In the private makeup Room, Matthew finished his makeup, dismissed his makeup artist and assistant Mira Wang, leaving only him and Helen Herman in the Room.
"In the noon call..." Matthew turned to look at Helen Herman, "You said Jerry Bruckheimer is planning another new project?"
The speed is simply shocking, he asked, "is it still a collaboration with Disney?"
Helen Herman pulled out the chair beside her and sat down, saying, "Currently Jerry Bruckheimer is a key partner for Disney."
Matthew was somewhat impressed, "He's moving way too fast."
But on second thought, after 2000, the films Jerry Bruckheimer initiated include ... and ..., so this speed seems quite normal.
After that night, Helen Herman investigated from many sources and got more news, "It's not just speed; Jerry Bruckheimer's ambition is huge—he wants to collaborate with Disney on two projects at once!"
Even Matthew was a bit surprised, "They haven't finished filming, and Jerry Bruckheimer is already planning two more projects?"
For Hollywood, that's almost as fast as the speed of light.
Fortunately, Jerry Bruckheimer is a producer; if he were a director, all of Hollywood would go crazy.
Matthew asked again, "is it still a big production?"
Helen Herman lightly nodded, "Each project's budget is said to be no less than one hundred million dollars!" Without waiting for Matthew to ask further, she continued, "I asked people at Disney; one project is a period piece, the other a modern drama, both are action commercial films."
If it weren't this type, she wouldn't be so concerned.
Matthew naturally understood Helen Herman's meaning, thought for a moment, and said, "We should focus our efforts on competing for one of them."
With experience from these two projects, Helen Herman also knows that trying to vie for lead roles in two top-tier projects simultaneously is unrealistic.
"Hmm." This time she agreed with Matthew's suggestion, "I thought the same."
"Do you have any more concrete information?" Matthew asked.
"For the period project, Jerry Bruckheimer has already locked in the script; he had Walt Disney purchase a new script from top screenwriter David Franconi."
Matthew also knows this screenwriter, as he had once acted in a production written by him.
Helen Herman continued without stopping, "Only a few people know the script's specifics; I haven't gotten the details, but I know it's an epic script related to king arthur and the Knights of the Round Table."
Matthew scratched his head, trying to recall, vaguely remembering that Madonna's ex-husband seemed to have made an Arthurian film, but he hadn't managed to download the resource online, so he came here.
By that calculation, the timing doesn't match; it's only 2002, and with Jerry Bruckheimer's crazy speed, it couldn't possibly be delayed for over a decade before release.
He seems to have never seen such a film; he only vaguely recalls that many big movies involving kings or emperors are often quite poor flops.
"The other project is similar,
currently only has one concept."
These past few days Helen Herman hasn't been idle, networking a lot, "I still don't know the creative content; I only found that the idea originally came from Buena Vista International's marketing director Orlen Aevif and his creative partner Charles Siggs, then they approached Jerry Bruckheimer for refinement. Last week, Jerry Bruckheimer took two screenwriters to Washington; I specifically had someone ask, they were at the National Archives in Washington D.C., reviewing many documents from America's independence."
"Could this project be related to American independence?" Matthew wondered, while rummaging through his memory, but found no clue.
Helen Herman shook her head, "It's not confirmed yet." She thought for a moment and said, "I'll investigate further; I'll inform you promptly if there's new information."
"Hmm." Matthew understood, "Don't worry, I'll be the most reliable actor in the crew."
Helen Herman still reminded, "Jerry Bruckheimer really likes to use actors he's previously worked with in new projects; you must remember that."
Matthew raised his finger, nodded to his own head, "Got it."
"If it succeeds..." Helen Herman added, "For the next job, I'll have the confidence to demand a sky-high salary offer for you!"
Matthew deliberately said, "Twenty million dollars?"
Helen Herman glanced at him, "You're thinking too much."
She didn't bother saying more; a text message arrived, so she just looked at her phone.
Matthew, dressed like Will Turner, sat in front of the makeup mirror, carefully recalling movies that might relate to Helen Herman's words.
