Starting a few years ago, Hollywood noticed the potential of the market across the Pacific. The major studios began to make strategic moves, with Walt Disney investing heavily in building Disneyland, securing a priority entry ticket for its films and other related products.
When "Avatar" emerged, effortlessly becoming the highest-grossing film in that market's history, it became evident to industry insiders that the film market across the Pacific was entering a rapid development phase.
No one wanted to miss out on this feast; all six major Hollywood studios aimed to get a piece of the pie.
James Murdoch's question made Murphy understand his intention immediately.
Additionally, Murphy knew that aside from James Cameron's "Avatar," other films produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox, like "Chaos City," didn't perform well at the box office in the Pacific market, lagging behind movies from Disney and Universal Pictures.
After thinking for a moment, Murphy said, "Well, I do know a bit about that market, but..."
He shook his head. "My style isn't very suitable for the current market conditions there."
"Murphy is right," Kara Faith added. "Whether it's 'Man of Steel' or subsequent films, our Far East branch has conducted surveys. Murphy has a small but very loyal fan base there, but it's too small in number."
James Murdoch nodded, then suddenly said, "Why don't we change our approach and strategy?"
Murphy didn't quite understand his meaning. "What strategy?"
"For example, we could incorporate some elements from the other side into our films appropriately," James Murdoch, who had recently done some on-the-ground research, suggested. "We could use actors from there for less important roles, like Miss Zhang or Jackie Chan."
Kara Faith agreed with this approach. "I think it could work."
Compared to Kara Faith and James Murdoch, Murphy was more familiar with this strategy. After some thought, he said, "I believe this strategy needs the right film and the right roles. If a character is inserted forcibly, it won't be recognized by the audience over there and will also lower the film's reputation, doing more harm than good."
Adding a character just to increase the other side's elements is entirely unsuitable.
Murphy continued, "I've been there a few times and interacted with frontline audiences and film professionals. This approach won't truly attract audiences or increase box office revenue."
James Murdoch frowned slightly, glancing at Murphy and then at Kara Faith. He didn't know Murphy well but knew Kara Faith. Seeing her not objecting, he didn't say anything further.
"How about this?" Kara Faith, who highly trusted Murphy in film matters, suggested, "We could add some appropriate elements and characters to the version of our films released across the Pacific. To avoid these factors affecting the film outside that market, we could cut them out entirely in other regions."
Hearing this, Gal Gadot interjected, "Provide a special edition for that market?"
"Exactly!" Kara Faith nodded. "A special edition."
"This might work occasionally," Murphy acknowledged the pros and cons. "But if done too often, it will inevitably cause resistance from the audience there. Audiences are always sensitive; deliberate pandering often backfires."
Kara Faith understood this too. "This is only a short-term plan. We'll use it in only two to three films."
Murphy nodded and added, "The best approach is to integrate elements from the other side into the right films."
A forced insertion will undoubtedly backfire.
They continued discussing 20th Century Fox's future collaboration plans with film companies over there, including co-productions with Wanda Group.
Indeed, co-productions seem to be the ideal way for Hollywood to collaborate with the other side, provided they don't produce bizarre hybrids like having a Western thief save their world.
Kara Faith had mentioned over the phone that Wanda Group had inserted an actress into their collaboration with 20th Century Fox. This is common in film industries worldwide, but Murphy had previously refused Wanda's request and had no interest in casting her in his films.
If it were a small, insignificant role, Murphy wouldn't mind. The problem was that, according to the agreement between Wanda and 20th Century Fox, using her meant she had to be the film's leading actress or second lead.
Murphy couldn't have a host of big-name actors supporting just one person. Though he had a low bottom line and wasn't a good guy—more like a thief—he had reached a point where he cherished his reputation and wouldn't throw it away for some inexplicable reason.
