Just after the 77th Academy Awards announced its nominations, the 25th Golden Raspberry Awards also announced its nominees. Matthew and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson were both on the list, receiving nominations for Worst Actor and Worst Supporting Actor, respectively. The Golden Raspberry Awards even sent an official invitation, inviting him to attend the awards ceremony.
Actually, Matthew was a bit confused. The audience reception for "National Treasure" wasn't bad, and both he and Dwayne Johnson had received recognition from most moviegoers.
"It can only be said that the professional reviews were not ideal," Helen Herman said, walking around Matthew's rented office. She then asked, "No redecoration?"
Matthew pointed to the furnishings in the office and said, "No redecoration. Besides the office equipment, everything else is what was left behind."
This was just a liaison office; he wasn't planning to open a company.
Helen Herman walked to the window and looked into the distance, vaguely seeing the Angel Agency building. She then said, "That's good. It's convenient for anything that comes up, being so close."
Matthew nodded slightly. "That's what I thought too."
Helen Herman then brought the conversation back to the Golden Raspberries. "Do you want to attend?"
"I don't want to go," Matthew snorted, "I want to hire a truck, load it with 'National Treasure' DVDs, and throw them in the faces of those judges."
He was somewhat indignant. "I highly suspect that those Golden Raspberry judges didn't even watch the movie; they just read the critics' reviews!"
"No need to suspect," Helen Herman said directly, "The Golden Raspberry judging panel is mainly composed of some fringe industry professionals, professional film critics, and a small number of moviegoers. The moviegoers can basically be ignored, so the opinions of those 'experts' actually sway the awards."
She was quite calm. "Don't worry, as long as the box office of the films you star in is high enough, let alone a Golden Raspberry nomination, even if you are named Worst Actor, it won't affect the studios' choices."
Matthew shrugged. "I just feel that with so many bad movies every year, 'National Treasure' shouldn't even be on the list, right?"
"You have no chance of winning," Helen Herman saw it clearly. "The nominees for Worst Actor include Colin Farrell and George W. Bush. Colin Farrell's 'Alexander' received much worse reviews than 'National Treasure,' and 'Fahrenheit 9/11' basically reserved the Worst Actor award for George W. Bush."
She suddenly looked at Matthew. "'Fahrenheit 9/11' also earned Britney Spears a nomination for Worst Supporting Actress."
"Hmm," Matthew responded casually, not saying much more. What happened in the past was in the past. He actively changed the topic. "Have the things I asked you to prepare been prepared? is the crew willing to cooperate?"
"It's ready," Helen Herman replied. "I've already contacted air traffic control, and Akiva Goldsman and the 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith' crew will fully support it. Oh, and Summit Entertainment is trying to get you a seat as an Oscar presenter."
Matthew wasn't surprised; all of this was for the promotion of "Mr. & Mrs. Smith."
The office door opened from the outside, and Bella Anderson walked in, carrying a large file box. Matthew waved her over and said, "Bella, come here for a moment."
Bella Anderson put down the file box and quickly walked over.
Matthew introduced Bella Anderson and Helen Herman. "Helen, this is Bella Anderson, my personal assistant. Bella, this is Helen Herman, my agent."
These two would definitely be interacting frequently in the future.
Helen Herman greeted Bella Anderson, chatted briefly, then turned back to Matthew and said, "I forgot to mention earlier, Zack Snyder flew to New York yesterday to meet Frank Miller again. My people are with him."
"Hopefully, it will go smoother this time," Matthew knew Zack Snyder had finished all post-production for the test footage last week. "It would be best if we could get the adaptation rights."
Helen Herman watched Bella Anderson leave to get busy, then said to Matthew, "I watched the finished video footage. It's very unconventional, very unique. Visually, it perfectly matches Frank Miller's illustration style."
Although Matthew hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he had communicated enough with Zack Snyder to roughly imagine what the test footage looked like. He wasn't sure how Zack Snyder originally got the adaptation rights and became the director of this series, but now he should be able to impress Frank Miller.
How many commercial authors, especially novelists and comic book creators, wouldn't want their work to become a movie if the conditions were right?
In this era, with the help of movies, commercial novels or comics not only gained a significant boost but might even soar like the Harry Potter series.
