Hollywood Road

It seemed as if there was nothing around the pool, all gazes nonexistent, as Amy Adams walked straight towards Murphy, step by step. Even though the clear pool water completely soaked her light-colored dress, making her skin faintly visible beneath, she did not care. She marched forward like a dragon-slaying warrior, utterly indifferent to the onlookers' opinions.

Seth Rogen adjusted his glasses and said to Murphy, "She really did come for you."

Despite Hollywood's array of absurd scenes, jumping into a pool to catch attention was not common, and the party quieted down instantly. The pool and the people in it successfully stole the spotlight, becoming the main attraction of the evening.

The woman approached closer and closer, finally reaching the middle of the pool. The garden lights were bright enough for Murphy to clearly see the woman's face, confirming what Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill had said was true—she was indeed coming for him.

Although the blonde woman's hair was completely wet, Murphy still recognized her. It was a young version of Amy Adams. Remembering that he had canceled her audition not long ago, her current objective was not hard to guess.

Others might have continued to watch or even talk to Amy Adams, but Murphy had no such interest. Amy Adams did not fit the role of the superficial Lois Lane, a flaw that was innate, not something that could be compensated for by acting skills.

He stood up and said to Seth Rogen, "I have to go, tell Donny goodbye for me."

"How can you leave?" Jonah Hill was still looking forward to the drama. He nodded towards the pool and said, "What about her?"

"What does that have to do with me?" Seeing Amy Adams getting closer, Murphy waved his hands dismissively at the two, "I'm leaving."

Seth Rogen nodded, "Leave it to me."

Murphy left the pool area without looking back, showing no intention or interest in cooperating with Amy Adams.

As Murphy walked away, a hint of disappointment appeared in the eyes of the onlookers. Amy Adams stopped in the pool, completely stunned. She had never anticipated this outcome.

Murphy Stanton just left! Not even giving her a chance to speak...

"Quite a distinctive young director," Avi Arad crossed his arms, watching the woman in the pool and speaking to Kevin Feige beside him, "His way of doing things is completely different from the ordinary."

"Who else would take on a new 'Superman' movie?" Kevin Feige looked towards where Murphy had left, "The directors who dare to step into the muddy waters of DC superhero movies are certainly not ordinary."

"Don't underestimate him, a director just over 25 years old, achieving what he has in Hollywood is unprecedented," Avi Arad said seriously, "Who can say his new 'Superman' won't succeed? Won't save our competitors?"

Kevin Feige wasn't new to this game. After hearing this, he fell silent for a moment. Those who had mocked Murphy Stanton before had all been proven wrong by the high box office earnings and critical acclaim of his works.

After a few seconds, he suddenly said, "Should we do something? With the current state of DC superhero movies, unless 'Man of Steel' bombs spectacularly, there's no chance of a turnaround."

"Do what?" Avi Arad asked.

"Didn't you hear?" Kevin Feige gave a sly smile, "Murphy Stanton has already decided to cast his girlfriend, Gal Gadot, as Wonder Woman."

"Her?" Avi Arad remembered the Israeli girl who became famous because of Murphy Stanton, slender and combining both Eastern and Western beauty.

Gal Gadot was indeed beautiful, Avi Arad admitted that—even by Hollywood standards, she was top-tier. But her playing Wonder Woman? That was laughable.

Kevin Feige gestured towards his chest, and Avi Arad nodded, the two sharing a knowing smile.

"Going too far with some things..." Avi Arad was still hesitant, "could lead to a vicious competition between DC and Marvel."

"We really don't need to do much," Kevin Feige shook his head, "Just let the news and a photo of Gal Gadot get out, and with just a little fanning of the flames, the DC comics fans' outcry will cause enough trouble for Murphy Stanton's crew."

They exchanged a smile.

While auditions for Lois Lane were being held, with Megan Fox eventually securing the role, the internet and some papers suddenly exploded with news that Gal Gadot was set to play Wonder Woman, revealing her relationship with Murphy clearly.

Naturally, this caused an uproar among DC comics fans, especially regarding her relatively flat chest.

