Chapter 285: The Highest-Grossing R-Rated Film

During the overseas promotional tour, aside from the relatively cold reception from the media in France, the crew was the focal point of entertainment news wherever they went. Countless fans also gathered at the hotels where the crew stayed, hoping to encounter Robert Downey Jr. and Jessica Alba, the leading male and female stars.

The success of "Deadpool" brought immense media attention and fan adoration to both actors.

Although Murphy also gained fame, being a director, he was not as well-known as Robert Downey Jr. and Jessica Alba. Especially Robert Downey Jr., whose career nearly derailed due to drug abuse and legal troubles, not only made a comeback but also reached unprecedented heights.

Compared to the media and fan frenzy surrounding Robert Downey Jr. and Jessica Alba, Murphy received more adulation from within the industry.

Bill Ross, who stayed in Los Angeles, had been receiving numerous invitations from film companies and directors preparing projects since the explosive first weekend box office of "Deadpool". If he had signed all these director contracts, his work for the next decade would be fully booked, including offers for big-budget projects like Sony Columbia and MGM's search for a new James Bond actor and director, and 20th Century Fox's attempt to restart the "Die Hard" series and persuade him to take on the sequel…

These offers were not suitable for immediate decisions. Murphy neither declined nor accepted any, choosing to wait until his return to Los Angeles.

As Murphy and his team left North America and flew to Southeast Asia and Australia, "Deadpool" continued to ravage the global market. By the end of April, the number of countries and regions screening the film had increased to 58, and in the latest week alone, it swept away another $75.28 million globally.

In North America, the summer season finally arrived, and "Deadpool's" three-week reign at the top of the box office was ended by new releases.

The first weekend of the summer season, also "Deadpool's" fifth weekend, saw "Mean Girls," starring popular youth idol Lindsay Lohan and distributed by Paramount, taking the new box office crown in North America with $24.4 million.

However, since "Mean Girls" was a typical girl and teen movie, differing significantly in target audience from "Deadpool," Murphy's film wasn't heavily impacted. The weekend box office decline remained steadily below 50%, earning $14.88 million and placing second at the box office.

Including over $8 million earned on weekdays, "Deadpool" amassed a super bounty of $254 million from North American cinemas in four weeks.

By the time Murphy arrived in Australia, "Deadpool's" global box office was nearing $430 million.

With a production budget of $60 million, the film's box office return, along with over $80 million from merchandise and licensing, meant that 20th Century Fox had already made $500 million from just this one film.

"I told you, Harry!"

In an office at Fox Towers, Kara Faith was triumphant, "Just give Murphy a chance, and he'll give us a miracle!"

"Yes, a miracle!"

20th Century Fox's CEO, Harry Allens, adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, "This is an astonishing miracle!"

Kara Faith laughed, asking, "Did you call me here for something?"

"Yes," Harry Allens nodded, seriously stating, "I've heard many companies are approaching Bill Ross, and it seems Murphy Stanton has other projects in hand. I hope he continues to collaborate with 20th Century Fox."

He looked at Kara Faith, "Not hope, you must secure his new projects."

"I talked to Murphy a few days ago. He's pleased with the company's strong support for 'Deadpool'." Kara Faith wasn't too concerned, "As long as we fully support his company, continuing the collaboration won't be an issue."

"Good," Harry Allens was relieved.

Kara Faith said a few more words, then left. Harry Allens opened a dossier, its top-right corner featuring a photo of Murphy, with a resume and introduction below.

He glanced at a section labeled with an A at the bottom left.

This A signified a clear meaning. After passing the review of 20th Century Fox's Review Committee and with his signature as CEO, Murphy Stanton would henceforth be an A-level cooperative director with 20th Century Fox.

Unless he botched a big-budget film, it would remain so.

As the hot North American summer season began, with blockbusters like "Troy," "The Day After Tomorrow," and "Van Helsing" being released, "Deadpool" faced significant competition. By mid-May, the number of theaters showing it had dropped to 2,000, but the audience didn't abandon the film. The average daily box office in North America was still close to a million dollars.

