

"Matthew Horner, all the reports are true, right—"

A torrent of questions poured from the reporters, some so loaded they were hard to even process. Even though the entire incident was still at the stage of suspicion, and the so-called discrimination came only from the mouths of a few people without any proof, these guys couldn't wait to nail Matthew to the pillory.

Matthew didn't answer any questions, and there was no need to right now. He had already asked Helen to release a public statement refuting the attacks against him, but it was little more than a drop in the ocean.

One could only guess which side the majority of the entertainment media would choose.

Those hiding behind the curtain, I'm afraid, knew this media mentality all too well.

Escorted by his bodyguards, Matthew entered the Angel Agency. In just two days, being besieged by reporters had already become the new normal.

****

"Spike is presumably behind all this bullshit."

In her office, Helen was speaking. "He must have organized a conspiracy and then initiated it. Spike has done this sort of thing before, but this is on the largest scale yet."

Matthew nodded. "I underestimated him."

Ilana added, "From what I understand, things in the media aren't looking good. Many entertainment outlets are ready to make you the next Tom Cruise, and a race issue is far more serious than Tom's faith."

"But Matthew isn't racist!" Amanda exclaimed.

Helen glanced at Matthew. Of everyone in the room, she was the only one who could vaguely guess at some of his thoughts, but she still knew that Matthew had never acted on them, that those thoughts had remained just that—ideas.

"I have never discriminated against anyone at any time or in any circumstance," Matthew said, his voice firm. "Never."

He had always known his priorities and had never said or done anything foolish.

Helen asked their lawyer, Wilson, "What about the legal side of things?"

Wilson replied, "I'll send them a letter, but the effect... you know..."

Bella interjected, "Aren't we going to do more than just issue a statement?"

"Yes, of course, we—" Amanda started to say something, but she caught Helen's gaze and clamped her mouth shut.

Helen immediately added, "We have a meeting with Oprah. We're going to be on her talk show. I just contacted her this morning, so get ready for a tough time, Matthew."

She saw Matthew nod and added, "I'll continue communicating with her and finalize the contract as soon as possible."

****

Meanwhile, there were others who wanted a piece of the action.

"Will, this is a real opportunity!"

In a Santa Monica mansion, big-name CAA agent Kevin Huvane was advising his number one client, Will Smith. "But from what I understand, Horner and Helen are not simple characters. It's a bit unusual that they haven't done anything yet besides issue a public statement."

He said gravely, "We have to be careful."

Will nodded. "I know. That's why I'm going to let Jada do the talking, while leaving myself enough room to retreat."