At the Disney Pictures reception, Matthew only greeted Jerry Bruckheimer and Robert Iger, and didn't discuss any film-related matters with them. He left all of that to Helen Herman, and like Depp, he fully dedicated his energy to Disney Pictures' Oscar campaign.
Cooperating with Disney Pictures' Oscar campaign for "Pirates of the Caribbean" actually benefits individuals as well. The Hollywood film industry has developed to the point where, especially after more than seventy years of evolution, the Oscars have formed a clear set of rules: to win a major award, one must make a major investment.
In terms of investment, media publicity is a very important part, and as one of the film's male leads, Matthew can naturally leverage Disney Pictures' publicity buzz.
However, Johnny Depp is still the most prominent.
Johnny Depp's management team has reached an agreement with Disney Pictures to submit Johnny Depp for an Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.
Matthew, on the other hand, has no aspirations for an Oscar. Firstly, his role is more of a pretty face, which doesn't align with the tastes of Oscar judges at all. Secondly, the enormous investment required for an Oscar campaign is something neither he nor Helen Herman wants to bear.
Without throwing in a seven-figure investment, you want to get an Oscar acting nomination? You might as well just go to bed and dream about it.
Although he's not very interested in Oscar awards, Matthew still conscientiously fulfills his contractual obligations, attending relevant events and vigorously championing "Pirates of the Caribbean."
Besides, it benefits him too.
As for Johnny Depp's bid for Best Actor, Matthew fully cooperates. His relationship with Depp is excellent, and if he could decide the outcome of this year's Best Actor Oscar, he would definitely choose Johnny Depp.
In his eyes, Captain Jack Sparrow is far more interesting and outstanding than those serial killers, psychopaths, and homosexuals.
Unfortunately, Matthew is well aware that even if Johnny Depp does all the necessary work, at most he will only get an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. His chances of winning the golden statuette are less than one percent. "Pirates of the Caribbean" is a commercial film, and a fantasy one at that, with such high box office numbers. How could it possibly win an acting award like Best Actor?
If Johnny Depp wins, wouldn't that imply that those extraordinary old men have the same vulgar appreciation level as the general public?
Matthew didn't concern himself with these things. When interviewed after the reception, he openly expressed his admiration for Johnny Depp.
"When I first watched a movie starring Depp, after finishing it, I checked the cast list and was surprised to find that this person was played by Johnny Depp!"
Facing an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Matthew was full of praise: "Watching movies starring Depp, including 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' you become completely immersed in the character and the plot, rather than in the actor's personal charisma. I think that's what excellent acting is; Depp embodies whatever he plays..."
Matthew is always very supportive of friends he recognizes: "Unlike me, I always play myself no matter what role I'm in."
Facing the reporter's microphone, Matthew emphasized, "Depp's eyes are beautiful and very expressive; he's someone with starlight in his gaze. But who would have thought he created so many classic characters, whether lively, quirky, or crazy, when in reality, he's shy and adorable, speaks in a low, slow, moving tone, and often nervously repeats 'you know,' 'yeah.' This contrast is just too charming."
He ended the interview, which The Hollywood Reporter had specifically arranged for Johnny Depp, with a hearty laugh.
This is also part of Johnny Depp's public relations. Every awards season, these highly influential entertainment media outlets openly sell space to celebrities or film companies at a fixed price, allowing them to spend money on extensive publicity.
Publicity is not limited to self-promotion; it also includes smearing rivals.
Matthew even saw comments disparaging Johnny Depp in Entertainment Weekly.
"Johnny Depp's acting is stylized, so he's an adequate actor in stylized films, but the pretty boy roles he plays are all unremarkable, so his acting is mediocre, even below average."
But to speak truthfully, and not just the praise found in the media, Matthew felt that Johnny Depp was truly a natural genius, someone who didn't need much training, effort, technique, or method; he was born to let loose on the big screen, without too many traces of acting, yet his characters always remained memorable. However, due to a lack of systematic training, or perhaps a lack of a standard line in his own mind, his acting would occasionally falter... Overall, Johnny Depp's performances are still very captivating, more like a collision of his personal style and the character, rather than just 'acting skill.'
Cheering for such an actor, besides their friendship, Matthew didn't find it an exaggeration, because Johnny Depp deserved such praise.
A week after attending the reception, Matthew returned to the Disney studio for an audition. The role was a retired soldier who had once served in the Alaskan base complex and had also thoroughly studied historical knowledge due to certain family secrets passed down through generations.
He passed the audition relatively smoothly, and then Helen Herman began negotiations with the project, officially named "National Treasure."
All Matthew had to do was wait for the negotiation results, which involved millions in salary. The two sides couldn't reach an agreement overnight. In the following time, in addition to his regular training, he also opportunistically supported another actor.
