The studio was pitch black except for the bright lights illuminating a Mercedes SUV. Two cameras from different angles were focused on the lowered car window. The car remained motionless, and Alexandra Daddario, seated in the driver's seat, maintained a driving posture, occasionally turning back to shout.
"Hang in there!"
She yelled loudly at Matthew, who was lying awkwardly in the back seat.
Matthew looked a bit battered. The camera's close-up captured his face full of wounds, with blood on his forehead and brow.
The Mercedes SUV suddenly shook. Alexandra Daddario turned back, focusing intently on driving. The camera aimed at her shifted to a close-up, capturing her upper body within the frame.
It was clear that the crew knew exactly what Alexandra Daddario's biggest selling point for the film was.
The car shook violently, and Alexandra Daddario shook with it. Her chest, under the white tight-fitting T-shirt, moved exaggeratedly.
Alexandra Daddario turned back again and shouted, "Where do you live?"
"Uh..." Matthew mumbled, swaying.
"Where do you live?" Alexandra Daddario shouted again.
Matthew mumbled, "Washington Square, 11 Washington Square." He seemed ready to pass out any moment, and then he reminded, "They don't know where I live. Don't let them follow us... uh... wait until dawn to go back..."
Alexandra Daddario felt like her chest was about to fall onto the seat. She didn't speak anymore, focusing on her driving posture, hoping the scene would end soon.
Finally, director Guillermo del Toro's voice came, "Cut! This take is good!"
The Mercedes SUV stopped shaking, and Alexandra Daddario sighed in relief, instinctively checking her chest to see if anything had fallen out.
Matthew climbed out from the back seat, walked over to the driver's side, and opened the door for Alexandra Daddario. He heard her muttering, "At this rate, they'll sag soon."
She glanced at Matthew and jumped out of the car, saying openly, "Am I wrong?"
"Absolutely right," Matthew replied casually. "Big breasts are prone to sagging; that's common knowledge."
Director Guillermo del Toro's voice sounded again, "Moving to the next set, Matthew, touch up your makeup. We'll resume shooting in forty minutes."
Matthew headed towards the rest area first, with Alexandra Daddario following.
There was no need to return to the makeup room. A makeup artist and her assistant quickly approached to "treat" Matthew's wounds. Matthew sat on the chair, letting the makeup artist work.
Alexandra Daddario sat next to him.
"I heard the crew is trying to get you a spot as an Oscar presenter?" she asked.
Matthew, while the makeup artist wiped off the blood on his head and reached for medical tape, said, "Warner Bros. is indeed working on it, but we haven't secured an invitation from the Oscars committee yet."
With some time left before the 79th Academy Awards, the committee had only confirmed Ellen DeGeneres as the host, and the other presenters were still undecided.
"I Am Legend" had a production investment of $150 million. Warner Bros. would certainly ensure the film's promotion met the standards of a top-tier blockbuster. Although Matthew wasn't interested in the Oscars, he couldn't deny their promotional value.
Warner Bros. had been planning since the new year to have him, the absolute male lead, be an Oscar presenter, and not for any ordinary award but one of the most prestigious ones.
A year or so ago, Matthew might not have had the stature for such a role, but things were different now. Regardless of age, his position and fame in the industry were enough to present even the Best Picture award.
Of course, being too young was always a disadvantage for male stars at the Oscars.
Alexandra Daddario asked softly, "When will you know for sure?"
After the makeup artist applied the medical tape on his forehead, Matthew shook his head, "I'm not sure, but no later than two weeks before the Oscar ceremony."
"Matthew, please don't move," the makeup artist reminded as she needed to reapply his makeup, "And don't talk for now."
"I understand," Matthew said to Alexandra Daddario before the makeup artist started, "Usually, those invited by the Oscars committee can bring a date. Anna, if this works out, would you be my date?"
"Really?" Alexandra Daddario's eyes lit up with joy, "Matthew, can I?"
Matthew nodded, "Of course, but I can't guarantee that the Oscars will invite me."
