"Bob, this is Matthew."
Inside the banquet hall of the Burbank Amanora Hotel, Helen Herman introduced Matthew to a middle-aged man. "Matthew, this is Robert Iger, co-chairman of Walt Disney Pictures."
Matthew quickly extended his right hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Iger."
Robert Iger, utterly unlike his boss Michael Eisner's haughty style, radiated approachability. He shook Matthew's hand with a smile. "Matthew, I envy that physique of yours!"
With that single sentence the distance between them collapsed.
"It hurts to get it that way," Matthew replied, ever the quick study.
Before they'd arrived Helen had briefed him: Robert Iger had clawed his way up from the bottom—no Eisner arrogance. He'd spent years at ABC Television, moving to Disney only after Disney bought ABC. He became Michael Eisner's aide and, after proving himself, was promoted to run Disney's live-action slate.
After a few casual pleasantries Robert Iger still looked mild and refined, his smile as winsome as Mickey Mouse's.
Matthew, seasoned by two years in the spotlight, handled this level of socializing with ease.
Robert Iger suddenly sighed. "Matthew, Disney has two big live-action films slated for next year, and you turned one down. I'm disappointed."
Though he was the one who called the shots at Disney, he stayed modest. "Did we do something wrong?"
"Of course not." Matthew's guard shot up; long experience told him the soft-spoken ones were the real sharks. He smiled. "Sean Daniel gave me my break. I'd already turned him down once."
His voice rang with sincerity, as though loyalty were everything. "Sean came to me in March with dawn of the dead. I couldn't refuse him again. It shoots at month-end and conflicts with king arthur, so I had to pass."
"Understood." Robert Iger gave a slight nod. "I'd have done the same."
His eyes flicked across Matthew's face, judging. He seemed to be telling the truth—news about dawn of the dead was public. He'd stopped to talk because this actor was crucial to Disney's live-action brand.
Calling pirates of the caribbean the flagship of Disney's live-action slate was no exaggeration.
Behind that amiable mask Robert Iger's mind was already calculating. Still wearing that Mickey-bright smile, he said, "Disney's been good to you too, Matthew."
Helen Herman's brow creased. What did that mean? Then it hit her: negotiations over his sequel deal were stalled. Was he trying to bypass her and get to Matthew first?
On any other issue she might worry, but when money was involved… Matthew caught on just as fast, linking the remark to Helen's rocky talks with Disney.
"Absolutely—Disney's helped me tremendously!" Matthew looked grateful. Seconds of chatter had given him the perfect reply. "Disney has two big live-action films next year. Turning down king arthur makes me feel awful. If you need me for the other one, I'm at your beck and call."
Robert Iger glanced at him. "Jerry will be delighted to hear that."
With a smooth shift he pushed the conversation toward Jerry Bruckheimer.
As head of the studio Robert Iger couldn't linger with one person. After a few more words he spotted Johnny Depp. "Depp's here—I'd better say hello."
Watching Iger walk away, Matthew exhaled. Anyone who climbed that high was a fox in human form.
"He actually admires you," Helen Herman said quietly at his side.
Matthew shrugged.