The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 550

In the café, Akiva Goldsman slowly sipped his coffee, his expression impassive. His eyes drifted over Brad Pitt’s face. Since Goldsman had already made his intentions clear, there was no need to beat around the bush—a fact that saved both of them time.

First, he couldn't help but thank Pitt for his interest in the lead role in "Hancock." Goldsman was not a man with a fiery temperament, and he spoke in a polite, courteous manner. "All I can say is that I’m very sorry, but we already have a suitable candidate for the lead male role."

Corin immediately interjected, "Mr. Goldsman, let’s not be too hasty with a decision, shall we?"

Goldsman, however, gently shook his head. "Both Warner Brothers and I have decided that Matthew Horner will play the lead. There’s no one better. Warner Brothers was especially insistent on having Matthew."

The words were polite, but they stung Pitt’s ears. Just a few years earlier, Warner Brothers had practically begged him to work with them on the film "Troy"...

"I was under the impression you hadn't reached an agreement yet." Corin knew there was no chance if they didn’t fight for it with everything they had. "Don’t you think Matthew’s asking price of thirty-five million dollars is outrageous? Brad is also an A-list movie star, and his offer is only fifteen million. How much of a box office difference would you need to cover that twenty-million-dollar gap?"

Before Goldsman could answer, Pitt cut to the chase. "I have a production company, Plan B Entertainment. It's currently being restructured, and that should be complete by the second half of this year at the latest. If you have other projects in the future, Plan B Entertainment could be involved in the investment."

Of course, Goldsman knew about Plan B Entertainment. Among all the production companies founded by movie stars, Drew Barrymore’s Blossom Pictures and Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment were the most successful.

The offer genuinely gave the producer pause; he was always looking for more financial backing.

But he only considered it for a moment before shaking his head. "We have no disagreements with Matthew about working together. The salary is a secondary issue."If the production budget were only forty to fifty million dollars, the lead actor's salary would be a major issue. However, this is a top-tier project with a budget of over one hundred and fifty million dollars. To replace Matthew, who has immense box-office appeal, with Pitt, whose future is uncertain, would be financial suicide.

Seeing Corin about to speak from across the table, Goldsman preempted him. "That will be all. I have work to do this afternoon."

With that, he rose and excused himself.

Hearing this, Corin didn't press the matter. After all, they had only come to test the waters, not to force the issue.

Pitt, still thinking like the A-list star he was, instantly bristled at Goldsman’s thinly veiled excuse. Thankfully, his manager, Corin, tugged on his arm, and he remained silent as his head cleared.

Goldsman's gaze swept across Pitt's face, and with a polite murmur, he exited the café.

He thought back to what Helen had told him—something he had since verified for himself. Most of Pitt’s films had performed poorly at the box office. His highest-grossing film to date was "Troy," but that movie had a massive budget and, at best, had only broken even during its theatrical run. Very few of his other films had even managed to earn back their production costs in North America.

Matthew, on the other hand, had genuine box-office drawing power. Seven of his films in a row had been commercial successes. Even his lowest-grossing film, "Dawn of the Dead," had earned back its modest production budget several times over.

The two weren’t even in the same league. By any metric, Matthew was miles ahead of Pitt.

Pitt watched Goldsman leave the café. With a grimace, he tossed the napkin he’d been using to wipe his mouth into his coffee cup and muttered, almost inaudibly, "Son of a bitch."

He stood, flicked his long blond hair back over his shoulders, and walked outside. As he exited through the glass doors, his eyes fell on a poster for "300" displayed diagonally across the street, in front of the Warner Studios. He stared at it, his gaze cold and fixed on Matthew's image, before finally getting into his car.

When people grow accustomed to a certain level of status, it’s difficult for them to adjust their perspective downward. This is a universal truth.

Pitt had lost out on several projects he’d pursued. Compounded by the scandals that had plagued him over the last year, producers now had major reservations about casting him.

Meanwhile, the various studios had quietly lowered their internal ratings and expectations for him long ago. Pitt, however, refused to lower his own standing and continued to approach the studios with the air of an A-list, in-demand star.

