After returning to Los Angeles, Matthew took only a day's rest before diving back into filming. The crew was still shooting outdoor scenes around Los Angeles. During his absence, they filmed many scenic shots, scenes not requiring the male lead, and scenes between Charlize Theron and Jason Bateman.
Jason Bateman, a veteran actor, had been a key supporting actor in many films since the early 90s, although he never quite reached leading man status. Hollywood has many such actors, who occasionally headline films that turn into box office disasters but shine as supporting characters.
On his first day back, Matthew joined the crew at a small hill north of Santa Monica Valley, where they had built a temporary shelter from two converted shipping containers to serve as Hancock's home.
In the makeup trailer, Matthew stood before a full-length mirror, inspecting his costume. "Shabby hat, dirty clothes," he noted to the makeup artist, Sarah. "Wearing this in this weather feels greasy without even stepping outside."
"August is almost over," Sarah reassured him, adjusting his costume. "It'll be cooler next month."
Matthew shrugged and stepped out of the trailer, entering the shelter. Inside, one container was set up as Hancock's residence, and the other housed filming equipment.
As he walked in, the director, Peter Berg, was coordinating lighting with the crew. Matthew decided to sit on the sofa on set.
A young actress, already on set, approached him.
"Hello, Matthew," she greeted shyly, her makeup a bit heavy. "Can I get your autograph?"
"Sure," Matthew smiled, always friendly on set. The actress, hiding a pen and notebook behind her back, handed them to him. He began to write: "May the lovely..."
He glanced at the actress, who appeared very young, likely not even twenty, with a sweet, infectious smile. Despite her heavy makeup, she was strikingly beautiful, resembling a doll, with sculpted curves and a perfect figure.
"Nina Dobrev," she introduced herself, scratching her head. "My name is Nina Dobrev."
Matthew nodded and continued writing: "May the lovely Miss Nina Dobrev always have a radiant smile." He signed his name and handed the pen and notebook back.
Nina Dobrev accepted them but seemed reluctant to leave. "Thank you, Matthew," she said.
"You're welcome," Matthew replied warmly. "We're work partners, after all."
"Yes," Nina nodded. "I've read the script. This scene..."
Peter Berg approached, greeted Matthew, and nodded at Nina. "We have a love scene coming up, which we haven't rehearsed," he explained. "Matthew, get acquainted with Nina quickly."
Seeing Matthew nod, he added, "We'll rehearse the blocking before shooting."
Initially, Berg had wanted Matthew and Nina to practice the scene, but Matthew's trip to Geneva had made that impossible. He wasn't worried about Matthew, who had ample experience with such scenes, but Nina was a newcomer, brought into the project through agency connections.
"Have you done this kind of scene before?" Matthew asked.
Nina shook her head. "No, this is my first time."
Matthew thought for a moment. "Just relax during the shoot and follow my lead," he suggested.
"Okay," Nina agreed.
Under Berg's direction, they familiarized themselves with the blocking, and then the shoot began.
"Hancock," Scene 87, Take 1!" the assistant director called, clapping the slate before the camera. "Action!"
Matthew approached a water jug, asking, "Want something to drink?"
Nina, undeterred, wandered around, admiringly. "This place is like Batman's lair," she remarked, then corrected herself, "No, more like Superman's headquarters..."
"Cut!" Berg interrupted, instructing the wardrobe team to adjust Nina's costume, lowering the neckline to make her appear more seductive.
After the adjustment, the scene resumed and was completed in a second take.
Next was the love scene, but given the film's PG-13 rating, it was relatively tame. Matthew had planned to set the tone, but Nina seemed unexpectedly adept, suggesting some real-life experience.
In the scene, Nina pushed Matthew onto a long couch, straddling him.
The script skimmed over the details of this scene, often left to the director's guidance and actors' improvisation. Nina, it seemed, found sudden inspiration.
As she pressed down on Matthew, she cried out, "Let me explode, Superman! Let me explode!"
Playing the superhero, Matthew flipped her over, grabbing her high-heeled foot, reminding, "You need to be careful, I'm very strong!"
Nina pulled at Matthew's arm, urging, "Come on! Now! I want it now!"
Matthew stayed in character, saying, "When I reach that point..."
"That point?" Nina questioned.
"Like reaching the peak," Matthew hinted. "You should stay far away."
Nina, impatient, tried to undress Matthew, saying, "I know, just hurry!" She then pulled him over her.
They pressed together closely...
"Cut!" Berg called, approving the take. Yet Nina didn't immediately separate from Matthew, clinging to him. Matthew, no saint, felt a natural response to the intimate contact with the young, attractive woman.
"Oh..." Nina's eyes widened, suddenly seeming very different from the shy girl who had asked for an autograph. She whispered in his ear, "You really are... strong."
Matthew smiled, "You're not bad yourself."
As makeup artists approached, the two separated to touch up their looks for the next scene.
Berg gave them brief instructions before heading back behind the camera. Seeing the actors ready, he signaled the assistant to start.
Matthew lay on the couch, acting as if he had reached a peak. Above him, the container roof suddenly burst open, metal pieces flying outside.
As the roof continued to break apart, five or six metal panels shot skyward.
"Oh... oh..." Matthew groaned, eyes closed, as if still lost in the moment.
He sat up, looking at Nina, who had been "pushed" aside. She stared at the ceiling in shock, her mouth agape.
"My apologies," Matthew said, gesturing to the ceiling, "This isn't good for anyone."
Breathless, he added, "Thank you for understanding. I know..."
"Cut!" Berg interrupted, reminding Nina to maintain her surprised expression.
He then directed, "Isolate the actress's shots for filming. We'll start in three minutes!"
Nina sat on the couch, composing herself, while Matthew left the set, his part done for the day. He looked at the holes in the container roof, shaking his head.
"This is over the top," he muttered, "By Hancock's logic, Lois Lane would have been toast."
Not just Lois, he mused, remembering a character from a movie he'd seen, whose power seemed equally overwhelming.
As filming wrapped for the day, Matthew headed to the makeup trailer. Nina followed him, catching up as he reached the door.
Matthew entered first, with makeup artist Sarah and her assistant leaving as Nina followed.
Sitting in the makeup chair, Matthew asked, "Need something?"
Nina shut the trailer door and approached, kneeling. "I just wanted to see how strong you really are," she said provocatively.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter]