Best Movie Star

In the following week, Matthew joined the preparations for "Spartan Three Hundred Warriors". He was mainly responsible for leading and supervising all the actors who participated in the Spartan Warriors in fitness and swordsmanship training, and occasionally with the action guidance crew. Communicate and coordinate the design of Leonidas' action scenes.

Just entering February, news came from Akiva Goldsman that he and investor Warner Bros. chose Francis Lawrence as the director of "I Am Legend".

Matthew specifically let Helen Herman know about Francis Lawrence, a relatively junior film director. Like Zack Snyder, he was a commercial and MV director. He previously worked for Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne -Singers such as Lavigne and Beyonce-North have filmed MVs, and there is currently only one movie work, the movie "Constantine" released by Warner Bros., adapted from DC Comics.

That's Keanu Reeves' movie last year.

The film, which cost $100 million to produce, grossed more than $70 million in North America and $230 million worldwide, was not very successful in terms of box office alone.

Matthew didn't even know who the director of the "I Am Legend" starring Will Smith was. He was only attracted by the name of one person and one dog to watch the movie. How could he specifically remember the director's name? .

Matthew called Keanu Reeves, and even though Keanu Reeves hasn't seen him much lately, he chatted with him in detail for a while. Keanu Reeves spoke highly of Francis Lawrence. , that he is a serious and responsible and talented director.

Zach Snyder was also born in the circle of MV and advertising directors, and he also knew Francis Lawrence. When Matthew talked to him, Zach Snyder also said that Francis Lawrence was quite capable.

Akiva Goldsman and Warner Bros. Ken chose Francis Lawrence as director, and they also had their own considerations. It is said that Francis Lawrence came up with a whole set of plans that moved them.

As an actor, it is difficult to have a say in the choice of the director, even a first-line actor like Matthew, unless he initiates the project, or the project's director, like "Three Hundred Spartans". The protagonist must be him.

Both Akiva Goldsman and Warner Bros. were happy to cast him as the lead actor, but he wasn't a must.

Of course, if Matthew is not satisfied with the director selection, he can also communicate with Akiva Goldsman and Warner Bros. The two sides are too different, and he can completely withdraw from the project.

Matthew is not dissatisfied with Francis Lawrence, the only doubt is that "Constantine" is not a successful box office, so he still let Helen Herman and Akiva Goldsman continue to negotiate, "I Am Legend" The project has only just entered the preparatory stage, and the actors are still far from being confirmed.

Although Helen-Hellman's negotiations with the crew have only just begun, Matthew has already thought a lot about the male lead of the project.

"I Am Legend" can be said to be a complete one-man show. It used to focus more on the opening dog, but now looking back, the actor Will Smith almost used his personal charm to support the entire film.

A one-man show has higher requirements for actors. If it is a one-man show of a literary film, Matthew will definitely give up. He knows that his acting skills do not meet the standards of that type, but such a typical commercial film is different. The personal charm and appeal of the actors are more than acting. More importantly, he is confident that after several years of tempering, he can be qualified for this role.

Indeed, his acting skills are not outstanding, even if he has been the leading actor in many films, after several years of tempering, looking at the whole of Hollywood, he is of an average level.

But Will Smith's acting isn't much better.

Although this black actor won the Oscar nomination for best actor for "Ali", everyone knows that the Oscar performance award does not necessarily represent how good his acting skills are. Will Smith has never been an acting school, but is generally recognized The commercial superstar of the 2000s follows a similar route to him.

Even if you let the media and film critics evaluate, if you really want to talk about acting, Will Smith may not be much better than him.

As far as other aspects are concerned, just like acting, Matthew thinks he is no worse than Will Smith today. His five consecutive starring films are super-sold, and among the first-line stars, he definitely belongs to the one with extremely high commercial value, and his style It has a bright, prominent image, and has a large audience of fans, and its box-office appeal has been fully proved.

The only disadvantage may be that he is not as politically correct as Will Smith.

But this kind of Hollywood-style political correctness has its pros and cons. Many southern states in the United States do not welcome black people until now.

Of course, now that Hollywood is rampant, someone will suggest to Akiva Goldsman and Warner Bros. to use a black star as the male lead, maybe.

