"Jerry Bruckheimer?"
Matthew thought of some things that happened previously. Helen Herman had mentioned that Jerry Bruckheimer was planning a major project with Walt Disney, so he couldn't help but ask, "is there any news about that amusement park project?"
"Disney has reached an agreement with Jerry Bruckheimer on this project." Unlike last time, Helen Herman clearly had concrete news. "They will use the pirates of the caribbean ride at Disneyland as a blueprint to create a brand new pirate adventure movie, with an estimated investment of no less than 100 million dollars."
"A pirate movie, huh?" Matthew asked curiously, "is pirates of the caribbean an attraction in Disneyland?"
He had never been to Disneyland, and this was the first time he had heard there was a pirates of the caribbean ride inside the park.
"Not just that," Helen Herman added. "Disney registered the pirates of the caribbean brand a long time ago. If anyone uses this brand to shoot a movie, it would infringe upon Disney's copyright."
Matthew truly hadn't expected the major project between Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer that Helen Herman mentioned would be this. He could only sigh that he was a poor kid who had never visited Disneyland.
Helen Herman saw Matthew remain silent, thinking he had concerns, and asked, "Are you worried about pirate movies?" She stated plainly, "Pirate movies have declined; they directly led to the bankruptcy of Carolco Pictures. This genre certainly carries high risks, but I want to remind you, Matthew, this is a project where Jerry Bruckheimer is the producer!"
"Uh, I know," Matthew replied, who actually knew nothing about the rise and fall of Hollywood pirate movies. "Jerry Bruckheimer is a golden producer; he is the guarantee of success."
"The chance of a project produced by Jerry Bruckheimer failing is very small." Helen Herman habitually adjusted her glasses. "That's why I've been keeping an eye on his new projects."
Collaborating with successful people makes success easier—this is one of the most fundamental ways to mitigate risk in Hollywood. Matthew naturally knew this and asked, "is there anything more specific?"
Helen Herman shook her head slightly. "Currently, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer have only confirmed that they will produce such a film, targeting a teenage audience, with an investment of no less than 100 million dollars. Nothing else is set yet. Jerry Bruckheimer is still looking for a suitable screenwriter to write the script."
Matthew couldn't help but feel curious, "They confirmed the investment even without a script?"
"That's perfectly normal," Helen Herman said, not finding it strange. "Many Hollywood films secure the project first, then look for screenwriters to write the script, rather than screenwriters writing scripts and peddling them everywhere."
"No script, no characters..." Matthew spread his hands. "What should I do?"
Helen Herman had considered this long ago. "Since it's an entertainment film targeting teenagers, the characters will definitely be young. Handsome men and beautiful women are usually standard. You don't need to do too much; just leave a good impression on Jerry Bruckheimer whenever you encounter him."
Matthew nodded softly. "I understand."
Helen Herman added, "There is a huge disparity in status between you and Jerry Bruckheimer. Be careful not to try to be clever and randomly claim connections with him, as this could easily backfire." After a moment of thought, she continued, "I will continue to track this project and will notify you when I need you to take action."
Matthew didn't speak but continued to nod. In this regard, his interests and Helen Herman's were tightly bound together.
"Filming is now complete." Helen Herman leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "Matthew, you've had enough rest! It's time to get serious now. This is the best opportunity for us. Our target is the project by Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer,
and the monster movie project by Stephen Sommers and Universal Pictures. Both of these are A-list projects."
She looked at Matthew. "In the most ideal scenario, you could secure the lead actor role in both projects, both films would become massive box office hits, and you would directly enter the ranks of A-list Stars."
Hearing 'A-list Star,' Matthew was also incredibly tempted, but he quickly sobered up. This was just the best-case scenario he could imagine, and it would be too difficult to achieve.
The monster movie project by Stephen Sommers and Universal Pictures is ninety-nine percent likely to be The Mummy. Would this film change because of his involvement? Matthew didn't think so. Even if he could participate in the film, he would only be an actor, just an ordinary actor; it would be impossible for him to change such a massive project.
Taking ten thousand steps back, even if he could influence Stephen Sommers and Universal Pictures, how should he influence them? How should he change the film? What changes would make the film successful?
Even if he became the producer for the film crew, would he know what to do?
Therefore, the lead actor role in that film might very well be a trap for him; it would be best to decline it.
As for pirates of the caribbean, the fact that the series was filmed continuously and Johnny Depp became a Top Hollywood Superstar speaks volumes.