Without the Harry Potter film series and Warner Bros.' vigorous promotion, how could the Harry Potter book series have achieved its current success?
There was no news from Zack Snyder yet. Matthew then went with Helen Herman to the Warner Bros. studio where the "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" crew was working. They met with Akiva Goldsman, and Charlize Theron and her agent soon arrived as well. The three parties finalized the next steps and implementation details.
In the fiercely competitive world of Hollywood, not moving forward means falling behind. Matthew himself needs no further explanation, and as for Charlize Theron, just seeing that she fired her agent of ten years for the Oscars shows her strong ambition.
Since Charlize Theron was the Best Actress winner at the previous Oscars, she would naturally be the presenter for Best Actor at this year's ceremony. Summit Entertainment also managed to secure Matthew an opportunity to appear on the Oscar stage. Although it was only to introduce a film nominated for Best Picture, it still gave him a chance to walk the Oscar red carpet. The upcoming plan would naturally revolve around the Academy Awards ceremony.
No matter what, the Oscars are a highly anticipated grand stage. The average number of viewers watching the live broadcast in North America alone exceeds 30 million each year.
Not just "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," but most films released in Hollywood's summer blockbuster season would leverage the Oscars for promotion. For instance, the male and female leads partnering as presenters is the most common tactic.
The Super Bowl and the Oscars each year can be said to be the two most important promotional battlegrounds for Hollywood films.
Leaving the Warner Bros. studio, Matthew returned to his office to make relevant preparations. In the late afternoon, he received a call from Sean Daniel, who wanted to meet him for a chat that evening.
Matthew and Sean Daniel were old friends, having collaborated several times, so he certainly wouldn't refuse.
But what he didn't expect was that when he arrived at the coffee shop Sean Daniel had arranged, Sean Daniel wasn't alone. There was also a middle-aged woman who looked as shrewd and capable as Helen Herman.
"Matthew, let me introduce you," Sean Daniel said, taking the initiative. "This is Ms. Pat Kingsley, an agent from CAA."
"Pat…" He then introduced Matthew, "This is my friend, Matthew Horner."
Matthew remained impassive. Among those working in Hollywood today, who didn't know who Pat Kingsley was? She had previously been the agent for two big stars, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Later, Tom Cruise fired Pat Kingsley after his Oscar loss. As a result, after that Oscar ceremony, all sorts of negative stories about Tom Cruise surfaced endlessly. Anyone with a discerning eye knew that Pat Kingsley was behind it.
"Hello, Matthew," Pat Kingsley offered a professional smile.
Matthew lightly shook her outstretched hand and politely replied, "Hello, Ms. Kingsley."
Sean Daniel then called out, "Sit, let's chat while sitting!"
As Matthew passed him, pulling out a chair to sit down, Sean Daniel suddenly lowered his voice and said, "I owed CAA a favor back then. You don't have to consider me."
Seeing Matthew and Pat Kingsley seated, Sean Daniel said apologetically, "Sorry, I have something urgent. You two chat first."
Clearly, he didn't want to get involved in the rest of the matter.
Pat Kingsley also knew this and let Sean Daniel leave.
After the waiter brought the coffee, Pat Kingsley said directly, "Matthew, I'm here on behalf of CAA."
When Matthew saw Pat Kingsley, he roughly guessed her intention. He had encountered agencies trying to poach clients before, but this was the first time with one of CAA's caliber.
He didn't speak, just looked at Pat Kingsley. Pat Kingsley spoke very directly, "In CAA's assessment, among male actors, born after 1980, your potential rating ranks first."
"Oh…" Matthew seemed calm. "That sounds like good news."
Pat Kingsley's tone suddenly shifted. "But people with potential don't necessarily become superstars."
"I agree with that," Matthew echoed. "Many people who consider themselves geniuses or believe that talent alone will lead to success often fall first at Hollywood's starting line."
He was not modest. "Often, people like me, who have a clear understanding of themselves, are able to climb up."
Pat Kingsley frowned slightly, vaguely sensing that this young, famous guy across from her seemed to have a very clear head.
"You make a very good point," Pat Kingsley still wore a professional smile. "But to have better development, you need a bigger platform."
Her speech quickened. "Angel Agency is very small. So far, you are its only true star client. I know Helen Herman; her ability is decent, but she's too young and lacks sufficient experience…"