With the way Vin Diesel acts, few people who have worked with him would likely want to continue doing so. However, as long as he brings in profit, none of that is an issue. In Hollywood, who would turn away from massive profits?
For fast & furious, the mummy returns could be considered a free promotional platform.
According to the information Matthew received, a trailer for fast & furious would be attached to the mummy returns during its theatrical run.
As the release of the mummy returns drew near, some things caught Matthew by surprise. Universal Pictures had not included him in the pre-release promotional tour. The pre-release promotion still focused on the lead actor and actress, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, along with two supporting actors, Arnold Vosloo and John Hannah.
Even in the trailers that had been released, there was no sign of the scorpion king.
If the Crew hadn't already published two posters of the scorpion king, Matthew would have suspected his role had been cut entirely.
A week before the film's premiere, the Crew had a formal discussion with Helen Herman and Matthew, confirming that Matthew must join the post-release promotional lineup and providing him with a detailed post-release promotional plan and schedule.
According to the Crew, excluding Matthew and the scorpion king from the pre-release promotion was a carefully crafted marketing strategy by Universal Pictures based on internal screening results. They believed the scorpion king could become one of the film's breakout hits!
Matthew was no longer the rookie he once was and had gradually gained some understanding of the film industry. A trailer should highlight the best parts of a film without giving away all the surprises; otherwise, it would diminish the audience's sense of wonder and affect the film's post-release reputation and box office.
The Crew's explanation filled him with anticipation for the film.
On the day of the premiere, Matthew went to a styling studio he had contacted beforehand. This was recommended by Helen Herman. The studio provided a one-stop service, including clothing rentals, which saved a lot of trouble.
The fees were certainly not cheap. For this one time alone, Matthew paid four thousand dollars, which covered the rental of clothes, a watch, and a car.
As he headed to the El Capitan Theatre in the car, he couldn't help but feel emotional. If he attended many such events, he would soon go bankrupt given his current savings.
The black cadillac arrived at the El Capitan Theatre for the premiere and stopped at the entrance of a large white tent. Unlike the premiere of Gladiator he attended last year, because it had been raining in Los Angeles recently, Universal Pictures had specially set up a canopy over the red carpet. Guests could wait in the tent connected to the red carpet.
Although Matthew was part of the Crew and would enter later, he arrived quite early.
"Over here, Matthew!" As soon as he entered the tent, Matthew heard someone calling him. He turned to see Paul Walker waving and hurried over, greeting him, "Long time no see, Paul."
Paul Walker extended his fist and bumped it with Matthew's. "It certainly has been." He looked Matthew up and down. "You look really sharp."
Matthew tilted his head back and said jokingly, "I can't help it if I was born with such good looks."
"Yeah, born to attract people." Paul Walker leaned in slightly and said mysteriously, "After you left the Crew, Michelle Rodriguez hasn't stopped thinking about you."
"Uh..." Matthew had absolutely no interest in Michelle Rodriguez.
Besides, Jordana Brewster had mentioned that Michelle Rodriguez was into both men and women. He changed the subject, "How come I don't see Michelle and Jordana?"
"They're both busy." Paul Walker thought for a moment and added, "I suspect they also don't want to see Vin Diesel. My contract with the Crew has restrictive clauses, but theirs don't."
At the mention of Vin Diesel, Matthew couldn't help but ask, "How have you guys been since I left?"
Paul Walker shook his head and sighed. "How else? It's been a struggle. Vin Diesel is harder to deal with than the most difficult stars I've ever heard of..." He didn't want to dwell on it. "Anyway, it's finally over, and I don't have to look at his sour face anymore."
Matthew asked again, "Are you the only two from the fast & furious Crew here today?"
"Yeah." Paul Walker glanced at his watch. "I expect he'll be late again."
While they were chatting, more people entered the tent. The lead actor of the mummy returns, Brendan Fraser, and the lead actress, Rachel Weisz, arrived one after another.
Matthew was fairly familiar with them and introduced them to Paul Walker. Paul Walker just gave a greeting and then slipped away.
"You look like you've put on some weight, Brendan." Matthew chatted casually with them. "Rachel, you've become even more beautiful."
Rachel Weisz just smiled, while Brendan Fraser boisterously slapped Matthew on the shoulder. "How did you get so dark?"
