RPAGF Chapter 87 The Hottest Female Lead
Chapter 87 The Hottest Female Lead
Chapter 86 The Hottest Female Lead
Zhang Jun paid no attention to the comments from the outside world.
After returning from Taiwan, Zhang Jun shifted his focus to his new film. Post-production on "Sherlock on the Plains" is basically complete, and promotional activities have begun immediately.
As the king of comedy sketches, Uncle Benshan still has a certain audience and popularity base. Even in the film industry, there are quite a few people who go to the cinema because of his name.
While busy promoting "Sherlock on the Plains," Zhang Jun also went to meet Yang Mi for a meal.
"Wow, you've become even more beautiful since I last saw you!" Zhang Jun exclaimed in admiration.
Yang Mi touched her face: "Really?"
"Yeah, it's starting to look like she's developing into a vixen," Zhang Jun joked.
Yang Mi, taking advantage of her womanhood, rolled her eyes at Zhang Jun.
After overcoming the initial awkwardness and discomfort, the atmosphere of the meal immediately became lively thanks to Yang Mi's deliberate attempts to please her.
"Director Zhang, I haven't congratulated you yet, your new movie is a box office hit." Yang Mi raised her glass.
Zhang Jun clinked glasses with Yang Mi and replied, "Thank you. Please don't call me Director Zhang anymore; it sounds too formal. Just call me by my name."
"How can that be?"
Yang Mi's eyes lit up, and an idea immediately came to her: "Well then, since you're a few years older than me, how about I call you Brother Jun?"
The term of address was a bit too intimate, but Zhang Jun already harbored ulterior motives towards Yang Mi, so he agreed to it.
"Sure, I'll call you Mimi from now on!"
Since both parties were interested in each other, Zhang Jun and Yang Mi reached an agreement on how to address each other, and that's how they started calling each other "Brother Jun" and "Mi Mi".
Yang Mi is still young and doesn't yet have the cunning and shrewdness she has later developed. She also makes no secret of her longing for movies.
"Brother Jun, what do you think would happen if I went to act in a movie?" Yang Mi asked expectantly.
While eating, Zhang Jun offered his suggestion: "In my opinion, the film industry is currently facing a situation where there are too many monks and not enough porridge; only a few films are produced each year."
Even fewer of them can sell well.
I think your current task is to focus on your studies. Aren't you studying acting at the Beijing Film Academy?
After Yang Mi nodded, Zhang Jun said, "While you're studying, you can also act in some TV series to build up your popularity."
Acting in movies depends on a matter of chance.
Yang Mi asked expectantly, "Brother Jun, if you have a suitable role, will you come and contact me?"
Zhang Jun pondered for a moment before saying, "I am a very serious person, and I have very strict requirements when it comes to casting. If the requirements are not met, good relationships alone are not enough."
Of course, all things being equal, I would naturally choose my own people first.
The following sentence was loaded with meaning, and Yang Mi understood it. She immediately promised that she would study hard, hone her acting skills, and strive to reach a new level.
After finishing his dinner with Yang Mi, Zhang Jun continued working, starting pre-production for "Reign of Assassins" and handling the release of "Sherlock on the Plains".
Good news came from Zhang Ziyi: she has returned from Hollywood and wants to talk to Zhang Jun.
"How was your Hollywood trip?"
Knowing Zhang Ziyi's dream of winning an Oscar, Zhang Jun asked, "Is an Oscar nomination a sure thing?"
Zhang Ziyi shook her head: "The situation is not very optimistic. My American agency is doing public relations activities, but the results are not ideal."
Zhang Jun said, "It's not easy for a Chinese person to win an honor at the Oscars; it requires the right timing, location, and people."
Ultimately, while the Oscars are very prestigious, they are still a regional award, unlike the three major European awards.
I'm not optimistic about the nomination.
Zhang Ziyi smiled wryly: "You guessed it. My American agent said the same thing, suggesting that I go all out for the Golden Globe and accumulate experience."
Zhang Jun said, "Ms. Zhang, if you can only get a nomination even if you go all out for the Golden Globe, I think you should face reality."
Although this may be hard to hear, I believe that the domestic market is your core strength, and seeking distant gains at the expense of your domestic market is not a sustainable development strategy.
"I'll think about it!"
Zhang Ziyi didn't want to talk about this anymore and changed the subject to the new project that Zhang Jun had mentioned: "Let's not talk about those troublesome things and talk about your new project."
Besides me, who else did you contact?
"Andy Lau!"
Zhang Jun said, "At the Golden Horse Awards ceremony, Brother Jackie Chan introduced me to Andy Lau, who was very interested in it."
In fact, I'm planning to go to Hong Kong Island these next couple of days to have a detailed chat with Andy Lau.
"Andy Lau!"
Zhang Ziyi approves of this choice; she and Andy Lau collaborated on "House of Flying Daggers" and had a pretty good chemistry.
However, there's a problem: "Director Feng also submitted a script, which is also a period drama. Should I take the role in yours, or go for his?"
Zhang Jun replied, "If you're considering the director's reputation and influence, I suggest you take on Director Feng's film. But if you're aiming for success, then my film is your best choice in China."
"So confident?"
"How can you make movies if you lack self-confidence!"
Zhang Ziyi stared at Zhang Jun's face, trying to discern some other expression. But unfortunately, Zhang Jun remained confident and unperturbed.
After a while, Zhang Ziyi withdrew her gaze.
"Alright, since I've come to see you, it's because I think your play is more interesting. I'll take the role in your play, as you previously agreed."
