The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 682

Shortly after the start of 2009, the main cast for Christopher Nolan's upcoming film, "Inception," was finalized. With Matthew already locked in for the lead role of the "Dream Thief," a number of other key roles were also filled.

James McAvoy was cast as Arthur, and Michael Fassbender as Eames.

Unsurprisingly, both actors, whom Matthew had recommended, passed their auditions.

Additionally, Emma Roberts, with help from her aunt Julia Roberts, landed the role of Ariadne, while Anne Hathaway signed on to play Mal.

The cast also included two actors who were longtime collaborators of Christopher

Nolan.

Cillian Murphy was cast as Fischer, the team's target, and Michael Caine as Miles, the architecture professor.

Both actors were considered Nolan's regulars.

Rounding out the cast was Ken Watanabe as a Japanese businessman.

The cast of "Inception" was nothing short of star-studded, and the crew was just as formidable. From the cinematographer and editor to the costume and special effects designers—not to mention Christopher Nolan himself—the team was composed of Academy Award regulars, a true assembly of the industry's finest talent.The score, for instance, was being composed by Hans Zimmer, Hollywood's preeminent master of commercial soundtracks.

On the first day the principal cast gathered on set, Warner Bros. held a major press conference.

The journalists' attention was focused primarily on Matthew and Christopher Nolan.

This was perfectly normal. On any film set, there's a natural hierarchy, and the lead actor and director inevitably command a level of attention far beyond anyone else.

With "The Dark Knight" on the verge of crossing one billion dollars at the global box office, the anticipation for Christopher Nolan's next project was immense.

After a few questions for the supporting cast, the reporters turned to the film's theme. Christopher Nolan answered vaguely, careful not to reveal any specifics, only hinting that the story involved dreams and theft.

The reporters knew better than to press for plot details, so the line of questioning shifted to the collaboration between Matthew and Christopher Nolan.

"Director Nolan, this is your first time working with Matthew."

A reporter from The Hollywood Reporter was the first to ask Christopher Nolan, "Could you tell us why you chose Matthew for the lead role?"

Christopher Nolan smiled. "Matthew possesses a grace that comes with maturity." He glanced at Matthew, his praise effusive. "He has a timeless quality, much like Jack Nicholson or Al Pacino."

Then, his voice rising with conviction, he declared, "Matthew will always be a movie star!"

The reporters asked Nolan a few more questions about the film before the focus shifted back to Matthew.

A reporter from Entertainment Weekly stood up and asked, "Matthew, what led to this collaboration between you and Director Nolan?"

Matthew fielded the question with a smile. "It was a truly superb script. Honestly, when I first read what Director Nolan sent me, I didn't understand it at all."

Another reporter, from Empire, asked, "And now?"

Matthew didn't give a direct answer, just a cryptic smile. "This story has been living in Director Nolan's head for a decade," he said, his tone even. "He knows it like the back of his hand. I, on the other hand, had to read it several times before I could even begin to grasp the core of it. But once I did, I was completely hooked."

Since Christopher Nolan had just sung his praises, it was only right for Matthew to return the compliment. "It's a tremendously ambitious concept," he continued. "And Director Nolan has been incredibly helpful in my preparation, getting me into the right mindset, breaking down the character's psychology, and guiding me toward his emotional core."

His tone grew more emphatic as he went on. "It's a truly brilliant screenplay, and Director Nolan is creating what will undoubtedly be a very powerful film. It's so hard to make something truly original these days, but he has proven time and again that he's the best there is at doing just that.

"Just now, Director Nolan said this is a film about dreams."

With the topic now on Matthew, the questions inevitably broadened. A female reporter stood up. "Matthew, have you had any interesting dreams yourself?"

It was a fairly dull question, but Matthew answered it anyway. "I rarely dream," he admitted. "The moment my head hits the pillow, my brain is so exhausted it just wants to shut down for a few hours. I don't remember most of them, anyway. It's like they never happened."

He tried to steer the conversation back to the film. "I actually attempted to read Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams in preparation, but I gave up on it pretty quickly. Talking to Director Nolan proved to be far more useful."

This was a surprisingly honest admission; Christopher Nolan had given him the book, and he still hadn't finished it.

That kind of dense, philosophical material was simply too much for him.

Matthew paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before adding, "My conversations with Director Nolan taught me that we all suppress so much—our emotions, our thoughts. And when we dream, we often mistake that dream for reality. It’s only when we wake up that we realize that reality existed solely in our minds."

One of the journalists stood up and asked, "And what is your own dream?

Can you tell us about it?"

"My own dream?" Matthew didn't dwell on the question, answering directly, "To keep making movies, to find great roles, and to always try to give the audience my very best."

Of course, that was only a small fraction of his dream. The rest was far grander and more ambitious.

Perhaps there were many people in Hollywood who dreamed bigger than him, but most of their dreams would remain just that—dreams. His, on the other hand, were coming true one by one.

Once the press conference concluded, Matthew and Christopher Nolan made their way to a nearby lounge.

"We'll begin shooting after this year's Academy Awards," Christopher Nolan said. "So you'll need to adjust your schedule accordingly."

He knew every big actor in Hollywood had a packed schedule, and Matthew was no exception.

Matthew nodded slightly. "I know." He then gave Nolan a heads-up. "I'll need to take one trip to Africa during filming to meet with the UNHCR in Morocco. We'll have to coordinate it with the shooting schedule. I also have a few promotional events for Fast & Furious 4 that I have to attend."

"No problem," Christopher Nolan replied.

"I'll have someone send it to your inbox today," Matthew said.

Christopher Nolan started chatting with Michael Caine, who was walking just behind them. Matthew took the opportunity to pull out his phone and text Bella Anderson, instructing her to send his schedule for the next six months to Nolan and to stay in close communication with the film's production team.

The crew couldn't be expected to plan everything around his schedule, so both sides would have to be flexible to reach an agreement.

Just then, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender walked over. Matthew waved them on, and the three of them left the lounge together, heading for the parking lot.

"Drinks at my place tonight?" Matthew offered.

"I had someone pick up a few bottles of good wine. Care to join me?"

"I don't have time," James said. "My agent has a meeting with an executive at 20th Century Fox."

Michael Fassbender also shook his head. "I have a date tonight."

Hearing this, Matthew couldn't help but ask curiously, "A date?"

James winked at Matthew. "Do you know who Michael's been seeing lately?"

"No idea," Matthew said, shaking his head.

James said mysteriously, "A black actress."

Matthew looked at Michael Fassbender. "You can't be serious?"

"He has such unusual tastes," James continued.

Michael Fassbender shrugged. "It's just for fun. I'm not looking to get married." As they entered the parking garage, he lowered his voice to Matthew and James. "I recommend it, guys. You should try it if you get the chance. Smooth skin, great stamina, flexible... very satisfying."

James thought for a moment. "Doesn't sound bad."

Matthew considered this for a moment. Were there any really beautiful and sexy black actresses? It wasn't something he'd ever really paid attention to.

After saying goodbye to James and Michael Fassbender, he was about to get into his car when he heard footsteps approaching from behind.

Then a woman called out to him, "Matthew..."