"Our previous speculations all went astray!" Helen Herman leaned on the cue stick in front of the pool table in the recreation room, speaking to Matthew who had just arrived. "Jerry Bruckheimer took the scriptwriters to the National Archives to research materials related to independence, but it's not about the American independence. His new movie is actually an adventure action film related to the Declaration of Independence!"
Matthew, who had picked up a cue stick, ready to play a game with Helen Herman, stopped in his tracks beside the pool table, cursing silently with a word that starts with "F".
He and Helen had thought Jerry Bruckheimer's new movie was related to American independence or Independence Day, never considering the Declaration of Independence!
Helen shook her head lightly, "Jerry Bruckheimer went to the National Archives specifically to see the Declaration of Independence." Seeing Matthew's confused look, she explained, "The Declaration of Independence signed back then is now stored in the National Archives."
"So that's how it is!" Matthew shook his head as well, wondering, "Why didn't I think of the Declaration of Independence?"
He asked Helen, "Is there more specific information?"
Helen put the cue stick on the table, "I got the main theme of the project. It goes like this: The Declaration of Independence is found to hide a secret treasure map. This crucial document is in danger, and the protagonist is forced to steal the Declaration of Independence to uncover the secret of the Knights Templar's treasure."
She added, "This film is a perfect fit for us, an action adventure genre."
After hearing Helen's words, only one figure came to Matthew's mind—Nicolas Cage!
He recalled a movie about the Declaration of Independence and the Knights Templar's treasure. Now trying hard to remember, he could still recall a bit of it. He had always thought the project was related to American independence or Independence Day, never considering the Declaration of Independence.
The movie's content was completely different from his guess, essentially being that treasure hunt movie starring Nicolas Cage.
Nicolas Cage is extremely popular across the Pacific, and Matthew is no exception. He had watched most of Cage's non-artistic films online, including the notoriously bad ones like Ghost Rider.
If not for the mistaken direction, he would have thought of the movie called "National Treasure" earlier.
This movie even had a sequel; the first one must have been successful, or else there wouldn't have been a follow-up.
Considering this, Matthew asked, "Has the production team been formed?"
"No," Helen shook her head. "It's still in the scriptwriting phase. Jerry Bruckheimer is currently focused on preparing for 'King Arthur' due to financing difficulties. He's been busy with 'King Arthur' this past month."
Since the funding issue wasn't resolved, there was still a chance.
After thinking it over, Matthew said, "Helen, I have an idea. If..." he emphasized, "I mean if, we could help Jerry Bruckheimer raise the funds, would it be possible for him to cast me as the male lead in this new project?"
"You can bring in investment?" Helen was skeptical.
"I mean if..." Matthew emphasized again.
Helen looked at Matthew and slowly started, "If the investors you find can fill the tens of millions of dollars budget gap between Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney, and if 'Pirates of the Caribbean' is successful at the box office next week, then everything else is not a problem."
Matthew was invigorated by Helen's words, who continued, "You're different from other actors; you've worked with Jerry Bruckheimer, and he knows you well. If 'Pirates of the Caribbean' succeeds, you'll also have some box office appeal. If you can help solve Jerry Bruckheimer's funding issue, the chances of him using you as the male lead are over eighty percent!"
She smiled, adding, "Jerry Bruckheimer likes to work with actors he's cooperated with before, as you can see from Keira Knightley. And compared to other producers, he's considered to have good credibility."
"We could give it a try," Matthew mumbled.
"It's worth trying," Helen said, arms crossed, leaning on the pool table. "The premise is you can bring in the investment."
"I know someone, very wealthy."
At this point, Matthew didn't hide it any longer, as he needed the assistance of an experienced professional like Helen, "He once wanted to cast me as the male lead in a movie."
Helen immediately recalled, "You mean the person who invested in Lakeshore Entertainment's 'Underworld'?"
"Yes," Matthew also leaned on the pool table. "Nebula, my coach, once served as his boxing coach. He said this person brought a large sum of money to Los Angeles to invest in the film industry, eager to invest in big projects to make big money, but so far has only invested in 'Underworld'."
Helen understood, saying, "Wanting to invest in a top production of the Big Six requires a threshold."
Matthew nodded. Having been here for several years, his experience had grown. Just waving money around in haste doesn't mean the needy will accept it.
"If I get in touch with him..." Matthew knew he wasn't enough on his own. "Can the company act as a threshold?"
Helen calmly replied, "As long as 'Pirates of the Caribbean' is successful."
Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer are already planning sequels, just waiting for 'Pirates of the Caribbean' to hit big in its first week. Thus, they'll likely engage in long-term cooperation with Matthew and Angel Agency. The investor introduced by Angel Agency would definitely be considered.
Knowing what to do, Matthew contacted Nebula to keep an eye on Fox Sherman.
"I'm heading home." Seeing nothing else was needed, Matthew prepared to leave. "I've arranged with Red Penguin Company to refurbish the room."
"Huh?" Helen was puzzled. "You're renovating the rented house? Did the landlord agree?"
"Not that," Matthew shook his head. "I'm arranging a special room at home in preparation for Keira Knightley's move."
Helen waved him off without saying more.
Matthew left Angel Agency and returned home, where the Red Penguin Company arrived on time.
This company caters to Hollywood's business, not just providing special services but also many normal ones.
The three workers, following Matthew's instructions, cleared a room used as a storeroom. Of course, Matthew didn't remove the door, taking Keira Knightley's comments as jokes.
After arranging the room, he also bought a bed and some furniture from a nearby furniture store. He couldn't let Keira Knightley sleep on the floor.
If Keira Knightley was willing, Matthew wouldn't mind sharing, but such things need mutual consent. Although lacking in character and moral standards, he disdains forcing women.
Three days after arranging Keira Knightley's room, Nebula called him, saying Fox Sherman had scheduled an afternoon boxing practice at the gym.
After lunch, Matthew also appeared at the gym. He was acquainted with Fox Sherman and, upon seeing him, said he had something to discuss, leading Fox into the lounge.
"Fox, you previously mentioned wanting to invest in films," Matthew got straight to the point. "I have a project here, with a production budget over one hundred million dollars and a very promising profit outlook."
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