Not only was Charlize Theron invited, but as Matthew discussed the script and roles with director Doug Leman, he learned that many more were set to audition for the female lead. After several top-tier actresses declined the invitation, the "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" team slightly lowered their standards, extending auditions to five or six second-tier stars interested in the role of Jane Smith, including well-known names like Penélope Cruz, Milla Jovovich, and Jessica Biel.
As the reigning Oscar winner with a relatively moderate salary demand, Charlize Theron also received an invitation to audition. Despite her Oscar win, Theron's box office appeal wasn't particularly strong, her most commercially successful film being "The Italian Job," where she played more of a traditional role.
However, Theron had her advantages. The title of current Oscar winner was significant, and many productions still valued that highly. Winning an Oscar often brings actors a surge of opportunities, although many find themselves on a streak of misfortunes afterward.
Most Oscar-winning actresses follow a similar path: they win the award, receive numerous film offers, experience a series of flops, but as long as they manage a comeback, their futures remain promising. The prestige and impact of an Oscar win are undeniably substantial.
While preparing for his role, Matthew also kept an eye on the developments for the female lead, occasionally checking in on the ongoing high-profile scandal involving Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Jennifer Aniston. Jolie was very public in her appearances, consistently mentioning Pitt. In contrast, Aniston had been much more reserved, staying out of the public eye since announcing her intention to divorce through her agent.
Her low profile somewhat benefited Pitt, whose PR strategies to clear his name seemed to be working. Pitt's fans, rallying on the internet, accused Aniston of hiding her infertility from him.
Aniston remained silent, issuing only another statement through her spokesperson: "I sought a deeply loyal relationship, and he had the right to pursue another form. Thus, he chose to part ways." She reiterated that she would not take a penny from Pitt.
With her substantial wealth and status from the recently concluded "Friends," Aniston was financially and socially above Pitt. It was widely acknowledged in Hollywood circles that Rachel had "married down" to Pitt.
Matthew speculated, not without malice, whether Pitt had timed the end of their marriage to coincide with the end of "Friends," possibly anticipating a decrease in Aniston's market value.
Given Pitt's history of using his relationships with women as stepping stones to stardom, Matthew couldn't help but admire his strategy, albeit grimly acknowledging its effectiveness. This scandal would likely be remembered as one of Hollywood's most infamous.
Meanwhile, Matthew pondered how to convince Aziva Gossman to avoid casting Nicole Kidman as the female lead. Unexpectedly, right before the auditions, Kidman also withdrew from consideration for the role of Jane Smith, citing scheduling conflicts.
According to reliable information from Helen Herman, Kidman had signed a deal with Sony Pictures to star in a movie adaptation of the 1964 TV show "Bewitched," with a staggering salary of $20 million without backend participation.
This high-profile salary not only secured Kidman's entry into the $20 million club—a rare feat for actresses—it also served as a significant promotional boost for the film. In contrast, the role in "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" became significantly less appealing.
With the "super box office poison" moving on to potentially jeopardize other projects, Matthew felt relieved. Even if Theron didn't secure the role, the other emerging candidates also had substantial recognition.
As Matthew was finalizing preparations for "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," he received a call from James McAvoy, who, along with Michael Fassbender, had arrived in Los Angeles from the UK. The three had maintained contact but hadn't seen each other due to their busy schedules.
"Hey, Matthew!" At a club in Burbank, McAvoy greeted him with a bear hug. "You've bulked up even more!"
After embracing McAvoy, Matthew hugged Fassbender, joking, "Finally decided to leave the UK?"
Fassbender had been based in Los Angeles but had returned to London the previous year for stage work.
McAvoy shrugged, "There's nothing wrong with the UK, less competitive than Hollywood."
Fassbender added, "Except the weather is terrible."
The trio laughed and sat down, enjoying fine wines specially selected for the occasion. While McAvoy and Fassbender's careers weren't as smooth as Matthew's, he had offered help, which they had declined, valuing their friendship too much to risk complicating it with business.
"Come on, Matthew, confess!" Fassbender teased after a drink, displaying his trademark grin. "How many actresses have you slept with?"
"Not many, just a few," Matthew responded
modestly.
McAvoy challenged, "A few? Like who? Let's count: Keira Knightley, Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson..."
Looking at Fassbender, who agreed with a nod, McAvoy concluded, "That's not too many."
"It's not about quantity, but quality!" McAvoy scorned, "You've been famous for over a year and only a few? Don't tell people you know us; your efficiency is embarrassing!"
Insulted, Matthew retorted, "What do you know? It's about quality, not quantity."
McAvoy scoffed, "Or maybe your game is just weak. Admit it." He pointed to himself, "You're sitting with a master here, ask for advice anytime."
Matthew dismissed him with a wave, "You? Maybe you're still a virgin!"
Fassbender interjected, "I can assure you, he's not."
Matthew looked at them both with feigned surprise, causing McAvoy to flip him off, "Keep your dirty thoughts to yourself."
"I didn't say anything," Matthew claimed innocently as Fassbender handed him a drink, "If you keep making wild guesses, I promise to get you drunk and drop you off at a gay bar."
Changing the subject, Matthew asked, "So why did you guys leave London?"
"Simple," Fassbender refilled Matthew's glass, "James got a role here, and I had an audition, so we came together."
"Oh?" Matthew was curious. "What role did you get, James?"
"A Disney movie based on C.S. Lewis' 'The Chronicles of Narnia,'" McAvoy explained, "I'm playing a faun."
"And you?" Matthew turned to Fassbender.
"Just a small role in a Paramount project," Fassbender replied with a smile.
Seeing he didn't want to elaborate, Matthew didn't press further. The evening was about reconnecting and enjoying each other's company, occasionally boasting about their romantic conquests.
They stayed until late before Matthew arranged for a driver to take them back to their hotel and then headed home himself.
Over the next few days, Matthew didn't see them again as he was busy with the female lead auditions for "Mr. & Mrs. Smith." A critical part of the auditions involved acting alongside him to assess the subtle chemistry between the candidates and him.
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