Three days after filming concluded, Matthew and Keira Knightley signed a contract in the presence of the crew and their lawyers. Putting these terms on paper would create clear constraints for both parties.
The main content of the contract was that, from the moment of signing, neither Matthew nor Keira Knightley could date anyone else until this fake relationship, used for publicity, came to an end.
As for when it would be officially announced and when it would end, that would depend on the specific circumstances.
This contract involved many details, including the method of public announcement, the minimum number of public dates per week, and so on, totaling dozens of items.
Additionally, if either party were to be involved in a cheating scandal during this period, dragging down the other, or if either party leaked the true nature of this plan, a breach of contract fee of up to three million dollars would automatically be incurred.
Matthew had no major objections to this. For greater fame, let alone faking it, even if he and Keira Knightley were to turn their fake relationship into a real one, it wouldn't be a problem.
Of course, the contract did not specify the exact extent of Matthew and Keira Knightley's involvement, only outlining a general process. From the initial gossip and speculation to a public romance, from cohabitation to a breakup, everything had to follow the plan. The two individuals executing it could not act arbitrarily.
If the two of them genuinely fell for each other, no one would interfere with that.
In Hollywood, it's not uncommon for relationships used for publicity and marketing to eventually turn into genuine partnerships.
However, most of these situations involve a sudden burst of 'love on set' during a film's promotion, followed by various public displays of affection to garner attention. Once the film's buzz dies down, everyone 'breaks up' amicably.
If you were to count them carefully, there are truly many such 'couples' in Hollywood.
"I never thought I'd sign such an absurd contract."
In the meeting room of Angel Agency, Keira Knightley handed the signed contract to her agent, Jamie Bainster, and said to Matthew, "It's absolutely ridiculous!"
Matthew handed his copy of the contract to Helen Herman and said, "Isn't it normal for absurd people to strive in an absurd industry and then do absurd things?"
Keira Knightley bit her lip and said, "I'm starting to regret it a little."
Matthew shrugged slightly, "Don't you want to be more famous?"
Keira Knightley fell silent. If she hadn't seen the potential for exposure this could bring, why would she have agreed?
"So, Keira…" Matthew said directly, "We're both quite absurd people, aren't we?"
Helen Herman and Jamie Bainster went to the office upstairs. Anderson Martinez would arrive shortly.
Matthew greeted Keira Knightley, "Shall I show you around?"
"Just an agency," Keira Knightley sniffed, "What's there to see?"
Despite her words, she still followed Matthew and looked around the three-story building of Angel Agency. Almost everyone who encountered Matthew warmly greeted both of them.
Returning to the first floor where the meeting room was located, Matthew led Keira Knightley to the lobby. As they walked, Keira Knightley said, "I didn't realize you were so popular."
"I'm alright," Matthew emphasized, "I'm the agency's first client."
Keira Knightley nodded. "I understand."
As they approached the main entrance of the company, the glass door was pushed open from the outside, and a girl with long black hair entered. Her very distinctive blue eyes landed on Matthew, and then she walked over.
Keira Knightley looked at the black-haired girl. This girl was about the same height as her, and the baby fat on her face made her look a bit youthful, but her chest... it was simply too exaggerated.
"Hello, Matthew," the black-haired girl greeted Matthew proactively.
Matthew smiled and replied, "Hello, Miss Alexandra Daddario."
Alexandra Daddario politely said, "You can call me Anna."
She continued, "Matthew, thank you for helping me get a role."
"Oh, you're welcome," Matthew maintained a polite smile, "It's no big deal."
It really wasn't a big deal; he just made a phone call.
Alexandra Daddario politely spoke a few more words to Matthew, then excused herself and went upstairs.
"You helped her get a role?" Keira Knightley asked curiously.
Matthew didn't take it seriously. "Just a small role, slightly better than a passerby."
At this point, he suddenly thought of a question: Alexandra Daddario played the younger Selene, and the actress playing the adult Selene was Kate Beckinsale. Did the female lead's chest get smaller with age?
That was a problem.
However, the director of the film should be concerned about such things, not him.
"You helped someone get a role, and it was a girl like that…" Keira Knightley tilted her head and looked at him, "Tell me, Matthew, are you up to something?"
Matthew snapped out of his thoughts, not understanding what she meant for a moment, and asked, "Up to something? What kind of something?"
Keira Knightley pointed towards the stairs, "That actress just now."
