I was just thinking about taking the arts exam and you said I've been playing supporting roles

Chapter 380 Everything is ready, all we need is the east wind!
Script of "A Trip to Hong Kong" (tentative title)
Character Name: Lille [Male Lead]

Position: Fund Broker at International Securities Hong Kong Branch

Act I

Exterior shot – Highway – Daytime
Traffic is heavy, and government personnel are conducting epidemic inspections; a virus leak has occurred in a nearby biological park.

……

Bell was comfortably nestled on the sofa, holding a tablet and looking at the script for "A Trip to Hong Kong," which Chen Jin had just sent him, written entirely in English.

It's a very Hollywood template, with an incredibly clear three-act structure.

"Honey, would you like some fruit?"

Bell's wife, Siby Blazik, brought a salad to her husband's side.

Currently, Bale is about to join the filming of "Out of the Furnace," and he looks quite thin. In the film, he plays Russell, a blue-collar worker in a steel mill with a criminal record. To portray this role well, he recently spent a long time working at the high-temperature furnace in a steel mill.

"A new notebook?"

Seeing Bell nod, Sisby quickly used a fork to cut a piece of mango and held it to Bell's mouth.

Bell instinctively opened his mouth to eat, but his eyes remained fixed on the tablet in front of him the entire time.

This is their way of getting along as a couple.

Unlike many Hollywood celebrity couples who are both well-known actors, Sisby is Belle's "housekeeper"; she first served as the personal assistant to Winona Ryder, the Hollywood princess, who was the lead actress in "Edward Scissorhands".

This film also led to a globally known romance between Winona Ryder and Johnny Depp, who played Edward Scissorhands.

Sisby worked as a model and makeup artist for a while afterward. Finally, she met Bell, who was only 19 years old, while Winona was filming "Little Women". After a nearly 9-year-long relationship, the two lovers finally got married.

She witnessed Bale's transformation from a transitional child star to a globally sought-after Hollywood superstar.

A few years ago, their daughter was born, and Sisby has always been Bell's best supportive wife, taking care of all the household chores and personal matters.

Bell only needs to do one thing well.

Filming!

Without any worries, he can freely gain or lose weight to adapt to any script or role, because he has a wife who fully supports him.

In order to climb into the highest echelons of Hollywood more quickly, Bale has focused on art films in recent years.

He just won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and his next goal is known to everyone in the world—the Oscar for Best Actor.

That's why he took on "Out of the Furnace," and his next film will likely be another award-contending movie.

But at this time, Chen Jin called him and sent him the script for "A Trip to Hong Kong". To be honest... Bale was a little reluctant to accept it.

I didn't really pay much attention to the script.

If his manager called him now and said that there was a big script about the Nanjing Massacre in China that wanted him to act in it, and that the director was Zhang Yimou... Bale might not have gone to film it.

When he took on the role in "Jinling", he wasn't as famous as he is now, and he hadn't won many awards.

However, in just two years, his popularity soared due to his portrayal of Batman, becoming a global phenomenon; he even won the prestigious Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, making "The Battle of Jinling" truly irrelevant to him.

Of course, no matter what, Bale has no regrets about participating in "Jinling"; in fact, it is a very important work in his life.

He gained countless movie fans and admirers in China, becoming the most well-known Hollywood star in the region.

Winning the Berlin Golden Lion was also significant for him.

Therefore, when Chen Jin mentioned the script for "A Trip to Hong Kong", Bale agreed, even though he wasn't entirely willing.

He valued Chen Jin, his Chinese friend, quite a bit.

Whether it's for personal gain, or because of his identity, or his character as perceived in private interactions, he's someone worth befriending.

However... filming "Hong Kong Trip" would conflict with his career plans.

His team probably didn't recommend that he do it either.

Currently, his team and he share the same goal: to win an Oscar for Best Actor. Other commercial films, apart from big directors like Nolan and Spielberg, shouldn't cause any trouble for Bale.

"..."

Bell looked at the script and suddenly shook his head.

He spread his fingers and pressed them against his temples.

Sisby, who had just come out of the kitchen, hurried over, leaned against Bell's back, and massaged his head.

Bell put down the tablet, closed his eyes, and lay in his wife's arms.

"Is the script bad?"

Sisby asked.

"Chan, you know, he's an interesting guy I met in China!"

Bill was there, smiling as he spoke.

