The Most Famous Actor in Hollywood

Although the script for "300 Spartans" is not yet finished, the contract has already specified that during the filming process, the script approved by Matthew must be adhered to. Without his permission, no changes can be made to the portrayal or dialogue of the character Leonidas; Matthew also has the right to participate in the selection of other actors, and their participation must prioritize his opinions. He also has the authority to appoint senior makeup artists, hairstylists, stand-ins, stunt doubles, and costume managers, among others.

The salary provided to Bella Anderson by the crew must not be less than $7,000 per week, and she must be provided with a work vehicle and have her name included in the ending credits.

Promotional stills must be reviewed by Matthew; if a still is used in poster designs, Skydance Media must consult with Matthew; before finalizing the poster, it also requires Matthew's approval. Besides advertising and promotions, the stills cannot be used for other purposes; and without Matthew's written permission, the stills cannot be provided to third parties, including magazines and other media...

These are just the basic terms befitting an A-list star. For Matthew, the most important aspect is actually his remuneration.

From Zack Snyder to Frank Miller and David Ellison, all regard Matthew as the most crucial and indispensable element of this project, providing Helen Herman ample ground to demand a lion's share. Moreover, as an investor, David Ellison prioritizes the development and success of his ventures in Hollywood over immediate profits.

Negotiations with the crew faced little resistance from Helen Herman, and Matthew left everything in her hands without taking much interest before the results were out.

An agent's main income comes from a commission off their clients' earnings, naturally motivating them to seek greater benefits for their actors.

Matthew's salary for "300 Spartans" continues to be a base payment plus a backend percentage.

Given Matthew's central role in the project, coupled with David Ellison's eagerness to break through and succeed, Helen Herman easily secured a base salary of $15 million for Matthew.

The backend percentage also reached a new high for Matthew.

Skydance Media, following industry norms, signed a tiered revenue-sharing agreement with Matthew, but unlike in the past, the sharing was based on global box office revenues.

The agreement stipulates that if "300 Spartans" reaches $100 million globally, Matthew automatically receives 1% of the global box office as a bonus.

Then, 2% for $200 million, 3% for $300 million, 4% for $400 million, and 5% for $500 million.

5% is also the cap for his revenue share.

Though the percentage might seem low, Helen Herman negotiated a share of the total global box office revenues, not just profits.

That means, if "300 Spartans" manages to gross $500 million worldwide, Matthew's personal bonus could reach $25 million.

Of course, no one can guarantee that "300 Spartans" will achieve such box office success.

Having a super financier like David Ellison was key to Matthew securing such a contract, but this contract is still not considered top-tier in the industry, especially when compared to the likes of Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.

According to Matthew's recent knowledge, Tom Hanks, representing himself and director Ron Howard in negotiations with Sony Columbia for "The Da Vinci Code," demanded a 40% backend share of the global box office.

While there will surely be bargaining later, such an offer is astonishing.

Also, New Zealand director Peter Jackson, as per media leaks, and his wife, central to their director-producer team, secured a 20% backend share of the global box office for "King Kong."

Compared to these top-tier contracts, Matthew still has plenty of room to rise.

Once, while on the other side of the Pacific, he even read online that Johnny Depp, for either the fourth or fifth "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie, was offered a combined upfront and backend payment totaling $90 million by Disney, to lure him into the project.

He saw this on an entertainment gossip site, the veracity of which is unknown, as he was just a spectator then.

In early November, Matthew took time out to officially sign the actor's contract, tying him officially to the "300 Spartans" project.

However, the project has not been smoothly progressing since its planning stage began, as the script is still not finished.

Fortunately, Matthew's schedule is not yet accommodating, giving the crew sufficient time to make adjustments.

After signing the actor's contract and instructing Zack Snyder and Big Beard Jack to send him the script as soon as it's completed, Matthew set "300 Spartans" aside to continue filming "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

By mid-October, Gore Verbinski had announced the completion

 of all shots for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," and the remainder of the shooting was for the third part. A post-production team from the crew had also detached to start some of the post-production work for the second film.

