The richest actor in Hollywood.

After the drug dealers were caught, the film crew tightened security measures. The security company providing services for the crew brought in additional personnel from Los Angeles to bolster their ranks. The crew also conducted an internal investigation, which confirmed that the collusion with the drug dealers was solely the act of the one handyman and did not involve anyone else in the crew.

Additionally, a small police squad was stationed with the crew to provide protection, in case the drug dealers attempted any retaliation. Everyone knew how bold and ruthless Mexican drug dealers could be.

Despite the incident, the filming continued smoothly. Two days later, the scenes at the U.S.-Mexico border were wrapping up when the police suddenly released explosive news.

The police had extracted significant intelligence from the two captured drug dealers that night. The following day, they coordinated with the Mexican authorities to take down a major drug trafficking operation.

While this was not particularly shocking—given that drugs were seized at the U.S.-Mexico border daily—the method the drug dealers used to smuggle drugs was truly astonishing.

Mexican drug dealers were known for their ingenious smuggling methods. This particular group had dug a tunnel that crossed the border from Tijuana. The entrance was near a Mexican Air Force base, and the exit was just north of the border fence, not far from the crew's filming location.

Although the tunnel was only wide enough for two people to pass side by side, it was an impressive feat of engineering. Unfortunately for the drug dealers, it was destroyed after only a few uses.

Bearded Jack left the crew to communicate with the police. The events of that night had been witnessed by many, so keeping it under wraps was impossible. The crew hoped to maximize the situation by organizing a joint press conference with the police.

However, that would have to wait. For now, the crew's primary focus remained on shooting the high-speed chases and other action scenes.

The car races resumed in the wilderness not far from the crew's camp.

Matthew and the other lead actors were only needed to film a few driving shots for post-production. The rest of the scenes were handled by stunt doubles.

Bang—Bang—

Gunshots echoed in front of the camera as several cars pursued a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The attackers repeatedly fired at the vehicle.

Suddenly, a motorcycle leaped out from behind a dirt mound. The rider, clad in a black helmet and leather jacket, gripped the handlebars with one hand and fired a gun with the other.

This was Gal Gadot's stunt double, showcasing the expert marksmanship of her character.

With each gunshot, according to the plan, another one of the gunmen met their demise.

Meanwhile, Daniel Wu's stunt double drove a Dodge, ramming into a pickup truck, which flipped over instantly.

"OK!" Justin Lin's signature call to cut rang out over the loudspeaker, "That's a wrap for this shot."

The scene only lasted a few seconds but had been meticulously planned, and the stunt performers executed it flawlessly.

Justin Lin's voice came over the speakers again, "Now let's move to the next location."

Most of the crew moved to another flat area nearby, leaving a few behind to clean up the current set. Matthew, Paul Walker, Gal Gadot, Daniel Wu, and Benicio Del Toro were already waiting there, having rehearsed their positions in advance.

Once the director and the rest of the crew arrived, filming quickly resumed.

They began with the stunt scenes. Gal Gadot and Daniel Wu's characters exchanged gunfire with the drug dealers, holding off most of them, while Matthew's and Paul Walker's stunt doubles drove straight toward the main antagonist.

"This looks like a lot of fun," Paul Walker said with envy as he watched the cars speed by from the edge of the set. "I wish I could be the one filming these scenes."

Matthew shook his head, "The insurance company wouldn't allow it."

Their perspectives on cars were vastly different. To Matthew, a car was just a mode of transportation, no matter how luxurious or powerful. But Paul Walker genuinely loved cars, considering them partners and friends, and was deeply passionate about racing.

"My hands are itching to drive," Paul Walker added.

"There are plenty of ways to experience speed and adrenaline," Matthew reminded him. "It doesn't always have to involve dangerous racing."

Paul Walker just smiled and didn't say anything more.

The stunt scenes wrapped up quickly, followed by a sequence where Gal Gadot and Daniel Wu's characters fought the drug dealers with guns. Then Matthew and Paul Walker entered the set to film the remaining scenes.

"Fast & Furious 4..." The assistant director held the clapperboard in front of the camera. "Scene 122, Take 11, Action!"

With the clapperboard's snap, the crew went into action.

The Mercedes' door opened, and Matthew stepped out, glancing at the lifeless body of Benicio Del Toro. He then spotted Paul Walker and rushed over to help the injured man, propping him up against a car and checking his wounds.

