The following week wasn't as bad for Twilight as many had predicted. With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching and other blockbusters like Quantum of Solace hardly faring better with critics, Twilight remained the top choice for many families.
This was especially true for families with teenage daughters, who contributed significantly to the film's box office earnings in the run-up to Thanksgiving.
On Thanksgiving Day itself, Twilight's single-day earnings once again surpassed $15 million, bringing its total North Arican box office to $128.54 million.
"The more it’s hated, the more it’s loved" seed to beco the film’s unofficial motto. No matter how fiercely the outside world raged, no matter how loudly critics and detractors jeered, its fans remained unshakable.
The reality was a stark divide between Twilight's popularity and its perceived quality. On one side were the fans who couldn't get enough, and on the other were its critics—a group that spanned from the dia and professional reviewers to a large portion of the adult male audience.
Needless to say, there was a vast chasm between the preferences of teenage fans and those of the dia when it ca to Twilight.
In the end, the cultural elite in charge of the dia simply resented the "uncultured" crowd that held sway over the box office.
Another phenonon to erge was the incredible surge in popularity of its young cast.
On Thanksgiving night, Matthew accepted Helen's invitation to her ho for a traditional turkey dinner.
What he didn't expect, however, was that Helen had invited a few other guests.
Among them were her two most trusted lieutenants from the Angel Agency, along with Ilana and Amanda. Plus, Amanda had brought along her best friend, Alexandra Daddario.
But all of these guests had one thing in common: they were all won!
Furthermore, everyone present, including Matthew himself, was navigating their careers in Los Angeles alone and had nowhere else to be for Thanksgiving.
Helen presided over the carving of the turkey, and a warm, festive atmosphere soon filled the room.
"Helen, this turkey is delicious," Matthew said, raising his wine glass toward her. "Did you make it yourself?"
"Not ," Helen replied, gesturing to a woman with short blonde hair.
"This is all Amanda's handiwork."
Matthew looked at Amanda with an exaggerated expression. "No way. You can cook?"
Amanda raised her own glass, extending it toward Matthew. "Matthew Horner has the honor of tasting my roast turkey! A toast to that!"
With that, she drained the wine in her glass.
Matthew took a sip as well.
Beside him, Ilana refilled his glass, then raised her own and clinked it against his.
Matthew had no choice but to lift his glass and take another drink.
He had just set his glass down when Ilana topped it off again. Across the table, Alexandra suddenly smiled at him. "Matthew, it's been a while. Let's drink to our reunion."
Looking into Alexandra's bewitching blue eyes, Matthew obediently downed another glass.
Matthew glanced around at the won seated at the table one by one, then leaned closer to Ilana's ear. "It just occurred to ," he murmured, "that it's a bit unusual for
to be the only man sitting among a group of you won."
"What's so unusual about it?" Ilana replied cheerfully. "Feeling like you have your own personal harem?"
Matthew shot her a look. "Don't be ridiculous. Everyone..."
He was about to say that all the won here were either colleagues or friends, but then he saw Alexandra Daddario whispering with Amanda at the other end of the table and swallowed his words.
After dinner, Helen herself gave them a tour of her mansion.
The estate was situated on the beach in Malibu, covering nearly two acres. It was a recent acquisition for Helen, who now topped the list of wealthiest agents in the entertainnt industry.
Returning to the living room, everyone settled in and continued their casual conversation, none of them in any hurry to say goodbye and leave.
anwhile, Matthew sought out Alexandra. "Alexandra, thanks for coming. It's been a few months since we've seen each other."
"I was at the Twilight premiere last week, but you didn't see ," Alexandra said with a small smile.
"Sorry," Matthew said, lightly tapping his head. "I was so preoccupied."
Alexandra shook her head. "It's fine."
Matthew naturally changed the subject. "How has work been lately? What project are you on?"
"A couple of small productions," Alexandra smiled. "Helen got
a lead role in a small indie film and a part in a TV episode."
In truth, she hadn't landed anything significant since I Am Legend. Her acting skills were limited, and the Angel Agency was unlikely to invest heavily in her the way they had with Matthew back in the day.
Matthew was about to say sothing when Amanda approached them.
"What are you two chatting about?" She pulled up a chair and sat down next to Alexandra.
Alexandra replied, "Matthew was asking
about work."
"Work?" Amanda glanced at Matthew. "Speaking of which, the National Federation of Charities is giving you an award for outstanding contributions, so don't forget to go."
Matthew nodded. "Just send the details to Bella."
"No problem," Amanda replied. Then she added, "There's also an invitation from the UNHCR. They want you to find ti to go with them to Africa next year to survey the refugee situation, specifically concerning the survival of won and children."
"Alright," Matthew had no intention of refusing. "Have them send over the specific dates, itineraries, and plans as well."
Then he asked, "It seems the UNHCR has been quite prominent these last couple of years, making a lot of moves."
Amanda, however, smiled, lowered her voice slightly, and said,
"The UNHCR's High Commissioner has his eye on the Secretary-General's position."
Matthew understood. "If you want to climb that high, you need to show so results."
He wasn't an expert in politics, but he understood the basics.
After Amanda joined them, Alexandra realized with a pang of regret that she couldn't even get a word in. The topics Matthew and Amanda were discussing were simply on a level beyond her reach.
The gulf between her and the other two was growing wider and wider.
After listening to Matthew and Amanda's conversation for a few more minutes, Alexandra excused herself to go to the restroom.
Just then, Helen ca over. "There's a matter that needs your attention. Salary negotiations for Nina, Lily Collins, and Liam Hemsworth for the film need to happen sooner rather than later."
Matthew nodded. "I know. Sean Daniel will start negotiations with them next month."
"God..." Amanda sighed, turning to Helen. "Darling, this is a Thanksgiving party. Can't you talk about sothing other than work?"
Helen asked, perplexed, "And what were you just talking about?"
Amanda smiled. "We were discussing higher ideals, like how to alleviate the plight of African refugees."
Helen ignored her and turned back to Matthew. "After the success of
Twilight, the Collins camp has been getting restless. They keep calling , hoping we can adapt
The Hunger Gas as soon as possible."
Matthew thought for a mont. "Tell her we'll start preparations next year."
The success of Twilight was far from the end for teen-oriented fan-driven films; it was only the beginning.
Twilight's sequels were slated to co before The Hunger Gas.
After all, the series already had an established team: Sean Daniel and Sofia Coppola were staying on, as was the core cast.
He and Sofia Coppola had already agreed to replicate the first film's successful formula: MTV-style cinematography, cheesy dialogue, bizarre romance, and inexplicable love-hate dynamics.
There was no reason not to continue with a format that had proven so frighteningly successful.
The Twilight series and the subsequent Hunger Gas franchise could follow this exact formula.
As the party wound down, and before leaving Helen's mansion, Matthew found Alexandra.
"I noticed you didn't drive here," he said, a little hesitantly.
"I'm passing through Burbank, why don't you ride with ?"
The two of them had a long and intimate history, and of course, Alexandra Daddario knew what lay behind the invitation. Matthew clearly had more on his mind than just the drive.
She hesitated for a mont, but still, she agreed.
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