The richest actor in Hollywood.

"Why are you here?"

Sitting in Scarlett Johansson's dressing room, Matthew watched as a female makeup artist applied makeup to her. "Don't tell me you're just here for a cameo."

Seeing the makeup artist start to style Scarlett Johansson's red curls, he already had a guess.

Without turning her head, Scarlett Johansson replied, "Have you read Marvel comics? I'm playing Agent Natasha Romanoff in this movie."

Matthew knew who she meant. "Black Widow."

"Yes." Scarlett Johansson looked back at Matthew as the makeup artist went to get something. "Aren't you the producer? You didn't know I joined the cast?"

Matthew propped his chin on one hand. "I'm more of a nominal producer. I rarely handle the crew's specific affairs. I've been busy with other things lately and haven't paid attention here."

Scarlett Johansson continued letting the makeup artist style her hair. "I know. You've been fighting Vin Diesel for the rights to the 'Fast & Furious' series. That bald guy, I've met him a few times. He's quite annoying."

From what she said, Matthew realized that most people in the industry didn't really like Vin Diesel.

"I didn't expect you to be in this cast," he said, steering the conversation back on track.

Did he remember wrong? Wasn't Black Widow supposed to appear from "Iron Man 2" onwards in the Marvel superhero movies? Or was his involvement causing a butterfly effect?

Scarlett Johansson found his comment odd. "Do you think I'm not suitable for the role of Black Widow?"

"No." Matthew couldn't explain his real thoughts, so he made something up. "Aren't you a goddess of indie films? Why are you taking on such a commercial role?"

Scarlett Johansson's tone was a bit strange. "Goddess of indie films? It sounds nice, but it's tough in reality." She spoke directly. "Do you know what my life was like when I was making independent films? When I walked the red carpet, I couldn't even afford to rent dresses, jewelry, and cars. I had to take out bank loans just to live better. Money was always an issue."

Matthew had heard that many actors who gained some fame in the indie film scene didn't actually live well.

"It seems like a lot of fame, but the benefits are limited." Scarlett Johansson seemed a bit helpless. "Who doesn't want a luxurious life? Who doesn't want fancy cars and top-tier luxury goods? After 'Lost in Translation,' I realized that trying to make it in the indie scene without a material foundation was just degrading myself. So I jumped ship and made 'The Island.'"

The makeup artist finished her hair. She stood up and turned to Matthew. "You saw the result. My attempt to transition failed, almost ruining my career. To get the role of Black Widow, I only asked for $200,000 and signed a three-film deal. I hope the film you're investing in succeeds. If it fails..."

Scarlett Johansson walked over to Matthew and stood in front of a large dressing mirror. "I'll move into your estate and refuse to leave."

The makeup artist and two assistants came over with the black form-fitting suit. Matthew didn't shy away and directly invited Scarlett Johansson. "Why not come back with me tonight after your costume shoot?"

"It's time to change, Ms. Johansson," the makeup artist reminded her.

"Mm," Scarlett Johansson replied.

Matthew, being considerate, stood up. "I'll step out and chat with Kevin Feige for a bit."

"No need," Scarlett Johansson casually took off her top and continued undressing. "Stay here and chat. You've seen it all before, one more time doesn't matter."

Matthew didn't mind and sat back down, tilting his head to watch her undress. "You've gained weight, Scarlett."

"I know." Scarlett Johansson removed the last piece of clothing. "I'm working out actively."

She took the special underwear handed by the makeup artist. Two female assistants started spraying her with a liquid that looked like oil, applying it all over her body, especially on her ample chest and hips.

Matthew, curious, asked, "What's this for?"

Scarlett Johansson pointed to the superhero suit the makeup artist was preparing. "That thing is too tight. Normally, you can't put it on without applying this special lubricant."

"No wonder every superhero has such a good figure," Matthew remarked, looking at Black Widow's black form-fitting suit. "Do all superheroes do this?"

