The quiet road was serene, lined with tall trees. A solitary, detached house stood hidden in the night, its form appearing and disappearing in the bright moonlight.
The roar of a black rcedes's engine shattered the silence, startling several unseen birds from the trees.
With a soft hiss of its brakes, the rcedes pulled over to the side of the road near a tall, ivy-covered wall, announcing their arrival.
Alexandra didn't wait for Matthew, opening her door and stepping out into the night. As a cool breeze swept past, she pulled the man's jacket tighter around her shoulders and murmured, "It's already early morning."
Matthew got out of the car and walked over just then. He heard her voice but couldn't quite catch the words. "What was that?"
Alexandra smiled and shook her head. "Nothing."
"Your purse," Matthew said, handing it to her.
Alexandra took it and began rummaging through it for her house keys.
Cara flashes ignited the darkness nearby. Matthew glanced over to see several cars parked a short distance away. Soone had gotten out and was filming them.
Completely unconcerned, Matthew gestured toward the ivy-wreathed gate. "I'll walk you."
"There's no need," Alexandra politely declined. "It's late. I should get so rest."
Matthew didn't insist, just nodding. "Alright. I'll see you next ti."
A smile spread across Alexandra's face. "Thank you, Matthew. It was a wonderful evening."
She walked to the house, and as she opened the iron gate, she turned to look back at Matthew, who was still watching her. "I'll have you over as a guest soti."
Matthew just gave her a wave. "Good night, Alexandra."
Alexandra waved back. "Good night, Matthew."
She stepped inside, and Matthew didn't linger. He turned back to the car and told the driver, "Back to Beverly Hills."
As the car pulled away, Matthew glanced back at the ivy-covered house he had rented for Alexandra. He could clearly sense that she was no longer the relatively innocent girl he'd fild "Dawn of the Dead" with. She had matured over the years, a fact made clear just now by the way she had politely refused him while still leaving the door open for sothing more...
Matthew was in no rush either. His feelings for Alexandra were far less intense than what he felt for Charlize, but they were certainly stronger than what he felt for the other actresses and models he'd known.
Back ho, he suddenly felt no different from most n; what you couldn't have...
...was always the most appealing.
In the wake of the Oscars, Hollywood was abuzz once again, with gossip swirling that Matthew and Alexandra Daddario were dating. But contrary to the tabloid narrative, Matthew hadn't spent the night with her. Alexandra was keeping him in a place closer than friendship, but without any real physical intimacy.
Matthew soon understood her intentions: she was willing to entertain his pursuit, but not for a one-night stand.
Aside from Britney, Matthew had never been in an official relationship. And while he cared deeply for Charlize, their first engagent had been pure theatrics.
Matthew's appearance at the Academy Awards coincided with the official launch of the Warner Bros. promotional campaign for "I Am Legend," moving the film from early buzz-building into full pre-release marketing.
Warner Bros. created a dedicated website for the viral marketing of "I Am Legend," posting a sensational announcent that imdiately drew widespread attention.
The site claid that a New York laboratory had discovered a cure for cancer. It described a specific virus capable of effectively killing tumor cells without harming healthy tissue. The announcent stated that the treatnt was being prepared for clinical trials and, if successful, would soon enter mass production.
Similar stories began popping up in various magazines and on smaller news sites, but a closer look revealed that none of the major, mainstream dia outlets had reported on it.
Nevertheless, over ti, the site managed to attract a great deal of attention.
This achieved its initial purpose, as viral marketing is often a long ga that requires ti to build montum.
Of course, a stunt like this was irresponsible and unethical, but that had never been a problem for Hollywood.
The viral marketing strategy designed by Warner Bros. was far more conscientious than that of a certain film Matthew rembered seeing, which had blatantly proclaid the end of the world and caused a asure of social panic.
The social landscape was changing rapidly, and Hollywood, as a bastion of liberalism, could be considered a pioneer of so of those shifts. As an individual living within that broader society, one had to adapt to the changing environnt.
Although Matthew was focused on his own career, he still kept a close watch on the developnts in Hollywood.
After the 79th Academy Awards, the most significant event was the finalization of The Walt Disney Company's complete acquisition of Pixar Studios.
The acquisition agreent between Disney and Pixar had been officially signed the previous year, and after months of formalities, Pixar Studios was now truly a part of Walt Disney.
Steve Jobs, Pixar's original owner, also beca Disney's largest single shareholder as a result of the stock swap.
In addition, a number of forr Pixar executives, like John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton, moved into key positions at Walt Disney, taking over creative leadership for content production at Disney's headquarters.
"Disney is hosting a celebratory reception at the end of March."
Helen said as they strolled through the gardens of the Horner Estate, "They've already sent us an invitation."
She turned her head, her gaze falling on a nearby hydrangea. "Even though we don't have any new projects lined up with Disney since the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' series, I suggest you attend."
Matthew turned onto a stone path and sat down in a wicker chair beside a stone table, gesturing to the empty one opposite it.
"Have a seat, Helen."
Tea was already set out on the table.
Helen sat across from Matthew, took her cup, and had a sip before continuing where she'd left off. "Steve Jobs will be at the reception as well."
"I'll have to check my schedule," Matthew said, pausing for a mont.
"But I'll definitely go if I'm free."
Helen gave a slight nod. "Keep an eye out for Andrew Stanton while you're there."
"The director of 'Finding Nemo'?" Matthew asked, his curiosity piqued.
"That's the one," Helen explained. "I ran into him a while ago. He asked about your schedule and seed interested in having you lead his next film."
Matthew frowned slightly. "He wants
to do voice work for an animated film?"
Helen shook her head. "No. Andrew Stanton is currently working on an animated film about Earth and robots. After that, he plans to move into live-action production, and he wants to direct an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars'."
She set down her teacup. "The 'A Princess of Mars' project has been stalled multiple tis for various reasons since the late 1970s. Andrew Stanton found it in Disney's rights library, and he's co-writing a script with a few others to revive it."
Matthew asked, "Edgar Rice Burroughs?"
With his experience in Hollywood, he had so fra of reference. "The author of 'Tarzan'?"
"Yes," Helen confird. "George Lucas borrowed several elents from 'A Princess of Mars' for his 'Star Wars' series."
Her words jogged his mory. "I rember soone from Disney ntioning this project back when we were filming 'Pirates of the Caribbean'."
He had marveled at the ti how many Hollywood scripts sat gathering dust in various studio libraries for years, even decades.
Helen continued, "From what I gather, Disney has serious reservations about Stanton restarting the project. He's built his reputation in animation and has never directed a live-action film. I suspect he wants to get you attached as the lead to increase his chances of attracting investnt and getting the green light. If his animated robot film is a success, I think the odds of Disney backing him will go up considerably."
Matthew rubbed the stubble on his chin. "I've seen 'Tarzan,' but 'A Princess of Mars' is a new one for ."
"It's a classic work of science fiction. The first novel was published in 1912, and it's the beginning of a whole series. Andrew Stanton said he's basing his adaptation mainly on that first book."
Helen replied promptly.
"So, it's an action movie?" Matthew asked.
Helen nodded carefully. "A sci-fi action film."
The people at Pixar were known for being incredibly talented. After a mont's thought, Matthew said, "Stay in touch with Andrew Stanton. I'll take a look at the script when he's finished with it."
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