The Best Movie Actor In Hollywood!

Chapter 85

As night fell, the hustle and bustle of Pinewood Studios gradually faded into silence. But in the office area, a single room belonging to the cast and crew of The Mummy Returns blazed with light. Inside, Sean Daniel and Stephen Sommers were locked in a heated debate, with no intention of turning off the lights and calling it a day.

The auditions for the Scorpion King had dragged on until six o'clock before finally concluding. And because opinions were far from unanimous, the role remained uncast.

After a quick dinner, producer Sean Daniel and director Stephen Sommers had returned to their temporary office to review the recordings of the day's auditions, determined to select the right actor.

The first candidate, it went without saying, was completely out of the running after the incident during his audition. As for the last actor, they'd heard a few things about him after he left—a man who had been struggling for over a decade without a break. He was likely just another fame-obsessed wannabe who thought he was clever, so he too could be dismissed.

The argument between Sean Daniel and Stephen Sommers centered on two men: Matthew and Johnson.

"Johnson is a better fit for the Scorpion King!" Stephen Sommers insisted, pointing at the audition footage playing on the monitor. "His solid muscles and a height of nearly two meters, combined with a chiseled physique from professional wrestling training, are a perfect match for a powerhouse like the Scorpion King!"

Having confirmed a few things in his own mind, Sean had already made his decision. The only reason he wasn't pulling rank and brandishing his authority as the producer was out of respect for Stephen Sommers and their working relationship.

"I disagree with you," he said, his tone still polite. "Stephen, we need an actor, not a slugger who just flexes his muscles."

Sean pressed a few buttons, switching to close-ups of Johnson's face. He pointed at the screen. "He has the same expression from start to finish. Look here, the corners of his eyes are constantly twitching—he's clearly nervous. I'll admit he's a star, but he's a professional wrestling star, not a Hollywood star."

Stephen Sommers, whose last film had been a massive hit, shot back, "A role like the Scorpion King doesn't require good acting!""But even so, the candidate can't be a terrible actor!" Sean was growing impatient. They'd already had this conversation after the auditions, and Sommers was still digging in his heels. He decided to switch from Johnson's audition tape to Matthew Horner's. "Take another look at him," he urged. "His acting is solid, his physique and size are just as good, and he isn't as cartoonishly muscular as Johnson."

He was still trying to persuade Sommers to back down. "And I spoke with Johnson's agent about his fee—he's asking for $1.2 million! And what about Matthew Horner? A tenth of that, at best. The money the production saves can be put into post-production to further refine those CG effects you were talking about."

Stephen stared at Matthew on the screen and shook his head. "He doesn't fit the image I had in mind! Sean, when I wrote the script, the character of the Scorpion King was designed with Johnson as the blueprint."

A hint of fire crept into his tone. "Matthew Horner is not the Scorpion King I want!"

A flash of anger crossed Sean's face. He knew some directors and writers could be difficult to work with—let alone when the director was also the writer—but Sommers was no James Cameron, after all.

The cast could have actors of African descent, but never in a leading role, and never in the main supporting cast.

That was his bottom line.

Sommers wasn't finished. "I stand by my opinion!"

Sean's temper flared. He had tried a softer, more collaborative approach from the start and hadn't expected Sommers to be so stubborn.

"I'm sorry, Stephen." Sean's tone hardened. "But I've already decided. The actor playing the Scorpion King will be Matthew Horner."

He switched off the monitor, gathered his things, and prepared to leave, making it clear he had no interest in continuing the discussion.

Sean had absolute authority on set, and he knew that Sommers would eventually have to bow to his decision.

Sommers was bound by a series of contracts with Universal Pictures, and all rights to The Mummy franchise belonged to Universal, including the script for The Mummy Returns.

When Universal Pictures had first approached Sommers, they were looking for his skills in directing, making on-the-fly adjustments, and handling special effects on set. For both The Mummy Returns and the first Mummy film, he had very limited authority as a director—he wasn't even allowed to participate in post-production editing. If the first movie hadn't been such a massive success, he wouldn't even have had the chance to be in this room discussing casting with the producer today.

Curbing the power and unrestrained vision of a director on set, within reason, was standard practice for major Hollywood studios, including Universal Pictures.

"I'll contact Matthew's agent tomorrow," Sean stated, leveraging his producer's authority now that a peaceful discussion had failed. "If all goes well, the production can sign the contract tomorrow afternoon. So you'd better get to know him. It will be beneficial for your collaboration moving forward."

Stephen said nothing.

"That's all for today." Sean picked up his briefcase. "See you tomorrow, Stephen."

He walked out of the office. It was some time before Sommers finally switched off the lights and followed.

Sighing, he headed for the studio exit.

It wasn't the first time he had come up against the power of a producer.

"Damned producer-centric system!" Sommers cursed under his breath, then added, "If this film is a hit, I have to be a producer on the next one. After all, Universal Pictures wants to work with me on that big monster collection movie, right? That film has to be made the way I want it!"

If The Mummy Returns was as successful at the box office as The Mummy, then producing and writing his next film with Universal Pictures wouldn't be an issue.

...

The next morning, Helen called Matthew to let him know he had passed the audition and successfully landed the role of the Scorpion King.

"Yes!"

After hanging up, Matthew couldn't help but pump his fist in the air. The failure of the Almost Famous audition was still fresh in his mind, underscoring just how hard-won this victory felt.

Most importantly, he knew that The Mummy Returns was a huge film, so popular that even his home country had been flooded with pirated copies. And the man who had played the Scorpion King, Johnson, had become a star because of it.

By that logic, wouldn't he become a big star too?

Even though he knew this strange line of reasoning was nonsensical, Matthew couldn't stop himself from imagining it.

He was in an exceptionally good mood and felt an overwhelming urge to share his excitement with someone. He pulled out his cell phone. The first person he wanted to tell was, of course, Britney, but considering the time difference across the Atlantic, Matthew decided against calling and simply sent her a text message.

Then, a text message went out to Ilana.

Next, Matthew called James and Michael, who were currently traveling the Mediterranean after wrapping up filming on Band of Brothers.

As time passed, he gradually calmed down and felt that he ought to thank Dak Munster for getting this role.

After lunch, as he and Helen were rushing to Pinewood Studios to sign the contract, Matthew made sure to bring it up with her.

"It must be tough being an actor who hasn't made it in Hollywood after more than a decade."

Helen merely offered a dismissive reply. "Or maybe you're overthinking it, and that unlucky actor just had a stomach ache."

Matthew said nothing more. He was the winner in any case; the truth of the matter was irrelevant.

After arriving on set and receiving the official written offer, Matthew simply waited for the results of Helen's negotiations. They started off well enough. Things like accommodation, meals, insurance, overtime pay, assistants, and dressing rooms were practically standard for major Hollywood productions, and the more-than-sufficient budget for The Mummy Returns meant the studio wouldn't be stingy with an important supporting actor in these areas.

But the main event, the core of Helen's negotiation with the production team, was centered on Matthew's salary.