The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 689

A few days later, Matthew met with James Wan and Leigh Whannell and learned that Dimension Films had expressed interest in their project.

But James Wan had no intention of collaborating with Dimension Films.

However, as a precautionary measure, he still signed an agreement with James, though due to James's contractual obligations with Lionsgate, the project couldn't be officially greenlit until after Halloween.

Hollywood is a vanity fair, and Matthew believed that very few people commanded the kind of influence he did.

The incident also served as a reminder: Dimension Films, a studio specializing in horror films, had seen the script and plan Leigh Whannell submitted and recognized the value in James Wan's new project.

For that reason, Matthew continued to hold James Wan in high regard. When he heard that James was very interested in the Academy Awards ceremony, he specifically asked Helen to pull some strings. While he couldn't get an invitation to the Oscars itself, the editor-in-chief of Vanity Fair managed to secure tickets to the exclusive Oscar night party.

When James received the ticket, he called to thank him profusely.

While handling these matters, Matthew visited the set of "Inception" at Warner Bros. nearly every day, staying for half the day to rehearse various action sequences.

For the scripted scenes, Christopher Nolan placed more emphasis on the actors' performances. Although they rehearsed in advance, it was more about familiarizing themselves with their characters and the plot.

"Come on, Matthew!""Let's go!"

A chorus of cheers echoed through the rehearsal hall. A petite Emma Roberts stood before a wooden table, relentlessly encouraging Matthew.

Matthew gripped the action director's right hand with his own, his expression perfectly relaxed. In contrast, the action director's body was tense, and he was clearly holding his breath. His face was red from the strain, and a fine layer of sweat beaded on his forehead.

They were arm-wrestling, but the director felt as if the hand he was holding was forged from steel; it hadn't budged an inch.

James McAvoy crossed his arms, glanced in their direction, and shook his head. "What was Bert thinking," he said to Michael Fassbender, who stood beside him, "challenging that monster Matthew?"

Michael Fassbender nodded. "He's completely outmatched."

Sure enough, Matthew suddenly applied pressure, and with almost no effort, he slammed the action director Bert's hand onto the wooden table.

"What incredible strength," Bert said, pulling his hand back and rubbing his wrist. "You should go pro."

He asked Matthew, "How do you train?"

Matthew shrugged. "Just the usual workouts."

Just then, Emma Roberts, dressed in a white shirt and blue jeans, walked over to Bert, held out her hand, and declared, "You lost. One hundred dollars!"

They had made a bet earlier. Bert conceded, pulled out a hundred-dollar bill, and placed it in Emma Roberts's hand.

Matthew turned his head to look at her and said, "Ariadne, aren't you going to treat us with your winnings?"

"Yeah!" James McAvoy chimed in. "Treat us, Ariadne!"

Emma took the bill and waved it in the air, exclaiming, "I'm treating everyone to drinks!"

She then took out her phone and ordered from a shop near the studio, asking everyone at the rehearsal what they wanted to drink.

After the call, Emma counted on her fingers for a moment before suddenly announcing, "This isn't right!"

"What's not right?" Matthew asked curiously.

Several others also looked at Emma.

Emma deliberately put on a sad face. "I just did the math. I spent a hundred and fifty-six dollars." She sighed helplessly. "I was the winner! Now my winnings are gone, and I'm out fifty-six dollars."

Everyone, including Matthew, burst out laughing.

The drinks arrived shortly after, and everyone gathered around to chat and relax.

This was also part of the rehearsal process, a way to get to know each other better. On set, they all addressed one another by their character names.

Emma took a sip of her black tea and asked Matthew, who was sitting beside her, "Cobb, where's your wife?"

Matthew understood she was asking about Anne Hathaway and replied, "Mal is still in a dream."

"Heh..." Emma lowered her voice so that only Matthew could hear. "Divorce her. Your wife is too pretentious."

"Mal can't escape her dreams," Matthew said with a smile. "So it doesn't matter."

