The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 535

The last time David had contacted him, it was about the male lead in a film titled *Tonight, He Comes*, so Matthew was curious about what this meeting would bring.

"We're old friends," Matthew said, looking at David. "Just tell me what this is about."

David offered a modest smile. "It’s about a movie, actually. After I got back the day before yesterday, I was approached by Gallinger, the head of Warner Brothers’ film division, and Charles Rowan, a long-time producer there. They asked me to talk to you."

Matthew said nothing, waiting for David to elaborate.

David laid it out as clearly as he could. "Charles is working on the sequel to the new *Batman*, Christopher Nolan's *The Dark Knight*. The role of Bruce Wayne's arch-nemesis, the Joker, is currently uncast. The Warner executives recommended you to the team, and Charles and Nolan wanted me to ask if you're interested."

Matthew had already heard whispers of this from Helen, so hearing it confirmed by David came as no surprise. After a moment's thought, he gestured to his own physique and asked, "David, do you really think I'm suited for the Joker in my current condition?"

David didn't immediately grasp what Matthew meant.

Matthew clarified, "The guy playing Bruce Wayne in the new *Batman* series is Christian Bale, right? He's Batman, and I'd be the Joker. We wouldn't even look like proper arch-rivals. Have you ever seen a Joker who's more muscular than Batman? It would be absurd."

"Ah, so that's your concern." David laughed. "Charles and Christopher Nolan brought that up themselves. Filming is still a long way off, so they think you have more than enough time to lose the weight. In fact, Director Nolan's exact words were: 'He's played so many strong, heroic characters. Don't you think it would be a new challenge for him to portray a physically fragile villain?'"

An ordinary actor might have been genuinely moved by such a statement from Christopher Nolan, but Matthew's way of thinking was vastly different from that of his peers."I'm sorry." Matthew shook his head. "I can't take the role of the Joker."

Ever since he'd started training seriously, Nibora had repeatedly warned him that drastic fluctuations in weight would inevitably damage his health. In truth, he didn't need a professional to tell him that; it was common sense. How could gaining or losing dozens of pounds in just a few months not have a negative impact?

The toll might not be apparent when you're young and strong, but it would make itself known as you got older.

He had been inexplicably transported to this life by a coworker's stray hammer on a construction site. Now that he had a future filled with fame, money, and beautiful women, he wanted to enjoy it for as long as he could.

As for the notion of being unable to escape a role, that was something he never worried about. Every actor has a different psychological reaction to their craft, and mental resilience varies widely. He had never once found himself unable to shed a character after the work was done.

Matthew suddenly recalled a piece of gossip he'd read back when he loved Christopher Nolan's *The Dark Knight*. He'd liked it so much he'd even downloaded a pirated copy and watched it three or four times. He was especially captivated by the Joker, and had later looked up news stories about the actor and his iconic performance.

The article was about a *Playboy* interview with Gary Oldman, the actor who played Commissioner Gordon. When asked about the Joker, Oldman had bluntly stated that the notion of the Australian actor's tragedy being the result of fan speculation—the idea that he had become too immersed in the role—was complete and utter nonsense.

Let's just say, studios were shameless enough to exploit anything to generate buzz and boost a film's box office.

Regardless, there was no way he was going to crash diet and lose dozens of pounds just to play the Joker opposite an actor he barely knew.

He wasn't a saint, after all.

David was a bit taken aback by Matthew's straightforward refusal. "Matthew, are you sure?" he asked.

"Absolutely," Matthew said frankly. "David, I have two reasons for turning it down."

He didn't bring up the pay. "First, the role just isn't right for me. Second, I can't play a psychotic villain—it's a matter of my endorsement contracts."

David looked puzzled, not understanding what Matthew meant.

Matthew went on to explain, "My contracts with Mercedes-Benz and Armani have clauses that prevent me from playing villainous roles that could damage the brand's image."

He was telling the truth. "I can't just break those contracts for one role, can I?"

David smiled awkwardly. "I had no idea. I'll let Warner Brothers know."

Matthew nodded. "If there's nothing else, I should get going."

He stood, and David walked him to the door. "When you go to London," David added as a parting thought, "don't forget to drop by the *Harry Potter* set."

"I'll be sure to," Matthew replied politely before leaving the Warner building.

Once outside, he headed for the Angel Agency. The Joker in *The Dark Knight* was an absolute classic; as far as he was concerned, it completely overshadowed Jack Nicholson's performance in the 1989 *Batman*. But not every role was right for every actor.

Besides, Helen, who was still managing his Armani menswear campaign, would never have signed off on a role like that.

***

When he arrived at the Angel Agency, Helen greeted him with good news: SkyDance Pictures had paid out his share of the North American box office revenue for *300*.

Now that pre-production on the *Fast & Furious* series was starting, he needed the funds.

Although pre-production was in full swing, the project was still a long, long way from being officially greenlit.

Once the project was confirmed, the first order of business was the script. After weighing numerous candidates suggested by Helen Herman, Jack Beard, and Paul Walker, Matthew and David Ellison selected Gary Scott Thompson—a name all three had put forward—to be the head writer and assemble a team.

Gary Scott Thompson had also been the screenwriter for the first and most successful film in the *Fast & Furious* franchise.

Like the vast majority of Hollywood producers, Matthew and David subscribed to the belief that proven success was far more valuable than a so-called new idea.

As for a director, they had yet to find a suitable candidate. Justin Lin, who had directed the third film, *Tokyo Drift*, recently approached SkyDance Pictures after hearing they were rebooting the franchise and threw his own hat in the ring.

But because of *Tokyo Drift*, Matthew and David were highly skeptical of Lin and were holding off on a decision for now.

There was no rush to choose a director, especially since they didn't even have a draft of the script yet.

The new project with producer Akiva Goldsman was more urgent than the *Fast & Furious* reboot. According to Helen, *Tonight, He Comes* had already entered pre-production under Goldsman's deputy. Warner Bros. was waiting for Matthew to sign on as the lead before scheduling filming for the following summer.

Warner Bros. was targeting the Independence Day holiday weekend next summer for the North American release.

Matthew was practically becoming a summer blockbuster fixture. He had two films coming out this summer: *Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End*, and *Transformers*—in which he voiced Megatron—set to premiere on Independence Day.

Disney Pictures and DreamWorks had already sent over their promotional schedules months in advance, allowing Matthew's team to plan his calendar accordingly.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't be voicing Megatron in any future *Transformers* films. DreamWorks had felt the first installment needed more star power, which was why they were willing to pay him a handsome fee for the relatively simple voice work. But once the film became a bona fide hit, there would be no need to continue shelling out that kind of money.

Still, voicing Megatron was enough to satisfy his inner *Transformers* fan.

He far preferred Megatron's battle cry, "Decepticons, attack!" to "Freedom for all creatures!"

It wasn't just Megatron who was doomed to a tragic end in Hollywood movies; anyone not aligned with the good old U.S. of A. was destined for a miserable fate on screen.

"Peace through tyranny..."

As night fell, Matthew muttered Megatron's lines under his breath and drove alone to the Beverly Hills Hilton.

***