Echoes of Hollywood

As a professional entertainment lawyer, Robert's office was located in Century City, not far from the CAA's Death Star Building, making it extremely convenient for Murphy to visit him.

This time, Murphy didn't arrange for Robert to come out; instead, he went directly to his office after getting off the plane.

There were some matters he needed to discuss with Robert in person. Afterward, he would head to New Zealand to join Gal Gadot. Following James Franco and Lily Collins' wedding, the two had decided to go on vacation. Gal Gadot wanted to go skiing. Although it was summer in North America, making skiing impossible, it was the best season for it in New Zealand.

"Our dispute with Jordan Belfort has basically ended..." Robert said as he sat with Murphy in a meeting room. "The Federal Court has dismissed his appeal."

Murphy nodded, not particularly concerned with this issue.

Robert continued, "Walt Disney wants to buy the rights to several films co-owned by Stanton Studios and Miramax Films. Paul Wilson has handed the matter over to me."

This was something Murphy had instructed Paul Wilson to do. "Contact Bill and negotiate with him. Try to get a good price."

Since the Weinstein brothers had completely left Miramax, the company was essentially defunct. The initial films generated limited revenue, so selling the rights held by Stanton Studios to Miramax's parent company, Walt Disney, wasn't out of the question if the price was right.

"Also..." Robert reminded Murphy, "Our contract expires at the end of the year."

Murphy had no intention of changing lawyers. "Get the contract ready, and we'll renew it after I return from vacation."

Robert and his firm had already prepared a contract, which was Murphy's main purpose for coming back. Of course, he wouldn't sign it without going through the necessary review procedures.

After discussing some latest contract matters with CAA, Murphy gave a specific instruction before leaving, "Next week, I want to visit Ross."

Meeting someone like Ross, a high-security prisoner, wasn't easy.

"Okay..." Robert nodded. "I'll arrange it."

Murphy didn't leave immediately but added, "Can you find a list of Catholic priests in the area where I used to live in downtown Los Angeles from the 1980s? Is that possible?"

Robert thought for a moment. "It might be difficult, given the time."

"Try to get it." Murphy pondered and said, "I also need information on the new regional archbishop of the Catholic Church, Father Marcus Costello."

"Oh?" Robert, thinking Murphy might be planning something, cautioned, "Murphy, be careful with anything related to the Catholic Church."

Murphy waved his hand. "You're overthinking it. I just met the archbishop, and he wants to introduce me to the Catholic Church."

Robert wasn't foolish enough to interfere with a client's faith. "Alright, I'll send it to your email as soon as possible."

Leaving Robert's office, Murphy headed to a restaurant near the Fox Building for dinner with Kara Faith.

Three days before James Franco and Lily Collins' wedding, Murphy had given Kara Faith the story outline and character settings for the second part of "City of Chaos." To give "City of Chaos" enough time to ferment and attract more viewers through DVD, online streaming, and TV broadcasts, the sequel wouldn't start filming or be released next year. Like all Hollywood sequels, it would have a one- to two-year interval.

The initial contract with 20th Century Fox was for a trilogy. Even though James Murdoch had replaced the CEO, as long as Kara Faith was there, the offered salary would not be lower than other companies, and Murphy would continue working with 20th Century Fox.

"How should I put it?"

Sitting across from Murphy, Kara Faith said, "If this wasn't your project, I would have outright rejected it!"

Murphy shrugged, eating his steak without responding.

Kara Faith continued, "The ending..."

Although it wasn't a full script, the story outline and character settings were very detailed. Knowing Murphy's production style, it wasn't hard to imagine the film's ending.

She seemed at a loss for words. "It's beyond dark; Chris Dan's fate is too tragic."

Swallowing his food, Murphy took a sip of water before replying, "Don't you think the protagonist's tragic fate better highlights the film's theme and tone?"

"What about Jay Rachel?" Kara Faith asked. "She's a genuinely good character, and you made her turn dark... There's no pure good person in the entire film, including the protagonist."

Murphy thought for a moment. "In the first film's ending, I already hinted that her senator father would put her in a dilemma, but justice might not triumph over family."

Tragic loyalty conflicts, present worldwide, undeniably conflict with human nature.

Margot Robbie's performance made Murphy decide to change Jay Rachel's character, placing her in a struggle between law and family justice.

Kara Faith sighed, "You're planning a tragedy?"

"Exactly." Murphy nodded, not denying it. "You can't deny that most recognized classics are tragedies."

Kara Faith, seemingly full, put down her knife and fork, wiped the salad dressing from her mouth, and said, "Like Shakespeare's four great tragedies?"

"Tragedies evoke stronger resonance." Murphy also put down his utensils.

Kara Faith followed his lead, "Why? Is there a theoretical basis?"

"Tragedies have a long tradition and systematic inheritance," Murphy explained. "Tragedy is a key study in aesthetics, considered the deepest form. Aristotle called tragedy the 'art of arts,' and Schopenhauer viewed it as the pinnacle of art. Tragedy, imbued with philosophical colors, has been present since ancient Greek mythology. Oedipus's tragic fate is a prime example."

"Take Hollywood, for instance," he continued. "If 'Titanic' lacked Jack and Rose's tragedy, it wouldn't have become such a classic."

"I agree."

Kara Faith pondered. "A flawed ending is more memorable than a happy one. Unattained or lost things are regrets that linger."

Murphy laughed. "Exactly."

He redirected the conversation to the film. "I also want to delve deeper into human nature."

"That needs to be measured," Kara Faith cautioned, knowing its dual nature. "Like in 'City of Chaos,' it's enough."

"It should go a bit deeper," Murphy insisted. "The previous film barely featured New York's citizens. This time, I'll include their voices."

He added, "But the main focus remains the hero and villain's duel."

In a way, it mirrored the dual protagonists in "Heat."

Realizing this, Murphy thought Henry Cavill should attend a more professional acting school. His acting was already inferior to James Franco's, and with the character's differences, any imbalance could affect the entire film.

"By the way, Murphy," Kara Faith brought up a key point of their meeting. "You need to change some elements, especially those related to Hong Kong."

"This is just a draft," Murphy understood. "I'll change it to Russia or Venezuela later."

Kara Faith was relieved. "Fox won't abandon the overseas market."

"I know." Murphy nodded.

It was standard practice. No matter the country, films had to pass reviews to be released. This applied globally.

For example, in North America, while MPAA ratings weren't mandatory, every distribution company sought ratings before release. Without it, theaters would refuse to show the film, making box office earnings impossible.

Since Fox was willing to invest and pay Murphy top industry rates, he had to consider the "big scissors" issue. Although his films rarely appeared in that market due to their heavy themes, they never touched the most sensitive nerves.

As a commercial director, Murphy wouldn't act recklessly. He understood that any Hollywood film aiming for that market had to undergo this process, even Disney.

Murphy needed only minor adjustments. Despite the fluctuating review standards, foreign films faced relatively clear criteria.

Mentioning the big scissors left everyone helpless. After being in Hollywood, Murphy realized no country would let audiovisual products with propagandistic potential flow freely.

"If you want the film to have broader acceptance in North America and a better chance during award season..." Kara Faith suggested, "I have a recommendation."

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