"Universal Studios and Yahoo Entertainment conducted a joint online survey about 'The Mummy Returns'," the agent said to Brendan-Fraser in the car, "They listed the five main characters, Evelyn, O'Connell, Imhotep, Alex, and the Scorpion King, asking internet users to vote for their favorite character."
Brendan-Fraser's face was tense as he asked, "Who's the most popular?"
"Currently, Evelyn is in first place," the agent replied before Brendan-Fraser could ask further, "The Scorpion King is in second place."
"What about O'Connell?" Brendan-Fraser asked.
The agent said directly, "He's currently last among the five characters."
Brendan-Fraser was surprised, "Even below Imhotep and Alex? Are they manipulating the results?"
"It's unlikely," the agent shook his head and then said, "Brendan, you need to take this seriously. Show your best side and let Universal Studios see your value!"
Brendan-Fraser's face remained tense as he waved his hand, "I know."
The car drove through the busy streets of Las Vegas and arrived at the entrance of the Luxor Hotel. The crew was holding a fan media special event there tonight. A large crowd of fans and many reporters with cameras were waiting at the entrance of the Caesar Palace.
As they approached, Brendan-Fraser could clearly hear the nearly frenzied shouts of the fans.
The car stopped, a staff member came over to open the door, and Brendan-Fraser got out, walking towards the hotel entrance on a narrow red carpet, designed by the crew to bring fans closer to the movie.
As Brendan-Fraser walked on the red carpet, some fans handed over books and pens, hoping for his autograph.
Although O'Connell's response wasn't great, he was still a well-known star.
Seeing a fan handing over a book, Brendan-Fraser was about to take it, but when he saw the fan wearing a T-shirt with the Scorpion King printed on it, he lost interest in signing, didn't take the fan's book, and walked towards the hotel entrance.
"Brendan..."
"Look here, Brendan."
"I love O'Connell the most, please sign for me..."
As a star with a certain appeal, Brendan-Fraser still had many supporters.
But Brendan-Fraser was in a bad mood and completely ignored these fans, not even looking at them, and walked straight to the hotel entrance.
"Why is he like that?" a fan at the front of the red carpet, retracting his almost knocked over book, stared at Brendan-Fraser's back and said, "Such a bad temper? Such a big star?"
Another person said, "He's famous now, doesn't take fans seriously anymore."
Many fans were dissatisfied with Brendan-Fraser's attitude.
Just as Brendan-Fraser was about to reach the hotel entrance, another car stopped in front of the red carpet.
Matthew looked outside through the car window. On the way here, he saw many miniature versions of landmarks from around the world, visiting Las Vegas for the first time, and was very interested in this world-famous gambling city.
Seeing the Caesar Palace and MGM Hotel, he wondered if he should try his luck in the casino after the event?
A staff member came over to open the car door, and Matthew adjusted his shirt collar, stepped out of the car, and saw the Luxor Hotel across the street, shaped like a pyramid, with a replica Sphinx in front, complementing 'The Mummy Returns' perfectly, clearly a carefully chosen location by the crew.
"The Scorpion King is here," a shout came, "The Scorpion King is so cool!"
Matthew's gaze shifted to the fans on both sides of the red carpet, hundreds of them standing there, many holding posters, with a good number belonging to the Scorpion King.
He showed the smile he had practiced in acting classes, took confident strides onto the red carpet, and waved to the fans in the most sunny, dazzling, charming, and friendly manner.
Seeing his own posters in the hands of fans made him feel quite good.
Just as he stepped into the fan area, a fan handed over a pen and a notebook, "Matthew, can you sign?"
Matthew glanced at him, saw the fan wearing a Scorpion King T-shirt, quickly took the pen and notebook, and said with a smile, "Of course."
He flamboyantly signed his name on it.
Then, more fans handed over their notebooks, and Matthew patiently signed them all, always maintaining a friendly and natural smile.
Matthew also enjoyed this feeling, satisfying so many fans' requests for autographs, that sense of achievement and satisfaction was indescribable.
"Thank you, Matthew!" a female fan opened her arms, and Matthew didn't refuse, giving her a gentle hug. The female fan said loudly, "Your portrayal of the Scorpion King was amazing! I really like it!"
