Chapter 485: Rumors

After spending three weeks completing the color grading for all the scenes, Murphy and Jody Griffiths began the post-production editing. Due to their numerous collaborations, they were extremely familiar with each other, making the editing process smooth and without significant difficulties.

As post-production progressed, the promotional efforts for the film also ramped up. Particularly on social networks, which Hollywood is increasingly valuing, content related to "The Wolf of Wall Street" began to appear frequently.

"The Wolf of Wall Street Releases Stills: Robert Downey Jr. Half-Naked Flirting with Bikini-Clad Women."

In August, many Facebook and Twitter users shared this news.

"Recently, Murphy Stanton's new film 'The Wolf of Wall Street' released another set of stills. The leading actor, Robert Downey Jr., showcases his flirtatious nature in the film, sometimes bare-chested, drinking and flirting with bikini-clad women, sometimes lying in a Lolita-style pink girl's room, and sometimes covering bikini-clad women with money and then admiring them smugly. However, once he puts on a suit, he transforms into a graceful financial tycoon, showing the multifaceted nature of the character..."

Following this, the crew's official accounts on Facebook and Twitter released more stills of Robert Downey Jr., mostly explicit content, including pixelated nudes of him.

Since playing Tony Stark in Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr.'s appeal has skyrocketed. Combined with this year's box office hit "Sherlock Holmes," he has firmly established himself as a top Hollywood star.

A top actor with such drawing power starring in a film with evident explicit content naturally attracts a lot of attention.

Then, an insider revealed to the media, "Robert Downey Jr. will appear completely nude in Murphy Stanton's new film 'The Wolf of Wall Street,' with highly explicit scenes involving four men and three women!"

Another source told the media, "Besides full nudity and intense scenes, including male-male passion, the film also features Robert Downey Jr.'s character, Jordan Belfort, using drugs. Cocaine and tranquilizers are his friends. Robert Downey Jr. will authentically portray the conflicted life of this Wolf of Wall Street."

For a while, the internet was filled with rumors about Robert Downey Jr. and "The Wolf of Wall Street."

These rumors, far from harming the film, only garnered more attention.

As for Robert Downey Jr., few actors in Hollywood care about such matters; nudity is too common.

Murphy heard from Kara Faith an interesting anecdote about Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. In their collaboration on "Revolutionary Road" last year, directed by Kate Winslet's husband, Sam Mendes, they filmed explicit scenes without either Mendes or Winslet caring.

The publicity stunt centered around Robert Downey Jr. was not an isolated effort but part of a series of planned strategies.

Murphy also opened his official Twitter and Facebook accounts. When rumors about Robert Downey Jr. using a body double began to circulate, he updated his accounts.

"Robert Downey Jr.'s explicit scenes in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' were all done personally, without a body double!"

His endorsement not only kept the previously created buzz alive but also helped his friend, aiding Robert Downey Jr.'s bid for Best Actor nominations in the upcoming awards season.

Hollywood may have people indifferent to fame and fortune, but Murphy hadn't met any. Even Daniel Day-Lewis, who is almost detached from commercial films, would personally campaign for the Oscars. Murphy and Robert Downey Jr. are even more invested in this game of fame and fortune.

Although awards season starts in December, after seeing Murphy's nearly four-hour rough cut, Robert Downey Jr. had already begun preparing.

In mid-August, he hosted a party at his home, inviting many friends from the industry. Compared to the uncertain future votes, friends like Murphy, Stanton Party members, and the Downeys' friends were the foundation for his Best Actor nomination.

Others were public relations points; Murphy and his group were friendship points.

"Downey, inviting Murphy is a waste."

In the banquet hall, Jonah Hill, looking at Murphy, said to Robert Downey Jr., "Seth, James, and I have all accepted the Academy's invitation and officially become members, with Oscar voting rights. But Murphy isn't!"

Seth Rogen, James Franco, Lily Collins, the Downeys, and Gal Gadot all laughed. They knew Murphy wasn't even a member of the Directors Guild.

Murphy shrugged and didn't respond to Jonah Hill.

Robert Downey Jr., however, played along, "So, what should I do?"

Jonah Hill looked seriously at Murphy and said, "Kick Murphy out, let him hit the road."

"You're so mean!" Lily Collins defended Murphy, "Jonah, you're the one who should hit the road."

She winked at Susan Downey and joked, "Susan, aren't you worried about Jonah having another brain..."

Lily Collins scratched her head, unsure of the term Murphy used to describe Jonah Hill, looking for help from Gal Gadot.

"Brain cramp," Gal Gadot reminded.

"Right, brain cramp!" Lily Collins continued teasing Jonah Hill, "Just like last time. Susan, it could ruin this party."

Seth Rogen, seemingly honest, added, "I think that's possible."

Murphy joined in, "I have no objections."

"Just say the word, Susan," James Franco flexed his arms, "I can throw this guy out anytime."

"Seriously?" Jonah Hill looked aggrieved, "I didn't take any drugs today."

Everyone, including Murphy and Gal Gadot, looked unconvinced.

Jonah Hill could only shake his head and sigh as if deeply wronged.

"Downey," Murphy noticed more guests entering the banquet hall and reminded, "more guests are here."

With everyone around being friends, Robert Downey Jr. didn't say much, pulling Susan Downey along to greet the other guests.

As more people filled the hall, Murphy and Gal Gadot mingled, greeting familiar faces before returning to their group. They formed a specific clique, making it hard for outsiders to join.

"Gale, you look thinner," Lily Collins said affectionately, linking arms with Gal Gadot. "Any secret?"

"There is a secret," Gal Gadot replied, seeing Lily Collins' curiosity, "Balancing studies and a thesis while working on a film like 'The Wolf of Wall Street' helps you lose weight easily."

When she played Wonder Woman, she gained weight and muscle, making her look less thin than before. But after graduation season, she returned to her original state.

"Hi, what are you talking about?" a voice greeted from the left. Gal Gadot turned and smiled, "You're here, Maggie."

"Yes," Margot Robbie joined them, "I came with David."

Her brother David Robbie had a good relationship with Robert Downey Jr.

After greeting Lily Collins, Margot Robbie asked Gal Gadot, "I heard you and Murphy are going to China next month?"

"To attend a film forum," Gal Gadot lowered her voice. "Basically, it's to do some PR so Murphy's future films can enter the Chinese market."

"I see..." Margot Robbie nodded, chatted a bit more, then said, "There are some familiar faces I need to greet."

"Go ahead."

Gal Gadot knew Margot Robbie's situation was different from hers. With Murphy backing her, Gal Gadot found it easy to develop in the industry with little external resistance. But Margot Robbie, despite being David Robbie's sister, didn't have the same leverage. Apart from Gal Gadot's support, Margot Robbie had to rely on her own efforts.

James Franco had disappeared somewhere, so Murphy chatted with Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill.

"Downey's aiming for a Best Actor nomination," Jonah Hill dropped his playful demeanor, "I'm also preparing to try for Best Supporting Actor in the awards season."

"I support you!" Murphy encouraged.

"So do I," Seth Rogen added.

"I heard from Jonah and Jim that you're preparing a new project?" Murphy asked Seth Rogen, showing concern. "Is it still a comedy?"

Strictly speaking, Seth Rogen was the most hardworking among them and quite ambitious.

"Yes, a new project," Seth Rogen didn't hide it from Murphy, "I plan to combine comedy and thriller."

He smiled awkwardly, "It's just an idea, no script yet."

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