Before leaving, Zhang Ziyi turned back and said, "Director Zhang, I'm counting on you from now on. Good luck!"
"Well!"
Zhang Jun was stunned. To be honest, Zhang Ziyi is not suited to acting cute or coquettish. It doesn't match her aura and it even feels a bit greasy.
In any case, the female lead issue has been settled, which means that preparations for "Reign of Assassins" can officially begin.
Zhang Jun immediately called Boss Wang to tell him the good news. Boss Wang was overjoyed and immediately arranged for 30 million yuan in funding.
With this money, Zhang Jun no longer lacked funds for the initial preparations.
He brought in Huang Jianeng, the art director of "Seven Swords," to scout locations in Zhejiang Province with the set design team. The filming location was set in Hengdian, but it still required shooting in many different places.
These should be selected during the preparation stage to avoid being caught off guard later.
At the same time, Huang Jianeng and costume designer Zhu Junyi began working on the film's art design and character styling.
Huang Jianeng and Zhu Junyi are both from Hong Kong Island and came to the mainland to develop their careers.
The number of film projects starting in Hong Kong Island each year is decreasing, and many local behind-the-scenes talents cannot find work there, so they have no choice but to move north to develop their careers.
From an objective point of view, the move of behind-the-scenes talents from Hong Kong and Taiwan to the mainland is a mutually beneficial choice.
The mainland film industry lacks professional behind-the-scenes talent, while Hong Kong's behind-the-scenes talent is short of work, so the two sides hit it off immediately.
After several years of working together, the behind-the-scenes talents in Hong Kong have found a way to collaborate with mainland production teams, and they can work together happily.
However, working with such a young director as Zhang Jun was a first for both Huang Jianeng and Zhu Junyi.
Zhang Jun said to the two men, "I don't care where you come from or what you're thinking. I only have one requirement: complete the task I've assigned you."
As for compensation, you will definitely not be shortchanged.
My past achievements need no further explanation; you should already be aware of them.
Huang Jianeng and Zhu Junyi immediately assured that they would do their jobs well and satisfy Zhang Jun.
On the other hand, Feng Xiaogang was determined to try his hand at period dramas. He privately told Boss Wang that he was getting tired of making the same old films and wanted to try something different this time.
The CEO of the company gave his full support to Feng Xiaogang's star director, immediately agreeing to his request, and thus the film "The Banquet" began preparations.
The first problem to solve was the actors. Feng Xiaogang brought in his old friend Uncle Ge, Zhou Xun, and the handsome Hong Kong actor Yan Zu.
Feng Dapao only encountered difficulties with the issue of the female lead.
In the original story, Zhang Ziyi would have accepted Feng Xiaogang's invitation without hesitation. But now, with Zhang Jun interfering, she has hesitated for a long time.
On one hand, there's her dream of winning an Oscar, and on the other hand, there's the conflict between the two films, leaving Zhang Ziyi unsure of what to do.
If one is a modern drama and the other is a period drama, there's no need to hesitate; just accept both.
However, both of them are period dramas, and Zhang Ziyi's agent suggested that she only accept one of them. Otherwise, taking on too many period dramas at once would lead to viewer fatigue.
Anyway, Zhang Ziyi has no shortage of roles, so giving up one of them isn't a big deal.
So when Feng Dapao waited and waited, only to receive the news that Zhang Ziyi had refused, he was still a little angry.
"Do you know whose film she took on?" Feng Dapao asked producer Hu Yan'e.
Hu Yan'e replied, "It seems we've taken on Zhang Jun's film, which is also a period drama. I heard the investment is quite large, and Huang Xiaoming is also involved."
Feng Dapao got even angrier: "It's one thing for Zhang Ziyi not to come, but didn't Huang Xiaoming arrange a role for him? Why did he go to Zhang Jun's place instead?"
"Huang Xiaoming said that he had promised Zhang Jun a long time ago, and he had also spoken to Boss Wang about it, and Boss Wang agreed."
Feng Dapao suppressed his anger. The lack of a female lead would delay the progress of "The Banquet," which was why he was angry.
Moreover, this production has a large budget, with daily expenses reaching astronomical figures, so it really can't afford to be delayed.
Feng Xiaogang quickly shifted his focus, intending to invite Gong Li, who was even more famous than Zhang Ziyi, to star in the film. Although Gong Li was older than Zhang Ziyi, she was far more well-known.
Costume dramas can't recoup their costs by relying solely on the mainland market; leveraging Gong Li's name to make money overseas is the most sensible approach.
However, the invitation was quickly rejected. Gong Li had already accepted Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower" and did not have time to take on "The Banquet".
Feng Dapao was stunned. Without Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li, was his dream of starring in period dramas going to be shattered?
However, Yuen Woo-ping, the film's producer, suggested another candidate: Cheung Man-yuk. Feng Xiaogang was overjoyed and immediately flew to Hong Kong to invite Cheung Man-yuk to take the role.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jun also flew to Hong Kong Island and had dinner at Andy Lau's home.
"Our production is now in full swing with preparations."
Zhang Jun doesn't speak Cantonese, but fortunately, Andy Lau speaks Mandarin, so the two can communicate in Mandarin.
Zhang Jun continued, "Sister Ziyi also hopes to work with you again after 'House of Flying Daggers'."
Andy Lau didn't refuse, but he made one condition: "Could my own film company participate in the investment? I can ask for a lower salary."
"Are you thinking of pursuing co-productions?" Zhang Jun asked.
Andy Lau said, "I have high hopes for you. After I came back, I learned about your achievements in the mainland, and I think you will achieve even greater success."
So, I guess you could call this an investment on my part.