"I'm fine!" Paul Walker said, holding his abdomen. "I'm not going to die!"

Matthew looked over the injury, confirmed it wasn't too serious, and said, "Apply pressure! Don't let it bleed too much! You're going to be okay!"

"I have to ask you something." Paul Walker, pressing his abdomen with one hand, wiped the blood from his face with the other. "During that last race, if you hadn't cheated, I would have won, right?"

Matthew paused, then said, "You must've hit your head pretty hard."

Paul Walker couldn't help but laugh, but the pain made him wince. "Don't make me laugh; it hurts!"

Pointing a finger at him, Matthew stood up, walked to the front of the car, and grabbed the lifeless Benicio Del Toro by the collar, lifting him like a rag doll and throwing him onto the hood.

"Braga!" he growled, staring down at Benicio Del Toro. "You killed Dominic Toretto. He was my friend, my rival. I didn't want to kill you, but you tried to kill another one of my friends..."

Just then, Gal Gadot and Daniel Wu's characters ran over, guns in hand.

Matthew looked at them, and Daniel Wu nodded without speaking.

"The drug dealers retreated back to Mexico," Gal Gadot said, holstering her gun. She glanced at Paul Walker.

"What are you doing here?" Matthew asked.

"I told you I'd watch your back," Gal Gadot replied, her tone firm. "My bike got wrecked. You owe me a new one."

"No problem." Following the script, Matthew leaned in and kissed Gal Gadot passionately.

"You guys need to go!" Paul Walker shouted. "The police are on their way! Sean, you killed Braga; the cops won't let you off the hook."

Matthew released Gal Gadot and turned to Daniel Wu, "Let's go!"

He then told Paul Walker, "I'll take the blame for everything. If the police treat you unfairly, I'll come back and settle the score with them!"

From the director's chair, Justin Lin stood up and announced loudly, "OK! That's a wrap for this scene!"

He continued, "And that's a wrap on filming for Fast & Furious 4!"

Cheers erupted from the crew. This marked the end of over two weeks of wilderness living, and everyone was excited to return to the bustling city of Los Angeles.

Matthew reached out to pull Paul Walker up from the ground, giving him a strong hug. "This was an unforgettable collaboration."

He then hugged Gal Gadot, "It's been a pleasure working with you."

Next, he moved around the car to embrace Daniel Wu, "I hope we can work together again."

Afterward, Matthew high-fived Benicio Del Toro, Justin Lin, and other crew members, celebrating the completion of filming.

As the crew celebrated, David Ellison arrived on set with a reporter from *The Hollywood Reporter* for an interview.

Seeing David, Matthew walked over and said, "You finally made it to the set?"

David Ellison smiled, "I've been completely at ease with you handling things here." He lowered his voice, "But lately, the financial crisis has been looming larger, and I've had some issues to deal with."

"Is everything okay?" Matthew asked, concerned. "Let me know if you need any help."

"I won't hesitate to ask," David Ellison replied, not holding back.

After a brief exchange, the main cast and crew gathered for the interview, which would serve as early promotion for the film.

Matthew was the first to be interviewed, as he was the person the media was most interested in.

"This is a film that fascinates me. Unlike my past projects, which were filled with thrilling action scenes, the action in this film was surprisingly less demanding for me. The most dangerous scenes were the ones where I was sitting still—behind the wheel at high speeds."

Facing the reporters, Matthew spoke confidently, "In *Fast & Furious 4*, many of the car scenes were performed by the actors themselves. Just as the audience sees on screen, filming these scenes was fraught with unknown dangers. Before each shoot, the production team carefully evaluated all potential risks, and their meticulous approach deeply moved me. So my point is, I was ready to give it my all!"

Paul Walker also spoke to the reporters.

"Working with Matthew has been incredibly exciting," he said. "I've been waiting for the next installment of *Fast & Furious* for a long time. I love continuing the story of Brian O'Conner because I believe *Fast & Furious* is a film filled with characters who have their own souls, and the story is far from over. Fans who watched the first two films probably felt like they wanted more, but I think when they see this latest installment, they'll be just as excited as I am.

 We're bringing them a whole new level of speed and thrill."

After the rest of the cast and crew were interviewed, the team left the set. The next morning, they set off for Los Angeles, where the film would enter the post-production phase.

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