Later, Akiva Goldsman, Orlando Bloom, and Stephen Sommers came over to offer their congratulations. Matthew and Charlize Theron had to deal with over a dozen groups of people before they could continue their previous conversation.
"We're getting engaged today," Matthew whispered to Charlize Theron. "Do you think it's appropriate to discuss such a topic today?"
Charlize Theron remained expressionless and said calmly, "It's very appropriate." She then asked directly, "Have you thought of a suitable reason for us to break up?"
Matthew shook his head, "No." Since they had publicly started dating and publicly gotten engaged, they couldn't just break up. That would likely have a negative impact. He thought for a moment and said, "If we can't find a suitable reason, then let's just maintain the status quo."
"That's impossible." Charlize Theron glanced at Matthew. "You know me, and I know you. Let's not joke about this."
They were fake from the start, just putting on a show. Strictly speaking, there wasn't even a question of breaking up.
If she took a show seriously, there would definitely be something wrong with her head.
"I'm serious," Matthew emphasized.
Charlize Theron shook her head. "Can you guarantee your loyalty to a partner? Don't lie to me, Matthew."
"I…" Matthew hesitated for a long time. "Maybe in the future, I can."
Even if he said he could, Charlize Theron, knowing him as she did, wouldn't believe him.
When he, Charlize Theron, Johnny Depp, and Keanu Reeves were drinking together, they had discussed this topic. Matthew had revealed his initial intentions for entering Hollywood and stated very clearly that those intentions would not change.
The pit he dug himself, he would eventually have to fill himself.
To be honest, he never thought of lying to Charlize Theron about this, just as after he genuinely got together with Britney, he stopped making up stories for her. Instead, he tried to guide and influence her to prevent her from making some rookie mistakes.
In fact, current developments proved that what he did then was very effective. Britney's career was still thriving, and she hadn't caused any messy situations.
Although the two could never go back to how they were, Matthew, deep down, still wanted to see Britney reach greater heights.
Seeing Matthew lost in thought, Charlize Theron poked him. "What are you thinking about?"
Matthew casually replied, "Some things from the past."
More people came over to congratulate them. After Matthew and Charlize Theron dealt with them, Charlize Theron whispered, "Actually, I've thought of a reason, and it's very suitable. It shouldn't damage either your reputation or mine."
Matthew didn't respond, feeling a bit conflicted. On one hand, he didn't want to abandon his original intentions, but on the other hand, he was genuinely attracted to Charlize Theron.
But he also knew very well that Charlize Theron would never tolerate his so-called original intentions.
Charlize Theron wasn't a lovesick fool. Even in Hollywood, most celebrity couples, once one party cheats, usually end in divorce or separation. The few who turn a blind eye have reached an unspoken agreement to do their own thing.
Regardless of whether Matthew responded, Charlize Theron leaned in close to his ear and whispered a few words.
Upon hearing those words, Matthew's lips began to tremble slightly, and a rare hint of embarrassment appeared on his face, which was usually as thick as a city wall.
"Sally, are you kidding me?" He turned to look at Charlize Theron. "Can that really be a reason to break up?"
"Why not?" Charlize Theron was serious. "I wouldn't joke about something like this."
She emphasized, "I've been considering it for a while. This reason is harmless."
Matthew was still a bit embarrassed. "I know it's harmless, but is it really okay to do that?"
Charlize Theron shrugged slightly.
"Do you have a more suitable reason?"
Matthew thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
Charlize Theron then said, "You can discuss it with Helen Herman. Anyway, we still have some time before we break up."
Matthew didn't respond because he saw Robert Iger, the new CEO of Walt Disney, approaching.
"Hi, Matthew. Hi, Charlize." Robert Iger greeted them both, then added, "Congratulations to you two."
"Thank you," Charlize Theron said with a smile.
Matthew, however, said in a similar congratulatory tone, "We should congratulate you too, Bob. Congratulations on becoming the helmsman of Walt Disney."
He wasn't entirely clear about what had happened in the power struggle within Walt Disney, but he imagined it was extremely fierce. Robert Iger's ability to carve out a path and secure the CEO position proved that this smiling Mickey Mouse was no ordinary person.
There was no harm in having a good relationship with such a person.
