Chinese Entertainment Intelligence King

Chapter 308 The Pyramid Scheme Harem Strikes Again, Yi An's New Drama Casting
In mid-February, the Spring Festival holiday ended.
Fan Xiaopang reluctantly returned to Hengdian to continue filming "Rouge Snow," while Yan Li took his parents back to Beijing.

On the one hand, it's about celebrating the Lantern Festival; on the other hand, it's about trying to ease Qin and Dong's minds with their parents' concern.

The two elders were speechless; their parents were practically being used as a backyard balancer.

But he's my own son, so I should help him when I need to. Besides, as long as the daughters-in-law don't get together, the atmosphere is actually quite harmonious.

Last year, Yan Li was quite busy and didn't go home much. The elderly couple wanted to spend more time with their son, so they came despite the risks.

After arriving in the capital, nothing they had feared happened. Chairman Qin spent the day alone, without any entanglements.

The elderly couple thought it was Yan Li's good arrangement, but in reality, it was Qin Dong's own idea.

Yan Li was ostensibly taking his parents to Sanya for the Chinese New Year. Although he didn't mention that Fan Xiaopang was also going, Chairman Qin had some suspicions.

This incident greatly stimulated Qin and Dong, and they put aside some minor grudges and disagreements. The two, who already had a certain foundation for cooperation, became more and more in sync. They even considered spending the Lantern Festival together and joining forces to please and win over Zhang Hong.

Yan Li was pleased with this outcome, as he had discovered that Fan Xiaopang was indeed a useful card.

He valued Fan Yue, and the closer the alliance between Qin Dong and Fan Yue became, the more pressure Fan Xiaopang felt.

Qin Dong and Fan are locked in a three-way standoff, but the most beautiful thing is the face hidden behind the scenes…

While building the backyard triangle, Yan Li didn't forget about work.

Weibo's daily new user growth once exceeded 20, and thanks to several events, its activity level was even more astonishing, making it the hottest new website at the beginning of this year.

If these internet companies were still paying attention before, now that Weibo is so popular, if they don't take action, they should go home and sell sweet potatoes.

Because Tencent has a Weibo-like app called TaoTao, which was just launched last year, it hasn't taken any action yet, but has increased its resource allocation to TaoTao.

Sohu and NetEase began discussions and preparations, but Sina was the fastest to act, having already initiated the project.

If we act quickly enough, Weibo will be able to face its first other competitor during the summer vacation.

By the way, with Weibo's explosive popularity, Fanfou also benefited, not only increasing its user base but also attracting the attention of investors.

Of course, the most attention is on Weibo, and some investment institutions have already started to contact Weibo.

However, Yan Li is not short of money. At least in the current initial stage, he can support himself independently and does not want to transfer his shares at a low price so quickly.

Of course, he didn't rush to reject the investment institutions; they chatted with each other.

While it may not be needed now, there might be opportunities for cooperation in the future. Moreover, he is not short of funds at the moment, but the more resources the better. If it can bring huge benefits to the development of Weibo, the investment can be discussed.

For example, Yan Li particularly wanted to bring in some official media groups and those telecom operators.

The former provides official endorsement, credibility, and authoritative content, while the latter boasts a massive user base and can contribute to the subsequent development of the mobile internet.

However, these two companies are tough nuts to crack and involve certain risks, so Yan Li is only considering them at this stage.

In late February, Mr. Chen announced his indefinite retirement from the entertainment industry, which can be considered a way of putting an end to the photo scandal.

However, this conclusion is clearly wishful thinking. The impact of this matter will not be eliminated in a short time, and the damage to the careers of the parties involved and the entire Hong Kong entertainment circle will be enormous and irreparable.

Especially Yinghuang, several key figures are all their artists, who are also their most valuable and profitable.

Now, one person has left the industry, three others cannot return to normal work in a short time, and Mr. Yang has also offended a lot of people because of Chen. He is in a real bind.

However, everything has two sides!

The photo scandal was a huge blow to Yinghuang Entertainment and the Hong Kong entertainment industry, but it presented an opportunity for other artists within Yinghuang and in the Hong Kong entertainment circle to rise to fame.

For example, the artists that Yinghuang signed in mainland China were originally just casual signings, but now their importance has greatly increased.

Given that Yinghuang already intends to increase cooperation in mainland China, these newcomers could very well become the pioneers for Yinghuang in opening up new markets.

This situation has also made the mainland artists, including Yinghuang, eager to make their move.

Whoever seizes the initiative will become the top female streamer in mainland China for Yinghuang, and may even replace Zhang and Zhong.

...

A Western restaurant in Beijing

As Wang Ou, wearing sunglasses, entered the hall, he was immediately greeted by Bai Bing.

"Sister Ou".

Wang Ou stared at him, then stepped over, and Bai Bing eagerly helped her remove the chair.

"Sister, I wish you a belated Happy New Year."

"The Lantern Festival is over, why bother with New Year's greetings?"

Wang Ou took off his sunglasses, glanced at the surroundings, and nodded: "This place is nice."

"Right? It's newly opened. I heard they hired a chef from France, and he even won an award."

Bai Bing gave a brief recommendation of the restaurant, then returned to the earlier topic: "Don't blame me for being late with your New Year's greetings. I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year, but you were too busy."

This year, Bai Bing returned to Beijing on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. She wanted to reconnect with Wang Ou, but he never responded.

"I've been at my hometown the whole time, and I only arrived on the tenth day of the lunar new year. I've been quite busy these past few days."

Wang Ou explained that after filming wrapped up for "Ip Man," she didn't have much work for a while, and Yan Li wasn't around, so she decided to stay in her hometown for a bit longer.

Once back in the capital, there was some work to take care of, plus Yan Li occasionally needed a female companion for social engagements, so she was the one who went.

Yan Li is currently socializing outside, and his female companions are relatively fixed. Fan Xiaopang is his first choice, followed by Wang Ou.

Chairman Qin generally doesn't attend non-private gatherings, partly because he's not comfortable with them, and partly because it's not easy to introduce him to others.

Fan Xiaopang and Wang Ou, setting aside their personal relationship with Yan Li, are legitimate artists of Yi An Entertainment. It is perfectly legitimate for the boss to bring his own artists to social events, both publicly and privately.

Furthermore, their personalities are well-suited to this kind of socializing; Fan Xiaopang can handle things on his own, and Wang Ou can at least provide support.

Over time, Yan Li also got into the habit of looking for the two of them first. Only when Fan Xiaopang and Wang Ou were not around, and he needed a female companion, would he occasionally fill in for others.

Wang Ou is very proud of this!
Yan Li's willingness to bring her along represents an attitude. Attending those social events and meeting various bigwigs broadens her horizons and may even bring some benefits, such as giving her an advertisement or a commercial performance.

Seriously, even if Yan Li doesn't give her money, he can easily make a few million a year by taking her to social events.

Seeing this, Bai Bing flattered him a few times. She and Wang Ou had known each other for a year and knew each other to some extent, knowing that the latter liked to hear nice things.

Sure enough, Wang Ou felt comfortable listening to this, and his tone became more intimate. After all the dishes were served, he took a couple of bites and said...

"Alright, we've been greeting you since the Lunar New Year, it must be more than just a New Year's greeting. So, what's the matter?"

Bai Bing smiled sheepishly, but wasn't too pretentious. She had only been in the industry for a short time and had limited connections, so she preferred to ask Wang Ou for help than other options.

"Sister, it's like this, our Yinghuang..."

Bai Bing briefly explained, and Wang Ou, though understanding, was also bewildered: "But I'm not from Yinghuang, so there's no use in you looking for me."

"But you know President Yan."

Bai Bing hit the nail on the head: "I heard from my agent that President Yan helped a lot with the X-ray scandal. The head office owes him a favor. If he's willing to help me, the company will definitely take it seriously."

"Did Yan contribute to the X-ray scandal?"

Wang Ou was somewhat surprised, as she really didn't know about this. However, it wasn't surprising, given that Zhang, Xie, and Zhong had spoken out on Weibo. Considering Boss Yan's style, it was hard to guarantee that there was some collusion behind the scenes.

Even without any personal favors, given Boss Yan's influence, Yinghuang wouldn't refuse; it's much better than the bitter struggle of a battle.

Thinking of this, Wang Ou glanced at Bai Bing, stirred his drink, and hesitated.

