Chapter 165: I Dumped You

A dilapidated truck turned off the highway, slowly entering the path leading to the barbecue restaurant. After a bumpy ride, it stopped in front of a prop water faucet outside the restaurant. The door was pushed open from the inside, with Robert Downey Jr. jumping out from the driver's seat first.

Murphy switched lenses, giving Robert Downey Jr. a close-up.

His face bore scars, and his bare arms revealed several tattoos, exuding a tough demeanor.

The passenger door on the other side was also pushed open. Phil Raschel switched to a close-up shot of Kerry Mulligan, dressed similarly to Robert Downey Jr., with a band tied over her short hair and a murderous look on her gloomy doll face.

Whether it was acting or her real emotions at work, only she knew. Yet, it perfectly matched the role's requirements.

She wasn't playing an innocent Little Red Riding Hood or a drug-addicted girl undergoing harsh trials, but a skilled and tough female assassin.

This character, the sister of the male lead played by Robert Downey Jr., wasn't in the original version and was added by Murphy.

Due to budget constraints and runtime limitations, Murphy didn't plan to introduce too many main characters. The plot would revolve around Jessica Chastain, Robert Downey Jr., and Kerry Mulligan, with other key roles being introduced through these three.

For example, Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill's characters as the barbecue restaurant owner and the sheriff, as well as James Franco's role as a doctor, underwent significant changes. Especially Franco's doctor, whose part was expanded considerably and involved in a conflict with the Ray siblings.

Other characters joining the zombie-killing squad were essentially named extras.

Reducing the number of characters not only focused the storyline on a few key individuals, highlighting the actors close to Murphy, but also saved on the cost of scene changes.

From the beginning, Murphy considered budget constraints, as reducing expenses was essential for such a film.

Especially avoiding big-name stars, otherwise, the cost could balloon to a terrifying figure like in previous films.

Among the crew, Murphy's salary was the highest, followed by Robert Downey Jr. and James Franco. Describing Downey Jr. as washed-up was a compliment; his and Franco's salaries were compressed to under $500,000 by Miramax.

This reflected their actual market value.

Murphy made significant changes to the film, also considering cinema market demands.

As for the actual effect, that would depend on the promotion.

The shot was completed smoothly. Since the barbecue restaurant's interior scenes were to be shot back at a warehouse in Venice, Jessica Chastain, who hadn't removed her makeup, joined the shooting again.

Standing on set, Murphy specifically instructed the three actors on their movements, adding, "Downey, Jessica, you need to spark, don't be as dry as during rehearsals."

Jessica Chastain and Robert Downey Jr. both nodded.

Murphy turned to look at Kerry Mulligan, who was unusually quiet on set and spoke very little.

"Kerry," he said, "your character will have a conflict with Jessica's character. Make sure it erupts before getting on the truck."

Kerry Mulligan just glanced at Murphy without any response.

Frowning, Murphy didn't say more and walked away to a camera set up on tracks, waiting for the crew to finish the final preparations.

"Is she still not talking to you?" Seth Rogen, who had no scenes at the moment, came over. "What's going on between you two?"

Murphy shook his head, remaining silent.

"She's being too stubborn, right?" Rogen looked at Kerry Mulligan, "It won't affect the work, will it?"

In fact, he, Jonah Hill, and James Franco didn't really like the seemingly innocent but internally rebellious and stubborn British girl. However, out of respect for their friendship with Murphy, they never showed it.

"It shouldn't," Murphy patted Rogen's shoulder, "Go do your thing."

Murphy could discern whether someone had good or bad intentions and saw that Rogen was voicing his concerns for him.

However, Murphy wasn't worried. If Kerry Mulligan had chosen the path of an actor, she would surely know when to do what and have the basic professional ethic.

After preparations were complete, Murphy called "action," and Robert Downey Jr., Jessica Chastain, and Kerry Mulligan walked towards the truck.

Out of camera view, an experienced sound assistant held a boom microphone over them, following along.

