Vin Diesel's actions were completely different from what was previously discussed, catching Matthew off guard.
The hand gripping his neck was like an iron clamp, pushing him backward.
Vin Diesel used a lot of force, and Matthew felt it, but he didn't resist; he continued to cooperate with the filming according to the script's progression.
Although the action scene was improvised, the plot's direction remained unchanged.
Moreover, the force Vin Diesel used was within his tolerable range, far less than what Nebula would use.
As a rising young actor who needed experience and a good reputation, Matthew didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble.
However, forbearance often doesn't yield the desired results.
Matthew retreated three or four steps when he suddenly felt Vin Diesel's hand tighten around his neck, and his back slammed heavily against a support pillar of the workshop's elevator.
Even though the elevator was a prop and the pillar wasn't made of the metallic material it appeared to be, but rather resin by the set design team, he still felt a jolt of pain.
Subsequently, a toolbox on the elevator overturned, and various tools fell, striking Matthew's face and body.
These tools were also resin props, but they still hurt when they hit him!
In particular, a prop wrench landed squarely on Matthew's cheek, immediately leaving a small bruise.
Vin Diesel had retracted his hand before the tools fell, his expression towards Matthew's face particularly cold, with clear mockery in his eyes beneath his bald head.
Everyone has a breaking point, and Matthew's anger flared instantly, but before he could do anything, the voice of the action director, who was operating the camera, came through.
"Stop!" The action director's voice was loud and tinged with excitement. "Good! Very good! This segment is very realistic and brilliant!"
Vin Diesel curled his lips, giving Matthew an ambiguous smile before turning and walking away.
Matthew stretched his body; his back was fine, but his face was stinging.
"How was it?" Vin Diesel went over to the director's monitor.
"Better than I expected!" Director Rob Cohen said honestly. "Sharp, realistic action, very impactful!"
The action director then added, "That Matthew Horner also cooperated well."
All these words reached Matthew's ears, but he didn't look over.
The assistant director had already brought a doctor, who briefly examined him and confirmed that the problem was minor, and filming could continue.
Matthew also didn't want to interrupt filming, because according to the plot, his character would angrily retaliate next.
He himself was very angry!
The action director called Matthew and Vin Diesel together, gave them some instructions, and the two resumed their previous positions; filming restarted.
Amidst the scattered tools, Matthew glared angrily at Vin Diesel, who seemed incapable of any other expression, only a perpetually cold face.
He raised his fist and swung it at Matthew's face, just as he imagined this guy had smashed his car!
Matthew gritted his teeth on one side, one corner of his eye twitching from pain and anger.
Seeing the huge fist coming at him, he dodged by ducking and moving aside.
For a long time, he had been training in boxing with Nebula at least five times a week, often sparring against professional-level opponents.
Vin Diesel's fists were big and fast, but compared to Nebula's, they were not even close.
Easily dodging Vin Diesel's punch, Matthew's lead jab shot out like lightning before Vin Diesel could make his next move.
Despite only using 60% of his strength, the rapid punch left Vin Diesel with no escape.
The fist directly hit Vin Diesel's left shoulder.
Vin Diesel was instantly in so much pain that he could barely lift his arm.
Matthew didn't give Vin Diesel any time to react, quickly unleashing a powerful cross.
He knew very well that improvised action scenes and performances were not uncommon in Hollywood, but the director could call cut at any time.
Of course, he was still very careful; the person opposite him was not a professional like Nebula, with strong resistance to blows, but just an ordinary, boastful person.
For this second punch, Matthew also only used 70% of his strength, and the target of the punch was also not Vin Diesel's face.
Bang—
The fist landed on Vin Diesel's soft spot, and Vin Diesel immediately let out a scream.
His face could no longer maintain its usual coolness, contorting into a bitter gourd.
He immediately squatted down, feeling as if even breathing was difficult, and his bald head instantly beaded with sweat.
"Yes!" Outside the set, Paul Walker pumped his fist vigorously, lowering his voice and saying, "That's it! Hit him! Hit him hard!"
Jordana Brewster also looked excited, silently mouthing a few words, seemingly cheering Matthew on.
It wasn't just them; many crew members watching suddenly burst into laughter.
"Stop! Good! Very good!" The action director called a halt to filming. "Absolutely brilliant!"
Those two punches just now were almost professional level.
Filmed in a realistic style, coupled with excellent editing, the effect would surely be outstanding.
Vin Diesel didn't think that way; he was squatting on the ground, sweating profusely from the pain, feeling as if his ribs were broken.
"Are you okay?" Matthew quickly went over and asked with concern, "I... I... I'm very sorry, I..."
