There were quite a few romantic scenes between Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann in the filming, but unlike the direct stripping and hooking up in "the scorpion king," "pirates of the caribbean" was more subtle. This also brought Matthew some trouble. In fact, the romantic scenes in this film couldn't be too explicit. For one, Keira Knightley was only seventeen, and although her mother wasn't present for the entire shoot, she would visit the set every few days.
After completing the scenes at the Governor's Mansion, Matthew temporarily left the crew. He had no scenes to shoot for the next two days. Since the pirate cave in Studio No. 2 had not yet been built, the crew planned to go on location, first to Long Island, New York, and then to the Caribbean Sea region.
Matthew roughly understood that the crew would be filming parts of the "Interceptor" on Long Island.
The crew's nautical consultant, Matt OConnell, used his connections to rent a huge old sailing ship, the "Lady Washington," to serve as the "Interceptor" for the filming.
As for the black pearl, the crew had already invested heavily in building a prop ship in the Caribbean Sea region.
Also, the crew officially changed the name of "pirates of the caribbean" to "pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl," reportedly to leave room for a sequel.
This is also normal; most first-tier Hollywood commercial productions do this. Regardless of whether the film will be successful in the future, they first leave room for filming sequels. Once successful, the sequels will naturally follow.
Sequels to blockbuster movies also mean less risk and more profit for studios and distribution companies.
Matthew was still full of anticipation about filming in the Caribbean Sea region, reportedly known for its charming scenery. However, he had a slight doubt: what was the relationship between the former Caribbean and the Caribbean Sea?
While working with a sledgehammer on The other side of the Pacific during a break, Matthew once heard a technician on the construction site talk about pirates of the caribbean and the Caribbean series.
The technician's computer had dozens of island nation romantic action movies, and the files were not encrypted. One day, he showed his eight-year-old nephew "pirates of the caribbean: the curse of the black pearl." The little nephew recognized the five characters for "pirates of the caribbean," and then the technician said he would show him the second part the next day.
As a result, the next afternoon, the little nephew secretly found the technician and asked him, saying that he had opened the computer to watch "pirates of the caribbean." Why were the "pirates of the caribbean" shown by the technician all sailors fighting monsters, but the "pirates of the caribbean" he found were several uncles and aunts taking a Shower?
Fortunately, the technician was quick-witted. He quickly told his little nephew that in the first part, they got so dirty fighting monsters that they hadn't had a Shower yet, so they would film the second part after taking a Shower. And the little nephew believed him!
That technician was very smart!
With no filming for the next two days, plus the crew's special weekend off, Matthew had four days of rest.
However, he had grown accustomed to a regular lifestyle over the years. Even without work, he wouldn't go to bed too late at night, always lying down before eleven. He usually woke up at 6:30 AM for about fifteen minutes of morning jogging, followed by a normal day of work and life.
On his first day off, Matthew carried a box of videotapes to the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts in North Hollywood to find David Astor, intending to exchange them for new ones.
"There are no more, Matthew."
In the office, David Astor put away the videotapes, rubbed his bald head, and said, "You've seen all my stock; there's nothing else."
Three years had passed; how many videotapes could he have for this diligent fellow to continuously watch and practice?
"I've watched so many and practiced quite a bit." Matthew scratched his head awkwardly, "My acting hasn't improved. Am I too stupid?"
David Astor shook his head. "You're wrong." He thought for a moment and asked, "Matthew, I've been watching your works, especially since "band of brothers." I've seen "the mummy returns," "black hawk down," and "the scorpion king" more than once. Your performances in "black hawk down" and "the scorpion king"
are clearly better than in "the mummy returns," and a significant improvement over Ronald Speirs, who had almost the same expression throughout. Don't you feel that filming has become relatively easier?"
"Filming action scenes has indeed become easier," Matthew muttered. "As for other things..."
He thought for a while before saying, "It seems a bit better than before too."
"Actually, you've always been improving." Although David Astor's reputation wasn't prominent, as an experienced actor who taught acting, his judgment in this area was quite good. "It's just that the pace of improvement is slow, which is constrained by both your talent and the type of films you appear in."
Matthew understood what he meant. "David, are you saying that acting in independent films hones acting skills more than commercial films?"
"Exactly." David Astor sighed softly and said, "With your current acting skills, dealing with most commercial entertainment films isn't a big problem. In this type of film, there aren't many scenes that require exceptionally difficult acting, nor do actors need to have a huge acting breakthrough, and the director's demands are relatively low..."
