The Box Office King of Hollywood

Upon hearing Helen Herman's advice, Matthew sat up straight on the sofa, ready to listen. Helen was prepared and got straight to the point, "First, whenever you step out of your house, you must be mindful of your appearance. Don't concern yourself with how other stars dress; you must be impeccable. Our goal is not just to make you an ordinary star."

She paused briefly and then added, "To put it simply, I aim to mold you into a stylish commercial megastar!"

Matthew nodded in agreement, "I like this positioning."

This direction aligned perfectly with his goals. However, he had a question, "Isn't it said that playing in art films and winning Oscars is the way to demonstrate one's style?"

"Who told you that?" Helen shook her head, "There's some truth in that, but it's not absolute. Let me ask you, who do you think has more style, Tom Cruise or Kevin Spacey?"

Matthew spread his hands, "Isn't that obvious?"

Helen continued, "At the superstar level, what really matters is commercial value! Why do you think people are so desperate for Oscars? Because it can skyrocket their commercial value. If your commercial value is high enough, your style and sophistication will naturally follow."

Matthew nodded in understanding.

Helen emphasized, "Remember, this is Hollywood! It's essentially a capitalistic commercial circle!"

Perhaps because of similar viewpoints, Matthew fully agreed with Helen's perspective.

"The second point," Helen went on, "You need a professional stylist. Everything you wear in public – clothes, accessories, hairstyles, sunglasses, rings – should be meticulously planned by a stylist. You also need to learn some basic styling knowledge for emergencies. When you appear in front of the media and public, you must always look sharp."

Matthew understood her point, "So you want to make me into a male icon."

"A male icon?" Helen seemed slightly surprised, then realized, "Yes, that's an apt description."

Matthew thought of Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, noting their similar paths. Even Johnny Depp, who seemed unconventional, essentially followed this route. These were top Hollywood commercial megastars, well-known even to an outsider like him.

"If I could become such a star, why not? I'd be ecstatic," he thought.

"Now, the third point," Helen continued, "Soon, you'll need a personal assistant to manage your personal affairs, especially on set. You've been in shoots; you know how helpful a professional assistant can be in focusing all your energy on work."

"That's true," Matthew agreed. The last film he shot was in period costume, requiring hours of makeup and making it inconvenient to handle certain tasks.

Helen took a sip of water and added, "Your privacy can now turn into money, so an assistant provided by the production team is no longer reliable." She paused, "Of course, this isn't urgent. We can discuss it when you start a new project."

Matthew nodded, understanding the importance of a reliable personal assistant bound by a confidentiality agreement.

"Fourth," Helen put down her glass, "you must inform me immediately of any unexpected situation. This is crucial!"

"I understand," Matthew replied.

"Lastly, don't make promises to anyone or any company. Things have changed now that you're famous..."

They talked for three hours, even ordering lunch as takeaway. In the afternoon, with slightly fewer reporters around, Matthew and Helen drove to the Screen Actors Guild to complete the remaining contract formalities.

That evening, he attended a press conference held by Universal Pictures. Philip Crichton and Stephen Sommers announced an ambitious $160 million fantasy adventure action film with Van Helsing as the main character, featuring Universal's famous monsters like Dracula, vampires, werewolves, and Frankenstein's creature. Sommers' script also aimed to incorporate The Mummy and The Scorpion King into the storyline.

This major announcement from Universal was a huge boost for "The Scorpion King," currently in theaters, and was strategically timed for maximum impact.

The news immediately caused a stir among journalists, astonished by the $160 million budget and the challenge of blending so many iconic characters in one film.

After the conference, Matthew didn't linger and left early. He noticed Sommers didn't pay him much attention, possibly having found a more suitable actor for Van Helsing. After all, Matthew was still a relatively unknown star compared to a massive $160 million production.

Matthew's biggest wish was for Orlando Bloom to partner with Sommers for "Van Helsing," leaving "Pirates of the Caribbean" with less competition for the role he desired.

"Van Helsing" hadn't started casting yet, so anything was possible. In contrast, "Pirates of the Caribbean" seemed slower, with no official announcement yet, but Matthew and Helen kept a close eye on Jerry Bruckheimer's movements.

In truth, the unannounced "Pirates of the Caribbean" was far ahead of "Van Helsing" in terms of progress.

Helen had seen the construction in Disney's studios. The set for "Pirates" was already partially built, and Bruckheimer had recently visited Mexico, intending to film some sea scenes in the artificial lake used for "Titanic." However, he faced competition from 20th Century Fox's "Master and Commander."

Helen estimated that "Pirates of the Caribbean" would announce its production by the end of May and start casting.

Matthew had prepared thoroughly, hoping not to see Orlando Bloom's name among the audition candidates.

Meanwhile, Orlando Bloom stood in his newly acquired Beverly Hills mansion, feeling triumphant. With "The Lord of the Rings" earning over $300 million in North America, his character Legolas was wildly popular.

He felt that with another leading role in a major production, he could easily ascend to the top ranks of Hollywood, perhaps even reaching Tom Cruise's level.

His agent approached with news that Universal had officially announced "Van Helsing." Orlando knew they needed to act fast.

Confidently, the agent revealed that Universal appreciated Orlando, and Sommers had agreed to let him directly audition in costume. If the audition went well, he could likely land the role.

Orlando insisted, "Not likely. I must get this role."

He sensed Sommers' appreciation, particularly for his portrayal of Legolas. His main concern remained his competition.

"What about Matthew Horner?" he inquired.

"He's busy with 'The Scorpion King' promotions," his agent replied. "It's selling well in its first week, so he could be a strong competitor if he chooses to vie for the role."

Orlando hoped "The Scorpion King" would see a significant drop, limiting Matthew's chances.

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