In the main hall of the shopping center, four or five reporters surrounded Matthew, constantly asking questions that interested them. Alexandra Daddario stood not far away, looking on enviously, but she knew she had to wait until the reporters finished interviewing Matthew before it would be her turn.
"This film is not a simple repetition, but a brand new creative process!"
As the most famous person in the entire film, the press release prepared by the crew for Matthew highlighted his prestige. "We don't want to compare this film with other films; this is our version."
A reporter then asked, "It is said that the crew redesigned the zombies?"
Matthew spoke eloquently, as if he himself were the designer. "Yes! The zombies are agile and supernaturally strong. They have a shark-like sense of smell for blood and act collectively like wolves. Once a person is bitten by a zombie and dies, they instantly transform into a new zombie."
"Some time ago, Miss Keira Knightley was interviewed in the UK…" The question shifted to gossip. "She talked about your relationship, saying it was a very, very beautiful memory, and that you broke up because you were too young and impulsive."
The female reporter asking the question asked, "Matthew, will you two get back together?"
Hearing this question, Matthew immediately understood that the "King Arthur" crew was still rehashing old news to grab attention, and he also understood that the effect of this 1+1 old news would definitely be greater than 2.
A so-called reconciliation was not impossible, provided there were sufficient benefits.
"Keira is a very good girl." Matthew first praised Keira Knightley, then added, "Although we've broken up, we've always kept in touch. We're still good friends, and what happens in the future will be left to fate."
Having been in the industry for these past few years, Matthew's ability to deal with reporters had improved very quickly. His words neither confirmed a reconciliation nor closed the door to endless speculation.
This kind of answer was more conducive to gossip media hype.
He could even imagine how the tabloids would write about it in the next two days.
"Matthew Horner and Keira Knightley's lingering feelings…"
News like this could also attract some attention.
Seeing that the questions were tending towards gossip, the press officer accompanying Matthew timely ended the interview. After Matthew stepped aside, he formally introduced Alexandra Daddario to the media reporters.
"This is my first time filming an action movie, and I didn't realize the physical demands of filming." Alexandra Daddario was a bit nervous, trying to maintain her composure, and said, "After the film started, I just kept running, as if all I needed to do was run. This is something I've never experienced in my previous films…"
Alexandra Daddario was still being interviewed when footsteps came from inside the shopping center, quickly approaching the front hall. Matthew turned to look, and Jessica Alba, wearing a pair of flat shoes, emerged from the corridor and entered the front hall.
This was the only way out of the shopping center. When he was being interviewed earlier, many actors and staff had left one after another.
Matthew glanced at Jessica Alba. Jessica Alba clearly noticed him, and a bright, sweet smile immediately appeared on her face. She quickened her pace, seemingly wanting to come over, but instead of walking through the center of the front hall, she walked towards Matthew.
As she passed the reporters and Alexandra Daddario, whether it was because she was walking too fast or because she was wearing high heels, Jessica Alba suddenly stumbled and fell towards where the reporters were.
Thud—
Under Matthew's gaze, Jessica Alba fell to the ground.
"Ah—!"
She then let out a cry.
Alexandra Daddario's interview was instantly interrupted. All the reporters turned to look at Jessica Alba on the floor. Even Alexandra Daddario herself couldn't help but look over.
"Are you Miss Jessica Alba?"
After all, she was a star actress who started as a child star and starred in "Dark Angel," and her name was also on the cast list. A sharp-eyed reporter immediately recognized Jessica Alba. "Are you the lead actress of the film, Jessica Alba?"
Several reporters immediately abandoned Alexandra Daddario and surrounded Jessica Alba. Reporters with cameras aimed at Jessica Alba on the ground and snapped photos repeatedly.
The flashing lights reminded the somewhat stunned press officer. He quickly went over, but before he could do anything, Jessica Alba struggled to her feet and said with a smile, "Yes, I'm Jessica Alba."
"Are you alright?" One reporter seemed to have a bit of conscience.
Jessica Alba shook her head. "I'm fine, just a fall."
Subsequently, the reporters became less polite, throwing out questions one after another. The press officer had no choice but to assist Jessica Alba in dealing with the media.
Alexandra Daddario looked at Jessica Alba with disbelief, her face and eyes filled with grievance and some incredulity, as if she had witnessed the most unbelievable thing in the world.
She turned her head and looked towards Matthew, and seeing him wave at her, she quickly walked over.
