The Most Famous Actor in Hollywood

Sky Dance Pictures, due to its relative lack of experience, is slowly advancing the project "300 Spartans." David Ellison heavily relies on the operations of bearded Jack and Helen Herman for production. Most of the behind-the-scenes staff hired for the crew come from Helen Herman's Angel Agency.

After several years of development, although Angel Agency has only one real superstar client, Matthew, Helen Herman has used Matthew's star power to the fullest. In the past two years, for any project starring Matthew, she would appropriately insert other clients from Angel Agency during negotiations for Matthew.

In the "Pirates of the Caribbean" crew, there are also some, but none in particularly crucial positions. Among the numerous actors, only Eva Green's role carries some weight.

As time passed and December arrived, the filming of "Pirates of the Caribbean" gradually approached its end.

Unlike the previous filming of "The Mummy's Tomb," most of the scenes in "At World's End" were shot in front of green screens in the studio, using a lot of motion capture technology.

Similarly, there were often hundreds of actors involved in the filming, especially in many action scenes where Matthew, Johnny Depp, and Keira Knightley's action scenes were set against the backdrop of large-scale battles.

As for all the sailing ships, they were, of course, fake, primarily achieved through models and CGI.

The importance of the art department for such a film is self-evident, perhaps even on par with the director. In Hollywood, art directors, who are responsible for the artistic direction of all departments behind a film, work closely with the director and cinematographer to determine the visual presentation of the entire film.

"Matthew, you are key in this action scene, the focal point."

On the deck of an ancient ship surrounded by green screens, the stunt coordinator specifically instructed Matthew, "You will face undead monsters, you need to fight alongside Elizabeth, and occasionally cover Jack Sparrow. In this melee, your combat skills are one of the strongest assets on your side."

Matthew was familiarizing himself with the weight of a new prop sword and nodded, "Got it."

He swung the sword single-handedly, making a few thrusting movements. The previous prop sword had broken during a shoot, likely from being used too frequently and from his excessive strength.

Dressed in pirate attire, Keira Knightley came aboard with her prop sword. Seeing the stunt coordinator briefing the crew of Davy Jones, she called out to Matthew, "Come on, duel me!"

Matthew laughed and looked at Keira Knightley, "Are you sure you want to challenge me?"

Keira Knightley struck a ready pose, "I've been wanting to teach you a lesson, let's go."

Matthew bowed slightly like a gentleman and said, "Here we go."

"Bring it on!" Keira Knightley responded without hesitation.

Seeing her ready, Matthew didn't hold back. He lunged forward, his sword aimed straight at Keira Knightley's shoulder. She tried to parry with her sword, but this wasn't the choreographed fake fighting for the shoot. Matthew had received professional fencing training and continued to practice weekly before filming. With his athletic talent, Keira Knightley, who had only fumbled through a week's practice before shooting, was no match for him.

Keira Knightley's arm had just lifted, and her sword had barely begun to block when she found Matthew's sword already pointed at her right shoulder.

"Surrender, Keira," Matthew lightly tapped her shoulder with the prop sword.

Like her character Elizabeth Swann, Keira Knightley raised her chin and said, "Surrender? Not a chance!" She then taunted, "All brawn, no brain."

Matthew retorted, "Why don't we find another place to duel?"

Keira Knightley glared at him and changed the subject, "Stop talking nonsense, let's go through the scene again, it's about to start filming."

Johnny Depp swaggered aboard, holding his hand in a delicate gesture, "Matthew, Keira, the shoot is almost over, our trio is about to split."

Matthew sheathed his prop sword and suggested, "Should we throw a farewell party?"

"Count me out," Keira Knightley replied. "Your parties are nothing but drugs, alcohol, and women. What else?"

Johnny Depp asked in surprise, "Have we ever had such a party?"

Matthew firmly replied, "Depp might have, but not me!" He seriously added, "I think it's time to have such a party."

