On both sides of the red carpet, movie fans gathered, and the flashing lights from media reporters illuminated half the sky. Huge posters hanging from the rooftop caught the eye, with a giant shark grinning menacingly, seemingly ready to devour the two small fish in front of it at any moment.
The protagonists on today's premiere red carpet were not any celebrities, but rather animated characters like Woody the cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, Flik the ant, Sulley the monster, and Mike Wazowski.
Everyone knew that animated films from Walt Disney's main studio were in decline. Disney Animation had been relying on Pixar Animation Studios for years, and Pixar's strength was undeniable, now an absolute benchmark in the world of computer animation.
A black Mercedes-Benz sedan stopped at the entrance of the red carpet, and a dozen photojournalists immediately surrounded it.
The car door opened, and Matthew was the first to step out, turning back to help Keira Knightley out of the car.
"Why are those two together?" a reporter wondered. "Could the media hype all be true?"
Reporters were always exceptionally well-informed and knew all about these two, who had been heavily publicized by newspapers and websites recently.
Matthew held Keira Knightley's hand as they exited the car, then both faced the reporters' cameras, the flashes illuminating their faces.
Both Matthew and Keira Knightley had long since grown accustomed to this.
Their attire today was undoubtedly very photogenic. Matthew wore a black tuxedo, its tailored design perfectly accentuating his physique. A polite smile was constantly on his face, and his hair, which hadn't been cut since filming 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' was neatly swept back, making him appear even more wild.
Keira Knightley's styling emphasized her classical British temperament. Her silver-white long evening gown provided a stark contrast and complement to Matthew's black, and her updone hair also highlighted her elegance.
Upon seeing Matthew and Keira Knightley step out, the movie fans on both sides of the red carpet suddenly erupted in cheers, with countless people shouting and waving at them, as if they were A-list celebrities.
There was no denying it; this world was like that. Handsome men and beautiful women always received special treatment.
Compared to other guests who had already walked the red carpet, such as the key figures from Pixar Animation Studios and the voice actors for the animated characters, Matthew and Keira Knightley were definitely the most attractive pair on the red carpet tonight.
Their black-and-white pairing gave a strong hint, and movie fans who had seen related gossip began to whisper, "They really make a good couple!"
Surrounded by camera lenses, Matthew and Keira Knightley almost simultaneously raised their hands and waved towards the red carpet, in response to the fans' recent cheers.
Then, Matthew took Keira Knightley's hand and walked towards the premiere theater at the end of the red carpet.
A dozen photojournalists lined both sides, almost frantically snapping pictures of the two, and their clasped hands were the focus of almost all camera lenses!
Because this was no ordinary hand-holding; their fingers were intertwined!
This was the standard way for a couple to hold hands!
"So, Matthew Horner and Keira Knightley really are together!"
The recent continuous hype, coupled with the halo effect from a super production like 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' instantly made Matthew and Keira Knightley the focus of tonight's red carpet.
But no one found it abrupt. 'Pirates of the Caribbean' had already released its trailer, showing the two as a couple in the movie, and they looked equally well-matched off-screen.
Walking hand in hand on the red carpet, they appeared intimate, exchanged sweet smiles, and occasionally whispered to each other, making them an enviable sight.
Unfortunately, outsiders couldn't hear the content of their conversation, or they might have been stunned.
"I didn't notice it while sitting in the car…" Matthew first waved to the area on the red carpet where people were calling his name, then whispered to Keira Knightley, "Now it's very obvious."
Keira Knightley maintained a graceful, ladylike expression and quietly asked, "What's obvious?"
Matthew walked on the somewhat soft red carpet, saying, "Your chest has clearly gotten bigger. At least two cup sizes. It used to be less than an A, but now it's at least a B."
Keira Knightley maintained her smile and said bitterly, "Matthew Horner! Do you believe I'll hit you?!"
"I don't!" Matthew continued the topic, "Keira, how did you manage something so magical?"
This wasn't the first or second time they had discussed each other's chests; they actually didn't mind the topic, otherwise he wouldn't bring it up so often.
Keira Knightley glanced down at her dress, then squeezed Matthew's hand tightly, but only felt the hardness and roughness of a rock, realizing that her strength was nowhere near enough to hurt Matthew.
She sneered with a smile and said to Matthew, "I've never met anyone as ignorantly foolish as you."
Matthew looked up and saw they were very close to the interview area. He said, "I get it, you secretly had breast augmentation surgery!"