"How could this happen?" Alexandra Daddario's voice seemed to be on the verge of tears. This was her first time being interviewed by the media, and after answering just one question, she was upstaged. "How could she do that?"
Matthew comforted her, "It's okay, there will be other opportunities."
Alexandra Daddario looked at him expectantly, "Matthew…"
Matthew shook his head slightly, "I can't do anything either. We can't just rush over and interrupt the interview, can we? The crew would have an issue with us then."
"Then what should we do?" Alexandra Daddario asked.
"Let's go." Matthew sighed softly. "Let's go back to the hotel."
He had seen actresses fighting and stealing the spotlight before, but today Jessica Alba truly opened his eyes. This beautiful Latina woman always wore a sweet, sunny smile, and her words and actions made her seem like one of those sweet and silly American girls, but in reality... Alexandra Daddario didn't want to watch anymore either, and nodded gently, "Let's go."
Matthew glanced again at Jessica Alba, who was beaming among the reporters. In this industry, one should never judge a book by its cover.
After this interview, Alexandra Daddario's impression of Jessica Alba completely collapsed. The two actresses quickly reached a point where they wouldn't speak to each other, having no communication outside of filming.
Matthew didn't interfere much. He wasn't Alexandra Daddario's nanny, and this kind of situation was too common in Hollywood crews. Regardless of the actor, if they wanted to continue in Hollywood, they had to adapt.
Filming continued. After Helen Herman returned to Toronto from Los Angeles, Matthew no longer concerned himself with these matters; with his agent present, he didn't need to worry.
The crew was mainly concentrated on filming in the shopping center. All the filming essentially revolved around Matthew, just as Sean Daniel had promised: this film only had one protagonist, the male lead played by him, and all other characters were there to support him or serve as a foil.
Jessica Alba, the nominal female lead, was no exception; the two even had a passionate scene to film.
This was bound to be an R-rated film, and the scale of such scenes was generally quite large. Gore, violence, and softcore pornography were already selling points for zombie films.
According to Shaun Daniel's requirements and director Zack Snyder's design, Jessica Alba was originally supposed to show nudity in this scene, but while Jessica Alba could accept explicit scenes, she refused to show nudity. The crew had no choice but to redesign the scene.
Additionally, according to Jessica Alba's contract terms, this scene had to be filmed on a closed set, and no one else was allowed to observe the filming except for a few essential crew members such as the director, cinematographer, gaffer, and sound engineer.
It wasn't Matthew's first time filming such a scene, but it was his first time seeing an actress request a closed set. Actresses in this industry, while protected by various strict contract clauses when filming such scenes, few truly cared. Most actresses would strip on camera without much psychological barrier; if there was a barrier, it was usually new actresses, not someone like Jessica Alba who had been in Hollywood since a young age.
Through various situations since filming began, Matthew had some understanding of Jessica Alba, but he didn't dwell on it. Jessica Alba had never encroached on his interests, and after they finished this film, they would go their separate ways, perhaps never interacting again. Who Jessica Alba was had nothing to do with him.
The set was cleared before filming, and a little time was specifically left for Matthew and Jessica Alba to have a brief chat.
Matthew had filmed similar scenes before and had no psychological barriers. Wearing only a pair of tight boxer briefs, he chatted with Jessica Alba, who was wearing a bathrobe, for a while, then said, "I think being relaxed and natural is the best state. That way, we can get it in one take."
"Hmm!" Jessica Alba agreed with Matthew's point, leaned in a bit, and said, "My sensitive areas are my neck, behind my ears, and my chest…"
"Direct stimulation helps me get into character faster," Matthew also said.
The two quickly discussed ways to get into character more quickly, aiming to achieve the best and most realistic effect required by the director.
This exchange indeed worked. During the subsequent filming, Matthew specifically targeted Jessica Alba's sensitive areas with his hands and mouth, and Jessica Alba responded skillfully. Zack Snyder's long take was approved in one go.
But this also brought a side effect: both Matthew and Jessica Alba were clearly aroused.
As they put on their robes and headed to the dressing room, they could hear each other's rapid breathing.
Matthew tentatively asked, "There's an enclosed model room in the furniture store ahead. Want to go?"
Jessica Alba turned to look at Matthew, then her gaze shifted downwards. Without much thought, she said, "Sure!"
(Jessica's character design is inspired by Jennifer Lawrence; the interview fall is a move Jennifer Lawrence has done.)