"Bingbing, I want to help you, but this is no small matter. How can I talk to President Yan about it without any real words?"

Yan Li was so bored that he asked Yinghuang to take care of a minor artist. It wasn't that Wang Ou couldn't ask him, but why would Wang Ou help Bai Bing ask Yan Li? What benefit would she get from it?

"Sister, you really have to help me this time, I'm really out of options."

With a pleading expression, Bai Bing, seeing that Wang Ou was still hesitant, simply revealed some secrets.

Compared to a year ago, Bai Bing has lost some of the naivety of a college student, and his mentality has changed due to the trials of society and the influence of his social circle.

She didn't want to waste any more time. She wanted to become famous, she wanted to make more money, and she wanted to become a glamorous superstar.

Besides her own expectations, there is also the intense internal competition within Yinghuang, which forces her to climb the corporate ladder. Otherwise, being abandoned and sidelined by the company would be a good thing. What's even more terrifying is being forced to do things she doesn't want to do.

These practices are now becoming commonplace in some companies in mainland China, and are even more so in Hong Kong.

If you don't comply, the company has plenty of ways to force you to comply, or to gradually push your limits.

The Stormtroopers didn't want to be abandoned, nor did they want to do those things, so they had to climb up.

The agent agreed to help her, but the solutions offered were either too risky, too time-consuming and had a low success rate, or were shortcuts that she couldn't accept.

After she repeatedly denied it, her agent said, "Don't you know Yan Li? You can try to find a solution through him."

A word to wake up the dreamer!

In fact, Bai Bing had been using Wang Ou's influence to his advantage for a year, thus avoiding some trouble.

But this facade is not only short-lived, but it will also crumble easily. Given the current situation within Yinghuang, if she continues to play this game, she will soon be exposed for what she truly is.

So Bai Bing wanted to ask Wang Ou for help to solidify this tiger skin for her. Even if it didn't help her advance her career, having a powerful backer could at least ward off some evil spirits.

"Sis, you don't know, a senior executive in our company wanted to take me to meet Chairman Yang..."

Bai Bing recalled some things and, with a choked voice, complained to Wang Ou, who couldn't help but complain.

"Boss Yang is almost seventy, isn't he? Tsk, he's really shameless."

Bai Bing's eyes were slightly red and she remained silent. Wang Ou looked at her and hesitated for a moment.

"I'll put in a good word for you, but I'm not sure if it will work."

"Sister, you must help me."

It's clear that Bai Bing truly sees Wang Ou as a lifeline, and Wang Ou has become more serious about it as well.

"You wait for my news."

Afterwards, the two ate and chatted. After the meal, Wang Ou simply invited her to his home for a visit.

Bai Bing had visited Wang Ou's home once before, and this was his second time. However, he had given prior notice last time, and Wang Ou had tidied up the house, making it quite neat.

This time it's a bit more casual, but full of details, such as the ashtray on the coffee table, the tea table on the balcony, the men's slippers and leather shoes casually placed in the entryway, and the slightly messy yoga mat that wasn't put away.

Hmm, wait a minute, why are there three yoga mats?

There are only two people, one man and one woman!

Bai Bing didn't dare to think too much about it and sat on the sofa somewhat awkwardly. Wang Ou didn't notice, poured her some water, and then continued chatting.

There are many things that are difficult to say in a restaurant, but it's a different story when you're at home behind closed doors.

Wang Ou looked at Bai Bing, whose features were pure and sweet, and said with a smile, "It's no wonder that one of your executives had ulterior motives. You are indeed quite charming."

Bai Bing shook his head: "Sister, please stop making fun of me."

"I'm not making fun of you."

Wang Ou waved his hand and said seriously, "For us women, one of our most important weapons is our looks and figure. Being beautiful is our advantage. Unspoken rules are not a good thing, but to put it bluntly, some women don't even have the chance to be taken advantage of."

Bai Bing was somewhat confused: "Sister Ou, what do you mean?"

"What I mean is simple."

Wang Ou, with his arm around Bai Bing, chuckled and said, "The unspoken rules vary depending on who's involved. For an old man like Boss Yang, women are definitely at a disadvantage. If there were any other way, they certainly wouldn't want to."

"But if the other party is a young, handsome, and outstanding big shot, then in my opinion, it's not a quid pro quo, but an enjoyment."

