The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 815: The Man Who Embodies Success!

"Cinema should be a dream that pulls people into a world of light and shadow, and 'Inception' is a dream within a dream. The plot is intricate and logical without sacrificing tension, and despite its runtime of over 130 minutes, it never feels the least bit tedious."

Sitting on the sofa and looking at his actor son, who in his twenties had yet to achieve anything significant, Clint Eastwood said slowly, "As the male lead, Matthew delivers the most remarkable performance in the film. The best director, the best actor, and the best story—all came together to create this ultimate dream."

Scott Eastwood seemed to agree with his old man's words. "A film like 'Inception' is so good that even if you think it's all just spectacle, you still have no choice but to give it five stars."

If "Inception" wasn't a good movie, then he truly didn't know what was. He had seen it in the theater himself, and while he might have had reservations about certain aspects, it was without a doubt the most remarkable film he'd seen all year—perhaps even one of the best in the last five.

Clint Eastwood suddenly sighed, "Matthew Horner is even better than I thought."

Scott Eastwood, an actor himself, felt a bit awkward hearing his own father praise another actor to his face. "I admit, 'Inception' is a masterpiece, a truly ambitious blockbuster that at times doesn't even feel like a movie. It pulls you into another world; the screen is like a dream in your head. In modern Hollywood, that's incredible..."

His words took a sharp turn. "But Christopher Nolan did all that! Nolan is a director who balances business and art perfectly, and the action scenes with the ski chases and zero-gravity fights are major highlights. The special effects are nearly perfect. What does any of that have to do with Matthew Horner?"

It was a perfectly reasonable question. After all, the director and producer are the ones who control a film; an actor's performance and other contributions are secondary factors.

Clint Eastwood understood his son's line of thinking, smiled unexpectedly, and said lightly, "Matthew Horner chose Christopher Nolan and 'Inception' over a film like 'John Carter.' That alone is enough to show you how sharp he is!"

Scott Eastwood froze, not quite understanding what his old man meant."An actor, especially a star actor..."

Clint Eastwood simply explained, "The roles he chooses directly determine his future success or failure!"

Hearing this, Scott Eastwood gradually understood. "Matthew Horner makes the right choice every time?"

Clint Eastwood gave a slow nod. "That's a skill in itself, and a very powerful one for an actor to have."

He had been an actor in his younger days before becoming a director, so he valued this ability highly.

"No one can tell if a film will be a success or a failure before it hits the screens."

Clint Eastwood knew he couldn't shelter his son for the rest of his life, and this was a form of guidance. "As the one leading the production, a director has an advantage over an actor."

His voice was quiet, but it had a cowboy's firmness. "An actor who wants to make a prediction has to analyze it from multiple levels—the director, the producer, the script, the shooting plan, the crew—and conduct a comprehensive analysis before coming to a conclusion."

Scott Eastwood grimaced. "Not many people are capable of that, are they?"

Clint Eastwood held up a hand, raising five fingers. "Right now in Hollywood, there are no more than five popular actors who can do that, and Matthew Horner is the best of them."

At the thought that Matthew Horner had yet to star in a single flop, Scott Eastwood's discomfort instantly vanished, and he couldn't help but nod.

Although his privileged life had left him with little motivation to climb the career ladder, he still possessed a fundamental understanding of the business, instilled in him by his family over a long period.

And as a typical second-generation star, he wasn't a screw-up like Robert Downey Jr. or Angelina Jolie had been in their youth.

At that moment, Clint Eastwood added, "What you might not realize is that Matthew Horner's collaboration with Christopher Nolan was one of three options he was considering."

"Three options?" Scott Eastwood asked curiously. "What were the other two?"

Clint Eastwood said slowly, "One was 'Cloud Atlas,' directed by the Wachowskis, and the other was 'John Carter,' directed by Andrew Stanton."

Scott Eastwood's eyes widened. "What?"

He was speechless with surprise.

"Those two projects are also top-tier commercial blockbusters, helmed by famous directors like the Wachowskis and Andrew Stanton."

