In front of the Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles, Matthew stood in a line with the other actors, allowing the numerous reporters opposite them to take photos. A dozen or so actors stood shoulder to shoulder, just like in the promotional poster for "Black Hawk Down," as if they were comrades in life and death who would never give up.
Among the line of people, the male lead, Josh Hartnett, stood in the very center, flanked by Jonny Lee Miller and William Fichtner. This arrangement was based on the importance of their roles in the film.
Matthew stood next to William Fichtner, facing the camera lens, a well-practiced, friendly smile always on his face.
After the photo session, reporters swarmed around Josh Hartnett. His starring film, "Pearl Harbor," had already been released in the summer. Although it had received widespread negative reviews from both critics and fans, its box office performance was decent, and Josh Hartnett could be said to have made a name for himself.
Compared to seasoned actors like William Fichtner, and Jonny Lee Miller, who was clearly on a downward trend, Josh Hartnett was more appealing to reporters.
Seeing that no reporters were coming to interview him, Matthew had no choice but to walk into the theater. Upon reaching the theater entrance, he found producer Jerry Bruckheimer surrounded by a group of reporters, like a superstar.
For commercial entertainment films, Jerry Bruckheimer's role was indeed no less significant than that of a superstar.
Matthew didn't go directly into the screening room. Seeing that it was still early, he went to the restroom. Since it wasn't the premiere, he didn't pay too much attention. He had drunk two cups of tea at Angel Agency before coming, and now he felt a bit of an urge to urinate. Considering the film might be long, it was better to use the restroom first.
The men's restroom was empty. After finishing, Matthew stood at the sink washing his hands when he suddenly heard rapid footsteps approaching from a distance, seemingly heading towards the restroom. He turned his head and saw Jonny Lee Miller walk in.
Upon seeing Matthew, Jonny Lee Miller's words immediately revealed his purpose.
"Matthew Horner, you're here indeed!" He stared intently at him.
Matthew wasn't embarrassed at all and greeted him with a smile, "Long time no see, Miller."
"It has been a long time," Jonny Lee Miller took a step forward and questioned him repeatedly, "Where's the videotape you mentioned? Why are you avoiding me? You won't even answer my calls?"
Matthew maintained his composure, unaffected by Jonny Lee Miller's words. He was actually mentally prepared for the current situation.
Jonny Lee Miller's voice was low but filled with anger, "Matthew Horner! There's no such videotape, is there?"
Matthew blinked, "Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
"You'd better tell the truth!" Jonny Lee Miller and Matthew had been filming in the same crew for several months, and he had no intention of resorting to physical violence, "Otherwise, I'll make you regret it."
"Miller," Matthew stopped beating around the bush, "You've already guessed it, do I still need to answer you?"
"You..." Jonny Lee Miller took another step forward, "You actually dared to play me?"
Forcing Tom Hardy out of the crew had greatly upset his agent.
"You seem to have the order wrong, don't you?" Matthew retorted, "If you hadn't tried to scheme against me and film it, would I have said there was such a videotape?"
He knew there was no good way to resolve this matter, so he stated directly, "There's no videotape, no videotape at all. So, Miller, rest assured, no romantic action film about you will be released."
Matthew didn't want to continue getting entangled with Jonny Lee Miller. He walked past him, saying, "The videotape matter ends here. We're even."
"Don't even think about it!" Jonny Lee Miller blocked Matthew.
"This isn't over!"
Matthew spread his hands, "Be a man, don't cling like a woman."
These words almost made Jonny Lee Miller faint with anger. What did he mean by clinging?
"Miller!" Matthew didn't give him a chance to speak, interjecting, "If you think this isn't over, then fine! After the screening, I'll wait for you in the alley behind the theater. Let's not call anyone, and settle this man to man!"
Thinking of Matthew's formidable performance during filming on set, Jonny Lee Miller was momentarily at a loss for words.
Matthew shook his head and left without looking back.
Jonny Lee Miller watched his retreating figure and suddenly realized, this guy was a complete scoundrel!
After dealing with Jonny Lee Miller in a nearly roguish manner, Matthew went directly into the screening room. The place was filled with film critics, media reporters, and many industry peers. Even if Jonny Lee Miller was provoked to the point of losing his mind, he wouldn't be foolish enough to chase him down and cause a scene here.
