Chapter 377: Comedy Project

Hearing Murphy's words, Daisy's eyes immediately brightened. Having mailed so many letters without a response, it was inevitable that she felt disappointed not being able to share her thoughts with her idol. Now, having this wonderful opportunity to speak her thoughts to Murphy face-to-face, could there be anything more exhilarating?

"Murphy, I really like your movies," Daisy started, her initial excitement now tempered into a calm, composed demeanor. "Especially the 'Saw' series, I really, really like them."

Murphy couldn't help but glance at her; it was uncommon for a young girl in North America to favor such intense films.

However, he didn't interrupt, letting her continue to see what she had in mind.

As Daisy spoke, her excitement subsided, replaced gradually by a fervor. "After watching the movies, I had a lot of ideas, thinking of ways to make the deaths even more brutal and thrilling. I think these could really help the series."

She spoke without pause, "For example, I read a book about ancient Chinese torture methods. It mentioned a method involving a heated copper pillar used to scorch criminals to death."

Was this really the kind of thoughts a vibrant young girl should have? Murphy looked at her with a hint of astonishment.

Having held these thoughts for too long, expressing them now made Daisy feel like a floodgate had been opened. "Also, you could bury someone in the ground, exposing only above their chest..."

"Daisy!" Murphy couldn't help but interrupt, saying casually, "Your ideas are interesting."

"Really?" Daisy didn't catch the perfunctory tone in Murphy's voice and continued, "If I can help you, I can think of many more interesting ways to kill."

Murphy slightly frowned, this girl seemed not as simple as she appeared. After a moment's thought, he said, "How about this, Daisy. I'm quite busy today. I'll have someone send you an email address for Stanton Studios, and you can email me your ideas."

"Really?" This was beyond Daisy's expectations, her excitement mixed with fervor, "That's great! I'll definitely send you an email."

Murphy nodded, signaling to a staff member following behind, and then left the area.

Daisy received an email address from the staff and watched Murphy's retreating figure, feeling an immense thrill. Could her bizarre ideas finally make it to the big screen?

Thinking of her unique methods of murder, her hands trembled as she held the note.

Daisy, the discussion group leader, was definitely the most memorable person for Murphy that night, but by the next day, he had forgotten about her. There was too much work to do lately, and he couldn't afford to be distracted by something he didn't care much about.

Firstly, the various merchandise for "Game of Thrones" officially started selling in North America, including T-shirts, mugs, figurines, and various other products, appearing in numerous retail markets and online pages across North America. Eager fans of the series quickly opened their wallets, exchanging piles of cash for their favorite merchandise.

Additionally, several manufacturers sought licensing agreements with Stanton Studios and 20th Century Fox, which had jointly set up the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' studio.

From the end of June to mid-July, over a month and a half, various merchandise and North American licenses for "Game of Thrones" brought in nearly $50 million in revenue.

The cost of this revenue was not high, and the profit margins were frighteningly substantial.

Riding on this wave of popularity, in late July, 20th Century Fox, through its channels, officially released the DVD set for season one of "Game of Thrones." In addition to the ten episodes, it included over 60 minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, a preview of parts of the second season, a complete guide to the continent of Westeros, insights into the Night's Watch, and more.

The standard DVD set was priced at $39, while the deluxe Blu-ray set was sold for $99.

Murphy knew well that TV show DVDs couldn't match the sales of blockbuster Hollywood films, but in its first week on the market in North America, it still sold 1.65 million sets, generating $60 million in sales.

This was just one week's sales, not including subsequent sales and DVD rental revenues.

According to 20th Century Fox's conservative estimates, just the North American DVD sales of "Game of Thrones" season one could bring in over $100 million in revenue for the producers.

At the same time, "Game of Thrones" also premiered on 20th Century Fox's newly established Hulu video website. As a series targeting cable subscribers, it was very beneficial for attracting high-end brands, with advertisers such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Chanel, Dior, Microsoft, and Samsung, bringing in tens of millions of dollars in advertising revenue.

