Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 200: "Taken" and "Agents of Sanctions"

Zhang Chen didn't know what Chen Daoming was thinking. He was talking about other things with Feng Xiaogang and others.

"You said it very well today. Those guys are nothing but..."

Regardless of the occasion, Feng Xiaogang praised Zhang Chen's behavior highly.

Ge You beside him tugged at his sleeve: "Keep your voice down, the reporters haven't left yet, if they hear you, it will be a mess~"

"What are you afraid of? If they dare to talk nonsense, I will scold them like Zhang Chen did. I have been annoyed with those guys in the Hong Kong circle for a long time. They are obviously begging for food in the mainland, but they are acting like masters."

The Beijing circle is probably the group of people who are most unhappy with the Hong Kong circle, because in a sense, the emergence of the Hong Kong circle interrupted the monopoly of the Beijing circle.

Zhang Chen was laughing at the side, he didn't want to escalate the situation.

One reason was that Han Sanping had reminded him, and the other was that he also felt that this was a personal grudge.

It has nothing to do with the Hong Kong circle. It’s just one or a few Hong Kong filmmakers who are targeting him. These people cannot represent the Hong Kong circle.

Zhang Guoli, who was standing next to him, saw that Zhang Chen didn't want to talk about this topic any more, so he asked, "You just said you wanted to make a spy movie, is that true?"

"of course it's true."

In this kind of situation, Zhang Chen definitely cannot admit that he was just talking nonsense.

I can't admit it even if I'm beaten to death.

Besides, it's just a spy film, it's not that difficult, at worst we can just make one for real.

"Are you really going to do this? No one in our country has ever done something similar."

Spy films are nothing new.

The "007" system, the "Bourne" series, and the "Mission Impossible" series are no longer surprising.

But no one in China has ever done such a subject.

"Not really. Didn't Cheng Long make "Who Am I"?"

"That's Cheng Long, not from the mainland. And strictly speaking, Who Am I is actually an action movie. The spy element is not strong. The only thing that can be related to the spy is probably the coconut infusion at the beginning..."

Listening to the discussion, Zhang Chen did not participate, but was thinking about his own things.

Teaching them how to make a spy movie is just talk, but if you calm down and think about it, it can actually be done.

There are too many films of this kind in my memory.

"Taken", "The Punisher", "Mr. and Mrs. Smith"...

Oh, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" probably won't work. This movie was released in China in July this year, and it may have already been released in North America by now.

This is still a famous one. Less famous ones include Sweden's "National Interest".

It's not as exciting as the previous American films, but the fact that it was able to get a sequel shows that at least the previous one was a success.

The more Zhang Chen thought about it, the smoother it became. In fact, spy films are not difficult to shoot.

To put it bluntly, its core is still an action movie, but it needs to use a lot of details to emphasize the identity of the agent.

How to emphasize?

Just make him look professional.

In this regard, "The Bourne Supremacy" is undoubtedly the best.

The screenwriter uses a lot of details to repeatedly emphasize Jason Bourne's professionalism.

A tourist brochure was all it took to call and locate Pamela Landy's accommodation...

A quick glance at the crowd will tell you where the nearest exit is, the person in the room may be an enemy, and those things may become weapons...

Everything around you, a pencil, a magazine can become a murder weapon...

These are all meant to instill in the audience the idea that Bourne is a professional agent.

It can be said that as long as this is done well, the spy film is half successful.

While the others were still discussing, Zhang Chen, who already had some ideas, suddenly asked, "Uncle Daoming, have you considered transitioning?"

"Ok?"

Chen Daoming was a little confused by this sudden question.

He hadn't said anything just now and was just listening. He didn't understand why Zhang Chen suddenly came to him?
"Transformation? Transform into what?"

"Uncle Daoming has never played a secret agent, right?"

As soon as Zhang Chen finished speaking, everyone around him widened their eyes.

"You...want to invite Daoming to act in an action movie? What do you think?"

Ge You was a little bit unbelievable.

"I just feel like Uncle Daoming has never acted in an action movie before, so he could try it and change his style~"

Chen Daoming himself was also a little confused.

He has indeed never acted in an action movie.

In fact, most non-action actors in China have never acted in action movies.

Of course, martial arts are excluded.

The situation in China is different from that in Hong Kong. There, if an actor becomes famous, he can play any role.

However, in China, people generally emphasize specialization.

Look at the filming of "Water Margin", the actors are all martial arts practitioners from all over the country.

"Tell us about the script first and let us hear it~" Feng Xiaogang suddenly became interested.

Although he also felt that Zhang Chen's idea was a bit too far-fetched, it was indeed quite subversive.

Zhang Chen then briefly explained the plot of "Sanction Agents":
“The title of the play is “Sanction Agents”, and the plot is very simple, it is actually a story about redemption.

Lao Chen is a retired agent who once belonged to a secret force. His main job was assassination and beheading. Anyway, the more mysterious his background, the better.

