"How do you want to thank me?" Gal Gadot picked up her lemon water and took a sip, smiling playfully. "If the terms aren't good enough, I won't accept."
She was, of course, joking.
After spending so many years with Murphy, she had adopted some of his traits. Helping a friend within her means wasn't a big deal, especially since it wasn't a major issue.
Margot Robbie put on a serious face. "What do you think of me?"
"You?" Gal Gadot wasn't quite sure what she meant, setting her cup down. "What about you?"
Margot Robbie cupped her face with her hands and flashed a charming smile. "Consider me as a thank-you gift to you."
Gal Gadot shrugged. "What would I do with you?"
"You could do a lot," Margot Robbie's smile widened. "For example, I could help you deal with Murphy."
"Deal with him?" Gal Gadot took it as a joke. "I'm enough on my own."
Margot Robbie leaned in closer. "There are other things too."
"What would I do with you?" Gal Gadot pinched Margot Robbie's cheek gently before pushing her face away. "With your high taste in life, I can barely support myself with what I earn. How could I support you?"
As close friends, they spoke freely, sometimes even discussing more private matters.
"I don't need you to support me." Margot Robbie leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms again. "I could support you."
Gal Gadot ignored her and asked, "What do you want to drink?"
Margot Robbie pointed at Gal Gadot's glass. "I'll have the same, lemon water."
After calling the waiter to order a lemon water, Gal Gadot asked, "Are you sure you got the Harley Quinn role?"
"Mm-hmm." Margot Robbie stopped joking and said, "Warner Bros. has officially notified my agent, which is why I need to thank you."
Gal Gadot shook her head. "You should thank Kara Faith instead."
The waiter brought the lemon water, and Margot Robbie thanked him before turning to Gal Gadot. "In front of big figures like you, we small people are just pawns."
"I'm just like you," Gal Gadot said clearly. "We're all small figures in this industry."
Margot Robbie picked up her cup, saying before taking a sip, "But you have Murphy. I have nothing."
"You have your brother David."
Years ago, Gal Gadot wouldn't have said such things, but after entering this circle, she understood the importance of networks. "Murphy considers you a friend too."
Though Margot Robbie couldn't compare to the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and James Franco, she knew her best friend was also on Murphy's list of friends.
After drinking half her lemon water, Margot Robbie stood up and invited Gal Gadot. "Let's go shopping. It's been a while, and a few stores here have just updated their collections."
Most women loved shopping, and Gal Gadot was no exception. She stood up and walked out of the café with Margot Robbie.
As soon as they stepped out, Gal Gadot noticed the paparazzi, their cameras pointed directly at them from across the street and to the left.
"Did they follow you?" she asked.
Margot Robbie sighed, "I can't shake them off."
Gal Gadot ignored the paparazzi and beckoned Margot Robbie. "Let's go shopping. Consider it free publicity for you."
As Murphy's girlfriend, she was also a frequent target of paparazzi. Having experienced it many times, she didn't mind anymore. Most paparazzi only took photos and rarely approached directly unless there was a particularly hot topic.
"Sure."
Margot Robbie linked arms with Gal Gadot, and they walked off together.
The next day, tabloids once again speculated that Gal Gadot and Margot Robbie were lesbians. Murphy and Gal Gadot ignored these silly rumors, focusing on preparing for the film.
As time passed, alongside various preparations, the main actors joined the crew to start preparing for their roles. Murphy planned to begin filming in October and finish before Christmas, moving into post-production after the New Year for a summer release next year.
The film, using the working title "Black New York," hadn't been officially named yet, nor had a release date been announced.
Murphy and 20th Century Fox had a unified idea of releasing it at the start of the summer season, around the first weekend of May.
Murphy remembered that Marvel's superhero films had been summer blockbusters for the past few years, but he didn't mind. Even if there was a scheduling conflict with Marvel, he never shied away from direct competition.
The exact release date would be set once Murphy decided on the film's official name. 20th Century Fox was also pressing him, as a formal title was essential for marketing.
However, Murphy hadn't settled on a name yet. Several versions came to mind, but he dismissed them all.
There was no rush since the film was still in preparation. Deciding the title closer to the start of filming would be fine.
Of course, he could simply name it after the protagonist, a common practice in Hollywood.
Murphy was still contemplating the title, knowing he wouldn't finalize it until the last moment. He had discussed it with Kara Faith, and 20th Century Fox had left the naming rights to him as the director and producer.
Putting the title aside for now, Murphy focused on the actors' preparation, especially Henry Cavill and Liam Neeson, who were starting to see results in their fitness training. The stunt coordinator, who had previously worked with Murphy, also joined the team to begin training the actors in combat.
The training focused on boxing and mixed martial arts. Murphy wanted the actions to showcase power and speed, looking practical rather than flashy.
The stunt coordinator brought a systematic team, and Murphy planned to leave the action scenes to him during filming.
The training mainly targeted Henry Cavill, Liam Neeson, their stunt doubles, and other stunt actors, all of whom would undergo systematic training before filming began.
"Henry, my requirements are simple."
In his spare time, Murphy visited the training gym to check on the actors' progress, focusing on Henry Cavill. "Your muscles should look explosively powerful, as if a single punch from you could kill a bull."
Henry Cavill, wearing only a tank top, flexed his muscles, revealing exaggerated biceps, and earnestly replied, "I'll do my best."
He knew this opportunity was rare and understood that this role could catapult him to stardom, especially since it was a Murphy Stanton film, synonymous with success in Hollywood.
Murphy nodded at Henry Cavill. Unestablished actors had this advantage: humility, caution, and effort.
The Stanton Studio and 20th Century Fox had jointly formed the "New York" studio and signed a three-film deal with Henry Cavill. Though the pay for the subsequent films wasn't specified, it ensured his appearance in two sequels.
Not just Henry Cavill, but Margot Robbie, Liam Neeson, and Christoph Waltz had also signed two- or three-film deals according to the film's needs.
Murphy had hinted to 20th Century Fox that this would be a trilogy, and they not only supported him but also encouraged him to shoot more, aiming for a five- or six-film series, possibly creating a cinematic universe like "X-Men" or Marvel and DC.
In 20th Century Fox's eyes, more films with Murphy meant more profits.
After briefly checking on the actors' training, Murphy left the gym. Although he was a fan of Liam Neeson's films and characters, work was work, and he didn't want to mix too much personal interaction with professional duties.
Leaving the gym, Murphy immediately called James Franco to remind him to keep his schedule open for October or November.
They had previously discussed Franco's brief appearance in the film in a very important role.
Murphy had detailed the role to James Franco, who accepted without hesitation, saying it was perfect for him.
Franco loved playing quirky characters, especially those with a touch of madness.
With preparations in Los Angeles progressing smoothly, Murphy temporarily handed the crew over to Michelle Williams and flew to New York with Gal Gadot, Philippe LaSalle, and Helena Esbora to scout filming locations.
Upon arriving in New York, however, Murphy received bad news. The New York authorities had unexpectedly reneged on their agreement with Gal Gadot for on-site filming.
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