"He's a very handsome young man. Amoryn really likes him and says she wants to learn Chinese!"

Amoreline is Belle's daughter, and she is only 7 years old.

"Yes, he wrote the script!"

"I don't know how to refuse..."

After watching the beginning of "Hong Kong Trip," Bale wasn't very satisfied. It was just a zombie popcorn movie, and the character didn't have many highlights. He was just an ordinary fund manager who encountered zombies in a train car.

Moreover, Bell was unable to convince his team.

Hollywood stars are not individuals; they have several people behind them who serve them, planning, packaging, and connecting them with others.

At the same time, they are affiliated with well-known brokerage firms, such as CAA, the world's largest innovative brokerage, and receive top resources from the Big Six based on popularity and reputation.

Currently, Bell's agency is CAA, which holds half of the celebrity agency market share in the United States.

He was able to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor last year thanks in large part to the public relations efforts of this top global talent agency.

Yes, besides Harvey, that old pervert, there are many well-known companies and top filmmakers in North America who can influence the Oscars. They are all connected in private, and during awards season, they will use their own means to maximize the value for their own interests.

Of course, all those nominated for Oscars have a chance of winning; the competition comes down to the team behind them and the quality of the work itself.

"Perhaps we can invite him to our home!"

"What do you think about having a proper discussion about this?"

Siby suddenly said to Belle.

Bell shrugged. "That's a good idea. I really don't want to lose this friend!"

Knowing how to politely refuse without causing any resentment is an art in any country.

Chen Jin is undoubtedly someone Bale can get to know well. Bale is well aware of both Chen Jin's status as the Venice Film Festival Best Actor and the huge Chinese market and CETC Films behind him.

Even his team congratulated him, saying that "The Battle at Lake Changjin" was a brilliant move, and the film's box office of 17 billion RMB in China immediately earned Bale a huge number of Chinese fans.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he is currently the most popular Hollywood star in China.

Because of its award at the Berlin Film Festival, "Jinling" is very likely to surpass "So Young" at the box office and become the highest-grossing film in China, breaking the Chinese box office record.

Is he married?

Sibi suddenly asked.

"No, he has a girlfriend, but she's in China!"

"How about we schedule a time to invite him privately, and ask him to recommend a reliable Chinese teacher? What do you think?"

"Haha, yes!"

Thinking of his daughter, Belle's face broke into a rare, fatherly smile.

"Then it's settled. I'll make the arrangements!"

"This weekend or next week is fine..."

"Okay, I'll call him!"

Bell nodded, glanced at the script for "A Trip to Hong Kong" again, but had already lost the desire to continue reading. *Snap!*

He pressed the lock screen button on the iPad; it was time to rekindle their married life with his wife.

***
On the other hand, Chen Jin did not begin post-production work on "Killer: Dragon".

Instead, they called David Leitch and his core team to a restaurant in New York.

The goal, of course, is to persuade the guys in front of me to work together on the next movie.

So, David Leitch was stunned.

Chen Jin had just shared his ideas with David, Chad, and a few others, including Sun Nuo and photographer Jonathan.

"Chan, this...this is too sudden!"

David Leitch shrugged, thinking that Chen Jin had called them over to discuss the post-production of "Killer: Dragon".

Surprisingly, he actually wanted him and Chad to direct a new film?

"Haha, Leitch, I think this is a great opportunity!"

Sun Nuo congratulated his friend, David Leitch, who had always dreamed of becoming a director; if Chen Jin hadn't suddenly intervened, he and Chad would have already started preparing for "John Wick".

This shows that the two of them are very ambitious.

"Although I do want to be a director, but..."

Chad shrugged mischievously beside him: "This is a bit unexpected, it's... a bit too fast!"

If Chen Jin had told the two of them after the release of "Killer: Dragon" that they would direct the next movie, they wouldn't be so surprised now.

I would definitely agree without hesitation.

But with the future of "Killer: Dragon" uncertain, Chen Jin is already planning to launch another film, and even has the two of them direct it, which is quite unusual.

It's not Hollywood at all.

In North America, generally speaking, apart from independent films, if it's one of the six major new projects, they will definitely start preparing for a sequel only after seeing a profit prospect.

"Listen, this is not a sequel to Killer Dragon!"

"It's a brand new movie, a popcorn blockbuster about zombies!"

Chen Jin knew that these guys had misunderstood.

