Francis Lawrence and Paula Patton walked from the Death Star building to the Century City shopping center, finding a spot with a good view of the temporary set. Standing on relatively high steps, they watched the scene unfold. They spotted Akiva Goldsman and Murphy Horner.
Memories of the "I Am Legend" set and his friend Spike Lee's plight surfaced in Lawrence's mind. How could a racist manage to vilify a freedom fighter like that? Was there no justice in the world? Were all the media and citizens of the USA blind?
Francis Lawrence's breathing became rapid, the memories were too frustrating. Especially the situation of his friend Spike Lee, a top-tier director and civil rights activist for black people, who had fallen so low he couldn't find work and drowned his sorrows in alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.
The last time Lawrence visited Spike Lee, he found heroin and syringes. If this continued, the renowned freedom fighter would be utterly ruined.
But neither he nor Paula Patton could persuade Spike Lee. Every time good news about Murphy Horner appeared in the media, Lee would drink more and use more drugs.
"He's really enjoying himself," Paula Patton said, watching Murphy Horner chatting and laughing with producer Akiva Goldsman on set. Her face darkened, "Smiling so hideously, how dare he?"
Lawrence glanced at his girlfriend but didn't respond. Paula was obviously venting; anyone with eyes could see Murphy Horner was exceptionally handsome.
"I was thinking about Spike Lee," Lawrence sighed.
Paula Patton shrugged indifferently. "That's his own bad luck." She pointed to Murphy and Goldsman. "Francis, you have a chance to prove that abandoning us was a mistake for those two bastards!"
Lawrence also looked towards them, recalling the day he lost the director role for "I Am Legend," but remained silent.
Patton continued, "Our 'Alien vs. Predator 2' and 'I Am Legend' both release in December. Our film releases just a week later. We can make their second-weekend box office plummet."
Lawrence still didn't speak, but his brow furrowed. Even now, he couldn't understand why Warner Bros. had scheduled "I Am Legend" the weekend before "Alien vs. Predator 2."
"20th Century Fox had set the release date for 'Alien vs. Predator 2' a long time ago," Patton said, gripping Lawrence's arm. "Warner Bros. announced the release date for 'I Am Legend' much later. I'm sure Murphy Horner and Akiva Goldsman are behind this! They're targeting us!"
"There's... there's that possibility," Lawrence nodded slowly. Although he believed the two films were not in the same league, he didn't think he was inferior to Guillermo del Toro.
If del Toro messed up and his "Alien vs. Predator 2" succeeded, it would be a slap in the face for Horner and Goldsman, making them regret their decision.
Perhaps even Spike Lee would be pleased by this outcome. It might even inspire him to get back on his feet; the black civil rights movement needed him.
Lawrence and Patton stayed, watching the shoot until the crew wrapped up and left the mall, heading back to the parking lot near the Death Star building to retrieve their car and drive away.
As the crew wrapped, the surrounding onlookers dispersed. Reporters and paparazzi prepared to continue filming, and fans crowded the temporary set's exit, ready to ask for autographs from their favorite actors.
Phyllis Beretta was among the fans, but she had no intention of getting Horner's autograph. She had collected too many already: premiere autographs, on-set autographs, event autographs, fan club autographs, and more.
She found a high vantage point, took out her camera from her backpack, installed the telephoto lens, and started taking photos to upload to the fan support website to help spread the word about Horner's new film.
After a busy day of work, Murphy went to the makeup trailer to remove his makeup and took a quick shower. In the August heat, wearing Kevlar equipment for so long had soaked him in sweat.
After the shower, he changed into dry clothes and took a water cup from Bella Anderson, drinking several gulps before feeling somewhat refreshed.
"About an hour ago, I went outside the set to take a call and saw two people," Bella Anderson said before Murphy could ask. "I saw Francis Lawrence and Paula Patton. They seemed to have come from the Death Star building."
Murphy nodded. "I remember when Will Smith and I competed for the lead in 'I Am Legend,' Francis Lawrence signed with CAA. Now that CAA has moved to the Death Star building, they probably came from there."
"They watched the filming until it wrapped," Anderson continued.
"Don't worry about them," Murphy waved it off. "They're irrelevant."
He had almost forgotten about Lawrence and Patton. Compared to Will Smith, they were insignificant.
Someday, when the opportunity arose, he would make sure they took a hard fall.
Murphy took another sip of water. "David Ellison called," Anderson said. "Paramount Pictures' distribution department has formally contacted Skydance Productions, wanting to handle the North American and overseas distribution of 'Fast & Furious 4.'"
"That's good," Murphy calculated. "Now Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Lionsgate are all vying for 'Fast & Furious 4' distribution rights. The more competition, the better for us. We can push for a lower distribution fee."
Anderson reminded him, "The Big Six have a tacit agreement on a minimum distribution fee percentage."
Murphy nodded. The Big Six were at the top of the industry chain, competing yet cooperating, sometimes in unison to suppress competitors.
"I'll discuss it with David later," Murphy said calmly. "Since several companies want the distribution rights, Skydance should negotiate for the lowest possible distribution fee."
This directly affected his investment returns, so he paid close attention. "Lionsgate being in the mix works in our favor."
Hollywood was never short of challengers to the established order. After DreamWorks declined, Lionsgate was ambitious and sought to join the ranks of top Hollywood studios.
Murphy checked the time. "Let's head back to Beverly Hills," he said, leading the way out of the trailer. Once Anderson caught up, he added, "Contact David and see when he's available. I'll go talk to him."
"Okay," Anderson responded.
Meeting up with the bodyguards, they left the set. Murphy was immediately surrounded by fans and paparazzi snapping photos. This was the less glamorous side of stardom, with endless people following you until you were no longer in the spotlight.
There's a price for fame, and Murphy rarely complained, finding it fair.
Always treating fans well, Murphy patiently signed autographs despite being exhausted from the day's shoot. It took over ten minutes before he managed to extricate himself from the fans and leave in his car.
As the black Mercedes drove away from Century City Mall, Phyllis Beretta took one last photo of the car's rear, then removed the lens and carefully packed the camera and lens into her backpack. She planned to upload the photos to the fan support website, allowing other fans to spread the news.
She shouldered her backpack and headed into the mall, where a pay-by-the-hour computer area offered cheap rates, perfect for her budget.
Plus, the nearby fast-food joints staying open late provided cheap meals, and she could spend the night there, saving money.
As a front-line fan without a steady job, her home was far away in Queens, New York. In Los Angeles, she had no place to stay, so managing expenses was crucial to afford a return ticket.
Entering the mall, Phyllis quickly found the computer area, selected the best photos, and uploaded them to the fan site before paying and heading to the adjacent fast-food place.
Just as she was about to buy a hamburger for dinner, her phone rang.
Phyllis pulled out the phone and saw an unfamiliar number. She answered it.
"Hello, is this Phyllis Beretta?"
A formal voice came from the other end. Phyllis replied, "Yes, I am."
The caller continued, and Phyllis's eyes widened in shock. "How could this happen? My parents had an accident? Okay! I'll be there as soon as possible."
Forgetting everything else, Phyllis ran out of the fast-food restaurant, rushed out of the mall, and headed for the airport.
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