Hollywood Road

The next morning, Murphy and Gal Gadot took a helicopter from the Rising Sun back to Los Angeles, landing directly at a private golf club with a helipad as arranged. In one of the club's meeting rooms, Murphy once again met Bruce Rosenbloom, the CEO of Warner Bros.

Unlike their previous meeting, this time Bruce was only accompanied by Murphy's agent, Bill Rossis.

"Hello, Murphy. Hello, Miss Gadot."

As the two entered the meeting room, Bruce came forward to greet them with a handshake, which Murphy and Gal Gadot politely reciprocated.

However, Gal Gadot knew her role and, after the greetings, she faded into the background.

"Murphy, do you remember our agreement from last year?"

As they sat down, Bruce cut straight to the chase, "Warner Bros. has been waiting for you for a long time."

"Last year?" Murphy appeared puzzled, then shook his head, "I don't recall us reaching any agreement."

Bruce did not pick up on Murphy's response but instead said, "When Bruce Berman refused you, I had looked over your proposal. I've always believed that you are the only one who can save the DC superhero movies."

He earnestly added, "Bruce Berman has been let go from Warner Bros., we can continue our collaboration."

Murphy just listened, not giving any immediate response. The DC superhero movie adaptation plan he had then was tailored to the circumstances he faced at the time. After his efforts over the recent years, he no longer needed that plan. Moreover, having been rejected by Bruce Berman, he had been contemplating other ideas.

Although these ideas were not yet fully developed, a rough outline was forming in Murphy's mind. If he continued with the original plan, working with Warner Bros. and DC Comics, the new ideas might never advance beyond conception.

Bruce knew it wouldn't be easy to persuade a continuously successful director like Murphy, who had made a name for himself in Hollywood. Although the big six studios in Hollywood were powerful, their influence varied, and Warner Bros. had struggled recently with its non-Harry Potter films. The massive losses from "Superman Returns" had deeply affected the company, leaving DC Comics movies stuck in an endless winter, unable to find their spring.

Most crucially, Marvel Comics, the main rival of DC Comics, had established its own film studio after the unprecedented success of the "Spider-Man" series and secured significant funding to produce movies featuring its superheroes.

Moreover, Kevin Feige, CEO of Marvel Studios, had already planned a comprehensive roadmap for Marvel superhero films. Rumors suggested that if "Iron Man" succeeded, the following films were planned out for the next decade.

These developments were a blow to Warner Bros., especially as before the year 2000, when people thought of superhero movies, only "Superman" and "Batman" came to mind. Now, the situation had reversed.

Upon assuming the role of CEO, Bruce had promised the corporation that he would revitalize DC superhero films.

He firmly believed in Murphy's continuous success and the potential of the original plan he had reviewed.

"If anyone can quickly change the gloomy prospects of DC superhero movies, it's Murphy Stanton," Bruce firmly believed.

"Therefore," he continued, "Warner Bros. is very sincere about collaborating with you."

Having reached this point in the conversation, Murphy could no longer remain silent. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Bruce, if this was three years ago, I would definitely collaborate with your company, but now…"

"It's not too late," Bruce replied with a smile, "There are no more barriers between us. You must have heard, Marvel Comics has laid out a series of plans, and DC needs a corresponding competitive strategy."

Murphy was well aware of the situation. Robert Downey Jr. was almost certain to play Tony Stark, and he knew more details than Bruce.

Bruce was indeed very sincere, "Warner Bros. can offer you final cut privilege, all casting rights, and the script will mainly be based on your framework. We can also provide you with a top director's salary…"

Having spent so long in Hollywood, Murphy could tell whether the other party was sincere, and Bruce was indeed offering terms that only a few top directors in Hollywood could enjoy.

"Bruce, as you may know," Murphy sighed lightly, "Marvel Comics has planned a major series for their superheroes. To reclaim its glory and continue to suppress Marvel, DC can't do it with just the 'Batman' series."

Bruce was earnest, and Murphy gave a rather truthful response, "And the 'Batman' trilogy I proposed, if successful, would not only not help other DC superhero movies but might even become a burden to them."

"So…" Bruce smiled, "Warner Bros. is willing to offer a high compensation for you to make a long-term plan for the DC superhero movies."

That was his real purpose.

Murphy hesitated for a moment

, "Can I have some time to consider?"

Bruce replied without hesitation, "Of course, I await your good news."

Murphy, Gal Gadot, and Bill Rossis soon left the golf club. Considering Bruce's proposal was essential, especially since Murphy had initially planned to take a break until the end of the year.

Now, with Bruce displaying great sincerity, the management team of Warner Bros. and DC Comics made several contacts with Murphy, offering terms, particularly the profit-sharing, which were very tempting. For a director, Warner Bros. promised that if the global box office of a DC superhero movie directed by Murphy exceeded the production cost by three times, they would give him 20% of the global box office and DVD sales as a bonus reward.

To revitalize the DC superhero movies, Warner Bros. was indeed all in.

This situation was not unusual. Peter Jackson, for example, took away 20% of the global box office from "King Kong." However, offering such a deal to a second-tier director like Murphy was rare.

Murphy, a man of firm convictions, couldn't help but be tempted.

Considering the offer, if the movie grossed seven or eight hundred million dollars, how much could he earn? This wasn't just profit sharing but a real cut of the global gross!

How many could remain unmoved under such terms?

Certainly, Warner Bros. wasn't just being charitable. Behind these terms was the expectation that Murphy would outline a clear series of DC superhero movies, and Murphy wouldn't overlook the condition that the global box office had to exceed production costs by three times.

Achieving these terms essentially meant the film would be a major success.

Now, with Marvel announcing their superhero movie series plans, Warner Bros. wanted to put forth a corresponding strategy.

Not everyone within Warner Bros. agreed; Bill Rossis had relayed that some believed the Justice League, led by the big three superheroes, held significant influence in the comics and just following the comics' rhythm in making movies would suffice. Why spend so much to hire a young director like Murphy?

However, not everyone thought this way. If it were that easy to succeed, the failures of "Batman & Robin," "Catwoman," and "Superman Returns" wouldn't have occurred.

Most understood that these failures, especially of Superman and Batman movies, were why revitalizing the DC superhero films was so challenging. Warner Bros. and DC Comics needed not cold remarks but a strong external stimulant.

Led by Bruce Rosenbloom, the Warner Bros. management was actively engaging with Murphy and Bill Rossis, trying everything to win him over. They even attempted to influence Gal Gadot, hoping she would sway Murphy with pillow talk.

Unfortunately for them, Gal Gadot never interfered with Murphy's work, and this time was no exception.

Despite being quite moved by the terms offered by Warner Bros. and Bruce Rosenbloom, Murphy maintained his caution. If he were to develop a comprehensive DC film universe, his previous "Batman" trilogy plan couldn't be used; a new strategy was needed.

Additionally, one of his future goals was to win the Academy Award for Best Director, and he had concerns about directing entirely commercial films. Completely popcorn-style movies with simplistic plots aimed at a young audience were not the best choice.

If he accepted Warner Bros.' invitation, he also had to prove to the world, especially the academy, that even popcorn superhero movies could be crafted distinctively, marked with Murphy Stanton's strong personal style and thoughtful themes.

Removing the "Batman" trilogy plan, achieving this in superhero movies was not easy, even verging on a challenge.

Warner Bros. continued to express their sincerity through various channels, and Murphy gradually considered his options.

Taking three days, Murphy secluded himself in his study, reflecting on past DC superhero movies, and decided to have a face-to-face discussion with Warner Bros. based on his ideas.

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