Chapter 422: The True Legend

After receiving the notice from Akiva Goldsman, Helen Herman temporarily set aside other tasks and fully engaged in negotiations with the "I Am Legend" production team. Although both parties reached an agreement on the biggest point of contention—the salary—it's not uncommon for a big star's performance contract to run over a hundred pages with hundreds of clauses.

Helen Herman wasn't negotiating alone; she brought in five other agents from the company to join the talks. She oversaw the entire process while each agent focused on different aspects like filming, living arrangements, transportation, promotion, and security.

This was a $20 million business contract, and its complexity was reflected in the amount.

According to Helen Herman, even if the negotiations went smoothly, it would take at least ten days to finalize.

"I heard you kicked Will Smith out?"

In the converted training ground at the studio, James McAvoy approached Matthew and asked, "Did he do anything to you?"

"It wasn't me who kicked him out," Matthew put away the prop sword and said, "I was originally the first choice for the 'I Am Legend' team. He just tried to take the role from me but failed."

He walked towards the edge of the field and, after James McAvoy followed, added, "From what I know, Will Smith won't do anything. Such role competition is normal. I have no personal grudge with him. I've heard that Will Smith is a smart person and won't foolishly start a fight with me."

James McAvoy realized this and nodded, "I thought you were like Michael and me." He shook his head, "Big stars and ordinary actors are completely different; they won't start a fight easily."

Matthew turned and smiled, "You and Michael will soon be stars too."

James McAvoy shrugged, "I hope so."

Then he reminded Matthew, "You still need to watch out for Will Smith. Even if he doesn't target you, he might not hesitate to take a shot at you if he gets a chance."

Matthew nodded. If it were him and he lost out on a leading role, he wouldn't pass up an opportunity to make trouble for his competitor.

From CAA, Helen Herman heard that although Will Smith and Kevin Huvane were unhappy about losing the role, they didn't plan to target Matthew.

"Will has lost over a dozen roles since he started in Hollywood."

In a coffee shop opposite the Century City Mall, Jada Smith told the black woman sitting opposite her, "If Will had to confront every person who beat him to a role, he wouldn't have time to work."

Sitting opposite Jada Smith was Naomie Harris. She said, "I just think it's a shame to lose a leading role in a $150 million project."

Jada Smith felt similarly but had heard enough from Will Smith to understand, "Will is an A-list star. Getting this role would be great, but if he doesn't, there are other opportunities. It's not like this role is a must."

Naomie Harris couldn't see the issue from Will Smith's perspective. Over the past year, she had grown closer to Jada Smith, especially since both shared a strong sense of black pride.

Will Smith's failure to land the lead role in "I Am Legend" reminded Naomie Harris of her own embarrassing experience. She had specially arranged this meeting with Jada to see if they could create trouble for that jerk. Even if they failed, it would only waste some words.

But Jada Smith and Will Smith didn't seem particularly upset about the failed audition.

After hearing Jada's explanation, it took Naomie Harris a few moments to understand. For an actor at her level, every opportunity to play a lead was a divine gift. Even competing for a supporting role like the witch in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels was a battle, but Will Smith was different. He was one of the hottest A-list stars and probably received at least a dozen scripts each year.

"I thought Will would get the role," Naomie Harris said indignantly. "I didn't expect the production team to choose that less experienced actor, Matthew Horner."

Jada Smith took a sip of her coffee and repeated what Will had said, "The 'I Am Legend' team initially preferred Matthew Horner. Negotiations with him fell through, so they invited Will to audition. Will knew this invitation was to pressure Matthew Horner, but as a fan of Richard Matheson's book, he was interested in the role and tried to win it."

She sighed, "But he didn't get it."

Naomie Harris wasn't ready to give up, "Jada, you mentioned Will and CAA did a lot of work for this role. Was all that effort wasted?"

"If you don't try, you might as well not compete," Jada Smith, having spent years in Hollywood, understood, "Even with just a one percent chance, you have to go all out to win the role."

She shook her head, "Naomie, you don't think A-list stars get roles without effort, do you?"

Naomie Harris quickly shook her head, "No, I'm not that naive." She added, "I'm just curious if the 'I Am Legend' producer and director are crazy to prefer Matthew Horner over a big star like Will."

"Matthew Horner, a small star?" Jada Smith, standing by her husband, didn't like Matthew Horner but couldn't deny the facts. She chuckled, "Naomie, if Matthew Horner is a small star, how many people in Hollywood qualify as big stars?"

Without waiting for an answer, Jada Smith said, "Matthew Horner reportedly agreed to a $20 million salary for 'I Am Legend.' Naomie, can a $20 million club member be considered a small star?"

"What?" Naomie Harris was genuinely shocked, "Matthew Horner's salary is $20 million?"

Jada Smith nodded, "Matthew Horner is a big star who can command a $20 million salary."

Naomie Harris felt dizzy. What did $20 million mean? She might never earn that much in her life! If she could get $20 million per film, she could freely pursue male models.

"It's just luck," Naomie Harris muttered.

Jada Smith shook her head, realizing Naomie Harris didn't like Matthew Horner.

She also didn't like him, but some facts couldn't be denied.

She had discussed Matthew Horner with Will Smith privately. His journey was what young aspiring actors dreamed of. Will told her that Matthew Horner came to Hollywood in 1999 and seemed unrelated to any major players. In just six or seven years, he rose from a background actor to joining the $20 million club. This was extremely rare in Hollywood.

This couldn't be attributed to luck alone. Good luck might bring an actor success once or twice, but not consistently so many times.

Thinking this, Jada Smith sighed. Everyone saw Will Smith's career as legendary, but Matthew Horner's rise was a true legend.

Jada Smith was sure that even if Matthew Horner faded in a few years, his story would be turned into a biopic in Hollywood after a couple of decades.

She and Naomie Harris chatted for a while longer before she paid the bill and left the café.

Outside the café, Jada Smith saw a large "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" poster above the mall entrance. Matthew Horner and Johnny Depp were prominently featured.

Jada Smith sighed, "He really is very popular."

In fact, she had told Will Smith similar things to what she said to Naomie Harris, and his responses were what she repeated.

Will Smith didn't want to start a feud with another star over a role.

That was only part of it.

Will also told her that Matthew Horner reaching an agreement with the "I Am Legend" team had upset director Francis Lawrence the most. Matthew Horner would be credited as a co-producer, potentially overshadowing the director, and he had his eye on the female lead Lawrence wanted.

According to Will, they didn't need to do anything. Francis Lawrence, the director, would definitely have his own thoughts.

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