Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 203: Selection of Taken

Brian, Lao Chen, Ali, Leng Feng~
Four people, four lines...

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, everyone looked at each other.

In 2005, Marvel had not yet risen, and there was no concept of a movie universe worldwide.

But the agent universe proposed by Zhang Chen is indeed very attractive.

Each character can become a series in its own right. What a concept! This is simply a gold mine.

Among the crowd, only Ning Hao had some understanding of this aspect.

Because Zhang Chen was originally planning to make "The Dark Invasion" like this, and Juno and Sharla, the characters in it, were both planning to shoot a personal spin-off, but later the plan was aborted because of Che Xiao's retirement.

Among everyone, Dong Jianqiang was the most interested in this movie universe plan.

"So which one are we going to shoot first?"

According to what Zhang Chen just said, it must be one of "Taken" and "The Force Awakens".

Zhang Chen did not answer but asked: "What do you think?"

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing how to choose.

"I heard that you talked about "Sanction Agents" with Teacher Chen Daoming yesterday?" Chen Xi raised his hand tentatively.

Zhang Chen nodded: "Indeed, at that time I only had the story of "Sanction Agents" in my mind, and I happened to think that Teacher Chen Daoming was quite suitable. His scholarly temperament is quite similar to Lao Chen. Including the name Lao Chen, I gave it to him."

"Did Director Chen agree?"

"Not yet, but he's a little interested. He's just worried that he can't act in this kind of action scene."

Dong Jianqiang: “I have this worry, too.”

Zhang Chen shook his head nonchalantly. "It's okay. The film I designed doesn't have that many intense action scenes. Most of the time, guns are used, and sometimes there are hand-to-hand combat. Even the hand-to-hand combat scenes can be completed through editing. As for jumping off buildings or bridges, they will not appear."

"Oh, if that's the case, then Chen Daoming is indeed suitable. The news that he is filming an action movie alone is worth at least 2000 million in box office revenue."

Chen Daoming is very popular among the people.

Many audiences like him very much.

Although people may not necessarily go to watch the movies he makes, there must be many people who are curious about his action movies and want to watch them.

Ning Hao expressed a different opinion: "But I think the story of Taken is better. The character of Brian is so subversive. Before this, there has never been a positive character with this setting, but this is exactly more realistic. An agent should be like this."

"Yes, yes, I feel the same way. He is so indifferent to human life and does everything only for his own ends. If I had a father like that, I would die happily."

Speaking of this, Chen Xi was also a little excited.

"I also think Hurricane Rescue is better..." Zhang Chen also expressed his opinion: "I've already said that we should teach them how to make spy films. It would be best to find the most distinctive one."

"Okay, then let's shoot 'Taken.'" Dong Jianqiang made the decision.

"It's a shame for Painted Skin. If it could be made, it would definitely be more sensational than Taken."

There are still no oriental fantasy-themed movies in China, and all costume films are historical dramas.

Everyone was sighing. Zhang Chen had already told them that Painted Skin might not pass review, and everyone felt it was a pity.

"Let's wait and see. Maybe after the success of Taken, Painted Skin can be approved."

Zhang Chen actually has his own ideas, but now everything is just a possibility. He will have to discuss it before he can know whether it is feasible.

Everyone did not suspect anything and continued to discuss "Taken".

"You plan to ask Chen Daoming to play Lao Chen in "The Sanction Agents", but who are you going to ask to play Brian in "Taken"?"

The male protagonist can be said to be the soul of the whole film and cannot be lost.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen wrote a name on the whiteboard - Liang Jiahui.

Seeing this name, everyone was a little surprised. They originally thought it would be an action star, but unexpectedly he was just a literary actor.

But when I thought of Chen Daoming, I felt relieved.

Yes, Zhang Chen said that all action scenes can be completed through editing, so it makes sense to find a veteran actor who is also good at literary dramas.

Zhang Chen didn’t have so many other thoughts, he simply liked this actor.

Lao Liang is his favorite male actor, no doubt about it.

This person not only has good acting skills, but also has a positive outlook on life.

Hong Kong artists all have some scandals, but Lao Liang doesn’t have any. Another one who doesn’t have any is Leon Lai.

Zhang Chen has long wanted to work with such a positive actor.

No one spoke, except Dong Jianqiang, who had a different opinion.

He considered for a moment before speaking: "First of all, let me make it clear that I also like Liang Jiahui, the actor with a thousand faces, and I love watching all his dramas.

But as the general manager, I have to consider the issue from the perspective of the market. Liang Jiahui is undoubtedly a talented actor, but what is a talented actor? A talented actor is someone who has good acting skills, but is generally recognized as not very popular.

If I use him, I'm not worried about the quality of the movie, but I'm worried about the box office.

Zhang Chen, I don't want to interfere with your casting, but why don't you consider using some influential actors, such as Cheng Long or Jet Li..."

After Dong Jianqiang finished speaking, he looked at Zhang Chen, and everyone seemed to be thinking about something.

What Manager Dong said seems to make sense. Compared with Jackie Chan, Liang Jiahui is indeed far behind in box office appeal.