"You…" Matthew pointed a finger at her, "Am I as bad as you imagine?"
"What do you think?" Keira Knightley pouted, "Do you think you're a good person?"
Matthew turned to look at Keira Knightley and said, "I get it! You're feeling insecure!"
"I'm insecure?" Keira Knightley was puzzled, "Why would I be insecure?"
Matthew mimicked Keira Knightley's earlier gesture, pointing towards the stairs, "You saw Alexandra Daddario, and then you felt insecure."
Keira Knightley still didn't understand what Matthew meant. "What does that have to do with her?"
"Alexandra Daddario is only sixteen," Matthew's gaze shifted downwards, landing on Keira Knightley's flat chest, "You see how well she's developed, aren't you feeling insecure?"
As soon as these words came out, they undoubtedly dealt Keira Knightley a critical blow of ten thousand points of damage. Keira Knightley's eyes widened, her voice rose, and biting her lip, she said, "Matthew Horner!"
"Alright, alright," Matthew raised his hand, making a downward gesture, "Just kidding."
Keira Knightley huffed.
This wasn't the first time the two of them had clashed on this topic. After Matthew said a few conciliatory words, Keira Knightley quickly started laughing again.
Matthew and Keira Knightley chatted for a while in the front desk lobby. Helen Herman accompanied Jamie Bainster over, and Matthew and Helen Herman together saw Keira Knightley and Jamie Bainster out of Angel Agency.
"Where's Anderson Martinez?" Matthew asked after returning to the lobby.
Helen Herman pointed outside, "He came by and then left." She then asked, "Are you and Keira Knightley very close? You two aren't actually getting serious, are you?"
Matthew looked at Helen Herman and said seriously, "Are you kidding me?" He thought for a moment and said, "I just think she has a more straightforward personality, a bit simpler than many people in this industry."
Compared to Rachel McAdams, Keira Knightley was practically an innocent girl, but he also knew that people change. When he first met Rachel McAdams, she was also a somewhat innocent girl.
From this perspective, Hollywood is definitely a melting pot.
Helen Herman asked again, "You're not in contact with Britney anymore, are you?"
"Don't worry," Matthew understood she might have concerns, "She and I are a thing of the past; there won't be any more trouble."
"That's for the best," Helen Herman cautioned, "This whole thing is absurd, but it's not a joke. Matthew, you need to take it seriously, don't treat it lightly. If you mess around, it could really affect your future."
She said sternly and seriously, "Settle down a bit recently, especially when it comes to women."
"What have I done lately?" Matthew couldn't help but scratch his head.
His incident with Rachel McAdams had been a long time ago, and it seemed no media had ever paid attention to it.
Helen Herman reminded him, "Some tabloids published photos of you and Charlize Theron leaving the Black Mamba bar together after getting drunk."
"Oh, that," Matthew had seen that newspaper. He waved his hand and said, "The paparazzi deliberately only photographed me and Theron. Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves also walked out of the bar with us at the time. That night, I had arranged to drink with Depp, and we happened to run into Charlize Theron and Keanu Reeves, so I had a few extra drinks."
Helen Herman nodded gently, "The plan has been set, you should still rein it in a bit."
In fact, she knew very well that Matthew had many schemes up his sleeve, but career success held a greater appeal for him.
"You can rest assured," Matthew said casually, "When have I ever done something stupid?"
He proactively changed the subject, "Any news on Jerry Bruckheimer's two new projects?"
Helen Herman shook her head, "Regarding the one about American independence, there's no further news. All I know is that two screenwriters returned from Washington D.C. and have been holed up in their studio, busy. No one knows what they're writing except for themselves."
Matthew also couldn't recall any popular movies related to American independence and asked, "What about the other project?"
"This one is basically confirmed," Helen Herman explained in detail, "It's said that the project is named 'King Arthur,' with an investment of around 150 million dollars."
"Are we going to contend for the male lead in this film?" Matthew felt this project seemed a bit unreliable.
He had watched those 'King So-and-so' and 'Emperor So-and-so' films before, but they hadn't left much of an impression. From that perspective, the film probably lacked the kind of scenes that vulgar audiences like him enjoyed.
If there were other options, it would be better to set this one aside, especially since Jerry Bruckheimer still had another big project.
"No, this role is problematic for you."
To Matthew's surprise, Helen Herman actually shook her head, "I've thought about it for a while, and it's best if we don't contend for this male lead role."