From the beginning until now, Murphy understood the importance of communication within a film crew. For a director of his stature, informing actors about last-minute changes might not seem significant. However, without proper preparation, actors could cause unforeseen problems during filming.
Of course, some scene changes could yield better results when actors were not pre-informed.
A prime example of this was Bernardo Bertolucci's *Last Tango in Paris*.
Bernardo Bertolucci's 1972 film *Last Tango in Paris* has always been considered highly controversial. The infamous rape scene was altered on the day of shooting without informing or obtaining consent from the actress, Maria Schneider.
In the film, Marlon Brando's character uses a buttered finger to penetrate Maria Schneider's character. Bertolucci admitted that the idea to use butter and perform the act genuinely was conceived by him and Marlon Brando on the morning of the shoot.
In a way, Bertolucci and Brando's actions were terrifying for Maria Schneider because they didn't tell her what would happen during the shoot. Bertolucci wanted Schneider's reaction to being raped to be that of a real girl, not an actress.
Essentially, Bertolucci wanted Schneider to exhibit the true humiliation of being raped. He had no intention of informing her about the butter detail, aiming to achieve the desired effect.
Undeniably, the scene in *Last Tango in Paris* had a profound impact on most viewers.
As for Maria Schneider, few cared about her feelings or whether she genuinely felt humiliated, as Bertolucci and Brando achieved the intended effect. Schneider, a relatively small actress, had little power against these two giants.
Maria Schneider once told the media that she felt humiliated, as if she had been raped by Brando and Bertolucci.
But no one cared about the voice of the weak.
Marlon Brando, the perpetrator, felt no regret for his actions.
Murphy heard from Robert Downey Jr. that Brando once said at a Hollywood party—To achieve certain things, you need complete freedom. I didn't want Maria to act out the humiliation of being raped. I wanted Maria to feel...rape and humiliation!
Many people, after watching the film, felt the rape scenes were incredibly real...
*Last Tango in Paris* sparked enormous controversy after its release. Instead of gaining fame, Schneider faced immense backlash, her life descending into darkness. She became entangled in drug scandals, attempted suicide, and even avoided using butter in her daily cooking, opting for olive oil instead.
In the new millennium, these events resurfaced in the media, much like the rumors of Murphy laundering money for drug cartels, becoming an indelible stain on Bertolucci's reputation.
Indeed, when obtaining explicit consent, directors can film S&M, threesomes, or any other explicit content. Without clear consent, such actions equate to rape, regardless of whether they are justified as art, patriotism, or any other pretext.
Bertolucci's actions seemed despicable.
However, one undeniable fact is that, despite the widespread dissemination of Bertolucci's scandals, similar to the rumors about Murphy, his standing in the film industry remained largely unscathed.
Murphy sometimes wondered why directors felt compelled to create films like *Last Tango in Paris*. Perhaps, as some fans suggested, many directors who make such films have a distorted, perhaps perverted, worldview.
Nonetheless, Murphy believed that a director's works and personal ethics often diverge.
The scenes Murphy needed to change were simple. James Franco had rescheduled due to his new project with Seth Rogen and would join the shoot tomorrow. Besides Franco, the rest of the Stanton gang, including Robert Downey Jr., Seth Rogen, and Jonah Hill, would also cameo in the film.
This was also a strategy to generate buzz for the film.
The changes were straightforward. Chris Darnell, played by Henry Cavill, keeps sending key figures of New York's evil forces to prison. However, the villains find ways to get these figures into mental asylums by feigning insanity. Jay Rachel, the prosecutor played by Margot Robbie, suspects something is amiss and visits the asylum, where she encounters Franco's character.
To be precise, Franco's character is someone declared mentally unstable.
Neither Margot Robbie nor Henry Cavill had any objections to Murphy's changes.
The next morning, due to a car accident in Beverly Hills causing traffic delays, Murphy and Gal Gadot arrived at the Venice set later than usual. When they walked into the studio, most of the Stanton gang had already arrived.
"Murphy, you're late!" Jonah Hill shouted, "Being late isn't like you."
Robert Downey Jr. approached, lightly tapping Murphy's arm, whispering, "I visited the state prison the day before yesterday. Ross is doing well."
Murphy nodded slightly. Downey was about to discuss Ross further when Gal Gadot interjected, "It's getting late. Everyone's waiting for us."
"Yes." Murphy checked his watch and asked, "Where's James?"
Seth Rogen waved to greet them and answered, "James is still in makeup."
Aside from James Franco, Downey, Jonah Hill, and Rogen were only making cameos, so their makeup and costumes were simpler.
After chatting briefly, Murphy returned to his work. Meanwhile, Downey and the others wandered around the set, killing time.
"Murphy's making us play lunatics," Jonah Hill complained, shaking his head. "In our project, he's perfect for the unrepentant character."
Downey showed interest, "Your project? Is it ready?"
"Almost," Seth Rogen adjusted his glasses. "Murphy has read the script and plans. He agreed to invest, and 20th Century Fox is likely to distribute it."
"Are all of you involved?"
Seeing Rogen nod, Downey became interested, "Don't forget about me. Save me a role."
Rogen smiled, "We've already got one for you."
In that project, Franco would still be Franco, Murphy would be Murphy, Jonah Hill would be Jonah Hill, and Downey would be Downey. The Stanton gang would play themselves.
In other words, all actors would portray their real-life identities.
Rogen also planned to invite more well-known figures, hoping to get Lily Collins, Gal Gadot, Susan Downey, Margot Robbie, and Carla Faith involved. Even the behind-the-scenes crew of Murphy's films could step in front of the camera. After all, wasn't that a unique selling point?
Convincing these people wouldn't be easy. Rogen knew he had much work ahead.
The best approach was to persuade Murphy to participate, who could then influence Gal Gadot. Gadot could easily sway Carla Faith and Lily Collins.
Then, Rogen and Hill could bring in other celebrities. Over the years, they had built many connections in the industry. The Stanton gang had considerable pull among other actors.
At that moment, a crew member came to notify them. Rogen, following Downey and Hill, returned to the set, designed as a large recreation room. Franco, finished with makeup, stood with Margot Robbie, listening to Murphy's instructions.
Robbie, in a tailored suit, looked exceptionally sharp and stunning. Franco wore a dark red suit, almost black, resembling dried blood. Combined with his makeup, he exuded an indescribable sense of malevolence.
"Looking at James's getup, you can tell he's playing a villain," Hill commented as they sat in the set's chairs. Rogen and Downey sat beside him, waiting for other extras. He added, "James looks like a complete nutjob."
Rogen reminded him, "Don't you remember? Murphy said James's character is supposed to be insane and a key figure in the sequel. In this film, he's just making a brief appearance in the asylum."
They chatted for a bit until the clapperboard appeared before the camera, signaling the imminent start of the shoot.
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