Clint Eastwood shook his head. "Matthew Horner was the original choice for the lead in both projects, but he voluntarily turned them down after some research and consideration, and then chose Christopher Nolan's 'Inception'."

Scott Eastwood reflected for a moment and said, "If I remember correctly, 'Cloud Atlas' and 'John Carter' are both adaptations of influential science fiction novels. If it were up to me, I'd definitely choose an adaptation over a risky original script."

Clint Eastwood gave a slight nod; original commercial films had been out of fashion for a long time, especially in the realm of large-scale blockbusters.

"Not everyone can make such a wise choice."

Clint Eastwood added, "Scott, Matthew Horner is no ordinary man."

Scott Eastwood nodded gently. "So, Dad, you accepted his offer?"

Clint Eastwood was frank with his son. "Over my years in the film industry, I've earned enough fame and reputation. But I'm too old to direct many more films, and choosing one at random could tarnish my legacy."

He touched his nose. "Matthew Horner's invitation is a very smart choice. It both minimizes the risk and repays a favor I owe him."

Scott Eastwood knew his father had grown more conservative with age, and for a conservative old director, Matthew Horner was indeed a first-class choice.

"I'll talk to Matthew," Clint Eastwood said suddenly. "Find yourself a role in the movie."

"I..." Scott Eastwood opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, nothing came out.

Compared to other famous actors in their circle, he was considered less rebellious, and besides, he knew his father was looking out for him.

Clint Eastwood continued, "This film, with Matthew and me teaming up, has more than an eighty percent chance of success. The odds of it being a box office hit are also very high. With a major role in a successful blockbuster as your foundation, the road ahead for you will be much smoother."

Seeing that Scott Eastwood was about to speak, Clint Eastwood raised a hand to stop him and added, "I'll be eighty soon. I can't shelter you forever. It's time for you to stand on your own two feet."

Compared to his older son, Kyle, this son was less driven. At over fifty, Kyle was set in his ways, and it was perhaps inevitable that he'd been a bit spoiled. But Scott was twenty-five now. He couldn't keep drifting aimlessly.

Scott Eastwood asked, "Will Matthew Horner agree?"

"I've always had a good relationship with Matthew," Clint Eastwood replied calmly. "He'll show me that respect."

He waved his hand. "You have time to read the autobiography 'American Sniper.' Also, keep up with the news about Matthew."

Scott Eastwood nodded and left Clint Eastwood's study.

As he walked to the living room, he thought about what his father had just said and felt a pang of shame that although he was also an actor—an unknown one at that—he was twenty-five and still hadn't made a name for himself in Hollywood.

Matthew Horner was only a few years older than him, yet the difference between them was truly night and day.

In terms of resources, he was in a far better position than Matthew Horner had been at the start of his career. The son of Clint Eastwood—who wouldn't give him a head start? And then look at Matthew Horner, a poor kid from Texas...

Thinking about this, Scott Eastwood didn't feel envy, but rather a sense of admiration. For someone from that kind of background to rise to the position of a top Hollywood superstar... his abilities were truly formidable!

In any case, he couldn't compare.

And it wasn't just him. Thinking back on Matthew Horner's career, and then considering the stars still working today—like Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., Leonardo DiCaprio, and so on—which of them could really compare to Matthew Horner?

The fact was obvious; even he could see it clearly. Hollywood's male stars today were divided into three groups: unknown actors, movie stars... and Matthew Horner!

It wasn't just him; even his father and his siblings believed that Matthew Horner no longer belonged in the category of traditional Hollywood superstars.

In the entire history of Hollywood, it was simply impossible to find anyone else as consistently successful as Matthew Horner.

And as long as success generated more capital, more people would want to follow him—even someone as proud as his father, Clint Eastwood.

Scott Eastwood believed that Matthew Horner represented not just a person, but a phenomenon called "success."

He had no doubt that "Inception," which was now officially in theaters, was destined for enormous success.