Thinking about these things, Murphy sighed internally. The film industry over there needs to integrate with the international community for its development, but integration doesn't mean creating monstrosities. Films that are neither here nor there, using all sorts of low tactics to suppress audience criticism, are more than just shameless.
Audiences pay to watch movies and have the right to criticize if they're unsatisfied. The argument "if you can do it better, then you try" is nothing short of laughable.
20th Century Fox's desire to collaborate with Wanda Group was their business. Murphy wouldn't get involved, especially with certain people's insatiable desire to always play the lead.
Nearing midnight, Murphy bid farewell. Kara Faith was also about to leave, so she decided to ride with Murphy.
"James Murdoch has big ambitions," Murphy said as he started the car, heading towards Beverly Hills. "He seems eager to make a mark."
Kara Faith, sitting in the back seat with Gal Gadot, responded, "His goal is to take over the entire News Corporation."
"You guys are rushing things with the Pacific market."
If it were just James Murdoch, Murphy wouldn't care. "Rome wasn't built in a day."
"Disney's performance over there has doubled in recent years," Kara Faith said with a shrug. "It's making people envious."
Gal Gadot chimed in, "But Walt Disney has been laying the groundwork for a long time. Disneyland's advantage isn't something a few films can offset."
They continued discussing this topic but didn't reach any conclusions. Kara Faith, now overseeing both the production and distribution departments at 20th Century Fox, naturally aimed to achieve more.
Her goal was clear: to become the head of 20th Century Fox once James Murdoch took over News Corporation.
The black SUV entered Beverly Hills. Murphy dropped off Kara Faith before heading back to Wave Manor.
Since returning from Tel Aviv, Murphy hadn't had a proper rest. With nothing urgent to attend to the next day, he decided to stay home. Around noon, Bill Rossis called. Oprah Winfrey had already contacted him and CAA with impressive efficiency.
As he had said the previous night, Murphy's stance was clear. He instructed Bill Rossis to find a suitable reason to decline Oprah Winfrey's invitation politely.
Additionally, there were several other interview requests from various media outlets. Since "Chaos City" was no longer the hottest topic, Murphy told Bill Rossis to select one appropriate interview and turn down the rest.
He also asked Bill Rossis to postpone all his work for the next weekend because James Franco and Lily Collins were getting married.
Just like with Robert Downey Jr.'s wedding, James Franco had invited Murphy to be his groomsman. As his close friend, Murphy couldn't refuse and was preparing a necessary groomsman speech.
While Murphy spent the weekend resting at home, Gal Gadot was busy. She would be Lily Collins' bridesmaid, spending her days with Lily and Margot Robbie, who was also a bridesmaid.
On Sunday night, the entire Stanton Party gathered. Even Robert Downey Jr., who was in London for reshoots on "The Avengers," flew back. They rented out an entire luxury nightclub on Hollywood Boulevard to throw James Franco a bachelor party.
The party was a night of revelry. Murphy, Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, James Franco, and Robert Downey Jr., along with Stanton Studio team members Paul Wilson, Philip Rassel, and David Robie, spent nearly two hundred thousand dollars just on drinks.
Even someone as disciplined as Murphy was sent home the next morning, sleeping through the entire day to recover from the hangover.
His head felt like it was about to explode. Since coming to this place, he hadn't drunk so much.
Truthfully, he was in high spirits. He was genuinely happy for James Franco. In a world filled with temptations of fame and fortune, it wasn't easy for the Stanton Party members to stick together.
Their collective efforts and mutual support had paid off. Even Jonah Hill, the least successful of them, was now a top-tier actor in Hollywood.
As Murphy and his friends celebrated James Franco, "Chaos City" was completing its fourth weekend in North America. With its run through weekdays and weekends, the film's North American box office had surpassed $200 million, accumulating $202.35 million.
Globally, the film had also crossed the $400 million mark, reaching $435.67 million.
Amidst the continuous stream of good news, Murphy welcomed the wedding of James Franco and Lily Collins.
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