"You mean..."

Bai Bing guessed something, but wasn't sure. Wang Ou didn't keep him in suspense any longer and said directly.

"Bingbing, we've known each other for a year now, and we get to know each other well. I still trust you."

"Actually, you probably guessed it already. That's right, I'm Mr. Yan's mistress."

"Mr. Yan has been very good to me. He has supported me all the way from being a small-time model to where I am today. The car, the house, and all the bags and jewelry in my house were earned with his money or by him arranging resources for me."

"He is smart, has a good temper, is generous, handsome, and healthy. Apart from being a bit of a womanizer, he has almost no obvious flaws."

"As long as you honestly and dutifully follow Boss Yan, you won't have to ask for anything. Resources and money will come in continuously. If you want to leave, it won't be a problem. Just make it clear in advance so we can part ways amicably."

“Bingbing, I can help you for a while, but not forever. If you want to get out of this predicament and have President Yan help you for a long time, you can’t rely on me alone. You have to work hard yourself.”

"That's how it is in our line of work. Unless you're lucky, if you want to climb up, you need someone behind you. Instead of looking for those old men and ugly guys, you might as well choose Boss Yan. Even if you don't like him, you won't hate him."

"..."

Wang Ou kept brainwashing Bai Bing, leaving him completely bewildered. She wasn't surprised that Wang Ou was Yan Li's lover, but what was strange was why Wang Ou, if she was Yan Li's lover, would try to recruit her.

"Two reasons."

Wang Ou remained direct, not wanting to create any rift between Bai Bing and her: "One is vying for favor. I want to gain recognition and credit with President Yan, and I also need help. As for the other... you'll find out when the time comes."

Bai Bing glanced subconsciously at the yoga mat from earlier, but Wang Ou didn't realize it and instead urged him on.

"Bingbing, I've said everything. What do you think?"

"I...I'll think about it, and besides, I don't know what President Yan thinks."

Bai Bing blushed and said that she did not dislike Yan Li. She had even sent him a text message before, but Yan Li's response was lukewarm.

Therefore, she was somewhat worried that Wang Ou's feelings for her were one-sided.

"You don't understand this."

Wang Ou chuckled. She had talked to Yan Li about Stormtroopers a few times and could tell that Yan Li was interested in them. Otherwise, given Yan Li's personality, he wouldn't bother talking to her about strangers.

As for his lukewarm reaction to the white soldiers, that's perfectly normal. Yan Li is cautious by nature, and he won't make a move on women he's not familiar with.

Bai Bing was timid and easily embarrassed. After being rejected a few times, she gave up. If she had been thick-skinned enough and kept chatting and getting to know each other better, she might not have needed Wang Ou to act as a go-between.

"Just tell me if you're willing or not. If you are, I'll help you; if not, then forget it."

Seeing Bai Bing's hesitant manner, Wang Ou added fuel to the fire. After a moment of hesitation and struggle, Bai Bing nodded.

"willing."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Yan Li had no idea that Wang Ou had helped him seduce another young beauty, thus implementing a pyramid scheme-style harem development model.

At this moment, he is reviewing the script for "New Three Kingdoms".

Yan Li's goal of inviting Zhu Sujin failed; Zhu Sujin had his own project, something about Zheng He's voyages to the West.

Most importantly, Zhu Sujin couldn't accept many of the demands made by Yi An. He was also a well-established screenwriter and a senior military officer, with his own pride.

After Zhu Sujin gave up, Yan Li had no choice but to bring in the original screenwriters. Although these people were not as famous as Zhu, they were all capable screenwriters who had participated in many high-quality projects.

In addition, Yan Li invited Jiang Qitao to serve as the script supervisor, and Du Jiafu and Liu Shusheng to serve as script consultants.

Jiang Qitao, the screenwriter of "Emperor Wu of Han", "Bright Sword" and "The Road to Awakening", mainly focuses on modern times, but he is also capable of writing works on ancient themes.

Du Jiafu and Liu Shusheng were key screenwriters for the CCTV version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," possessing extensive research and experience in the Three Kingdoms theme.

With the three of them involved, the script for "New Three Kingdoms" could be improved to some extent, or at the very least, they could provide feedback and suggestions.

