Standing on the platform outside the set, Margot Robbie tightened her coat. It was late November, and the weather in London had turned freezing. Today, the temperature had dropped below freezing. The overcast sky was devoid of sunlight, and a biting wind swept intermittently overhead, amplifying the chill.
The sudden roar of a car engine seemed to ignite the icy winter air.
Margot looked ahead as a Mercedes muscle car roared onto the runway. Its speed wasn't particularly fast, but the engine noise was deafening. Moments later, it collided with a Ferrari coming from the opposite direction.
Bang!
The loud crash echoed, with debris flying into the sky. Another car sped in and slammed into the Mercedes, appearing as though it intended to crush whoever was inside.
Just before the vehicles collided, a strong figure kicked open the door of the Mercedes and rolled out of the car. The figure looked strikingly like Matthew, but Margot immediately recognized it was a stunt double.
As expected, director Justin Lin called for a halt, and the actors were swapped out. Matthew returned to the set, consulting with the stunt coordinator for a while before the filming resumed.
Boom!
Another car rushed in, colliding with the rear of the Mercedes AMG and producing a thunderous sound.
Matthew leapt into action, gripping a crowbar in his right hand. Before the people in the other cars could recover from the violent impact, he darted forward like lightning. He jumped onto the hood of the Mercedes AMG, then pounced onto the Ferrari. Like a lion lunging at its prey, he swung the crowbar, shattering the already cracked windshield into countless shards.
Glass rained down on the driver, momentarily snapping him out of his daze. He instinctively reached for his gun, but before his hand could grasp the weapon, a large hand grabbed him by the throat. The driver felt his strength drain away. His hand hovered near the gun, powerless, as the crowbar descended with a terrifying whistle.
Matthew knocked the enemy unconscious with a single strike, then swiftly took cover behind the car.
Bang! Bang!
Gunshots rang out, smoke billowing from the Ferrari's hood as bullets struck it.
Matthew yanked open the warped door of the Ferrari and retrieved a handgun from the lifeless driver slumped over the wheel. He then darted out and fired two quick shots in one direction, taking down a burly man using a car as cover.
Next, he rolled low to the ground, arriving behind the Mercedes AMG. From there, he fired again, dropping another opponent.
Climbing into the Mercedes AMG from the passenger side, he agilely slid into the driver's seat. Starting the engine, the car roared to life, spewing white exhaust as it forced its way past the Ferrari and sped down the runway.
Spotting a red flag ahead, Matthew slammed on the brakes. The Mercedes, already moving at a moderate speed, came to a steady stop on the runway.
The filming vehicle following him also halted.
Matthew opened the door and stepped out, glancing toward the filming vehicle. On its platform, Justin Lin had just removed his headset and gave Matthew a thumbs-up.
Matthew climbed back into the car, started it up, and returned to the set.
As he stepped out, he didn't forget to bring the crowbar, which, though appearing to be solid steel, was actually made of lightweight resin and coated with metallic paint.
Justin Lin's voice echoed across the set. "Clean up the set! Take a 30-minute break."
Matthew handed the handgun and crowbar back to the props team and headed to the temporary rest area. Sitting down in a chair, he was handed a thermos. The familiar light fragrance told him who it was without even looking.
"Margot?" He turned to Margot Robbie. "I thought I told you to stay at the hotel—it's freezing out here."
Margot knew he was concerned about her and pulled up another chair to sit beside him. "I'm fine. I'm not some fragile woman."
While Margot was slightly restrained around Matthew, he was well aware of her fearless, cowgirl-like demeanor.
Taking a sip of hot tea, he commented, "It's only November, and it's already this cold in the UK."
Margot looked up at the sky. "Do you think it'll snow?"
Matthew glanced into the distance. "About ten years ago, during a winter like this, I was here in this abandoned airbase, rolling around in the mud with James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender."