"Are you planning to leave without saying goodbye?" Jessica Chastain grabbed Robert Downey Jr.'s arm, "Where are you going?"

Downey Jr. turned around, locking eyes with Chastain, "You know what I do. I can't stay in one place for too long. Following me is useless..."

"I came to tell you!" Chastain's lips curved into a smile, "I was the one who left last time. I dumped you!"

Downey Jr. was momentarily stunned.

Chastain walked to the edge of the truck, turning back, "Now, I want you to give me a ride!"

"In your dreams!" A slightly gloomy voice responded, "I'm not letting an annoying woman like you on the truck!"

Kerry Mulligan walked up quickly, pushing Jessica Chastain hard.

According to the planned movement, Chastain was supposed to fall onto the grass beside the truck. Although the grass wasn't thick, it would prevent injury.

But things didn't go as planned. The angle from which Mulligan pushed her wasn't towards the grass but towards the truck, with considerable force.

Chastain, unprepared, was pushed hard by those pale hands, stumbling back two steps, and directly hitting the truck's door handle with her shoulder. The protruding old truck handle made a painful contact with her pale shoulder.

"Ah..."

Severe pain emanated from her shoulder, and Chastain couldn't help but cry out, crouching down with her hand on her shoulder.

Mulligan felt a strange satisfaction seeing Chastain in pain.

Downey Jr. had already run over, not because he sensed something wrong, but still in character. It wasn't until he prepared to help Chastain up that he saw the bruising on her shoulder.

"Doctor!" Downey Jr. immediately called out to Murphy, "We need a doctor here!"

Murphy stopped the shoot and had Paul Wilson call over the on-set doctor, hurrying over himself.

Crouching down, he saw that although Chastain's shoulder wasn't bleeding, the bruising was evident, and sweat beads rolled down her forehead, indicating severe pain.

"Shit!" Murphy cursed softly, shouting, "Is the doctor here yet?"

The crew's other heads came over, and the doctor, carrying a medical kit, jogged through the crowd to crouch in front of Chastain.

"Non-essential personnel, please clear the area," he announced loudly.

Murphy gestured for others to back away. Turning, he saw Kerry Mulligan leaning against the truck, arms crossed, as if the incident had nothing to do with her.

"It's okay," the doctor spoke, "It's just a superficial injury, no bone damage."

"Thank you..." Chastain's voice was very low.

She turned her head, first glancing at Mulligan by the truck, then at Murphy beside her, crying out in pain again.

"Paul," Murphy called his assistant director, "arrange for a car to take Ms. Chastain to the nearest hospital for a check-up. Inform Erica."

He walked to the truck door, where Chastain had hit the handle, noticing it was slightly bent.

Perhaps Murphy hadn't noticed during the shoot, but it was now evident this wasn't the planned movement.

Scenes with potential injury risks were usually strictly controlled in any production, including Murphy's. He wouldn't allow actors to crash into metal parts of a truck. Besides, any injury delay could be frustrating.

Murphy glanced at Mulligan but didn't act immediately.

A spacious van soon arrived, and Chastain, with the doctor's assistance, got into the vehicle. Murphy spoke a few words to the production manager responsible for the crew's logistics, who also boarded the van. The vehicle left the path for the nearest hospital.

Many crew members, seasoned in Hollywood's intricacies, had seen their share of set dramas. Some quick thinkers already cast speculative glances at Mulligan.

However, no one was foolish enough to speak up. Although never openly acknowledged, it was clear to discerning eyes that the actress was the director's girlfriend.

"Paul, that's it for today's shooting," Murphy instructed his assistant director, "You're in charge now."

After speaking, he headed towards the truck's front. Passing by Mulligan, he coldly said, "Come with me, we need to talk."

He walked towards the bridge, pausing midway to find no one following. Turning back, he saw Mulligan heading towards her makeup trailer, treating Murphy as if he were air.

Murphy turned around, watching Mulligan enter the makeup trailer, then decided to follow.

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