Chapter 158: Standing Tall

Upon entering the changing room, Duff, Billy, and another person finished their showers and changed clothes but didn't leave. Instead, they sat together and chatted.

"Why does Matthew Horn get to enjoy the biggest changing room all to himself!" Clark Bernard complained loudly, "The three of us have to cram into this tiny one?"

Duff and Billy shrugged, "Because he's the lead actor in 'The Scorpion King,' and we're just supporting roles." He sat cross-legged on a wooden bench, "At Angel Talent Agency, he's the top client being pushed forward. Whatever resources there are, he gets first dibs, and only whatever he doesn't choose might come to us."

"Angel Talent Agency is a small agency," Steven Brand added seriously, "The resources are quite limited, mainly coming from Helen Herman alone. What's left for us is scraps."

"This time it's not bad," Duff looked quite satisfied, smiling, "an important supporting role in a medium-budget production."

Steven Brand didn't respond, instead turning his head towards the changing room used solely by Matthew Horn.

Duff put away his somewhat sleazy smile, patted Steven Brand on the shoulder, "Clark and I might be okay since our style is completely different from Matthew Horn's. It's a pity for you, though, you're the same type."

Steven Brand still didn't speak, following Duff and Clark Bernard out of the changing room.

The trio took a four-wheeled electric cart to the entrance of Warner Studios, just in time to see a dozen reporters and paparazzi surrounding Matthew Horn, their eyes filled with envy.

Just being the male lead had transformed Matthew Horn from an ordinary actor into a star in the media spotlight...

After dealing smoothly with the reporters and finding an opportunity, he dashed to his Ford, jumped in, and drove off home. Mira Wang didn't accept his invitation and had left earlier.

Driving onto Interstate 5, Matthew noticed in the rearview mirror someone on a motorcycle catching up, likely a paparazzo, but he didn't care. Recently, due to early promotion for "The Scorpion King," he's been getting a lot of media attention, but he knew most of it came from the promotion paid for by the production team and the $40 million production budget from Universal Studios, not genuinely his fame.

If "The Scorpion King" flopped, all this attention would be fleeting. To truly make a name, "The Scorpion King" had to be a success.

From an actor's perspective, all he could do was perform his part as best as he could; everything else was out of his control.

The direction, editing, special effects, and music score, as the lead actor, he had no say.

In this sense, his fate was in others' hands.

After lunch, Matthew went to Angel Talent Agency and discussed this issue with Helen Herman.

"Most actors feel this way," Helen Herman found it normal, "Not just actors, many directors face this problem too. The final film might differ significantly from what was imagined. Some good shots might not even make it to the final cut."

Matthew poured a glass of water, asking, "Is there no solution?"

Helen Herman glanced at him, "The solution is simple. As long as you have a big enough name and box office pull, producers will naturally respect your opinions." She thought for a moment and gave an example, "Take Tom Cruise, for instance. Since the mid-90s, he's been producing the films he stars in, not just in name but with real power. In his collaborations with Paramount Pictures on 'Mission: Impossible,' the entire crew, from producers to directors to other actors, all follow his lead."

"That feels too far away for me," Matthew didn't think he could reach Tom Cruise's status soon, "Any other way?"

"There's another," Helen Herman said, "Like in 'Fast and Furious,' Vin Diesel brought in significant funding, and the whole crew respected his opinions, even though everyone knew he was a troublemaker on set, they still had to put up with it."

Matthew spread his hands in resignation, feeling just as far from that possibility. If he could attract significant investment, he wouldn't be struggling to make a name now.

"What you need to do now is choose good roles and scripts," Helen Herman advised, "Best not to worry about the rest."

She stood up, saying earnestly, "Once you become a superstar, you'll naturally have the power to demand."

Matthew finished his water, "The supporting actors you recommended to the crew, some of them seem quite extraordinary."

Helen Herman didn't deny it, "Like you, they all aim to be Hollywood stars." She suddenly asked, "Do you have a problem with them?"

"If I had a problem, I would've asked you to replace them already!"

"Replace them?" Helen Herman crossed her arms, looking at Matthew, "Useless, replace them with several others, and they'd still resent you."

Matthew thought for a moment and nodded, admitting Helen Herman made a lot of sense.

Helen Herman continued, "With Angel's limited resources, priority goes to you, leaving very little for others. Anyone joining 'The Scorpion King' crew would see you as an obstacle, thinking you're in their way."

"You make a lot of sense," Matthew was sincere, "Helen, you always manage to convince me."

"Because I speak undeniable truths," Helen Herman tilted her head, adding, "Those are minor roles, at most a bit clever. If you can't handle them, you might as well quit trying in this industry."

Matthew set down his glass, ready to leave, "Alright, I'm here to get paid."

That was his main reason for coming, as Angel Talent Agency's internal financial staff had changed, and his $200,000 paycheck had yet to be signed and collected.

"Remember what I said!" Helen Herman reminded, "Bring your best to the set, and don't forget about Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios' major production!"

Matthew knew she meant the monster mash-up movie, waving as he left, "I always remember."

If he hadn't seen that movie and had the related memories, he'd strive for the lead role in that mega-production, potentially over $150 million in investment, a top-tier investment in Hollywood, coveted by many.

To jump into that pit or not was a dilemma. A rare opportunity for a lead role in a mega-production, but memories reminded him it could be a pit he couldn't climb out of.

In essence, Matthew was holding onto a sliver of hope. What if his involvement made a difference? What if it succeeded? Even modest success would smooth out many future paths...

Upon reaching the finance office, Matthew made up his mind. The monster mash-up project was still on Stephen Sommers and Universal Studios' desks, needing time to move into actual planning. Better wait until "The Scorpion King" was done.

Besides, Stephen Sommers might not even consider him, given his average fame and strength.

After signing, Matthew let finance transfer the net amount of $180,000 to his bank account, feeling good about having money again. It made him walk taller.

It's a harsh reality, but often, without money, you lack confidence.

With another $200,000 due when shooting starts, Matthew thought it was time to upgrade his hardware, especially his car. The second-hand Ford was indeed too old and ready to retire.

He had been considering a new car for a while. If not for financial constraints, he would have replaced it sooner. Occasionally, he relaxed by browsing online car info, even picking out the model he wanted.

Leaving Angel Talent Agency, Matthew went straight to a BMW dealership near North Hollywood and picked up a newly launched BMW X5, fulfilling a long-held dream.

As for the old Ford, he sold it for a $2,500 trade-in value.

The remaining money, Matthew saved for emergencies.

Switching from a shabby old Ford to a luxury BMW X5, he felt no discomfort. The money was hard-earned and deserved to be enjoyed.

After all, wasn't this glamorous life his initial goal in Hollywood?

Perhaps it's common, even trite, but he never had lofty artistic aspirations. Like other Hollywood stars, he longed for a glamorous life.

Otherwise, why exert so much effort? To become a great artist? Matthew knew he lacked the ability and desire.

In the following days, Matthew trained in the mornings, studied his role in the afternoons, and rehearsed action sequences with other actors. Helen Herman's mentioned actors didn't cause any trouble, after all, he was the lead supported by two producers.

By early September, as pre-production wrapped up and shooting was about to begin, Matthew heard Brittany was returning to Los Angeles. A copyright issue with a song in her upcoming album had kept her in Nashville to record a new song. Now, she was done and ready to return for a brief vacation.

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