The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 552

From the moment Natalie started talking to Matthew, Corin had been tailing them.

Now, while seemingly taking a casual break for a sip of water, he pricked up his ears and listened intently to every word they said.

Did the Wachowski brothers want to invite Matthew to star in their new film?

Would Matthew agree? What kind of project was it?

For Corin, it was as much a matter of business as it was genuine curiosity.

But the people at the table were discussing *V for Vendetta*.

Lana was ecstatic; the film was adapted from a comic book, but she and Andy had added many of their own ideas to the adaptation process.

"I think the film's most powerful message is that it speaks to the hearts of so many people. People shouldn't be afraid of their government, governments should be afraid of their people."

Matthew didn't answer.

In fact, he had starred in very few films that were directly political.Hollywood films, and indeed films all over the world, could never be entirely free from politics, but his past experience had taught him that it was better to stay away from anything deeply politicized. This was especially true for the *Fast & Furious* sequel he and David were planning to invest in and produce—a film that would definitely downplay its political backdrop to appeal to more markets.

Lana Wachowski continued to speak eloquently, while Matthew was mostly lost in his own thoughts, occasionally nodding in agreement.

Just as Matthew was trying to think of an excuse to leave, the Wachowskis finally got to the point.

"Matthew, we asked Nat to find you because we have a project we'd like you to be a part of," Andy said, much more directly than Lana. "I'm working on a science fiction film."

He glanced at Natalie, who took over for him. "In 2005, while still working on *V for Vendetta*, I came across David Mitchell's novel *Cloud Atlas* and recommended it to Lana. She and Andy both became fascinated by the story."

Matthew nodded but didn't reply.

Lana added, "Andy and I successfully acquired the rights to the novel from David and have finished adapting the screenplay."

She looked at Natalie. "Nat will be playing the female lead, and she recommended you for the male lead."

With that, Andy opened a briefcase he had set aside, pulled out a script, and handed it to Matthew.

Matthew glanced at the script; the Wachowskis had clearly come prepared.

"You can read the script," Lana smiled. "It's a draft, and Andy and I will discuss changes later, but the main framework won't change."

Every word reached Corin's ears, and seeing Matthew take the script, he shifted his body slightly.

Opening the script, Matthew quickly skimmed through it.

"The project is still under wraps, and the script can't be disclosed, which is why Lana and I brought it here for you to see," Andy said, well aware of how difficult it would be to get this project off the ground. "The script has been with Warner Bros. for a while, but their review board was skeptical about the high investment and the unclear plot."

Combined with the fact that the two *Matrix* sequels had failed to meet Warner Brothers' expectations, especially the last one, the studio was no longer as receptive to them as it had been a few years earlier.

That's why they had followed Natalie's advice and come to approach Matthew, who was "highly valuable" in the eyes of Warner Bros.

They loved the story of *Cloud Atlas* too much to give up on it.

Matthew quickly scanned the script. Over the past two years, the number of producers and directors approaching him with similar offers had surged. While he once had to fight for every role, now parts came to him even if he just sat back and waited.

According to Helen, a superstar—or rather, a top-tier movie star with proven box-office appeal—never lacked for films and roles. It was just like with Steve Jobs: when things were going well, everyone called him a super-genius, and investors tracked his every move. But when Jobs was ousted from Apple's board of directors, the same people claimed his talent had run dry. He couldn't secure the financing for Pixar and was forced to sign a deal with Disney like a common salesman.

The business world chases success and ignores failure.

No one wants their project to fail; they always try to stack the odds in their favor, and the Wachowskis were no different.

Lana added, "This novel has a stunning depiction of time, space, and human nature. In the book, Mitchell tells six relatively separate but interconnected stories, spanning from medieval Europe to a fantastical utopia. The characters also range from knights, mobsters, and musicians to journalists. The theme is perfect for a film."

Like most Hollywood screenplays, the script in Matthew's hands was thin, but time was short, and he only gave it a cursory glance.

But then again, this script was different from a typical, easy-to-understand Hollywood screenplay. Whether it was his perspective or his limited cultural background, he was left confused after reading it.

"The script consists of six interwoven stories."

Probably noticing the confusion on Matthew's face, Lana began to explain, "Each actor plays multiple characters across the stories, with different identities, nationalities, and even genders."

She said with a hint of pride, "The script, and the film we'll create, will embody a depth rarely found in commercial Hollywood movies. Only truly intelligent people will understand it."

Hearing those last words, Matthew closed the script and, in his mind, delivered the project's death sentence.

On one hand, it was clear from their conversation that neither Natalie nor the Wachowskis were in the same league as him when it came to filmmaking. On the other, while he hadn't read the entire script, he had a general sense that it was an enormous undertaking. And based on Lana's words, a commercial film that was hard to understand and aimed to embody so-called "depth" would be a miracle if it didn't bomb.

Nevertheless, Matthew asked, "Lana, Andy, will you be directing?"

"Yes," Andy nodded. "We're definitely directing."

Matthew lost all hope. He remembered hearing gossip that all of the Wachowskis' films after the *Matrix* trilogy had been box office bombs.

"Lana, Andy... and Nat," Matthew remained polite. "Can you let me think about it? I can't make a decision without my agent."

"Of course." Lana took out her business card and handed it to Matthew. "Here's my number. I hope to hear good news."

Matthew took it and placed it ceremoniously in his pocket. "I would love to work with you both."

He looked at Natalie. "And with you, Nat."

'Interested?' Corin heard his words, and seeing Matthew’s enthusiastic smile, he assumed the actor was interested.

David Mitchell's novel? *Cloud Atlas*?

Then he saw Matthew stand up to say his goodbyes and leave, while Natalie spoke with him a little longer, though their voices were too low for him to make out what was said.

Just as he stood up to leave, Andy's slightly hushed voice reached him again.

"It would be much easier for us to get the investment from Warner Brothers if Matthew agrees to be the lead."

Lana said in a dismissive tone, "Would I have come to him uninvited if it weren't for the investment?"

She sighed. "This project will cost at least $100 million, and without Warner Brothers' full support, we'll have to back down and settle for that boring animated adaptation they've been pushing on us."

From these words, Corin immediately pieced together the situation: the Wachowskis' project lacked funding, they weren't particularly fond of Matthew Horner, and they had approached him solely because he was a hot commodity in the eyes of Warner Bros.

Hearing the conversation turn to something boring, he simply left and went to find Brad Pitt.

***

"Matthew!" Helen emerged from the crowd and waved to him.

"Over here!"

"What are you doing here?" Matthew walked over to her.

Helen didn't answer, instead pointing in the direction he had come from. "See that middle-aged man with the balding head? I've been watching him for a while. He was eavesdropping on your conversation with the Wachowskis."

Matthew followed Helen's finger and saw the man get up and walk away from the table next to where the Wachowskis were sitting.

Helen lowered her voice. "If I'm not mistaken, that's Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's manager."

Matthew frowned and was about to say something, but his phone vibrated. He immediately took it out, and after a brief conversation, he said, "Anna's here. She didn't bring her invitation, so they stopped her at the door. I'll be right back."