As the lead actor, you enjoy treatment far better than the supporting actors, but you also have to bear the corresponding high risk. When a big‑budget film fails, the supporting actors can brush themselves off and move on to another project as supporting actors, while the lead actor must take direct responsibility with the film's director and producer. Many people have never recovered after the failure of a big‑budget production.
When I was just a minor supporting actor, I didn't mind, but now that I'm the lead actor and still climbing, Matthew realizes how precious those faint memories of watching pirated movies are. Although I didn't watch many pirated films—most were shallow commercial popcorn fare—they happen to match my current position and can somewhat help me avoid some downright terrible projects.
Around this era, I have absolutely no recollection of any epic films related to king arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
From a risk‑avoidance standpoint, this project is not a priority.
What about the other project? Matthew ponders, rubbing his chin.
Strictly speaking, I have already collaborated with Jerry Bruckheimer twice, so competing for a lead actor role in a Jerry Bruckheimer‑produced project is relatively easier. Without a better target, I would naturally prioritize a Jerry Bruckheimer project.
Matthew furrows his brow. The files related to Independence Day… The first thing that comes to mind is the American‑made alien‑invasion movie that tried to turn Independence Day into a global holiday, but that film was already released; I watched a rerun on TV a year ago.
I also seem to recall a film about Yarabahan‑Lincoln turned into a vampire hunter, but the plot is fuzzy—could it also be tied to Independence Day?
Could it be that America's founding fathers transformed into action heroes, riding into battle and making the British colonizers scream in agony?
Given Hollywood's nature, if there's money to be made, they'll definitely pull it off.
After pondering for a while, I still can't think of any movie linked to American independence or Independence Day, so I stop trying. Maybe when Helen Herman gets fresh intel and more clues, I'll be able to remember.
After a brief rest with eyes closed, the dressing‑Room door is knocked from outside. Matthew says 'Come in,' and his personal assistant Mira Wang pushes the door open, announcing, 'Will Turner's scene is about to start shooting.'
'Alright, let's head to the set,' Matthew says, ignoring Helen Herman, who is fiddling with her phone. He grabs the aluminum‑alloy prop sword hanging on the rack and steps out of the dressing Room.
Mira Wang slings Matthew's work bag onto her back and follows.
In Studio Two, the pirate‑cave set for the final scene is complete, with golden‑shimmering replica coins scattered everywhere, and deep inside the cavern the treasure is piled into a small mountain.
To achieve the desired visual effect, the crew hired a company that fabricates replica antiquities to produce these glittering, gold‑colored treasures.
Unlike the morning shoot that featured Matthew and Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, who didn't come to the set earlier, also joins the filming. The shoot is split into two parts: Matthew and Keira Knightley handle a group of oddly‑featured pirates, while Johnny Depp duels swords with former Oscar‑winning actor Geoffrey Rush.
After Matthew arrives on set, Keira Knightley takes the opportunity while the lighting crew is still adjusting the lights and comes over.
'is this your rotten idea?' Keira Knightley taps Matthew's elbow.
'No,' Matthew replies, knowing what she means. 'It's not my idea; it's my Agent Helen Herman, together with your Agent James Benesner, who came up with the rotten idea.'
'Since it's a rotten idea,' Keira Knightley lowers her voice, 'why didn't you refuse?'
Matthew doesn't even look at her and says, 'Why didn't you refuse?'
'I…' Keira Knightley pauses, 'that's just publicity hype, not something serious. Since it benefits me, why would I refuse?'
Matthew shrugs, 'See, I didn't refuse either.'
Keira Knightley pouts, 'Just so you know, I have nothing to do with you.'
'That's heartbreaking,' Matthew says, turning to Keira Knightley. 'I always thought we were friends.'
Director Gore Verbinski calls the actors to the set, and Keira Knightley is the first to walk over, with Matthew following behind.
The final scenes are mostly action, which is Matthew's forte, making the shoot relatively relaxed, though not entirely smooth. According to the script, Will Turner must both fight the pirates and protect Elizabeth Swann at this point.
With Keira Knightley as a constant side‑kick, mishaps keep happening; the cave scenes took almost ten days to film.
Later, the crew moves to Studio Four to film the Interceptor versus black pearl battle, and it isn't until December that the entire shoot finally nears completion.