Reborn Action Star: Starting in Hollywood

Chapter 10: Jurassic Park 3

"Starring in a movie that grosses more worldwide than 'The Mummy Returns'?"

Seeing the task given by the system, Lin Yuan was speechless...

As a yellow man and a newcomer, it was a fantasy for him to play a leading role in Hollywood.

And you also want this movie to surpass The Mummy Returns at the box office?
You know, "The Mummy Returns" was ranked 2001th on the North American box office list in 6, and its global box office was as high as 4.3 million US dollars.

Even his two blockbuster movies, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "The Fast and the Furious," which he worked so hard on, were unable to compete with "The Mummy Returns" at the box office.

How do you complete this hellish level mission?
"If there weren't any difficulties and everything was going smoothly, who would want to hire a Chinese actor?" Lin Yuan complained.

But this unintentional remark awakened Director Cohen who was standing by.

"Yeah! We can try looking for a film crew that's having some minor difficulties."

"Do you have a goal?"

"Come on, follow me. He's in New York today too."

After saying that, Director Cohen hurriedly drove away with Lin Yuan.

On the way, Director Cohen took the opportunity to brief Lin Yuan on the situation:
Now they are going to meet Joe Johnston, the director and producer of "Jurassic Park 3".

This film is also a sequel to a blockbuster produced by Universal Pictures, and directors Johnston and Coen are old friends.

Director Cohen did not recommend this crew to Lin Yuan immediately because the current situation of the show was not very good, so he hoped that Lin Yuan would go to the crew of "The Mummy Returns".

After the stunning debut of the first "Jurassic Park" film, the second film in this series has shown signs of fatigue in terms of box office and reputation.

But Universal Pictures did not want to give up this IP, so with a try-it-out attitude, it started filming "Jurassic Park 3".

The first two "Jurassic Park" films were shot by the great director Spielberg, but the third film was directed by Johnston, who was obviously of a much lower status.

This is clearly a negative signal.

Now this signal has been gradually verified, and the situation of the entire film crew is quite bad.

After nearly half of the filming was completed, the results were evaluated by the internal review committee and were considered to be poor and the prospects were bleak.

This means that Universal Pictures has begun to look down on this movie and will strictly control the costs of post-production, publicity and promotion budget, etc.

As a result, the entire crew was hit hard and morale became low.

Perhaps only in such a desperate moment would director Johnston consider using a Chinese actor like Lin Yuan?

"Lin, maybe this is your chance. I will try my best to convince Director Johnston." Director Cohen assured Lin Yuan after introducing the situation.

Through the light inside the car, Lin Yuan looked at this person who was considered the first benefactor in his acting career, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Director Cohen is already in his 50s. Although he is not considered old, his entire head is covered with wrinkles except for the shiny top of his head.

The vicissitudes of life and fatigue cannot be concealed.

In order to help himself, he really tried his best tonight.

How can I repay such kindness?

"No matter what the outcome is, I appreciate your effort in helping me."

"Lin, don't be so polite. Excessive politeness is also a sign of distance. Aren't we good friends?"

Americans really don't care about seniority. The 18-year-old Lin Yuan and the 51-year-old Cohen can be considered as grandfather and grandson in China.

But they don't care at all. As long as they recognize you, you are their friend.

"Of course, it's my honor." Lin Yuan replied.

Lin Yuan had a smile on his face, but his heart was full of worry.

When Lin Yuan learned that Director Cohen was introducing the crew of "Jurassic Park 3", his heart skipped a beat, because he knew that this movie would fail in the future and would never be able to beat "The Mummy Returns".

"Jurassic Park 3" barely recovered its costs at the box office and received very poor reviews.

With the double failure of word-of-mouth and box office, the "Jurassic Park" IP also fell into a trough and no sequel was filmed for more than ten years.

It wasn't until 2015, when Universal Pictures restarted filming "Jurassic World", that the character was able to rejuvenate and return to the public eye.

That’s right, it’s the one starring the king of awkward dancing, “Star-Lord”.

Lin Yuan has already seen the failure of "Jurassic Park 3". What if he can get the leading role?
It's so hard to make it in Hollywood!
The reasons for the failure of "Jurassic Park 3" are, on the one hand, aesthetic fatigue, and on the other hand, the script is too superficial.

The first Jurassic Park was a huge success, not only because of its stunning visual effects, but also because of its exploration of the core of awe for life, which makes the film even more worth remembering.

The second, less-than-satisfactory script also explores the themes of environmental protection and adapting to nature.

By the time director Johnston shot the third film, the core was gone, leaving only pure thriller and escape.

After watching the first two movies, the audience is no longer easily frightened by dinosaur special effects.

In addition, the escape scene did not offer any new tricks and was uninteresting.

All this makes this movie just a facade, how can it not fail?

Lin Yuan knew that in order to save the film, he had to make major changes to the script, improve the core of the story, and find ways to increase the appeal of the escape scene.

Is it possible for Director Johnston to do what he says?

It’s so difficult. Thinking about the two difficult hurdles to overcome tonight, Lin Yuan felt a headache.

Fortunately, strictly speaking, the real protagonists of "Jurassic Park 3" are dinosaurs, and human characters are just embellishments, which makes it more possible for Lin Yuan to play the leading role.

But he had no better choice but to try his best to achieve his goal.

……

……

"Hi, Joe. Long time no see, old friend."

Arriving at Director Joe Johnston's residence, Director Cohen greeted him with a smile.

Apparently, the relationship between the two is much better than that between them and director Sommers of "The Mummy Returns".

"I've been so unlucky lately. I'm glad to see you." Director Johnston stood up and gave Director Cohen a hug.

"Your bad luck is about to end. Tonight I will bring you a magical oriental boy. I believe he can solve your troubles." Director Cohen introduced.

"This guy is so handsome. Is he Chinese? What's his name?" Director Johnston smiled and extended his hand to Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan also responded with a smile and a handshake, carefully observing the director.

Director Johnston was born in 1950 and is 50 years old this year.

He is also tall, 1 centimeters taller than Lin Yuan, who is 83 meters tall.

Lin Yuan couldn't help but sigh: I'm not short anymore, but why are all the Hollywood directors so tall?

"Director Johnston, my name is Lin Yuan, and I am Chinese."

“Amazing Chinese Kung Fu! I love it!”

At least on the surface, Director Johnston is much kinder than Director Sommers.

But Lin Yuan knew that tonight's negotiations had just begun and would definitely not be that simple.

(End of this chapter)