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

Chapter 382 Chen Jin's Opportunity to Break into Hollywood!

Identity: An elderly woman in the train carriage

Interior – Train Carriage, Scene 19
The old lady, with tears streaming down her face, muttered to herself: You idiot, you really deserve it!
—You don't take good care of yourself, you're always helping others!
In the end, they were abandoned by the very people they had saved!

—What a bunch of scum!
The old woman, tears streaming down her face, rose and resolutely opened the carriage door that had separated humans from zombies.

……

Bale had read more than half of the script when he was struck by a particular scene for the first time.

The realism and vivid imagery of the script's words struck him deeply.

Yes, sometimes all you need is a single image.

The second male lead, Shang Hua, used his body to block the zombies outside the carriage. The male lead, carrying his daughter, and the second male lead's pregnant wife, finally reached a section of the carriage with humans.

But instead of the enthusiastic cheers of their compatriots, they were met with accusations from these people.

They were afraid they might be carrying the zombie virus.

But in reality, without their desperate efforts, everyone in the carriage would have died long ago.

We saved them, but in the end we were driven away.

This is the stark reality of human nature!
We often see this in daily life.

Actually, by this point in the story, Bale felt that the script had a lot of depth; a popcorn zombie commercial film that delves into and satirizes human nature, something that many movies don't have.

But Hollywood does have movies like that.

However, the old lady's next action completely elevated the notebook.

Since you have abandoned the "heroes," you don't deserve to live.

She opened the carriage door herself, letting the surging zombies completely engulf them.

A real man never looks back at reality, because he's afraid he won't be able to bear living; this refers to the second male lead, Shang Hua.

A real woman is like an old lady; she simply gets up and sends the entire carriage flying.

Just when Bale thought the trio could escape and have a heroic, Hollywood-style ending, he witnessed the male lead's most glorious moment.

"Wait until your daughter is a little older!"

"Now you know why you work so hard to make a living!"

"Being a father means being scolded and not getting recognition every day!"

"But isn't it all about sacrificing one's own life like this?"

The protagonist's words deeply resonated with Bale.

Perhaps this is the shadow of fathers all over the world.

A zombie movie, besides discussing human nature, also portrays the arcs of mothers, soldiers, fathers, children, and young people.

The female lead, a pregnant mother, showed her strongest side in order to protect the child in her womb.

There were even beggars and homeless people.

They may be parasites on society, but having even a moment of brilliance in their lives is worthwhile.

The burning of life lies in that one moment of greatness.

All the groundwork laid in the early stages of the script is for the climax of each character's story later on.

Shang Hua portrays a seemingly cowardly husband in the later stages of the story, but also shows his resolute determination to protect his wife and children in the face of certain death.

The male lead, Chen Yingnan, also known as Li Er, is the most outstanding character in the later stages.

Because he is British but works in Hong Kong, he gave himself the name "Chen Yingnan".

He was a defenseless father who, in order to protect his daughter, displayed the courage of a human fighting against zombies.

"Ah Xiu, look at your father!"

Chen Yingnan, panting, looked at her daughter: "Axiu, it's alright..."

"Let Dad see it one last time!"

She laughed through her breath, panting, "Hong Kong will be safe. You have to listen to your aunt, okay?"

……

In the end, Chen Yingnan, in order to protect the pregnant female lead and her young daughter, became a man-eating zombie all by herself.

The daughter eventually came to understand her father.

How could parents not love every newborn baby?

Unfortunately, by the time she realized this, it was too late.

Before Chen Yingnan became a zombie in her delirious state, she thought of the scene when her daughter was just born, and a happy smile appeared on her face.

"Whoo~~~"

Bell wiped his eyes, looked at the English text indicating the end of the script on the tablet, and let out a long sigh.

He was truly immersed in the story of the script.

It was as if I had lived through Chen Yingnan's entire life.

At first, he felt that the character of Shang Hua, the second male lead, was very captivating, but later he was completely shocked by Chen Yingnan, the seemingly ordinary father.

This is just an ordinary person, as ordinary as can be.

Shang Hua is a trained martial artist; he knows kung fu, which is rare in reality.

But there are many people like Chen Yingnan.

He was busy with work, separated from his wife, and had no time for his daughter. As a single father and financial manager, he seemed to be a failure.

