The Box Office King of Hollywood

Training for the film continued from early July to August. Besides various action scenes, Matthew also rehearsed some dramatic scenes with the other two leads, Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley. This experience confirmed his belief that in terms of acting, Johnny Depp was in a league of his own, far surpassing both him and Keira.

Matthew noticed that Keira Knightley's acting skills were not far behind his own. During rehearsals, she often repeated certain gestures to convey her character's emotions. These were her personal mannerisms, like her characteristic way of biting her lip and pouting when speaking, and her hearty, open-mouthed laughter that conveyed a sense of carefreeness and cheerfulness.

It was clear that both he and Keira Knightley were essentially just decorative figures in the film, and the real acting burden had to be carried by Johnny Depp.

Jeffrey Rush, an Oscar-winning actor, was also undoubtedly a strong performer.

However, Jeffrey Rush kept to himself on set, seldom mingling with other actors.

As training neared its end and the crew's preparations were almost complete, the actors reduced their action training and focused on rehearsing key scenes.

Many directors don't like actors to rehearse too much before filming, believing it can restrict their performance. But Jerry Bruckheimer, a typical producer of commercial blockbusters, didn't care about that. His sets were run with the precision of a finely-tuned machine.

Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow was the most unpredictable element in this well-oiled machine.

Matthew believed that this unpredictability stemmed from Depp's potential. Nobody knew what to expect when Johnny Depp fully embraced his eccentricity, a trait common in many of his fantastical roles. The character might appear absurd at first glance.

Matthew even thought that there were three great joys for a decadent man: lounging in the Caribbean, swaying like Sparrow, and slouching like 'Uncle G'.

Captain Jack Sparrow, one of the film's three leads, was bound to be a dynamic character. How could he not be?

In mid-August, after all the pre-shooting preparations were done, the crew took a three-day break before starting the actual filming.

After training, Matthew returned to his private dressing room to change and then went to the props department to greet the head and pick up an aluminum prop sword. Over the past month, he had developed a habit of practicing with a sword during his days off.

Since he had decided to pursue roles that combined action with appearance, these skills would be helpful in the future. He had also grown to enjoy physical activity more and more.

With the sword bag slung over his shoulder, Matthew left the training hall and ran into Keira Knightley coming from the dressing room.

"Hi, Keira," he greeted casually.

Both were about to leave. Keira walked alongside him. "Picking up your sword again?"

"Yeah, the sword I use for practice is much heavier than the prop swords," Matthew explained as he adjusted his bag. "I've been cautious not to use it recently."

Accustomed to the weight of his steel rapier, using the lighter aluminum prop sword felt very different, as evidenced during his first sparring session with Robert Anderson.

Keira tapped his sword bag, "Still practicing even on your day off?"

"Just a regular workout," Matthew said truthfully. "It's quite enjoyable."

Keira shrugged, "Maybe." She then added, "Before shooting 'Bend It Like Beckham', I practiced football for a while. I'll take you to play sometime."

"Sure," Matthew agreed without hesitation.

"It's soccer!" Keira emphasized. "Not American football."

"No problem," Matthew didn't mind. "I'm okay with either soccer or American football."

He understood soccer well enough, but American football was completely foreign to him.

As Matthew and Keira left the studio, a chubby man approached them. The man paused as he passed Matthew.

"You're Matthew Horner?" he asked uncertainly.

Hearing a stranger call his name, Matthew stopped and gave the chubby man a once-over.

The man was also scrutinizing him, gradually connecting the athletic, handsome man in front of him with the impoverished nobody from over three years ago.

"You are Matthew Horner!" He was now certain.

Matthew recognized him as Dennis Kurt, his temporary agent at Starlight Company, and greeted him politely, "Long time no see, Mr. Dennis Kurt."

Dennis was the temporary agent he had at Starlight Company back then.

"It's me! It's me!" Dennis Kurt laughed awkwardly, "Matthew, I didn't expect to see you here."

Keira, seeing Matthew had run into an acquaintance, whispered, "I'll head off first; my driver is waiting outside."

Matthew nodded, "See you later."

The main actors' contracts included transportation by the crew. Matthew, who drove himself, received a transport allowance instead.

