The richest actor in Hollywood.

At Warner Bros. Studios, not far from Stage 11 where "300 Spartans" was being filmed, a new crew had moved into another soundstage last month. However, there were few people in the crew at the moment, as the project seemed to have just started and had not yet entered the real planning stage. Filming would certainly begin much later.

As the new week began, Murphy arrived at the small training soundstage where the "300 Spartans" crew was located. After changing clothes and entering the training area, he heard people talking about seeing the big star Will Smith at Warner Bros. Studios.

Murphy knew, of course, that if you walked another hundred meters from this soundstage, you would see the soundstage where the "I Am Legend" crew was located.

Will Smith had come over early, presumably for a screen test for the male lead in "I Am Legend."

As he walked to the weapon rack and picked up his usual Spartan short sword, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender came over.

These two guys were still wearing T-shirts that said "I Died in the Battle of Thermopylae," but compared to before, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender had become much more muscular. After two months of professional training, the muscle contours on both of them were quite pronounced.

"Murphy," Michael Fassbender said, also picking up a prop short sword and lowering his voice with concern, "Is Will Smith here to compete for your role?"

James McAvoy raised an eyebrow and said, "I've been looking around Warner Bros. Studios these days. The facilities here are old, with no surveillance cameras. We have weapons ready on our side. Do you want me to find a mask and go out..."

"Don't do anything reckless!" Murphy quickly interrupted James McAvoy, emphasizing, "This is Will Smith! Not some insignificant training officer from back then!"

He knew that James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, like him, were bold and ruthless; otherwise, they wouldn't have led and planned those things back then.

Murphy added, "Don't worry, this is just the crew putting pressure on Helen and me to lower our terms."

Using similar tactics in negotiations was common not just in Hollywood but throughout the business world. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender quickly understood this.

Although he said this, before training, Murphy called Bella Anderson over and asked her to keep an eye on the "I Am Legend" crew.

After two months of basic fitness training, all the actors playing Spartan warriors began basic swordsmanship and action training.

Filming an epic war movie filled with action scenes was widely recognized in the acting community as much more difficult than performing in a literary film. Even with stunt doubles, many action shots required the actors to perform themselves, necessitating extensive pre-filming training and rehearsals.

Even someone as naturally talented as Murphy found this more time-consuming and labor-intensive than filming a literary film and studying a character in a room.

"Wait a minute, Murphy," the action director called out, stopping Murphy's training and walking over. "This move is wrong."

He took the prop spear from Murphy's hand, demonstrating the move while saying, "You're throwing the spear at mid-to-short range enemies. Don't throw it like a javelin into the sky; it should be a flat throw."

Murphy nodded, "Got it."

The training would certainly include many modern elements and more visually appealing actions, as this was a movie.

After an hour of training, the action director gathered all the Spartan warriors, including Murphy, to practice the Spartan phalanx. Although there weren't as many actors as the 300 Spartans, only about thirty actors were involved, with more Spartans added post-filming through computer technology. It was not easy for thirty people to maintain a neat and uniform formation like an army rather than a scattered group, requiring extensive training.

At ten in the morning, training paused for a break. As Murphy walked to the rest area, Bella Anderson came over.

"Will Smith left Warner Bros. Studios fifteen minutes ago," Bella Anderson said softly to Murphy. "The director of 'I Am Legend,' Francis Lawrence, walked him out to the studio gate."

Murphy nodded, "Got it."

Bella Anderson added, "I heard from a maintenance worker at the studio that Francis Lawrence and Will Smith, while passing by, talked about definitely supporting Will Smith for the male lead."

"Mm." Murphy was silent for a while, then instructed, "Bella, keep monitoring the 'I Am Legend' crew."

"I understand," Bella Anderson nodded slightly.

"The fact that Akiva Goldsman and the crew scheduled Will Smith's audition today," Murphy shook his head, "is to pressure me to make more concessions."

Bella Anderson also saw this, "This afternoon is Helen's new round of negotiations with the crew. Their goal is clear."

