I'm not a drama freak, I can really see through the script

Chapter 319, Powerful! The Statue of Liberty!
You can't give someone a real cake just by drawing a picture.

It needs to be suspended.

The essence lies in keeping it suspended.

Originally, Liu Meizhen had this in mind: to use the hanging pancake to lure and seduce Li Xuan, but she wouldn't give it to him, no matter what.

Too young.

But Li Xuan immediately refused.

The rejection, delivered with such longing in his eyes, surprised even Andy Lau.

Gao Yuanyuan was also surprised; she had also thought Li Xuan would agree.

Only Liu Yifei was completely unsurprised.

Even when Li Xuan showed that longing look in his eyes.

No one thought Li Xuan would accept Hollywood's offer.

Because of one thing—understanding.

Liu Yifei knows Li Xuan.

Liu Meizhen was stunned.

"Are you really not going to consider it?"

"Well, I'm not considering it for now." Li Xuan smiled slightly and said, "Limited cooperation is possible, but if you want me to join, then I'm sorry to say."

Desire, yet refusal.

At this moment, Liu Meizhen paused and said, "We can help you get a green card."

"Well, sorry."

Without hesitation.

There was silence for a while.

Liu Meizhen then spoke.

"That's a pity. If you change your mind, you can contact me anytime. This is my business card."

Liu Meizhen handed Li Xuan a business card.
Next came the negotiations for the remake of the script "Buried Alive." Unlike directly recruiting Li Xuan, Li Xuan readily agreed to the script adaptation rights.

There's no need to hesitate; the core of "Buried Alive" is indeed suitable for export and adaptation.

After all, the pure will to survive is something that all living beings possess, and it is the best element to be driven by it.

The deal was struck, and the remake rights were sold for $30.
This price is very reasonable. Remake rights typically account for 3% to 5% of production costs, and given that "Buried" was a blockbuster that achieved ten times its initial investment in the Chinese film market, the price offered was quite generous.
Even second-tier Hollywood studios like Lionsgate are now considered Hollywood studios.

It's much stronger than domestic companies.

After Liu Meizhen left, Liu Dehua, who was standing next to her, looked at Li Xuan.

Why didn't you say yes?

"Old Liu, do you really want me to say yes to her?" Li Xuan smiled slightly.

“Personally, I don’t want you to agree, after all, it means that our Chinese film industry will lose a ‘future’.” But Andy Lau paused and said, “But as a friend, I’m very happy that you can have a bigger stage, and you don’t seem to be uninterested. Your eyes betray your feelings.”

Li Xuan has a pair of expressive eyes.

Everyone present could see the emotions conveyed in his eyes.

eager.

But in the end, he still refused.

Don't you yearn for it?

I long for it.

Li Lianjie, Cheng Shilong, these international bigwigs, their status, their wealth, and the combination of various factors give people an unparalleled feeling.

Respect, money, worship, status.

These qualities were vividly embodied in them, and Li Xuan had personally witnessed and experienced them.
It's impossible not to yearn for it. In the past, Jet Li and Jackie Chan probably also used Hollywood companies as a breakthrough point to carve out their own niche, just like they do now.

but.
“I do want to go to Hollywood, but not this way. I do have a feeling about this place.”

Li Xuan gave Liu Dehua a look.

Liu Dehua was first taken aback, then stunned, and then he understood.

The significance of that look—that look of excitement mixed with a touch of wildness.

I do want to go, but I don't want to be a follower of the Statue of Liberty.

Me.

I want to be strong.

The strong Statue of Liberty.

Make her my submissive.

That's more like it.

at this time.

After settling the box office revenue, Li Xuan prepared to return to Beiping, having completed his trip to Hong Kong with Gao Yuanyuan and Liu Yifei.

With a box office of 30 million, Li Xuan earned 3.5 million. As the lead actor and director, he made a fortune this time.
[Ding! The host has achieved a limited victory in this box office battle and has also sold the adaptation rights.]