"Oh, God!"

"Zombie popcorn?"

David Leitch's eyes widened, and Chad beside him stared blankly. This subject matter... is truly challenging!
This was completely beyond the comprehension of everyone present.

"Yes, don't you all want to be directors?"

Chen Jin looked at David and Chad.

Chad smiled wryly and said, "We definitely wanted to be directors, but this subject matter was a bit unexpected!"

"Nothing to be surprised about, zombie movies are very popular in the North American market right now!"

Needless to say, Resident Evil, I Am Legend, and Shaun of the Dead are all well-known. The first season of The Walking Dead was a global phenomenon last year, and World War Z is Paramount's big release this year, featuring Bout and Matthew Fox!
Releasing related themes during this period is definitely a good opportunity; the popularity of zombie movies in the future will be much lower than it is now.

Capitalizing on trending topics has always been a common tactic in Hollywood.

Furthermore, "Train to Busan" is very Eastern in nature, completely different from the popcorn flicks of Hollywood films.

"Yeah, zombie movies are one of my favorite genres!"

"I've watched Resident Evil so many times, and played the games too..."

David Leitch himself is a zombie enthusiast and previously served as executive director on many horror films; Jonathan chimed in, "This premise sounds exciting and interesting, I like it..."

He really loves it; many of the terrifying, suspenseful, and dark camerawork in "John Wick" are his work.

He has loved watching horror movies since he was a child, so he has some interest in them.

"But this is our first movie!"

Chad shouted at the two guys who were clearly getting a little adrenaline pumping.

"What does this have to do with anything!"

"Who says the first film has to be about a certain subject?"

Chen Jin was inciting him, and David Leitch, aside from his initial surprise, was clearly getting a little carried away.

"I don't really care!"

"As long as Chan pays for me to film it, that's fine..."

David laughed shamelessly, "You know, I've been wanting to direct a movie myself ever since I was a kid. If it were a zombie movie, hahaha, I feel like my blood is starting to boil!"

I was so hungry and thirsty.

If someone is funding him to film this, what reason does he have to refuse?
Besides, zombie movies sound like a lot of potential.

"I have no problem either!"

Jonathan had clearly sided with Chen Jin, his eyes flashing with excitement.

"Okay, then I'm fine with that too!"

With both of his close friends betraying him, Chad saw no point in continuing.

"Haha, very good!"

"Since everyone agrees, I'll send you the script later. This is a different kind of Hollywood popcorn movie; it might have some Eastern influences. You can give me your suggestions after you've read it!"

Chen Jin wasn't too surprised that the group agreed to start filming; her only concern was one person.

It's Bell.

Convincing him to participate will be difficult.

For a bunch of guys like David who've never been directors before, who could resist such a hot commodity?

The initial emotions stemmed from the suddenness of the situation. But once I calmed down and thought about it, what difference does it make what I'm filming?
It would be foolish to miss such a great opportunity.

Drip!

Bell's message also popped up on Chen Jin's phone, which was on the table.

After glancing at the contents, Chen Jin knew almost immediately that Bale... probably wasn't interested in "A Trip to Hong Kong".

Otherwise, why would he invite me to his house for dinner this week?

Make it clear that you want to maintain the relationship and have a proper talk with him about the script.

"It seems I have no choice but to personally go and ask him, 'old man'!"

Chen Jin sighed inwardly.

Of course, he also had to be prepared for both possibilities. If Bale really couldn't participate, then he would have to take the lead role himself. Chen Jin from Hollywood only knew Bale; the others were either too big a name to invite or didn't have much recognition in China.

The main problem is that he's not a big enough star. Hollywood doesn't even care about his project, even if it's a zombie movie.
"Bell is still the best option!"

"Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to penetrate the North American market at all..."

Chen Jin believes in the quality of "Train to Busan," and the only reason for its poor box office performance in North America is that it is a South Korean film.

Not only did I not recognize the actors, but there was also no English dubbing.

If it were to become an independent film produced in Hollywood, the concept would be completely different.

Furthermore, in the original timeline, "Train to Busan" was not able to be released in mainland China; otherwise, its global box office would definitely have been even better!

After all, this movie was trending on Chinese social media for many days.

Korean actors Ma Dong-seok and Gong Yoo became known to Chinese audiences because of this movie.

It's easy to imagine how many pirated copies of this movie were downloaded!

(End of this chapter)