After listening to Michael Bay's detailed introduction, Matthew realized that, just like Marvel superheroes, the Transformers and G.I. Joe series not only both originate from Hasbro but also share close connections in other aspects.
Because they share the same toy company background and each has their own comic books published by Marvel Comics, the integration of the two series was naturally straightforward. The four-volume comic "G.I. Joe vs. The Transformers" became a new highlight for both brands after the decline of their respective TV animations. In different locations, scenarios, and groups, the Autobots teamed up with G.I. Joe, while the Decepticons joined forces with Cobra, resulting in at least five major conflicts.
With the foundation of comics and toys, placing G.I. Joe and Transformers in the same world might not be a bad idea.
Matthew and Michael Bay returned to the recording studio and found a girl with long dark brown hair already waiting inside.
This girl, in her twenties, had a striking figure, sexy tanned skin, and above-average looks. Even standing still, she perfectly exemplified the term "vase."
As someone who had watched the animated series and rewatched the movie countless times after downloading it, Matthew instantly recognized this as Miss Fox.
"Megan, you're here," Michael Bay casually nodded to the girl. Matthew glanced over and said, "Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Before Michael Bay could introduce them, Miss Fox came over and said, "Hi, Matthew. I'm Megan Fox."
"Hello," Matthew immediately smiled and said, "Can I call you Megan?"
Megan Fox nodded slightly, "Of course." She smiled at Matthew and said, "I heard the crew is inviting you to voice Megatron. I'm glad to work with you."
"Thank you," Matthew said simply. "Transformers were my favorite toys in childhood."
"Do all boys like these?" Megan Fox asked.
Matthew thought for a moment and said, "More or less."
Seeing that Matthew had started talking to the leading actress, Michael Bay didn't say anything further and busied himself with his work.
Standing near the door, Matthew chatted with Megan Fox. In just about ten minutes, he learned some basic information about her. This actress, a typical mixed-race, had entered Hollywood at around fourteen or fifteen years old. Despite her young age, she had been acting for as long as he had.
Of course, before this Transformers movie, she hadn't had any notable roles or credentials.
"In fact, my past roles were quite similar to Mikaela in this movie," Megan Fox said frankly. "They're all standard vases."
Matthew never underestimated vases and remarked, "We're kindred spirits then."
Megan Fox's curiosity was piqued, and she asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Because we're both vases," Matthew spread his hands, speaking with genuine sincerity. "The roles I've played in the past were all male vases. What's wrong with being a vase? Is it wrong to be beautiful or handsome?"
Megan Fox couldn't help but nod, "You make a good point."
It wasn't just her who heard this; Michael Bay did too.
Glancing at the door, Michael Bay understood that Matthew Horner was exceptionally thick-skinned.
Matthew casually painted a grand vision, "Becoming Hollywood's number one male vase is my goal."
Megan Fox followed up, "Then I'll become Hollywood's number one female vase."
After saying this, both she and Matthew couldn't help but laugh.
Perhaps Megan Fox hadn't yet formulated a clear plan, but as someone who had repeatedly watched the Transformers movies, Matthew had followed plenty of news about Megan Fox online. She not only became Hollywood's number one vase but was admired as the universe's number one female vase.
Actually, what Matthew just said wasn't entirely nonsense. In his understanding, sexy and beautiful actresses contributed more to commercial films than so-called acting professionals.
So, he never cared about media comments on his poor acting skills, didn't mind critics saying he lacked ambition, and certainly didn't have any prejudice against "vase" actors like Megan Fox because he himself leaned towards that type of actor.
Speaking of leaning towards vase types, Matthew did feel a bit ashamed. Even though his acting talent was only average, he had made progress through years of learning and shooting. In recent years, he was no longer relying solely on his looks and body as he did when he first starred in "The Scorpion King" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl."
Even in "300," the criticism focused on him being overly sexualized, with no one really saying his acting was terrible.
Of course, no one said his acting was great either.
Strictly speaking, a few years ago, he and Megan Fox were truly on the same path, but not anymore.