Jackie Chan is an international star. Although his works have failed in the past two years, his popularity is still there.

His works have international influence.

It can be said that as long as Cheng Long participates in the film, there will be no need to worry about the film's overseas distribution.

However, Zhang Chen shook his head and said, "Jackie Chan is not suitable. His personal style is too strong and it doesn't suit the role at all." There was one more thing Zhang Chen didn't say. No matter who directs Jackie Chan's movies, they will be considered Jackie Chan's works.

The director is just a tool in Jackie Chan's movies, but Zhang Chen doesn't want to be a tool.

He is the leading actor in this movie.

"Indeed, Cheng Long is not suitable, his style has been set, people will unconsciously think of acrobatic martial arts when they see his face, it has become a conditioned reflex.

But the fighting style of our film Taken is extremely simple, which will make the audience feel torn." Ning Hao also echoed.

This principle is actually very simple, you just need to think about it for a while.

Moreover, Jackie Chan later filmed a similar movie called "The Foreigner", which was not very good.

Like "The Foreigner" and "Shinjuku Incident", both are non-Jackie Chan style movies, but their box office performances were not very good.

Seeing the two people's objection, Dong Jianqiang still did not give up: "What about Jet Li?"

This time Ning Hao didn't say anything, but Zhang Chen shook his head. "Jet Li is too expensive. His salary is calculated based on Hollywood pay. We can't afford it at all. Besides, most of the fighting scenes in Taken involve guns, not many fists and kicks. And Jet Li's fans only watch fists and kicks in his movies. If there aren't enough fighting scenes, they will give a bad review..."

Zhang Chen doesn't want to follow the old path of "The Warlords".

This is the case with "The Warlords". Jet Li was used and the promotion was also about Jet Li, so the audience thought it was a Jet Li-style movie.

But after watching it, I found that it was not the case at all.

Jet Li has very few fighting scenes in the film.

Isn't this a lie?

Angry movie fans gave low scores one after another, and then the reputation of "The Warlords" collapsed.

Is this the fans’ fault?

Of course not.

The fans came for Jet Li, but you ended up feeding them shit. It would be strange if they didn't curse you.

Dong Jianqiang was not angry even though the two candidates he proposed were rejected one after another.

Xingchen Entertainment is a new company, so there aren't so many twists and turns. He knows that everyone is just sticking to the facts.

"Just follow my suggestion on the selection of candidates. Haozi, when will you start filming "Stone"? " Zhang Chen suddenly changed the subject.

"I was just about to tell you about this. I don't want to wait until Black 2 is out of theaters. I want to start filming in the next two days."

The box office success of "Black 2" is a foregone conclusion, and there is no chance of any major surprises.

Ning Hao wanted to start filming ahead of schedule. The cast of "Stone" was already complete, and all preparations had been completed, so they were just waiting to start filming.

"Okay, you can set the time yourself, but before you go, please do me a favor..."

"what?"

"Help me arrange a meeting with your sponsor."

"The star-studded Lu Zheng?"

Zhang Chen nodded: "Yes."

Ning Hao opened his mouth in surprise: "You want to sell your daughter's role to him?"

Zhang Chen continued to nod: "I do have this idea, but there is more to it than that. There are other things to discuss..."

Dong Jianqiang next to him was a little uncertain: "Isn't this bad for you?"

Zhang Chen laughed: "What's wrong with that? The role of the daughter is not that important, she's just a tool. Even a new graduate can easily handle it. If he can afford the price, it's fine to give it to him. Besides, I want him to help smooth the way for the review of Painted Skin."

"Can he decide whether to pass the trial?" Dong Jianqiang seemed to have discovered a new world.

"He can't, but maybe Jing Tian can."

Ning Hao also looked unconvinced, as if the Jing Tian that Zhang Chen was talking about was not the Jing Tian he knew at all.

"Give it a try, there's nothing to lose.

I just heard that his family has a lot of power.”

Everyone present was full of suspicion. They had all heard that the new actor Jing Tian had some connections.

Apart from anything else, Xingguang Canlan is well-known for its wealth in the circle, but Xingguang Canlan only has one contracted artist, Jing Tian, ​​which is very telling.

But it’s a bit mysterious that her background is high enough to allow her to interfere with the review process.

"Okay, I'll help you contact ~"

After talking about the role, Zhang Chen looked at Dong Jianqiang again.

"Chen Xi is with the group "Stone", go and help Ning Hao. I still need someone to help me coordinate here. Please help me recruit an assistant."

"No problem, what do you want?"

"No need to sift through a large number of people, just help me find someone named Wuershan in the circle. He is a commercial shooter, and he is my senior. He also graduated from the directing department of Beijing Film Academy."

"OK, no problem."

Dong Jianqiang didn't ask why they were looking for Wuershan, it was none of his business.

There are a lot of personal connections in this circle.

Zhang Chen didn't have as many scheming ideas as Dong Jianqiang. He simply felt that an assistant director was needed.

Wuershan is obviously a very suitable candidate, as he is the number one tool in Chinese entertainment.

(End of this chapter)