Chapter 346: A Special Kind of Talent
From the initial script development to the informal preparations following "Gone Girl," Murphy and George Martin had plenty of discussions, ensuring that the TV series would continue the core themes of the book series.
The attendees at today's meeting were the heads of all departments of the production team, who needed to understand the project's thematic ideas.
"All our filming and production will revolve around this theme," Murphy stated directly, "There is no absolute justice, only eternal power!"
Kara Faith glanced at Murphy, recognizing that this project would genuinely reflect the world's harsh realities, not just a childish game.
In the script, each character is not simply good and just; they are shaped by their choices and struggles during significant events. They are not portrayed as perfect heroes or sly villains. Perhaps only Ned Stark remains loyal and kind from beginning to end, while others, such as Cersei, Tywin, Tyrion, or Arya, all exhibit complex human traits.
This aspect makes the script truly captivating and distinct from other TV series.
The meeting was mostly Murphy speaking alone, with future detailed discussions planned. The meeting ended quickly, but Murphy did not leave the Fox Tower. Instead, he went to Kara Faith's office with her.
As they passed a large office, Murphy encountered Dave Scolari, a top executive at 20th Century Fox, who no longer bothered to greet him and just scowled as he saw him and Kara Faith enter another office.
"His hair seems to be thinning," Murphy remarked lazily as he pulled out a chair to sit down. "It's almost turning into a bald patch."
"Because I don't want him to have an easy time," Kara Faith pressed the intercom to order two coffees. "As long as he stands in my way, his hair will keep thinning."
The secretary quickly brought the coffee. Murphy thanked her and then mentioned, "I heard that more and more people on the board of 20th Century Fox are dissatisfied with him?"
"Botching a movie with a budget of $150 million is no small matter for any film company. If it weren't for the success of the X-Men series, Dave Scolari would have been fired long ago," Kara Faith replied as she sipped her coffee.
She scoffed, "But there are high hopes within the company for 'X-Men 3: Last Stand,' with over $200 million invested in production. If the film's domestic gross doesn't hit the projected $300 million and the global box office doesn't reach the expected $600 million, he'll be in big trouble."
"Does he think the film can meet these expectations?" Murphy asked.
"Yes," Kara Faith nodded. "As far as I know, Dave Scolari's box office target is $800 million."
Murphy wasn't surprised by Kara Faith's words. Given the previous two films' critical and commercial success, aiming for $800 million with a finale of a trilogy seemed possible, especially if the quality was assured.
With production costs over $200 million, plus the necessary distribution and marketing expenses, the $800 million figure was just enough to break even through box office receipts.
"Too bad," Murphy said, shaking his head before drinking his coffee, "Everyone thinks they are the protagonist of the world, but they are just a speck of dust in history."
Kara Faith laughed, "You've learned quite a bit working on the script with George Martin."
"Indeed," Murphy raised his coffee cup to her. "The old man's experiences and views on life, although now he is a homebody, he's had his fair share of experiences and has a thorough understanding of the world. Many of his perspectives are quite insightful."
George Martin's thoughts are fully reflected in his works, such as the notion that everyone believes they are the protagonist of their own life until they die, yet only history remains constant.
It appears everyone is pursuing their self-worth, but unconsciously, they also drive societal progress. Good and evil, intelligence and foolishness, friends and foes can all be found within the same person. Cunning and honesty can both elevate you and bring you downfall. The same actions can lead to different outcomes, and poor results are often not due to mistakes but to bad luck. Everyone has their strengths and limitations. Life likes to play jokes on everyone, it's not targeting anyone in particular. Persuading someone to join you can involve religious indoctrination, moral persuasion, threats and bribes, or emotional blackmail, using different methods depending on the person. Ideals and honor are not as important as protecting loved ones, and love and fantasy are not as important as reality.
A person is shaped by their era, family, environment, and experiences. All
their choices, while seemingly random, are inevitable, and history is both the past and the future.
Adapt or perish.
Having seen George Martin's adaptations, Murphy felt more impacted by these scripts than by the original books. He was undoubtedly involved in a Hollywood power struggle, some aspects of which resonated with him.
These power struggles are common around the world.
For instance, Murphy is a pragmatist who never bases all his decisions on self-interest.
Interest can unite many, but not all; fear can intimidate many, but not all; honor can inspire a few, sometimes very few, but it's never completely extinct.
In the script, the delicate balance achieved in the game of power is based on interests and fear, not honor, because the world's rules are generally accepted by the majority, which revolve around self-interest, bullying the weak, and knowing when to stop. These are rooted in human nature, which is never without selfishness, jealousy, or narrow-mindedness. Although these traits have antonyms, the antonyms are just tributaries in the grand scheme of things, a truth that has existed since time immemorial.
Of course, some maintain honor, becoming the jest of the victorious and the idols newly sculpted by rulers, not to make everyone learn Buddhism, but to make everyone believe in Buddhism.
"Your dispute with Dave Scolari," Murphy didn't need to be polite with Kara Faith, speaking directly, "is also a game of power."
"Yes," Kara Faith said matter-of-factly. "So, I've always been relentless in pursuing him until he backs down."
"Don't give up," Murphy encouraged. "There's only a thin line between mercy and weakness, and only the victor has the right to talk about mercy."
Kara Faith raised an eyebrow. "Do you think I seem like a merciful person?"
Murphy looked at her seriously for a moment before responding, "Not at all."
So, he had no need to worry about Kara Faith.
They exchanged a few more words before returning to the topic of "Game of Thrones."
"The investors and crew have almost been finalized," Kara Faith acted more like Murphy's logistics officer. "We've been preparing for a long time, but have you thought about the specific actors?"
"I plan to invite Sean Bean to audition for Ned Stark. He's fairly well-known and affordable," Murphy remembered one of the few actors from "Game of Thrones."
"And Lena Headey for Cersei Lannister. She played in 'The Brothers Grimm' this year," he recalled the actress, mainly because Lena Headey also starred as the queen of Leonidas in "300."
Although these two had not yet given a firm response, the feedback from Bill Ross suggested they were likely to audition.
"There are seventeen main characters involved in the first season," Kara Faith frowned. "Other actors are easy to find in Hollywood, but..."
She frowned more deeply. "Tyrion Lannister is tricky."
"Yes," Murphy nodded. "It's not easy to find actors who fit the criteria."
While dwarfs might not be hard to find, talented dwarfs certainly are.
"Use forced perspective shooting?" Kara Faith inquired, "Or find a body double and use CGI for the face?"
"Let's see if we can find the right actor."
The previous Tyrion Lannister, Murphy couldn't recall his name, only knew he later starred in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" and other films, definitely a successful character actor. "I've already asked Bill to search through CAA's channels."
Such unique talent shouldn't be too hard to find.
His direction of "Game of Thrones" would definitely require a major recasting, not only because he couldn't remember most of the actors, but also because of timing.
The young actors and children from those days are probably just kids now, some might not even be born yet.
Not everyone is Sean Bean, whose age isn't an issue and who Murphy, a fan of "The Lord of the Rings," remembers clearly.
"And Daenerys Targaryen?" Murphy finally addressed the almost protagonist-like figure.
Kara Faith was quite concerned, "Do you have someone in mind for the Mother of Dragons?"