The richest actor in Hollywood.

Walt Disney and their counterparts across the Pacific are currently enjoying a strong partnership. The new Disney theme park project is also in the approval process and is expected to be finalized by next year. Disney films often seem to have certain unspoken advantages when it comes to censorship there, which is one of the reasons why Matthew ultimately chose Disney to distribute *Twilight* and *Fast & Furious 4*.

Matthew doesn't have high expectations for *Twilight* in that market. The genre doesn't align with the local audience's taste for international blockbusters. After years of exposure to Qiong Yao dramas, even if it gets released, it likely won't perform well.

But *Fast & Furious 4* is a different story. That film is exactly the kind of popcorn entertainment that the audience there loves.

Matthew and David Ellison had long reached a mutual understanding with Walt Disney to fully push *Fast & Furious 4* through the approval process. And with an eye on the future, if the film gets a release in their cinemas, Matthew plans to take the entire cast to the premiere across the Pacific.

Moreover, given the diverse cast, Matthew had specifically instructed all key cast and crew members to refrain from making any political or racial statements, a clause that was explicitly included in their contracts.

This consideration is not just for the market but also for the crew's well-being. If everything goes smoothly, this team could be working together for many years, and it includes people of different ethnicities—whites, Asians, Latinos, and African Americans. Sensitive comments could easily spark conflicts within the crew.

There will always be some tension within a Hollywood crew, but it must be kept under control.

*Fast & Furious 4* might not achieve a massive box office in that market, as it's still a relatively new one with a meager 13% revenue share. However, markets are developed over time, and with the *Fast & Furious* series growing alongside its audience, a future breakthrough is highly possible.

Aside from being a pure popcorn movie, *Fast & Furious 4* has its advantages. Daniel Wu is a genuine Chinese actor, and Matthew, the leading man, speaks fluent Chinese, so winning over the audience there shouldn't be an issue.

After leaving the conference room, Matthew didn't leave right away. He went to Bill Felton's office to discuss *Fast & Furious 4*.

It wasn't until mid-afternoon that he left the floor where Disney Studios is located, intending to take the elevator to the ground floor.

As he stood in the elevator lobby and the doors opened, he noticed a familiar face inside.

"Hey, Nat." He greeted Natalie Portman as he entered the elevator.

Natalie Portman smiled in response, "Hi, Matthew."

There were other people in the elevator, so they didn't speak again until they exited.

"It's been a while." Natalie Portman glanced at Matthew as they walked out of the elevator, "I didn't expect to run into you here."

Matthew casually replied, "I've got a movie coming out soon, so I came over for a promotional meeting."

Natalie Portman nodded lightly.

Matthew, recalling Brad Pitt's Plan B company's involvement in those two films, said, "Nat, it's been a while since we caught up. How about we find a place to chat?"

"Hmm…" Natalie Portman thought for a moment, then agreed, "Sure, I'll buy you a coffee."

They walked out of the Disney headquarters building and went to a nearby café. After ordering their coffees, they sat in a quiet booth, each with their own thoughts.

"Nat, I remember you've worked with Disney too," Matthew said, feigning curiosity. "Are you here to discuss a film distribution deal with Disney as well?"

Natalie Portman didn't deny it. She smiled and said, "The Wachowskis were unavailable, so I came on their behalf to talk with the folks at Buena Vista."

"The *Cloud Atlas* project?" Matthew asked.

"Yes," Natalie Portman nodded gently. "Disney is handling the overseas distribution for *Cloud Atlas*."

Talking about *Cloud Atlas*, Matthew expressed some regret, "I wish I'd been involved in that project." He sighed and asked, "Is the filming of *Cloud Atlas* complete?"

Natalie Portman set down her coffee cup. "We wrapped last week. It's now in post-production and should be fully completed by next April."

She added casually, "After being part of the shoot, I realized it's a very special film."

Matthew shook his head, "It's a shame I missed out on this project." He then asked, "Is the release date set? I'd like to check out the film. The Wachowskis have some truly unique ideas."