Previously, there wasn't enough space, and finances were tight. Now, with Horner Estate being large enough and the first installment of the $5 million payment for "300 Spartans" due soon, it might be time to contact Lister.

After months of being busy with "Pirates of the Caribbean" filming, both physically and mentally, it's time for some relaxation.

Keira Knightley came over and said, "I heard someone in the circle recently got AIDS."

Matthew shrugged and whispered, "Haven't you had a blood test?"

Keira Knightley bit her lower lip and glared at Matthew without saying anything.

The stunt performers and extras were ready, and Matthew, Johnny Depp, and Keira Knightley ended their casual chat and took their positions.

Director Gore Verbinski called action, and the final melee scene of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" began.

Matthew and Keira Knightley stood back-to-back, swords ready to face the approaching crew of Davy Jones. The stunt performers, dressed in specially made motion capture suits, looked somewhat bizarre.

But in Matthew's current performance state, they were all terrifying monsters.

A stunt performer rushed forward, and Matthew parried his axe, kicking him in the chest. The stunt performer, aided by safety ropes, flew backward and fell off the ship.

Behind him, Keira Knightley also took down a stunt performer.

Matthew then turned and stabbed a stunt performer on Keira Knightley's side. The performer clutched his chest and fell.

Following the pre-rehearsed choreography, Matthew took down five or six enemies with ease, showcasing Will Turner's formidable combat skills. According to director Gore Verbinski, Will Turner is the embodiment of strength and prowess in the sequels.

This was a large-scale battle scene, with numerous extras brawling, serving as the backdrop for the protagonists.

On the other side, Johnny Depp's action scene continued, with Jack Sparrow's fighting style remaining evasive.

"Cut!" Director Gore Verbinski called out, "That's a wrap for this scene."

He then loudly announced, "Depp, step out. Next, we're shooting the proposal scene!"

This was a mid-battle proposal with wedding vows, split into over a dozen shots due to the extensive action scenes.

After the shooting resumed, Geoffrey Rush also entered the set to officiate Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann's wedding.

Unlike a regular wedding, this scene was stop-and-go, taking half the afternoon to near completion.

Amidst the chaotic large-scale battle, the set looked like a marketplace. Geoffrey Rush climbed aboard and shouted, "Now... you may kiss!"

Matthew kicked away an enemy, grabbed Keira Knightley's arm, and as she turned, they kissed.

At such a moment, the battle naturally had to be set aside. After all, this is a movie, and for a couple who went through countless trials in the trilogy, the audience's emotions needed an outlet.

Gore Verbinski, though a relatively distinctive director among commercial filmmakers, had to follow Disney's consistent principle of family-friendly endings.

"Cut, this scene is done!"

With the call to cut, director Gore Verbinski slowly stood up from behind the monitor, raising a prepared megaphone, "Now I announce, the filming of 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' is complete!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Johnny Depp cheered, Captain Jack Sparrow removed his pirate hat and tossed it into the air, "Woo-hoo..."

Matthew and Keira Knightley also raised their arms and cheered, "Woo-hoo! Woo-hoo..."

The entire crew erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

Only the two cameramen remained calm, each operating their cameras, faithfully recording everything happening on set. All this could be used for future film promotion and DVD material.

"It's finally over..."

Keira Knightley muttered, opening her arms to hug Matthew tightly. Matthew gently patted her back, then turned to hug a stunt performer.

Most of the crew had worked together for six months. No matter how you look at it, the filming of "The Mummy's Tomb" and "At World's End" was an unforgettable journey.

After hugging Geoffrey Rush, Matthew disembarked and continued to hug other actors and staff one by one. Johnny Depp, Gore Verbinski, and Keira Knightley were doing the same.

The "Pirates of the Caribbean" crew would completely wrap up filming after today, and actors like Matthew would leave the crew.

Matthew felt that the pirate trio of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann would have a hard time reuniting again.

Given the current trend, just the salaries of him and Depp would likely be enough to make Disney balk.

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