The Box Office King of Hollywood

Disney Studio's Stage Two had been transformed. Near the entrance on the left side, it resembled a 17th-century seaside town, with a variety of buildings set for both interior and exterior scenes. On the right side, a more spacious area was set up to represent the island cave from the film's climactic battle. Since these scenes weren't scheduled for immediate shooting, the cave was currently empty of water and the glittering gold and jewels.

Inside the semi-enclosed setting of an old-time blacksmith's shop, Gore Verbinski stood at the somewhat shabby door, summoning Matthew and Johnny Depp, who were ready for their scene.

Johnny Depp, in heavy kohl makeup, moved with a deliberate femininity and seductiveness that seemed to emanate from his very bones, even off-camera.

Matthew wore only a light layer of makeup to highlight the textures of his facial features. His specially grown dark brown hair, curled and cascading down his back, along with his perfectly fitted costume, outlined his physique, accentuating a rugged, wild beauty.

Back in mid-July, the crew had informed him that the character of Will Turner would be slightly modified in terms of appearance, script, and action to better suit his personal aura - that of a blacksmith who both forges iron and practices swordplay.

Perhaps effeminate blacksmiths existed, but in most people's minds, blacksmiths were rough, boisterous, and powerful.

Matthew's character designs emphasized a masculine sex appeal, far removed from the clean-cut, slender look of a typical handsome man.

"Matthew, the scene starts with your entrance," Gore Verbinski, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, instructed from the edge of the rickety wooden door, pointing to a water basin nearby. "It's hot, you're wearing heavy formal clothing, so you come in, take off your clothes, wash your face, and wipe off the sweat. Remember! Your gentlemanly demeanor is just for Elizabeth Swann."

"Understood," Matthew replied.

Verbinski continued, "Make sure to splash water on your chest muscles when you wash!"

Matthew understood that wet muscles often looked better on camera.

"You notice something amiss while washing…" Verbinski then turned to Johnny Depp, "When Matthew approaches, emerge from your hiding spot, knife in hand, and then start the action sequence."

Johnny Depp remained silent.

Verbinski glanced at him to confirm he heard the instructions, then returned to the director's monitor.

The shooting began immediately.

Keira Knightley, having wrapped her scenes for the moment, stayed to watch the filming with her assistant from a spot behind the camera that wouldn't interfere with the shoot.

On set, Matthew pushed open the wooden door and entered, shedding his gentlemanly facade. He took off his stifling formal attire, hanging it on a nearby rack, moved to the basin to splash water on his face, and grabbed a towel to dab at the sweat on his body.

The camera focused on his bare upper body, capturing close-up shots of the water droplets trickling down his muscular frame, fully showcasing his primal physique.

Matthew seemed to sense something amiss, glancing into the blacksmith shop. The arrangement was clearly disturbed - the donkey had been moved, and so had the hammer, while the old blacksmith slept off his drunkenness. Matthew inspected the donkey, then the anvil, and as he did, Johnny Depp suddenly appeared from behind a wooden pillar, pirate cutlass aimed at Matthew's bare chest...

The cameraman swiftly adjusted the lens, alternating between Depp's sword and Matthew's robust chest.

As Johnny Depp advanced, Matthew slowly retreated, the first scene featuring both actors together.

"Pirate captain effeminate and coy, blacksmith robust and masculine!" Verbinski exclaimed, watching the monitor. "Such a strong contrast! Perfect!"

"Pirate!" Matthew, in a loud and rugged English accent, confronted Depp.

"Do I look familiar to you?" Depp's voice was effeminate, almost coquettish. "Have I threatened you before?"

Matthew's face hardened, "No! I just don't want anything to do with pirates!"

Before Depp could reply, Matthew swiftly stepped to the right, surprisingly agile, and grabbed a rapier hanging from a pillar, pointing it at Depp.

"Is this wise of you?" Depp seemed to react only then, feigning shock. "Trying to sword fight a pirate?"

Matthew's face showed no hesitation, "You once tried to harm Miss Swann!"

"Just a little."

Depp lunged with his sword, but Matthew, with his skilled swordsmanship, quickly deflected and countered. Depp's cutlass was knocked away.

"Cut!" Verbinski called to stop the shooting.

Depp spread his hands helplessly at Matthew, pulling a comical face.

Matthew also shrugged, "I was only using half my strength." He leaned in and whispered to Depp, "What mischief did you get up to last night?"

"Nothing much," Depp's reply was ambiguous. "Just mingling with five or six beauties."

"Sure," Matthew didn't buy it.

Verbinski's voice carried over, "Let's reshoot the action scene, everything else is okay."

Depp raised his hand, "I request a stunt double." He glanced at Matthew, "Sword fighting with this guy is terrifying, he's a devil."

After making a face at Matthew, Depp walked off set.

Depp's stunt double, already in makeup, was nearly indistinguishable from him due to the heavy pirate makeup. In action scenes with little direct face exposure, the substitution was flawless.

Not just Matthew, but most of the crew knew that Depp's wild lifestyle had taken a toll on his body. He had a stunt double ready for most action scenes unless his presence was absolutely necessary.

With a professional stunt double, Matthew could relax a bit during the action scenes. Otherwise, holding back completely would make his movements appear weak on camera, reducing the fight to a mere dance.

As before, Matthew preferred action scenes over dramatic ones. The earlier dramatic scene required little acting from him, focusing more on showcasing his physique and presence.

Matthew took the action scenes very seriously. He knew he'd be outperformed by Depp in acting, so he aimed to shine in a different way, countering Captain Jack Sparrow's character with his sculpted physique and agile skills.

Verbinski had discussed with each main actor individually, including Matthew, who shared his thoughts on his role. Verbinski agreed, finding the complementary strengths of the two characters beneficial to the film.

"Pirates of the Caribbean" featured a different action style than "The Scorpion King," with no long takes but rather
fragmented shots edited together in post-production. The longest action shots were no more than five seconds.

Matthew, bare-chested, engaged in stop-and-start combat with Depp's stunt double. In just one morning, they shot around twenty action sequences.

During breaks, Matthew headed to the rest area where his assistant, Mira Wang, immediately draped a blanket over his bare back and handed him a straw-equipped cup. After drinking some water and a brief makeup touch-up, the filming resumed, filling the set once again with the clashing sounds of swordplay.

Over the next two days, director Gore Verbinski focused on shooting the sword-fighting scenes between Will Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow. Due to high expectations set by Matthew's involvement, the crew reshot scenes repeatedly to capture the most outstanding footage.

Far from being fatigued

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