Matthew remembered Jerry Bruckheimer once describing Robert Iger: he is always very calm, rational, and reasonable, so he is good at using other people to get work done. He doesn't need an iron fist in management.
After exchanging pleasantries, Robert Iger naturally turned to business. Now that Walt Disney had finally ended years of conflict, gradually sorting out the long list of issues left by Michael Eisner and Michael Ovitz, it was ready to get back on the fast track of development.
Film content production has always been an important business for Walt Disney.
"Matthew, Disney has collaborated with you on several films, all of which have been successful." Robert Iger showed another cute, Mickey Mouse-like smile. "I hope we can continue to cooperate."
"I think so too," Matthew said at the opportune moment. "With Disney's support, it's hard not to succeed."
He thought of *300* and added, "Bob, Zach Snyder, the director of *Dawn of the Dead*, and I are preparing to collaborate on a new project. We haven't found a suitable distributor yet."
Robert Iger had just left Disney Studios and returned to Walt Disney headquarters, so he was quite knowledgeable about the film industry. He asked tentatively, "In the project, you are…"
Matthew understood what he meant and said, "I'm the male lead." He thought of Disney Studios' child-oriented operating strategy and added, "It will likely be an R-rated film."
Hearing that Matthew was the male lead, Robert Iger immediately said, "In that case, I'll have someone from Touchstone Pictures or Buena Vista International contact you."
He only said "contact," not blindly giving any promises.
Matthew knew very well that a CEO could neither manage the specific execution of a film nor make decisions on a whim just by listening to a few pitches. Robert Iger's response had already satisfied him.
While Matthew was talking with Robert Iger, Akiva Goldsman found Helen Herman, who was hiding in a corner of the banquet hall.
"Why are you here alone?" Akiva Goldsman sat across from Helen Herman. "Aren't you going to congratulate Matthew?"
Helen Herman gently pushed her black-rimmed glasses and, seeing no one around, said directly, "This is just a show. Others don't know, but don't we?"
Akiva Goldsman smiled and said, "There are a lot of media outside, so the effect should be good."
"We've spent so many resources," Helen Herman said calmly. "And we've dragged Dior and Mercedes-Benz into this. If it still doesn't have an effect, we might as well just withdraw from Hollywood."
"You're right." Akiva Goldsman suddenly changed the subject. "Helen, does Matthew have any schedule arrangements around 2007?"
Helen Herman thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not yet." She then asked, "Do you have a new project?"
"Yes," Akiva Goldsman said directly. "I plan to invite Matthew to star as the male lead in my new project."
His new project's script was already being written. He had mentioned it to Matthew before, just to give him a heads-up, with no other intentions. Now, with *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* having a huge opening weekend at the box office, commercial success was imminent, which solidified his idea of casting Matthew as the male lead.
Originally, his hired screenwriter, Marco Portosevic, wanted to set the male lead as a black man to conform to the current situation in Hollywood. However, after the box office statistics for the opening weekend of *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* were released the day before yesterday, he flatly rejected Marco Portosevic's idea.
The male lead's drawing power is very important, and Matthew Horner had once again proven his commercial value.
This project would still need to find producers and distributors later. With a star like Matthew Horner, who truly possessed box office appeal, joining, it would undoubtedly go much smoother.
Helen Herman had heard Matthew mention this before. After thinking for a moment, she said, "We've collaborated and succeeded before. If your next project is suitable, Matthew will definitely prioritize it."
Akiva Goldsman also knew that Helen Herman wouldn't agree to anything just by listening to him. He added, "Once the script is complete, I'll send you a copy."
"Don't worry," Helen Herman, who was an old friend of his, said. "I'll definitely pass it on to Matthew immediately."
Akiva Goldsman looked up at Matthew and Charlize Theron. Matthew was still talking to Robert Iger. The situation was clear: with one successful film after another, Matthew Horner was gradually becoming a guarantee of success in the eyes of major Hollywood studios.
How much salary would he need for the next project to move Matthew Horner?
As it got later, people gradually started to leave. Matthew and Charlize Theron also went to the entrance of the banquet hall to see off each guest. Before leaving, each guest received a Dior gift bag from the couple, and then a Mercedes-Benz car would take them home.
It wasn't until midnight that all the guests had left. Matthew told Charlize Theron to go rest. Lister's people would soon come in to clean up, and with security and the estate's staff watching, they didn't need to worry.)