Chapter 271: From Beauty to Monster

At the Disney Studios cocktail party, Matthew only exchanged greetings with Jerry Bruckheimer and Robert Stanton, without discussing anything about the movie. This aspect was entirely managed by Helen Herman. Like Depp, he devoted all his energy to the Oscar campaign plan laid out by Disney Studios.

Cooperating with Disney Studios for the Oscars campaign for "Pirates of the Caribbean" actually benefited him personally as well. The Hollywood film industry, especially the Oscars after more than seventy years of evolution, has formed a set of clear rules. To win major awards, significant investment is required.

In this regard, media promotion is a very important part, and Matthew, being one of the male leads of the film, naturally could ride on the coattails of Disney Studios' promotional heat.

However, Johnny Depp was the most prominent.

Johnny Depp's management team had reached an agreement with Disney Studios to nominate Johnny Depp for the Best Actor Oscar as Captain Jack Sparrow.

Matthew, therefore, had no aspirations for the Oscars. Firstly, his role was more of a pretty face, hardly fitting the tastes of the Oscar jurors; secondly, the huge investment required for an Oscars campaign was something both he and Helen Herman were unwilling to undertake.

Thinking of securing an Oscar nomination without a seven-figure investment? Better to just go to sleep.

Although not greatly interested in the Oscars, Matthew fulfilled his contractual obligations diligently, attending related events and actively cheering for "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Moreover, it was to his benefit.

As for Johnny Depp's shot at Best Actor, Matthew was fully supportive. He had a good relationship with Depp and would choose him for the Best Actor Oscar if it were up to him.

In his view, Captain Jack Sparrow was much more interesting and colorful than any psychopath, lunatic, or homosexual character.

Unfortunately, Matthew was well aware that even if Johnny Depp did everything right, at best, he would only get an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. The chance of winning the statuette was less than one percent. "Pirates of the Caribbean," a commercial and fantasy movie with high box office sales, how could it possibly win a performance award like Best Actor?

If Johnny Depp won, wouldn't it suggest that those distinguished old men have the same vulgar taste as the general public?

Matthew didn't dwell on these thoughts. When the cocktail party ended and it was time for interviews, he openly expressed his admiration for Johnny Depp.

"When I first saw a movie starring Depp, I flipped through the cast list after watching and was surprised to find that it was Johnny Depp!"

In an interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," Matthew was full of praise, "Watching Depp's movies, including 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' you become completely immersed in the character and the story, not in the actor's personal aura. I think that's what excellent acting is about, Depp becomes whatever he plays..."

Matthew always had a lot of respect for friends he recognized, "Unlike me, who always ends up playing myself."

Speaking into the microphone to the reporters, Matthew emphasized, "Depp has beautiful eyes and is very expressive, a person whose eyes sparkle with starlight. But who could have guessed he created so many iconic characters, lively or weird or crazy, when in real life he is shy and cute, speaks softly and slowly to the point of being moving, and often nervously repeats you know, yeah. Such a contrast is too adorable."

He concluded the interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," which was specifically for Johnny Depp, with a hearty laugh.

This was also part of Johnny Depp's public relations strategy. Every award season, these influential entertainment media would openly price their space to stars or movie companies, allowing them to spend money on promotions.

Promotion was not limited to praising oneself but also included smearing opponents.

Matthew had seen comments smearing Johnny Depp in "Entertainment Weekly."

"Johnny Depp's performance is stylized, so he belongs to stylized films where he can be considered okay, but his pretty boy roles have no highlights, so his acting is average, even below average."

But to speak the truth, not just media flattery, Matthew thought Johnny Depp was a true genius who didn't need much training, effort, technique, or method. He was naturally suited for the big screen, leaving no trace of acting yet always leaving a memorable impression. However, due to a lack of systematic training or perhaps his own lack of a benchmark, his acting occasionally faced setbacks...

Overall, Johnny Depp's performances were very captivating, more a collision of his personal style and characters than mere "acting technique."

Cheering for such an actor, aside from their friendship, Matthew did not find it exaggerated because Johnny Depp deserved such praise.

A week after the cocktail party, Matthew received a new script and auditioned again at Disney Studios for "National Treasure," playing a veteran who had served at a base in Alaska and had extensively studied history due to family secrets.

He passed the audition smoothly, and then Helen Herman began negotiations with the official team of "National Treasure."

