Chapter 88: Replace Him

Upon hearing Helen Herman's words, Matthew immediately thought of the news he had read in the newspapers earlier. The film he starred in, "The Soul Transference Girl," had received several Oscar nominations, including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. The crew would definitely attend the Oscars red carpet ceremony next month.

Had Helen Herman been in discussions about that?

With this thought, Matthew eagerly asked, "Is it for 'The Soul Transference Girl'?"

"What are you thinking?" Helen Herman guessed some of his thoughts. "I was talking about the movie premiere's red carpet, not the Oscars!"

Matthew, who had been preoccupied with the Oscars, couldn't help but chuckle dryly.

Helen Herman simply stated, "I've been in touch with Jack from the 'Gladiator' crew... you know, the producer with the long beard. We've pretty much confirmed your attendance at the North American premiere of the film."

"Great!" Matthew couldn't hide his excitement. 'Gladiator' was a blockbuster with a budget over one hundred million dollars, and its premiere would undoubtedly attract significant attention. He immediately put thoughts of 'The Soul Transference Girl' and the Oscars aside and asked, "When is it?"

"End of April!" Helen Herman was well-prepared. "Before I head back to Los Angeles, I will coordinate with the 'Band of Brothers' crew regarding your schedule, so don't worry about that."

Matthew nodded, "That would be best."

Helen Herman continued, "I've also talked to Eric Bork over the phone. The 'Band of Brothers' crew might have a media event soon, and he'll try to get you included among the interviewees." She checked her watch and stood up. "If he needs you, make sure to cooperate; it's not entirely up to him."

Finally, she cautioned, "If it happens, be careful with what you say during the interviews. Always align with the crew."

"Don't worry," Matthew assured her, "I understand the importance."

Helen Herman was about to leave. "I'm headed to Warner Brothers Studios in London now. I'll text you if anything comes up."

After seeing off his agent and finishing breakfast, Matthew decided not to go out. Instead, he returned to his room for some more sleep, spending the rest of his time reading and catching up on the news.

The next day, filming resumed, and Matthew was back to his busy schedule.

Due to changes in directors and filming locations, David Frankel took over as the director for most parts of episodes seven and nine.

Then, Matthew saw Tom Hardy on set, and they had several scenes together.

"Fancy meeting you here again." Tom Hardy, who appeared freshly shaven, wore a slightly arrogant expression that made him seem quite imposing. "We'll be acting together."

He leaned closer, "I'll steal all the spotlight!"

The scenes being shot were from episode nine. Matthew's character, Ronald Spears, had been promoted to the fourth company commander of E Company, while Tom Hardy's character, a new recruit, was his orderly.

Matthew simply nodded, saying nothing as he didn't have a good impression of the man.

He handed off his helmet to a crew assistant, slung the Chicago Typewriter over his shoulder, picked up a prop serving tray, and walked to the pre-built set door, ready to start filming.

Tom Hardy, looking disdainful, walked past Matthew into the room.

A blonde female actor entered the set, wearing only a nightgown, in stark contrast to Matthew's military attire.

This was one of the few intimate scenes in the entire script.

However, the male actor wasn't Matthew, but Tom Hardy.

"She's quite pretty…"

Onlookers around the set were eyeing the female lead, including Michael Fassbender, who asked James McAvoy, "You're well-informed. Do you know her background?"

James McAvoy crossed his arms, eyeing the direction of the woman. "Fancy her, Michael?"

Michael Fassbender scratched his chin, "Don't you think she's beautiful?"

"That's because you've been on set too long!" James McAvoy scoffed, "With all the men around, even Whoopi Goldberg would look like a beauty!"

"What's with all the nonsense!" Michael Fassbender clapped him on the shoulder, "Do you know her background or not?"

From early November to February, being surrounded almost exclusively by men had left many actors restless.

"She's probably called Elizabeth Custer," James McAvoy was indeed well-informed, "a new British actress just starting out."

Michael Fassbender eyed the actress's slim figure beneath her nightgown, "Had I known about her, I would have fought to be Matthew's orderly."

"Attention, everyone!" Director David Frankel's voice echoed, "We start shooting in five minutes."

The actress quickly went inside. Matthew, prompted by the director from across the set

, closed the door. Although one side of the room was completely open, he could still see inside.