Many celebrities found themselves in a similar position, and it often took them years, if not longer, to adjust to the change.

Of course, Pitt had been in Hollywood for over a decade and wasn't going to fade away easily. Many stars experienced career slumps—Tom Cruise had one just a few years ago—but with the right project, it wouldn’t be long before they returned to the top.

Another factor was that Pitt owned Plan B Entertainment. While it had experienced some operational issues while Jennifer was divesting her capital, Plan B was still performing well and was one of the most well-funded production companies founded by a Hollywood star.

***

"To put it simply, Pitt is ridiculously wealthy."

The black Mercedes sedan sped westward into the setting sun as Helen remarked to Matthew, "In the past, while most of Plan B Entertainment's capital came from fundraising, a significant amount was from Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's personal investments."

She continued, "Now that Jennifer is determined to completely sever ties with Pitt, Plan B Entertainment will face some funding issues, major or minor. But they'll be insignificant if Pitt is willing to invest more of his own money."

Matthew nodded. "I know. Pitt’s rich."

Helen adjusted her glasses. "By the most conservative estimates, he’s worth a hundred million dollars."

"With that kind of money, you'd think he'd just find a nice spot in Africa with Jolie and enjoy his life." Matthew glanced out the car window. "Why does he have to come here and try to steal my role?"

Helen replied flippantly, "I’d probably do the same if I desperately needed a hit film to pull myself out of a career slump."

Matthew chuckled. "Good thing Goldsman didn’t waver."

The same day Pitt and his agent scheduled the meeting with Goldsman, Helen’s office got wind of it. She called Goldsman immediately to ask about it, and he assured her he wouldn't change his mind.

Helen warned, "More and more people are going to be working behind your back to snatch roles or projects you’re interested in. In this town, it’s impossible to keep things like this under wraps. We have to stay vigilant."

Matthew said nonchalantly, "Don’t forget, Helen. I’ve beaten out countless competitors for my roles before."

When it came to pure acting talent, he might admit he wasn't the best, but when it came to mind games and competition, he knew he was second to none.

Helen gave Matthew a look. He noticed it and asked:

"What is it?"

"Pitt, Jolie, and Aniston..." Helen trailed off, not needing to say more.

Matthew understood what she was implying and shrugged. "It’s been so long. They’ll never find out."

Helen shook her head. Very few people knew they had any connection to it at all.

Matthew hadn't witnessed it himself, but he could imagine the scene. He sighed. "Still, I feel sorry for her."

"In a way, it’s a blessing she got out of that rotten mess with Pitt," Helen said, her expression neutral.

Matthew agreed calmly. "You're absolutely right. He’s a total womanizer."

Actually, when you thought about it, considering Pitt’s history, he might have had genuine feelings for Aniston. But it was more likely that his attachment was driven by less spoken, more practical considerations.

Ever since his relationship with Aniston had gone public, Pitt had been largely insulated from the box-office failures of his films, both in terms of his salary and his influence. In a way, he had his wife to thank for that.

Helen abruptly changed the subject. "Where’s Anna?"

"She’s on her way." Matthew’s tone grew softer. "She’s coming to the Four Seasons in Amanda’s car."

As the car pulled up to the Four Seasons, he straightened his bow tie and waited for it to come to a complete stop before stepping out. The press, who had been lying in wait, immediately swarmed forward, but his bodyguards were already in position and quickly formed a barrier, holding the reporters back.

The reporters were clamoring with questions, and once they had quieted down a little, Matthew offered a few brief remarks.

"I'm thrilled that '300' is doing so well at the box office. It's the best reward for all the hard work from the cast and crew." He offered the usual platitudes. "A new project? Yes, I’ve just finished shooting my next film. It’s a sci-fi movie that will be released this December, and I hope to see you all at the premiere."

With that, Matthew, flanked by his bodyguards, proceeded down the red carpet and into the Four Seasons hotel, soon finding himself in the grand ballroom.

Guests had already gathered in the ballroom, and even before the party officially kicked off, he had become the center of attention. Countless people, both familiar faces and strangers, approached him to exchange greetings.