The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 546

The moment he stepped backstage, a stage manager hurried over, handing him a few revised pages for his speech. Matthew glanced down at them and noticed that, likely to save time, the new version was significantly shorter than the one he had rehearsed.

The change had clearly been made on the fly. Tonight's awards ceremony was already dragging on past the three-hour mark; if they didn't wrap things up soon, they risked losing the television audience entirely.

After quickly memorizing the new lines, Matthew was guided through the wings toward the stage entrance, arriving just in time to see George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg walk out to present the award for Best Director.

His gaze fell on George Lucas—the famous director, producer, and billionaire. Lucas was an anomaly, a man who belonged neither to the Directors Guild nor the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was famously indifferent to the Oscars, and the Academy, in turn, had never paid him much mind. Yet, none of that had stopped him from becoming one of the most powerful figures in all of Hollywood.

In terms of industry status and power, George Lucas—who had never won an Oscar—stood head and shoulders above Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Steven Spielberg.

With those three titans on stage together, there was little doubt, even before the winner was announced, who would be taking home the Oscar for Best Director.

After so many years of being overlooked, Martin Scorsese was finally being recognized by the Academy, taking home the golden statuette for "The Departed."

The audience erupted into a standing ovation. While "The Departed" might not have been Scorsese's magnum opus, it was undeniably one of his finest, and he had more than earned the award for Best Director.

Though Matthew wasn't personally a fan of Martin Scorsese's gangster films, he applauded wholeheartedly for the veteran director. It was clear to everyone that this honor was long overdue.

Beneath his two trademark bushy eyebrows, Martin Scorsese’s eyes were wet with emotion. He had finally gotten what he wanted. "Thank you! Thank you..."Martin took care to thank his cast and crew.

Martin Scorsese, who had made his debut back in 1956, had been nominated for Best Director multiple times, only to come away empty-handed again and again. He desperately craved the Academy's recognition, no matter how many other honors were bestowed upon him, no matter how many fans worshiped him as an uncrowned king.

This golden statuette for Best Director was less about a single film and more a recognition of the signature style he had cultivated over decades.

Martin Scorsese's prime was long past, and this award had come far too late. But as everyone watched him standing on that stage, holding his Oscar, they knew he had earned this moment.

Despite his graying hair, Martin looked far happier on stage than Leonardo DiCaprio, the film's leading man.

This year, both Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet were nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively. Countless fans of "Titanic" had been eagerly hoping to see the two of them on the winner's podium together.

Just then, the four directors on stage headed for the exit on the opposite side. The stage manager gave him a quiet prompt, and Matthew quickly got to his feet. He walked toward the stage as he heard the host, Ellen DeGeneres, announce that the award for Best Picture was next.

As he stepped into the spotlight, the lights blazed brighter and every eye in the theater turned to him. No one could deny the sheer power of the Academy Awards.

Watching Matthew step onto the stage and approach the microphone, Alexandra lightly bit her lip. He looked magnificent, his smile radiating a warm enthusiasm. He surveyed the audience with a proud confidence, a steely determination hidden just beneath his sculpted features.

In Alexandra's eyes, he had everything a successful man could possibly want: looks, physique, fame, wealth, status, character...

Every single quality was top-tier.

Her best friend, Amanda, was also close to Matthew, so Alexandra knew more about him than most. Unlike so many actors and stars, Matthew hadn't been blessed with immense natural talent. He had achieved his success through relentless training and sheer hard work, systematically overcoming his weaknesses and accumulating invaluable experience. In the end, he had forged his path to fame and fortune through sheer grit and perseverance.

In her life, she had only met two men so remarkable: one was her father, and the other was Matthew. She knew he was brilliant, and she was undeniably drawn to him, but she also knew he was a notorious womanizer who discarded lovers as easily as he changed his clothes.

Amanda had once warned her that if she was looking for marriage or a stable, long-term relationship, she should stay far away from Matthew. But if she was looking for a scorching, passionate affair to remember for the rest of her life...

Listening to Matthew's serious tone on stage, a thought suddenly struck Alexandra. He was only twenty-seven this year, and she wasn't even twenty-one. Who needed long-term stability at their age?

"The nominees for Best Picture..."

On stage, Matthew turned toward the large screen behind him and began announcing the nominees as their respective film clips played:

"'Babel,' Steve Golin and Jon Kilik; 'The Departed,' Brad Grey and Graham King; 'The Queen,' Andy Harris and Francois Langan; 'Letters from Iwo Jima,' Clint Eastwood and Paul Haggis."

He swiftly opened the envelope, pulled out the card, glanced at it, and announced without any pretense, "The Best Picture is 'The Departed'!"

As he finished, Matthew began to applaud along with the audience. Then, raising his voice over the noise, he added, "Please welcome the cast and producers of 'The Departed'!"

Led by the two producers, the film's cast streamed onto the stage, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Even Martin Scorsese, who had just left, returned from the wings.

Matthew accepted the golden Oscar from the trophy presenter, embraced each of the two producers, and then handed the statuette to Brad Grey. With that, he stepped aside, clearing the way to the microphone.

After their speeches, Matthew followed the cast and crew of "The Departed" off the stage. He made his way through the wings and out of the Kodak Theatre's main lobby, where he met up with Alexandra. They headed to the Vanity Fair Oscar party, where he put in another good word for "I Am Legend" with the press before finally escorting Alexandra home.