"Michael, we're old friends."
At the Horner Estate, Matthew looked at his visitor, Michael Bay. "Just tell
what this is about."
Michael got straight to the point. "We already worked together on that rcedes-Benz comrcial, and I've always wanted to collaborate with you on a film."
Matthew smiled. "Got a new project in the works?"
He actually enjoyed many of Michael Bay's films. Even "The Island"—which had been a box-office fiasco and the last straw for DreamWorks—was an entertaining watch.
When it ca to destruction, explosions, and the editing of action sequences, the director truly had his own unique style.
As Helen had once pointed out, Michael Bay's editing style had sparked a technical revolution in Hollywood action films, and many of his short action sequences were textbook classics.
But his biggest flaw, one that had beco more noticeable in the last couple of years, was a complete lack of restraint.
Michael was a man born for explosions; he always cramd as much action into his films as possible.
"Have you heard of the Transforrs?" Michael countered.
"DreamWorks is producing the movie. I'm directing, and Steven is producing. We've already wrapped filming, and post-production is in its final stages..."
He looked at Matthew and added, "The main characters are the Transforrs—the robots. We're using all-CGI production, and we need voice actors."
Hearing this, Matthew caught on imdiately. "You want
to voice Optimus
Pri?"
"Not Optimus," Michael said with a smile. "The actor voicing Optimus
Pri is Peter Cullen, the sa guy who did the voice for the animated series."
Frankly, the film's cast was too weak for a major PR push. The "Transforrs" toy line and existing animation fans alone wouldn't be enough to support a movie with such a massive budget. The production needed a big, current na.
So, after consulting with Spielberg, he decided to bring a star onto the voice cast.
Bay added, "We'd like you to voice gatron. Matthew, your voice in '300' was so commanding, with an aura that drove your n forward. It's a perfect fit for gatron."
Matthew didn't answer right away. Optimus Pri and gatron were the two pillars of the Transforrs franchise. In truth, if he were to pick a side, gatron was far more appealing than Optimus Pri. He could still rember watching the cartoon as a kid—all the boys at school had competed to be gatron. Such a dominant character was simply more compelling than the righteous hero who won every single ti.
"The voice work won't take long—a week at most. The crew can work around your schedule." Michael pulled a thin script from his briefcase and set it down in front of Matthew. "Here are the lines for gatron. Have a look."
Matthew took the script without opening it. "Michael, have your people get in touch with my agent."
Michael nodded, not expecting Matthew to give him an answer on the spot.
The production had budgeted money to hire Horner, but the real reason was to capitalize on his star power. The box-office draw of a top-tier Hollywood star like him was imnse, and Bay himself was in a precarious position after the fiasco of "The Island." If it hadn't been for Spielberg's support, he might not have been offered another film. He simply couldn't afford for "Transforrs" to fail.
If "Transforrs" succeeded, it would completely revive his career. If it failed... the future was too grim to consider.
After a few more minutes of small talk, Michael Bay left the estate.
Once Bay was gone, Matthew called Helen and briefly filled her in, leaving the negotiations in her hands.
If the pay wasn't right, there was no point in even talking.
Of course, the pay for voice work was nothing compared to an on-screen role, and he understood that perfectly.
Shortly after Michael Bay left, Matthew got another call, this ti from Clint Eastwood himself. The old cowboy appreciated how Matthew had publicly shut down Spike Lee, leaving him so thoroughly discredited that he could no longer keep pushing his race-based accusations.
Thanks to Matthew's talk show appearance, even if Spike Lee wanted to stir up trouble in the future, the dia wouldn't give him the ti of day.
Clint also ntioned that after the talk show, many mbers of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had agreed they wouldn't even consider Spike Lee's film for the Oscars.
Hearing this from Clint, it dawned on Matthew. He'd thought Spike Lee was just attacking him like a rabid dog out of spite. But it turned out there was a deeper motive. If the controversy had grown, Lee, as the black director who "bravely" spoke out first, would have stood to gain a great deal from it, wouldn't he?
Of course, in this town, most actions were driven by vested interests.
Thinking of Spike Lee made Matthew think of Will Smith. He vaguely recalled seeing comrcials for a Will Smith movie set for release this holiday season, one that seed to be based on the true story of a black man. And Will's wife, Jada Smith... she hadn't jumped into the fray just because of their previous conflict over a leading role.
If Spike's campaign had succeeded, it would have greatly benefited them as well.
***
After lunch, Matthew left the estate and headed to the gym in Westwood to introduce David to Nibora.
Likely inspired by "300," David had taken a sudden interest in fitness. He'd asked Matthew several tis where he got so muscular, so Matthew had pointed him toward Nibora's gym.
"I hear you specialize in hand-to-hand combat."
David, changed into workout gear, stepped into the ring and looked at a warming-up Matthew. "How about we spar?"
Matthew sized up David Ellison's lean figure. "Have you trained before?"
David was already loosening up his joints. "I've trained with my father's bodyguard."
"Good." It had been a while since Matthew had sparred with anyone. "Let's do it."
He glanced at David and said to Nibora, who had co over to watch, "Full set of gear."
Nibora imdiately fetched a helt and a chest protector, handing them to
Matthew and whispering, "Go easy on him. You're in different weight classes."
Matthew gave a slight nod. "I know."
"David." He walked over to him. "Put this on."
"This..." David hesitated for a mont.
"Just in case."
Without another word, Matthew fitted the chest protector onto David. After a glance at the powerful muscles hidden beneath Matthew's sweatshirt, David wordlessly put on the full set of gear.
Once they were ready, they squared off and tapped gloves. David's eyes fixed on Matthew.
He had clearly trained with his bodyguard before; he lunged forward, aiming a punch at Matthew's ribs.
Matthew parried David's punch with one arm while simultaneously sweeping his supporting leg. As he'd promised Nibora, he used minimal force, but it was enough to send David tumbling to the mat.
"Stop!"
David imdiately raised a hand. "I lost!"
He could tell from that one exchange that continuing the fight would only end badly for him.
Matthew walked over, offered a hand, and pulled David to his feet. David shook his leg and complained, "Damn, that hurts."
He took off his protective gear and tossed it to Nibora outside the ring. He glanced over at the nearby lounge area, then turned back to Matthew. "I need to talk to you about sothing."
Seeing the look on David's face, Matthew realized he had sothing serious to discuss. He nodded. "Sure."
He waved to Nibora. "David and I are going to use the lounge area."
Nibora replied imdiately, "I'll have the lounge cleared for you."
Matthew led the way, with David following. They headed to the lounge, ordered two drinks, and then dismissed the staff.
"What's up?" Matthew asked.
"Yeah." David took a sip of his drink, then said,
"This morning I t with the head of the film division at Universal Pictures and talked to him about 'The Fast and the Furious.'"
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