Huayu: Starting from Fahrenheit

Chapter 333 Those Fleeting Years
"Regarding the company's main projects, which one do you prefer, Mr. Wu?"

Wu Zhuo and Ye Weimin had just finished discussing "Lost in Thailand" when Zheng Jianfeng, who had been studying several novels for a long time, immediately raised his questions.

Wu Zhuo looked at the project planning document in his hand.

There are three projects in total.

One is "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

This project is adapted from Giddens Ko's novel and tells a story of youth.

The other two are "Ghost Blows Out the Light" and "Fleet of Time".

"Ghost Blows Out the Light" needs no introduction; it is one of the most influential novels in China and has been the object of copyright pursuit by many film and television companies since its publication.

After learning that Wu Zhuo held the copyright to this series of novels, more than one company approached him, wanting to jointly develop the project.

However, Wu Zhuo doesn't want to get involved in this project for the time being.

The reason for releasing it is mainly to allow the company to polish the script in advance for future development.

Then, naturally, only "You Are the Apple of My Eye" and "Fleet of Time" remain.

It is clear that both of these projects are youth literature, focusing on student life.

This was done intentionally by Wu Zhuo.

It's already 2008, and before long, film and television dramas adapted from youth novels will spring up like mushrooms after rain.

Rather than letting others take the first bite of the cake, I'd rather do it myself.

In fact, Wu Zhuo has another project in hand, "So Young," which is also suitable for adaptation and filming now.

Wu Zhuo had people plan that if he starred in this film, the budget would be very high, possibly even exceeding 40 million.

This amount is considerably larger than that of legendary films today.

Legendary Cinema can currently only handle investment projects of around 30 million.

Therefore, it would be more appropriate to film the other two projects at present.

In "You Are the Apple of My Eye" and "Fleet of Time".

Wu Zhuo personally prefers "You Are the Apple of My Eye".

This novel tells the story of campus life in Taiwan.

If Wu Zhuolai were to play the lead role, he would be a perfect fit and generate enough buzz.

As for whether Wu Zhuo is suitable for the role...

That's perfectly fine.

Wu Zhuo is only twenty-two years old, and even from an age perspective, he is a good fit for the role.

"I'd prefer to film 'You Are the Apple of My Eye,' what do you think?"

Wu Zhuo looked at the others.

Zheng Jianfeng picked up the project proposal for "You Are the Apple of My Eye" and looked at it for a moment, then said:

"I actually think 'Fleet of Time' is more suitable."

"This novel uses flashbacks to depict the emotional entanglements and growth process of the post-80s generation during their youth."

The film centers on the first love story of Chen Xun and Fang Hui. They met in high school, went through the process of falling in love and developing feelings for each other, and ultimately lost each other helplessly as time went by.

I know many people born in the 80s from mainland China, and I found that this novel tells a great story about their innocence and struggles during adolescence.

Furthermore, I think this kind of film, with its strong sense of nostalgia, will definitely be very popular with audiences.

Ye Weimin then suddenly interjected:

"Zhaozai is from Taiwan. Would it be inappropriate for him to star in this project?"
The experiences of young people in Taiwan are quite different from those of young people on the mainland.

"Zhuozai hasn't experienced schooling in mainland China, so he'll probably find the role quite challenging."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Jianfeng frowned but did not refute it.

What Ye Weimin said is indeed true.

Casting Wu Zhuo, who has no experience of school life in mainland China, as a mainland student could easily result in a mismatched and incongruous scene.

"You don't need to worry about that. I speak without an accent, and my Mandarin is very fluent."

As for campus life, if we really want to film it, I can find a school to experience it firsthand. Others might not be suitable, even Eddie Peng in his previous life was criticized for his heavy Taiwanese accent when he acted in this project.

This problem does not exist for Wu Zhuo.

As for his portrayal of the spirit of mainland students.

This is also not a problem for Wu Zhuo.

In his previous life, he was from mainland China and was incredibly good at radio calisthenics...

Zhang Xiaohui didn't quite understand which project was good and which was bad, and after listening for a long time, she felt dizzy.

Seeing that everyone hadn't decided on the filming projects yet, I couldn't help but ask:
"So, which project should we actually film?"

"Let's go with 'Fleet of Time'!"

Wu Zhuo made the decision.

This project previously grossed over 5 million at the box office.

Although the plot has been criticized in various aspects.

But movies are never perfect.

"Please pay more attention to the script, Mr. Zheng. I hope to have it ready within two months."

In addition, when adapting a script, I suggest inviting the original author to serve as an advisor.

No one knows their own novels better than they do.

As Wu Zhuo stood up, he gave instructions.

Zheng Jianfeng also got up and left with him, talking as they walked.

"I recommend Zhang Yibai from mainland China as a director. I feel his shooting style would be very suitable for this film."

Wu Zhuo paused, looking at Zheng Jianfeng with some surprise.

The previous version of "Fleet of Time" was filmed by Zhang Yibai.

Unexpectedly, before he could even suggest that Zhang Yibai be the director, Zheng Jianfeng had already thought of him.

This guy truly lives up to his reputation as a future top-notch producer.

They have a knack for project planning and appointment.

"Then let's invite him to direct. But do you have a connection with Zhang Yibai? Will it be difficult for him to invite you?"

Wu Zhuo remembered that Zhang Yibai was a director from the Beijing circle, not the Shanghai circle.

To a certain extent, the Hong Kong entertainment circle collaborates more with the Shanghai entertainment circle and interacts much less with the Beijing entertainment circle.

If there's no prior relationship, inviting someone to be a director would likely be quite difficult.

In addition, Wu Zhuo recalled that when he was chatting with Eric Tsang before, he heard him say that he had taken on a role in a movie.

The director seems to be Zhang Yibai.

Filming for this movie hasn't started yet.

This film is produced by Starry Sky Entertainment, so it might clash with Legendary Entertainment's production.

“I’ve had dinner with him before, and I have his contact information. I’ll contact him later.”

If he can take on this project, then let him film it.

If his schedule doesn't work out, I'll find a suitable director instead.

"Okay, I'll leave this to you. You can use all the company's resources, as long as his conditions aren't too harsh."

Although that's what he said, Wu Zhuo felt that Zhang Yibai probably wouldn't offer too harsh conditions.

Although Zhang Yibai is somewhat famous and has even starred in classic TV series like "Love Will Carry On".

But a TV series is a TV series, and it is different from a movie.

The budget for "Fleet of Time" is around 30 million yuan, and Wu Zhuo has joined the cast.

Unless Zhang Yibai is an idiot, he shouldn't give up such a good opportunity.

(End of this chapter)