Next to the long bar at Black Mamba Bar, Matthew picked up a cocktail, took a small sip, and found it sweet and sour. However, he knew this was just an illusion; this carefully crafted cocktail had a powerful kick. With his decent alcohol tolerance, a few drinks would likely put him down quickly.
Bang—
The sound of a glass hitting the bar echoed beside him. Matthew turned to see Charlize Theron had already finished a similar cocktail and said to Johnny Depp on the other side of the bar, "Depp, another one."
Matthew and Johnny Depp had left the party early to drink at Black Mamba, where they ran into Charlize Theron, who was drinking alone at the bar. Since they all knew each other, they joined forces.
Johnny Depp didn't say much and poured Charlize Theron another cocktail he had mixed himself.
Charlize Theron picked it up, tilted her head back, and downed it. She then pulled out a cigarette and a lighter, lit a cigarette, and offered the pack and lighter to Matthew.
Matthew shook his head. Charlize Theron exhaled a smoke ring and said, "I almost forgot, you don't smoke."
They had drunk here a few times and knew each other to some extent.
Charlize Theron waved at Johnny Depp, "Depp, another one!"
"Does free alcohol taste exceptionally good?" Johnny Depp muttered as he poured Charlize Theron another drink. "I'm still too hospitable."
Matthew pointed at him, "Don't you welcome Sally here?"
Johnny Depp straightened his expression, "Of course I welcome her! I don't welcome you."
Despite his words, Matthew knew very well that Johnny Depp was a generous and hospitable guy. Whenever people like them came to the bar to drink, he always treated them.
A strong smell of smoke wafted from nearby. Matthew turned to look and saw that Charlize Theron was clearly not in a good mood. In fact, other than asking for drinks, she hadn't said much.
"What's wrong?" Matthew initiated the conversation. "Something bothering you?"
Charlize Theron glanced at him, nodded, and said, "There are too many things bothering me."
Matthew observed her for a moment and said, "Your figure has pretty much recovered, so it shouldn't be about that, right?"
The last time he saw Charlize Theron, she was preparing for a new film and had gained several sizes. Now, she had almost returned to how she looked when he first met her.
Charlize Theron shrugged, "Women's troubles, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."
Seeing that she didn't want to say more, Matthew didn't press further. After all, they had only shared a few drinks.
The bar door opened from the outside, and a very handsome man walked in. His gaze swept around the bar, then landed on Charlize Theron, and he quickly walked towards the bar.
As the man got closer, Matthew heard footsteps, looked back, and noticed he was staring intently at Charlize Theron. He warned, "Sally, it looks like someone's coming for you."
Charlize Theron turned her head and looked towards the handsome man.
Matthew suddenly noticed that Charlize Theron, who had been calm, even a little cold, now had a hint of panic on her face.
The man walked over, grabbed Charlize Theron's arm without a word, and said grimly, "Didn't you understand what I said? Am I still your boyfriend?"
As he spoke, he dragged Charlize Theron towards the bar entrance. Charlize Theron, as if she had done something wrong, whispered, "Sorry, I just came for a drink!"
"Don't you have drinks at home?" The man's voice suddenly rose. "You just had to come to a place like this!"
Matthew stood up and looked over. Judging from their conversation, the man should be her boyfriend.
Johnny Depp walked out from behind the bar and approached, saying to them, "Stuart Townsend, what's wrong with a place like this? Can't Sally even come to her friend's bar for a drink?"
The man named Stuart Townsend completely ignored Johnny Depp and dragged Charlize Theron out. Johnny Depp looked a bit helpless but followed. Matthew thought for a moment and also went over.
Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron left the bar first, followed by Matthew and Johnny Depp.
"What's going on?" Matthew was a bit confused.
Johnny Depp briefly explained, "This guy has some psychological issues and isn't very good to Charlize Theron."
The two left the bar and saw Stuart Townsend and Charlize Theron get into a car. The car didn't start immediately. Matthew stood at the bar entrance, and from that angle, he could vaguely see that the two in the car seemed to be having a verbal argument.
But what Matthew didn't expect was that Stuart Townsend actually raised his hand and slapped Charlize Theron!
Due to the distance, Matthew and Depp could only watch as the car then started and drove away.
