Chapter 271: The Pan Jinlian Tavern

The front of the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood was buzzing with excitement, swarming with countless fans donning red hoods, resembling terrorists at first glance as they crowded around the theatre's red carpet. Yet, no one perceived them as a threat, for they were all dressed as Deadpool, the character that had been hyped up recently, known for his thick-skinned and boundary-less weirdness.

Murphy arrived early, walking the red carpet to the interview area in front of the theatre, standing shoulder to shoulder with Robert Downey Jr., ready to face the press.

"Deadpool is always rude, impatient, clumsy, and a bit psychopathic. These traits are in his bones."

When asked about Deadpool's crazy antics, Murphy responded, "So, compared to Deadpool, everyone else seems normal, and he's sort of singled out like a lunatic."

A reporter from Fox News approached, asking, "Murphy, Downey, why did you two decide to make such an R-rated superhero movie?"

Murphy gestured for Robert Downey Jr. to answer first.

"What I see in Hollywood commercial films is that nobody ever dies. Everyone's running through bullets, but it's like the old 'G.I. Joe' TV show, where bullets only hit the ground. So, we decided to showcase Deadpool's special move—his incredible destructive power mixed with the humor of a mercenary. And we had this rare opportunity to make a film that isn't just for kids. There are a lot of violent and raunchy scenes, and they were fun to shoot."

He passed the question to Murphy with a gesture, and the reporters immediately asked, "Why did you choose Downey? We know you didn't audition anyone for the role."

After a moment's thought, Murphy said, "If you understand the character, you'd know why Downey was chosen for the role. He was involved since the scripting phase, and most of Deadpool's lines came from him. So, creating a character that's somewhat like him was almost like writing to his mold. He really embodies Deadpool—his sense of humor aligns perfectly. He's a bit out of place in everyday life, just like Deadpool is in the movie."

With that, Murphy nodded to the reporters and gently patted Robert Downey Jr.'s shoulder, no longer lingering in the interview area and turning towards the entrance of the Chinese Theatre.

Before entering, he looked up once more and shook his head.

To Murphy, the style of the Chinese Theatre was an eclectic mix.

It's a typical example of a structure that blends Eastern and Western architectural elements, with nearly two hundred celebrities' handprints and footprints gathered on the concrete ground in front of the theatre.

However, unlike the stars on the Walk of Fame, leaving a handprint or footprint here is more of a commercial act, relatively easy to achieve.

There's no clear or strict standard for leaving prints at the Chinese Theatre. When some films hold premieres here, the leads often leave handprints, footprints, and even nose prints—not just film creators but also movie props, like the wands of the main cast in the "Harry Potter" series...

Moreover, since entering the new millennium, the number of people leaving prints here has surged, many of which are actions paid for by movie companies or foreign celebrities for promotional purposes.

When "Sin City" premiered here last time, Murphy quickly passed by, but this time he took his time, taking a closer look at this famous Hollywood landmark.

Approaching the theatre's entrance, he first noticed two massive coral-colored columns, each adorned with a wrought iron mask, supporting the copper roof above. Between these columns stood a 9-meter-tall stone sculpture of a Chinese dragon.

Even now, two original stone Tianlu (heavenly guardians) shipped from China still guard the entrance.

Entering the theatre, Murphy exchanged pleasantries with the greeters while looking around. The interior design was dazzling and heavily imbued with Eastern flair.

In the lobby, there was a meticulously crafted wall with murals depicting life in the East—albeit as imagined by the wall's creators...

At the lobby's west end, there was a glass cabinet displaying three wax figures from the Hollywood Wax Museum, dressed in traditional Chinese theater costumes.

"Some production teams come to the Chinese Theatre before deciding on a new filming project," someone approached and pointed at the wax figures in the cabinet, saying, "They touch these wax figures by hand. They believe doing so will bring them good luck."

"Hello, Murphy."

He extended a hand, and Murphy politely shook it, "Hello, Dave."

The newcomer was Dave Skoll, Kara Firth's biggest rival or stumbling block within 20th Century Fox.

"The trial screening feedback for the film has been so positive," Dave Skoll was clearly not just making small talk, "a big hit is inevitable, and the company will have another profitable new franchise. Murphy, how about we collaborate on the next step?"

He didn't mention specific projects, but it was unlikely to be anything led by Kara Firth.

Murphy smiled but said nothing.

"Your 'Deadpool' gave me an idea. I've decided to separate Wolverine from the 'X-Men' series." Dave Skoll also smiled, "It's not a few tens of millions of dollars project, the budget could reach around 150 million dollars. How about another collaboration? This is Wolverine we're talking about!"

"Thank you for the offer." Murphy tactfully declined, "After 'Deadpool,' I plan to take a break."

Dave Skoll pressed on, "Wolverine and I can wait for you."

"No need," Murphy shook his head firmly this time, "Kara and I have plans already, I think I won't have time for the next four to five years."

The atmosphere between them quickly turned frosty. After a while, Dave Skoll nodded ambiguously and said, "Well then, I wish your projects continued success."

