Please give me a monthly ticket and a recommendation ticket!

In the following week, Matthew joined the preparations for "The Three Hundred Warriors of Sparta". He was mainly responsible for leading and supervising all actors participating in the Sparta Warriors to conduct fitness and sword training. He occasionally communicated with the action guidance crew and coordinated the design of Leonida's action scenes.

Just in February, news came from Aziva Gossman that he and the investor Warner Bros. chose Francis Lawrence as the director of "I Am Legend".

Matthew specifically asked Helen Herman to learn about Francis Lawrence. This is a relatively low-level film director. Like Zach Schneider, he was an advertising and MV director. He had previously filmed MV for singers such as Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne and Beyoncé North. Currently, there is only one film in terms of film. The movie "Constantine" is adapted from the DC comic released by Warner Bros.

That is Keanu Reeves' movie last year.

The production cost of this film is 100 million US dollars, the box office in North America is more than 70 million US dollars, and the global box office is 230 million US dollars, which is not very successful in terms of box office alone.

Matthew didn't know who the director of "I Am a Legend" starring Will Smith, who was once the director. He was attracted by the name of a man and a dog at that time and watched the movie. How could he remember the director's name specifically?

Matthew called Keanu Reeves. Although Keanu Reeves didn't like him very much recently, he still chatted with him for a while. Keanu Reeves had a very high opinion of Francis Lawrence, believing that he was a serious, responsible and talented director.

Zach Schneider also came from the MV and advertising director circles and knew Francis Lawrence. When Matthew talked to him, Zach Schneider also said that Francis Lawrence is quite good.

Aziva Gossman and Warner Bros. Ken chose Francis Lawrence as director, and they also had their own considerations. It is said that Francis Lawrence came up with a complete set of plans that impressed them.

As an actor, it is difficult to have a say in the choice of directors. Even a first-line actor like Matthew is no exception, unless the project is initiated by him like "The Three Hundred Warriors of Sparta", or the male protagonist of the project must be him.

Aziva Gosman and Warner Bros. are both happy to choose him as the leading actor, but it is not necessarily him.

Of course, if Matthew is not satisfied with the director's candidate, he can also communicate with Aziva Gosman and Warner Bros. The two sides have too many differences and he can withdraw from the project.

Matthew was not dissatisfied with Francis Lawrence. The only doubt was that "Constantine" was not a successful box office, so Helen Hermann and Aziva Gossman continued to contact negotiations. The project "I Am a Legend" has just entered the preparation stage and is still far from confirming the actors.

Although the negotiations between Helen Hermann and the crew have just begun, Matthew has already made many considerations about the hero of this project.

"I Am a Legend" can be said to be a complete one-man show. It used to be more focused on the beginning of a dog, but now when looking back, the male protagonist Will Smith almost supported the entire film with his personal charm.

The one-man show has higher requirements for actors. If it is a one-man show in an art film, Matthew will definitely give up. He knows that his acting skills do not meet the standards of that type. However, in such a typical commercial film, the actor's personal charm and appeal are more important than acting skills. He is confident that after years of hardening, he can be competent for this role.

Indeed, his acting skills are not outstanding. Even though he has played the leading role in many films, after years of training, looking at the entire Hollywood, it is only of a medium level.

But Will Smith's acting skills are not much better.

Although this black actor has won the Oscar for Best Actor for "Boxing Ali", everyone knows that the Oscar's performance award may not necessarily represent how good the acting is. Will Smith has never been an acting player, but a recognized commercial superstar, and he is on the same route as him.

Even if the media and film critics are asked to evaluate it, Will Smith may not be much better than him when it comes to acting skills.

In other aspects, just like acting skills, Matthew believes that he is not as good as Will Smith today. He has starred in five consecutive movies that are super popular. Among the first-tier stars, he is definitely one of the most valuable commercial values. He has a distinctive style and outstanding image. He has a large audience of fans and box office appeal.

The only disadvantage is that he is not as politically correct as Will Smith.

But this Hollywood-style political correctness has gains and losses. Many states in southern America still do not like black people.

