"If watching this film leads people to pay more attention to veterans and the sacrifices they've made," Margot Robbie said to the gathered reporters in the media area open to the public at the military base, "then it's already a victory for the movie."
"Miss Robbie, may I ask..."
Before the journalist could finish his question, Margot Robbie left it unanswered. With the assistance of U.S. soldiers clearing the way, she exited the media area and got into a parked Mercedes van, leaving the reporters' inquiries behind as the car doors closed.
"Drive," Matthew instructed the driver. He then turned to Margot Robbie and said, "You handled that well."
Margot smiled lightly. "The script had good lines."
The Mercedes van moved slowly toward the base's exit; due to the setting, the speed was appropriately controlled.
"This is the first time I've had so many reporters following me," Margot remarked, glancing back at the crowd.
"You'll get used to it soon," Matthew replied calmly. "That's how it is when you become famous."
Margot Robbie rubbed her forehead, speaking bluntly. "I haven't even figured out what's going on, and suddenly I'm famous." She looked at Matthew. "I've acted in quite a few roles and worked on a bunch of TV shows and movies, but none of them got me anywhere near this kind of attention. And now, all because of one video..."
She sighed, unable to hold back the rest of her thought. "It's a bit discouraging."
"That's the way it works in this crazy Hollywood," Matthew said at an unhurried pace. "Fame hits you when you're least prepared for it."
Margot nodded. "I was prepared for it, but only after the film's release." She spoke candidly. "I figured, since I'm acting opposite you, I'd at least get some recognition after the premiere."
Matthew glanced out the window as a Humvee passed by and then added, "Isn't this better, though?"
"'Cup Girl'? That nickname is terrible," Margot said, clearly not thrilled. "After the video went viral, my agent's been fielding all these offers for action films."
Hearing this piqued Matthew's interest. He turned his gaze back to her. "What kind of offers? Tell me."
Margot listed a few titles, none of which Matthew recognized.
"They're probably low-budget projects," Margot explained.
Matthew nodded slightly. Warner Bros. would probably start developing that movie with Harley Quinn sooner or later—should he remind them about it? A film filled with female characters engaged in epic battles could be interesting, and there would surely be an audience for it.
Margot then asked, "I heard you've been in Australia for the past two months? Still in Dalby?"
"Yes," Matthew said. His schedule was public, so it wasn't hard to find out. "A small town in Queensland."
"Did you get to explore much?" Margot inquired.
Matthew recalled, "I went hunting with Sean Bean and Tyrese Gibson. It was a good haul."
Hearing the word "hunting," Margot's eyes lit up. "I haven't been back in so long. I really miss my hunting rifle back in Dalby."
Matthew remembered Margot mentioning her rugged upbringing. The Australian actress had been horseback riding and handling firearms since her early teens. By her account, she had hunted enough rabbits and deer to hit triple digits.
This was a woman who could punch a fully-grown kangaroo.
Initially, Matthew had dismissed kangaroo fights as trivial. However, during his recent time in Australia, he realized that many kangaroos were tall and muscular, comparable to heavyweight boxers like Mike Tyson. Fighting one required genuine courage.
He'd even read a local Dalby newspaper about a man who had suffered a concussion from being punched by a standing kangaroo.
"My hometown is Dalby," Margot admitted without prompting. "But I haven't been back in years. If you ever head there again, I'll take you hunting on the farm."
Matthew agreed casually. "Sure."
He had already wrapped up his scenes for The Martian and didn't expect to return to Dalby anytime soon.
Had he known Margot Robbie was from Dalby, he might have asked her to cameo in The Martian. That way, he'd have a hunting buddy lined up.
As the van exited the base, Matthew noticed a scattered group of people carrying protest signs and banners not far from the gates.
These protesters remained calm, seemingly aware they were near a military facility, and demonstrated quietly from a distance.
Matthew observed them closely. The group appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, or more specifically, Arab.
Most of the banners prominently displayed the title of a controversial film: Ignorance of the .