Alexandra Daddario understood, "I know! I know!"
The makeup artist approached, and Matthew said, "Anna, we'll talk later."
"Okay," Alexandra Daddario nodded and stopped talking.
After about twenty minutes, the makeup artist finished with the wounds on Matthew's face and leg. Matthew stood up, stretching his limbs after sitting for so long.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman approached with a twelve-year-old girl.
"Hello, Matthew." The woman was an agent from Angel Agency.
Matthew recognized her, having met her more than once. He nodded, "Hello, Maggie."
The middle-aged woman named Maggie pushed the girl forward and introduced her, "This is Saoirse Ronan, a signed young actress. Saoirse, this is Matthew."
Matthew shook hands with the girl, "Hello, Miss Ronan."
The girl was very polite, shaking his hand briefly, "Hello, Matthew."
She seemed introverted, retreating back to her agent after speaking.
Maggie said, "Saoirse will be acting with you later. I brought her over to introduce her to you."
She then introduced Saoirse Ronan to Alexandra Daddario, who casually greeted the girl.
Saoirse Ronan was clearly introverted, unlike the outgoing Chloe Moretz Matthew had met before.
Guillermo del Toro's assistant came to notify them that the set was ready and the actors should prepare.
Matthew and Alexandra Daddario headed to the set first. Once Saoirse Ronan arrived, the three of them practiced blocking under Guillermo del Toro's guidance before starting the official shoot.
Half-awake, Matthew lay on a sofa, instinctively touching his forehead. The wound had been treated. Feeling his leg was cold, he realized his pant leg was cut open and the previous wound had been stitched.
He looked further and saw his watch and flashlight on the coffee table, with the TV playing "Batman Begins."
Matthew struggled to get up from the sofa. Hearing noises from the dining area, he crawled to a drawer by the TV, took out a gun, and cautiously approached the dining area.
He reached the dining room and froze, seeing a little girl eating and Alexandra Daddario busy at the stove.
Almost simultaneously, Alexandra Daddario noticed him, turned around, and saw the gun in his hand. She stared at him, seemingly unsure what to do.
Matthew looked at the two women and, confirming they were harmless, slowly put the gun down on a nearby shelf.
"Sorry..." Alexandra Daddario made a few unconscious gestures and pointed at the frying pan, "The eggs are all powdery. But... of course, you know that."
Matthew nodded slightly, relieved.
"This is for you," Alexandra Daddario showed him the pan, "I found some bacon, the best thing in the world."
She brought the pan over, "I also found antibiotics in the bathroom and placed them by your plate. Your leg isn't healed yet. If you don't treat it, the injury will get worse."
As she served the food, Matthew asked, "Who are you?"
Although he didn't look back, he was sure the camera's focus behind him was on Alexandra Daddario's remarkable chest.
This was commercial filmmaking, and this was the most typical filming technique of it.
"I'm Anna," Alexandra Daddario indicated the little girl, "And this is Rebecca."
Then she asked Matthew, "Aren't you eating? It'll get cold..."
Distracted, Alexandra Daddario dropped the bacon on the oak table while putting it on the plate.
"Cut!" Guillermo del Toro's voice rang out, "Everyone back to their positions. We'll restart in five minutes."
Alexandra Daddario set the pan down, smiling apologetically, while Matthew shook his head slightly, indicating it was okay.
Everyone makes mistakes during shooting, from actors to directors to other crew members.
Matthew walked over and said, "Relax, Anna. Just like making breakfast for yourself. Once you relax, you'll find it easy."
Alexandra Daddario nodded, "I will."
Maybe Matthew's words had an effect. When the shoot resumed, Alexandra Daddario didn't make another mistake. Instead, the cameraman had some issues. It took four takes for Guillermo del Toro to announce it was done.
With Alexandra Daddario joining the crew, filming truly entered the final stage. After completing the scenes in the Los Angeles studio, the crew moved to New York for outdoor shoots.
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