Keira Knightley subtly rolled her eyes and said, "Don't you know there's something called a magic bra?"
Matthew suddenly understood, "So that's it."
Afterward, the two walked into the media interview area together, and the reporters waiting there swarmed them, surrounding them.
Gossip and scandals were popular with the public, and the media naturally loved to report them. This was also the main reason Hollywood habitually used such tactics for publicity.
If they were ordinary, third-rate minor celebrities, the effect might not be as good, but the halo effect of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' with its $140 million budget was significant.
Reporters surrounding Matthew and Keira Knightley were busy taking photos, others were busy asking questions.
"Matthew! Keira!" a reporter in front loudly asked, "Are you two dating?!"
Keira Knightley spoke up proactively and generously said, "I accepted Matthew's pursuit. He is my boyfriend now."
The reporter didn't give up and moved the microphone to Matthew.
The crew had already prepared the relevant statements, and Matthew recited them flawlessly, rephrasing them in his own way, "I really like Keira, and I've been pursuing her. After 'Pirates of the Caribbean' finished filming, Keira went back to England, and I was in Los Angeles. My mind was filled with Keira's image…"
He spoke naturally and sincerely, "I knew I had fallen hopelessly in love with Keira. She is my Elizabeth Swann."
Keira Knightley gazed at Matthew with deep affection. Although she knew these words were fake, hearing them still felt very pleasant.
Women always enjoy the feeling of being pursued by a man.
Matthew's acting wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible either. He handled such occasions with ease, "So, when Keira returned to Los Angeles this year, I started pursuing her madly, and fortunately, I succeeded!"
He turned his head and looked deeply into Keira Knightley's eyes, "I feel like I'm the happiest person in the world right now!"
This passionate declaration, delivered with emotion and expression, was very touching, as if he and Keira Knightley were the most deeply in love couple in the world.
The reporters' cameras never stopped, and video cameras were also running, faithfully recording everything.
This would become interesting gossip for many people, entering their after-dinner conversations.
Matthew put an arm around Keira Knightley's waist, and the two turned to face each other, both with sweet smiles on their faces.
Suddenly, a reporter shouted loudly, "Kiss her! Kiss her!"
Reporters all wanted explosive news, and immediately joined in the chorus, "Kiss her! Matthew, kiss Keira! Hurry up and kiss Keira!"
Matthew readily complied, lowering his head to kiss Keira Knightley on her red lips. Although they hadn't rehearsed it beforehand, as actors, kissing scenes were basic skills. Keira Knightley cooperatively closed her eyes, seemingly enjoying the passionate kiss.
At this moment, their acting skills exploded, almost reaching Oscar level.
Seeing Matthew and Keira Knightley so cooperative, the surrounding reporters frantically snapped pictures as if they were free, each pondering how to write their article for tomorrow.
Such a high-profile "display of affection" could be said to have perfectly achieved its intended goal.
Matthew and Keira Knightley ended their brief kiss and walked hand in hand towards the theater.
Of course, both were clear-headed, knowing this wasn't real, and everything was just an act for the media and the public.
Matthew held Keira Knightley's hand, then turned to look at the reporters still photographing their backs. In this industry, what you see isn't necessarily true.
He vaguely remembered seeing online that celebrities who liked to "flaunt their affection" often fell apart faster.
In fact, it wasn't just fake couples like them who needed to "flaunt their affection" for publicity. Even real celebrity couples whose relationships had broken down, or who were even estranged in private, continued to display affection, didn't they?
In that moment, Matthew drew a lesson: for real celebrity couples to last, it was better to be low-key.
"What are you thinking about?" Keira Knightley noticed Matthew was distracted.
Matthew smiled and deliberately said, "That kiss was so sweet, will I fall in love with you because of it?"
"No," Keira Knightley pouted, "it's my lip gloss that's sweet."
Matthew shook his head, no longer speaking such idle words. Before entering the theater, he looked up at the giant 'Finding Nemo' poster, and the shark's wide-open mouth reminded him of Michael Fassbender.
He used to think Michael Fassbender's smile resembled a certain shark; it turned out to be from this movie.
It was a shame Pixar Animation Studios didn't get Michael Fassbender to voice this vegetarian great white shark.
Rumors were circulating that Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney were at odds, and Walt Disney Chairman Michael Eisner was planning to acquire Pixar Animation Studios.
Matthew speculated that this might be one reason for Disney's financial strain; to acquire Pixar Animation Studios, Disney would have to prepare early.
Thinking about these things, he walked into the theater.