Matthew recognized the name. It was a film that had sparked considerable controversy.
The movie hadn't been released in North American theaters; its creators had uploaded it to YouTube, where it initially garnered little attention.
Last week, however, someone translated it into Arabic, and it caused a massive uproar. Large-scale anti-American protests erupted across the Middle East, with Arab communities in North America joining in.
The film, with its extremist undertones, had sparked a chain reaction.
When Matthew first heard about the movie, he had briefly looked into it, watched the trailer, and then dismissed it. After all, it had nothing to do with him.
Anything tied to religion was bound to be complicated, and Matthew understood that all too well.
Even American Sniper, despite Clint Eastwood's gritty style, deliberately downplayed religious themes.
Glancing out the window, Matthew noticed how restrained the Arab protesters were.
"What's going on here?" Margot asked curiously. "Are they protesting us?"
Matthew shook his head. "No."
He quickly summarized what he knew. After hearing the details, Margot seemed uninterested. This was typical of Western attitudes—apart from a few humanitarian activists, most people didn't genuinely care about Middle Eastern issues.
With the economic crisis only a few years past and North America's recovery still incomplete, the average person was too focused on making ends meet to worry about global matters.
Having experienced life at the lowest rungs of society, Matthew understood the mindset of ordinary Americans.
However, when it came to issues affecting their own country—like events across the Pacific—people would speak out.
This world has never lacked passionate individuals, and patriotism remains one of the most universally accepted values.
A common saying across America illustrates this point: "The U.S. will only collapse if Texas rednecks vanish."
Superficially, Matthew was also a Texan, hailing from the slums of Dallas.
However, he fundamentally differed from the stereotypical Texan redneck.
From Chris Kyle's experiences, Matthew had deduced the traits of a typical tough Texan man: hunting with dad as a kid, brawling with siblings while growing up, enduring insults and hardships, using booze and bravado to charm girls, impregnating them, and repeating the cycle. If someone picked a fight? The Texan would retaliate with vengeance. Reflecting on war? Regret only that more weren't killed! Sympathy for wounded veterans? "Hey buddy, prop me up and I'll take another shot!"
That's the traditional Texan way.
As for Matthew, he excelled at charming women with drinks and bravado but avoided battlefields at all costs.
Upon reaching the airport, Matthew and Margot boarded separate flights, heading off to continue their promotional tour.
The film's primary market was undoubtedly North America, so the promotional campaign centered entirely on domestic audiences. Markets like Europe and Australia would only be targeted after the film's U.S. release.
American Sniper would not have a global simultaneous release. It would debut in North America first, building momentum before rolling out in key overseas markets.
If the film achieved explosive box office success in North America, international revenue would likely follow suit.
Middle Eastern markets were irrelevant for this film—few Hollywood movies ever performed well there.
As for the other side of the Pacific, Matthew and Warner Bros. knew this film wouldn't pass censorship, so they didn't even attempt it.
After making a promotional circuit along the East Coast, Matthew ended up in Manhattan to participate in a 9/11 memorial event.
By 2012, eleven years had passed since the tragedy, but it remained fresh in the collective memory. Any mention of terrorism still struck a nerve with Americans.
Terrorism was unequivocally the most despised act in this country.
Using the memorial event as a backdrop, Matthew subtly yet persistently promoted American Sniper. That evening, during an official event broadcast on NBC, he took the opportunity to advocate for the protection of children and women while condemning acts of terrorism.
Even if there were murky ties between Osama Bin Laden and the U.S., a public figure like Matthew had to maintain a clear stance. Any comments hinting at sympathy could invite unnecessary trouble.
Being pragmatic, Matthew wouldn't do anything foolish.
After the event concluded late at night, he decided to stay at the Waldorf Astoria and return to Los Angeles the following day.
The next morning, just as Matthew was returning from the hotel gym and washing his face, his phone rang. Helen Herman was on the other end.
"Something big just happened. Turn on the news—it's related to our movie!"
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