Chapter 349: Final Cut Rights

Before leaving Los Angeles, Murphy received a personal call from Bruce Rosenbloom, the new CEO of Warner Brothers, who wanted to meet him. The location chosen was a seaside club in Santa Monica.

Although Murphy didn't know the specific reason for the meeting, he could guess a bit and did not refuse. The day after receiving the call, he arrived at the club at the agreed time and met Bruce Rosenbloom in one of the reception rooms.

"Hi, Murphy."

As he walked into the reception room, Bruce Rosenbloom greeted him with a radiant smile, "It's been a while. I heard you're working on a big project?"

Murphy shook hands with him, "Hi, Bruce."

The two had met a few times before and had some discussions, so they were not strangers to each other.

A waiter brought red tea and coffee. Murphy casually chose a cup of tea and sat on an elegantly designed rattan chair, leisurely savoring his drink. He knew Bruce Rosenbloom would bring up whatever was on his mind, so there was no rush.

"This is top-grade Darjeeling red tea," Bruce Rosenbloom also picked up his tea cup, "flown in directly from India. I had it specially prepared."

"Oh, then I must taste it." Murphy slowly took a sip. Unfortunately, he was a complete novice when it came to tea and couldn't really judge its quality, but he made a vague compliment anyway, "The flavor is fragrant and rich, very nice."

However, red tea was obviously not the focus today. After a few words, Bruce Rosenbloom set down his tea cup and started discussing matters related to the film industry.

"Murphy, the reason I wanted to meet you today," Bruce Rosenbloom said earnestly, "is because of one thing."

"Go ahead," Murphy said casually.

"Do you remember what I mentioned last time we met?"

Seeing Murphy's puzzled expression, Bruce Rosenbloom reminded him, "About the DC superhero movie adaptation plan you proposed."

He added, "The one that Bruce Berman, who I ousted, completely rejected."

Murphy frowned slightly, "Are you interested?"

"Very much so," Bruce Rosenbloom said without hesitation. "I think it has great feasibility, and it could help Warner Brothers and the DC adaptation films out of their slump."

"To speak frankly," Murphy said directly, "are you sure Warner Brothers and DC Comics internally can accept such a dark and brooding superhero movie adaptation? Your flagship characters are not comparable to Deadpool, and using them in my experimental style will surely meet substantial resistance."

Murphy spread his hands, "An unstable project internally increases the likelihood of failure."

Despite his indirect refusal, Bruce Rosenbloom was not ready to give up.

"I and the Warner Brothers management will fully support you."

Murphy smiled but said nothing.

The DC adaptation film plan he proposed was no longer urgent; he had needed a blockbuster to prove his commercial viability and enhance his status in the industry and his reputation with the media and public. Now, with "Deadpool" and "Gone Girl" achieving huge success, that DC film plan had become irrelevant.

"As times change, so too do the relevancies in films and directors."

Moreover, he couldn't abandon "Game of Thrones," a fantasy series he was currently producing, to start making DC comic adaptations.

Bruce Rosenbloom knew it wouldn't be easy to persuade Murphy, who was not the same as before, "Not only can I assure you of Warner Brothers' full support, but you would also have final cut rights. You can film and produce the DC movie entirely in your dark style."

Gaining final cut rights in a major Hollywood blockbuster was incredibly rare, a privilege few directors could claim.

Just this one condition could attract countless directors.

At this point, Murphy could only decline more tactfully, "Bruce, you must have heard that I'm currently producing a fantasy series. I won't have any availability for a long time."

Bruce Rosenbloom immediately responded, "I can wait for you. DC Comics can wait, and so can Warner Brothers."

It seemed Warner Brothers was placing all their bets on Murphy.

However, Murphy would not take it seriously as Warner Brothers still had the "Harry Potter" series; it wasn't time for desperate measures yet.

"I'm just asking you to consider my offer seriously," Bruce Rosenbloom wouldn't easily give up, "call me anytime if you need anything."

"Let's talk after I finish 'Game of Thrones.' It's too early to discuss this now."

Knowing further discussion might be counterproductive, Bruce Rosenbloom concluded, "Alright, I'll continue to wait."

Murphy left the meeting without giving any concrete answer, as it indeed wasn't the time to think about such matters.

He returned directly to the nearby temporary office of the production crew because today involved auditions for several important roles, making the usually quiet office bustling.

Murphy approached a casting room

 and, ignoring a woman clearly dressed as an agent, quietly asked a staff member at the door, "How are the auditions going?"

"They just started," the staff member indicated the room, "We've just finished with one actor."

Auditions are best uninterrupted, so Murphy stood by, waiting a long time until a young girl came out, then he knocked and entered.

The work wasn't going very smoothly. The character Sansa Stark required a young, beautiful girl with decent acting skills, a combination not easy to find.

"Carry on," Murphy gestured to Seth Rogen, sitting behind the director's monitor, intensely watching the auditioning actors.

Another girl entered, auditioning for the same role of Sansa Stark.

Unfortunately, though pretty, her acting skills were barely passable.

Without needing Murphy to speak up, Seth Rogen simply crossed her name off the list.

After watching two more actresses, none fitting Murphy's requirements, the staff member suddenly entered.

"Director Stanton," he respectfully addressed Murphy, "Mr. Bill Rossis just came by and said he's waiting in your office."

"I understand," Murphy nodded to Seth Rogen, "Keep in charge."

He left the casting room and soon returned to his office, where Bill Rossis was quietly waiting.

"What's up?" Murphy asked.

"It's about the push for the awards season." Bill Rossis opened his briefcase, took out a document, and handed it to Murphy, "This is the latest data. The situation isn't very favorable for 'Gone Girl.' Several senior Academy members have watched the film and think it's fantastic, but the themes it presents aren't to their liking."

Seeing Murphy frown, he added, "But don't worry too much, we still have a chance for nominations."

This matter was primarily handled by Bill Rossis, who had been busy recently with related tasks. He soon bid farewell and left.

After Rossis left, Murphy opened the document. It was a summary of Bill Rossis' recent work, including his investigation with CAA about controlling the narrative for the Oscars.

The data showed that 'Gone Girl' wasn't very popular with the old Academy members.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was comprised of 94% white and 77% male members, with 86% over the age of 50 and an average age of 63, less diverse than a country club.

'Gone Girl' seemed like a love and marriage story, but was essentially a dark thriller about a series of extreme cases leading to murder.

For those who disliked Murphy's style, the film could seem like a distasteful show of skill, lacking in love and sentiment, not aligning with the Academy's tastes.

Fortunately, Murphy wasn't aiming for an Oscar but rather nominations. If 'Gone Girl' could secure a few Oscar nominations, it would be a significant victory.

With this perspective, Murphy kept his expectations realistic. With the support of CAA and willing to invest heavily in public relations, securing one to three Oscar nominations for 'Gone Girl' was quite possible.

Closing the document and placing it in a file box on his desk, Murphy left the office to continue reviewing auditions for Sansa and Arya Stark.

As he locked his office door and walked towards the staircase, passing by other department offices, including the lighting team's office near the bathroom, a girl approached him, waving.

"Hi, Murphy." Her voice was crisp, with a distinct Australian accent.

Facing the blonde girl in front of him, Murphy did not recognize her immediately.

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