The richest actor in Hollywood.

Driving away from London, Matthew took a short nap. When he woke up, they had entered Buckinghamshire and soon arrived at Iver Heath, home to Pinewood Studios, an important base for the British film industry. He had shot a film here long ago, but he hadn't visited in recent years.

The "Harry Potter" series, from the earliest "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" to the currently filming "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," had always been primarily shot at Pinewood Studios.

Before arriving, Matthew had called David Heyman and Emma Watson, so it was easy to get into the studio. He asked around and found the location of the Harry Potter crew.

In a large soundstage, Matthew met David Heyman.

"You finally made it," David Heyman greeted Matthew at the entrance of the soundstage, hugging him. "Seeing an old friend from Los Angeles in the dreadful December weather of London warms me up."

Matthew ignored his comment and said, "You discovered this series, so you must return to it."

"Come inside," David Heyman led the way, continuing, "The crew is filming. We just started after Christmas and haven't settled into a routine yet."

As they walked into the set, Matthew saw the busy temporary setup and lights being adjusted.

They stopped at the edge of the set, and Matthew stood next to David Heyman.

"Los Angeles is on strike," Matthew mentioned casually. "Is it affecting you here?"

David Heyman shook his head. "It has some impact. Screenwriter Steven Kloves left the crew temporarily, but the last two films were primarily written by J.K. Rowling, so the impact isn't too severe."

"And your side?" he asked.

"I gave my two crews a long vacation, hoping it ends soon," Matthew replied directly.

"It's difficult," said David Heyman, an industry-renowned producer and a member of the Producers Guild, with better information than Matthew. "This strike won't end anytime soon."

Matthew nodded, "I heard the Golden Globes ceremony has been canceled." He shrugged. "The Oscars might be in danger too."

"Speaking of the Oscars..." David Heyman changed the topic, "I heard Warner Bros. is submitting you for Best Actor?"

"They're submitting me for 'I Am Legend,'" Matthew said nonchalantly. "I'm not campaigning or doing any promotion, so it probably won't matter."

Most actors vie for an Oscar for the fame and subsequent benefits. With his current fame and fortune, Matthew had no need to wade into the Oscar race.

"Warner Bros. and I initially wanted Guillermo del Toro to direct 'Half-Blood Prince,' but he declined," David Heyman said.

"I heard about that," Matthew replied. "He has a horror film and a comic book movie in the works, so his schedule probably didn't align."

If not for taking on "I Am Legend," Guillermo del Toro would likely have started "Hellboy 2" earlier.

"Guillermo might have concerns," Matthew continued. "The more fans the series has, the more criticism any film adaptation will receive."

"True," David Heyman agreed. "David Yates got a lot of flak for the last one."

He sighed. "Every time we start a new 'Harry Potter' film, we discuss the runtime and then have countless meetings to decide which parts of the book to cut or alter. We must discard most side plots and focus on the main story."

Matthew understood this well. "Even if the story is well-told, there will still be endless criticism."

"Exactly," David Heyman sighed. "The more famous the series, the harder it is to make the films. The original novels have millions of readers, and the crew must face their scrutiny. Adapting a several-hundred-page book into a two-hour film requires sacrifices, leading to inevitable criticism, as some readers will always be unhappy with what gets cut."

"Maybe you can share some tips," Matthew said seriously. "I have a bestselling novel being adapted into a film."

After chatting for a while, Matthew saw a girl in a black wizard's robe running out of the set.

"Hi, Matthew," Emma Watson greeted him cheerfully.

"Hi, Emma," Matthew responded with a smile.

David Heyman glanced between Matthew and Emma Watson, then found an excuse to leave.

As David Heyman walked away, Matthew looked at Emma Watson and said, "You look awesome in that outfit!"

Emma Watson spread her arms. "All black, it's awful." She turned to her manager and said something, then told Matthew, "I'll go remove my makeup first. Wait for me. We agreed that when I visit Los Angeles, you host me, and when you come to the UK, I host you."

Matthew nodded. "I'll wait here."

Half an hour later, Emma Watson returned, no longer in her black wizard's robe but in jeans and a fur-lined jacket, transforming from Hermione Granger to a typical girl-next-door.

"Let's go," she said, pulling Matthew along. "I just spoke to my family. I can have dinner out tonight."

She turned to Matthew. "What do you want to eat?"

Matthew thought for a moment. "I remember a good Brazilian restaurant near the studio. Is it still open?"

Emma Watson smirked. "You mean that awful Brazilian restaurant?"

"Really?" Matthew frowned. "I remember it being good."

As they exited the soundstage, Emma Watson waved her hand dismissively. "You have terrible taste."

Matthew didn't back down. "You're paying. You choose."

Emma Watson flagged down a golf cart, and they both got on. As the cart started moving, she said, "You mentioned liking Asian food in Geneva. There's a good Chinese restaurant nearby. Want to try it?"

"Sure," Matthew agreed.

They arrived at the studio's entrance by golf cart and then switched to the car Matthew had come in. In less than ten minutes, they reached a Chinese restaurant. Unlike Emma Watson, who was unfamiliar with the place, Matthew expertly ordered for them both.

"So, why are you in London?" Emma Watson asked curiously.

Matthew smiled, "To see you."

"You?" Emma Watson looked skeptical. "You came all the way to see me? Who would believe that?"

She stared at Matthew. "Why are you really here? Promo work? Or is it because BBC named you the luckiest Hollywood star of 2007?"

"There's such a thing?" Matthew was surprised.

"You didn't know?" Emma Watson was even more surprised.

Matthew shook his head. "I had no idea."

"You are so out of the loop," Emma Watson said. "A few days ago, the BBC had a show summarizing Hollywood films of the year. Since all three of your films were big hits, they called you the luckiest star."

"Oh, I see," Matthew understood. "Is there an unluckiest star too?"

"Yes," Emma Watson grinned, switching to a quirky voice. "The unfortunate honor goes to the former couple, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman."

At this point, the waiter brought their dishes. After the waiter left, Emma Watson ate a piece of chicken and continued, "Guess why they're the unluckiest."

Matthew had some idea of their situation. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I remember Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman both had new films this year. Nicole Kidman was in 'The Golden Compass,' a big-budget film, while Tom Cruise was in an indie film, but I can't recall its name."

"'Lions for Lambs,'" Emma Watson reminded him.

"Got it," Matthew nodded. "They both chose the wrong path. Tom Cruise focused on art films, and Nicole Kidman went for commercial ones. Both flopped in areas outside their expertise."

"Correct!" Emma Watson smiled. "Tom Cruise's new film 'Lions for Lambs' has been in theaters for two months and only grossed $14.93 million in North America. It's the lowest-grossing film he's starred in in 24 years. With terrible reviews, it seems unwise for him to do art films."

Matthew knew about Nicole Kidman's situation. Her highly anticipated fantasy film, with nearly $200 million invested and a bestselling book as its base, had failed miserably...

"Emma," Matthew said directly, "I have a piece of advice: after 'Harry Potter,' don't venture into genres that don't suit you."

"Like you?" Emma Watson was quick to catch on.

Matthew smiled, "I can't be an art film icon, so I don't even try."

Emma Watson said earnestly, "I understand. Thanks, Matthew." Before Matthew could respond, she asked, "You still haven't told me why you're in London."

"Alright, I'll be honest," Matthew said, pretending to be helpless. "I'm here to see the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show."

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