With such a team and the original novel as a foundation, Yan Li is confident in the script of "New Three Kingdoms".

"Not bad, this version is much better than the previous one."

Yan Li nodded in satisfaction, perhaps it was due to the times. Conspiracy theories and anti-authoritarianism were all the rage back then, with Yi Zhongtian being a prime example.

Was Cao Cao a wicked and treacherous villain?

Was Liu Bei a hypocrite or a ruthless hero?

Was Zhuge Liang necessarily a perfect minister?
Therefore, the previous script for "New Three Kingdoms" was full of conspiracy theories and some characters were given personal interpretations.

For example, it is true that Liu Bei was portrayed as someone who did not show his emotions, as this was the character of Liu Bei in the official history of the Three Kingdoms. However, many plots depict Liu Bei as a gentle and kind gentleman in the novel, which leads to a disconnect and conflict in the character.

Either film it according to official history, or follow the story of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." Even if you have to mix them up, you should remove some conflicting plot points.

Yan Li doesn't reject conspiracy theories; the current market loves that kind of thing. Moreover, some plot points and character portrayals in the original "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" are indeed stereotypical and outdated, unsuitable for modern audiences. Some modifications and discussions are perfectly acceptable.

But Yan Li was dissatisfied because the script was full of conspiracy theories!
What is the biggest selling point of the Three Kingdoms theme? It's the heroic spirit of war, Liu Bei's benevolence, Guan Yu's righteousness, Zhuge Liang's wisdom, Lü Bu's filial piety, and Cao Cao's cunning or ruthlessness.

You can expand on some plot points with conspiracy theories and make the characters more complex; this kind of embellishment is normal, and many reputable scholars and literary novelists have done this kind of research and creation.
But we can't engage in conspiracy theories for the sake of conspiracy theories, and we certainly can't let our heroic spirit be worn away.

If the Three Kingdoms period has become a chaotic battleground of cunning old foxes and true villains, can it still be considered the Three Kingdoms period?!

Therefore, Yan Li sent the script back for rewriting. The selling points and characteristics of some key characters had to be retained, and the complexity of the characters did not mean simply making them scheming; they had to be both righteous and evil.

Cao Cao was a powerful and ruthless man who was willing to do anything. Yet, he also dreamed of being loyal to the Han Dynasty and achieving great success in unifying the north. How could he only be capable of petty scheming?

Liu Bei could incorporate some historical alterations, discarding the so-called weeping and wailing image to better reflect the self-made Emperor Zhaolie, but his attributes of benevolence and righteousness must be retained.

This is the foundation of Liu Bei's repeated defeats and the reason why all the ministers of Shu Han were so loyal to him.

While we can indulge in more conspiracy theories regarding Sun Quan's Eastern Wu side, popular characters like Lu Su, Zhou Yu, and Lu Xun also need to be well-developed; otherwise, how can the Three Kingdoms stand in a tripartite balance of power?

The battles of the Three Kingdoms period were both epic and intriguing, and this approach balanced both aspects, catering to market demands while preserving the subject matter's inherent advantages.

Yan Li is fairly satisfied with the current script; some plot points and details can be revised gradually.

Such a large production team requires a considerable amount of time for pre-production. "New Three Kingdoms" will not start filming until at least August or September, giving them ample time. Not to mention, changes will be made during filming as well.

The director was also chosen. After much deliberation, Yan Li ultimately selected Feng Xiaoning, with whom he had previously worked on "The Legend of Xue Rengui".

However, besides Feng Xiaoning, Yan Li also found him two helpers.

One is Kong Sheng, a director from Shandong Film and Television. Future intelligence indicates that he will be the most famous TV drama director in the future, an all-rounder.

A director named Ding Hei, triggered by the Yan Li system, has directed "The Song of Everlasting Regret" and "Jade Goddess of Mercy," and is skilled in character portrayal, realistic entanglements, and emotional impact.

Ding Hei is alright; he's not particularly influential in the industry, so participating in this big project is an opportunity for him. Kong Sheng is a bit more difficult, mainly because Shandong Film Studio wouldn't release him. Yan Li made many phone calls and even went to Shandong Province in person before finally getting him to come.

With three directors, there needed to be a leader. Yan Li trusted Feng, with whom he had worked before, so he appointed him as the chief director, while Kong and Ding were the directors.