"Thank you...thank you..."
Matthew remained humble, appearing very grateful for the fans' support.
Such a person was undoubtedly more popular among the fans on site, and Matthew almost signed his way to the hotel.
"Matthew! Matthew-Horner!"
Fans' shouts came from the side, "Look here! Look at me."
Matthew turned around, saw the flashes, and then someone shouted, "Can you come over for a photo with us?"
"Of course."
He moved to the edge of the red carpet, stood next to several fans, one of them handed the camera to another person, asking him to take the photo. Matthew patiently stood in the middle of the fans for the photo.
On the steps in front of the hotel, Brendan-Fraser was being interviewed by reporters, putting on a smile for the media. However, during the interview, he kept hearing noisy sounds from the red carpet sides. Turning his head, he saw Matthew-Horner standing among a group of fans, looking very popular.
When he walked over earlier, those fans weren't that enthusiastic!
Brendan-Fraser frowned slightly.
A tall woman with short blonde hair had been watching Brendan-Fraser. She walked over, held out a recorder to Brendan-Fraser, and asked loudly, "Hello, Mr. Fraser, I'm Elena-Polyar from Yahoo Entertainment. I'd like to ask, the Scorpion King character has been very popular since the film's release, and most fans think it's the highlight of the film..."
Elena-Polyar glanced at Brendan-Fraser, knowing he was temperamental but also detailed. She seized the moment and asked, "Could you comment on Matthew-Horner's performance as the Scorpion King?"
Cheers and chants for Matthew-Horner and the Scorpion King came from the fans below the steps.
"I'm not familiar with him!" Brendan-Fraser still had his wits about him, not falling for Elena-Polyar's trap. But she didn't give up and asked, "At the premiere, you said you were friends."
"How could I be friends with such an actor?" Brendan-Fraser blurted out.
The reporters around suddenly went quiet. Elena-Polyar knew she had her chance and asked further, "Do you think Matthew-Horner is bad? Do you have conflicts?"
Brendan-Fraser realized his mistake, knowing he had spoken too harshly due to his mood.
Elena-Polyar pressed on, "Is it because the Scorpion King overshadowed the main character, and you have opinions on Matthew-Horner?"
Hearing this question, Brendan-Fraser had no intention of responding, turning to walk into the hotel. Elena-Polyar said, "Your silence is a confirmation, right?"
Brendan-Fraser turned back to look at her but remained silent.
Elena-Polyar added, "Then it's confirmed!"
The reporters around looked at Elena-Polyar; she was too bold. What was an ordinary interview suddenly became exciting, providing material for tomorrow's news.
"Brendan-Fraser acts like a big star within the crew, looking down on newcomer Matthew-Horner..."
"Matthew-Horner's stunning performance as the Scorpion King causes strong dissatisfaction in Brendan-Fraser!"
In just a moment, many reporters had their headlines ready.
Elena-Polyar stepped aside, checked her phone for messages, and began thinking about how to write her article.
Ten minutes later, Matthew entered the event venue, greeting everyone warmly as usual. The attitude towards him from Rachel-Weisz and Arnold-Vosloo hadn't changed. After a few exchanges, he could tell they had heard the rumors, but since one was aiming for the awards season and the other's character couldn't be resurrected a third time, they weren't particularly concerned about future sequels.
Brendan-Fraser's reaction was obvious. When Matthew greeted him, he just grunted, lacking the previous friendly big brother vibe.
The main content of the event was interaction with fans, mainly answering their questions. Perhaps influenced by his earlier behavior, fans rarely asked Brendan-Fraser questions, focusing on Rachel-Weisz and Matthew instead, especially in the latter half of the event. Brendan-Fraser, looking displeased, was almost ignored by the fans.
The atmosphere made Brendan-Fraser's mood worse, and he left the event early, citing an excuse.
At the event's end, many fans came forward for autographs and photos with the actors. Matthew fulfilled all their requests, even staying behind after Rachel-Weisz and Arnold-Vosloo had left, continuing to respond to the enthusiastic fans.
In the lounge outside the event venue, Rachel-Weisz and Arnold-Vosloo were packing up, keeping an eye on the situation.
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