"Movies are a dream that immerses people in light and shadow. Inception is a dream within a dream, with a plot that intricately weaves together in a tight, logical structure, full of tension. Its over 130-minute runtime doesn't feel dull for even a moment," Clint Eastwood said slowly, sitting on the sofa as he looked at his son, an actor in his twenties who had yet to find success. "As the lead actor, Matthew Horner delivered the most spectacular performance. The best director, the best actor, and the best story together created the best dream."
Scott Eastwood seemed to agree with his father's words. "A movie like Inception is so good that even when you realize it's playing tricks on you, you still give it a five-star rating without hesitation."
If Inception wasn't a good movie, then what was? He had also watched it in the theater, and while he wasn't certain about other aspects, Inception was undoubtedly the best film he had seen this year, perhaps even in the last five years.
Clint Eastwood suddenly sighed. "Matthew Horner is even more impressive than I thought."
As an actor himself, Scott Eastwood felt a bit uncomfortable hearing his father praise another actor, so he said softly, "I admit Inception is a masterpiece, an ambitious film. Sometimes it doesn't even feel like a movie—it transports you to another world, where the theater screen feels like a dream inside your mind. In today's Hollywood, that's almost unbelievable..."
Then he shifted the conversation. "But all of that was achieved by Christopher Nolan! Nolan is a director who balances art and commerce exceptionally well. The action scenes, like the ski chase and the zero-gravity fight, were major highlights, with near-perfect special effects. But what does any of that have to do with Matthew Horner?"
His skepticism sounded reasonable from any angle, considering that a film is primarily controlled by its director and producer, while the actor's performance is secondary.
Clint Eastwood understood his son's thoughts and suddenly smiled. "Matthew Horner chose Christopher Nolan and Inception over films like John Carter, and that alone proves his strength!"
Scott Eastwood was momentarily confused, not fully grasping what his father meant.
"An actor, especially a star-level actor," Clint Eastwood explained, "the roles they choose will directly determine their future success or failure."
Hearing this, Scott Eastwood began to understand. "So, Matthew Horner always makes the right choices?"
Clint Eastwood nodded lightly. "That is a skill in itself, and for an actor, it's an incredibly powerful one."
Having been an actor early in his career and later mostly a director, Clint Eastwood had deep insight into such matters.
"No one can predict if a film will succeed or fail before it's released," Clint Eastwood continued, knowing he couldn't protect his son forever. "Directors, as the commanders of a project, have an advantage over actors."
Though he spoke softly, his voice carried a ruggedness reminiscent of a cowboy. "For an actor to make predictions, they must assess the director, producer, script, production plan, and team. They need to analyze everything and make a calculated judgment."
Scott Eastwood chuckled. "Not many people can do that, right?"
Clint Eastwood held up a hand and extended five fingers. "Among the current top actors in Hollywood, no more than five can do this. Matthew Horner is the best of them."
Thinking about how Matthew Horner had never been in a failed film as the lead actor, Scott Eastwood's earlier discomfort dissipated, and he nodded in agreement.
Although he lived a comfortable life and lacked the drive to climb higher, he had absorbed basic knowledge from his family over the years.
Plus, as a typical celebrity offspring, he wasn't as rebellious as Robert Downey Jr. or Angelina Jolie had been in their youth.
Clint Eastwood added, "Perhaps you don't know, but Matthew Horner's collaboration with Christopher Nolan this time was a choice among three options."
"Three options?" Scott Eastwood asked curiously. "What were the other two?"
Clint Eastwood explained slowly, "One was Cloud Atlas, directed by the Wachowskis, and the other was John Carter, directed by Andrew Stanton."
Scott Eastwood's eyes widened. "What?"
In that moment, he was too shocked to know what to say.
"These two projects were also big-budget, top-tier commercial films with big-name directors like the Wachowskis and Andrew Stanton behind them." Clint Eastwood shook his head. "Initially, both projects had Matthew Horner as their first choice for the lead role, but after some deliberation and competition, Matthew Horner voluntarily gave up both projects and chose Christopher Nolan's Inception."
Scott Eastwood recovered and said, "If I remember correctly, Cloud Atlas and John Carter were adaptations. Their original works were already well-known sci-fi novels. If it were me, I would definitely choose an adaptation over a high-risk original film."
Clint Eastwood nodded slightly. Original commercial films had long been in decline, especially in the realm of big studio productions.
"Not everyone can make such wise decisions," Clint Eastwood remarked. "Scott, Matthew Horner is no ordinary person."
Scott Eastwood nodded lightly. "So, Dad, that's why you accepted his invitation?"
Clint Eastwood didn't hide anything from his son. "Over the years, I've built up enough fame and prestige in film, but I'm getting old. I won't be directing many more movies. Carelessly choosing a project could drag me down."
He touched his nose. "Matthew Horner's invitation was an excellent opportunity, minimizing risk and allowing me to repay a favor I owed him."
Scott Eastwood knew his father had become more conservative with age. For a cautious old director, Matthew Horner was indeed a top-tier choice.
"I'll talk to Matthew," Clint Eastwood suddenly said, "and try to get you a major role in the film."
"I..." Scott Eastwood opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Unlike many famous celebrity children, he wasn't very rebellious and understood his father was looking out for him.
Clint Eastwood continued, "With me and Matthew working together, there's an 80% chance this film will succeed. If it becomes a box office hit, having a major role in a successful commercial production will make your future much smoother."
Seeing Scott about to speak, Clint Eastwood raised his hand to stop him and added, "I'm almost 80 years old. I won't be able to protect you forever. It's time for you to stand on your own."
Compared to his older son, Kyle Eastwood, Scott was more lackadaisical. Clint Eastwood had fathered him in his fifties, which led to him being a bit spoiled. But now that Scott was 25, he couldn't continue drifting aimlessly.
Scott asked, "Do you think Matthew Horner will agree?"
"My relationship with Matthew has always been good," Clint Eastwood replied calmly. "He'll give this old man some face."
Waving his hand, he added, "Spend some time reading American Sniper and pay more attention to news about Matthew."
Scott nodded before leaving his father's study.
In the living room, he reflected on his father's words, feeling somewhat ashamed. Even though he was a moderately well-known actor, he was 25 and still hadn't made a name for himself in Hollywood.
Matthew Horner wasn't much older, yet the difference between them was like night and day.
In terms of resources, Scott had started with far more than Matthew Horner ever did. As Clint Eastwood's son, who wouldn't give him some respect? But Matthew Horner had been a poor kid from Texas...
Thinking about this, Scott didn't feel jealousy but rather admiration. For someone with that kind of background to climb to the top of Hollywood, his ability was truly remarkable.
Scott knew he couldn't compare.
Not just him—when he thought about Matthew Horner's journey and the other current A-list stars like Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr., and Leonardo DiCaprio, none of them could match up to Matthew Horner.
The truth was obvious, even to him. Today's male stars in Hollywood fell into three categories: unknown actors, star actors... and Matthew Horner!
It wasn't just him—his father and siblings all believed that Matthew Horner no longer belonged to the traditional ranks of Hollywood stars.
Looking back at Hollywood's history, there was no one else who had consistently succeeded the way Matthew Horner had.
Success always brought more capital, and even people as proud as his father, Clint Eastwood, were willing to follow Matthew Horner's lead.
To Scott, Matthew Horner didn't represent just one person—he embodied a phenomenon called "success."
And he had no doubt that Inception, which had officially premiered, would be a massive success.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]