But Matthew lacked confidence. That effeminate pirate role was not suitable for him. For a very strong and rugged man to play that kind of character, he could not think of a second possibility other than failure.
Then there was the Little Blacksmith. The image of this character was fine; after all, a blacksmith should be a muscular, sturdy man.
However, it seemed the chances were not great either.
As soon as the pirates of the caribbean series premiered, Orlando Bloom became instantly famous, firmly entering the Second-tier star category.
Helen Herman had essentially chosen the two most difficult tasks, one of which was the kind that shouldn't be touched.
Fortunately, Stephen Sommers and Universal Pictures might not choose him. Even if the film succeeded at the box office, he still wouldn't be as popular as X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
He could try to compete for it. There would be no loss if he failed, and what if he succeeded? After all, Helen Herman, the Agent, was still very resourceful and capable.
Sitting in the office, Matthew's mind raced. He suddenly thought of another problem: to become an A-lister, one must have a massive box office hit. Such films often require significant investment, and for high-cost movies, which lead actor role isn't a piece of fat meat? Isn't it being stared at by a pack of wolves?
To eat this piece of fat meat, one must stand out from the pack of wolves.
Competition is necessary. Don't other major projects require it too? If he wanted to climb up, avoiding this kind of competition was simply impossible.
Matthew didn't leave Angel Talent Agency until close to noon after talking with Helen Herman. However, the thought of competing for the lead role in a film project that didn't even have a script or characters yet still gave him a headache.
But on second thought, this was precisely his advantage, because he knew there were three main characters: the Effeminate Pirate Captain, the Little Blacksmith, and the Flat-chested Female Lead, even though he couldn't recall their specific names.
Among them, the one most suitable for a muscular man like him was the Little Blacksmith. The character's British Accent was manageable; he had taken accent classes at the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts, one of which involved learning the so-called London Accent. If he decided to compete for the role, he could definitely practice again.
The biggest problem was still fame. If not for the trilogy and Legolas... Matthew shook his head. That was clearly impossible; the first installment of that series was set to premiere next month.
Getting into his car, he stopped thinking about it. Since the opportunity had appeared, he had to fight for it.
Leaving Angel Talent Agency, Matthew went straight to the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts and found David Astor, asking him to help find an excellent British Accent Teacher, prepared to hire them at a high price.
This wasn't just for the present, but also for the future. British Accents are used in many Hollywood films.
Matthew knew very well that this was increasing his competitive capital, not wasting resources.
He then went to the fitness club and found Nebula, asking if he knew a Fencing Coach related to the film industry. Although Matthew had practiced Swordsmanship under Action Director Tim Madsen before filming, that type of Swordsmanship was very different from European Fencing.
Moreover, he vaguely remembered that the action design in pirates of the caribbean, unlike action scenes striving for realism, was more flashy and beautiful.
Everything he was doing would be beneficial for competing for this role in the future.
Matthew didn't know whether it was more appropriate to describe himself as 'The Prophet Takes the Lead' or 'The Clumsy Bird Flies First.'
David Astor quickly helped him contact an Accent Teacher, who would teach him British Accent practice as soon as possible. Matthew already had a bit of a foundation, so it wouldn't be particularly difficult.
On the fitness club side, Nebula also promised to help him contact a Fencing Coach with experience teaching actors, who would be available quickly.
Matthew was using the small advantage he had to prepare thoroughly. In any case, practicing these skills would definitely be beneficial in the future.
These efforts cost a large sum of money, but fortunately, he wasn't short on cash now.
The film crew had already paid the full 500,000 dollar salary, giving Matthew a large sum of money, making these expenses completely manageable.
Time quickly passed while practicing the British Accent and fencing. After entering December, he temporarily put aside other matters and went to report to the film crew, preparing to participate in several promotional activities in Los Angeles, such as media screenings and Limited Screenings.
Sony Columbia Pictures is targeting the Academy Awards Ceremony next year, so although the film's General Release Date was postponed until January next year, Limited Screenings would begin in five theaters in Los Angeles in December to secure the basic Oscar Selection Entry Qualification.
All Test Screenings, Limited Screenings, and other promotional activities by the film crew and Sony Columbia Pictures were operated around the Oscar.
Matthew had a contract with the film crew and was obligated to cooperate with the film's promotion. At the first Test Screening he attended, he saw many familiar faces who had participated in the filming with him.