"Mr. Fraser, in this film, you are noticeably heavier than in the first one."
Inside the press hall, a reporter asked Brendan Fraser a sharp question, "Did you not specifically prepare for the film?"
Brendan Fraser frowned slightly, but a question of this level wouldn't stump him. He said with a relaxed expression, "It's been eight years since the last one. OConnell has moved from his prime into middle age. Isn't it normal for a middle-aged man to put on a little weight?"
After answering, Brendan Fraser waited for the reporter to continue questioning.
To his surprise, the next reporter to stand up didn't ask him, the lead actor, nor did they ask Rachel Weisz, the female lead. Instead, they chose to question Matthew Horner, who was sitting at the very edge of the row.
"Hello, Mr. Horner, I am a reporter from Entertainment Weekly."
Entertainment Weekly is a top-tier entertainment magazine in North America, published by TIME Warner, focusing on the film and television entertainment field. "Your physique in the film is excellent, and an action sequence was very impressive. May I ask if you did a lot of preparation for this?"
A staff member had already placed a microphone in front of Matthew. Matthew sat up straight and answered loudly, "For this role, I underwent a lot of professional training. Starting from preparing for the audition, I was working out, and later I underwent two months of boxing and close-quarters combat training."
He looked at the reporters below, "But it was all worth it. I am proud to have played such a role."
It seemed the character of the scorpion king truly attracted the media's attention, as another reporter stood up to ask, "We all saw it; that action scene was wonderful. Did you use a stunt double?"
Matthew spoke the truth, "No, I completed all of it personally. As I just said, I underwent a lot of specialized training."
Several more reporters asked questions afterward; the attention he received was not at all less than that of the lead actor and actress.
Reporters are creatures with particularly keen senses and immediately noticed this. Fearing a lack of chaos, a Female Reporter stood up and asked, "Matthew Horner, you put in such a massive effort just to play a small supporting role. Brendan Fraser has a bloated physique yet gets to play the lead actor. Do you think that's fair?"
As soon as this question appeared, the entire hall fell silent. Matthew didn't speak immediately. Having dealt with the media more frequently, he had gained some experience and knew he had encountered a very tricky question.
If he said it was unfair,
Brendan Fraser would likely have a major problem with it; if he said it was fair, that would be admitting Brendan Fraser's body was bloated and inferior to his own.
Brendan Fraser seemed like a careless, bold, and straightforward person—Matthew had thought so before—but through observation while walking the red carpet, that was likely just a facade.
It's all too normal for a Hollywood Star to have two faces. Let alone an established star like Brendan Fraser, wasn't even a minor actor like himself the same?
Matthew knew very well that if he didn't answer well, his relationship with Brendan Fraser could take a sharp turn for the worse.
Not answering wasn't an option either; these media reporters might use his silence as tacit agreement to claim there was internal conflict within the Crew and so on.
Rachel Weisz turned to look at Matthew. Matthew's character looked even more attractive in the film than he did on set. It wasn't surprising at all that so many reporters were focusing their questions on him.
She was just curious how Matthew would answer and didn't have any other thoughts. Matthew was a male actor; he couldn't steal the female lead's spotlight, and no one would compare the female lead to him.
It was just that Brendan Fraser was a bit embarrassed... Rachel Weisz caught a glimpse of Brendan Fraser's face from the corner of her eye. Having worked together on two films, they were somewhat familiar. She could see that Brendan Fraser was a bit unhappy about the reporter comparing him to Matthew.
The Publicist was also looking at Matthew. If the actor couldn't handle such a difficult question, he would definitely have to find a way to resolve it.
Sean Daniel and Stephen Sommers also glanced over at Matthew. This actor had left a very good impression on them: hardworking, ambitious, humble, smart, and with high emotional intelligence. He had completed his work excellently during filming without the Crew needing to worry at all.
This question shouldn't stump him.
Brendan Fraser's expression didn't change much, but his eyes frequently darted toward Matthew. He just felt these reporters were crazy—why should a minor supporting role be compared to him, the lead actor?
Facing this tricky question, Matthew only paused for a few seconds before speaking, "Brendan is a very remarkable actor. Being able to work with him is a stroke of luck for a new actor like me."
His first sentence clearly established the gap between himself and Brendan Fraser, then he added, "In the Crew, Brendan took care of me like a big brother."
Brendan Fraser liked the feeling of being the boss, so Matthew publicly acknowledged him as the boss.
Matthew didn't want to have conflicts with people because of the media, so he continued, "He is a model for my learning and a goal for my efforts."
