Huayu Entertainment: Tianxian really wants to improve

Chapter 335 Are you sure this isn't good news?

Gu Bei saw that Chen Kaige was somewhat interested.
So he continued to persuade her, "And it's not that it can't be changed at all. The overall framework of the script is already set, but the small details are changed as we film, so the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television won't be too harsh."

If all else fails, with such a large budget, just shoot more footage, and then figure out how to edit it better!

"Director Gu, I've truly come to appreciate your persuasive skills!"

Chen Kaige said with some emotion.

He was actually somewhat persuaded, but he still felt a little embarrassed to do it.

He accepted and then turned down the earthquake project because he felt that when making films in his youth, he had to consider many factors. He had already achieved great success, and if he couldn't properly express his auteur skills, wouldn't the Palme d'Or be a waste?
However, Gu Bei also said that it wasn't that he couldn't make the changes, but rather whether the changes would pass the review.

At last,
Gu Bei even gave him face by telling him not to worry about the budget.

It opened up creative rights within the established framework.

Regardless of the veracity of this explanation, it at least gives him face, which is exactly what he values ​​most.

The only problem now is...
The problem is how to get down the last step!

Chen Hong, who had been sitting to the side, saw through Chen Kaige's thoughts and found an excuse to call him out.

"Old Chen, I can see you like this project too, so why didn't you take it on?"

Chen Hong asked softly, "The cinema for the 'Orphan of Zhao' project hasn't even started construction yet, has it? We can finish this project first, and then work on that one."

Although I was a little anxious,
However, Chen Hong still maintained the image of a virtuous wife and loving mother that Chen Kaige preferred.

She also hoped that Chen Kaige could take over the earthquake project.

There's no other reason than that Gu Bei and Linlang Entertainment have given them far too much!

After the failures of "The Promise" and "Mei Lanfang," even the Palme d'Or-winning director Chen Kaige faced some criticism and turned back to his familiar "contractor" projects.

The main purpose of the Zhao Family Orphan project is...
It was also for the construction of the Zhao Family Orphan City within the Xiangshan Film and Television City.

However, compared to the Qin Palace built by Hengdian Group with an investment of 1.2 billion yuan, the investment in Zhao's Orphan City was only 40 million yuan, which is even less than the 80 million yuan investment in the movie.

To some extent, this film can be seen as a symbol of Chen Kaige's downfall.

In contrast, the Great Earthquake Project is not only the first disaster film in China, but also boasts a large investment, grand scale, and high salaries, making it more worthy of the status of director Chen Kaige.

Even if it's a choice between two,

Chen Hongdu hoped that Chen Kaige would choose the earthquake project.
Moreover, construction on the Zhao Family Orphan City project only began in September, so filming could be postponed for several months, allowing both projects to be completed simultaneously.

"What do you know!"

Chen Kaige said with a hint of dissatisfaction, "I filmed this project, but I can't revise the script. Won't people say I'm just working for Gu Bei?"

Chen Hong had some reservations in her heart.

As expected, Chen Kaige's problem ultimately boils down to a matter of saving face.

Before The Promise, or even before Mei Lanfang, it would have been acceptable for Chen Kaige to act like a senior figure, after all, it was the first Palme d'Or in China, so it still had some value.

But now it's clear that Chen Kaige is declining.

Gu Bei and Linlang Entertainment are moving up the ranks.

It's unacceptable for them to put on airs like that!

Chen Hong pondered how to persuade Chen Kaige.

at this time,

Gu Bei was in the tea room.

He waved to Arthur at the door: "Arthur, come here!"

"Brother Gu Bei!"

Arthur is only nine years old this year and still looks a little chubby.

"Call him uncle."

Gu Bei said casually.

Looking at Arthur in front of him,
He had a new idea in his mind.

Chen Kaige has two sons. His eldest son is a few years older than Arthur, but apart from being reported by the media during The Legend of the Demon Cat, he has basically been isolated from the entertainment industry.

But Arthur started acting for the first time during the time of The Orphan of Zhao.

Later, he was admitted to the Beijing Film Academy and entered the entertainment industry. He was heavily promoted by Chen Kaige, and almost caused Chen Kaige to lose face in his later years.