Vin Diesel looked up and suddenly saw the guy extending his hand, seemingly wanting to help him up, and hypocritically saying, "Sorry, I got too into character."
"Good!" After the action director, someone else on set cheered, "Absolutely brilliant!"
The person cheering was Paul Walker; he seemed to be applauding the brilliant action scene, raising both hands and clapping loudly, "Very cool and satisfying action!"
Jordana Brewster next to him also clapped along with Paul Walker, while shouting loudly, "Well done, Matthew! Well done, Vin Diesel!"
The two exchanged glances and burst into hearty laughter simultaneously; the frustration that had been building since yesterday was finally released.
Initially, only Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster were clapping, but the applause only lasted for two seconds before the set suddenly erupted in enthusiastic applause.
From actors to lighting, set design, cinematography, and props, almost everyone was clapping, except for a few individuals.
It seemed they were all moved by such a brilliant action scene.
But Matthew wouldn't think that way; he knew why these people were applauding and cheering.
Vin Diesel didn't think that way either; he slowly stood up, one hand clutching his ribs, feeling much better after a moment.
Then, his stern face scanned the surroundings, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Finally, his gaze fell on Matthew, who had a very apologetic look.
Vin Diesel clenched his fist, but as he exerted force, a sharp pain shot through his soft spot, followed by pain in his shoulder.
Then, recalling Matthew's two punches, he slowly unclenched his fist.
He was arrogant and conceited, but he had some sense and knew that fighting would not gain him any advantage.
The action director and director Rob Cohen came over at this moment.
Rob Cohen asked, "How is it? Are you okay?"
"Sorry, director," Matthew interjected, "This is my first time filming an improvised action scene, and I didn't control my movements well."
Rob Cohen was at a loss for words; this situation couldn't even be considered an accidental injury.
Minor scrapes and bruises were too common in action scenes on film sets, and no one could blame the actor.
The action director casually said, "It's improvisation, there are always unexpected situations."
He meant well, wanting the filming to continue, and then he said to Matthew, "Don't be stressed, you're a man, this is nothing."
Looking at the action director, who seemed unaware of the situation, Rob Cohen didn't know what to say.
"Good! Brilliant action!" Paul Walker outside cheered again, "Much better than those sissies!"
A chorus of voices echoed Paul Walker, as if the entire crew was cheering for the scene they had just witnessed.
Vin Diesel looked at the people on the periphery of the crew, then at Matthew, and said to director Rob Cohen and the action director, "We're not shooting this scene for now; we'll talk about it another day!"
"Are you injured?" the action director asked with concern, "Do you need to see a doctor?"
"I'm fine!" Vin Diesel glanced at Matthew again and walked towards the edge of the set.
He was in pain and frustrated, yet he couldn't do anything about that guy.
He couldn't call the police and have him arrested, could he?
Everyone on set had heard what he said; this was just a scene, and one he had strongly insisted on himself.
To say he was in breach of contract and intentionally caused harm? That was even less possible; he was acting according to the director's and action director's instructions...
After Vin Diesel left, Matthew filmed another scene where he was lying on the ground and arrested by the police.
Since he only needed to lie still, this scene was completed in one take, and his filming for the day was finished.
Matthew walked out of the set and went to the makeup room to remove his makeup.
Everyone he met greeted him, as if he were very popular.
In fact, he saw very clearly that despite only two short days, Vin Diesel had almost reached the point where he was hated by everyone, and Vin Diesel's fame was not enough to subdue these people.
If it were Tom Cruise who was constantly late and demanding script changes, the crew probably wouldn't have such resentment, nor would so many people be happy to see Vin Diesel suffer.
Simply put, Vin Diesel's behavior was completely inconsistent with his status.
After removing his makeup, Matthew left the studio.
Excluding the unfinished action scene with Vin Diesel, he still had two scenes left in the "Fast & Furious" crew: one as a background character, and the other a scene opposite Paul Walker.
He had no filming tasks tomorrow.
If all went well, he would finish these two scenes the day after tomorrow, then fly to the UK for final preparations for the filming of "The Mummy Returns."
At the same time, Vin Diesel entered his dressing room, took off his clothes, and immediately checked his shoulder and soft spot in the mirror.
There were no external injuries visible in these two places, but when he touched them, he winched in pain.
"That bastard!" He changed into his own clothes, left the dressing room, and walked towards producer Neal H. Moritz's office.
After a few words inside, Neal H. Moritz called a Universal Pictures executive and accompanied Vin Diesel into the screening room, where they found director Rob Cohen, who was reviewing the filmed footage.