While traveling by train to the mainland with his daughter, he encountered a zombie virus outbreak. Initially indifferent and selfish, he gradually changed during the escape and ultimately sacrificed himself to protect the pregnant passenger and his daughter.

The script clearly outlines the growth and transformation of the character Chen Yingnan, which is very challenging for the actor.

He needs to use his acting skills to portray the contrasting changes in this character before and after.

……

"finish watching?"

Chen Jin was sitting there with a glass of water in her hand, flipping through a book.

Seeing Bell walk out of the study with a calm expression, he quickly got up and smiled at him.

"Chen Yingnan?"

Bell looked at Chen Jin and shrugged.

"Yes, when I was writing this script, you were the one I had in mind!"

As Chen Jin was speaking, Bell chuckled, "It's probably just my image!"

"Yes, it's just a reference for appearance. If you don't accept the job, I might have to pay you a fee for your image!"

"Hahaha!"

The two of them burst into laughter at the same time.

"A fantastic script!"

"I only have one question!"

Bell sat down in front of Chen Jin, and it was clear that he was completely interested in "A Trip to Hong Kong".

"Why doesn't the second male lead, Shang Hua, use my image?"

Bell was still smiling, using a toothpick to poke a piece of fruit on the table and eating it.

"Because Shanghua is mine!"

Chen Jin is going to play the second male lead: "Moreover, when I was designing these two characters, I still felt that Lil was more suitable for you!"

"It's not because he's British!"

"It's my father!"

Chen Jin emphasized the word "father," and Bell raised an eyebrow, looking completely understanding.

"Understood!"

"But what if I really want to play Shang Hua?"

"Audiences have gotten used to me, Batman, being all-powerful!"

This can be seen as an indirect acknowledgment that the second male lead is equally outstanding, even though his character seems to be somewhat physically strong but mentally weak.

"Then jump out!"

"I feel that you, as a heroic protagonist, will never be able to escape the shackles of the 'Batman' character again!"

Chen Jin's words were spot on.

Bell shrugged and made a funny face: "I think you're right!"

"Okay, you've convinced me!"

Bale suddenly stood up and gave Chen Jin a high five: "I want to try out this role, a great yet ordinary father!"

"Believe me, this character will touch many people!"

“Including Amoline!” Amoline is only 7 years old now, so she may not be able to understand her parents, and may even rebel during her adolescence.

But her father's work will definitely influence her life, even if it's just a zombie popcorn movie.

However, the character's brilliance is unrelated to the film's genre.

Just like Shen Gongbao in "Ne Zha 2", this is also a popcorn commercial animated film; however, many people see themselves in the villain Shen Gongbao.

A nobody with no connections or background, only passion and tireless effort day and night.

Although this seemingly insignificant character has actually reached a height that many people strive for their entire lives but cannot attain, the role does indeed evoke empathy from the audience.

Of course, there are many such examples.

Good commercial films can indeed make the characters more memorable to more people.

While Bale's portrayal of Batman proved to the world that he was the best Batman actor of all time, Batman fans would only acknowledge that his acting was okay, but would not admit that it was Bale who brought Batman to a level he shouldn't have reached.

Because of this role, he was already outstanding before Bale.

This is why Bale rarely mentions playing Batman in the future; people tend to think he became famous because of Batman.

It's not that Batman became more popular because he played the role.

Therefore, Bale has always tried to get rid of this label. If he plays an unknown role and becomes known to the world, that would be the most powerful proof of his acting skills.

He doesn't know if "Hong Kong Trip" will be a big hit in the future, and there's a very high probability that its box office in North America won't be very high.

But judging solely from the script, the character portrayal surpasses many of the popcorn commercial scripts he's taken on before; as for art films…

It goes without saying that art films can portray characters brilliantly, but art films are inherently limited by box office potential.

In other words, no matter how well you act, if you don't win an Oscar or the Best Actor award at one of the three major film festivals, then that role will not be remembered.

The inherent limitations are too great.

Art films don't necessarily have as many classic characters as commercial films.

Because of the different levels of dissemination.

For example, Tom Cruise, Chow Yun-fat, and many Marvel characters.

It's all about shedding labels; art films winning awards and achieving high box office success create classic characters—it's all about probability.

It all comes down to whether this movie has a higher probability of winning an award or a higher box office.

"But I can assure you!"

"At least in China, you will be welcomed by hundreds of millions of Chinese people because of this role!"

This is also a market.

