Chapter 261: Uncle Cage and Superman

"Downey, you have the freedom to guide the performance."

After whispering a few words to Robert Downey Jr. and Jessica Alba, Murphy asked Jessica Alba to return first and then specifically reminded Robert Downey Jr., "You're responsible for driving Jessica's emotions."

Robert Downey Jr. nodded. "I understand."

Murphy waved him off, and Robert Downey Jr. returned to the bar to rehearse with Jessica Alba a few times.

Although acting is a very subjective thing, it's relatively easy to spot significant differences. Jessica Alba was highly praised for her last film, much due to her character's design, but in this film, Vanessa, while a copycat in the comics, doesn't show any mutant elements in the movie and is just a standard "flower vase."

Despite the relative ease of playing a "flower vase," Jessica Alba still struggled a bit in scenes that required a burst of acting.

For this scene that Murphy spontaneously added, it was crucial for Robert Downey Jr., who played opposite her, to lead effectively.

The shooting quickly resumed. Robert Downey Jr.'s character, Wade Wilson, generously offers drinks to everyone in the bar, catching the attention of Vanessa, who makes a living by selling her body. Jessica Alba, as before, then turns to face Robert Downey Jr.

"What do you do?" she asked. "Are you a mercenary like them?"

"No, I'm not a mercenary." Robert Downey Jr. shook his head. "I do research work."

Jessica Alba's face showed a hint of surprise, somewhat exaggerated. Under other circumstances, Murphy would have called cut, but the exaggerated expression, used on a prostitute trying to entice a customer, was fitting.

She covered her mouth, feigning shock. "Research work? Where?"

Robert Downey Jr. shrugged. "Psychiatric hospital."

"Uh..." Jessica Alba looked surprised by his response. After a pause, she asked, "What can you research there?"

"Being researched," Robert Downey Jr. answered.

The rest of the shooting went smoothly. Using two more days, Murphy completed all the bar scenes. The crew then returned to the Fox Studios to shoot the interior scenes on a newly constructed set.

The shooting continued to be filled with joy. Besides Robert Downey Jr., including Lily Collins and Krakow, all became masters of witty banter, using various quips to drive the film's joyful atmosphere.

Aside from shooting, Murphy also had to manage other work. The site for the climax scenes was still being set up. Since Fox Studios didn't have a large enough open space, he had previously selected an abandoned factory some distance from Sydney, planning some renovations before using it as the final shooting location.

Due to thorough preliminary preparations and Robert Downey Jr.'s excellent condition, the shooting progressed unusually smoothly, even slightly ahead of schedule. Originally, Murphy had planned to complete the shooting in two months, but now there was a good chance of finishing early.

"As long as Downey's condition is guaranteed,"

In the studio's cafeteria, while enjoying his lunch of beef stew with potatoes, Murphy discussed work with Cara Fes opposite him. "I'll complete the shooting within fifty days. By Christmas, we can return to Los Angeles to start post-production."

Cara Fes nodded. "That gives us four months for post-production, plenty of time."

"By the end of March at the latest, I can finish this film," Murphy confidently stated, not worried about these issues. "Cara, you need to push 20th Century Fox more on the marketing side. This film relies heavily on promotional interaction."

In the current state of the film industry, no film can sell well without marketing.

"Don't worry about that," Cara Fes took a sip from her cup. "I'm even more eager to see the film succeed."

She put down her cup and picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, asking, "When is the car you sent for Gal arriving?"

"I called just before lunch," Murphy checked his watch. "Gal has already been picked up and is heading to the hotel to adjust to the time difference."

Gal Gadot had flown to Australia over the weekend, but Murphy's shooting didn't stop, and the crew didn't take a break. Due to work, he had sent a car to the airport, and by the time work ended, Gal Gadot had already landed and been picked up.

Cara Fes suddenly said, "Gal is a good girl."

"Yes, she's very good," Murphy wholeheartedly agreed. "Independent, cheerful, generous, beautiful..."

He spread his hands. "She has so many virtues, I can't find enough adjectives to describe them."

Of course, Gal Gadot had her quirks, but like him, everyone has flaws. There's no such thing as a perfect person in this world.

