The Box Office King of Hollywood

"Listen to me, Matthew."

The makeup artist was applying makeup to Matthew while the bearded Jack stood by, advising, "You have about twenty minutes before Redley and Jerry Brookheimer come over. The audition will be here, don't be nervous, they just want to see your look."

"Okay." Taking advantage of the makeup artist fetching something, Matthew turned to Jack with a smile, "Thank you."

Jack shook his head slightly, "It's nothing." He added, "My family and Helen are old friends. I have to help her out."

Matthew understood the subtext; Jack seemingly did not want to associate too much with a minor actor like himself, helping purely on account of Helen Herman.

To this, he could accept calmly. According to Helen Herman, Jack's career goal was to become a top producer like Jerry Brookheimer, currently accumulating experience and credentials.

The "Black Hawk Down" crew's audition was internal and straightforward, far less cumbersome than public auditions, with fewer actors participating.

The makeup was quickly done. Since the audition was for a military role, similar to the makeup for the "Band of Brothers" crew, the makeup artist simply outlined Matthew's facial features to highlight a rugged and resolute demeanor, making his facial features more distinct and pronounced.

Then, the stylist selected two fitting military uniforms for Matthew, who had prepared for the audition for some time and recognized one as belonging to the Army Delta Force and the other to the Ranger Regiment.

Both uniforms were combat attire, though without helmets and weaponry.

While Matthew was changing into the Delta Force uniform, footsteps suddenly sounded outside, followed by Jack's greeting and then two men speaking.

He guessed that Redley Scott and Jerry Brookheimer had arrived.

"This actor is named Matthew Horner, a Texan," Jack was apparently introducing him outside, "Matthew Horner has played several war roles in the past, including the leader of the Germanic barbarians who fought against the Roman legions in 'Gladiator', and also appeared in DreamWorks and HBO's 'Band of Brothers'. From last November to this May, he has been maintaining military training."

Jerry Brookheimer seemed unimpressed, with Matthew only hearing him say, "Hmm, I see."

Outside the dressing room, Jack fell silent. Being just an executive producer, he had informed Jerry Brookheimer of all of Matthew Horner's strengths; saying more might backfire.

Redley Scott had not spoken yet. Jerry Brookheimer checked his watch, and the door to the dressing room suddenly opened. A tall soldier walked out, came to a stop in front of them, stood at attention, and then gave a standard American military salute.

Jerry Brookheimer looked at Matthew, slightly puzzled, wondering if he had encountered a soldier.

"Have you served before?" he couldn't help asking.

"No!" Matthew knew his carefully prepared entrance had the desired effect, "I underwent rigorous military training during my time in 'Band of Brothers'."

Jerry Brookheimer withdrew his gaze, turning to Redley Scott, "You're the director, what do you think?"

Redley Scott didn't say anything, just nodded.

"That's it, then," Jerry Brookheimer told Matthew, "No need to change into the second uniform."

Being the powerful producer of the crew, he walked up to Matthew, extended a hand, "Welcome to the crew, Matthew Horner."

Matthew quickly stepped forward, shaking Jerry Brookheimer's hand firmly, "It's an honor."

Jerry Brookheimer didn't say much more, turning to Redley Scott, "Let's go, Johnny Lee Miller and his agent should be arriving soon. We'll talk to them."

"Johnny Lee Miller?" Matthew caught a familiar name.

Redley Scott and Jerry Brookheimer left, and Matthew didn't immediately go to remove his makeup and change clothes, asking Jack, "Is Johnny Lee Miller also auditioning?"

It wasn't a secret; Jack casually mentioned, "He's here to discuss a contract. The crew initially invited Ewan McGregor, but his schedule didn't work out, so he recommended Johnny Lee Miller."

Curious, Jack asked Matthew, "You know him?"

"Not personally." Matthew quickly found an excuse, "I've seen him and Ewan McGregor in 'Trainspotting'. I really liked their performances."

Jack didn't suspect, advising, "Go remove your makeup. I'll go notify Helen to negotiate your contract, trying to sign it as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary changes."

"Okay." Matthew nodded, "Thank you, Jack."

