The last time David Heyman had contacted him was regarding the lead role in "He Comes Tonight." Matthew was curious about the reason for this meeting.
"David, we're old friends," Matthew said, looking at David Heyman. "Just tell me what's on your mind."
David Heyman smiled awkwardly. "It's still about a movie. After I got back two days ago, Warner Bros.' head of film division, Garin Geller, and longtime Warner collaborator, producer Charles Roven, approached me to ask about your thoughts."
Matthew remained silent, waiting for David Heyman to continue.
"Here's the deal. Charles Roven is currently overseeing Christopher Nolan's new Batman movie, 'The Dark Knight.' They haven't finalized the actor for the Joker yet. The Warner executives have recommended you to the crew. Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan want to know if you're interested in this role."
Matthew had already heard about this from Helen Herman, so he wasn't surprised to hear it again from David Heyman. After thinking for a moment, he pointed at himself and asked, "David, do you think I fit the role of the Joker?"
"Hmm?" David Heyman didn't immediately understand Matthew's point.
Matthew explained, "I remember Christian Bale is playing Bruce Wayne in the new Batman series, right? He plays Batman, and I play the Joker? How could the Joker be more muscular than Batman?"
"Oh, that's what you mean," David Heyman smiled. "Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan specifically mentioned that since there's still time before filming starts, they believe you have ample time to slim down."
"They want me to lose weight quickly to play the Joker?" Matthew asked pointedly. "Is that it?"
David Heyman nodded. "That's the idea. Nolan said that after playing so many strong and heroic roles, wouldn't portraying a physically weak villain be a new and exciting challenge for you?"
For many actors, Christopher Nolan's pitch might be compelling, but Matthew's mindset was very different from that of many actors.
"Sorry," Matthew shook his head. "I can't take on the role of the Joker."
Since he began working out and training regularly, his trainer had repeatedly told him that rapid weight loss and gain would harm his health. Any regular person knows that losing or gaining dozens of pounds in just a few months can't be healthy. The negative effects might not be noticeable when young and strong, but they'll show up with age.
He had unexpectedly landed in this new world, and after finally making a name for himself, he wanted to enjoy a future filled with fame, money, and beautiful women.
As for the rumors about getting too into character, he never worried about that. Every actor has a different psychological approach to acting, and he had never struggled to shake off a role.
The only benefit of taking this role would be avoiding the tragedy that befell the previous actor.
But then again, maybe not.
Matthew recalled reading some gossip about how he loved Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" and watched a pirated version several times. He was particularly interested in the Joker. After the Joker and Harley Quinn movies came out, he searched for related news and read a Playboy interview with Gary Oldman, who played Commissioner Gordon. Oldman had said that the idea that the Australian actor's tragedy was due to getting too into character was just fans' wishful thinking and utter nonsense.
It was all just marketing hype for the film's commercial success.
But he wasn't going to lose dozens of pounds for a role, especially not for an actor he didn't even know.
He wasn't a saint.
David Heyman was a bit surprised by Matthew's outright refusal. Since he was good friends with Charles Roven, he tried once more. "Matthew, are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"
"No need," Matthew shook his head and explained, "David, I have two reasons for refusing."
Without mentioning the pay, he continued, "First, the role doesn't suit me. Second, I can't play a maniacal villain like the Joker due to contract issues."
David Heyman was puzzled.
Matthew elaborated, "I have endorsement contracts with Mercedes-Benz and Armani. There's a clause in those contracts preventing me from playing roles that might damage their brand image."
He was telling the truth. "David, I can't breach these contracts for a role."
David Heyman smiled awkwardly. "I didn't know. I'll relay this to Warner."
Matthew nodded. "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."
After standing up, David Heyman walked him out, saying, "Remember to visit the set when you're in London."
"I will," Matthew said politely before leaving Warner's building.
After leaving Warner, he took a car to Angel Agency. The Joker in "The Dark Knight" was a classic role that, in his opinion, completely outshone Jack Nicholson's 1989 version. However, not every role suits every actor.
Helen Herman was still working on getting him the Armani menswear endorsement. Taking such a role would do him no favors.
At Angel Agency, Helen Herman had good news for him. The North American box office share from "300 Spartans" had been paid by Skydance Films.
Now, with the "Fast & Furious" series in early development, he needed funds.
Though still in the early stages, it would be a long time before the project officially started.
With the project confirmed, the script was the first priority. After considering recommendations from Helen Herman, Big Beard Jack, and Paul Walker, Matthew and David Ellison chose Gary Scott Thompson as the lead writer to form a writing team.
Gary Scott Thompson was the writer of the highly successful first "Fast & Furious" movie.
Like most Hollywood producers, Matthew and David Ellison believed that a proven track record was more important than new ideas.
As for the director, they had no suitable candidates yet. Justin Lin, the director of the third movie, "Tokyo Drift," had expressed interest in continuing the series.
However, due to "Tokyo Drift," Matthew and David Ellison were hesitant and decided to hold off for now.
Since there wasn't even a draft yet, there was no rush to choose a director.
Compared to the "Fast & Furious" series, a new project produced by Akiva Goldsman was more urgent. According to Helen Herman, "He Comes Tonight" was already in early pre-production, and Warner Bros. was waiting for Matthew to sign the contract for the lead role to schedule the film for next summer.
Warner Bros. had chosen next summer's Independence Day holiday for the North American release.
Matthew had almost become a summer blockbuster regular. This summer, two movies involving him would be released: "Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End" over Memorial Day weekend and the live-action "Transformers," in which he voiced Megatron, set for Independence Day.
Disney and DreamWorks had already sent promotional schedules months in advance, allowing Matthew to adjust his plans.
Unfortunately, in future "Transformers" movies, Megatron would be a minor character, always overshadowed by Optimus Prime. He wouldn't be voicing Megatron again.
DreamWorks probably wouldn't approach him either. The first movie lacked star power, so they had paid him a near-exorbitant fee for his relatively simple voice work. If the first movie succeeded, they wouldn't need to ride on his fame.
But voicing Megatron for just one movie was enough to satisfy his "Transformers" passion.
Compared to "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings," he preferred Megatron's "Decepticons, attack!"
Megatron was doomed to be a tragic figure in Hollywood films. Anyone not collaborating with the USA in Hollywood movies was destined for failure.
"Peace through tyranny..."
As night fell, Matthew muttered Megatron's line while driving to the Beverly Hills Hilton to meet Miranda Kerr.
Miranda Kerr had gone to New York last week and had just returned to Los Angeles yesterday.
Over the past month or so, Matthew and Miranda Kerr had frequently met up, often appearing in the entertainment media as a couple, though they had never publicly confirmed anything.
During this time, Matthew had enjoyed Miranda Kerr's full range of services, including role-playing and more daring games.
Compared to his previous relationships, Miranda Kerr was more open and daring.
Matthew could tell that, besides seeking publicity, Miranda Kerr had other intentions, but he wasn't a novice. While he enjoyed temporary indulgences, he had no plans to make her the mistress of Horner Manor.
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