If Chen Kaige hadn't finally come to his senses in his later years, stopped pursuing art, and followed the trend of industrializing patriotic war films, he might have achieved some success.

Judging from the development of Chen Kaige's two sons, it's clear that Arthur's entry into the entertainment industry was driven by his own intrinsic motivation.

“Uncle Gu Bei!” Arthur was very obedient.

"Hey!"

Gu Bei patted his head. "Did you hear? You're going to start acting!"

Arthur nodded: "I know, it's the Orphan of Zhao."

"No no no!"

Gu Bei waved his hand, "He's playing the male lead in the movie 'The Great Earthquake'!"

At the same time, Gu Bei silently added in his mind, "the male protagonist's childhood."

"really?"

Arthur's eyes lit up.

He is quite interested in acting; the role in "The Orphan of Zhao" was one he got from his mother.

Unexpectedly, Gu Bei brought him another surprise, and it turned out to be the male lead.

"Of course it's true!"

Gu Bei nudged Arthur's shoulder, "Go ask your mom and dad!"

Then, Gu Bei looked at Arthur, who was so excited he was about to fly, and said, "Isn't it a bit inappropriate for me to fool a child like this?"

Arthur, on the other hand, ran all the way there.
He grabbed Chen Kaige's leg and looked up at him with teary eyes: "Dad, am I going to play the male lead?"

Chen Kaige was completely confused.

Chen Hong asked, "Arthur, what are you talking about?"

Arthur glanced at Chen Hong, then at Chen Kaige, and very cleverly changed his tune, saying, "Uncle Gu Bei said I could play the male lead in 'The Great Earthquake'."

"We're really about the same age."

Chen Hong thought about the younger brother in the script; it wouldn't be too incongruous for a nine-year-old to play a seven-year-old.

She looked at Chen Kaige, waiting to see how he would respond.

"Is it true, Dad?!"

Arthur also looked at Chen Kaige.

How could you possibly say no at a time like this?

Chen Kaige was stuck here and really couldn't say no!

When he returned, he looked at Gu Bei with a resentful gaze: "Director Gu, isn't that a bit unfair of you?"

"I just think Arthur is quite cute!"

Without batting an eye, Gu Bei generously said, "Even if Director Chen doesn't take on this project, I'll still let Arthur play the male lead as a child."

It's just a character who appears for a few minutes.

Furthermore, Xiao Fangda never entered the entertainment industry.
They replaced the actor with a child actor, and there were absolutely no problems.

"I'll take on the major earthquake project!" Chen Kaige just needed a way to save face.

He has already thought it through.
When the movie is being promoted, we'll tell this story to the media.
Taking on this project for his son is quite a legendary story, not to mention that there's Gu Bei, who's good at 'fooling children,' involved!
Upon hearing this, Gu Bei smiled slightly.

The reason he brought in Chen Kaige was because in this era, only a director of Chen Kaige's caliber could handle a project of this caliber.

Furthermore, the name Chen Kaige still holds value.
Especially when he is unable to perform according to the script,
Then all of them will have positive effects!
The key is,

In both places, the locals recognize the name Chen Kaige.
It's even better than the original version by Feng Xiaogang.
If they can't persuade Chen Kaige, then in the end Gu Bei will have to take matters into his own hands.

We finally got the earthquake project sorted out.

Gu Bei soon boarded a plane to North America.
After all, the summer movie season in North America is already in full swing.
San Diego Comic-Con is just around the corner.

"Bruce, I've been waiting for your movie for so long!" Marco Müller, the president of Venice, walked over, shook hands with Gu Bei, and said excitedly.

I said this last year.

Venice is definitely the top choice for the city of music.

Gu Bei said with a smile.

Actually,
He had no other choice but Venice.
If he fails to be selected for the Venice Film Festival, then he will probably have to go to the New York Film Festival to open the film.

However... if Marco Müller chooses to give up La La Land, then Gu Bei might have to question his taste in choosing films.

"I'm really looking forward to your work!"

Marco Müller said excitedly.

As last year's Golden Lion winner and Oscar Best Picture winner, Gu Bei already brings a huge following, which can attract many film fans who originally did not plan to come to the film festival.

Moreover, Gu Bei's black-and-white silent film artist last year had already brought his retro art to its extreme.

