The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 692

"Most of the racing scenes in 'Fast & Furious 4' were performed by the actors themselves. They were filmed just as you see them in the trailer, which meant they were genuinely filled with all sorts of unknown dangers."

In the interview area outside the Kodak Theatre, a reporter asked Matthew about 'Fast & Furious 4'. "Before every shoot," he explained, "the entire crew meticulously assessed every possible risk we might encounter. Their incredible dedication to safety really touched me."

Compared to "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra," which was released in the Independence Day slot this year, "Fast & Furious 4" was far more important, as half of his investment funds had gone into this film.

"Do you have any goals for this film?" the ABC reporter asked.

This was the main ABC TV live feed. Normally, an actor who wasn't an Oscar nominee would have a hard time landing an interview on the main broadcast.

But ABC was, after all, under the Disney umbrella.

"I set two goals for this film: faster and more intense!" Matthew declared eloquently. "From the very start of planning this installment, our entire focus was on making the racing scenes faster and more thrilling. To achieve that, we designed a wide variety of drag-racing sequences..."

If he could, he would have treated this Oscar red carpet as his own exclusive press junket.

However, the interview couldn't revolve solely around him, and after less than three minutes, the ABC reporter shifted focus. Matthew continued on his way toward the Kodak Theatre.

Along the way, he frequently glanced back at the red carpet.It wasn't the stars on the red carpet, nor the fans and journalists lining the way, that caught Matthew's attention. It was the crowd gathered at the very edge of the event.

On Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard, near the Kodak Theatre, thousands of people had gathered. They held signs and banners with slogans like, "Fight Discrimination Against Women" and "Support Equal Pay for Actresses." Though they were quiet, their presence was impossible to ignore.

This was a special demonstration organized by feminist organizations.

Over the past two years, Matthew had donated to many feminist organizations and was now a well-known feminist himself.

In recent years, the feminist movement had become increasingly prominent, spreading rapidly through Hollywood and the entire film industry. The rise of feminism was poised to have an unprecedented impact on major commercial films.

For him, this was a good thing. "The Hunger Games" could be promoted under the banner of feminism.

In fact, the influence of the social climate on Hollywood films had always been obvious.

'Feminism, plus issues of race...' he mused. 'At this rate, it won't be long before the Oscars turn into a grand spectacle for white liberal women and the Black Lives Matter movement.'

Before entering the Kodak Theatre, Matthew glanced up. Rumor had it the theater might be changing its name, as the Kodak company was in such dire financial straits it could barely afford the sponsorship fees.

Directors like Spielberg and Christopher Nolan were urging Hollywood to keep shooting on film to save Kodak.

Unfortunately, technological progress doesn't bend to the will of individuals, and not even Spielberg and Christopher Nolan could reverse the tide.

Upon entering the Kodak Theatre, Matthew checked the time and headed straight for the main hall, skipping the VIP lounge. He walked down a long corridor to the guest seating area at the front. As he was looking for his seat, a familiar voice sounded nearby.

"Matthew."

Hearing someone call his name, Matthew turned his head. A short, heavyset man was looking at him from a few empty seats away in the row behind him to the left. "Long time no see."

Matthew smiled. "Good evening, Harvey."

The short, heavyset man stood up. It was the famous "Oscar kingmaker" Harvey Weinstein. He extended his hand and shook Matthew's like an old friend.

"I heard you're planning to work with James Wan, the director of 'Saw'?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes, I'm very optimistic about the project," Matthew replied casually. "And James Wan is happy to be working with me."

Hearing Matthew's words and his relaxed, casual tone, Harvey Weinstein frowned slightly. He could clearly sense that Matthew Horner seemed to be treating him differently than before.

Before, there had been a certain polite detachment, but now it seemed like outright disregard.

Matthew smiled again. "Harvey, the Oscars are your territory. Have a good evening."

"Oh," Harvey said, feigning surprise as if he'd just remembered something. Then he added, "I'm sure I'll have a very pleasant evening."