Knowing securing the contract quickly was safest, as there were instances in Hollywood where actors passed auditions only to be replaced later.

After removing his makeup and changing back into his clothes, Matthew left the styling room for a rest area, where Helen Herman wasn't present, likely discussing his contract with the crew.

From arriving at the crew early in the morning to now, Matthew felt the tight schedule and high efficiency of the crew's work.

Assuming Helen Herman's conditions weren't far off from the crew's, the contract issue could be resolved today.

Sitting in the rest area, more people gradually entered, mostly actors and agents. Matthew occasionally heard their conversations; some had passed the audition and were waiting to sign contracts, while others were waiting to audition.

Matthew looked around but didn't recognize anyone familiar; James McAvoy's audition was scheduled for the following days.

"Johnny Lee Miller won't come, will he?" he mumbled, wondering, "Does he recognize me?"

It was unlikely he would be recognized; the tape incident was only known by him and Angelina Jolie, who wouldn't disclose it, and he certainly wouldn't either.

Thinking back, he had only delivered models to Johnny Lee Miller twice and met him just as many times.

Just as Matthew was about to look away, a familiar figure entered the rest area, causing him to frown slightly at the newcomer.

Tom Hardy had just entered the rest area and immediately sensed someone watching him, then spotted a memorably familiar face.

Without hesitation, he approached, exclaiming, "Matthew Horner!"

"Long time no see, Tom," Matthew greeted, pointing to a chair nearby, "Make yourself comfortable."

Tom Hardy stared at Matthew for a moment, noticing the rest area's occupants watching him. Recalling the bar incident stirred by Matthew, he quickly pulled up a chair and sat down.

"What are you doing here?" After asking, Tom Hardy realized, raising his hand towards Matthew, "You're also in 'Black Hawk Down'?"

Matthew shrugged, "Right, I've passed the audition."

"Great!" Tom Hardy looked at Matthew, then nodded, adopting a peculiar tone, "Very great! Excellent!"

"I think so too," Matthew teased, "Tom, we get to act together again. Your last performance left a deep impression on me."

Tom Hardy's face darkened, recalling their last shared scene as a humiliating moment in his life.

"Matthew!" Helen Herman's voice came from the doorway, "Matthew Horner!"

Matthew stood up, waving towards her, "Here, Helen."

Helen Herman glanced over, nodded slightly, "Come with me, I need you to sign something."

Following Helen Herman towards the elevator, Matthew inquired, "The contract negotiations finished so quickly?"

"The crew is on a tight schedule, and the budget is ample," Helen Herman explained while walking, "Your past three roles also fit the crew's requirements well, so their offer was generally generous, no need for much haggling."

Entering the elevator, finding it empty, Helen Herman directly asked, "Did you have a conflict with someone?"

"No." Matthew considered, then explained, "That person also appeared in 'Band of Brothers', we had a scene together, but his performance was terrible, angering director David Frankel, resulting in most of his scenes being cut. Somehow, he blames me for it."

Helen Herman, knowing Matthew's usual demeanor, questioned, "Really?"

"Of course," Matthew spread his hands, "It happened in front of many on the crew, everyone knows."

Exiting the elevator, Helen Herman led the way, advising, "Don't easily start conflicts."

Matthew started to defend himself, but she added, "And don't fear competition!"

"Uh..." After thinking, Matthew replied, "I understand."

He followed Helen Herman into an office near the elevator, where the crew's executive producer had prepared the contract. After a brief review and waiting for a lawyer and a representative from the actors' union, Matthew signed the document.

The contract offered similar terms to his role in "The Mummy Returns," but with a noticeable increase in salary, reaching $150,000.

While not comparable to famous actors' fees, Matthew was satisfied. Currently lacking notable roles, "Band of Brothers" was still in post-production, "The Mummy Returns" was set for a summer release next year, and his role in "Gladiator," despite the film's success, was too minor...

After signing the contract, Matthew had to pack and prepare for departure. Before joining the crew for filming in Morocco, all actors playing American soldiers, regardless of fame, were required to undergo a ten-day boot camp at a U.S. military base.

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