In mid-December, Charlize Theron's starring film "Monster" officially premiered on a small scale in Los Angeles. The production company, Newmarket Films, held a premiere specifically for this Oscar-contending film. Matthew accepted Charlize Theron's invitation and appeared at the premiere alongside Johnny Depp.
This was Charlize Theron's premiere, and Matthew kept a low profile. Like Johnny Depp before him, he quickly walked the red carpet and arrived at the interview area in front of the theater.
"Depp, Matthew..."
Unexpectedly, Charlize Theron happened to be in the interview area, speaking to reporters. Upon seeing the two, she immediately came over, "I'm so happy you could make it."
Johnny Depp still maintained his eccentric demeanor, simply hugging Charlize Theron without saying much, but his gaze towards Stuart Townsend, who was next to Charlize Theron, was quite unfriendly.
"We're friends..."
Matthew, like Depp, gave Charlize Theron a polite hug. "Of course, we had to come support you."
Then, he proactively extended his right hand to Stuart Townsend, "Hello, Mr. Townsend."
With media reporters all around, Stuart Townsend displayed a very British gentlemanly demeanor, shaking Matthew's hand lightly and saying, "Hello, Mr. Horner."
A reporter then shouted, "Charlize! Depp! Matthew! Can we get a photo?"
"Charlize, Matthew, Depp, let's take a photo together!"
Instantly, many reporters shouted out.
Stuart Townsend's smile suddenly froze on his face. The reporters were all calling out Charlize Theron, Johnny Depp, and Matthew Horner, with not a single person mentioning him.
It was as if he were invisible... Although he was standing with Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend looked at Johnny Depp to his left, then at Matthew Horner to Charlize Theron's right, feeling very unpleasant.
Photo after photo was taken by the media, and then reporters frantically interviewed Matthew Horner and Johnny Depp, asking for their opinions on Charlize Theron. Just like when Charlize Theron was interviewed earlier, no reporter paid attention to him, and no one even noticed his presence.
He was Charlize Theron's boyfriend, so his opinion should be the most authoritative, right?
Matthew, Johnny Depp, and Charlize Theron stood together, answering reporters' questions. The reporters first asked Johnny Depp a few questions, and seeing the eccentric's neither warm nor cold attitude, they turned to Matthew.
"Matthew, are you friends with Miss Theron?" a reporter asked loudly.
"Of course!" Matthew said without hesitation, "We are good friends who talk about everything!"
Charlize Theron glanced at Matthew, as if they weren't that close.
Stuart Townsend's gaze swept over Charlize Theron with ill intent. He had told Charlize Theron not to have too much contact with these people, but she never listened.
Another reporter asked, "Can you comment on Miss Theron?"
Matthew's mind immediately raced. This kind of occasion was definitely not suitable for saying things like Charlize Theron is beautiful or sexy.
"The Charlize I know is a very thoughtful and strong woman!" He racked his brains and finally came up with a few words of praise for independent women. "Charlize not only possesses beautiful looks but also extraordinary wisdom and the soul of an independent woman!"
Hearing this, Charlize Theron couldn't help but look at Matthew again, her eyes lingering for a moment. These words completely resonated with her; the person Matthew Horner praised was exactly the kind of person she aspired to be.
In that brief moment, she felt her impression of Matthew Horner had changed dramatically.
Stuart Townsend felt very annoyed, only thinking that Matthew Horner had ulterior motives and was extremely distasteful.
But under the gaze of the media reporters, he couldn't show it and had to maintain a modest smile, just like Charlize Theron.
On the way to the theater, Charlize Theron specifically found an opportunity to lean close to Matthew and whisper, "Thank you, you're too kind."
"No, no, Charlize!" Matthew said with a serious expression, "These are my honest thoughts. What I said is exactly the Charlize Theron I know."
Charlize Theron smiled, said nothing more, and walked away.
Matthew and a strangely expressive Depp arrived at the theater and sat down, calmly watching the serial killer film that completely destroyed Charlize Theron's beauty.
This movie perfectly illustrated what it means for a beauty to transform into a monster.
After "Monster" was released, Charlize Theron, like Nicole Kidman who wore a prosthetic nose and played an ugly role last year, also garnered widespread praise. Whether it was due to powerful public relations or not, Roger Ebert, the benchmark of North American film critics, directly commented that if Charlize Theron couldn't win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in "Monster," it would surely make people question the fairness of the Academy Awards.
Of course, Matthew only watched as an outsider.
Before Christmas, he welcomed a heavyweight visitor. After Focus Features contacted Helen Herman, Ang Lee came looking for him.