The richest actor in Hollywood.

Entering the VIP lounge of the cinema, Matthew spotted Alexandra Daddario and approached her.

"Hi, Anna, long time no see."

"Good evening, Matthew," Alexandra responded with a smile. Though their brief romantic involvement had ended, they remained on good terms and occasionally kept in touch. Matthew asked with concern, "How's the new film shoot in Australia going?"

"It was terrifying," Alexandra said, her voice slightly trembling as she recalled the experience. "The shoot was a nightmare; we had to drench ourselves in pig's blood every day. It was awful."

Matthew chuckled, "Once it's over, you'll be fine. Remember, you're the lead actress. Such opportunities are rare."

Alexandra nodded vigorously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Come visit the set if you have time."

Matthew politely replied, "I'll try to make it."

Alexandra didn't take it seriously. Even while shooting in Australia, she could follow Matthew's frequent appearance in entertainment news, recently linked with a young actress named Nina Dobrev. She knew Matthew's fondness for new relationships, and the women he truly valued were few. Amanda was one, but they were strictly friends, never crossing that line. Matthew's true affection likely only extended to his first love, Britney Spears, and possibly a bit for Charlize Theron.

After a brief chat, Alexandra walked away, leaving Matthew to watch her go. A familiar female voice then spoke behind him, "If you still have feelings, go after her and make her your girlfriend."

Matthew turned to see Natalie Portman, whom he had invited to the premiere.

"Natalie," Matthew grumbled, "do you have to tease me?"

Their interaction and demeanor suggested a close friendship.

Standing beside him, Natalie replied, "Could anything really upset you?" She shook her head, "Unlikely."

Matthew joked, "Actually, I'd rather pursue you."

"Don't joke," Natalie replied seriously, "We're not suited for each other."

"Why?" Matthew pressed.

"Would we ever be more than friends? So, Matthew, let's just be regular friends," Natalie said directly.

Matthew slowly nodded, "You're right, Natalie. You're one of the rare good friends I have."

Natalie smiled, pleased with this affirmation. "You too."

"With *I Am Legend* about to premiere and *Hancock* wrapped up, are you planning to take a break?" Natalie inquired, showing friendly concern.

Matthew shook his head, "No breaks. The Writers Guild is gearing up for a major strike, and my two projects are affected."

The agreements between the Producers Alliance and the various guilds, including the Writers Guild, the Screen Actors Guild, and the Directors Guild, were set to expire in January. With all parties seeking better terms, a significant industry strike, unprecedented since the Writers' Strike of 1988, was looming.

As a star, Matthew wasn't worried; the scripts for *Fast & Furious 4* and *Twilight* were complete, and strikes by the SAG and DGA seemed unlikely, given the Producers Alliance's tendency to appease these critical guilds. The Writers Guild, however, was less likely to secure favorable terms and might face a strike.

"What about Andrew Stanton's project?" Natalie seemed genuinely concerned for Matthew. "Will it be affected?"

Matthew sighed, "Andrew's finished the script. David and I have had several discussions with him. Disney is prepping *Pirates of the Caribbean 4* and needs to secure external funding due to insufficient internal support. David and I plan to co-invest, but with a budget exceeding $200 million, we also need to seek additional funding, which will take time."

Natalie noted everything, adding, "Given your influence, funding shouldn't be too hard."

"It's not that simple," Matthew said, spreading his hands. "There's a lot of money involved."

Natalie nodded. If it weren't for the significant funds required, Brad Pitt and his Plan B production company would have already approached Andrew Stanton. Pitt was still researching and considering financing options.

As Brad Pitt put it, they preferred to strike decisively rather than making frequent attempts.

Matthew checked his watch and reminded her, "It's about time. We should go inside. Let's chat more later."

Natalie smiled and waved, "Yes, let's talk more later."

The VIPs quickly filled the theater, which was packed to its 1,000-seat capacity. As Akiva Goldsman led the main cast and crew into the hall, they were greeted with enthusiastic applause.

As the screening began, a legendary tale unfolded.

One film, one city, one man, one dog.

Matthew had already seen the final cut during a preview screening. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, over 80% of the film's scenes were carried solely by him.

It was a one-man show.

Following typical Hollywood tropes, the film explored themes of self-inflicted global disaster, akin to alien invasions. In this case, a human-engineered virus intended to cure diseases mutated, turning the infected into zombies.

The outbreak spread rapidly, seemingly unstoppable, and irreversible, with no cure in sight. Crucially, it was man-made.

Colonel Robert Neville, a gifted virologist in New York City, worked for the U.S. military. As part of the government's initial response team, he witnessed the virus ravaging the streets but was powerless to stop it.

The airborne virus eventually engulfed the entire city, prompting the President to order a quarantine of Long Island, allowing only uninfected individuals to leave. This decision caused widespread panic, plunging New York into chaos. In his desperation, Neville sent his wife and daughter to safety on a helicopter, only to witness their tragic deaths...

Christopher Nolan, watching intently, regretted not convincing Matthew Horner to play the Joker, seeing a missed opportunity in his expressive performance. The scene focused on Matthew's eyes, capturing a profound sense of loneliness and anger, evoking a poignant toughness.

If the world had only one man and one dog, with the dog tragically lost, a monster-infested world would be more terrifying than death due to its unbearable loneliness.

Matthew Horner captured this feeling perfectly.

His greatest torment was the despairing loneliness.

Such a character might be perceived as merely drifting through each day.

The once vibrant New York City was now desolate and lonely, with danger lurking around every corner.

The film's tone, despite its dark and somber palette, carried a warm glow, symbolizing hope amidst despair.

Christopher Nolan began considering the film's structure from his perspective.

The plot, centered around one man and one dog, was compelling due to its mysterious backdrop. The pacing was well-balanced, and just as the audience might start to lose patience, another burden was added to the protagonist's shoulders: Sam, the dog, was bitten by zombie dogs and infected with the virus.

In a heartbreaking scene, the protagonist had to put Sam down.

The camera lingered on Matthew Horner's face during this moment. Contrary to some critics' views, his performance was masterful.

He didn't use exaggerated expressions to convey his inner pain; his face was almost expressionless. Yet, his inner turmoil and despair were palpable.

This emotional buildup made his subsequent breakdown logical, leading to a scene where he attempted to crash his car into zombies, seeking mutual destruction.

The film did, however, fall back on a Hollywood tradition, with the protagonist sacrificing himself to preserve hope for humanity, aligning with the typical heroic narrative.

As a director, Nolan understood the commercial necessities of the film. Even in his big-budget productions, market considerations played a crucial role.

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