"What important matter?"
James Franco was intrigued by Murphy's seriousness. "Are you planning to modify the character? It's already quite excellent; it doesn't need any changes."
"It's not about modifying the character." Murphy shook his head, choosing his words carefully. "James, wherever you decide to go, if you ever feel anxious, whether mentally or..."
He pointed to his head, "psychologically, make sure to communicate with me."
James Franco waved dismissively, "Don't worry. I always distinguish reality from my roles. I won't have the issues you're concerned about. Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"
Murphy looked at him for a moment before saying, "No."
James Franco was inherently optimistic and playful, completely different from the introverted and somber personality of Heath Ledger.
"I'm off then." James Franco bid farewell and left. Murphy didn't escort him but waved, "Don't make me have to come find you."
As James Franco left Murphy's office, he ran into Gal Gadot. "Where are you headed?" she asked.
"Home," he replied with a grin. "To experience the magician's life."
After chatting briefly with Gal Gadot, he exited the set, called his driver, and went home.
In the office of the warehouse set, Murphy discussed work with Gal Gadot and reminded her, "Make sure to hire a psychological consultant."
Gal Gadot was slightly puzzled, looking at Murphy with some confusion. He explained, "The magician character is too deranged, and Chris Dane's character is quite oppressive. I'm worried that James and Henry Cavill might have psychological issues."
"Alright." Gal Gadot took out her phone and made a note in her notepad. "I'll have someone handle it."
Murphy added, "Do it quickly."
Although James Franco was generally cheerful, Murphy wanted to be cautious. After all, James Franco wasn't Heath Ledger; he wouldn't blink if the latter died, but Franco was a close friend, and Murphy didn't want any unforeseen incidents.
Murphy suddenly realized he hadn't heard of any tragic news involving Heath Ledger over the years, suggesting that the Australian actor's fate might have changed.
To prevent any psychological issues for James Franco, Gal Gadot called her assistant producer to arrange for a psychological consultant. Meanwhile, Murphy opened his email, found Franco's private email address, and sent him a message.
He adopted a tone of discussing the character.
"The magician is more like a loan shark. People get something from him but give up something else in return, specifically the nobler parts of themselves."
"When people stick to principles, they're defending their soul; when they strive to be decent, they're considering their dignity; when they uphold their bottom line, they're protecting basic values."
"Even in our highly developed commercial society, people do all these things to give themselves a higher evaluation, not a lower one, to infuse meaning into their lives, not to drain it."
"People are highly adaptable, and while they can descend into depravity, that's not their only potential. They also have a selfish, cowardly side, but that's not their entirety."
"A person's actual behavior depends on the environment provided to them."
"If conditions are too restrictive, only allowing the expression of the baser aspects of human nature and not the higher ones of the soul; only permitting basic survival needs and not the pursuit of value ideals, severe punishment follows. This can be seen as a deprivation, intentionally putting them in humiliation, reducing their humanity and dignity."
"In such a situation, living like a pig is not necessarily a more humane life, nor a more truthful one. What is a person's true self? What is their original appearance and desired life? This only surfaces after pressure is relieved."
"Discussing a person's truth under threat, taking their coerced state as the moment of truth revelation, asserting that baseness is their essence, only a psychopath like the magician would do that because his vision is limited to that point. As the script says, he strives to drag others down to his level."
While Murphy had a deeper understanding of the character, he knew such characters only existed in movies. By reminding Franco of the character's fictitious nature, Murphy emphasized that the magician's terrorizing actions were valid only within the film's context. In real life, people's responses in life-or-death situations might differ.
Most people haven't experienced such extreme conditions and can't imagine their behavior in those circumstances. This lenient view, however, obscures the reality—what kind of force can so precisely control people, making them surrender parts of themselves like a lizard sacrificing its tail? Should people accept this coercion?
The true nature of a person in their final moments isn't necessarily known until they're out of danger.
Consider the 9/11 events. On one plane, passengers fought the hijackers knowing the likely outcome but chose to act anyway. Humans possess a luminous side, and from a higher perspective, they're not just insignificant but can be something more.
Gal Gadot finished her call and said, "By the way, dear, there's something new you might be interested in."
"Oh?" Murphy shook off his thoughts, "What is it?"
"I heard that Sony Columbia Pictures is struggling financially." With her expanding social circles, Gal Gadot often heard the latest industry gossip. "Apparently, Sony's headquarters plans to restructure Sony Entertainment, possibly splitting off its music division and selling the TV and film production and distribution departments."
"Is this true?" Murphy immediately recognized an opportunity.
Gal Gadot shrugged, "The authenticity of the news is uncertain, but it's circulating within the industry."
Murphy crossed his arms, contemplating, "It's possible."
Last year and this year, Sony Columbia Pictures' performance ranked last among the traditional Big Six studios, holding less than 8% of the market, which was dismal.
Sony Entertainment's TV and film divisions had been underperforming for years. Except for the Spider-Man trilogy's success, the rest of the years saw them frequently at the bottom of the industry.
This likely frustrated Sony's Tokyo headquarters.
Murphy vaguely recalled that Sony Electronics had also been struggling recently, with many departments being sold off...
Would Sony really sell Sony Columbia Pictures?
Murphy shook his head. It might happen in the future but probably not now. Sony still had the Spider-Man franchise, and they would likely reboot it to extract more value.
Unless the Spider-Man reboot failed miserably, Sony Columbia Pictures wouldn't have many options beyond their film library.
"Gal," Murphy asked, "Are there rumors of a Spider-Man reboot from Sony Columbia Pictures?"
"Rumors?" Gal Gadot felt a twinge of irritation. Murphy was becoming a workaholic. She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes and said, "The new Spider-Man reboot is titled 'The Amazing Spider-Man,' and it's set for release this July!"
"Uh..." Murphy smiled sheepishly, "I hadn't seen any news or heard anyone mention it."
He then adopted a serious tone, "Even if Sony plans to sell Sony Columbia Pictures, it won't be now. They must have high hopes for the new Spider-Man reboot. If it succeeds, Sony Columbia Pictures will temporarily escape its current predicament."
Gal Gadot thought for a moment, nodding slightly in agreement with Murphy. Sony Columbia Pictures wasn't yet beyond saving.
"It's a pity..." Gal Gadot sighed, "Sony Columbia Pictures..."
She shook her head, leaving the rest unsaid.
"There might not be a chance now, but that doesn't mean there won't be in the future." Murphy tapped the armrest of his chair with one hand and drummed his fingers on the desk with the other. "Let's keep an eye on Sony Entertainment. If they show signs of offloading Sony Columbia Pictures, we can consider stepping in."
That's all they could do for now. Whether the opportunity would arise depended on Sony Columbia Pictures' future performance.
"I need to go to 20th Century Fox to discuss promotional matters with Kara." Gal Gadot prepared to leave, "No need to wait for me; I'll go home directly when I'm done."
Murphy nodded. For such a massive production, promotion had to precede filming.
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