The richest actor in Hollywood.

Burbank's Nickelodeon, the highest-rated cable children's TV channel in the US, holds significant influence among teenage and child viewers.

In the backstage work area of a studio, Lily Collins, freshly made-up, walked cheerfully out of the makeup room and headed toward the nearby men's makeup room. 

Although she had only graduated from Harvard-Westlake School last year and entered the University of Southern California to study broadcast journalism, thanks to her mother's connections and her experience writing columns for media magazines during high school, Lily Collins easily secured a position at Nickelodeon and became an alternate host for a popular show.

After six months of hard work, with her mother's help, she successfully replaced the original host and became the main host.

She had been looking forward to today's interview for a long time.

Reaching the men's makeup room, Lily Collins saw a young woman in her twenties standing outside the door. The woman's face was unfamiliar; she hadn't seen her around Matthew before.

"Is Matthew ready?" Lily Collins asked directly.

Bella Anderson glanced at her and said, "He's ready."

Without looking at Bella Anderson again, Lily Collins was about to knock on the door when Bella Anderson blocked her with her hand.

"What are you doing?" Lily Collins asked angrily.

Bella Anderson reminded her, "Mr. Matthew Horner doesn't like being disturbed by strangers."

Lily Collins finally looked at Bella Anderson and demanded, "Who are you? Do you know that Matthew and I are friends?"

Bella Anderson had been with Matthew for a long time and didn't recall such a friend.

Just as she was about to speak, Matthew's voice came from inside the room, "Who is it, Bella?"

Before Bella Anderson could respond, Lily Collins hurriedly said, "Matthew, it's me, Lily!"

"Come in, Lily."

Hearing this, Bella Anderson stepped aside. Lily Collins shot her a look and opened the makeup room door, her face instantly lighting up with a sweet smile when she saw Matthew.

"Hi, Matthew."

Matthew greeted her with a smile, "Hi, Lily." He stood about a meter away from her, looked her over, and said, "Lily, you've grown up and become even more beautiful."

Lily Collins beamed, "Really?"

"Of course." Matthew said sincerely, "Among all the young girls I know, you're the prettiest."

Lily Collins's confidence soared instantly, "I think so too." She looked up at Matthew and said, "You've aged; you look like you're nearing middle age."

Matthew touched his face, feeling that he had maintained it well, "Is it that bad?"

"Of course… not!" Lily Collins stepped forward with a cheerful smile, "You're still as handsome and charming as ever."

She put her hands behind her back and asked, "You didn't expect me to interview you on TV, did you?"

"Indeed." Matthew nodded, "How long has it been since we last met, and you're already a host."

Hearing this, Lily Collins's smile turned into a look of indignation, "I clearly sent you an email informing you! You just didn't read my emails!" She seemed a bit aggrieved, "Matthew, you're unreliable!"

Matthew spread his hands and said, "I've been really busy the past few months, filming two 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies and then '300.' My email has been handled by my agency."

When he needed to let Helen Herman take the blame, he didn't hesitate, "If I hadn't replied to your email, would we have this interview today?"

Lily Collins thought seriously for a moment, then nodded, "I guess that's true."

"By the way," Matthew casually changed the topic, "Lily, you haven't prepared any difficult questions, right? If you have, tell me now. Don't embarrass me."

"We're friends." Lily Collins moved closer and said, "They're all simple questions, don't worry."

With Lily Collins as an insider, Matthew wasn't worried about the show throwing tough questions at him. Moreover, the show targeted a young audience and wouldn't come up with anything strange.

Lily Collins glanced at the quartz clock on the wall and said, "I should get to the front desk. See you on the show."

Matthew nodded slightly, "See you, Lily."

Shortly after Lily Collins left, a deputy director from the TV station came to notify Matthew to prepare for his appearance. Matthew followed the deputy director to the studio entrance, ready to go on stage.

On stage, Lily Collins, radiant and relaxed in front of the camera, was introducing him as the upcoming guest.

Matthew had appeared on many shows and been interviewed by many people, but this was his first TV interview by a girl under eighteen.

Some might wonder why it wasn't an adult show. But that's Disney's style. The main target audience for the "Pirates of the Caribbean" series was young viewers.

A Disney-produced film couldn't be like "300," made strictly for adults.

In fact, Matthew learned from Helen Herman that Disney planned to survey North American parents after "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" premiered. The survey would ask questions like, "Is this series too violent for minors?" and "What content is suitable for your children to watch?"

Matthew had no doubt that the series would become less intense over time, eventually turning into children's films like Marvel movies once were.

Perhaps by the later films, Captain Jack Sparrow wouldn't need cunning to defeat his foes. When the big bad appeared, Johnny Depp might just dance awkwardly, causing the villain to die of embarrassment.

That's something Disney could definitely do.

Helen Herman, upon learning this, was already considering whether continuing with the series would still align with his brand if Disney decided to make more films.

Reportedly, Disney was contemplating continuing the series, awaiting the box office performance of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." If the sequel performed well, the third movie wouldn't be the last.

Even if there were sequels, Matthew doubted Disney would reunite the trio of Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, and Elizabeth Swann. Just the combined salaries of him, Depp, and Keira Knightley could drive Disney insane.

Any film, even a successful sequel, carries significant risk. Risk management is essential, and excessive investment only amplifies that risk.

If Disney couldn't offer a fitting salary, he wouldn't agree.

As Matthew's mind wandered, Lily Collins finished her introduction on stage. With her loud introduction, applause from hundreds of young viewers erupted. Following the deputy director's cue, Matthew walked onto the stage to the beat of the music and applause.

"Let me introduce once more," Lily Collins said to the audience, smiling at Matthew, "This is my good friend, Matthew Horner!"

She opened her arms, and Matthew walked over, giving her a hug. Afterward, he waved at the audience, prompting another round of applause.

Then, Matthew and Lily Collins sat facing the audience in two armchairs.

"Matthew, do you remember how long we've known each other?" Lily Collins asked in a friendly tone.

"Hmm…" Matthew thought for a moment and said, "After 'Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl' was released in 2003, I received your letter and then went to Harvard-Westlake School to help you defeat the oppressive principal."

Lily Collins's eyes crinkled with laughter, "I admired you so much back then, hoping a hero like you would come down and overthrow the principal's rule."

The audience murmured in astonishment, and Lily Collins spread her hands, "You guessed it right. The girl who sought help from Will Turner back then was me."

She then looked at Matthew, "We've been good friends ever since."

Matthew nodded, "Yes, you sent me emails every week. Unfortunately, I was often too busy to reply. I owe you an apology for that."

Lily Collins continued, "Are all actors as busy as you?"

"Not necessarily," Matthew said candidly, "When I first entered Hollywood, there were times I couldn't get a job for long periods, and even affording food was a problem."

"But you succeeded," Lily Collins said, tilting her head and looking at him. Suddenly, she asked, "May I ask you something, Matthew? What is your ultimate pursuit as an actor?"

Matthew was silent for a few seconds. This seemingly simple question was actually quite challenging. Answering with "to bed more women and make more money" would be weak in this context.

"I hope to one day make a film that shocks the world, not for anyone else, but for myself," Matthew decided on a high-minded answer. "When I'm old, with all my teeth gone, my eyes baggy and my skin covered in age spots, I want to sit in a rocking chair and boast to my grandchildren: 'Look, look, that cool guy on TV is your grandpa. Wasn't he awesome?' Even if they all look down on me, I'll still be happy, because I firmly believe that feeling is far better than having paparazzi constantly on my tail, forcing me to put on an angelic facade."

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