From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Regardless, Hollywood is always a circle that values appearances above all else. Just like women have their own constraints, men also have their own difficulties:

Height.

Actors like Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr., and Matt Damon often face many limitations when choosing roles due to their height.

Since his first attempt at acting in 1988, Matt has been repeating the role of a "scholar": shy, introverted, weak, from a poor background but with lofty ambitions.

From "School Ties" to "The Rainmaker" to "The Talented Mr. Ripley," all are like this. In "Good Will Hunting," which he and Ben Affleck wrote, Matt simply played a janitor who is a mathematical genius. Even his deeply rooted role in "Saving Private Ryan" was no exception.

Of course, because he comes from Boston, there is a small group in Hollywood, the "Boston Gang," who share the same spirit and help each other. Thanks to this, Matt and Ben's careers have been developing smoothly. Even if they encounter some setbacks, they can continue to get opportunities without worry.

But in fact, Matt has been thinking about how to break his own stereotype and broaden his acting path, only in this way can he extend his life as an actor.

Today, Matt appears at the entrance of a martial arts gym, the answer is self-evident—

"The Bourne Identity."

Before the series was released, Matt was already a Hollywood A-lister, with box-office hits, Oscar-nominated works, and collaborations with top directors and actors. In addition, he has extensive friendships and solid connections. Without a doubt, Matt has had a very successful career.

Despite this, it wasn't until "The Bourne Identity" that Matt joined the ranks of superstars, proving that he has the ability to carry the box office alone, and most importantly, opened up the situation, got rid of his own label as a weak scholar, proved that he has more possibilities, and allowed him to truly occupy a place at the top of the Hollywood pyramid.

A glance, a few questions and answers, thoughts surging in his mind.

But Anson remained calm on the surface, "As far as I know, there are three martial arts gyms in this area. This one in front of us is 'Ip's Martial Arts Gym'. Is this what you are looking for?"

Matt, "I'm not sure…" He turned to look at Nick.

Nick had already nodded first, "Yes, this is it."

Anson made an inviting gesture, signaling Matt and Nick to go first.

The group of three walked up the steps and came to the second floor, where a spacious space appeared in their sight.

On the right are bright large windows, on the left is a whole wall of mirrors, and in the middle are two wooden dummies. Apart from that, there is nothing else.

Although simple, Matt's eyes lit up when he saw the wooden dummies, "Bruce Lee, hey, Bruce Lee!"

Nick showed a helpless smile and shook his head gently, "Chinese Kung Fu is broad and profound, it's not just Bruce Lee's."

Anson was slightly surprised—

Not to mention now, even ten years later when the internet world is developed and information exchange becomes more and more convenient, the East is always mysterious in the eyes of Westerners, full of unsolvable unknowns, let alone now?

Eastern culture is diverse and rich. They are only opening a small window to peek in, and they cannot distinguish the vivid and fresh details inside at all. Perhaps the only thing they can confirm is the power of Chinese Kung Fu.

It is precisely because of this that the spread of art has become an important channel, allowing people to obtain information from life and explore the corners of the world.

For ordinary people, Chinese Kung Fu is often directly equated with actors. It used to be Bruce Lee, now it is Jackie Chan, and Matt is a typical example.

But I didn't expect that this Nick actually knows some of the tricks.

Could he really be from the FBI?

Nick noticed Anson's scrutinizing gaze and showed a confident smile, "Sorry, I haven't introduced myself yet? Nick Powell, martial arts instructor."

Anson showed a sudden realization, and many things were explained.

Anson lacked understanding of martial arts instructors because they are mostly hidden behind the scenes, have no chance to show their faces, and rarely receive awards. In fact, this Nick Powell is also a figure in Hollywood.

Nick has been active in the industry for nearly twenty years. His most famous works are the "Mummy" series, as well as this year's summer blockbuster "Gladiator" and the second blockbuster "X-Men".

Of course, for Anson, who grew up watching Chinese martial arts movies, the martial arts design of Hollywood action movies really lacks novelty and highlights, including the later highly praised "John Wick" series is also unsatisfactory.

But from another perspective, different markets have different definitions of action movies, and the routines designed by martial arts instructors are naturally different.

After a brief self-introduction, Nick looked at Anson, and a kind of confidence naturally flowed in his eyes, not underestimating Anson, but confidence in his own profession, unconsciously bringing some condescending attitude of examining laymen, "I'm a little surprised, you also have some research on martial arts?"

Anson didn't mind, compared to showing off his power, pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger is more suitable for the current scene.

Anson responded with a smile and said modestly, "A little bit."

On the other side, Matt couldn't hold back.

He stepped forward immediately, circling around the wooden dummy, as if he had seen a time machine, his eyes rolling around, unable to suppress his excitement.

"Can I try it?"

"How do you play this? Is there a routine? Or is it okay to just hit it myself?"

"I saw in the movies, Bruce and Jackie, they did a series of dazzling operations, can that be achieved through practice?"

"Anson, can you do it?"

"Can I try it?"

Blah blah blah, Matt, who looks honest and introverted on the outside, rarely became excited.

Anson was about to remind Matt that there are rules in the martial arts gym, when two figures in cloth shoes appeared with smiles, their eyes narrowed into slits.

"Welcome, welcome to Ip's Martial Arts Gym, how can we help you?"

While saying that, he glanced at Anson.

Anson touched his nose, obediently stood aside, lowered his head, and hid the slightly raised corners of his mouth.

One of the newcomers was tall and the other short, one fat and the other thin. Standing there, because of the contrast in body shape, there was a natural sense of joy. In addition, both of them had kind smiles like Maitreya Buddhas, which made the atmosphere more relaxed, and the corners of their mouths couldn't help but rise.

But listening carefully, the two people's smiling words contained hidden sharpness.

"Those who come to learn martial arts can start with squatting horse stance in the corner."

The one who spoke was Thin Bamboo Pole, while Thick Club reached out and gestured to the corner next to him to cooperate with the explanation. This singing and harmonizing was so tacit, it was a pity not to do crosstalk.

"Those who come to visit friends, there is a waiting area at the door, where there are tea and Tieguanyin."

"If you come to inquire about information…"

Thin Bamboo Pole paused for a moment, his eyes falling on Nick and Matt respectively, politely expressing his inquiry with his eyes, that smile was really too kind.

But the problem is that the smile is too kind, on the contrary… it's too much.

Moreover, Thin Bamboo Pole and Thick Club both cast their gazes at the same time with smiles, staring at Nick and Matt intently, which couldn't help but be a little creepy.

For some reason, one could feel a pressure.

Obviously, there were words within words.

This way of treating guests was really different from what I had imagined.

First update.