The Most Famous Actor in Hollywood

In Hollywood, if you aspire to become a more excellent, more outstanding, and more successful person, empty talk won't suffice; achievements matter most. For a purely commercial film star like Matthew, the box office is the ultimate testament to one's prowess.

After completing the interview with "The Hollywood Reporter," Matthew no longer concerned himself with how Disney and Helen Herman would handle the promotions. Instead, he fully immersed himself in the filming of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest."

Although the script wasn't finalized, the tradition of extensive pre-production under producer Jerry Bruckheimer meant that since last May and June, sets were being built and ship models crafted. Aside from the first studio used for screen tests, studios two through eight at Disney were all commandeered by the "Pirates of the Caribbean" team for various scenes.

In studio two, Matthew, fully made up and wielding an aluminum alloy rapier, accompanied by Bella Anderson with her toolkit, made his way to the set.

The first scene shot for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" featured Johnny Depp's Captain Jack Sparrow. When Matthew arrived, Depp was still filming, so he stood aside and watched.

Before the camera lens, Depp was as flamboyant and captivating as ever.

After the first film, Johnny Depp had shared with Matthew that his portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow combined the traits of rock star Keith Richards and the French-accented cartoon skunk Pepe Le Pew—unstable living, wild personality, impulsive actions, full of contradictions and chaos...

Now, as Matthew watched from off-set, even amidst the green screens, Captain Jack Sparrow exuded a lazy, beautiful confidence.

As Depp had put it, the heavy eye makeup and string of beads in his hair symbolized "freedom"—to Depp, "pirate" epitomized "absolute freedom," akin to an 18th-century rock star.

Thus, his interpretation of Captain Jack had evolved into a shrewd adventurer with a relaxed, non-stop, smooth-talking demeanor, speaking in a deceitfully gentle and cunning tone and walking with a swagger.

"Cut!" shouted director Gore Verbinski. "That's a wrap! Let's prepare for the next scene. Matthew, get ready."

The makeup artist quickly checked Matthew's appearance, gave the all-clear to the director, and Matthew, sword at his side, entered the filming area.

He and Depp nodded to each other in greeting, then the action director and Verbinski came over to brief them on the scene specifics.

This was an action scene, a one-on-one duel between the blacksmith and the captain.

Verbinski maintained the approach from "The Curse of the Black Pearl," with Captain Jack Sparrow's deceptive and slick fighting style against Matthew's brave and agile persona.

That meant, in a straightforward fight, Jack Sparrow was no match for Will Turner.

Building on the success of the first film, using the same formula for the sequels was inevitable and crucial for their success.

These typical Disney films aimed at children, from producer to director to actors, prioritized audience appeal over artistic achievement.

During the release of "The Curse of the Black Pearl," Disney conducted extensive surveys; Captain Jack Sparrow was beloved for his image, personality, and wit, while Will Turner was admired for his robust physique, resolute character, rugged appearance, and agile skills.

Thus, in the sequels, these characteristics of the two roles would be further amplified.

Matthew and Johnny Depp, under the guidance of the stunt coordinator, rehearsed their movements before shooting commenced.

On the green screen, Matthew, sword in hand, approached Depp.

"Ooh..." Captain Jack Sparrow advanced, affecting an effeminate pose, "Will, you still look handsome."

Matthew drew his sword, aiming it at Depp, "Jack, if I defeat you, I become captain of the Black Pearl, right?"

"Is that so?" Depp stepped back, drawing his cutlass, "You still want a duel with me?"

"You're no match for me, Jack," Matthew positioned himself for the duel.

Tall and formidable against Depp's sly, seductive demeanor, their contrast was striking even just by standing there.

"Jack, I'm about to strike," Matthew warned playfully, "Hold on to your cutlass."

"You think I'd let you knock my sword away again..." Depp began.

Before he could finish, Matthew swiftly struck, his rapier forcefully hitting Depp's cutlass, sending it flying.