Scarlett Johansson shook her head. "I don't know." She asked the makeup artist, "Claudia, is this common?"

Claudia, a seasoned Hollywood makeup artist, answered, "Basically, any actor wearing a tight superhero suit uses this method. Superman and Batman do it too. The lubricant helps with putting on the suit and protects the skin during movement."

Matthew looked at the oil-slicked Scarlett Johansson. "How does it feel?"

"Like a mouse in a vat of butter," Scarlett Johansson seemed pained. "It's greasy and uncomfortable."

The real discomfort came next. Despite being covered in lubricant, putting on the black suit was still tough. The makeup artist and two assistants worked together, struggling to get the suit on her.

The makeup artist carefully wiped off the excess lubricant on the outside of the suit, but the inside had to stay in close contact with her skin.

The suit's tight design made it hard for Scarlett Johansson to breathe.

"Anyone fighting in a tight suit," Scarlett Johansson complained to Matthew, "must be an idiot."

Matthew shrugged, enjoying her discomfort. "My decision to avoid superhero roles is proving to be the right one!"

Scarlett Johansson took about ten minutes to adjust and finally felt a bit more comfortable. She and Matthew then left the dressing room for a small green screen studio to shoot Black Widow's costume poster.

In the studio, Matthew saw Kevin Feige and walked over. "Is Black Widow appearing in this film?"

"You didn't know?" Kevin Feige looked surprised. "I sent the script to your email last month."

"I haven't checked my email in a while," Matthew admitted, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Kevin Feige summarized, "Agent Natasha Romanoff will appear as a SHIELD spy by Tony Stark's side. In the final battle, Tony Stark will deal with Iron Monger while Natasha handles his mercenaries."

Matthew nodded. He didn't say much, knowing that the Marvel team understood the Marvel Universe far better than he did. His knowledge came only from watching Marvel superhero movies, whereas the comics were much more complex.

He wasn't worried about Marvel's efforts on this film. Marvel had more at stake. If "Iron Man" failed at the box office, he'd lose a lot of money, but Marvel would face bankruptcy and struggle to return to film production for years.

In that case, Disney might not even be interested in Marvel Comics.

The success of Marvel's superhero film series all started with the successful launch of "Iron Man."

Unfortunately, DC was still focused on "The Dark Knight," with great enthusiasm for Zack Snyder's adaptation of "Watchmen," but had no plans for a Justice League film yet.

If Marvel's Avengers and DC's Justice League could progress together, a showdown between the two might be interesting.

But Matthew wouldn't be foolish enough to remind Warner Bros. His multi-million dollar investment was already in Marvel, and he had stakes in several future films. For now, his allegiance lay with Marvel. Another strong competitor's emergence wouldn't be good before superhero films completely dominated the screens.

Christopher Nolan was about to create DC's greatest superhero film moment with "The Dark Knight," but he'd also lead the entire DC series into a dark alley.

While trying to forge ahead might carve out a path, as David Heyman and Akiva Goldsman had said, Warner Bros.' executives had a history of interfering with films.

Giving directors and producers too much power wasn't good, but random interference was definitely bad.

Matthew waited until Scarlett Johansson finished shooting the costume poster, then joined Kevin Feige and all the costumed actors for a group photo. Only then did he leave the Hughes Aircraft Company with Scarlett Johansson.

Both were adults and had been together more than once before. Since they were both willing, they naturally planned to spend the night together.

However, back at Horner Manor, Scarlett Johansson left Matthew and went straight into the bathroom. Matthew waited outside for over half an hour before finally barging in. Scarlett Johansson was still scrubbing herself, as if she could never wash off the lubricant.

In the end, Matthew helped her wash thoroughly inside and out.

Despite her slightly short legs, the young Black Widow was otherwise quite impressive. Unfortunately, Scarlett Johansson stayed in Los Angeles for only three days before returning to New York.

Matthew's carefree days also ended as Guillermo del Toro was discharged from the hospital, and the "I Am Legend" crew regrouped for filming.

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