"Mid-June next year," Natalie Portman revealed without hesitation. "Originally, the Wachowskis wanted Disney to release it over Independence Day, but Paramount had already scheduled your film *G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra* for that date, so we had to move it up."

Matthew smiled, "Next year's Independence Day schedule is a bit crowded."

Natalie Portman agreed, "Twentieth Century Fox has *Ice Age 3*, Universal has *Public Enemies*, and then there's your *G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra*…"

For the past few years, Matthew's films have been released over Independence Day and have been consistently successful, which encouraged Paramount Pictures to select that date, even though time was tight.

But this isn't the most crowded schedule. In late May, two major blockbusters, *Night at the Museum 2* and *Terminator 4*, are going head-to-head.

Initially, Disney considered releasing *Fast & Furious 4* in late May, but they eventually moved it up to the second weekend of May, one week after *X-Men Origins: Wolverine*.

Next year is shaping up to be a big year for Hollywood films, with multiple blockbusters vying for attention.

Natalie Portman then asked, "Matthew, I heard you have another movie coming out this year, also distributed by Disney?"

"*Twilight*," Matthew said directly. "It's coming out over Thanksgiving weekend. That's why I'm here today."

"The one based on the werewolf and vampire romance novel?" Natalie Portman asked tentatively.

Matthew nodded, "Yes, my Thirteen Films is producing it."

Natalie Portman hesitated for a moment, holding back some of her thoughts.

This type of film has long since gone out of fashion. Even if it has a new twist, it's essentially just another teen idol love story and likely won't do very well.

She had deliberately brought up the topic, but after asking, she decided it was better not to say anything further, especially since she and Matthew still maintained a seemingly good relationship.

Many people don't expect *Twilight* to do well at the box office.

Natalie Portman then changed the subject, but the thoughts about *Twilight* continued to linger in her mind.

Matthew Horner undoubtedly has strong market appeal, and his films have consistently been box office hits. But a film he stars in and a film he invests in are two different things. Just because audiences flock to see his starring roles doesn't mean they'll necessarily like the films he produces.

Although she had asked the question deliberately, Natalie Portman was actually somewhat familiar with *Twilight*. Aside from director Sofia Coppola, the main cast members were mostly unknowns.

Who even knows Nina Dobrev, Liam Hemsworth, or Lily Collins?

*Twilight*'s box office probably won't be very high. Given the trends of the past few years, a North American box office that matches the production budget would be considered good.

The two didn't talk for long—about half an hour—before they left the café.

Matthew got into his bulletproof car, told Brown Williams to drive to Beverly Hills, and took out his phone to call Bella Anderson. He asked her to check on the latest developments with Brad Pitt and Plan B.

Before the car even reached Horner Manor, Bella Anderson called back and provided detailed information about *Cloud Atlas* and *John Carter*.

Just as Natalie Portman had said, *Cloud Atlas* had entered post-production and was scheduled for release next summer.

Meanwhile, another major project, *John Carter*, was still in pre-production and likely wouldn't start filming until next year, with a tentative release date set for the summer of 2010.

Back at home, Matthew also looked into the latest developments with Will Smith and *Green Lantern*.

These three films are projects he is very concerned about.

Will Smith's casting as a traditionally white comic book character has once again amplified voices supporting the black movement in the industry, with a wave of pro-black rhetoric emerging.

This is a reflection of the current social climate.

However, not everyone is pleased with this development.

Perhaps Spike Lee's remarks about *Flags of Our Fathers* left too bitter an impression, but Clint Eastwood recently shared his thoughts on "political correctness" during a media interview. He believes that this trend has gradually weakened society, erasing humor and stifling creativity.

"I've never been one to care much about what I say. After all, I've been in this industry for a long time—what can they do to me? This era of political correctness doesn't help us; it's diluted too many people's thoughts and has gradually weakened society. It's not that people are too serious, it's just that I was lucky to be born in a time when everyone joked with each other every day. Nothing was politically incorrect because as long as you had a sense of humor, everything was just a joke. When people lose their sense of humor, they become too serious about themselves and everyone else. I think they've missed out on a lot and can no longer enjoy the differences that exist

 between people."

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