On the relatively free-spirited internet, various criticisms emerged:

"She's too thin, her chest is too flat, not at all like the comic book's Wonder Woman."

"Her weight is a real issue; the original's robust physique can't possibly be achieved

 in the short term."

"Her figure is too skeletal, the comic character is voluptuous and busty."

"I've lost all interest in Wonder Woman; who made this casting decision? It feels completely wrong."

"This girl is so frail, can she play a warrior? Maybe consider breast augmentation."

"The difference in bust size is too big; how can she play the role? Rely on CGI?"

Some even focused their criticisms on Murphy.

"The director wants to favor his girlfriend, that's fine, but not at the cost of ruining Wonder Woman."

"Murphy Stanton is messing up; DC superhero movies are doomed."

Harsher comments also appeared.

"DC comic adaptations are going to be destroyed by this couple..."

These fierce criticisms brought significant negative impact to the still-preparing 'Man of Steel,' especially since the most fervent critics were core DC comics fans, who would be the primary audience for the film.

Since Murphy had encouraged Gal Gadot to take on this role, he was naturally prepared. After consulting with Warner Brothers, he leveraged this wave of public attention to kick off a round of early publicity for the film, releasing a promotional image of Wonder Woman first.

In the poster, Gal Gadot was cloaked in a cape, her gaze soft and serene, but the tiara on her forehead and the Greek-style armguards symbolized her warrior status, with a vintage charm.

Beneath the image, the caption read, "Nearly 75 years since her creation, Wonder Woman is finally hitting the road!"

At the same time, Murphy and Gal Gadot together attended an interview with Warner's 'Variety' magazine.

"Wonder Woman is one of the most powerful female characters, and a beloved heroine in the DC universe," Murphy spoke highly during the interview, "Gal is an incredible woman, her charisma perfectly complements this role."

He continued, "I believe bringing Wonder Woman to the big screen benefits us in multiple ways: it's a guarantee for good box office returns, and we will have a very powerful female hero."

The interview focused on Gal Gadot, given the current promotional efforts were centered on Wonder Woman.

After answering a question briefly, Murphy didn't add much else. Grace had briefed Gal Gadot thoroughly before the interview, and with her intelligence and maturity, she managed the situation without difficulty.

The 'Variety' journalist didn't hold back, directly asking Gal Gadot, "Is this your first role? Why choose Wonder Woman?"

"Wonder Woman is an independent female character, which is very important to me," Gal Gadot responded calmly, "She does not rely on any man, her existence is not to serve a love story in the film."

She paused, letting the reporter finish noting down her words, then continued, "I deeply admire Wonder Woman's strength, abilities, and intelligence. I think it's extraordinary for women to courageously express their feelings. I admire such women, and I believe that we should all express our true selves and draw strength from it."

"So," the journalist timed their question perfectly, "are you a feminist?"

This tricky question didn't faze Gal Gadot, "Feminism is about equality. I want everyone to have equal opportunities, to be treated the same in their work. I realize I'm doing what I want because of the foundation laid by women before me. Without their efforts, I couldn't be here pursuing my dreams, well-educated, and working."

The journalist then asked the most hotly debated question, "Some people think you're too thin for this role, as the comic book Wonder Woman is quite voluptuous. How will you handle that?"

"I'm portraying a new world's Wonder Woman, bust size isn't an issue," Gal Gadot was well-prepared and responded calmly, "Besides, Wonder Woman is an Amazonian, and historically, Amazonian huntresses had one breast removed to not interfere with their archery. So, if I were to truly replicate the comic book character, that would indeed be quite challenging."

Murphy couldn't help but laugh, impressed by Gal Gadot's wit.

"So you're not planning to gain weight or change your diet for the role?" the journalist further inquired.

"I'm already starting a very rigorous fitness regimen, which includes martial arts, boxing, swordsmanship, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, among many others," Gal Gadot shrugged playfully, handling it smoothly, "And I will be gaining some weight eventually."

This interview would certainly earn Gal Gadot some points, but regardless, the fact that she was Murphy's girlfriend could still be criticized by many.

Thus, Gal Gadot needed to also show how hard she was working for the role.

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