On May 19th, "Deadpool" earned another $880,000 in North America, bringing its cumulative box office to $282.11 million, surpassing "The Matrix Reloaded's" $281.57 million to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie in North American history!

This record propelled Murphy to the peak of his career, naturally making him the darling of Hollywood.

Media are always quick to favor the prevailing wind, praising those who are thriving. Currently, entertainment media, as if by consensus, praised Murphy, though they didn't go all out, as it was clear that "Deadpool," despite the summer blockbusters' competition, could still fetch a significant daily box office from North America, surpassing "The Matrix Reloaded" was not the film's ultimate achievement.

Moreover, the overseas market remained hot. Although not as frantic as at the start, with the addition of smaller markets to the screening list, "Deadpool's" overseas box office easily crossed the $200 million mark, with the global box office nearing $500 million.

All media were waiting for the right moment to unleash their enthusiasm.

However, "The Hollywood Reporter" published a related review after "Deadpool" surpassed "The Matrix Reloaded."

"Murphy Stanton, Hollywood's rapidly rising new force, a super potential stock!"

"In Hollywood's fertile land, fresh blood is never scarce. However, in today's industry dominated by sequels and remakes, there's a dire need for directors with creativity and personal style to mitigate the weak creative climate. Murphy Stanton's emergence is a boon for Hollywood, but genius is always made, not born."

"For Murphy Stanton, the path to directing has been exceptionally steady. Lay a solid foundation, be prepared, and opportunities will come. In 2000, Murphy Stanton's written and directed 'Hard Candy' achieved a return of tens of times its cost on a shoestring budget, earning him a reputation for making much out of little. His directorial career flourished, creating 'Saw,' 'Planet Terror,' and 'Sin City' – low investment, high return films with a strong personal style."

"During this process, Murphy Stanton learned the tricks of making commercial blockbusters through collaborations with Fox Searchlight and Miramax, while his unique taste and creativity set him apart, laying the groundwork for directing 'Deadpool.'"

"This year, the long-awaited Marvel Comics adaptation 'Deadpool' finally brought Murphy Stanton to prominence, a massive success."

"The edgy, R-rated blockbuster 'Deadpool' became a global sensation upon release, breaking multiple box office records for R-rated films. Murphy Stanton satisfied both comic book fans and mainstream audiences

, with the R-rated setting making the film a hot topic."

"The collaboration between Murphy Stanton and Kara Faith was undoubtedly risky, with a low budget, script changes, and just a two-month shooting schedule among the creative constraints that made the film's production challenging. Yet, these very constraints made 'Deadpool' uniquely appealing. Now, with global earnings and critical acclaim, Murphy Stanton has smoothly paved his path in Hollywood."

Besides "The Hollywood Reporter," more media were eager to jump in, with Murphy's media and PR manager Grace's phone almost exploding. According to Murphy, who heard from Bill Ross, Grace was going through a tough time as her boyfriend had proposed breaking up. The reason was Grace's endless phone calls from journalists, always mentioning one name – Murphy Stanton!

Her boyfriend had had enough, unable to stand hearing journalists' flattering requests to interview Murphy Stanton through the phone.

Fortunately, these issues didn't affect Grace's work, as all interview requests were temporarily put on hold.

After finishing "Deadpool's" overseas promotion, Murphy directly went on a Caribbean vacation with Gal Gadot, who had started her summer holiday. All interviews would wait until after his vacation.

The Caribbean islands were perfect for vacations. Murphy and Gal Gadot visited a private island, accompanied by Robert Downey Jr. and his new girlfriend Susan Levin.

More precisely, Murphy and Gal were following Robert Downey Jr., as the island's owner was his friend Leonardo DiCaprio.

When Murphy arrived, Leonardo DiCaprio, busy with "The Aviator," wasn't on the island. However, receiving news of Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.'s visit, he specially flew over by helicopter.

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