Compared with the project "I Am Legend", which can only act as the male lead, Matthew has a heavier voice in "Three Hundred Spartans", and in addition to the starring role, he is also named a producer.

Since the "911 Incident", the so-called political correctness that has become more and more popular in Hollywood has also affected the crew of "Three Hundred Spartans".

"This is how it is now..."

Inside the Warner Studios office, Bearded Jack said with a hint of helplessness on his face, "Most commercial films will choose a black character in the shaping of an important positive character."

Zach Snyder frowned, David Ellison said nothing, and Matthew was silent.

Bearded Jack continued, "For example, the black partner of Maximus in "Gladiator" is a specially created black character, so in the later stages of the film, the role of the black character became less and less, and it seemed that he was completely separated from the male protagonist. generally."

Screenwriter Curt Johnstad said, "Jack is very reasonable, not to mention Ridley Scott, even George Lucas has compromised, the Jedi Knight of the Star Wars prequel trilogy One of the strongest and the leader is also a black man."

Seeing that even the screenwriter Curt Johnstad gave his support, Matthew couldn't help but say, "That doesn't seem right, doesn't it?"

He glanced at Zack Snyder and said simply, "I haven't studied it carefully, and I haven't received any relevant historical education. I just want to ask one thing. Among the various historical documents, there are records of city-states in ancient Greece. Negroes as true warriors?"

Bearded Jack certainly didn't want to add black characters to the Spartans, but to add positive black characters to the Tinikia who came to help.

Zach Snyder was very tacit, and immediately returned, "No! There is absolutely no record of any information!"

"Isn't it very simple?" Ma Xiu said naturally, "Since there is no record in the history books, why should we add such a role?"

The bearded Jack sighed and said, "This is just for the past. Today, the group of black actors and directors is becoming more and more extreme, and they often use the absence of important black characters in the film as an excuse to show their sense of existence. "

Matthew wanted to say that this was all used by people like you, but he held back and said instead, "With the original Frank Miller comics, we have enough excuses."

Zach Snyder added, "There's no need to add such a role."

The two sponsors of the project objected, and David Ellison said at the right time, "I think Matthew and Zach have a good point."

Bearded Jack is also thinking about the film. Seeing the other three collectively object, he thought about it and said, "Okay, I don't need to consider this suggestion of mine."

This concludes the meeting with the top of the crew. Matthew and Zach Snyder left the office first, then exited the studio's office building and walked towards the studio.

"Jack is kind," Matthew said to Zach Snyder as he walked. "Don't take it to heart."

Zach Snyder smiled, "I know." He then sighed, "If it goes on like this, black actors will really consider themselves a special group."

Matthew spread his hands, "Who knows what those people in the circle think, especially the colleges that lead the value orientation in the circle. Could it be that those middle-aged and elderly white people, after decades of pampering, have all discovered their conscience?"

"Who knows." Zach Snyder spread his hands. "They are politically correct, but they want others to pay for it."

Matthew tapped Zach Snyder on the arm and said, "One day, they're going to suffer."

Zach Snyder suddenly remembered something, "By the way, have you signed a contract with the "I Am Legend" crew?"

"Not yet." Matthew shook his head lightly, "Helen Herman is still negotiating with Akiva Goldsman, the salary I want is very high, it is estimated that the bargaining will take a long time~www.readwn.com~ remind you One sentence." Zach Snyder always thought Matthew was a confidant and said, "Didn't you ask me about Francis Lawrence last time? Wasn't he the director of that project?"

Seeing Matthew nod, he added, "Francis Lawrence is a firm supporter of this idea, and it's best not to say it in front of him, like those of us who don't want black actors."

"Well." Matthew is not stupid, "I will pay attention."

The words he just said did not involve any sensitive words or topics, and they were discussing matters in the name of history.

Although I am a little curious about what Zach Snyder said about Francis Lawrence, Matthew is not surprised. This kind of political correctness in Hollywood is not only caused by the social situation. There are indeed a large number of people in the circle who are very sympathetic and even support black actors. of people.

In the strange land of America and in the dreamy circle of Hollywood, it is not uncommon for white skins to black hearts.