Matthew frowned, "How could this happen?"
Charlize Theron always gave him the impression of a strong, independent woman with a powerful aura. Now, it seemed these were all carefully constructed images.
Johnny Depp shook his head, "Sally is now a prisoner trapped in a cage of love."
In such matters, outsiders couldn't say much. Matthew and Depp watched the car disappear, then returned to the bar. However, neither of them was in the mood to drink anymore. After chatting for a while, they left the bar one after another.
In the following days, Matthew resumed his regular routine, focusing more on preparing for "Dawn of the Dead." He also kept an eye on Charlize Theron's activities. Neither online nor in tabloid reports did he see any news of Charlize Theron breaking up with her boyfriend. Instead, in some of TMZ's latest casual gossip news, he saw Charlize Theron and Stuart Townsend going on vacation to Europe together.
Seeing such news, he could only sigh. Everyone has their own way of living.
When Matthew talked to Depp on the phone, he also discussed this matter with him. According to Depp, Stuart Townsend was once again spending Charlize Theron's money and sweet-talking her.
Johnny Depp mentioned that he and Keanu Reeves had actually warned Charlize Theron more than once, but women caught in love's snare simply wouldn't listen. Besides, they were only friends with Charlize Theron and couldn't say too much.
After hearing Johnny Depp's description, Matthew was left with a very bad impression of Stuart Townsend. To use an old saying, this person was somewhat of a gigolo.
However, he merely thought about it. After all, in terms of friendship with Charlize Theron, he was far from being on par with Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves.
While Matthew was preparing for his role, new information came from the "Dawn of the Dead" crew. Sean Daniel and Zack Snyder had confirmed the film's female lead, who was the most important supporting actress in Matthew's words.
"The crew chose Jessica Alba, the lead actress from James Cameron's produced 'Dark Angel,' for this role."
Hearing Helen Herman's words, Matthew suddenly remembered something. "I met this Jessica Alba at the Staples Center. Her skin tone… Doesn't Sean mind?"
"Jessica Alba is just Latina." Helen Herman had clearly paid attention to this aspect. "You forgot, Sean only has prejudices against African Americans."
Matthew nodded, "Ah, I see."
Helen Herman waved her hand, "It doesn't matter who the female lead is; she's just there to be a pretty face. This film is entirely centered around you."
"I know." Matthew had spoken with Zack Snyder a few more times recently, partly to prepare for filming and partly to naturally strengthen their relationship. "Zack seems to have some unique insights into action scenes and the film's visuals, but most of them were rejected by Sean."
Helen Herman looked at Matthew curiously, "Zack Snyder seems to tell you everything, doesn't he?"
Matthew casually replied, "We have a lot of similar views on film."
Helen Herman scoffed, "You? What insights could you possibly have?"
"Don't underestimate me, okay?" Matthew, as if he truly had unique insights, said, "He and I both believe that the film's visuals can use a rich, painterly color scheme, and action shots can be filmed using high-speed slow motion to showcase every detail of the action and every drop of blood that sprays out to the audience."
Helen Herman glanced at Matthew and said, "Sean won't agree to that."
"Yeah, Sean is a relatively conservative producer." After a few years in the industry, Matthew now clearly understood that 'conservative' was never a derogatory term in Hollywood commercial films; innovation was what production companies disliked. "So, Zack Snyder will only use a little bit of it. How this film is ultimately made, the power lies in Sean's hands."
As an advertising director newly transitioned into the film industry, let alone Sean Daniel as the producer, even Matthew, as the male lead, had far greater status and salary than Zack Snyder.
Once the investment amount was substantial, a new director, even if a peerless genius, could not gain much power in a Hollywood environment.
Basically, they were just the on-set filming director.
Fortunately, although Zack Snyder didn't have final editing rights, he wasn't completely excluded from post-production either. He would still participate in post-editing, but his power could only be described as better than nothing.
In the following two days, the "Dawn of the Dead" crew quickly finalized the rest of the cast. Besides Matthew and the already auditioned Alexandra Daddario, Helen Herman's Angel Agency also had a large number of ordinary actors joining the crew to play minor supporting roles and important zombie characters.
Before the end of the month, Matthew also reported to the crew and traveled with them to Toronto for filming.