Later, he got tired of this kind of life, retired, lived in seclusion in Southeast Asia, and lived an ordinary life.

He loves reading, occasionally drives a taxi, and likes to help those at the bottom of society.

To others, he is a helpful person and a harmless good person.

But every time he encounters a fallen soul who wants to turn back, he will start to save him.

Persuade them to be good people and help them get out of the shadows.

Then he encountered resistance because his actions touched the interests of the gangs that controlled those degenerates. Lao Chen would first reason with them and try to be reasonable.

If you can’t convince them through talking, then use violence to save them…”

Zhang Chen told the story in detail.

"Sanction Agents" is actually "The Equalizer", but since it was said that it was going to be a spy film, the name "Sanction Agents" is obviously more appropriate.

He is not afraid that these people will steal his ideas.

The plots of action movies are very simple. Their success or failure does not depend on the plot itself, but on the action design and style.

"Your character design is quite interesting, an agent who loves reading, an agent who likes to reason..." Feng Xiaogang exclaimed in amazement.

The story doesn't sound good, nor does it sound bad.

But the character design is indeed quite unique.

Agents at this stage are either romantic, cool and unrestrained, or miserable and miserable, being chased around the world like dogs.

But the themes are all very grand.

Save the world, destroy shocking conspiracies, and never lose to the powerful state agencies.

They can do what Rambo can't do.

Zhang Chen is just the opposite. He lives in seclusion, leads an ordinary life, and likes to chat with prostitutes.

My favorite thing to do is to persuade prostitutes to become good women.

If someone interferes, reason with them.

If people don't reason with him, he beats them.

Hmm, why does it feel like Lao Chen is also a bully?
This story is not about secret agents, but about how evil will be punished by evil.

Zhang Chen was also stunned by Feng Xiaogang's interpretation.

Can "Sanction Agents" be interpreted in this way?
Originally he just wanted to localize it, so why did it become like this after localization?
In fact, he hasn't decided yet whether to shoot "Taken" or "The Dark Knight".

The two are actually completely different stories.

Strictly speaking, the script of Taken is better because the subversion of the characters is more thorough.

At this stage, regardless of the identity of the protagonist of the movie, his behavior is basically positive and he will not kill innocent people.

Those who were killed by them must be bad guys.

But Taken is not.

His protagonist's only purpose throughout the movie is to save his daughter.

Anyone can be harmed for this purpose.

His friend's wife treated him to good food and wine, but in order to get information about his daughter, he could shoot without hesitation.

This role is subversive.

That’s why “Taken” became so popular.

The theme of this film is actually very simple.

I can die, but my daughter cannot.

My daughter is dead, and all of you must die.

In comparison, the script of "Sanction Agents" is actually very conventional.

His protagonist is a good guy with secret agent skills, and he only attacks bad guys.

This is in line with universal values, but it is bound to fail to cause a sensation.

Therefore, this later film cannot compare to "Taken" in terms of box office or influence.

The reason why Zhang Chen mentioned "The Sanction Agent" was that he felt that Chen Daoming's temperament was very suitable for the protagonist in the film.

Chen Daoming is usually very quiet and looks more like a scholar.

These are all very consistent with the protagonist.

There’s a saying in the industry that finding the right role is half the battle.

That’s why Zhang Chen couldn’t help but mention it just now.

After listening to Zhang Chen's script, Director Chen was a little hesitant.

In terms of serious dramas, he has actually reached his peak and feels there is no challenge left.

But he is willing to try many other aspects.

For example, in "Infernal Affairs", Director Chen wanted to cooperate with the Hong Kong team at that time to see how they operated, so he took on the role of Shen Cheng.

But after the cooperation, I felt that it was just like that, so there was no future.

He was also a little moved by what Zhang Chen said this time.

I don’t think I’ve ever tried acting in an action movie.

Action movies are different from kung fu movies.

Kung Fu movies must have actors with real Kung Fu skills, but action movies do not, and satisfactory effects can be achieved through editing.

"Daoming, why don't you give it a try?" Ge You fanned the flames.

"I've always wanted to see you play a villain, but you never did. It would be nice to play an action movie now, to subvert yourself~"

"But I'm worried about my body. Action movies must have a lot of intense confrontations. I'm afraid I can't handle it~"

Chen Daoming expressed his concerns.

Do you want to try it?
Of course he wanted to try.

But the worry is real.

He is not at all afraid of literary scenes, but he is really unsure about martial arts scenes.

In all the films he acted in, no matter what type, he always played literary roles. He never did any martial arts scenes, and no one invited him to do any martial arts scenes.

It seems like a convention.

"Uncle Daoming, don't worry. How about this? I'll write the script first and you can take a look at it. It may not be filmed right away. I just thought of it at the last minute, so the idea is definitely not perfect yet..."

"Okay, write it out and let me take a look first."

(End of this chapter)