He suddenly stopped, looked up at Matthew, and said, "But if you want to develop further, you can't neglect your acting skills. Even Tom Cruise's acting isn't as bad as the outside world criticizes."
"Understood, thank you for the reminder, David." Matthew knew David Astor meant well.
This veteran actor never expected anything from him and helped him out of admiration.
David Astor looked at Matthew, thought for a moment, and then said, "You're famous now, and you've chosen a path that suits you. Just strive to do your best. If you need any help, just ask."
Matthew smiled and said, "I will. I still need a lot of guidance in acting."
Afterward, he helped David Astor place the videotapes one by one on their corresponding shelves, then bid farewell and left.
Walking in the courtyard of the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts, Matthew looked back at the classroom he used to be in. Through the window, he could vaguely see the figures inside. Hollywood truly never lacks newcomers.
Anyone, even an A-list star, once they stop, countless others will want to surpass them.
Reaching the school gate, just as Matthew was considering whether he should take acting classes again if he had time in the future, his Nokia phone in his pocket rang.
He pulled it out and saw that it was a long-unheard-of number.
"Hello, this is Matthew Horner." Matthew tentatively asked, "is this... Rachel?"
"Matthew!" The voice on the other end was clearly surprised. "I was just trying; I didn't expect you hadn't changed your phone number!"
"If I changed my number, how would you be able to reach me?" Matthew said with a smile, "I kept this number, waiting for you to come back."
"Hmph... hmph..." Another voice came from the other end. "You're still so articulate."
Matthew recalled their time together in acting class there and asked, "Where are you now? Canada? Or are you back in Los Angeles?"
"I'm back! That's why I contacted you. When do you have time? Let's get together?"
"I have time today." Matthew put down his phone and checked the time. "I'm off these two days. Are you free now? Lunch is on me."
There was a pause on the other end, then she asked, "Of course I have time if you're treating. Where should we meet?"
Matthew remembered a good restaurant nearby and said, "I'm in North Hollywood, at the acting school where we studied together. I'll wait for you at the entrance."
"What a coincidence, I'm also in North Hollywood. Wait for me a bit, I'll be there in ten minutes!"
Hanging up the phone, Matthew left the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts and stood at the entrance, waiting patiently. In less than ten minutes, a clear voice called out.
"Matthew!"
Hearing the somewhat familiar voice, Matthew turned to look: Rachel McAdams had arrived.
She wore a beige sun hat, with curly blonde hair falling from beneath it, swaying gently in the breeze. Her face had light makeup, revealing prominent dimples when she smiled, still looking as sweet as ever. She wore a simple short denim jacket over a striped T-shirt, and brown leggings that accentuated her slender, long legs.
What caught Matthew's attention most was that Rachel McAdams had arrived on a bicycle.
"Rachel..." Matthew immediately went to meet her. "You're still as beautiful as ever!"
"Thank you." Rachel McAdams stopped and got off her bike. "You're even handsomer than before!"
Matthew opened his arms and gave Rachel McAdams a light hug, then asked, "Are you coming back to Hollywood to develop your career?"
"Yes!" Rachel McAdams separated after the hug, looking Matthew up and down thoroughly, and said, "This time, I'm not planning to go back."
Her tone was exceptionally firm. "This time back in Hollywood, I must succeed!"
Matthew nodded and said, "Let's go, we'll have lunch." He looked at the bicycle. "Should we put the bike inside the school? I know the security guard at the entrance; I'll ask him to help look after it."
"Okay."
Rachel McAdams pushed her bike and followed Matthew into the performing arts school. Although Matthew hadn't reached the level of fame where he could just flash his face, he frequently visited David Astor, so the security guard at the entrance recognized him. He greeted the guard, parked the bicycle, and then drove Rachel McAdams in his car, heading east along Laurel Canyon Boulevard to a restaurant.
This was a rather upscale restaurant. Like ordinary people, Matthew, now with money, would pursue enjoyment and many superficial things.
Actually, this was quite normal; most people in the world were like him.
Besides these, he had recently been considering buying a house. He had saved a large portion of his salary from "the scorpion king," and the first payment for "pirates of the caribbean" had already arrived. The remaining two payments would be received by the end of the year at the latest, amounting to at least two million dollars, which would allow him to consider buying his own home.