"This barbecue is great!"
In the yard, Michael Fassbender's voice could be heard, "Didn't expect Matthew to have this skill!"
Ben Foster agreed, "Indeed, it's really good!"
James McAvoy raised his glass to everyone, "Cheers!"
Including Liv Tyler, everyone joined in the toast.
Orlando Bloom turned towards the barbecue grill and gave a thumbs up to Matthew, who was standing in front of it, shouting, "Matthew, you're a great chef!"
Matthew flipped the chicken wings on the grill and responded with a smile.
He grew up in the mountains, where barbecuing was a common activity. The deliciousness of the food was mainly due to the preparatory work done by the chef from Red Penguin Company.
The chef had prepared everything in advance. Matthew's job was merely to grill them properly and then apply the special sauce provided by the chef.
Grilling was not difficult for someone like Matthew who had plenty of experience in it.
While everyone in the courtyard was eating, drinking, and laughing, Matthew glanced over, focusing particularly on Orlando Bloom and his companion Liv Tyler. He was curious about Liv, knowing from the material provided by Angel Agency that she was the daughter of the famous rock musician Steven Tyler.
To him, this actress seemed to have a particularly long face and a robust body, almost comparable to Ileana-Boyar. Orlando Bloom, standing next to her, seemed more delicate and slender.
Matthew couldn't understand why Peter Jackson chose her to play Arwen, as Tolkien's elves, whether male or female, were all very delicate and slender, like Legolas in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'.
While flipping the chicken wings, Michael Fassbender came over to get some fruit, and Ben Foster took some raw vegetables, claiming he liked to eat them raw...
Then, Orlando Bloom also came over.
"Need a hand?" He handed Matthew a can of beer, which Matthew opened and took a sip from, saying, "This is fine. Once the chicken wings are done, and then the vegetables, we'll be all set."
Matthew put down the beer can and quickly flipped the chicken wings, casually asking, "Is Liv Tyler your girlfriend?"
Orlando Bloom shook his head, "No." He lowered his voice slightly, "We're both clear-headed, it's just a casual date."
This kind of thing was common, and Matthew wasn't surprised. While brushing sauce onto the chicken wings, he asked, "You still have time to date?"
He then placed some vegetables on the grill.
"How could I not have time?" Orlando Bloom didn't understand the implication of his question.
Matthew said with a smile, "You're so popular now, must be getting scripts left and right, a line of roles waiting for you."
"You're exaggerating," Orlando Bloom boasted, "There are quite a few projects approaching me, but sadly they're all small productions. None over a hundred million dollars."
In today's Hollywood, a hundred million dollars was definitely the dividing line between A-list projects and others.
Matthew immediately understood that Orlando Bloom, ambitious as he was, wasn't interested in main roles in small productions.
However, Bloom did have the capital to be choosy now. Legolas was so popular that even someone as level-headed as Matthew couldn't help but feel envious.
"A hundred million dollar big project?" Matthew said deliberately, "Orlando, how many hundred million dollar projects are there in Hollywood in a year?"
Orlando Bloom smiled, "Don't you want to prioritize such big projects as a lead?"
Matthew glanced at the chicken wings, quickly flipped them over, and then said, "Only a fool wouldn't!" Seizing the right moment, he continued, "My agent and I are trying to get the lead role in a Universal Studios super-production, a minimum investment of $150 million, but it's hard to get."
Orlando Bloom's ears perked up at the mention of $150 million.
Matthew sounded like he was complaining to a friend, "My agent contacted Universal, but they think I'm not famous enough, lacking a fan base and box office appeal. It's too risky to use me."
Stephen Somos and Universal Studios' project was still in the planning stage and not publicized. Few people knew about it, and if Matthew hadn't been part of Somos's two 'Mummy' projects, leaving a good impression, Helen-Herman wouldn't have gotten the information either.
Matthew guessed that since Somos kept leaking information to Helen-Herman, he might be considering Matthew as one of the possible choices for the lead role.