As Matthew was about to leave, Harvey added, "Matthew, the independent film scene isn't as simple as you think."

"Really?" Matthew looked unconcerned. "Simple, complicated... it makes no difference to me."

He found the row where his seat was, didn't exchange any more words with Harvey, and walked straight over.

Harvey Weinstein watched Matthew's back and said nothing more. Hollywood recognized him as the most powerful man in independent film.

Now, someone had not only stuck a hand into his sphere of influence but also wanted to snatch a project he had his eye on.

Matthew found his seat and discovered it was right next to the cast of "Rachel Getting Married." Three seats away sat Anne Hathaway.

"Hello, Matthew." Anne Hathaway, wearing a red dress, saw him and greeted him. "Good evening."

After Matthew replied, she murmured a few words to her castmates, then swapped seats to sit next to him. They chatted for a while until the awards ceremony began.

"My biggest dream is to be like Audrey Hepburn," Anne Hathaway said, gazing at the stage. "And to win an Oscar for Best Actress."

Matthew nodded. "I hope you get to live your dream tonight."

Anne Hathaway looked away from the stage and back at Matthew, asking curiously, "Have you never thought about competing for an Oscar?"

"I only make commercial films," Matthew admitted openly. "And I'm too lazy to do the PR, so the Academy would never give me a statuette."

Expecting to win an acting Oscar while making purely commercial films was too much to ask. Although the Academy was constantly adding new members, the old guard was only getting older and more conservative with time, a fact the award results would surely prove.

They could be swayed by PR campaigns and various deals, but only if the film aligned with their aesthetic—or at least came close to it.

The Oscars' position was a strange one: it wanted ratings but kept business at arm's length; it wanted art but refused to compromise its self-image.

They call themselves Academics, but what did that even mean? They don't seem to know themselves.

These days, the Oscars were a far cry from what they were in the '70s and '80s, resembling a political campaign more than anything else.

After hearing Matthew's answer, Anne Hathaway asked again, "Don't you have any goals or dreams?"

Matthew didn't answer directly, instead asking, "Anne, don't you think I'm already living the dream?"

Anne Hathaway paused, seemingly not quite understanding what Matthew meant. "Living the dream?"

"Listen, people say I'm on the cusp of superstardom," Matthew began, looking exceptionally confident and content. "For three years straight, I've been in the top ten of the Forbes Celebrity List. I'm worth billions. I'm living a life I never could have dreamed of before I turned twenty. Isn't that the dream?"

Hearing his words, Anne Hathaway nodded. "You're right. Everyone in Hollywood is envious of you. Who among us wouldn't want to live like you?"

Matthew smiled, looking especially happy. And it was true—the life he was living now was exactly what he had strived for.

Think about it, how many people ever get to make their dreams a reality?

In that respect, he had every reason to be proud and happy.

"But, Matthew..." Anne Hathaway asked unexpectedly, "don't you have any other goals besides these?"

Matthew thought seriously for a moment before slowly saying, "I do. More than one, in fact. I have other goals, just like you."

"May I ask what they are?" Anne Hathaway was very curious.

"Well..." Matthew considered how to phrase it eloquently. He searched for the right words but couldn't find them, so he settled for being direct. "I want to become a bit wealthier so I can have more opportunities to help... women who desperately need it."

His words immediately reminded Anne Hathaway of the protesters outside the Kodak Theatre. She nodded in understanding. "With people like you, the feminist movement will undoubtedly have a greater impact."

As an actress who considered herself part of the upper class, how could she not label herself a feminist?

Seeing that Anne Hathaway had completely misinterpreted him, Matthew had no intention of correcting her. It seemed Anne Hathaway was also a supporter of the feminist movement, which was even better. A man who supported feminism and a feminist woman should find it easy to connect, have deep conversations, and exchange ideas about advancing the cause.

Just then, music filled the theater. The host of the ceremony, Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, took the stage, and the 81st Academy Awards began.