At the Disney reception, Matthew greeted Jerry Bruckheir and Robert Iger but didn't discuss any film-related matters with them, leaving that aspect entirely in Helen's hands. She, much like Depp, had devoted all her energy to the Oscar campaign formulated by Disney.
Cooperating with Disney to promote Pirates of the Caribbean for the Oscars did, in fact, have its personal advantages. The Hollywood film industry had evolved to a point where the Academy Awards, in particular, had established a clear set of rules over seventy years. To win a prestigious award, you needed to make a significant investnt.
dia advertising was a crucial part of that investnt, and as one of the film's lead actors, Matthew was naturally able to add to the buzz Disney was generating.
However, Depp remained the main event.
Depp's team of agents had arranged with Disney Pictures to submit his na for an Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category for his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.
Matthew had no illusions about the Oscars. For one thing, his role was hardly to the taste of the Academy's judges. For another, the massive investnt required to campaign for an Oscar was sothing neither he nor Helen was willing to undertake.
A seven-figure investnt just to get a nomination for an acting award, only to end up with nothing? The whole thing was absurd.
Even though he had little interest in the Oscar race, Matthew fulfilled his contractual obligations. He would attend the relevant events and make an extra effort to champion Pirates of the Caribbean.
Besides, it was good for his image.
As for Depp's Best Actor nomination, Matthew was more than happy to support it. He and Depp were on good terms, and if he could decide the outco of this year's Best Actor award, he would definitely choose Depp.
In his eyes, Captain Jack Sparrow was far more interesting and colorful than bloodthirsty murderers, ntally ill psychopaths, and vulnerable homosexuals.
Unfortunately, Matthew knew perfectly well that Depp, even if he t all the requirents, would at best receive a nomination for Best Actor. His chances of taking ho the golden statuette were less than one percent.
Pirates of the Caribbean was a comrcial film, sowhat childish, and its box office, while impressive, was nowhere near that of Titanic. How could it possibly win an award as prestigious as Best Actor?
If Depp were to win, wouldn't that an those old Academy voters shared the sa "common" taste as the general public?
Matthew didn't dwell on it and made no secret of his admiration for Depp when he was interviewed at the end of the reception.
"When I first saw Depp’s performance in the first film, I was astonished," he declared.
In his interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Matthew sang his praises. "Watching films starring Depp, including Pirates of the Caribbean, you beco completely imrsed in the character and the story. I think that's what great acting is, and the way Depp performs is just amazing."
Matthew turned to the cara and added, "But who would have guessed that after all the classic roles he's played, whether eccentric or crazy, in real life he's just a regular guy? He speaks quietly and slowly, often nervously repeating 'you know' and 'yeah' over and over. It's a strange contrast."
With a hearty laugh, he concluded the interview, which The Hollywood Reporter had tailored specifically for Depp.
It was all part of Depp's public relations campaign. Every awards season, influential entertainnt dia outlets sold column inches to stars or film studios for a clearly defined price.
But if he were being honest, not just spouting lines for the dia, Matthew truly believed Depp was an actor who deserved to be called a genius. He didn't need extensive training, effort, skills, or thods; he was born to let himself loose on the big screen. He didn't struggle with the technical side of acting, and his roles were always morable. Yet, due to a lack of systematic training or a standard to follow, his career would occasionally hit a slump.
Overall, Depp's acting was captivating, more a collision of his personal style and his character than a display of technical "mastery."
For Matthew to be waving the flag for such an actor was no exaggeration. Beyond their friendship, Depp truly deserved the praise.
...
A week after the reception, Matthew received a new script. He returned to Disney Studios to audition for the role of a forr soldier who had served at a base in Alaska and had since refined his knowledge of history.
His audition was quite successful, after which Helen began negotiations with the project team, which had been officially titled National Treasure.
All Matthew had to do was wait for the results of the negotiations, which involved a multi-million-dollar salary.