Murphy put down his cutlery, wiped his mouth, and was about to say something when he suddenly saw a distinctive-looking person walking by, but his destination wasn't here. He was just passing by with a tray and then headed to a corner.

This was a superstar, a former member of Hollywood's $20 million club.

"Nicolas Cage..."

Seeing him, Murphy thought of the thrilling action blockbusters of the '90s and asked, "Is he also at Fox Studios? What film is he shooting?"

The studio is a significant overseas shooting base for Hollywood, frequented by stars.

"Don't you know?" Cara Fes seemed surprised.

Murphy shook his head. "I've been busy with our project recently and haven't kept up with other industry news."

Cara Fes reminded him, "Warner Brothers' 'Superman Returns' project that's still in preparation."

The project had encountered many troubles during its preparation phase, and it was said that shooting might not even start until early next year.

"Oh? Who's he playing?" Murphy became interested, recalling Nicolas Cage's receding hairline over time and guessed, "Lex Luthor?"

Nicolas Cage's unique appearance and intense acting style would make him a suitable fit for the role of the madman, certainly better than some of the previous choices.

"Not Lex Luthor," Cara Fes shook her head, then revealed a surprising answer. "Nicolas Cage is Warner Brothers' choice for Superman."

"What?" Few news items could surprise Murphy this much. He couldn't help but glance over at Nicolas Cage again. "He's playing Superman?"

It was hard to imagine that picture.

Cara Fes shook her head. "Who knows what Warner Brothers and Bryan Singer were thinking."

Murphy tried to recall. He remembered that many big-name stars had auditioned for "Superman Returns" but didn't remember anything about Nicolas Cage. Many famous actors ultimately rejected the role, clearly aware of the disadvantages of playing Superman. It likely ended up going to a relatively unknown actor.

Superman, more than any other superhero, can fix an actor's image, which could be irreversibly damaging for actors whose careers are on the rise.

However, Nicolas Cage, although not yet the king of bad movies, had few better options.

But Cage as Superman... Just the thought gave Murphy goosebumps.

But thinking back, this project had encountered so many obstacles in its preliminary stages that Nicolas Cage might not end up playing Superman after all.

According to Cara Fes, Bruce Berman had been interfering with the project, and before Bryan Singer took over, just the expenses on changing scripts and directors had nearly reached $50 million.

If the project succeeded, it would be one thing, but if it failed, it would be hard to find someone to take the blame for such a massive investment. And such a large sum of money wasn't something just any scapegoat could shoulder.

After lunch, Murphy and Cara Fes left the cafeteria and headed straight back to the main "Deadpool" shooting stage.

As Murphy entered the stage, he saw Seth Rogen and Robert Downey Jr. chatting with a girl near the entrance. Although she was facing away from him, her slender and tall figure, along with her long, straight legs, made it easy for him to recognize her.

The moment Murphy spotted Gal Gadot, as if by some telepathic connection, she suddenly turned around, her gaze immediately locking onto Murphy.

Their eyes met in the air, and a wave of warmth flowed from their hearts, both showing excitement and thrill.

Even though they called each other at least twice a day, Murphy and Gal Gadot had been apart for nearly a month. For lovers in the heat of romance, this length of time brought more than endless longing.

Murphy quickened his steps, walked up to Gal Gadot, and raised a hand to gently touch her delicate face, which showed signs of fatigue from the long flight.

"Why didn't you go to the hotel?" Murphy's words carried a hint of reproach. "Didn't we agree you'd adjust to the jet lag first?"

Gal Gadot smiled and rubbed her cheek against Murphy's palm. "I missed you."

That sentence surpassed all explanations.

Next to them, Robert Downey Jr. stood with his arms crossed, seemingly waiting to see some drama unfold. Seth Rogen tugged at him, and Downey reluctantly walked away with him.

"I'll bet you 100 dollars," Downey Jr. couldn't stop chattering, "that Murphy will either go back to the hotel with Gal or find a trailer to spend some alone time with her right away."

He didn't believe the two could resist each other.

After spending so much time with these unreliable friends, even Seth Rogen got infected by their antics and immediately responded, "Alright, I'll take that bet. I think Murphy will continue working and only leave with Gal after work is done."

The entire crew was watching Murphy, the director.

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