Oh, and there's also an executive director named Zhang Yongxin, whom Yan Li specifically asked for from Shandong Film and Television.

This guy was also recommended to him by the system. However, the system also said that he was capable, but too inexperienced and lacked experience. He had not yet independently directed a drama. So Yan Li arranged for him to be the executive director.

In fact, with Zhang Yongxin's qualifications, he was almost qualified to be the executive director of "New Three Kingdoms".

Before "New Three Kingdoms," he was an assistant director in regular film crews. He could only become an executive director in smaller crews or with the support of others.

But there was nothing he could do; he was lucky enough to run into Yan Li, a fellow villager.

Zhang Yongxin is a genuine native of Zaoshi City, Shandong Province, which is a huge plus in Yan Li's eyes.

Yan Li likes to use people from his hometown, but to be honest, not many of his old brothers are truly capable; at least not enough to be directors on their own.

Yan Li was naturally pleased to have encountered a talented person from his hometown. If Zhang was indeed capable, Yan Li would not hesitate to support him.

With the script finalized and the director selected, pre-production began, and the crucial casting period commenced.

Currently, the production team of "New Three Kingdoms" has not yet announced the casting process and is still in the planning stage. The director and producers have listed some candidates.

After reviewing the script, Yan Li also saw these candidates.

Liu Bei – Zhang Songwen
This role was suggested by the producer and the company. Zhang Songwen has good acting skills and a decent reputation after appearing in many dramas. His image also fits Liu Bei's gentle and tolerant yet sharp-witted characteristics.

Most importantly, he is an artist under the company.

It's hard to say who will be the male lead in "New Three Kingdoms," but Liu Bei is definitely a strong contender. With an investment of hundreds of millions, the company will certainly support its own people if it can promote them.

Zhang Fei – Jiang Wu

Yan Li frowned slightly. He could still imagine Zhang Songwen and Liu Bei, but Jiang Wu seemed too simple-minded and not suitable for the irritable and fierce Zhang Fei.

Guan Yu – Yu Rongguang and Hu Jun

Yan Li felt that neither was quite right. Lu Shuming's portrayal of Guan Yu was too deeply ingrained in people's minds, and the image of the Second Master was the most widespread. So, he wanted to find a suitable actor, which could even be considered one of the most difficult roles to cast in the new Three Kingdoms.

Zhuge Liang – Lu Yi and Huang Xiaoming

Yan Li glanced at it and saw that the main point here was about appearance. Zhuge Liang was handsome in both historical records and the novel. The most classic CCTV version of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" was also played by Tang Guoqiang, who was still a pretty boy at the time.

So the production team was also somewhat affected, and it seems they favored those who were handsome and popular.

Because of Zhuge Liang's aura, even supporting roles would be considered for popular young actors like Huang Xiaoming.

It's worth mentioning that these two were also considered for the role of Zhou Yu; the scriptwriters practically wanted to cast one of each of them.

Cao Cao - Jiang Wen

Yan Li paused for a moment when he saw the name, and subconsciously wanted to shake his head, but then pursed his lips.

To be honest, Jiang Wen's energy really does have a bit of Cao Cao's feel to it.

However, whether Jiang Wen is willing to act in TV dramas is another matter. The key is whether the directors can keep him in check. If this guy is allowed to improvise, it's hard to say how Cao Cao will turn out.

Sun Quan – Deng Chao and Zhou Yiwei

Yan Li didn't need to look to understand the advantages of these two men. In comparison, the role of Sun Quan was indeed easier to choose, and it was possible to consider using someone from the company.

Lü Bu - Yan Li

?

Yan Li was stunned for a moment. What did that mean? Did he look like a "filial son" and a lecher?
The producer quickly explained that Yan Li has a tall and heroic appearance and is good at circus action scenes, making him one of the most popular choices for general roles in the industry. The company is considering that if Mr. Yan has the time, he could play a role.

Considering Yan Li's busy work schedule and Lü Bu's limited screen time, he was a better fit for the role. Moreover, Fan Xiaopang had already been cast as Diao Chan, making the two a perfect match.

If Yan Li is unwilling, he can choose not to act, or if he wants to act in other roles, roles such as Zhao Yun, Jin Ma Chao, and Jiang Wei are also being considered.