Matthew touched his face. "Can't be helped. I spent a few months in North Africa."
"You must be sensitive to the sun." Rachel Weisz pointed at herself. "I've also filmed in Morocco, and I haven't changed at all."
"Yeah!" Matthew nodded and complimented her, "Your skin looks even better than when we last met."
Rachel Weisz laughed happily again.
"That's because Rachel is being nourished by love." Brendan Fraser intentionally lowered his voice. "I'll tell you a secret: Rachel just captured a director's heart."
"Really?" Matthew acted gossipy, putting on a curious look. "Rachel, who could possibly win the heart of a great beauty like you, who has both looks and talent?"
Rachel Weisz was very open and said directly, "His name is Darren Aronofsky, a director."
The name was unfamiliar to Matthew, who thought he was just some obscure director, but Brendan Fraser added, "He's a genius Harvard graduate, recognized in the industry as a rising star in the directing world with a limitless future."
Matthew nodded. "Doesn't that make him a perfect match for our talented Rachel?"
A star like Rachel Weisz probably wouldn't date an ordinary person. He remembered that during the filming of the mummy returns, she had just broken up with the Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes.
Rachel Weisz was a tough woman and had shared her relationship history with Matthew and Brendan Fraser. Darren Aronofsky was her fifth boyfriend since joining the acting world.
In this regard, Hollywood actresses weren't much different from actors; breaking up and finding a new partner was as natural as eating or drinking.
However, the boyfriends Rachel Weisz chose seemed to be increasingly beneficial to her future career.
There was nothing wrong with that, of course.
Brendan Fraser changed the subject. "What have you been working on lately?"
"I don't have any roles at the moment." Matthew mocked himself slightly. "I'm currently unemployed."
"It's fine!" Brendan Fraser slapped his shoulder boisterously again. "I'll keep an eye out for you. If something comes up, I'll give you a call."
The way he spoke made it sound as if Matthew were his subordinate.
Brendan Fraser was at the peak of his fame and indeed had the standing to say that. Rachel Weisz had once mentioned that if this film was a hit, he could ask Universal Pictures for $20 million for the third installment.
Matthew knew very well that Brendan Fraser was eager for this movie to succeed so the next one could be greenlit as soon as possible.
A Crew staff member came by to announce that the premiere's red carpet ceremony was starting. However, Matthew and the other two didn't move. The first to walk the red carpet were those using connections to gain exposure.
the mummy returns was no obscure film; it was the sequel to the blockbuster the mummy, and its investment was that of a top-tier production.
Universal Pictures dared to release it at the start of the summer season because they believed it had sufficient drawing power.
More people entered the tent. Rachel Weisz and Darren Aronofsky went to greet them, leaving Matthew alone. After waiting for a while, Paul Walker came over, said goodbye, and prepared to walk the red carpet.
"Vin Diesel is two people behind me." Paul Walker shrugged. "That guy still hasn't shown up."
Matthew was also speechless. Perhaps Vin Diesel had already fully embraced his role as Dom Toretto, believing he was the boss of the entire universe.
Just as Paul Walker left the tent and headed toward the red carpet exit, a bald head appeared at the tent entrance.
Since Matthew was standing directly across from the entrance, the bald Vin Diesel seemed to spot him immediately and walked straight toward him.
Matthew saw Vin Diesel too. There was no missing that bald head and his arrogant attitude.
Vin Diesel looked grim, as if Matthew owed him billions of dollars.
"This guy..." Matthew grew alert and casually unbuttoned his formal jacket to allow for easier movement. "He's not going to try something here, is he?"
Several people noticed Vin Diesel and turned to look.
"Who's that?" Rachel Weisz also noticed and alerted Brendan Fraser. "He looks like he's looking for trouble with Matthew."
Brendan Fraser turned and saw Vin Diesel's bald head. "Why is it him? That famous troublemaker! Wait here; I'll go check it out..."
They were somewhat far from Matthew, with many people in between, and Brendan Fraser wasn't moving very fast.
Matthew slightly rolled his shoulders and wrists just in case, his gaze sharpening as he focused on Vin Diesel's bald head.
If the other guy started something, he wouldn't mind testing the results of his recent training.
Vin Diesel reached Matthew but suddenly stopped six feet away—a distance where Matthew's quick punches couldn't possibly reach him instantly.