"I never would have thought, never would have thought..."
Looking at Fox Sherman across from him, Matthew muttered to himself, "Someone actually wants to use me to gain popularity."
Perhaps he wasn't entirely right, but Fox Sherman coming to him definitely wasn't because he wanted a third-rate celebrity as the male lead.
Instead, he was looking to next year; if he wasn't mistaken, the film Fox Sherman was investing in would be released after "Pirates of the Caribbean."
By then, he could use the money for a third-rate celebrity to achieve far more than third-rate publicity.
"Pirates of the Caribbean" could indeed fail, but Jerry Bruckheimer was a golden brand, and to outsiders, the chances of success far outweighed failure.
Besides, all commercial investments carry risks.
Fox Sherman then said, "Matthew, I am very sincere."
Matthew nodded, picked up the script in front of him, and began to flip through it.
After only a few pages, he frowned slightly, speeding up his pace.
The further he read, the more familiar the scenes and plot descriptions felt, very similar to a film he had seen before.
The female lead is a vampire, her enemies are werewolves, and the male lead is a special being who combines the traits of both werewolves and vampires... Isn't this the film about werewolves and vampires in a love-hate relationship, starring Kate Beckinsale, the female lead from "Pearl Harbor" and "Van Helsing"?
Thinking of the female lead, Matthew looked at the name on the script and asked, "Who is playing Selene?"
"Kate Beckinsale," Fox Sherman chuckled twice, "She can be considered a second-tier actress now, and she's a perfect match to star alongside you."
"Her, huh?" Matthew was still flipping through the script. "Can you wait a moment? I want to read the script first."
Fox Sherman said, "Of course."
Matthew wasn't a fast reader, so it took him over half an hour to roughly skim through the script, reading ten lines at a time.
He only vaguely remembered the female lead in a black leather outfit, along with werewolves and vampires from the original movie; nothing else had really left an impression.
"Fox..." Matthew closed the script and said bluntly, "Are you referring to the character Michael as the male lead?"
"Exactly!" Fox Sherman nodded. "It's Michael."
Matthew pushed the script back to Fox Sherman, "This isn't the male lead, is it? It's a supporting male role.
This is completely a female-led story; all the characters and plot serve the female lead."
Fox Sherman, however, took it for granted, "The female lead's screentime must be prioritized; otherwise, how could we attract a star like Kate Beckinsale? She has the highest status in the crew, and then it's you."
Hearing this, Matthew immediately realized he had been overthinking.
"Van Helsing" hadn't been filmed yet, and Kate Beckinsale's career was universally optimistic in the industry, moving from second-tier to first-tier.
If "Van Helsing" succeeded, she would undoubtedly become a first-tier actress.
From this perspective, what Fox Sherman said wasn't unreasonable.
The problem was, a weak character who would mostly rely on the female lead for protection clearly didn't fit his style and career path.
Both he and his agent, Helen Herman, were very clear about their future development.
"Matthew!" Fox Sherman then said, "Although the investment in this film isn't large, I can guarantee that the crew will offer you a three-million-dollar salary!"
This salary figure, like a magnet, instantly attracted Matthew.
His salary for "Pirates of the Caribbean" was only two million dollars, and he had spent so long preparing for the audition.
Yet, this weak male lead, who was more like a supporting actor, could easily bring in three million dollars.
Matthew was very tempted by the three million dollars; only two types of people wouldn't be tempted by three million dollars: those whose assets far exceeded three million dollars, and those who had lost their minds.
But being tempted didn't mean he would immediately accept.
If it were three years ago, Matthew would still have been in the pure mindset of a nobody.
He would definitely agree wholeheartedly, but as his status improved and his horizons expanded, his mindset was slowly changing.
Taking this three million dollars might cost him ten million dollars in the future.
"Fox, I can't give you an answer right now." Matthew wasn't very interested in this script.
With "Pirates of the Caribbean" under his belt, he had some confidence.
"I cannot accept any work without my agent present."
This wasn't an unwritten custom, but a clear provision in industry association rules, and the California Talent Agencies Act also stipulated that actors must obtain work through an agent.
"No rush," Fox Sherman pushed the werewolf and vampire script back, along with a business card. "You can discuss it with your agent and then give me your answer."
He finally added, "Matthew, I am very sincere. If you are not satisfied with the salary, we can discuss it further."