As soon as these words came out, everyone on the Crew's side breathed a sigh of relief.
Rachel Weisz, who was closest to Matthew, quietly gave him a thumbs-up under the table. Sean Daniel and Stephen Sommers looked at each other, both feeling that the person chosen for the role of the scorpion king couldn't be more perfect. Stephen Sommers even began to consider his other plan.
Brendan Fraser nodded slightly, his ego of liking to play the big brother satisfied.
The only disappointed one was the reporter who asked the question. He didn't expect this minor actor to be so smart and witty, not being provoked at all.
The press conference ended, and Matthew followed the rest of the Crew into the lounge behind the press hall.
"Well said," Sean Daniel said, not hiding his admiration. "Matthew, you have a maturity beyond your years."
Matthew noticed Brendan Fraser was watching and said with a smile, "I was just telling the truth. Brendan really gave me a lot of help."
Sean Daniel also saw that Brendan Fraser was paying attention and instantly felt that Matthew's emotional intelligence was truly high.
Many young actors in Hollywood, after achieving even a tiny bit of success, think they are incredibly great and look down on everyone. Forget about colleagues in the same Crew; if their junk was long enough, they'd dare to arrogantly screw the sky, the earth, and the air... Compared to those people, this Matthew Horner is really likable.
Director Stephen Sommers also nodded to Matthew.
The Publicist was even more blunt, "I was worried just now, but as soon as you finished answering, I was at ease. Even if I had drafted an answer beforehand, it would have been similar to what you said."
Matthew just smiled—a kind and humble smile.
Seeing so many people gathered around Matthew, Brendan Fraser felt a bit uneasy. After all, he was the lead actor of the Crew.
"The media always likes to chase newcomers and fresh faces," Rachel Weisz said in a low voice, having appeared beside him at some point. "They'll get bored after a while. No matter what they say or do, it doesn't change the fact that you are the lead actor."
Brendan Fraser still maintained that careless and bold manner, smiling as he said to Rachel Weisz, "You're overthinking it. I think Matthew is quite good."
The meaning behind those words was ambiguous. Rachel Weisz could only shake her head inwardly but didn't say anything more. the mummy returns had already been released, and this Crew wouldn't exist for much longer.
After the press conference, the premiere of the mummy returns was effectively over. Matthew pulled out his phone and took a look; there were no calls or text messages. He prepared to leave the El Capitan Theatre and go home; it was already late.
"Matthew!" The Publicist came over to remind him, "Remember the event in Las Vegas next Monday. Don't be late."
"I remember," Matthew pointed to his forehead. "I'll definitely be there on TIME."
The film had just held a grand premiere and would soon be released on a large scale across North America. Starting next Monday, he, Rachel Weisz, Brendan Fraser, and others would travel together through major cities across the US to promote the mummy returns.
Matthew walked toward the side exit of the El Capitan Theatre and saw Brendan Fraser ahead, so he quickened his pace to catch up.
"Hi, Brendan." He still looked the same as he did before the premiere. "Let's go for a drink sometime."
Brendan Fraser slowed his pace. "Forget it. Maybe some other TIME."
The two walked out of the theater together. Two black cars were parked at the curb, one behind the other. Before they could even get close, a large group of reporters swarmed them.
These reporters started asking all sorts of questions. Matthew and Brendan split up to go to their respective cars. For some reason, there were twice as many reporters surrounding Matthew as there were around Brendan Fraser, and most of them were familiar faces who seemed to have participated in the press conference.
"Matthew Horner, was everything you said at the press conference true? We heard from the Crew that you arrived on TIME every day, while Brendan Fraser liked to be late. is that true?"
These gossip-focused reporters seemed determined to dig up some dirt on the Crew.
Matthew also guessed why more reporters were cornering him. Compared to a veteran actor like Brendan Fraser, a newcomer like him was easier to deal with.
But he didn't say a word, only inching toward the car bit by bit.
"Matthew! Matthew!"
A reporter shouted loudly, "Don't you think that fat guy Brendan Fraser's performance in the film was terrible and ridiculous? I watched the whole movie, and his lead actor role left no impression on me. Instead, your performance as the scorpion king was very brilliant. What do you think about that?"
Matthew ignored him completely, broke through the reporters' encirclement, and dove into the car.
On the other side, Brendan Fraser heard this question clearly and immediately knitted his brows.
The premiere was over, and the mummy returns began its wide release in North America, but the word of mouth wasn't as good as expected!!