"Pirates! Where is Elizabeth?"
On a prop ship with only a deck, Matthew, holding a sharp sword, charged towards Barbossa. A pirate wielding a sledgehammer and another with an axe sprang out, intending to stop him, their weapons striking.
Matthew moved nimbly, turning to dodge aside. His sharp sword flashed out like lightning, and the pirate with the sledgehammer immediately clutched his chest and fell to the ground. Then, Matthew stepped to the left, and his sword sliced across the throat of the pirate holding the axe. The pirate's head slumped, and he crashed onto the deck with a thud.
More pirates came, but these battle-hardened pirates were no match for Matthew.
This action scene was also meant to highlight Will Turner's formidable combat skills.
Outside the set, since this scene was handled by action director George Rug, Gore Verbinski was standing with Jerry Bruckheimer, talking.
"He's an excellent fighter; he hasn't used a stunt double so far," Gore Verbinski praised Matthew effusively. "Jerry, I believe Matthew Horner's action scenes and the eccentric captain will be the film's biggest selling points."
Jerry Bruckheimer had been watching the set. "I haven't doubted that since the auditions confirmed the cast."
He used Johnny Depp because Depp could make Jack Sparrow even more eccentric; he chose Matthew Horner for his agile and powerful physique.
"What about Matthew's dramatic acting?" Jerry Bruckheimer asked.
Gore Verbinski thought for a moment and said, "When we first started filming, it was just average, with many NGs. But since returning from the Caribbean, he's gradually found his rhythm."
Jerry Bruckheimer nodded slightly. He had also seen some of the filmed footage. Compared to Sergeant Hoot in "Black Hawk Down," Matthew Horner had made some progress in his portrayal of Will Turner.
Of course, this was also related to the film primarily using action scenes to shape the character of Will Turner.
Standing there, Jerry Bruckheimer watched Matthew Horner on set. From his perspective of over twenty years in the industry, this young actor from Texas had already shown enough potential to become a very popular star. His appearance, temperament, professionalism, attitude, and the crucial factor of his agent were all excellent.
"As long as he doesn't encounter a disastrous big-budget film..." Jerry Bruckheimer concluded in his mind, "Matthew Horner's future will definitely surpass Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett."
Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett were both young actors he had worked with. Their acting skills were comparable to Matthew Horner's, but in other aspects... Jerry Bruckheimer shook his head. Matthew Horner seemed to have an advantage in other areas.
With outstanding combat skills, a ruggedly handsome appearance, and a very good British accent, could Matthew Horner be considered a candidate for King Arthur?
If such an actor played King Arthur, the crew would certainly have much less trouble, and if "Pirates of the Caribbean" was successful, Matthew Horner would definitely gain immense popularity, which could then carry over to new projects.
Although no one could be sure a film would truly be a blockbuster, Jerry Bruckheimer had great confidence in the movies he produced.
There was another project that also needed a strong male lead. Jerry Bruckheimer looked towards the set again, but couldn't help but shake his head. He couldn't use the same person as the male lead for two major projects that were almost simultaneously underway.
However, it seemed more appropriate for an American actor to play an American character.
Jerry Bruckheimer was just thinking about it initially and wasn't in a hurry. The matter of casting for new projects could wait until after "Pirates of the Caribbean" was released.
On set, after a brief interruption in filming, Matthew once again took to the stage with his sword, dispatching the last minion like cutting vegetables. He then charged towards Barbossa, reaching him in one swift move. His sword speed was incredibly fast, and Barbossa's pirate cutlass was only halfway drawn
before it was pressed against his throat by Matthew's sword.
"Where is Elizabeth?!" Matthew demanded sharply.
"Cut!" Action director George Rug called a halt to filming. "That's a take!"
This was the crew's last scene, and passing it meant that all filming was complete. Matthew sheathed his sword and stretched his body, all work pressure flying out the window.
Months of continuous filming, even for him, had started to feel like an ordeal.
"Do you want water?" Mira Wang came over and took the prop sword from his hand.
"No need," Matthew handed the scabbard to Mira Wang, instructing, "Keep this sword safe; it's my trophy."
Like Johnny Depp's pirate cutlass, the crew had decided earlier that Matthew's sword would be given to him as a souvenir after filming ended.
Matthew left the set and went to the makeup room to remove his makeup; there were still things waiting for him afterwards.