In mid-December, Monster, the film starring Charlize Theron, had its limited release in Los Angeles. The production company, Newmarket Films, held a special premiere tid for the Oscars. Matthew accepted Charlize's invitation and appeared at the premiere alongside Depp.
It was Charlize's premiere, so Matthew kept a low profile, quickly making his way down the red carpet to the interview area in front of the theater, just as Depp had done before him.
"Depp! Matthew!"
Unexpectedly, Charlize, who was already talking to reporters in the interview area, imdiately called out to them. "I'm so glad you're here."
Depp, still projecting his quirky deanor, simply gave Charlize a hug and said nothing of note, but he shot a rather unfriendly look at Stuart Townsend, who was standing beside her.
"We're friends," Matthew said, giving Charlize a polite hug just as Depp had. "Of course, I ca to support you."
Then, on his own initiative, he extended his right hand to Stuart. "Hello, Mr. Townsend."
Surrounded by reporters, Stuart shook Matthew’s hand in a gentlemanly fashion and replied with a clearly forced smile, "Hello, Mr. Horner."
Just then, a reporter shouted, "Ms. Theron! Depp! Matthew! Could you all stand together for a photo?"
Instantly, many other reporters echoed the request.
The smile on Stuart's face suddenly froze. The reporters were all shouting for Charlize, Depp, and Matthew Horner. Not one of them had ntioned him.
It was as if he were invisible.
Standing with Charlize, Stuart glanced at Depp to his left, then at Matthew on Charlize’s right, and felt incredibly awkward.
The press snapped photo after photo, then frantically interviewed Matthew and Depp, asking them what they thought of Charlize. And just as with Charlize’s previous interviews, not a single reporter paid any attention to Stuart or even seed to notice his presence.
He was Charlize's boyfriend, for God's sake! His opinion of her should be the most credible, right? Then why were they all ignoring him?
The three of them—Matthew, Depp, and Charlize—stood together and answered reporters' questions. The press asked Depp a few things first, then turned their attention to Matthew.
"Matthew, may I ask, are you and Ms. Theron friends?" a reporter asked, a glint in his eye.
"Of course," Matthew answered without a second thought. "We're good friends."
Charlize gave Matthew a strange look. Are we? she seed to think.
Stuart shot Charlize a resentful glare. He had told her not to get involved with these scumbags anymore, but she never listened.
Another reporter asked, "Could you comnt on Ms. Theron? Describe her for us?"
Matthew tensed slightly. This was definitely not the occasion to say sothing like, "Charlize is sexy."
"The Charlize I know is a very thoughtful and kind woman." He racked his brain and finally ca up with a few words of praise. "She not only has a beautiful appearance, but also an extraordinary intellect and the soul of a free spirit."
Hearing these words, Charlize couldn't help but look at Matthew again, her eyes lingering on him for a mont. His words had touched her heart; he had described the exact person she aspired to be.
In that brief mont, her impression of Matthew changed completely.
Stuart, on the other hand, was deeply annoyed. He found Matthew, this guy with so kind of ulterior motive, exceptionally irritating.
But in front of the press, he couldn't show his displeasure. He had to keep smiling, just like Charlize.
...
On the way into the theater, Charlize found an opportunity to approach Matthew and whisper, "Thank you."
"Don't ntion it," Matthew said with a serious expression. "It was from the heart."
Charlize laughed, said nothing more, and simply walked away.
Matthew followed a strange-looking Depp into the theater and took his seat, settling in to watch a film about a female serial killer.
...
After the release of Monster, Charlize, much like Nicole Kidman the previous year, received a wave of accolades. Matthew wondered if it was the result of a strong PR campaign, as Roger Ebert, the standard-bearer of North Arican film criticism, comnted directly that if Charlize didn't win the Best Actress Oscar for her performance in Monster, it would undoubtedly call the fairness of the Academy Awards into question.
Of course, Matthew was rely an observer in all this.
Just before Christmas, the heavyweight director Ang Lee ca knocking, after Focus Features contacted Helen.
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