This was the best way he could think of to handle it. "The Scorpion King" had already begun post-production and would soon enter its promotional period. He couldn't risk actually beating up Jonny Lee Miller, could he?
Matthew had asked James McAvoy about Jonny Lee Miller's situation. This guy hadn't been doing well in recent years and would probably return to England before long. Once he was gone, the trouble would be over.
His only concern was Jonny Lee Miller's cronies in England. What if they wanted to help him... He immediately shook his head. Unless their relationship was incredibly strong, like James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, who had fought side by side, no one in this industry would willingly provoke someone without the incentive of benefits.
Not everyone was Vin Diesel, acting like he was the greatest in the world and looking down on everyone.
And once he became famous, those people would have even more considerations.
Entering the screening room, Matthew quickly found his seat in the front row. James McAvoy and Ben Foster, who he often hung out with during filming, were not invited. He had been acting alone before, but shortly after he sat down, a familiar face sat in the seat next to him.
"Long time no see, Orlando," Matthew greeted Orlando Bloom proactively.
Orlando Bloom smiled and said, "I heard you became a lead actor? Congratulations, Matthew."
"A small production," Matthew, as before, chatted casually with Orlando Bloom, "Can't compare to you. 'The Lord of the Rings' hasn't even been released, just a few trailers, and you're already famous! Let me think, what did the newspapers say..."
He paused, then continued, "The most handsome and charming Elf Prince in history."
Orlando Bloom's smile was noticeably brighter than before, with a hint of self-satisfaction.
Matthew noticed Jerry Bruckheimer walking over. His seat was in the front row, near the center, so he would definitely pass by Matthew.
He was still joking with Orlando Bloom, but the corner of his eye was constantly watching Jerry Bruckheimer.
"Legolas!"
When Jerry Bruckheimer got closer, Matthew slightly raised his voice and, with his recently practiced, somewhat awkward London accent, said to Orlando Bloom, "Over the Misty Mountains cold, to dungeons deep and caverns old, the pines were roaring on the height, the winds were moaning in the night, the red fire flared, the trees were caught, and blazing in the forest fought."
This was a narration from a trailer he had watched not long ago. He didn't remember it perfectly, but that was the general gist of it.
Finally, Matthew added, "Aragorn is always with you!"
Jerry Bruckheimer walked past Matthew, heard some of it, turned his head to look, and generally remembered these two very stylish actors. The slender and handsome one was a British actor, who was appearing as Legolas in the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings"; the muscular and rugged American actor was recommended to the crew by Ridley Scott, a very dedicated young man, seemed to be called Matthew Horner or Matthew Hogarth.
"Oh..." Jerry Bruckheimer looked at Matthew for another moment, "his British accent is quite good."
Orlando Bloom was still happily chatting with Matthew, and Matthew said again, "is there a premiere? Can I attend?"
His goal was simple: to piggyback on the hype of "The Lord of the Rings" premiere.
"There is a premiere," Orlando Bloom thought for a moment and said, "I can only help you ask, don't get your hopes up too high."
Matthew made a phone gesture, "Let me know if you hear anything, my number hasn't changed."
The two chatted for a few more moments, then noticed Jerry Bruckheimer, accompanied by the crew's press officer, walk onto the small stage below the screen, seemingly with something to say.
Earlier media skepticism about "Black Hawk Down" had put considerable pressure on the film, and Jerry Bruckheimer was clearly addressing this aspect.
"Many people are questioning why we made such a film! The purpose of this $90 million film is certainly not just to recreate history!"
It was well-known that Jerry Bruckheimer collaborated closely with the US military; from "Top Gun" to "Crimson Tide" to "Black Hawk Down," the Pentagon's influence could be seen. His words also strongly reflected this: "This film will unequivocally state that America should never be an isolationist nation, and it will open the eyes of those who only learned about this event through CNN news reports!"
His words were concise and powerful, and at a time not long after the 9/11 attacks, they were very much in line with the prevailing social sentiment.
Then, the film began to play. The visual style was extremely realistic, almost authentically depicting the Battle of Mogadishu that year.
This was America's longest ground war since the Vietnam War, and also the most costly in terms of casualties. However, the film's focus wasn't on these aspects, but rather on repeatedly emphasizing, "No matter life or death, all brothers must return, never abandon any fellow soldier"...