Watching Matthew converse with Keira, Dennis Kurt was filled with mixed emotions. He had watched "Band of Brothers," "The Mummy Returns," and "The Scorpion King," witnessing Matthew's rise from a minor supporting actor to a leading man and then a well-known actor...

Who could have imagined that the small-time actor he had overlooked would become so successful?

No, back then, Matthew wasn't even a small-time actor; he was just the lowest level of a temporary actor.

"Mr. Dennis Kurt," Matthew turned back to his former agent. "It's been three years, hasn't it?"

"Yes," Dennis shifted his hefty frame. "I'm here on business."

He gestured towards the studio Matthew had just exited. "The crew needs many extras, and I have a few clients who were selected."

"Right," Matthew nodded. "You better hurry, they're wrapping up early today."

Dennis opened his mouth as if to say something but then swallowed his words.

Matthew pretended not to notice, politely excused himself, "We should keep in touch. I must go."

"Okay…" Dennis had no choice but to reply, "Goodbye, Matthew."

"Goodbye." Matthew left.

He didn't bring up the past or offer help. Dennis Kurt's page had been turned long ago.

Watching Matthew walk away, Dennis Kurt held back his request for help. Three years had passed, and he was still managing extras while Matthew had become a leading actor in major Hollywood productions. The disparity between them was just too great.

Leaving the Disney studio, Matthew didn't head home but went to the Angel Agency. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" crew had transferred his first paycheck of $600,000 to the agency, and he needed to sign some documents to transfer the funds to his account.

Upon arriving at the agency, he saw Helen Herman talking to a girl with short golden hair near the front desk. The girl, with her back to the door, had a familiar silhouette.

A 15 or 16-year-old girl with black hair, probably noticing him, turned to look his way.

Matthew's first impression of the black-haired girl was that she was unusually mature for her age. Despite her youthful, baby-faced features, her figure was striking, especially her large chest, which was hard to ignore.

Her eyes were another standout feature: bright, gem-like blue, almost unnaturally so.

Seeing
the black-haired girl look at him, Matthew smiled. Just as he did, the girl with the golden short hair turned around. Recognizing her immediately, he exclaimed, "Amanda!"

It was Amanda, who once worked as a temporary receptionist at Angel Agency. They had a good relationship, and she had even helped him during the audition for a Britney Spears music video. "Aren't you supposed to be in England?"

"I'm on summer break," Amanda replied cheerily. "Just came to visit."

She glanced at the black-haired girl, adding, "And to help a friend with something."

Approaching them, Helen Herman also came over. Matthew greeted her and then continued talking to Amanda, "Why did you cut your hair so short?"

Amanda's hair was even shorter than Matthew's. "It's easier to manage," she explained, her warmth towards Matthew still evident. "It's been a few years, and you've become a big star."

Matthew winked at Helen, "All thanks to Helen for giving me a chance."

Helen just glanced at Matthew without saying anything.

"Staying in Los Angeles for a few days?" Matthew asked.

"I have to go back tomorrow," Amanda said, a hint of regret in her voice as she looked at the black-haired girl. "If it wasn't for bringing Anna here, I wouldn't have come to LA."

She then introduced the black-haired girl, "This is Alexandra Daddario, a... well, a sister of mine."

Turning to Alexandra, she said, "Anna, this is Matthew Horner, a friend of mine in LA."

Alexandra greeted Matthew, then remarked, "I know you. You're a Hollywood star."

"Yeah, that's me," Matthew responded with natural confidence. He looked from Amanda to Helen, understanding the situation. To Alexandra, he asked, "Are you also looking to break into Hollywood?"

"Yes!" Alexandra Daddario nodded.

Helen then invited them to her office upstairs. Alexandra was curious about the talent agency and took a tour with an assistant, while the others chatted in the office.

Alexandra was the daughter of a friend of Amanda's father, looking to make her way in Hollywood. Hence, Amanda brought her to Helen to leave her contact details.

Amanda's studies weren't finished yet, so she didn't stay long in LA. The next day, Matthew personally took her to the international airport.

For the next two days, Matthew focused on adjusting his state of mind, preparing for the shooting that was about to start in Disney's Stage Two.

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