Chapter 286: End of Theatrical Run

A white yacht is anchored on the calm, mirror-like sea surface, with laughter and cheerful voices drifting from the top deck. Three men in oversized swim trunks are sitting around a small round table by the railing, deep in conversation. Far from them, at the rear deck, three parallel beach chairs each host a beautiful and sexy woman lounging on them.

"What are they talking about?" Susan Levin curiously looks over, "They seem so happy."

Gisele Bündchen, lying on the middle beach chair with sunglasses on, replies, "What else could they be talking about besides movies and women?"

After spending a few days together, the three women have become familiar with each other and speak without much reservation.

On the other side, Gal Gadot is sitting on a beach chair, tying her long hair up, and hearing Gisele's comment, she adds, "Isn't that just how Hollywood men are?"

The three women nod in agreement, affirming that movies and women are evergreen topics among Hollywood's men.

"Downey, you actually wore my face on your face in the end!"

At the table, Leonardo DiCaprio seems to be settling scores with Robert Downey Jr., "If you had told me beforehand, I would never have allowed it."

"Hey, hey, Leo..." Robert Downey Jr. spreads his hands in defense, "I didn't use Leonardo DiCaprio; get it right, it was Jack Dawson. Even if it's infringement, it's 20th Century Fox's copyright you should be worried about, not yours."

With his talkative nature, Downey can't stop himself, "Besides, this was an opportunity for you to be seen. Think about it, appearing in a blockbuster that's about to cross $300 million in North America and nearly $500 million worldwide. You should be thanking me!"

"Just die!" Leonardo gives him the finger, "Next time, I'll use your photo as toilet paper in a movie!"

Robert Downey Jr. raises his hands, "No objections here."

He then whispers to Leonardo, loud enough for Murphy to hear, "Leo, are you constipated?"

Murphy can't help but laugh, and Leonardo points at Downey, helpless against his mouth.

"Let's drink," Murphy suggests, raising his glass.

Robert Downey Jr. and Leonardo DiCaprio also raise their glasses, finishing off the remaining beer.

"Is 'The Aviator' finished?" Murphy shifts the topic to movies, "When will it be released?"

"We're doing the final edits," Leonardo says, "It'll be released in December."

Murphy nods, "Aiming for the Oscars?"

"Yes." Leonardo doesn't deny, "My target is Best Actor."

Robert Downey Jr. suddenly chimes in, "Aside from the Oscar for Best Actor and blondes with long legs, Leo has no other pursuits."

Leonardo ignores him to avoid more barbs and tells Murphy, "Your production style is very interesting, the strong dark tone is very distinctive."

"I worry I wouldn't know how to make films without a dark tone," Murphy self-deprecates before casually suggesting, "If you're interested, we could collaborate in the future."

"Collaborate?" Leonardo considers, "Do you have a plan?"

Murphy was just making conversation and didn't expect Leonardo to take it seriously. After some thought, he says, "A very dark, oppressive crime film about New York. Just a preliminary idea, the specifics..."

He shakes his head, "I haven't thought it through."

"What about the tone?" Leonardo presses.

Murphy realizes the success of "Deadpool" has not only brought box office and reputation but also an invisible halo.

After a few seconds of thought, guessing Leonardo DiCaprio's intentions, Murphy understands the mindset of someone who has maintained superstar status for over a decade, not just because of agent and studio support but also a sharp mind.

For an actor, maintaining good relationships with big-name directors is crucial, like Leonardo's relationships with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg. A vast network of relationships is more beneficial for actors than directors.

Now, as a director praised by the media with successful films under his belt, it's natural to pique the interest of someone like Leonardo.

With Robert Downey Jr. as a mutual friend, becoming closer has its benefits.

"I'm thinking of using a noir crime film," Murphy's thoughts become clear, "to explore themes of people, law, belief, and chaos, enveloped in a strong noir element."

"That sounds interesting," says Robert Downey Jr., the first to respond, "When did you have these thoughts? Why didn't I know? If you have these ideas, you should discuss them with me. How else can I help you?"

"Shut up!" Leonardo throws a beer can at him, "Drink and don't speak!"

He turns back to Murphy, "When you finish the story, could you let me see it?"

"Of course," Murphy agrees, "I'll inform you first, and we can discuss it then."

Robert Downey Jr. opens the beer can, adding, "I'm pretty good at writing dialogues..."

"Shut up!"

Murphy and Leonardo simultaneously give Robert Downey Jr. the finger.

Sometimes, a character can indeed influence an actor, especially one that resembles themselves. Murphy also finds that Robert Downey Jr.'s mouth has become even more unstoppable.

"Sometimes his quips really can be headache-inducing."

At the deck's tail, Susan Levin lies on a beach chair, covering her forehead with a hand, "Once, James Franco and Seth Rogen came over, and he rambled on, scaring both James and Seth away."

She sighs, "When he proposed, he rambled for half an hour, from God to Satan, from Murphy to Paul Wilson, before getting to the point. My feet went numb standing there waiting for him."

"If he starts rambling nonsense next time, just walk away," Gal Gadot suggests, "It works with Murphy and James."

Gisele Bündchen nods, "Leo also finds Downey tiresome."

"Downey proposed to you?" Gal Gadot looks at Susan Levin enviously, then turns to Gisele Bündchen, "I read in the newspapers, did Leo also propose to you?"

"It's been a while," Gisele's eyes hidden behind sunglasses, "But I didn't accept."

This response surprises Gal Gadot, who, despite being mature and intelligent, is in the throes of young love and naturally harbors a romantic view of relationships around her.

"Why not?" Gal Gadot asks curiously, noting Leonardo DiCaprio genuinely cares for Gisele Bündchen.

"What do you think Leo cares about the most right now?" Without waiting for Gal Gadot and Susan Levin to respond, Gisele answers her own question, "He cares most about winning the Oscar for Best Actor, not me."

Gal Gadot opens her mouth but doesn't speak, thinking that a man's ambition isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Do you believe that just the day before Leo proposed to me, he was fooling around with a Victoria's Secret Angel supermodel?" Gisele sits up, looking towards the three men, "They're all successful Hollywood men, facing countless temptations daily. You can never know how many women's lipstick marks they have on their lips before they kiss you

 at home."

Susan Levin seems to empathize, "The temptations they face daily are unimaginable."

"They might only think of you here," Gisele points between her legs, "But this part of a man often acts independently of his brain. No one can tell when it might control a man's brain."

Hearing this, Gal Gadot's usually bright face darkens.

She asks, "If, and I mean if, this happens, how would you handle it?"

"Dear, don't trouble yourself with these thoughts," Susan Levin senses Gal Gadot's concerns, "As far as I know, Murphy is very steadfast in this regard, unlike Downey..."

She sighs, "Just don't let me catch him."

"You're very open-minded," Gisele smiles, her smile bittersweet when looking towards Leonardo, "I can only choose to ignore, or maybe..."

She shakes her head, not finishing her thought.

Gal Gadot understands and smiles, deciding not to worry about something that hasn't happened. Why trouble herself? She stops pondering these matters, focusing on relaxing and enjoying her time with Murphy, who has been busy and in need of relaxation.

After spending ten days playing around Leonardo DiCaprio's private island and nearby waters, Murphy and Gal Gadot are the first to leave, heading south to Costa Rica on a cruise, then visiting several safe Caribbean island nations.

They continue their vacation until July, leaving the Caribbean to return to Los Angeles. After sending Gal Gadot off to Israel, "Deadpool," which has been showing in North America for seventeen weeks, is finally pulled from theaters.

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