Matthew nodded, picked up the script and business card, and said, "Okay, I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
I'll keep the script for now and won't share it with anyone except my agent."
Fox Sherman seemed very generous, "Why would I be worried? Matthew, we're old friends."
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, then walked out of the leisure area together.
Fox Sherman left the gym directly, while Matthew greeted Nebula, showered, and changed.
He didn't continue training; instead, he took the script directly to Angel Agency.
According to the provisions of his agency contract, he had to inform Helen Herman about such matters.
Matthew briefly explained the situation, placing the script on Helen Herman's desk, "Here's the script, take a look first."
Helen Herman began to flip through the script, and Matthew sat on the sofa, patiently waiting.
After a long while, Helen Herman roughly finished reading the script, looked up, and said, "This male lead isn't suitable for you.
From the concept to the screen time, it's all wrong for you, unless there are major changes."
She casually added, "Swapping Michael and Selene's screen time would be more appropriate."
Matthew interjected, "The female lead is Kate Beckinsale."
"The female lead from 'Van Helsing'?" Helen Herman shook her head. "Her fame and appeal are far greater than yours, so changing the screen time is unlikely."
"It's probably not possible." Matthew recalled something. "Last time I went to the 'Van Helsing' set, I heard that Fox Sherman was pursuing Kate Beckinsale."
Helen Herman pushed the script back to Matthew, "Don't even consider it; just reject Fox Sherman." She also reminded him, "Try to be subtle; from what you just said, this person has some influence."
In this highly commercialized society, financial power is a part of influence.
Matthew picked up the script, ready to leave, when Helen Herman suddenly remembered something and called him back.
"Wait," she pointed to the script in Matthew's hand, "There's a small role in there for Selene when she's about ten years old.
Can you ask if they've found a suitable actress yet?"
Matthew frowned slightly, "Me asking? is that appropriate?"
"Fox Sherman's intention is very clear: he wants to leverage the fame you might gain if 'Pirates of the Caribbean' succeeds." Helen Herman saw the situation very clearly.
"According to your account, he's an investor who just arrived in Hollywood, with no roots in this circle.
An actor with clear upward momentum like you, just like Kate Beckinsale, is very valuable."
She was quite relaxed. "Even if Fox Sherman rejects you, he won't mind. I think if the role hasn't been cast yet, he's unlikely to refuse you."
"Then I'll try." Matthew put away the script and asked, "is it the girl Amanda brought?"
"That's her." Helen Herman didn't hide it. "Her father is a federal prosecutor in New York, and he has a good relationship with Amanda's father."
Matthew understood and said, "I'll call Fox Sherman tomorrow."
Collusion between officials and businessmen is a widespread phenomenon globally.
The next morning, Fox Sherman, still sound asleep in Kate Beckinsale's arms, received a call from Matthew before he even woke up.
"No problem, Matthew."
In the hotel, Fox Sherman wasn't angry about Matthew's subtle refusal; his attitude was as enthusiastic as before. "This opportunity isn't suitable, but we'll collaborate again in the future.
I'm a fan of yours."
The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and then he heard Matthew ask about the actress.
After a moment of thought, he said, "An actress, huh? There are still a few roles open, the female vampire Erika... Selene as a child, those haven't been finalized.
Do you have a suitable candidate? Ah, yes, you can have her come to the crew's audition.
I'll inform the casting director."
Fox Sherman's reasoning was simple: Matthew Horner, like the woman in his arms, had a very high chance of becoming a popular movie star in the future.
They were a very valuable asset to an investor like him, who was new to the scene.
Selene as a child, an insignificant minor role.
"Erika..."
Hearing that name, Matthew immediately recalled the female character he had just seen in the script yesterday and couldn't help but think of Rachel McAdams.
He then said into the phone, "Fox, Erika hasn't been cast yet either? Can I recommend someone? Okay, thank you, thank you very much! Don't worry, her appearance is definitely not an issue."
Just as Helen Herman had predicted, Fox Sherman's attitude towards him was excellent.
Not only did he readily agree to let the fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl Amanda brought audition, but he also didn't refuse Rachel McAdams, Matthew's personal recommendation.
Afterward, Matthew called Rachel McAdams and told her the news.
If she was interested, she could have her agent contact the crew's casting director.
"Matthew, thank you!"
Through the phone, Rachel McAdams sounded very excited, "You've helped me so much, I don't even know how to thank you."