While flipping the chicken wings, Matthew shook his head and glanced at Orlando Bloom. If Bloom wasn't interested in the project after hearing about it, Matthew had no other options.
Otherwise...
Matthew's strategy was simple. Both 'Van Helsing' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' had scheduling conflicts, and it was unlikely to get major roles in both due to limited time and energy.
Once these projects were public, they would be the focus of many in the industry. With limited resources, would agents and actors spread their resources or focus on one of the projects? Most savvy agents would choose the latter.
Like Helen-Herman, she wanted Matthew to get the lead in both projects but knew they had to focus on one first.
Matthew saw the chicken wings were ready, began plating them, and then placed the vegetables on another large tray.
"Uh… Matthew." After some thought, Orlando Bloom asked with a smile, "A $150 million project by Universal Studios? How come I haven't heard about it?"
"It's still confidential." Matthew seemed to trust Orlando Bloom completely, without any intention of keeping secrets, "I know about it because of Stephen Somos."
He explained, "Stephen Somos and Universal Studios are planning a larger fantasy adventure series following the success of 'The Mummy' series, an action film centered around a very cool male protagonist."
He emphasized the 'very cool male protagonist' and 'action', which were Orlando Bloom's strong suits.
Matthew sighed, "They plan to invest at least $150 million! Unfortunately, I…"
He shook his head again.
Orlando Bloom noted Matthew's words. In Hollywood, productions investing $150 million were extremely rare, making such a lead role a rare opportunity.
He didn't doubt Matthew's words. Since it hadn't been circulated yet, probably no one paid special attention. He planned to ask his agent to inquire and confirm.
Matthew handed Orlando Bloom the tray with chicken wings and, carrying the grilled vegetables, walked towards the table. After a few steps, he seemed to remember something and turned back to Orlando Bloom, "This Universal Studios project is still confidential. Don't tell anyone else, or I'll be in trouble."
Orlando Bloom assured him, "You can count on me, I won't tell a soul!"
He definitely wouldn't share it, as doing so would lose the advantage of being the first to know.
The two reached the round table, Matthew set down the vegetables, and sat next to Michael Fassbender, declaring, "Tonight, no one goes home sober!"
He pointed to the pile of wine bottles near James McAvoy, "We have to finish all these tonight, or no one's leaving!"
"Alright!" Ben Foster grabbed a bottle, "This one's mine!"
"Come on! Let's toast!" James McAvoy shouted, "Tonight we drink all of Matthew's wine and leave him penniless!"
Everyone joined in the lively atmosphere, eating and drinking.
The barbecue party lasted until 10:30 PM before gradually winding down. Matthew sent off the last guests, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, and called Lister. The Red Penguin Company's cleaning staff were on standby nearby and quickly started the cleanup.
Standing at the door, Matthew looked in the direction Orlando Bloom and Liv Tyler had left. He couldn't be sure if Bloom was really interested in what he said.
Influencing someone's future choices was uncertain, but taking action was always better than just waiting.
Just waiting would mean that even if 'The Scorpion King' was a box office success, he didn't think his fame would surpass Orlando Bloom's. The popularity of Legolas was too great.
And he couldn't tell Helen-Herman about this; what would he say if she asked? He couldn't say it was just a hunch that 'Van Helsing' would flop. That would be absurd.
Standing at the door, Matthew pondered future actions. He had no idea how Orlando Bloom got the role of the blacksmith, but he hoped Bloom liked 'Van Helsing' and that Somos liked him too.
Maybe he could also help him subtly, like introducing him to Somos, and speaking a few good words for him when the opportunity arises.
Perhaps Somos would really take a liking to him?
In less than half an hour, the Red Penguin Company's cleaners had tidied up the yard, leaving the lawn empty again.
Meanwhile, Liv Tyler drove Orlando Bloom's car to a hotel entrance. Bloom apologized, "Sorry, Liv, I can't stay with you tonight, my agent needs me."
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