Huayu: Starting from Fahrenheit

Chapter 321 Stanley Tong's Thoughts
Andy Lau didn't come to see Wu Zhuo for any particular purpose.

He came purely to chat with Wu Zhuo.

Although the entertainment industry is full of hypocrisy.

However, it cannot be denied that some people do have very good personalities.

Andy Lau's enduring popularity is a testament to his trustworthy character.

He may have vested interests in his interactions with others, but most of the time he still makes friends based on his own conscience.

Wu Zhuo remembered seeing the report in his previous life.

It is said that when Wang Baoqiang first attended the Golden Horse Awards, he didn't know how to use the sensor faucet backstage.

When Andy Lau encountered this, in order to ease his embarrassment, he had already washed his hands, but pretended not to notice his awkwardness and demonstrated it to him again.

Of course, Wu Zhuo was definitely not Wang Baoqiang at that time.

The reason Andy Lau came over was simply because he admired his talent and wanted to network and get to know him.

"Let's exchange phone numbers! We can get together sometime."

After chatting for a while, Andy Lau took the initiative to ask Wu Zhuo for his phone number.

Wu Zhuo naturally agreed, took out his phone, and they exchanged numbers.

After obtaining the number, Andy Lau left with his entourage.

Wu Zhuo stayed a little longer, waiting for Jackie Chan to finish his rehearsal before they went to eat together.

Although there were three people who initiated this charity performance.

However, Wu Zhuo's relationship with Jet Li is actually just so-so.

He wasn't the type of person to fawn over others.

Therefore, the two were essentially nodding acquaintances.

On the contrary, it was Jackie Chan.

Although this guy really likes to brag about his past glories.

However, it cannot be denied that Wu Zhuo personally felt more comfortable interacting with him.

When Jackie Chan invited me to dinner, I just casually accepted.

This guy booked two tables at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Besides the two of them, they invited other people as well.

One is his senior brother Sammo Hung, and the other is his good partner Stanley Tong.

Speaking of Stanley Tong.

He is probably the director Jackie Chan has worked with the most.

He directed films such as Rumble in the Bronx, Simple Mission, and The Myth.

Later, Jackie Chan's more notable films, such as "Chinese Zodiac" and "Kung Fu Yoga," were also collaborations with him.

The two were a golden duo in this era.

Just like Chow Yun-fat and John Woo, or Stephen Chow and Wong Jing in the 80s and 90s.

"Abel, have you ever thought about developing your career in Hollywood?"

Since we're all in the same industry, when we sit down to eat together, it's inevitable that we'll talk about our careers.

Unlike Sammo Hung, who simply considered Wu Zhuo a friend, Stanley Tong wanted to build a professional relationship with him.

As they chatted, he took the initiative to ask Wu Zhuo if he had ever thought about developing his career in Hollywood.

Many of Hong Kong's directors have worked in Hollywood.

John Woo and others need no introduction.

After Jackie Chan's "Rumble in the Bronx" became a global hit, Stanley Tong also ventured into Hollywood.

In 1996, at the invitation of Hollywood manager Andrew Morgan, he went to Hollywood to develop his career. His first Western film as a director was the family comedy "Mr. Offbeat," starring Leslie Nelson.

After its release, the film was selected as one of the top ten family films of the 1996 American "Movie Guild Award", and Stanley Tong was admitted as a member of the Directors Guild of America (DGA) because of this film.

In 1998, he directed and produced the CBS television series "The Crossing," which achieved high ratings and became the number one new television program in the United States in 1999.

It won the 1998 TV Guild Award for Best New TV Series, the Viewers Voice Award for Favorite New TV Series, and the 9th Audience Choice Award for Favorite New Primetime Series.

It's worth mentioning that Sammo Hung starred in this film, "The Crossing Dragon".

Yes, many people think that Sammo Hung never went to Hollywood.

In fact, Sammo Hung has also acted in Hollywood, although not in movies...

For the first few years, Stanley Tong did quite well in the United States.

Unfortunately, he didn't achieve much success after that, so he had to return to China to make films after the turn of the century.

After returning from his time in the Golden Age, he's doing very well in China. While he may not be on par with John Woo, who frequently directs blockbusters costing 500 million yuan, he's still a renowned director. Just two months ago, Stanley Tong and his wife, Chen Qiuxia, secured 17 billion yuan in investment to build the Dream City Film City in Yunnan.

His career is thriving.

However, this guy clearly still has ambitions for Hollywood.

Jackie Chan told him that Stanley Tong had told him more than once that if there was an opportunity, they should collaborate on another international blockbuster.

As for why he asked Wu Zhuo that question...

That makes it easy to guess.

Currently, only a handful of Chinese artists have significant influence in the West.

Each of them has its own Western backer.

Only Wu Zhuo seems to have no connection with Hollywood.

Although Wu Zhuo may not seem to have much influence in the West, the fact that his songs were listed on Billboard shows that he has an audience there.

Even a small audience represents an opportunity.

Therefore, it's not surprising that Stanley Tong is so keen on whether or not Wu Zhuo wants to go to Hollywood.

"I don't have that plan at the moment."

Knowing what Stanley Tong was planning, Wu Zhuo shook his head.

Exploring the international market has always been Wu Zhuo's goal.

Starting this year, he will add a large number of English songs to his albums in order to increase his influence in the Western market.

However, his international policy differs from that of the general public.

Currently, most of the mainstream Chinese artists who venture into Europe and America are actors and directors.

Their approach was to go directly there to find acting opportunities.

And Wu Zhuo.

He's pursuing a career as a singer.

This doesn't require him to go to the West.

He can produce the songs domestically and then collaborate with international record companies to promote them.

In fact, Wu Zhuo could have stayed in Europe and America for a long time.

It's more convenient there, whether it's for publicity or doing other things.

But Wu Zhuo refused.

Having traveled through time, he knew Hollywood better than anyone.

That place is a cannibalistic place.

Discrimination against these people is one thing.

Various unspoken rules and forms of oppression are emerging one after another.

Wu Zhuo was afraid of going there; he simply couldn't stand those rules.

So, I'll stay in the country.

It's best to go there when you're releasing an album or when there's an event.

As for making Hollywood movies?
Wu Zhuo had no such idea.

Skin color discrimination cannot be erased simply by being popular.

How many Chinese people have made it big in Hollywood?
And, most importantly,

The domestic market is about to take off.

He'd rather lose the big picture than pick up a small gain.

It's better to just stay in the country and have fun.

Here, no one bullies him; he's already a frontline player.

Secondly, it is about familiarity.

"Your idea is actually wrong. You have a very good following among Chinese people in the United States right now."

The song is very popular; if you seize the opportunity, you could be the next international superstar.

Stanley Tong shook his head, looking as if you'd misunderstood.

Wu Zhuo smiled but didn't say anything.

He is very opinionated and won't change his mind because of a few words from others.

(End of this chapter)