It's a huge market in the future, just like how many Marvel actors are popular in China.

Moreover, Chen Jin can actually guarantee it.

The premise is that "Train to Hong Kong" can really be made to the same standard as "Train to Busan".

Bale will definitely be remembered by more people in China for playing Chen Yingnan, perhaps even more than Batman.

What about North America?

"If this script is well-made, I think it should have a market in North America, right?"

Bale has already begun discussing the release of the film with Chen Jin.

This is actually quite normal. After reading the script and confirming the roles, Bale can then express his own opinions.

"North America is difficult to predict!"

"I can guarantee 'Hong Kong Trip' a screening in China and even Southeast Asia!"

In North America, however, Chen Jin was a complete stranger.

Distribution, cinemas, film production... Apart from Harvey, Chen Jin only knew a few people in charge in China.

"I can recommend you!"

Bell suddenly whispered something to Chen Jin.

"..."

Chen Jin looked at him with some doubt: "A recommendation?"

"The six major powers will definitely be interested in the zombie genre!"

"I happen to know several high-ranking executives at Warner and Paramount. Should I give it a try?"

Bell's words stirred something within Chen Jin.

That's a good idea.

Chen Jin had already registered the script for "A Trip to Hong Kong" with the Writers Guild of China and North America, just like she did with "Killer: Dragon".

But registration is one thing, and adoption by the six major organizations is another.

Often, in the US, screenwriters are already incredibly lucky if their scripts are even picked up by independent film studios.

The six collaborators are all well-known screenwriters registered with major talent agencies, and most of them have experience working with many independent film studios in North America!

Even if Chen Jin uses the name of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), it will still be difficult to attract the attention of the six major powers.

Hollywood is too arrogant.

Especially a Chinese person and a Chinese film company.

Unless China Film Group takes the lead, just like with Transformers 3 and Mission: Impossible 3.

However, even Huaxia Film Distribution might not be able to pass the censorship for "Hong Kong Trip," so China Film Group obviously wouldn't dare to take that risk, and reaching a cooperation agreement would also be difficult.

Therefore, from beginning to end, Chen Jin never considered cooperating with other companies.

It's not that he doesn't want to, it's that he can't find the right person.

But now that Bale is involved, things are a little different.

First, everyone knows that the script is a very mature commercial film template; second, Bale himself has a certain box office appeal worldwide.

This is where he is more valuable than Chen Jin.

Chen Jin originally wanted to discuss the salary with Bale. He could afford 2000 million US dollars, but it would be better if it could be lowered.

Let's expand this project together!

Bell suddenly looked up and spoke calmly to Chen Jin.

"I have no problem on my end, as long as the six major powers are willing to cooperate..."

Chen Jin knew the most crucial moment was coming.

Although Bell was persuaded, cooperation is another matter entirely.

"You can have a salary, or you can stick to the Hollywood revenue-sharing model, either way is fine!"

"Even if we bring in DC or Paramount, we must maintain control. I will be the producer, and I will decide on the director and casting!"

Chen Jin said very seriously.

This is the core issue in their collaboration.

No matter how big the project becomes in the end, Chen Jin's say cannot be changed, which is the producer system advocated by Hollywood.

As the producer, Chen Jin must take the lead in the entire project and receive the lion's share of the profits.

After all, the project and the project belonged to Chen Jin.

He simply lacks a channel to "go public" in North America.

Just like the cooperation between the six major film studios and China Film Group, the premise of the cooperation is to expand the scale of the business and achieve a win-win situation.

If Bale can bring in the six major studios, then the final box office of "Hong Kong Trip" in North America should be much better.

Chen Jin believes that this notebook is suitable for all markets worldwide.

Especially in the last two years, there has been a zombie craze.

"eat first!"

"I'll contact them tonight and see if I'm interested in a few!"

"We'll talk to them one by one then!"

Bale sat there, and at that moment he seemed no longer to be an actor, but someone who knew this was an opportunity.

An opportunity for an actor to transition into a capital investor.

No one is content to be just an actor, especially an international superstar like Bale.

When you come across a good script, you want a piece of the pie; that's also a form of collaboration.

Chen Jin needs his fame.

He also understands his own value.

The rest is up to us to make this project a huge success.

Chen Jin might even be able to break into Hollywood through this "big project," which is his chance.

Be bigger and stronger and create greater glory!
(End of this chapter)