Margot, who had met the two men—close friends of Matthew—was intrigued. "Was that when you were filming Band of Brothers?"
"Exactly." Matthew seemed lost in thought, reminiscing. "Back then, we were here…"
He pointed toward the far-off, dilapidated hangars still visible on the horizon. "The three of us got into all kinds of mischief, kicking out anyone we didn't like from the set."
He chuckled. "It was absurd but also lucky."
With no one else around, Margot's curiosity deepened. "What kind of mischief? Tell me."
Matthew nodded slightly and began recounting those days. "It all started with a bottle of medicated oil…"
As he spoke, he reflected on how unconventional items—like liquor, medicated oils, and old recording equipment—had all played pivotal roles in his rise.
Margot was initially surprised by his story, but soon her eyes widened in shock.
"My God, you three were absolute troublemakers," she said. "Even if those people were open-minded, they'd never show their faces again."
Matthew shrugged. "I don't think they're in the entertainment industry anymore."
Margot laughed. "You're awful."
"I'm no saint," Matthew admitted. "Never was. I started with nothing, and being ruthless was my only option."
Margot didn't dwell on his confession. Instead, she asked, "Was that medicated oil really that effective?"
Matthew shook his head. "Not the kind you usually find in stores. Back then, I got lucky and bought a high-concentration version."
He vaguely remembered Keira Knightley using it after hearing about it from him. She even took several bottles with her, seemingly addicted.
Even in Africa, where he once did charity work, he'd heard locals used similar oils to cook, repel insects, and stay cool in the heat.
"Interesting," Margot mused, her curiosity growing. "Have you ever used it?"
"Never," Matthew said firmly.
Margot leaned in, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Where can you get it? Maybe I should buy a bottle and… try it on you?" She winked playfully.
Caught off guard, Matthew blurted, "Chinatown."
"Got it," Margot said decisively. "I'll pick one up next time."
Realizing what he'd said, Matthew quickly interjected, "Don't mess around with that stuff—it's no joke."
"Come on, it won't kill anyone," Margot teased. She leaned closer and whispered, "If you try it, I'll take you to that game room back in L.A. You know, the one you've been curious about." She mimed handcuffs with her hands. "You always say effort deserves rewards, right? Fair trade?"
"Let's talk about it later," Matthew said, noticing Justin Lin signaling him from a distance. "Looks like it's time to shoot again."
After finishing his tea, Matthew returned to the set and climbed into the battered Mercedes AMG to film another racing sequence.
Justin Lin approached to give final instructions. "Don't go too fast. Keep your expression firm! We'll shoot a close-up from the window."
Matthew gave him a thumbs-up. "Got it!"
This type of shot typically involved two takes: one for close-ups of the actor, and another with the stunt driver doing the actual high-speed stunts. The two shots would then be seamlessly edited together in post-production to create a convincing sequence.
Matthew, whose driving skills were passable but not exceptional, handled the close-up with ease. When Justin Lin gave the signal, he pressed the gas pedal, and the Mercedes moved steadily down the runway.
The filming car maintained a parallel pace, capturing side-angle close-ups.
The scene went smoothly. After driving just over 200 meters, a red flag appeared ahead—a signal that the shot was complete. Turning back, Matthew noticed Justin Lin on the filming platform. He had just taken a phone from an assistant director, his expression dark.
Matthew parked the car and stepped out. The filming car returned moments later.
Justin Lin was still on the phone, his brows furrowed tightly.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed across the set. Brown Williams appeared, walking briskly. Seeing him, Matthew knew it had to be urgent—Brown never interrupted the crew without good reason.
Brown quickly approached and spoke quietly. "Twenty minutes ago, Paul Walker was in a car accident while heading to a party with a friend."
"What?" Matthew barely had time to react before Justin Lin walked over, having ended his call. "Paul Walker's been in an accident!" he announced.
Brown added reassuringly, "Don't worry—Paul's injuries aren't severe."
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