Previously, she had wondered why Will Smith was cooperating with Akiva Goldsman and the "I Am Legend" crew. Now it was evident that Will Smith intended to secure this lead role.

"When is Helen coming?" Murphy asked.

"Around noon," Bella Anderson checked her phone, "I contacted her half an hour ago. She said she would come over after finding out the details."

Training resumed quickly, and Murphy temporarily put aside thoughts of Will Smith's audition to focus on training. He and several stunt performers needed to practice their action scenes. Without full concentration, with his strength and speed, it would be easy to injure someone.

When training ended at noon, and before lunch began, Murphy met with Helen Herman.

"Will Smith had a makeup-free screen test..."

In a restaurant outside Warner Bros. Studios, Helen Herman said to Murphy, who was having lunch, "The person in charge of the audition was director Francis Lawrence. Participants included Akiva Goldsman, David Heyman, and a photographer. I couldn't find out the specifics."

She clasped her hands on the table, "However, after the screen test, Francis Lawrence strongly recommended to Akiva Goldsman that they cast Will Smith as the lead! Moreover..."

Murphy looked up at her, and Helen Herman sighed, "Francis Lawrence's presence is a huge problem for us. From the managers of the Black Eyed Peas and Avril Lavigne, I learned that Francis Lawrence is a true leftist, very sympathetic to Black people, and currently close to an actress named Paula Patton. You could say he has a 'black heart' beneath his white skin."

Murphy wasn't too surprised by Helen Herman's words. He had seen many white people in the industry who genuinely supported and liked Black people.

Without their genuine support, Hollywood's political correctness wouldn't have evolved as it has.

Murphy felt a bit of a headache. Even across the USA, Will Smith was a top Black actor.

Helen Herman continued, "I spent some time in CAA's mailroom. These past few days, I used connections to find out that supporting Will Smith for 'I Am Legend' was a deal between Francis Lawrence and CAA. CAA's top agent Kevin Huvane also promised Francis Lawrence that they would support Paula Patton for the female supporting role in the script."

"What?" Murphy frowned, "I also wanted that role."

Helen Herman had heard Murphy mention his plans a few days ago and immediately reminded him, "It's better to secure the male lead first before pushing your plan."

Murphy put down his knife and fork, "A director has a lot of influence over the crew. Helen, should we be more cautious to avoid capsizing?"

"Yes," Helen Herman nodded solemnly, "Francis Lawrence is clearly siding with Will Smith and wants his rumored girlfriend to play the supporting role. Even if we successfully sign with the crew, it's not good for you."

Murphy scratched his eyebrow, "A director can do a lot of things." He wasn't a novice actor and had plenty of filming experience. "If Francis Lawrence wants to target me on set, it would be very easy."

Compared to actors without any production rights, directors naturally have an advantage.

Murphy tapped his fingers lightly on the table, thinking for a while, then asked, "Helen, I need to get this role and also get credited as a producer."

The best solution was to kick Francis Lawrence out directly, but in a project like this, it was very difficult, if not impossible, for an actor to oust a director.

But if he could be credited as a producer, it would give him a solid upper hand over Francis Lawrence.

Of course, if the opportunity arose, his first choice would still be to get rid of Francis Lawrence.

Murphy shared his thoughts with Helen Herman, and she agreed.

In another restaurant near Warner Bros. Studios, Akiva Goldsman and Francis Lawrence were sitting at a table enjoying lunch.

"I think Will Smith is more suitable for this project than Murphy Horner," Francis Lawrence said proactively. "Will Smith has always been very popular among white audiences and naturally has an advantage among minority audiences, which Murphy Horner can't match."

Akiva Goldsman remained silent, deep in thought.

Francis Lawrence continued, "In terms of acting, Will Smith is far superior to Murphy Horner. This is a one-man show. I highly doubt Murphy Horner's acting skills. With his past style of acting cool and handsome in films, can he really carry such a film?"

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