"Let's go," Jerry Bruckheimer first greeted Gore Verbinski, then told his assistant, "Go inform Matthew Horner to come directly to my office after he's done with makeup."
More than half an hour later, Matthew, having removed his makeup and changed into his own clothes, arrived at Jerry Bruckheimer's office.
There were quite a few people in the office, mostly important figures from the crew: producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Gore Verbinski, head of publicity Anderson Martinez, and Disney's liaison on set, Bertie Smith.
Additionally, there was his agent, Helen Herman, and Keira Knightley's agent, Jamie Bainbridge.
And then there were the two people involved: himself and Keira Knightley.
Matthew quickly glanced around and sat on the empty sofa between Helen Herman and Keira Knightley.
Before he arrived, these people had obviously had enough discussions, but Jerry Bruckheimer still specifically told him, "I completely agree with your plan. The crew and Disney will also assign dedicated personnel to be responsible."
This was a common promotional tactic used by Hollywood crews, and countless past experiences had proven it to be a highly effective method of promotion.
Clearly, they had largely finished their discussion before Matthew arrived. Jerry Bruckheimer checked his watch and said, "I'm heading to Disney headquarters now for the remaining details." He looked at Anderson Martinez, "Anderson, you're in charge of communication."
As the producer overseeing the big picture, he only needed to control the general direction; trivial matters were naturally left to his subordinates.
After Jerry Bruckheimer left, director Gore Verbinski also followed. He was only the director responsible for filming and didn't want to get involved in such matters.
In the office, Anderson Martinez began, "Now let's talk about the details and precautions."
Matthew glanced at Keira Knightley, who was leaning back on the sofa, looking as if her mind was wandering.
"Matthew and Keira are both celebrity actors with a certain level of fame and influence now," Anderson Martinez continued. "If this matter is handled properly, it can achieve a 1+1+1 greater than 3 effect with the film!"
This was obvious; otherwise, so many Hollywood crews wouldn't use this method as a promotional tactic.
Matthew, like Keira Knightley, remained silent. Helen Herman and Jamie Bainbridge also said nothing.
Anderson Martinez then said, "First, the timing. Given Keira's age, we've decided to choose a suitable time after your eighteenth birthday next year to advance this plan."
Jamie Bainbridge glanced at Keira Knightley and said, "That's fine."
Helen Herman replied directly, "We have no objections."
While a normal relationship wouldn't be a big problem as long as the woman was over sixteen, eighteen was undoubtedly more appropriate, and no one could find fault then.
The crew had considered this aspect very thoroughly.
Besides this, Matthew guessed it was also related to coordinating with the film's release date. If it was exposed too early, the promotional effect would undoubtedly be discounted.
"Previously, some North American media had hyped rumors about Matthew and Keira. This is also beneficial to our plan; it won't seem particularly deliberate or sudden when the time comes," Anderson Martinez clearly had this in mind. "Neither of you should respond to any of this."
Helen Herman said, "That's what we've been doing."
Anderson Martinez nodded slightly, first looking at Matthew, then at Keira Knightley, and said, "Matthew, Keira, the next few months are your window period. If you have any unresolved relationships, please deal with them as soon as possible. Otherwise, if they're exposed later, we won't be doing publicity, but creating a scandal."
Matthew was the first to say, "I'm single now."
Keira Knightley didn't speak, just nodded.
"Alright! Next, I will formulate a detailed plan and communicate with your agents in a timely manner."
Subsequently, Anderson Martinez discussed some other precautions, emphasizing the cooperation between Matthew and Keira Knightley, and especially stressing not to cause any scandalous love triangles or similar dramas.
"I suggest..." Anderson Martinez finally said, "that both sides draw up an agreement to avoid unnecessary disputes."
Helen Herman and Jamie Bainbridge had already considered this aspect; it was also to be responsible for both parties.
"Matthew, Keira, do you have anything else to add?" Anderson Martinez saw Matthew and Keira Knightley shake their heads, then asked Disney's liaison officer next to him, "Bertie, what about you?"
Bertie Smith also shook his head, "I don't."
"Then I'll stop here. I'll contact you later if anything comes up."
Anderson Martinez and Bertie Smith left quickly. Helen Herman and Jamie Bainbridge discussed for over an hour before leaving the set together.