Perhaps because they were very busy and had reached a private agreement, there had been no major conflicts between director Gore Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, ensuring efficient work within the crew.

In a green-screen surrounded studio, Matthew and Johnny Depp each stood on one side of an erected mast, with safety ropes hanging behind them.

"If I accidentally fall." Johnny Depp looked down and asked, "Matthew, can you catch me in time?"

Matthew stood up there relaxed and said, "Are you scared, Depp?" He also looked down, "It's only about ten feet high, we have safety ropes, and the green screen below is all soft padding, it's fine if you fall."

Johnny Depp, gripping the rope tightly with one hand and adjusting his hat with the other, said, "I have acrophobia!"

"Then why are you looking down?" Matthew, also holding the rope with one hand and pointing to his eyes with the other, said, "Learn from me, look forward, it'll feel better."

Hearing this, Johnny Depp raised his head, looked towards the opposite green screen, and complained, "Why hasn't Gore started shooting? If he doesn't start soon, I'm going to complain to the actors' union!"

"It should be starting now." Matthew saw Gore Verbinski return to the director's monitor.

Sure enough, an assistant director with a clapperboard came in front of the camera lens and shouted loudly, "'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End,' Scene 125, Take 26, action!"

Matthew and Johnny Depp had already positioned themselves as Will Turner and Jack Sparrow making a joint appearance.

The mast then started moving forward, gliding towards the front, with Matthew and Johnny Depp standing high up on it, one agile and heroic, the other sly and twisting.

What was similar, however, was that both displayed a cool and stern demeanor.

The camera, suspended on a crane, then turned around, conducting a 360-degree revolving shot around Matthew and Johnny Depp.

In this scene, Matthew and Johnny Depp had no lines; they just needed to strike the coolest and most handsome poses, reminiscent of Captain Jack Sparrow's entrance in "The Curse of the Black Pearl," the difference being that Will Turner was also making an entrance.

Due to Matthew's influence within the crew and the support from Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley forcing changes in the script, the crew altered the original story. Not only did Elizabeth Swann avoid nonsensical flirtations with Jack Sparrow, but Will Turner also ended up being swallowed by the Norwegian sea monster in an attempt to rescue Johnny Depp.

The two would also escape together from the world's end.

Gore Verbinski's aim was simple, apart from the romance between Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, he added a love-hate friendship between Will Turner and Jack Sparrow to the emotional scenes.

They could fight fiercely over Davy Jones' heart on a small island, but also bravely risk their lives for each other.

The mast sliding through the green screen moved forward about twenty meters, with a rise and fall in the middle, just like sliding over dunes as described in the script. Matthew and Johnny Depp performed well, and once the mast stopped, director Gore Verbinski immediately called it a successful take.

"I'm going down first." Matthew told Johnny Depp, "See you later,"

He grabbed the rope and slid down, while Johnny Depp, with the help of two stunt coordinators, managed to come down only with difficulty.

After descending, Johnny Depp, disregarding his image, sat down on the green cushion, as if the aftereffects of his acrophobia were kicking in.

Matthew walked over and extended a hand to Johnny Depp, "How are you, need a doctor?"

Johnny Depp grabbed Matthew's hand and stood up, saying, "I'm not as strong as you, but I'm not that weak either."

Matthew smiled and walked with Johnny Depp to the resting area. Their scenes for the day were completely shot, and they could soon remove their makeup and clock out.

Arriving at the resting area, Matthew asked Bella Anderson to pack up, just as he saw Eva Green from another set walking over, apparently also finishing for the day.

"Hi, Eva." he walked over.

Eva Green, dressed as a witch, smiled and nodded at Matthew, "Hi, Matthew."

Matthew pointed at Johnny Depp and casually mentioned, "Depp's treating to drinks tonight, want to join?"

He turned back and winked at Johnny Depp, who immediately said, "At the Black Mamba Bar."

"Hmm…" Eva Green thought for a moment and said

, "Sure."

___________________

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