The two actors boldly undressed; the woman only took off her top while Tom Hardy stripped completely.

Matthew was no novice and knew that such scenes were commonplace in the acting profession. Until reaching star status, it was hard to demand closed sets.

For example, Tom Hardy and the blonde actress were now shooting this intimate scene in full view of everyone.

Tom Hardy and the actress lay down on the bed, her on top, him underneath.

"Episode nine, scene four, take one…" the assistant director shouted, "Action!"

Immediately, Tom Hardy and the actress began moving, and indescribable sounds filled the set. Matthew, standing two meters from the door with a prop tray, waited for the assistant director's cue.

The assistant gestured towards him, but as the camera did not turn his way, Matthew walked to the door and pushed it open. Tom Hardy rolled off the bed, revealing himself and the actress in all their nudity.

Matthew, not diverting his eyes, fully embraced the persona of Ronald Spears. Tom Hardy stood up and saluted him…

However, his face bore the same arrogant and disdainful expression he had before the shoot.

"Cut!" Director David Frankel halted the filming, addressing Tom Hardy, "Your expression is all wrong!"

Matthew shifted his shoulders and glanced at the blonde actress. Maybe it was because he had been around mostly men for so long, but he found her quite attractive.

The actress seemed to notice Matthew's look and nodded at him after putting on her nightgown.

Matthew nodded back but kept it at that, his glance at her just a reflex.

"Tom Hardy!" David Frankel pointed out Tom Hardy's mistake, "You are an orderly, was that how an orderly behaves towards a superior officer?"

After a brief reprimand, Frankel instructed, "Back to positions! Let's shoot this again!"

Matthew stepped outside, closing the door behind him, while Tom Hardy and the actress lay down on the bed again.

Filming quickly resumed, only to be stopped again by the director at the same spot!

Tom Hardy's character had a close-up shot just as Matthew's Ronald Spears entered.

David Frankel pointed at Tom Hardy, "Your facial expression and attitude!"

Tom Hardy nodded, glanced at Matthew, his eyebrows knitting together—blending into the jerks he hung out with like Michael Fassbender…

Before he could fully form a thought, Matthew shook his head and stepped out of the room, looking rather dismissive.

Tom Hardy's frown deepened, and his face showed a clear arrogance again.

Not long into the industry and certainly not a skilled actor yet, Tom Hardy's repeated takes were halted by the same mistakes.

Matthew felt a bit helpless; due to a mere facial expression, they kept having to redo the shot. Tom Hardy, around the same age, seemed to have attitude problems, but Matthew kept silent, knowing it was the director's job to handle.

After several interruptions for the same reason, David Frankel lost his temper, shouting at Tom Hardy, "What are you thinking!" He pointed at Matthew, bellowing, "He's your superior officer! A renowned iron-blooded company commander! He catches you in the act, and what attitude do you think you should have? Why do I see arrogance through the lens?"

"Sorry," Tom Hardy's eyes flashed with anger as he looked at the director but held back, knowing better. He hastily assured, "It won't happen again."

David Frankel yelled, "Back to positions! We start in three minutes!"

They started shooting again, Matthew maintaining his stern military demeanor as he walked in through the door. Tom Hardy rolled off the bed and stood up to salute Matthew…

"Cut!" David Frankel's frustration was evident, "Dammit! What are you thinking! Don't you know how to show respect? Don't you realize a new recruit should show deference to a superior officer? Don't you feel even the slightest shame being caught in such a situation?"

He was an experienced director and could sense that the actor's mentality was off.

This was a straightforward shot, originally scheduled for just fifteen minutes, now stretching to nearly an hour.

David Frankel patiently continued directing, but after the same issue caused six more stops, Tom Hardy's performance only worsened, failing even the most basic self-adjustments.

"Dammit!" His fury nearly ignited, "Do you even know how to act?"

This actor was clearly at an amateur level. What was the Central School of Speech and Drama thinking by recommending such a fool?

Tom Hardy was also getting angry, believing his performance was quite natural, yet the director kept finding faults…

David Frankel suppressed his anger, called producer Eric Bork over, and whispered, "Replace him! This actor doesn't understand acting! Can't adjust himself! Too amateurish! His place is as a background extra on the streets!"

Eric Bork hesitated,

 "That might be a bit harsh…"

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