Echoes of Hollywood

The sun had already moved to the west but remained brilliant. A red carpet extended far, welcoming the main creators and guests attending the premiere. Not only did Murphy, James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jonah Hill, all members of the Stanton group, arrive, but even Gal Gadot and Susan Downey appeared at the premiere. James Franco also brought nineteen-year-old Lily Collins, making her first public appearance.

This was the grand opening of the Marvel series. Marvel Comics, once almost bankrupt, had made it to this point, something even Murphy found impressive.

If everything went smoothly, an era of Marvel superheroes was about to begin.

"Sometimes, adding a touch of mystery from legendary figures can make filmmaking interesting," Robert Downey Jr. said confidently to reporters in the interview area. "The crew choosing Howard Hughes' two old airplane hangars as studios was no coincidence; Stan Lee originally based Tony Stark on Howard Hughes, so the character in the film embodies wealth, genius, and fame."

When Murphy, arm in arm with Gal Gadot, walked into the interview area, they heard Robert Downey Jr. speaking to the press. However, they declined the reporters' interviews and went straight into the Hollywood Chinese Theatre.

The Stanton group came to support their friends, not to steal the spotlight from the "Iron Man" crew.

"Do you think this new superhero movie will succeed?" Gal Gadot asked as they walked.

"I don't know," Murphy shook his head. "I've been busy with post-production and haven't seen it."

He turned to look at the elegantly dressed Gal Gadot. As time passed, her charm became even more captivating.

"Didn't you attend the preview?" Murphy asked. "How was it?"

"It's completely different from your 'Man of Steel' style," Gal Gadot said, holding Murphy's arm tightly as they entered the theater's hall. "This Marvel superhero film is lighthearted, humorous, and quite funny..."

She thought for a moment and said, "The film's theme and characters align well with Downey's real-life personality."

"That's why I said..." Murphy shrugged, "Downey is the best choice to play Tony Stark."

"Hey, Gal, you're getting more beautiful," a chubby man greeted them familiarly as they walked into the hall. "And look at Murphy, he's so haggard he looks like an old man. He doesn't deserve you anymore."

"You look full of energy," Murphy said, having worked late last night and forcing himself to stay alert today. "How's your preparation going?"

"We've had some difficulties," Seth Rogen's voice came from the side. He also walked over, greeting Murphy and Gal Gadot. "But with David Ellison's financial support, we managed."

Seeing the Stanton group gathering, James Franco brought Lily Collins over.

"You two," he looked at Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill, "planning to invite me as the lead?"

"Go to hell! This time, I'm the lead!" Jonah Hill responded bluntly.

Gal Gadot was used to these men speaking without restraint, but Lily Collins wasn't as familiar with their interactions.

"Don't mind them," Gal Gadot said, knowing about James Franco and Lily Collins' long-standing relationship. She took Lily Collins' hand, "You'll get used to them."

"Yeah..." Lily Collins nodded with a smile. "They're good friends."

"Come, Lily," James Franco called to Lily Collins. "Let me introduce you to some friends."

Although they all knew each other, James Franco had never formally introduced Lily Collins to Murphy and the others.

Now, it was a statement.

"Lily," he pointed to Murphy and the others, introducing them formally, "this is Murphy, Murphy Stanton. This is Joe, Jonah Hill. This is Seth, Seth Rogen."

Then he added, "With Robert Downey Jr. outside, they are my best buddies."

Murphy extended his hand first, "Hello, Lily. We've worked together before."

"Yes," Lily Collins shook his hand lightly. "It was a very enjoyable experience."

It was during that time she met James Franco and was drawn to this seemingly unserious man.

The others also greeted Lily Collins one by one.

Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey walked over, and James Franco introduced them as well.

"So," Susan Downey, seemingly infected by Robert Downey Jr.'s curiosity, asked, "are you making it official?"

James Franco laughed, "I brought Lily in from the red carpet; it's already official."

Lily Collins said openly, "I'm planning to move out of my parents' house and live with James. We bought a new place in Santa Monica."

Clearly, as they aged, the couple had fewer reservations.

"We'll be moving in soon," Lily Collins invited everyone. "We're planning to have a party. Can you come?"

No one would refuse such an invitation, especially for James Franco's sake.

"Just give us a call," Gal Gadot took the initiative.

Jonah Hill, always the lively one, responded enthusiastically, "Everyone must come. I'll bring a mysterious gift."

He even winked deliberately.

But Murphy and the others didn't respond. They knew Robert Downey Jr. was unreliable in words but not in deeds, and Jonah Hill was entirely unreliable outside of work.

"Forget it," James Franco shook his head. "Your gift would be more of a shock than a surprise."

Jonah Hill widened his eyes, "Am I that unreliable?"

Gal Gadot knew that as Murphy's girlfriend and future leader of the crew, she needed to integrate into this team.

So, she laughed and said, "Joe, you're more unreliable than you can imagine."

"You guys..." Jonah Hill pointed at Murphy and the others, "Just wait and see!"

Encouraged by James Franco's look, Lily Collins said, "We'll be waiting for your gift."

Compared to the formal interactions in the hall, the atmosphere here was warm and unique.

But even the best atmospheres can be disrupted. Kevin Feige approached, clearly targeting Murphy.

Everyone knew Murphy's relationship with Marvel wasn't great. Except for Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey exchanging routine greetings, the others ignored Kevin Feige and dispersed before he arrived.

"Hello, Miss Gadot," Kevin Feige greeted Gal Gadot politely, then turned to Murphy, "I didn't expect to see you here."

Murphy understood the underlying meaning and smiled, "Downey is my friend and brother. Of course, I wouldn't miss his premiere."

His message was clear: his presence had nothing to do with Marvel Comics.

Kevin Feige, more confident today, had "Iron Man" pre-sales to back him up, boasting the best results of the year so far.

This was his confidence.

"What's up?" Murphy asked directly, not wanting to waste time.

"Marvel is planning to start the 'Captain America' adaptation," Kevin Feige suddenly said. "Interested in directing?"

Was this a test or an invitation? Murphy couldn't tell immediately and said, "My fee is quite high."

Looking at Kevin Feige, he added, "Fifteen million dollars plus twenty percent of global box office, DVD, TV rights, and digital sales."

Without an agent present, he couldn't accept any work formally, but such preliminary discussions were fine. If Marvel Studios was sincere, Murphy could consider having Bill Rossi negotiate, just like with "Man of Steel."

No one says no to huge bonuses.

Kevin Feige shook his head, "Too high."

"Ah, one more condition," Murphy said, knowing this was a test and added, "You have to give me enough power... preferably the entire Captain America series. I'll end it with a civil war trilogy."

Marvel Comics' 2006 "Civil War" was a major event in American comics.

"Kevin, let me be clear: this series will be dark, with deaths," Murphy looked serious. "Many will die, including Steve Rogers and many other heroes."

"This..." Kevin Feige felt his face twitching.

Since "Man of Steel" succeeded, Marvel had planned an entire series, excluding Stan Lee's inconsistent opinions, deciding on a unified Marvel series style—lighthearted, simple, fun, humorous, and appropriately comedic, catering to younger audiences.

Even adapting the dark "Civil War" for the big screen couldn't involve killing main characters! Showing teenage audiences their favorite heroes dying was practically a crime!

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