[Award: 'A detached social observer']

[A detached social observer: Derek Yee possesses the personal skill of empathizing with marginalized individuals, enabling him to more empathetically empathize with their perspectives.]

Gangs, drugs, mental illness.

Derek Yee's choice of subjects has always had a "unconventional" feel to it, which ultimately comes from his observation and interest in marginalized people.

Most people have no interest in or empathy for marginalized people because the law of the jungle applies to society.

After working with Derek Yee on a film, Li Xuan could also sense his amazing talent.

This ability allowed him to gain a foothold in the Hong Kong film industry.

If it weren't for this film, "Buried."

His film "Protégé" is probably the most outstanding film in this round of Hong Kong films in terms of overall performance.

With both box office success and positive reviews, it has achieved its initial goal, resulting in a significant harvest in both aspects.

As for awards, we'll have to wait and see.

At this moment, Li Xuan put his hands together in prayer and expressed his sincere gratitude.

Thank you so much, Mr. Er Dongsheng, for your skills sponsorship!

“I always feel like something is missing.”

"What's missing?"

"I don't know, it just feels weird."

While handling matters at the company, Er Dongsheng sensed something strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

But Li Xuan kept coming to mind.
What a talent!

Wu Yanzu, who was standing next to him, remained noncommittal.

For him, this success did not bring much joy, but rather made him realize the gap between people.

My former pride, while not entirely gone, is certainly not as strong as it once was.

“Actually, you have even greater potential, after all, you have a unique advantage in terms of appearance.” At this moment, Er Dongsheng noticed Azu’s melancholy and comforted him from the side.

It wasn't entirely unfounded.
As for Ah Zu, he also has his own advantages.

"Director Nar, is there anything commendable about my film? I'd like to hear your praise as a professional," Azu said with a hopeful look in his eyes.

After a moment's thought, Derek Yee's words dealt a heavy blow to Ah Zu. By the way, I seem to have forgotten what the movie was about.

Azu:
I initially thought you were just being polite.

I never expected them to be so polite!
The success of the film "Buried" lies not in its box office revenue, but in its unparalleled profit margin, the fact that it was a one-man film, and its avant-garde art form.

There is also an actor whose superb acting skills can carry an entire movie.

Even if the total box office revenue in this round is not at a very high level.

But too many factors brought his name into the view of the top leadership.

“I’ve always felt that the seventh generation of directors, those young people, rarely appear in our field of vision.” Ma Xiaogang said with great interest, “This time, the box office champion of Chinese films is definitely his—this year should be considered ‘unbeatable’.”
Ma Xiaogang emphasized once that he was "invincible".
“Hmm, ‘Invincible under heaven’.” Zhang Mouzi said calmly from the side, “This time the results are indeed quite good. But this seventh generation has created surprises and unique features.”

"Yes, a film written, directed and acted by one person, and at the same time, it achieved a box office of ten times the original amount. Such a brilliant and amazing achievement is truly remarkable."

"I watched that movie, and among low-budget films, there really isn't one that has impressed me more than 'Buried'..."

The core is simply the will to survive.

It's incredibly pure. Driven by this pure will to survive, it's easy to understand the protagonist's motivations, survival principles, and everything else.
Coupled with Li Xuan's superb acting skills, this work can be described as absolutely stunning.
Zhang Mouzi remained silent for a moment.

The name Li Xuan has repeatedly come into view as a rising star.

"Alright, there's no need to dwell on this name any longer. Don't forget, this time you're just the 'Invincible' victor."

Within the realm of film and television, "Assembly" is indeed an outstanding achievement.

However, compared to the number one film, "Transformers," it still falls short by the box office of "Buried."

Regardless of media reports on the phenomenal success of domestic films, such as "Transformers," which grossed 3 million yuan domestically, and the similar box office performance of "Spider-Man 3" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" to the much-discussed "The Warlords," the success of these films is remarkable.

