Francis's blog wasn't hit with too many attacks on the first day, but by the second, as the news spread, Matthew's massive fanbase completely flooded it.
At the sa ti, the official website for Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem crashed under the onslaught of Matthew's fans.
While this undoubtedly caused a headache for Francis and the production of Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, there was no denying they had also captured the attention of Matthew's fandom.
It was an unavoidable consequence of being a star as popular as Matthew.
He'd been in Hollywood long enough to know the drill. With Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest grossing over a billion dollars worldwide, it was impossible to avoid becoming fodder for the dia machine.
In fact, things were even worse for Johnny Depp. Winona Ryder, who had been out of the spotlight for years, suddenly resurfaced, frequently appearing before the press to reminisce about her ti with Depp.
A couple of aspiring actresses had also crawled out of the woodwork, claiming to have had his illegitimate children.
Just as with Francis and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, the public's outrage, criticism, and insults weren't always a bad thing—they generated buzz.
Perhaps spurred on by this, Scarlett Johansson—who hadn't landed a major, A-list production since The Island—also stepped into the lilight, revealing her supposedly brief romance with Matthew on a talk show.
"We didn't date for long, but it was an intense, burning fla."
She frad it as if they had actually dated, rather than just spending a couple of nights together.
anwhile, just as Matthew and Depp were being targeted, the film itself, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, also ca under attack.
"The plot... it's more than eighty percent similar to a screenplay I wrote eighteen years ago, back when I was working on the production of Oliver & Company for Disney Pictures. I circulated the script all around the studio."
On NBC, an unknown screenwriter, flanked by his lawyer, stood before a bank of caras and vehently condemned Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheir.
"I have decided to file an official lawsuit against Disney Pictures to put a stop to their infringent."
Watching this, Matthew casually switched off the television and couldn't help but shake his head. Behind every Hollywood blockbuster, there were always a few writers and creators claiming their scripts or ideas had been stolen by the production.
It was practically a tradition in Hollywood.
Adaptations were one thing; at least they had an original source to point to. But for an original film, the mont it beca a box office hit, this kind of situation was almost guaranteed to follow.
It had happened with Titanic, with Saving Private Ryan, and with Gladiator.
Now it was the turn of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, and it wasn't the least bit surprising.
In this country, copyright lawsuits could be incredibly persistent.
The bottom line was that Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest was doing too well at the box office—so well that countless people were green with envy, desperate for a slice of the pie they couldn't have.
By mid-August, the film had already raked in over $450 million at the North Arican box office, and the numbers were still climbing.
Furthermore, having already surpassed the $1 billion mark worldwide, the film was now approaching $1.1 billion, placing it second in the all-ti global box office, right behind The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Matthew didn't know the exact North Arican and global box office numbers for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest in his original tiline, but he had a feeling they hadn't been this high.
If his gut feeling was right, it ant the on-screen chemistry he and Johnny Depp had forged was working wonders.
As Matthew sat on the living room sofa, mulling over all this nonsense, he didn't have to wait long. Helen and Amanda entered at a leisurely pace, both handing their coats to the butler at the door.
"Helen! Amanda!" Matthew greeted them warmly. "Please, have a seat."
Helen and Amanda ca over and settled into two armchairs facing each other.
Matthew asked, "Tea or coffee?"
"Coffee," Helen replied.
Amanda lightly brushed back her short blonde hair and said, "Tea."
Matthew gestured to the butler, who imdiately sent soone to prepare the drinks.
A mont later, a maid brought in the green tea and coffee.
Helen set her coffee cup aside for the mont. She had originally planned to co alone, but it just so happened that Amanda was on her way to look at a new house in Beverly Hills and decided to stop by with her.
"I'm going to look at a house with Amanda today," she explained, glancing at Matthew. "But I stopped by to discuss a couple of things with you."
It was the weekend, and Matthew had a rare mont of downti.
Resting an elbow on the arm of her chair, Helen began, "Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley's agent, and I reached an agreent with Disney Pictures yesterday. Your profit shares for At World's End will be increased."
The ntion of money imdiately made Matthew sit up straighter. He couldn't help it; the hardships of his past life had left a deep impression. He vividly rembered a ti when he was so broke, hounded by creditors, that his bank account held a three-digit balance guarded by a six-digit PIN—and two of those digits were cents.
"Disney Pictures conceded on the box office shares," Helen said, her expression composed. "For the global box office, Johnny Depp's cut will increase by zero-point-seven percent, yours by zero-point-five, and Keira Knightley's by zero-point-three."
Before Matthew could even respond, Amanda exclaid, "Zero-point-five percent? If At World's End makes a billion dollars worldwide, doesn't that an an extra five million for you?"
She looked at Matthew. "It feels like you have it easy, just sitting at ho while Helen goes out and snags you millions using your na."
"Also," Helen cut in, continuing, "The Weinstein Company and Harvey Weinstein sent over an offer. It's not for a Quentin Tarantino noir this ti, but a purely comrcial action film: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, with Sarah Michelle Gellar as the female lead."
The mont he heard "The Weinstein Company" and Harvey Weinstein, Matthew pictured that domineering face and answered without a second thought. "Turn it down. And in the future, if you get any offers from The Weinstein Company or Harvey Weinstein, you don't even need to tell . Just reject them all."
While he had no desire to offend a powerful figure in the industry, he wasn't interested in chasing Oscars and felt no need to curry favor with Weinstein.
Since independent films weren't part of her superstar blueprint for Matthew anyway, Helen imdiately agreed. "Alright."
She lifted her coffee cup and took a sip before continuing. "Third, 300 is about to enter its intensive promotional period. Once the posters and trailers are officially released, I'm going to pursue an endorsent deal for you with Armani for their n's underwear line."
"Ahem..." Amanda coughed quietly, a mory of Matthew's peculiar robbery flashing through her mind.
"Underwear?" Matthew looked a little bewildered.
After all, by the standards of his previous life, what sane person would do a comrcial for underpants?
"Don't underestimate underwear. A major brand endorsent is a huge prize," Helen said, seeming to read his mind. "Stars like George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tom Cruise have all endorsed high-end n's underwear lines. You'll have plenty of competition, and it's stiff. Soccer superstar David Beckham, for one."
She clarified, "The competition for ready-to-wear campaigns with luxury brands is incredibly fierce, and there are no suitable openings right now. The Armani underwear campaign is an opportunity. If the buzz for 300 is strong enough, we'll have a good shot at landing it. We can then leverage that as a stepping stone to other Armani nswear endorsents."
"Alright." Matthew shrugged. "You handle the details."
Helen added, "Didn't you say you t Beckham at Tom Cruise's party? What was he like?"
"We only exchanged a few words," Matthew said, shaking his head slowly. "I couldn't say."
Helen didn't press the issue, making a ntal note to research the competition later. She continued seamlessly, "And one last thing: Rolex sent a reminder that the US Open is coming up."
Matthew nodded, about to assure her he'd be there on ti, when the phone he'd set on the table beside him began to ring. It was Rachel McAdams.
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