"Collaborate on 300?" Matthew feigned puzzlent at Harvey's words. "Harvey, I helped get the project off the ground, but I was really just the matchmaker between David's Skydance Pictures and Frank Miller. Skydance funded the rights acquisition. It's all in David's hands."
Everything he was saying was one hundred percent true, and no matter what anyone else thought, he knew exactly where things stood.
Harvey said nothing, simply staring at Matthew, his gaze a palpable form of pressure.
But Matthew was unfazed by such tactics.
Harvey finally broke the silence. "You're right, Matthew."
His tone suddenly sharpened. "But I'm also clear on another fact: the only reason David invested in this project is because you're the star."
Before Matthew could respond, Harvey pressed on. "Don't you want to work with ? The Weinstein Company can handle distribution for 300."
Matthew cut in. "Skydance has already made a distribution agreent with Warner Brothers."
"No, you haven't signed a formal distribution deal. That takes ti," Harvey countered. His voice was low, but his tone was heavy with implication. "If you want to work with , talk to David. I'm sure he'll listen to you."
He fixed his gaze on Matthew.
Matthew smiled. "I'm sorry, Harvey. I'm just an actor. I don't have that kind of authority."
Harvey remained silent, his eyes still locked on Matthew.
After a full thirty seconds with no effect, Harvey spoke again. "Na your price, Matthew."
"This isn't about what I want." Matthew slowly shook his head, continuing to place all responsibility squarely on David's shoulders. "The rights to 300 belong to David, and the investnt all ca from him. Harvey, if you want to talk distribution, you need to talk to David. I can't get involved."
Harvey scoffed internally. If he could have just talked to David, why would he be here? The last ti he'd approached David, the kid had flat-out refused him.
He wasn't as wealthy as David, and in their world, money ant a great deal.
However, he had seniority and influence in Hollywood that David couldn't match—leverage of a different kind.
The problem was David's impending partnership with Warner Brothers. They certainly wouldn't play by his rules. So how was he supposed to strong-arm David into handing over the distribution rights?
In the past, to secure distribution rights for independent films, he had no qualms about pressuring producers until they buckled.
But that thod worked on people in the independent film world. If he tried it on David Ellison, he'd be the one ending up in prison, one hundred percent.
Never mind David—even trying sothing like that with Matthew would lead to serious trouble.
Harvey loved to throw his weight around, but he knew you had to treat people differently depending on their status.
So, Harvey changed his approach. "Here's the deal, Matthew."
When dealing with an actor, he always adopted an air of importance, his tone laced with a hint of magnanimity. "I'll work with you on a film over the next three years."
Matthew watched Harvey seriously, waiting for him to continue. Frankly, he was curious to hear Harvey's offer.
Harvey knew exactly what bait would hook a Hollywood star. "It'll be a film tailor-made for the Academy," he declared. "And I guarantee you at least one Oscar nomination."
"Really?" Surprise flickered across Matthew's face.
He gave the distinct impression of being thrilled by the prospect of an Oscar—and thoroughly impressed by Harvey's power.
Harvey had a proven track record when it ca to seducing stars with awards. Seeing that look on Matthew's face, he smirked to himself. These Hollywood actors were all the sa—dangle an Oscar in front of them, and they turned to putty.
"What I said is absolutely true." Harvey laid his cards on the table. "Don't forget, Matthew, how many Oscar nominations have co from my projects?"
Matthew gave a solemn nod.
Harvey smiled. "Then we have a deal. You get
the distribution rights for 300, and I'll get you an Oscar nomination."
As he heard this, the surprise on Matthew's face slowly faded, replaced first by hesitation, and then by a look of profound disappointnt. He let out a long sigh and shook his head.
His expression turned crestfallen. "I love the Oscars," he said, his voice laced with regret. "I want one. I'd do anything to get one."
Harvey's brow furrowed. This wasn't going as planned.
Matthew continued, his voice full of frustration. "But Harvey, I can't do what you're asking. After I made the introductions, 300 beca entirely David's project. I don't have the slightest say in it. As I'm sure you know, actors have no voice when it cos to distribution deals."
Harvey looked at Matthew, a hint of surprise in his eyes. The man was clearly captivated by the allure of an Oscar. Like every star he'd ever dealt with, Matthew understood the tangible rewards that ca with that golden statue, and he craved it.
So, did that an Matthew, despite his obvious desire for an Oscar, was actually turning down the bait? Did he really have no say? No influence over David?
It was possible.
But Harvey wasn't giving up yet. "Actually, there's another way, Matthew."
Matthew's expression imdiately brightened, looking for all the world like a fish that had just seen the lure again. "Tell !"
"You can go to David," Harvey's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, "and tell him that if he doesn't give the distribution rights for 300 to Weinstein Pictures, you'll walk."
The corner of Matthew's eye twitched. Helen, Johnny Depp, and Keira Knightley had all been right about Harvey. The man was a bully, and he didn't let go of sothing he wanted easily.
If he did what Harvey suggested, Matthew knew David might actually cave and partner with Weinstein Pictures. But it would shatter his relationship with David, create a rift with Warner Brothers, and even put Zack Snyder in a difficult position.
"Matthew," Harvey said suddenly, "I can get an actress of Gwyneth Paltrow's caliber a Best Actress Oscar. And I can do the sa for soone with... roughly her level of talent."
He let the words hang in the air, the implication perfectly clear.
It was an enormous temptation for any actor. Harvey's track record over the past decade proved he was a guaranteed ticket to Oscar night.
A look of indecision crossed Matthew's face. His body tensed as if he were wrestling with the decision.
Harvey fell silent, confident that no actor could resist the bait of a Best Actor Oscar.
Of course, he'd only said he wanted the distribution rights for 300 first. They could talk about everything else after that.
After a long mont, Matthew sighed. "I can't do it. My principles won't let ."
Harvey's lips curled into a sneer.
Principles? A Hollywood star with principles? Was he serious?
"I have a contract with Skydance." Matthew's appeal to principles was, of course, just a smokescreen. "If I walk away from this project, I'll have to pay tens of millions of dollars in penalties. I can't afford that."
His contract with Skydance Pictures did contain a penalty clause, though the amount wasn't nearly that high. But the contract was confidential; an outsider would have no way of knowing the real figure.
He then looked at Harvey with a hopeful expression. "Harvey, if your company is willing to pay the penalty for , I—"
"Hey!" Harvey cut him off imdiately. "Let's talk about this so other ti, shall we?"
Matthew pressed, trying to suppress a smile. "What about the Oscar campaign?"
Looking more than a little flustered, Harvey waved a dismissive hand. "I said, we'll talk so other ti. I'll take you to lunch."
He turned and started walking away hastily. "That's all for today, Matthew."
With that, he headed for the door.
Watching Harvey exit the VIP lounge, Matthew let out a sigh of relief. He'd dealt with that problem—for now.
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