However, his mindset hadn't changed. If you have a good appearance, why not showcase it in front of the camera? Must one act like Charlize Theron to be considered an actor?
He always felt that this mindset played a crucial role in his upward journey, helping him avoid a path with a lower success rate and skipping over the kind of muddy path that CAA tried to dig for him.
Compared to actors who might fail before achieving success, vases could quickly garner flowers and applause. However, to successfully win a lifetime achievement vase award was not an easy feat either. On the road to appreciating beauty, one might easily go off track.
Matthew glanced at Megan Fox again, recalling many reports he had read about her. She was a model that all vase-type actors should learn from.
With zero acting skills but perfect beauty, Megan Fox remained at the forefront of Hollywood vase stars for decades.
There are many female stars in the world and many female vases, but there's only one universe's number one vase, Megan Fox. Just like Matthew had received several Golden Raspberry nominations for worst actor, can you really claim to be the universe's number one vase without three or five Golden Raspberry nominations for worst actress?
If you can't strike a few poses that defy human anatomy and stun everyone, you're not qualified.
Of course, you also need to be able to fall at any opportune moment in the film! Even if you can't see the road ahead, you have to flip your hair and pretend to fall, with the background objects and the camera exploding together.
When the audience sees such a meticulously planned scene, they'll laugh hysterically, getting all excited.
Apart from showing off your good figure, why else pretend to fall? Is that important?
To become the universe's number one vase, you must play the role of the beloved female vase, always portraying beloved characters.
"Why isn't Shia here yet?"
Michael Bay's voice came through. Matthew turned his head and saw Michael Bay instructing a staff member, "He's ten minutes late. Call him."
Matthew checked his watch and frowned slightly. Megan Fox also heard and lowered her voice, saying, "Shia LaBeouf is annoying, always causing trouble on set."
"Often late?" Matthew asked.
What Shia LaBeouf did on set before, he didn't care and didn't want to, but now it's different. Shia LaBeouf was wasting his time.
Megan Fox shook her head, "Being late is a minor issue. He often comes to set drunk. Several times, during shooting breaks, he'd hide somewhere to do drugs, become disoriented, and shout, causing the whole crew to be unable to work. If it weren't for the director and producer issuing a gag order, there would have been scandals everywhere."
Matthew smiled and didn't respond.
Megan Fox sighed helplessly, "Who can blame him? He has a godfather, and that godfather is Steven Spielberg."
"Does Steven care?" Matthew asked curiously.
"Yes, he's reprimanded him several times," Megan Fox shrugged. "Every time after a scolding, Shia LaBeouf behaves for a while, but it doesn't last long before he repeats. Plus, Spielberg is busy and can't be on set every day."
Matthew frowned in thought for a while, then seriously said, "Megan, let's just talk about this between us. Don't get into conflicts with Shia LaBeouf."
He could see that Megan Fox was very dissatisfied with Shia LaBeouf.
Megan Fox waved her hand dismissively, "I can't be bothered with him."
Matthew didn't say more. After all, it wasn't easy for a twenty-year-old girl to control her temper and mouth.
"What's happening?" Michael Bay suddenly lost his temper, "Can't reach him? Have you called his agent?"
The staff member said, "I've tried calling Shia LaBeouf, his agent, his father, his assistant. All the contacts the crew has, but none of them know where Shia LaBeouf is."
Megan Fox, with a look of disdain, lowered her voice and muttered to Matthew, "He's probably hiding somewhere doing drugs again, best if he overdoses and dies!"
Matthew didn't know what had happened between Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf on set, but it must have been very unpleasant.
"Michael," he found Michael Bay, "Let's not wait, let's start."
Michael Bay hesitated briefly, then said, "Alright, the lead actor's parts can be recorded later."
The recording began soon after. However, the voice acting for Mikaela was minimal, and Megan Fox quickly finished her part.
Before she left, Matthew tried to ask her out for dinner that evening. Megan Fox didn't refuse and left the recording studio to wait for him in a nearby lounge.
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