Chapter 170: Looking for Projects

"Who would have thought, really."

Inside the Black Mamba Bar, Michael Fassbender shook his head at Matthew, "You, my friend, actually landed a leading role in a movie with a forty million dollar budget!"

Matthew put on an arrogantly cool demeanor, "Can't help it if I'm handsome and charming!"

"Go to hell, you!" James McAvoy pushed him, laughing, "You think you're more handsome than me?"

"I'm more handsome than you!" Matthew turned to James McAvoy, "But not as pretty."

Michael Fassbender grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth, "Isn't that the same thing?"

The three of them raised their glasses and drank together.

James McAvoy, curious, asked, "Matthew, how come we've never seen your girlfriend? She never visited the set, and she's nowhere to be seen now that we're in Los Angeles?"

"She's busy," Matthew shrugged off, vaguely, "Traveling."

Britney's new album was already out, and she was back to her life of touring and appearances.

He quickly changed the subject, "You came over for 'Black Hawk Down' dubbing, why wasn't I informed?"

"The dubbing was just for some minor roles." James McAvoy took the glass Michael Fassbender handed him, "The main characters' sound effects seemed fine."

Speaking of the 'Black Hawk Down' crew reminded him of something and he asked Matthew, "Didn't Johnny Lee Miller ask you for a videotape?"

"Videotape?" Michael Fassbender, having just poured Matthew a drink, asked curiously, "What videotape?"

"A tape that doesn't exist," Matthew briefly explained the situation to Michael Fassbender.

"There's such a story?" Michael Fassbender grinned again, "Matthew, lucky you're sharp, or we'd have to fetch you from the San Fernando Valley."

Matthew raised his glass to him and took a sip.

Michael Fassbender continued, "Where would you even get a videotape?"

"So, I've been dragging it out," Matthew put down his glass, "I don't even answer Johnny Lee Miller's calls; I've blocked him."

James McAvoy, suddenly thinking of something, asked, "Are you participating in the premiere promotion for 'Black Hawk Down'?"

"I don't know, my agent hasn't received any notice," Matthew shook his head.

"If you are, be careful," James McAvoy warned, "You might run into Johnny Lee Miller."

Michael Fassbender added, "Matthew, better to be cautious. Johnny Lee Miller is well-known among the British actors in Hollywood."

"Yeah," James McAvoy agreed, "I can attest to that."

He was, after all, a bona fide British actor.

"I'll keep an eye out for him," Matthew certainly wouldn't underestimate Johnny Lee Miller.

"Let's drop it," Michael Fassbender changed the subject, "Let's talk about something happy..."

He was cut off as a short man passing by suddenly stopped by their table, glanced at Matthew, and greeted, "Matthew?"

Hearing the voice, Matthew immediately looked up to see a familiar face, the director who had once directed a music video for Britney, quickly stood up, politely responding, "Hello, Director Snyder, didn't expect to meet you here."

He reached out his hand, and Zack Snyder shook it, saying, "Call me Zack."

Seizing the rare opportunity to meet a director, Matthew cordially invited, "Join us for a drink?"

Zack Snyder shook his head, "I'm busy, some other time."

After a brief exchange mostly about work, Zack Snyder excused himself and left.

"Who was that?" Michael Fassbender asked curiously.

"Zack Snyder," Matthew explained briefly, "A director of music videos and commercials."

"He's quite famous in the commercial world," James McAvoy suddenly spoke up, well-informed as always, "His commercials are unique, known for their cinematic widescreen style. He's done work for Nike and Reebok, featuring Michael Jordan and tennis star Martina Navratilova, once named the most talented commercial director by Britain's 'Media & Arts' magazine."

Matthew realized that Zack Snyder was already a big name before moving into films.

In their conversation, Zack Snyder had mentioned he was looking to direct films and was searching for the right project.

However, despite his fame in the advertising world, transitioning to directing a substantial film project would not be easy.

What was Zack Snyder's first movie? Matthew pondered while chatting with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, recalling information about Zack Snyder.

It wasn't a superhero movie. Was it that early movie with three hundred Spartans? Maybe that was it?

He couldn't quite remember, as it was "Batman v Superman" that truly made an impression on him.

The three of them stayed at the Black Mamba Bar until after ten, finishing a bottle of whiskey and some cocktails before staggering out together.

For safety, Matthew called a designated driver, then led James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender towards the nearby parking lot.

As they walked, James McAvoy pointed to a spot, "River Phoenix overdosed and died right there."

Matthew, unfamiliar with the name, asked, "Who's River Phoenix?"

Michael Fassbender explained, "A true acting talent, sadly got into drugs."

"Drugs..." Matthew mused, reminded of the saying, "Cherish life, stay away from drugs."

Though drug use is common in Hollywood, there are also many who abstain.

Matthew couldn't understand the mindset of those who took drugs.

The designated driver soon arrived, driving Matthew's BMW, first dropping off James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender at their hotels, before taking Matthew home to Burbank.

In the following days, aside from flying to Washington D.C. to see Britney, Matthew's schedule remained largely unchanged, except for increased time spent on fitness and training, dedicating afternoons to boxing and mixed martial arts at a gym in Westwood, guided by Nebojsa and another trainer.

As his skills improved, he revisited the idea of making a straightforward action movie, pondering if he could pull together funding for such a project if he became a star.

During this break, Matthew also heard from Halle Berry, who had landed a role in "X-Men 2" as a skilled female mutant with significant scenes opposite Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.

Soon after, Matthew received an audition opportunity from 20th Century Fox for a superhero movie.

Upon learning of Fox's "Daredevil" project, Helen Hunt submitted his resume to the production, aiming for the lead role.

Such superhero productions could catapult an actor to fame if successful.

However, Matthew was puzzled by the lack of recall for a "Daredevil" movie, suggesting it might have had a minimal impact.

Without an invitation to audition for "Daredevil" and the role quickly going to Ben Affleck, Matthew felt no competition with Affleck.

Unperturbed by the missed opportunity, Matthew considered the risks of jumping into a high-budget superhero film without prior recognition.

After a restful break, Helen Hunt called Matthew to the agency for a work-related discussion.

"Rushing me over, do you have a role for me?" Matthew inquired, sitting across from her.

Helen Hunt, as usual, had news, "The 'Black Hawk Down' crew has invited you to several promotional events in North America this December."

Matthew immediately thought of Johnny Lee Miller, simply nodding in acknowledgment.

"And one more thing," Helen Hunt added, "Try to get acquainted with Jerry Bruckheimer."

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