Chapter 129: Mr. Record Breaker

The sun set in the west, casting a few rays of light through the gaps between two buildings, illuminating Murphy as he stood in front of his black Ford sedan. The reflected light from the car window created a strange halo around him, making him look both dazzling and unreal—much like how Tony Guzman viewed Murphy.

Tony and Fox Searchlight had both recognized the market potential of "Saw." They had anticipated a weekend box office average of $10,000 per theater. Meeting this expectation would lead to a wider release, accompanied by appropriate promotion, with the North American box office potentially surpassing $10 million.

However, the final results far exceeded their expectations, nearly doubling the projected figures.

With thirty theaters showing the film, a weekend box office average of $17,000 per theater was astounding. It had been years since a horror film with such a limited release had achieved such success.

Tony Guzman now understood that both he and Fox Searchlight had underestimated this newcomer director and his film.

Successful individuals deserve respect, so when Murphy was ready to leave Fox Searchlight, Tony Guzman personally saw him off.

This had never happened before!

"Murphy, don't forget our promotional plans," Tony Guzman reminded him, then added with a smile, "Let's grab coffee sometime."

"You can call me anytime," Murphy replied, opening the car door.

Just as he got into the car, Tony Guzman walked over and closed the door for him.

Murphy glanced at him through the window, nodded slightly, then started the car and drove onto the road. After driving a short distance, he looked in the rearview mirror and saw Tony Guzman still standing there, seemingly watching him and his car leave.

"This is Hollywood," Murphy said softly.

Tony Guzman perfectly embodied Fox Searchlight's attitude.

Murphy had spent the entire day at Fox Searchlight and had felt the shift in their attitude, much like Tony Guzman's. With the film now in wider release and Fox Searchlight increasing the promotional budget, "Saw" was being shown in hundreds of theaters across North America. Additional prints were being produced and distributed, ensuring further expansion.

A thousand prints spread across several hundred theaters wasn't considered a lot.

However, just before Murphy left, Fox Searchlight received news that as of 4 PM today, "Saw" had grossed about $1.5 million from 1,030 screens in 650 theaters across North America.

On a weekday Monday, achieving over $1,000 per screen was very encouraging.

Everything indicated that "Saw" was progressing steadily.

Since he had to pick up Carey Mulligan, Murphy drove into the Santa Monica Valley. He was running a bit late, and by the time he arrived, Carey Mulligan was already waiting by a large palm tree near the iron gate.

Next to her, Murphy saw another familiar figure.

The Ford car slowly stopped near the palm tree. As soon as Murphy opened the door, Carey Mulligan rushed over, gave him a peck on the cheek, and then hooked her arm around his, looking towards the palm tree, "Honey, look who I ran into today."

Seeing the rare red hair, Murphy recognized Jessica Chastain. He stepped forward and smiled, "Hi, Jess."

"Hi, Murphy," Jessica Chastain greeted him with a smile.

Carey Mulligan whispered in Murphy's ear, "She's joined the acting class now."

Murphy didn't ask about it but instead said, "Do you need a ride? If it's on the way, I can drop you off."

Carey Mulligan's eyebrows furrowed but she didn't speak, trusting that Murphy was just being polite.

"Too much trouble," Jessica Chastain shook her head and declined, "I've already called a cab."

"Yeah," Carey Mulligan quickly added, "Jess called a cab a while ago; it should be here soon."

Murphy nodded, not insisting, "See you, Jess."

"Goodbye, Murphy."

As Carey Mulligan hooked her arm around Murphy and walked to the car, Jessica Chastain bit her lower lip. Was this formerly struggling guy, who once lived in the slums, really about to become famous?

As the black Ford sedan drove away, she couldn't help but feel mixed emotions. A hustler, someone without higher education or formal training, someone who learned everything on his own, was about to succeed?

And what about her? A top student from Juilliard, struggling to make a name, now having to learn acting alongside someone like Carey Mulligan...

The world seemed so unfair. Why did talented people like her always go unappreciated?

Thinking this, Jessica Chastain suddenly laughed self-deprecatingly. Wasn't this how the world worked? She had seen many talented people in Hollywood who never made it big.

"Is opportunity really more important than talent?" She recalled something Murphy had once said.

But how do you find opportunities? Jessica Chastain looked at where the Ford disappeared and felt a new sense of admiration. Murphy's starting point was much lower than hers. At first, he had no opportunities, but he didn't wait in vain or complain about the world's unfairness. He created opportunities for himself.

She had been his assistant and knew about his past and the efforts he made to get to where he was.

From a slum hustler, using some lowly tricks to complete his first film, to becoming a director mentioned in magazines like "Premiere," how long did it take him?

Jessica Chastain recalled the reviews in "Premiere" about "Saw" and Murphy Stanton.

"Judging from 'Saw,' writer-director Murphy Stanton doesn't seem like a newcomer. His skill, meticulousness, and rich imagination are astonishing; his careful plotting and the hidden revelations about human nature and life philosophy behind the gore are remarkable."

"This film may lack big-name actors and dazzling effects, but it breaks free from the clichéd formulas, launching a full-scale attack on the audience's senses, intellect, and emotions. Murphy Stanton has taken horror film artistry to a new level!"

When had "Premiere" ever given such high praise to a new director?

With a heavy heart, Jessica Chastain realized her regret. Leaving Stanton Studio was an incredibly foolish decision.

"You idiot!" She tugged at her shirt in frustration.

If she had another chance, she wouldn't leave Stanton Studio. That way, she would have an impressive resume and wouldn't be struggling as she was now.

But was regret useful now?

"Did you say it's already made $1.5 million today?"

Back at Stanton Studio, Carey Mulligan sat down and counted on her fingers, "The weekend was $510,000, and with today's, 'Saw' has made over $2 million in North America!"

The two employees at the studio had left for the day. Murphy went to the water cooler, poured two glasses of water, handed one to Carey Mulligan, and took a sip from the other, "Dear, it's just $2 million."

Carey Mulligan took a sip of water and leaned close to Murphy, exaggerating her tone, "This sets your box office record!"

"True," Murphy shrugged and said self-deprecatingly, "There will be a new record every day."

Carey Mulligan stood on tiptoes and kissed him, then circled around him, "You should be called Mr. Record Breaker."

Murphy understood the teasing and made a gesture of flicking her forehead. Carey Mulligan quickly covered her forehead and stepped back, pointing at him, "Hey, I'm your girlfriend!"

Murphy retracted his hand, pulled a chair over, and sat down at the desk, gesturing for Carey Mulligan to bring the briefcase, "Grab the briefcase for me."

Pouting, Carey Mulligan fetched the briefcase from the coat rack and handed it to Murphy, muttering, "More work to do?"

"Yes," Murphy nodded, opening the briefcase and taking out a plan, "Fox Searchlight might arrange an interview for the crew, but only after the box office really takes off."

With the current box office numbers, seeking a media interview would be futile.

Hearing about the interview, Carey's eyes lit up. She eagerly asked, "Will I be included? Can I join?"

Murphy nodded, turning to her, "I've discussed it with Fox Searchlight. You'll be included."

"Wow, I knew it," Carey spread her arms and pounced on Murphy, "You're always the best!"

Murphy pinched her cute nose and was about to kiss her forehead when Carey suddenly seemed to collapse, sliding down his body, her innocent doll-like face landing on his abdomen.

There was a sound of knees hitting the floor as Carey knelt in front of Murphy, her face deeply buried as if a starving person had found the most delicious food...

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