Watching him walk away, Murphy shrugged; he had been pulled into a war by Kara Firth.

The familiar sound of high heels approached from behind, and without turning, Murphy said, "He hasn't caused any trouble for our projects, has he?"

"Not openly," Kara Firth joined him, "but he's made plenty of moves behind the scenes, none of which caused me much trouble."

Hearing Kara's response, Murphy knew she had expended a lot of effort in the shadowy battles. The smooth progress of the "Deadpool" project was attributed to his directorial role by almost everyone, but he was aware that Kara Firth's unseen but more significant contributions were crucial.

"What were you two talking about?" Kara Firth stood beside Murphy, casually asking as she noticed Dave Skoll's unhappy departure.

"He invited me to direct a standalone Wolverine movie." Murphy shook his head, "I turned him down."

Kara Firth feigned concern, "You hurt his feelings."

Murphy looked at her, "Did you want me to accept?"

They shared a knowing smile.

Then, Murphy and Kara Firth's conversation turned to the wax figures in the glass cabinet. After Kara's introduction, Murphy learned that the Chinese Theatre's second floor housed a very special establishment with a strong Chinese ambiance.

He even made a point to check it out.

This two-story classical Chinese structure had a huge banner with red background and white Chinese characters reading "Pan Jinlian Tavern," complementing the Chinese Theatre.

The banner's calligraphy Outside the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, the air buzzed with excitement as fans, many donning red masks, gathered around the red carpet. Despite their appearance, reminiscent of terrorists to some, they were instantly recognizable as fans of Deadpool, the character who had become an internet sensation for his thick-skinned and bizarre antics.

Murphy arrived early, walking the red carpet to the interview area alongside Robert Downey Jr., ready to face the press.

"Deadpool is always rude, impatient, and clumsy, with a touch of psychopathy. These traits are ingrained in him," Murphy explained when asked about Deadpool's eccentric behavior. "So, compared to Deadpool, everyone else seems normal, forcing us to categorize him as a sort of lunatic."

A Fox News reporter approached, asking, "Murphy, Downey, why did you decide to make such a bold, R-rated superhero movie?"

Murphy gestured for Downey to take the lead.

"In Hollywood blockbusters, it seems like no one ever really dies. Everyone's shooting, but it's like the old 'G.I. Joe' series, where bullets never hit their targets. So, we wanted to highlight Deadpool's unique abilities — his incredible destructive power combined with a mercenary's sense of humor. And we had a rare opportunity to make a movie that wasn't just for kids. There were a lot of violent and raunchy scenes, which were fun to shoot."

He passed the baton to Murphy, who was then asked why he chose Downey without an audition. Murphy thought for a moment and replied, "If you understand the character, you'll know why Downey was perfect for the role. He joined during the scriptwriting phase, and much of Deadpool's dialogue comes directly from him. So, writing a character that resembles him made sense. He truly embodies Deadpool's humor. He's a bit of an outsider in daily life, much like Deadpool in the movie."

With a nod to the reporters and a pat on Downey's shoulder, Murphy left the interview area, heading towards the entrance of the Chinese Theatre.

As he approached the entrance, Murphy couldn't help but shake his head at the eclectic style of the Chinese Theatre, a mix of Eastern and Western architecture. The theater's forecourt housed handprints and footprints of nearly two hundred movie stars, a commercial endeavor far easier to participate in compared to Hollywood's Walk of Fame. The theater, known for its blend of cultural aesthetics, has become a symbol of Hollywood's fascination with the exotic, drawing filmmakers and stars alike who seek good fortune before embarking on new projects.

Inside, Murphy was greeted by familiar faces, including Dave Scull, a rival within 20th Century Fox. Scull's proposition for Murphy to direct a standalone Wolverine movie, despite a generous budget, was politely declined by Murphy, citing existing commitments and plans with Kara Firth that would occupy him for the next four to five years.

The atmosphere turned tense for a moment until Scull, accepting Murphy's decision, wished him success in his future projects. As Scull departed, Murphy knew he was deeply entangled in the ongoing power struggle within Fox.

Kara Firth joined Murphy, and their conversation quickly moved from the business at hand to the more intriguing aspects of the theater, including the "Pan Jinlian Tavern" on the second floor, a space imbued with a rich Chinese atmosphere. The tavern, named after a famous character from Chinese literature, symbolized the theater's quirky blend of cultures and had been featured in Hollywood films, further blurring the lines between reality and fiction.

As the evening progressed, Murphy and his team prepared for the premiere and the simultaneous early screenings across 2500 theaters. With "Hellboy's" underwhelming performance during its opening weekend and subsequent days, there was a palpable sense of optimism among the "Deadpool" team. A successful night could potentially shift the competitive landscape in their favor, setting the stage for an unprecedented box office performance for an R-rated superhero film.

The night wasn't just about the premiere of "Deadpool"; it was a testament to Murphy's vision, challenging the norms and expectations of superhero cinema, and perhaps, a defining moment in his burgeoning career in Hollywood.

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