Emma Roberts whispered again, "Don't you think she's incredibly two-faced?"

As they were talking, the door to the room suddenly opened, and Anne Hathaway walked in with a smile, apparently in high spirits.

Michael Fassbender asked curiously, "Mal, I thought you weren't coming?"

Anne Hathaway just smiled.

Matthew remembered the luncheon at the Regent Hotel in Beverly Hills that day and asked, "Nominated?"

Unbuttoning her coat to reveal a short dress underneath, Anne Hathaway walked towards Matthew, saying, "I've been nominated for Best Actress."

She looked around at everyone in the room. "Don't leave after we're done. Tonight's on me."

The words had barely left her mouth when Emma stood up and said, "I have plans tonight, I can't make it."

Anne Hathaway's expression faltered for a moment before she composed herself and retorted, "Did I invite you?"

Emma snorted. "I'm not interested in your invitation."

Matthew glanced from Anne Hathaway to Emma, shaking his head imperceptibly. The two of them had been at odds since the very first rehearsal.

In a cast, having two female characters with similar roles, both played by very confident actresses, could often lead to a lot of unnecessary trouble.

This wasn't just true on film sets; it happened in high school classrooms all the time.

Just as the two women seemed ready to escalate their war of words, Matthew looked at his watch and said, "It's about that time. Let's wrap it up for the day."

He was the biggest star in the cast, and no matter how self-assured Emma Roberts and Anne Hathaway were, they wouldn't dare challenge him to his face.

At that moment, Anne Hathaway announced, "I've booked a banquet hall at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Everyone has to come."

Matthew suspected that Anne Hathaway had booked the hall long ago. After all, no actress born after 1980 had ever won the Oscar for Best Actress. For her, just getting the nomination was a massive victory.

When Matthew got into his car, Emma Roberts followed him in.

"I thought you weren't going?" Matthew watched her close the car door and asked, "Why the change of heart?"

"I didn't change my mind. I'm not going." She explained, "Aren't you headed to the Sheraton? Drop me off at Bellaire Salon when you pass Eighth Street. I have an appointment with my aunt."

Matthew nodded and told the driver, "Take Eighth Street."

It was on the way, so there was no reason to refuse.

Just as the car started moving, Matthew's phone beeped. He took it out and saw an email from Bella Anderson with the list of nominees for the 81st Academy Awards.

"I seem to recall your aunt was in the running for a Best Actress nomination this year, right?" Matthew asked.

Emma Roberts nodded. She winked. "She lost. I found out about the nominations while the luncheon was still going on."

Matthew continued scrolling through his email. "You're very well-informed."

"Of course," Emma Roberts added. "I also know you were nominated for a Golden Raspberry for Worst Actor."

The list of Razzie nominations had been announced the day before, and projects associated with Matthew were the biggest contenders. "Hancock" received four major nominations for Worst Actor, Worst Actress, Worst Director, and Worst Picture, while "Twilight" racked up six for Worst Actor, Worst Actress, Worst Supporting Actor and Actress, Worst Director, and Worst Picture.

It was no exaggeration to say that Matthew was poised to be the big winner at this year's Golden Raspberry Awards.

"If I remember correctly, this isn't your first Razzie nomination, is it?" Emma Roberts asked curiously. "Don't they say the Razzies can ruin an actor's career?"

Matthew was completely unfazed. He shrugged and said, "I don't even remember. I think I've been nominated four or five times. Does my career look finished to you?" He then added, "Michael Bay has been nominated more times than I have, and he's still a top-tier commercial director."

Emma Roberts thought about it and understood.

As the Mercedes turned onto Eighth Street, Matthew's phone rang again, this time with a call.

Watching Matthew answer, Emma Roberts overheard him say something about a teacher and a student. When he hung up, she asked curiously, "What are you doing tomorrow? Being someone's student?"

Matthew answered honestly, "I have a music lesson with my teacher tomorrow."