As Depp stood stunned, Matthew's rapier pointed right at his throat.

"Ha..." Matthew reused a famous line from the first film, "I've caught the great Captain Jack Sparrow."

Depp, playing along, raised his hands and then carefully pushed the rapier away with a finger, declaring, "Alright, now you are the captain of the Black Pearl."

Verbinski

 nodded in satisfaction, "Cut! That's a wrap! Keep up the good energy, Matthew, Depp."

The film had just begun shooting, and both Matthew and Johnny Depp were adjusting well.

On the set, Depp shook his hands, complaining to Matthew, "I wasn't ready when you struck. Were you planning to break my wrist?"

Matthew sheathed his sword, "Depp, you're getting weaker."

"Naturally," Depp retorted, "I've aged a few years since our last shoot." He clapped Matthew on the shoulder, feigning an old man's voice, "You're playing against an old man now; take it easy."

Matthew steadied him by the arm, joking, "Mr. Old Depp, shall I escort you off the set?"

Depp, never one to back down, relaxed into Matthew's support, pretending to be an old pirate unable to walk on his own, as Matthew helped him out of the set.

When they reached the rest area, Matthew noticed Keira Knightley, also in makeup, waving at him, "Hi, Keira."

Keira, curious, asked, "What happened to Depp?"

Matthew shrugged, "I just channeled Superman, shattering half of Depp's bones with a single strike. He's crippled now."

Depp pushed Matthew away, standing up straight, "Matthew, remember, you're an adult now. Stop reading those childish comics."

The remark, tinged with mock severity, made both Matthew and Keira laugh.

Like during the previous shoot, Depp, Matthew, and Keira formed a close-knit trio within the crew, often gathering to discuss upcoming scenes or casually chatting and critiquing the various extras on set.

This camaraderie, evident during the filming of "The Curse of the Black Pearl," meant that the trio always achieved a kind of indescribable harmony on set.

As they sat together, the chaotic filming continued around them, with a group of oddly-featured extras clashing with the British soldiers on the green-screen set.

Seated far enough away in the rest area, they spoke quietly without disturbing the ongoing filming.

Depp, looking towards the set, suddenly asked, "Matthew, how old are you this year?"

Matthew, puzzled by the question, answered casually, "I was born in 1980."

"Twenty-five, huh," Depp sighed, "Have you ever thought about what you'll do when you get to be my age, when your body starts to decline, and you can't fight anymore?"

Keira chimed in, intrigued, "By then he could switch to acting in dramas."

"That's still a long way off," Matthew was unfazed, "Schwarzenegger was over forty when he did 'Terminator 2' and 'True Lies.' Isn't that the prime age for male actors?"

He pointed to the stunt doubles, "When the day comes that I can no longer fight, I'll just stay behind the camera and sell my looks. After all, we can always use stunt doubles for the action."

Keira rolled her eyes and huffed, "You really have no ambition."

Matthew shrugged and spread his hands, "Dear Keira, we've talked about my life goals and ideals all night long; you know this."

Keira suddenly recalled their time living together and turned away, no longer engaging with Matthew.

Depp seemed to understand Matthew's perspective, "Everyone has different aspirations, and that's normal."

In the studio, the chaotic group scene was shot over half the morning. Around 10:30, Matthew, Depp, and Keira entered the set to start filming the scenes featuring all three main characters.

There weren't many scenes in the sequel with all three of them together, due to internal power struggles at Walt Disney delaying production preparations. Since "Pirates of the Caribbean" had already been announced for a July release next year, Verbinski adjusted the shooting schedule to complete the scenes for "Dead Man's Chest" first before moving on to "At World's End."

Over the next three weeks, the crew stayed at the Disney studio for filming, planning to move to Barahona Island in the Dominican Republic in July for exterior shots.

Before heading to the Dominican Republic, Matthew had two other matters to resolve outside of filming.

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