Chapter 570: The Princess of Mars

The quiet road was lined with tall trees, and individual houses were hidden in the night, occasionally appearing under the bright moonlight. The sound of a black Mercedes approaching broke the silence, scaring a few nameless birds from the trees into the night sky. With a barely audible screech, the car stopped by the roadside. The tall, ivy-covered walls not far away indicated that the destination had been reached.

"I'm here," Alexandra Daddario said, not waiting for Matthew to get out. She pushed open the car door and stepped out. A night breeze blew, and she pulled the man's coat tighter around her shoulders, murmuring, "It's already past midnight."

Matthew got out of the car and approached her. Hearing her say something, but not catching it, he asked, "What did you say, Anna?"

Alexandra Daddario shook her head with a smile. "Nothing."

"Your purse," Matthew said, handing it to her.

She took it and fished out her house keys. Lights shone from the direction they had come, and Matthew saw a few cars parked nearby, with people getting out and snapping photos.

"Paparazzi," she reminded him.

Matthew glanced back and shrugged, unconcerned. "I've always got a tail." He pointed to the ivy-covered gate. "Anna, let me walk you in."

"No need," Alexandra Daddario declined politely. "It's late; I'll go straight to bed."

Matthew didn't insist. He nodded and said, "Alright, get some rest."

She smiled brightly. "Thank you, Matthew. It was a wonderful evening." She walked towards the gate, and as she opened the iron gate, she turned back to see Matthew still watching her. "It's late tonight, but I'd love to have you over sometime."

"Sure," Matthew replied, waving at her. "Goodnight, Anna."

Alexandra Daddario waved back. "Goodnight, Matthew."

She entered the gate, and Matthew didn't linger. He got back into the car and instructed the driver, "Back to Beverly Hills."

As he sat in the car, he looked back at the ivy-covered house he had rented for Alexandra Daddario. It was clear she was no longer the relatively innocent girl he had filmed "Dawn of the Dead" with. She had matured over the years, and her recent demeanor—politely refusing while leaving hope—showed it.

Matthew wasn't in a hurry. His feelings for Alexandra Daddario, though not as strong as for Charlize Theron, were more significant than those for other actresses and models.

Returning home, he realized he was not much different from most men—what you can't have is always the best.

After the Oscars, Hollywood was abuzz again, with many tabloids speculating about Matthew and Alexandra Daddario dating. However, contrary to the sensational stories, he hadn't spent a passionate night with her. They continued to date, but she always kept their relationship slightly closer than friends without allowing any substantial intimacy.

Matthew quickly understood that Alexandra Daddario was willing to accept his pursuit but not for a one-night stand.

Except for Britney, he hadn't officially dated anyone else. Despite his strong feelings for Charlize Theron, their engagement had been a publicity stunt, and she had always had reservations about him. They had never been true lovers.

He was cautious about pursuing a new girlfriend.

With Matthew's appearance at the Oscars, Warner Bros. officially began the promotion for "I Am Legend," transitioning from early promotion to pre-release marketing. Although there was still a long time before its North American release in December, some promotional methods required time to ferment.

Warner Bros. set up a website for the viral marketing of "I Am Legend." Initially, it posted a sensational message that instantly drew a lot of attention. The website claimed that a New York lab had found a cure for cancer. A certain virus could effectively kill tumor cells without harming normal tissue, and clinical trials were imminent. If successful, the treatment could soon be widely available.

Similar news appeared in many media outlets and magazines, although major newspapers did not report on it.

Even so, the information, once it fermented for a while, attracted a lot of attention to the website.

This achieved the initial goal. Viral marketing often requires a long process and time to ferment.

Of course, spreading such news was irresponsible and unethical, but in Hollywood, this was never a problem.

Warner Bros.' viral marketing strategy was much more conscientious compared to the social panic caused by the promotion of a certain movie in the Pacific Rim, which openly predicted the end of the world.

The social landscape was rapidly changing, and Hollywood, as a liberal hub, was at the forefront of these changes. As an individual in society, one must adapt to the evolving environment.

While focusing on his career, Matthew also kept an eye on the trends in Hollywood.

After the 79th Academy Awards, the most attention-grabbing news was Disney's complete acquisition of Pixar.

Disney and Pixar's acquisition agreement had been signed the previous year, and after several busy months, Pixar officially became a part of Disney.

Steve Jobs, the former owner of Pixar, became Disney's largest shareholder through stock exchange.

Additionally, key Pixar executives like John Lasseter and Andrew Stanton took top positions in Disney's faltering content production departments.

"Disney is holding a celebration party at the end of March," Helen Herman said as she walked with Matthew in Horner Manor's garden. "They've sent the invitation to me."

She glanced at the hydrangeas nearby. "Although we don't have any new projects with Disney since 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' I suggest you attend."

Matthew turned onto a nearby stone path and sat in a wicker chair by a stone table. He pointed to another wicker chair opposite him. "Have a seat, Helen."

The servant had already set tea on the table.

Helen Herman sat opposite him, sipped her tea, and continued, "Steve Jobs will also attend the party."

"I'll check my schedule," Matthew replied after some thought. "If it fits, I'll definitely go."

Helen nodded and added, "Keep an eye on Andrew Stanton."

"The director of 'Finding Nemo'?" Matthew asked curiously.

"Yes," Helen explained. "I met him recently, and he inquired about your schedule. He seems interested in casting you as the lead in his new project."

Matthew frowned slightly. "You mean voice acting for his animation?"

Helen shook her head. "No, Andrew Stanton is currently working on an animated film about Earth and robots. After that, he plans to venture into live-action films. He wants to adapt Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'A Princess of Mars.'"

She put down her teacup and focused on Matthew. "'A Princess of Mars' has been a troubled project since the late '70s, with several failed attempts. Stanton found it in Disney's archives and is working with others to rewrite the script and restart the project."

Matthew thought for a moment and asked, "Edgar Rice Burroughs? Is he the author of 'Tarzan'?"

"Exactly," Helen confirmed. "George Lucas borrowed some elements from 'A Princess of Mars' for his 'Star Wars' series."

Matthew recalled hearing about the project while filming "Pirates of the Caribbean." "I remember Disney mentioning it."

Helen continued, "Disney is skeptical about Stanton's ability to handle this project. He's renowned in animation but has no live-action experience. He might want to leverage your involvement to secure more investment."

She paused, then added, "If his robot animation is a success, Disney might be more likely to greenlight 'A Princess of Mars.'"

Matthew scratched his chin. "I've seen 'Tarzan,' but 'A Princess of Mars' is unfamiliar."

"It's a classic sci-fi novel," Helen explained. "Published in 1912, the original series has eleven books. Stanton's adaptation focuses mainly on the first novel."

"An action film?" Matthew asked.

Helen nodded. "Action sci-fi."

Aware of Pixar's team's strong capabilities, Matthew thought for a moment and said, "Alright, Helen. Stay in touch with Andrew Stanton. Once the script is ready, I'll take a look."

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