Most domestic film critics say that Hollywood special effects blockbusters are devoid of substance.
However, top directors like Zhang Yimou and Ma Xiaogang can see that even when dopamine is stimulated, they still have their own core principles.

Isn't the 'freedom' and 'democracy' he promotes also the essence of his works? Although they are all the same, even Hollywood special effects blockbusters have their own core themes.

It has a resonant core within it.

"For a low-budget film, it's quite excellent," Ma Xiaogang said, making no attempt to hide his appreciation.

Zhang Mouzi remained noncommittal.

"It's not bad. But as people at our level, we should think about how to deal with the external works that take away a lot of our box office revenue every year."

"Looking back is pointless; looking forward is the right thing to do."

"That's true."

at this time.

arrive home.

Wei Ming was very excited.

"Your grades are amazing!"

"It's alright, the absolute value isn't too high, but in terms of proportion, no one is better than me."

At this moment, Li Xuan chuckled.

In front of my uncle.

Li Xuan had no intention of hiding his thoughts.

That's who I am.

Damn.

Other miscellaneous things happened in Beiping, such as the artists within the company.

Appropriate arrangements have been made.

This is also Li Xuan's strategy.

What kind of project you want, what kind of project you are suited for, what kind of role and route you are suited for—that is your own choice.

For example, Zhu Yawen chose to watch a war drama.

He gained an insight from "The Young Students".

To understand the thoughts and ideas of our predecessors in that era.

Go and resonate with their spirit.

He sensed these things.

It existed in one's own spirit.

thing.

Therefore, he chose a war drama as his next project.

Luo Jin chose "Crossing the Guandong".

Although it was just a minor role, it was a subject matter he had personally selected, and he wanted to give it a try.

Li Xuan would not refuse them.

Even this is what makes their company unique.

There are not many contractual constraints.

Of course, there was no obligation to provide resources. Apart from Li Xuan's own plans, he had to find and make contact with others on his own.

This is the promise Li Xuan made.

That is freedom.

But the price of freedom is also clearly stated.

I don't exploit your surplus value, but how much value you can actually generate depends on your own abilities, and I have faith in your abilities. My brothers' abilities are absolutely extraordinary.
"They went to film a movie. I was originally thinking of having them work with my schedule."

Li Xuan at this time.

I started thinking about the next release date.

My current schedule includes "Hidden in the Dust" and "New Three Kingdoms".

The project for "New Three Kingdoms" was given to me by someone else. I was responsible for directing one segment and also worked on Zhuge Liang.

"Hidden in the Dust" was written, directed, and starred by the author.

I was responsible for everything myself.

My own film project.

Unlike the low-budget but stunning film "Buried," "Into the Dust" follows the style of popular cinema.

Even winning awards requires a specific style. It's not as simple as just saying "I want to win an award" and expecting to actually win it; you need a targeted approach.
In this era, the ultimate "triple crown" in terms of awards is probably "Farewell My Concubine," which won the Golden Horse, Hong Kong Film Awards, and Golden Rooster Awards.

So even if "The Promise" ruins his reputation to some extent, he is still the strongest of the fifth generation of directors. The only point of contention is whether, in "Farewell My Concubine," it was him or his father who played a significant role.
"The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is not suitable for them."

Wei Ming shook his head and said, "Although they have already achieved their own results, they still do not have the conditions to handle a historical epic like 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'."

Or rather, there are two risks involved in working on a project related to the Three Kingdoms.

He was oppressed by the veteran actor who played the role.

He was oppressed by the other veteran actors in the same production.

Yes, although it's a tough nut to crack, it's still a major project of the scale of "Three Kingdoms," and it's something worth participating in for other big-name actors in the industry.

It's worth it, it's something to fight for.

Fight against the actors of the past, fight against yourself in the present.

As an actor, this requires a deep understanding of this timeless script.
Can we resonate with the heroes, tyrants, and hero who existed 1,800 years ago?
It's not just about fame and fortune, but also about fulfilling one's instinct as an actor.

eager.

(End of this chapter)