Chapter 89: Cutting Down the Role

"It wouldn't be appropriate to just replace him directly," Eric Bork explained. "Tom Hardy has a formal contract with the crew."

As one of the producers, he had to consider more than the director did. There were contracts involved, and the production didn't need to pay a penalty for such a minor actor.

David Frankel quickly understood Eric's implication and said, "This actor has a big attitude problem and doesn't know how to adjust himself. Our shooting schedule is very tight; I can't afford to waste time on such a minor role."

"How about this..." Although Tom Hardy was introduced by the Central School of Speech and Drama, Eric didn't care much. "Don't fire him. Just handle it as you see fit; it's just a minor role."

"Alright," David Frankel called the assistant director and the cinematographer, instructing, "Adjust the shooting schedule. All close-up shots of Tom Hardy's orderly role are canceled."

"What about the close-ups?" the cinematographer asked.

All the issues were occurring during close-ups.

David had a plan ready, "Shoot from behind him, using his shoulder as a frame to focus close-up shots on Matthew Horner's character."

He looked at the cinematographer and assistant director, "Any issues with that?"

Both replied in unison, "No problem."

It was better to make adjustments than to continue wasting time as before.

"Go get ready," David waved off the two, then turned to Eric, "The character of the orderly dies in a car accident. I think there's no need to keep him in other shots. The planned scenes for this character are all canceled; he'll die in his next scene in the car accident."

Eric thought for a moment and responded, "Shoot this scene first. I'll report the situation to Hanks exactly as it is."

David nodded slightly, "Contact Hanks as soon as possible. If we get another actor like this, I'll go insane!"

After a brief exchange confirming their mutual frustration with Tom Hardy's poor attitude and lack of professional adjustment, they agreed he wasn't worth any more of the production's time, especially not for an expendable orderly role.

As for the Central School of Speech and Drama that had recommended him, neither Eric nor David cared much; they were even slightly annoyed that such an unreliable actor had been referred to them.

The shooting quickly resumed.

Matthew could see that the crew had adjusted the camera angles, seemingly favoring shots of him.

He didn't dwell on it and continued to focus intensely, giving his best effort as always.

Tom Hardy was initially worried, but this time the shooting went smoothly without stops, and the annoying guy opposite him carrying things left the scene.

At just over twenty, he didn't notice anything unusual and, hearing the director call the scene good, he quickly dressed and approached the blonde actress, whispering, "Got time tonight? I'll be at the Krone Bar near the hotel…"

The blonde actress smiled at him but said nothing.

Tom, taking the hint, dressed and was about to head to makeup for the next scene when he heard the assistant director's call.

"Change in the shooting schedule!" the assistant director announced loudly. "The next scene is canceled, moving to the open set to shoot street scenes ahead of time!"

"My scene is canceled?" Tom was puzzled. "What's going on?"

He hurried to the assistant director, asking, "When will the next scene be shot?"

"It's not rescheduled," the assistant director glanced at him and said flatly, "It's canceled. Your next scene is canceled."

"What?" Tom was confused. "Why?"

The assistant director, impatient, responded, "It's a decision made by the director and producer. How should I know why?"

Tom's mood about inviting the beautiful actress out evaporated, "But…"

"There's no 'but'." The assistant director, not wanting to explain further, said, "I have work to do."

With that, he walked away.

Tom stood there, looking around. The actress he had been acting with had already left, the annoying male actor was nowhere to be seen, and the rest of the crew were busy moving equipment for the next shoot. It seemed he was the only one with nothing to do.

"I just called Hanks."

Stepping out of the studio, Eric spoke to David, "Hanks said that for such a minor role, we can make the decision ourselves."

David nodded, "Then shall we go with my suggestion?"

"Go ahead!" Eric had no intention of wasting more energy on such trivial matters. "You decide."

The footage shot for each episode was typically five times longer than what ended up in the final cut, so trimming a minor character's scenes was inconsequential.

In Eric's view, this was just a minor role intended to support Matthew Horner.

He couldn't understand why such a minor actor would adopt an arrogant and disdainful attitude during filming, especially towards an actor much more

 important than him.

Eric shook his head. The actor was too young and wouldn't truly make it without several more years of hard knocks.

Unlike Tom, Matthew Horner was much more mature and intelligent.

"The difference between people is vast," Eric muttered to himself. "These British guys recommended someone completely unreliable. Helen Herman is much more trustworthy."

At the open set street scene, Matthew stood at the edge of a step, with a silver tray and items placed behind him on the step and a Chicago Typewriter nearby.

The crew was still setting up the camera and adjusting the scene; they wouldn't be filming immediately.

Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy, both dressed in US military uniforms presumably as extras for the shoot, approached him.

"About that actress we just worked with..." Michael seemed to be going stir-crazy in a crew mostly comprised of men. "Matthew, what do you think?"

"She's alright," Matthew considered for a moment. "Pretty attractive, great figure!"

Michael slapped James on the shoulder, "See, James, I told you your taste was off!"

James scoffed dismissively.

Matthew playfully patted James on the other shoulder, "In James's eyes, Michael is the most beautiful."

"Go to hell, you!" 

Michael and James simultaneously flipped Matthew the bird.

"He's planning to hit on her," James pointed at Michael.

Michael didn't deny it. "Is there a prettier woman in the crew?"

"No!" Matthew replied affirmatively.

The crew was toxic; from the actors to the staff, there were hardly any women.

"But, Michael," Matthew added, "after the last shot, I heard that Tom Hardy asked her out. Said they'd meet tonight at the Krone Bar..."

"Him?" Michael crossed his arms, annoyed.

James picked up the conversation, "That's so unfair. He got ahead even in hitting on girls! He participated in the whole training, but didn't get much screen time. Tom Hardy didn't participate but got so many close-ups just because he has a well-off family?"

"That's reality," Michael shrugged.

Matthew agreed with Michael's view. Michael was a descendant of a chef, while Tom, according to James, came from a performing arts family—a huge inherent gap between them.

However, family advantage, while real, didn't guarantee a smooth path.

"I've got some good news," Matthew grinned at them. "I heard from the assistant director that apart from a scene where Tom's character dies in a car accident, all his other scenes have been canceled."

"Really?" Michael, although knowing Matthew wouldn't joke about this, asked.

"Absolutely," Matthew confirmed. "Heard it straight from the assistant director!"

"That's some good news!" James looked gleefully vindictive, his eyes darting around. "Tom Hardy invited someone to the bar tonight, right? How about we also go there for some fun?"

"Sure!" Michael agreed without hesitation.

They both looked at Matthew, who thought for a moment and said, "As long as the crew doesn't work late, I'm in."

"Then it's settled!"

As the assistant director began positioning extras, the pair quickly left.

Later, Director David Frankel came over to give Matthew some instructions before shooting began.

In this scene, Captain Ronald Spears, played by Matthew, was supposed to be shipping home valuable loot including silverware. He nearly collides with a jeep driven by Captain Lewis Nixon.

According to the script, the scene had certain risks, but the actual shooting was very safe. The jeep moved slowly, and it was the camera on rails that moved fast, allowing Matthew to dodge easily.

As everyone knows, filmmaking is an art of deception.

However, during the shoot, Matthew didn't manage to keep his balance with the tray, and the silverware fell twice. It took three takes to get it right.

After that, there were no more scenes involving Matthew for the day, and the crew didn't work overtime. He changed into more comfortable clothes after removing his makeup and, along with James and Michael, headed early to the Krone Bar.

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