By this point, no one

 questioned the money-making capability of "Game of Thrones." Vanity Fair even praised extravagantly, "There probably isn't any other TV series as lucrative for its network as 'Game of Thrones.' Just one season has brought substantial returns and become a global phenomenon. This fantasy epic is Murphy Stanton's beautiful yet extremely successful gamble."

Unnoticed, Murphy's Stanton Studios had already taken a whopping $100 million from the initial revenue sharing of "Game of Thrones."

This not only allowed Stanton Studios to recoup its substantial initial investment and easily repay David Ellison's loan, but it also realized a significant profit.

"Having a lot of funds on hand, other than depreciating, is of no use."

On a yacht off the coast of California, Murphy sat under a sun umbrella on the top deck, telling a few close friends, "So the best way is to invest it as quickly as possible."

"Murphy makes a good point!" David Ellison, who had lent the yacht, chimed in, "The rate of depreciation of the dollar is simply comparable to the speed of the collapse of the World Trade Center."

Jonah Hill, James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Robert Downey Jr. burst into hearty laughter, attracting the attention of women nearby. Kara Faith led Gal Gadot, Megan Ellison, and Susan Downey back to the table under a large sun umbrella nearby.

"Congratulations, Kara!" James Franco was the first to raise his beer can to Kara Faith.

"How does it feel to be the head of the production department?" asked Robert Downey Jr.

"It's definitely very nice," Jonah Hill added.

Seth Rogen shook his head, "But the pressure has also become much greater."

"Stop talking nonsense." Murphy also raised his beer can to Kara Faith, "No matter what, Kara becoming the production head is good news for us all."

David Ellison, no longer the rookie he once was, agreed, "Of course it's good news."

He tentatively asked Kara Faith, "Does your department lack production funds? If so, consider my Sky Movie Foundation."

"I will." Kara Faith nodded seriously.

She and Murphy shared similar views; at this stage, David Ellison was definitely a quality movie investor.

Everyone took a drink together. Gal Gadot suddenly spoke up, "You guys shouldn't be busy congratulating, instead help Kara think about how to solve her current problem."

"What problem?" Robert Downey Jr. asked curiously, "What could possibly stump our strong woman?"

"My first task since taking office, forced down from above," Kara Faith didn't hide it, saying directly, "The box office and critical reception of 'X-Men 3: Last Stand' were far below expectations, and the entire series might face a collapse. I must revitalize this series within the next two to three years."

The poor reception and much lower than expected North American and global box office of 'X-Men 3: Last Stand' was well-known, which was a direct reason why Kara Faith could take over as head of production. But ruining a series was easy, winning back the audience's hearts was very difficult.

The usually talkative Robert Downey Jr. and Jonah Hill simultaneously fell silent, well aware that such a problem was beyond their capabilities.

James Franco casually drank his beer, knowing he couldn't help.

Seth Rogen pondered deeply, thinking about what he would do if he were the director or producer of the series.

David Ellison shook his head; investing he knew, but reviving a critically failing film series was not his area of expertise.

All eyes eventually fell on Murphy, as the most successful film in the 'X-Men' series, in terms of box office and critical reception, was 'Deadpool,' which he had directed.

"For the next 'X-Men' movie, consider overturning the current trilogy," Murphy suggested to Kara Faith. "You'd better bring Bryan Singer back. Don't use the current settings for the new work, focus on Charles and Erik's younger days, and tell some stories from their youth. Involve the mutants in major historical events of the past. Was the Cuban Missile Crisis related to mutants? Was John F. Kennedy assassinated by Magneto? That bullet had a very strange trajectory, which fits Magneto's capabilities..."

Listening to Murphy's extensive ideas, Robert Downey Jr. was the first to nod, "Sounds like a really good idea."

Kara Faith's eyes sparkled with thought, "Indeed, it's very good."

David Ellison also showed interest, "I can provide financial support."

"I'm sorry, David," Kara Faith firmly shook her head, "After 'Deadpool,' 20th Century Fox, in principle, no longer agrees to external funding interfering with its flagship series."

"David, you want to invest?" Murphy suddenly spoke up, "I have a comedy project."

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