Chapter 325: This Is Not Sparta

In the temporary makeup room of the studio, Matthew slipped into metallic battle boots and walked around, finding them a perfect fit. He nodded to the costume designer, then stepped in front of the makeup mirror. Today, his stylist was doubling as a makeup artist and quickly came over with an assistant to apply some oil to his chiseled muscles, enhancing their definition.

Matthew wore nothing but a pair of dark red shorts and boots, his appearance reminiscent of a distinctive sculpture. Additionally, a fake beard was attached to his face, giving him a more mature look than his actual age.

After the stylist finished applying the oil, she carefully inspected Matthew from top to bottom, ensuring everything was perfect before stepping aside. The costume designer then approached with a red cape, draping it over Matthew's shoulders.

Next, the costume designer handed Matthew the short sword borrowed from Zack Snyder, which Matthew hung at his waist and checked his appearance in the mirror.

"Are we good to go?" he asked the stylist.

"Fantastic!" The stylist, lifting her chin, circled Matthew and remarked, "Matthew, this film could go without a plot or choreography. Just you walking towards the camera would swoon a host of female viewers."

The stylist, a woman who had worked with Matthew for several years and was well-acquainted with him, allowed her gaze to travel appreciatively down his toned body. "It's a real waste you don't model for top men's underwear brands!"

Matthew shrugged, "It's mainly because my stature isn't high enough for those gigs."

He didn't mind her comments, aware that the stylist was openly gay and familiar enough for such exchanges.

Once ready, Matthew didn't linger in the makeup room. He proceeded to the studio, now surrounded by green screens even on the floor. Zack Snyder, taking on multiple roles, was behind the camera discussing lighting setups.

Matthew didn't interrupt, choosing instead to familiarize himself with the green-screen environment by walking around the set.

In the center of this small section of green screen, there was a pit less than a meter deep, also covered with green, its bottom cushioned with a thick, green mat.

Hearing footsteps, Matthew turned to see a towering black actor approaching, whom he didn't recognize.

Zack finished with the lighting technician and joined Matthew, explaining, "This is an actor borrowed from your agency."

Matthew nodded. Zack had informed him that today's shoot would involve a scene where a Persian messenger comes to demand submission from Leonidas, who then kills the messenger.

Since they were only shooting a test scene, Zack hadn't called for many actors; only Matthew and the black actor would be present.

In fact, the black actor's role was minimal. As per Zack's direction, he didn't need to speak; his part was simply to be killed by Matthew.

"Kenneth!" Zack called the black actor over and led both him and Matthew to the edge of the green-screened pit, instructing, "Matthew, finish your lines, then kick Kenneth down into the pit."

To the actor, he added, "You've done a lot of stunt work; just follow Matthew's lead."

The black actor, dressed heavily with metallic rings on his face and nose, looked menacing.

"I know what to do," the actor nodded.

Zack briefed them on positioning and movement before heading back to the camera. Matthew used the opportunity to talk with the actor, ensuring they had a basic understanding, crucial for coordinating the action scene.

Especially for stunt work, cooperation was key. Matthew couldn't actually kick the actor into the pit—not with his strength, which might prevent the actor from getting up for quite a while.

At the camera, Zack raised a hand. His assistant operated another camera focused on Matthew's side. Given the circumstances, simplicity was necessary.

"Action!" Zack's voice carried over.

Matthew looked down and began softly, "Earth and water…"

"Cut!"

Zack immediately stopped him after the first line, reminding, "British accent! Classic British, Matthew!"

Matthew raised his hand in acknowledgment. "I forgot."

He had overlooked that actors in most Hollywood historical epics, regardless of origin, typically adopted a classic British accent.

"Give me a moment!" Matthew, who had trained in this, hadn't used it recently. He asked for a few minutes to find the right tone, "Give me a few minutes to get the feel."

Zack suggested, "Think Shakespearean stage English."

That was a bit challenging. Matthew paced and muttered to himself for five minutes before returning to his mark, "Let's try again."

Zack nodded and signaled readiness, "Action!"

"Earth and water…"

Matthew now adopted the classical British tone, his expression solemn and his speech rhythmic, "Earth and water!"

He suddenly drew his sword, turned towards the black actor, his tone mocking as he pointed to the pit behind him, "There's plenty of earth and water down there, go fetch it yourself!"

Clenching the sword tightly, Matthew's muscles tensed, making him appear even more ferocious than the black actor as he shouted, "You come to me with the heads and crowns of conquered kings! You insult my queen! You threaten my people with slavery and death! Persian!"

He sheathed his sword, stepping back as if merely threatening.

Matthew turned to face the camera, his gaze unwavering.

"This .is .Sparta!" With a furious shout, Matthew spun and kicked, his leg striking out like lightning.

The black actor, prepared for the impact, flew backward into the pit just before Matthew's foot landed.

"Cut!" Zack called out, "That's it for now."

The actor in the pit struggled to his feet, attempting to climb out. Matthew extended a hand to help him up. After the actor was back on his feet, Matthew sheathed his sword and joined Zack.

"How was it?" he asked.

Zack connected to a nearby monitor, adjusted it, and began playback, commenting, "Overall, not bad."

Matthew stood by, watching the slow-motion replay surrounded by green screen, knowing his ability to judge such footage was limited.

"This is high-speed slow motion," Zack noted, "but it's unprocessed, playing at twenty-four frames per second."

"Right," Matthew nodded, aware that Hollywood often shot action scenes at a high frame rate to be played back at a standard rate for slow motion effects.

Zack, an expert in this technique, made Matthew feel his skills were well utilized.

He couldn't contribute much to this part of filmmaking. After reviewing the footage, he moved on to prepare for a solo scene as Leonidas.

Taking a spear from an assistant, Matthew positioned himself on an uneven section of the green screen.

Zack maneuvered a camera mounted on tracks to a spot five feet from Matthew and asked, "Ready?"

Matthew, gathering his emotions, didn't speak but nodded.

Zack signaled to someone off-camera. A wind machine started, and as it blew, Matthew's cape billowed around him. He stood on the green screen, holding the spear, looking upwards.

As the cape fluttered, Zack slowly pulled the camera back, capturing Matthew's imposing figure, reminiscent of a Michelangelo sculpture radiating masculine strength, vigor, and wild beauty.

Shooting "Dawn of the Dead," Zack had recognized the rugged charisma of this actor. Now, he seemed even more exceptional than Zack had anticipated.

With such a formidable Leonidas, plus a high fidelity to the graphic novel, Zack believed they could surely impress Frank Miller.

Zack circled Matthew 360 degrees with the camera, internally remarking on the wildness of this Spartan warrior.

As the camera returned to its starting point, Zack called out, "Stop!" He gave Matthew a thumbs up, "Brilliant, perfect!"

Matthew, leaning on his spear, joked, "You better call cut, or my joints will stiffen."

Such posed shots might seem simple but were not easy to execute.

Returning the spear to an assistant, Matthew discussed the next scenes with Zack before continuing with the shoot.

Overall, the filming went smoothly. Zack had prepared for months, and after just two days, the test footage was complete. However, filming was just the beginning. To achieve the envisioned effects, extensive post-production work was needed.

After wrapping up, Matthew left further interactions with Zack to Helen Herman as he prepared for the release of "National Treasure."

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