Yan Li remained noncommittal. Whether he acted or not, and which role he played, was not important. What mattered was the casting for "New Three Kingdoms".

The most crucial element is still Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Zhuge Liang, Cao Cao, Sun Quan, and Zhou Yu. If they can be secured, the other casting choices are much easier to handle. As long as the appearance and performance are generally acceptable, the audience can accept them.

Yan Li is somewhat satisfied with the current casting choices, reluctantly approves of some, and feels that others are unsuitable or inappropriate.

Relying solely on internal discussions within the production team is insufficient; if necessary, the casting process should be made public.

As for the artists within Yi An, they certainly have priority, but if it's really not suitable, don't force it.

Promoting people is important, but the "New Three Kingdoms" project, with an investment of hundreds of millions, is even more important.

Yi An has more than just this one role. If an artist feels wronged or dissatisfied, they can make up for it with other resources. But if they force someone to be promoted and ruin "New Three Kingdoms", the loss will be huge.

Yan Li discussed it with the crew of "New Three Kingdoms" and started leaking information in early March, with casting to take place in April.

Thus, the casting period is at least three or four months, and many roles are filmed later, so there is even more time. This gives the production team enough time, as well as the selected actors ample time to prepare.

Such large-scale, high-profile projects cannot be filmed simply by receiving a script.

Especially for key creative roles, actors need to spend a lot of time memorizing scripts, studying characters, and learning various skills, such as etiquette and martial arts.

For actors who don't have many roles or much fame, when they get such an opportunity, those who are serious about it often go into seclusion for a long time to prepare, all in order to play the role well.

If you play this role well, there's a chance you'll become famous, which is more important than acting in several movies.

The preparation for "New Three Kingdoms" has begun, while "New Water Margin" will have to wait. Funding and personnel are one aspect, and a film and television city is also being built in Shandong Province.

Meanwhile, another major production controlled by Yi An, "The Right Path of the World is Full of Vicissitudes," has almost completed its pre-production phase and is expected to start filming in April or May.

Directed by Zhang Li, and starring Deng Chao, Sun Honglei, Sun Chun, Yang Xue, and Chen Su.

The casting process for this drama is quite interesting. Director Zhang Li initially wanted to cast Huang Zhizhong, as the two had just worked together on "Da Ming Dynasty 1566," where Huang played Hai Rui.

However, Huang Zhizhong is a bit too old to play the role of Yang Liqing, and his fame is relatively weak, so neither of the two production companies, CCTV and Yi An, really approve of him.

Later, the production team approached Sun Honglei again. He liked the script quite a bit, but he was drawn to the role of Yang Liren, feeling that the character was controversial and would be more interesting to portray.

Whether it was a gesture of goodwill or not, Sun Honglei recommended Deng Chaolai to the production team to play Yang Liqing.

The latter had previously played revolutionary youths and soldiers, and his image was quite suitable for this role, especially in the early days of Whampoa Military Academy, where he had a strong sense of youthful vigor and military spirit.

Zhang Li generally approves of Deng Chao's image, but his acting skills are questionable. However, Deng Chao has the support of investor Yi An and his own popularity, which helps the production team, and an agreement was eventually reached.

Deng Chao was also very concerned, knowing that performing well in this play would be of great help to him.

He then postponed or cancelled other plays such as "Xiao Shiyi Lang" and focused on preparing for "The Right Path of the World is Full of Vicissitudes".

Besides Deng Chao, Yi An's two new artists, Yang Xue and Chen Su, played the female lead Lin E and the third female lead Yang Lihua, respectively, and Ke Lan was cast as the second female lead.

This grandfather is a founding father of the People's Republic of China with three stars; his background should be helpful to the production team.

This is also an unwritten rule in the industry: many actors with a "red" background often appear in films and television dramas with sensitive themes, not because they have good resources, but because the production team needs them.

Regardless of whether it's useful or not, it's worth it for peace of mind and to fool investors...

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P.S.: It's true that Sun Honglei wanted to play Yang Liren. Also, everyone can give suggestions on the casting for "New Three Kingdoms".
It is emphasized that casting cannot satisfy everyone, and the final result is based on the majority opinion and also involves the author's subjectivity.

(End of this chapter)