Matthew just had to wait for the negotiation results, which involved millions in salary. The negotiations wouldn't be settled overnight. In the meantime, besides his regular life and training, he also supported another actor.

In mid-December, "Monster," starring Charlize Theron, premiered in Los Angeles in a limited release. Newmarket Films held a premiere for this Oscar-contending film, and Matthew, invited by Charlize Theron, appeared at the premiere alongside Johnny Depp.

This was Charlize Theron's premiere. Matthew was as low-profile as Depp earlier, quickly walking the red carpet and arriving at the interview area in front of the theater.

"Depp, Matthew..."

Unexpectedly, Charlize Theron was in the interview area talking to reporters. Seeing them, she immediately came over, "I'm so glad you could come."

Johnny Depp, ever the eccentric, hugged Charlize Theron but didn't say much. However, his look towards Stuart Townsend, standing beside Theron, was far from friendly.

"We're friends..."

Like Depp, Matthew hugged Charlize Theron out of politeness, "Of course, we came to support you."

Then, he extended his hand to Stuart Townsend, "Hello, Mr. Townsend."

Surrounded by media reporters, Stuart Townsend displayed the demeanor of an English gentleman, shaking Matthew's hand lightly, "Hello, Mr. Horner."

A reporter then shouted, "Charlize! Depp! Matthew! Can we have a group photo?"

"Charlize, Matthew, Depp, let's take a photo together!"

Suddenly, many reporters called out.

Stuart Townsend's smile froze on his face. The reporters were calling for Charlize Theron, Johnny Depp, and Matthew Horner, not mentioning him at all.

As if he was invisible...

Though standing beside Charlize Theron, Townsend felt very uncomfortable looking at Johnny Depp on his left and Matthew Horner on Theron's right.

As the media took photos and reporters feverishly interviewed Matthew Horner and Johnny Depp about their thoughts on Charlize Theron, just like during Theron's interview, no reporter focused on him, not even acknowledging his presence.

He was Charlize Theron's boyfriend, his opinions should matter the most, right?

Matthew, Johnny Depp, and Charlize Theron stood together for the interview. The reporters first asked Johnny

 Depp a few questions, seeing his indifferent attitude, they then turned to Matthew.

"Matthew, are you and Ms. Theron friends?" a reporter loudly asked.

"Of course!" Matthew didn't hesitate, "We're great friends who can talk about anything!"

Charlize Theron glanced at Matthew, wondering when they had become so close?

Stuart Townsend's gaze darkened as it swept over Charlize Theron. He had told her not to interact too much with these people, yet she always ignored him.

Another reporter asked, "Could you comment on Ms. Theron?"

Matthew's mind raced. This was not the place to comment on Charlize Theron's beauty or sex appeal.

"The Charlize I know is a very thoughtful and strong woman!" He scrambled for words to praise the independent woman, "Charlize is not only beautiful on the outside but also possesses remarkable intelligence and the soul of an independent woman!"

Hearing this, Charlize Theron looked at Matthew again, staring a bit longer this time. His words resonated with her; Matthew Horner praised exactly the kind of person she aspired to be.

In just a moment, her impression of Matthew Horner underwent a dramatic change.

Stuart Townsend felt very uncomfortable, suspecting Matthew Horner had ulterior motives and found him extremely annoying.

But under the media's cameras, he couldn't show his displeasure, instead, he had to smile modestly like Charlize Theron.

On the way to the theater, Charlize Theron found an opportunity to approach Matthew and whispered, "Thank you, you flatter me too much."

"No, no, Charlize!" Matthew said earnestly, "This is my honest opinion. What I said is exactly how I see Charlize Theron."

Charlize Theron smiled and walked away without saying more.

Matthew and Depp, with peculiar expressions, took their seats in the theater to watch this serial killer movie that completely destroyed Charlize Theron's beauty.

The film fully demonstrated what it means to transform from beauty to monster.

After "Monster" was released, much like Nicole Kidman the previous year who disguised herself with a fake nose, Charlize Theron also received widespread praise. Whether it was due to a powerful PR campaign or not, North American film critic Roger Ebert directly commented that if Charlize Theron couldn't win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in "Monster," it would cast doubt on the Oscars' integrity.

Of course, Matthew watched as a bystander.

Before Christmas, he received a visit from a heavyweight. After contacting Helen Herman, Ang Lee came looking for him.

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