The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 752

"Why does Paramount Pictures want to change directors?"

Matthew frowned in Helen's office at the Angel Agency. "What are they thinking?"

Helen took off her glasses, her expression tinged with surprise. "I just got the news from Paramount myself. I let you know immediately."

Matthew's fingers drummed lightly on the arm of the sofa. "Why would Paramount suddenly make a decision like this?"

It gave him pause. If "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" hadn't been a box office success, it would have made perfect sense for Paramount to replace Stephen Sommers. Or if Sommers himself wasn't planning to return, finding a new director would have been a non-issue.

But the film was a smash hit, and from his earlier conversations with Stephen Sommers, he knew Stephen was very eager to continue directing.

"I spoke with Stephen's agent on the phone before you arrived," Helen added at that moment. "Stephen just got the news himself. He was completely surprised."

Matthew sat on the sofa, his brow furrowed. A change in director meant more uncertainty, more risk. What was the right move?

Helen added, "I've asked someone to look into it. We should have clearer news soon."

Matthew nodded silently, lost in thought.A move like this from Paramount Pictures was completely outside his expectations, and as the lead actor, he hadn't even been notified.

From a practical standpoint, he didn't want Stephen Sommers to leave the series.

Just then, the phone on her desk rang. Helen walked over to it and spoke with the caller for a good ten minutes before hanging up.

"We have more specific news." Helen came over and sat on the sofa next to Matthew. "Paramount's decision is based on cost control. They think Stephen Sommers's director's fee is too high. For the sequel, they'd have to pay him a certain percentage of the box office gross. They don't want to increase the sequel's budget, so they're looking to replace him."

Matthew nodded slightly. That reason made sense.

Helen said calmly, "It's also about you."

She adjusted her glasses. "Paramount believes that you were the single most important factor in the box office success of 'G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,' with Stephen being a secondary factor. So as long as you continue to star in the sequel, they don't see any risk in swapping in a cheaper director."

"Not risky to change directors?" Matthew completely disagreed with the idea. "Replace him with a director like the Wachowskis, and Paramount will be regretting it when the time comes."

Helen didn't comment on Matthew's remark. Instead, she said, "Paramount had a similar idea after the opening weekend. They consulted with Hasbro, and both companies reached a consensus on the matter, which led to this decision to change directors."

She added, "Of course, they won't use a director like the Wachowski brothers to helm it."

Matthew frowned. "Does Paramount have a director in mind?"

"Yes," Helen said directly. "A director named Jon M. Chu. He's Chinese-American."

"Jon M. Chu?" Matthew had never heard the name. "Where's he from? The independent film circuit? What has he directed in the past?"

Helen recalled the phone call and answered, "Jon M. Chu is not yet thirty. He graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and has never directed a feature film on his own."

"No experience?" Like most people in the industry, Matthew placed a high value on a proven track record. "With credentials like that, Paramount wants to use him?"

Helen replied in the same even tone, "He won a short film competition sponsored by Woody Allen and managed to catch the eye of Paramount's executives, partly thanks to a strong recommendation from Woody Allen."

Matthew nodded. No wonder Paramount Pictures was willing to take a chance on a novice director. The low fee was one aspect, but Woody Allen's strong recommendation played the key role.

The problem was, a director known for his romantic comedies recommending someone to helm a major commercial project... no matter how you looked at it, it seemed unreliable.

Matthew didn't know this Jon M. Chu and had never heard of him. Justin Lin had also been unknown at the time, but at least he had directed several projects on his own.

Suddenly, his cell phone rang. Matthew took it out and glanced at the screen—it was Stephen Sommers.

"Hello, Stephen." After answering the call and listening for a moment, Matthew thought for a bit before saying, "Stephen, I assure you, we're on the same side on this. We're friends and longtime partners. No one is better suited for this than you."

Hearing this, Helen made no comment. From the perspective of Matthew's interests, keeping Stephen Sommers as the director was undoubtedly the least risky option.

Matthew chatted with Stephen Sommers for a little while longer before hanging up.

"Helen, what do you think?" Matthew asked.

"I think your support for Stephen Sommers will be beneficial for the sequel," Helen replied calmly. "Jon M. Chu might be a cinematic genius, but even geniuses like James Cameron and Steven Spielberg made plenty of mistakes when directing their first films."

She emphasized, "Plus, a poor relationship with the producers never helps a film."

Some directors peak with their debut and then go downhill, like the Wachowski brothers, but that's the exception. Most hone their craft from one film to the next.

Would you hand over a film you're starring in to a novice director? Matthew wasn't willing to take that risk.

Besides, he had a good relationship with Stephen Sommers, unlike with Jon M. Chu, whom he didn't know at all.

Matthew made his decision quickly. "Helen, talk to Paramount Pictures and Hasbro. If they insist on replacing the director, I'll drop out of the sequel."

He had only signed a one-picture deal, and it wasn't like he was short on projects right now.

Prep for "Fast Five" was about to begin, his investments in the "The Hunger Games" and "Twilight" franchises required attention, and Chris Kyle's autobiography was about to enter the writing stage, with a high probability of a future film adaptation...

Matthew had no desire to take an unnecessary risk just so Paramount Pictures could cut costs.

Helen thought for a moment. "I have a negotiation with Paramount and Hasbro about the sequel in two days. I'll discuss your position and attitude with them then."

Matthew nodded. If it didn't work out, he would simply walk away from the project. If the risk was too great, he wasn't about to follow Paramount and Hasbro into a pit.

"You can handle this." Matthew glanced at his watch. "I'm heading out. I was invited to lunch."

Helen asked casually, "Which actress is it this time?"

Matthew waved a hand. "It's not what you think. She's an old friend, Rachel Weisz. It sounds like she's in some kind of trouble."

With that, Matthew walked out of the office without stopping, got into the car with his bodyguards, and headed for a restaurant in Beverly Hills.

Brown sat in the passenger seat and heard a voice from the bodyguard's car behind him through his earpiece: "We've got an unknown reporter, never seen him before."

After the shooting incident, Brown had tightened security. They even kept files on the paparazzi who followed Matthew regularly to avoid a repeat of the situation that occurred in May.

The sudden appearance of a completely unfamiliar face immediately drew the bodyguards' attention.

Brown said to Mike, "Keep an eye on that man's car and watch his every move."

"Understood!" came the reply through his headset.

Brown glanced at Matthew in the rearview mirror. Given Matthew's skills and cautious nature, it would be difficult for an ordinary person to harm him.

The car entered Beverly Hills. A bodyguard photographed the unfamiliar reporter, and Brown immediately sent the picture to the agency to have someone verify the man's identity.

In his opinion, any matter related to security could not be taken lightly.

Soon, the car pulled up to the restaurant. Before they had even finished parking, Brown received a new message.

"Checked him out." A different voice came through Brown's headset. "The man is from New York, currently works for The New Yorker, but he's a reporter who specializes in social issues and current events."

Brown replied, "Stay vigilant. John, keep your eyes on that reporter."

The car parked, and John got out, warily scanning the surroundings before opening the door for Matthew.

Matthew entered the restaurant and quickly found Rachel Weisz, who looked haggard, as if she had just been through a major shock.