Of course, now that Hollywood is rampant, there will be people who will suggest Aziva Gosman and Warner Bros. to use a black star as the leading actor, maybe.

Compared to the project "I Am a Legend" which can only serve as the male lead, Matthew has a stronger voice in "The Three Hundred Warriors of Sparta", and in addition to starring, he also has a name for the producer.

Since the "9/11 Incident", the so-called political correctness that has become increasingly popular in Hollywood has also affected the crew of "The Three Hundred Warriors of Spartans".

“That’s what’s happening now…”

In the Warner Studios office, Jack, a bearded man, said with a hint of helplessness on his face, "Most commercial movies will choose a black character in the creation of important positive characters."

Zach Schneider frowned, David Ellison said nothing, and Matthew was silent.

Jack, the bearded man, continued, "For example, Maximos's black partner in "Gladiator" is a specially created black character, so in the late stage of the film, the black character's scenes became less and less, as if it was completely separated from the male protagonist."

Screenwriter Curt Johnstad continued, "Jack said it very well. Not to mention Ridley Scott, even George Lucas compromised. One of the strongest Jedi and leaders in the Star Wars trilogy is also a black man."

Seeing that even screenwriter Curt Johnstad had spoken up for it, Matthew couldn't help but say, "It seems inappropriate, right?"

He looked at Zach Schneider and simply said, "I have not studied it carefully, nor have I received relevant historical education. I just want to ask one thing. In various historical documents, is there any record in ancient Greek city-states that made blacks a real warrior?"

Of course, Jack, the bearded, did not want to add black characters to the Spartans, but wanted to add positive black characters to the Tinicians who came to help the battle.

Zach Schneider had a very tacit understanding and immediately returned, "No! There is absolutely no record of any information!"

"Isn't that simple?" Matthew said as a matter of course. "Since there is no record in history books, why should we add such a role?"

Jack, the bearded, sighed and said, "This is just for the past in case, the group of black actors and directors is becoming more and more extreme, and he often uses the excuse of not having important black characters in the film as an excuse to show his presence."

Matthew wanted to say that this was all spoiled by people like you, but he held back and said, "We have enough excuses with the original Frank Miller comic book."

Zach Schneider said, "There is no need to add such a role."

The two initiators of the project opposed it, and David Ellison said in time, "I think Matthew and Zach are very reasonable."

Jack, the bearded man, also thought about the film. Seeing the other three collectively opposed it, he thought for a while and said, "Okay, I don't need to consider my suggestion."

The meeting between senior executives of the crew ended. Matthew and Zach Schneider left the office first, left the studio's office building, and walked towards the studio.

"Jack is good intentions." Matthew said to Zach Schneider as he walked, "Don't take it to heart."

Zach Schneider smiled, "I know." He then sighed, "If this continues, black actors really want to regard themselves as a special group."

Matthew spread his hands, "Who knows what those people in the circle think, especially the colleges that lead the value orientation in the circle, can it be said that those middle-aged and elderly white people have all discovered their conscience after decades of pampering?"

"Who knows." Zach Schneider spread his hands, "they are politically correct, but they have to pay for it."

Matthew patted Zach Schneider's arm lightly and said, "One day, they will suffer the consequences."

Zach Schneider suddenly remembered something, "By the way, have you signed with the crew of "I Am Legend"?"

"Not yet." Matthew shook his head gently, "Helen Herman is still negotiating with Aziva Gossman. The salary I want is very high, and I guess it will take a long time to bargain."

"I'll remind you." Zach Schneider always thought Matthew was a confidant and said, "Didn't you ask me about Francis Lawrence last time? Isn't he the director of that project?"

Seeing Matthew nodding, he said again, "Francis Lawrence is a staunch supporter of this concept. Like the words we just don't want black actors, it's better not to say in front of him."

"Yeah." Matthew is not stupid, "I'll pay attention."

The words he just said did not involve any sensitive words or topics, and were all discussing things under the banner of history.

Although he was a little curious about what Zach Schneider said about Francis Lawrence, Matthew was not an accident. This kind of political correctness will occur in Hollywood, not only because of the social situation. There are indeed a large number of people in the circle who are very sympathetic and even support black actors.
Chapter completed!