This year's offering is another Hollywood laurel wreath musical, and he's really looking forward to seeing if Gu Bei can make a breakthrough as an artist as he did last year.

If there's a breakthrough...

Before Marco Müller went in, he smiled and said to Gu Bei, "This year's jury president is Li An. You're not planning to become the first director in history to win the Golden Lion Award two years in a row, are you?"

Gu Bei said with a smile, "That depends on whether Director Li An will give us face!"

There are quite a few directors in history who have won two Golden Lion Awards.
Among Chinese directors are Zhang Yimou and Li An.

But the closest in time,
It was only in 05 and 07 for Li An.
There was a gap between it and the 06 Three Gorges Good Samaritan award.

In terms of rules,

Venice does not restrict directors from winning the Golden Lion two years in a row.

There aren't even any unspoken rules like that, because for most directors, producing films that are nominated for film festivals for two consecutive years is already a difficult task.

Right after Marco Müller,

Michael from Sony Classics also came.

"Bruce!"

Michael happily shook Gu Bei's hand. "I've been wanting to tell you for a long time. You've created another classic film. I think it's the best musical of the 21st century!"

“Chicago?” Gu Bei asked with a smile.

"Chicago is indeed a good movie."

But you should know that the best of Chicago isn't on the screen, it's on stage!

Michael replied.

"That's true!"

Gu Bei nodded in agreement.

Chicago, a musical, is also a very classic film.
But its awkward problem is that...

Compared to the movie, the Broadway musical Chicago is far superior.
The key to the success of the film *Chicago* lies in the text of the Broadway musical; in terms of cinematic art itself, there isn't much that is novel.

As for the prefix "21st century," it is even more indispensable, after all, there is still a "Singin' in the Rain" that musicals can never surpass.

Just as Gu Bei was about to go in with Michael,
Michael stopped Gu Bei: "We still have to wait for Ms. Pascal!"

"She's coming too?"

Gu Bei felt a headache coming on whenever he heard the name Amy Pascal.

Last year, during a screening, Amy Pascal strongly invited Gu Bei to participate in the development of the Spider-Man project, and Gu Bei readily agreed and joined in.

In between, they even acquired the television rights to Spider-Man, continuing to develop animated series for Spider-Man and Miles Morales.

But Sony is one of the six major players.

The various cumbersome procedures were driving Gu Bei crazy.
A whole year has passed, and Sony is still wavering between Gu Bei and Sam Raimi.

Gu Bei wasn't afraid of losing to Sam Raimi, because Sam Raimi had already hired three screenwriters to write three versions of the script, and it was obvious that he had no clue about Spider-Man 4.

With Spider-Man's five-year deadline fast approaching, Sam Raimi has no choice but to either give up or push through.

Gu Bei was unhappy that

Spider-Man producers Laura Zeskin and Avi Arad,
While acknowledging his script outline, he was asked to learn from the dark and realistic style of Nolan's Batman trilogy and to go even further than the already realistic Spider-Man trilogy.

No wonder Garfield was in such a miserable state!
Gu Bei finally understood the root cause of the Extraordinary series' failure.

Garfield first lost Uncle Ben in The Amazing Race,

And at the end, Gwen's father, Officer Stacy, was also lost.
Then in Beyond 2, Gwen was also lost.

Fortunately, the Green Goblin didn't die, but he was arrested and lost a good friend.

After Garfield's two movies, only Meryl Streep remains.
If there's a third movie, the writers will probably have to sacrifice Meryl Streep too.

He's arguably the most tragic of the three Spider-Man generations!

So Gu Bei simply quit, since he hadn't contributed anything other than a script outline.

Gu Bei knew very well why Amy Pascal had come this time.

After a while,
Amy Pascal stepped out of the elevator.

As co-chair of the board of directors of Sony Pictures, Amy's aura was as strong as ever. She smiled and extended her hand to Gu Bei: "Bruce, it's been a long time!"

Gu Bei smiled faintly: "Ms. Pascal, it's been a long time!"

After shaking hands, Amy smiled and said to Gu Bei, "Bruce, I know why you left the Spider-Man project before, but now I have some good news and some bad news to bring you."

"If I had to choose, I would definitely choose to hear the good news first!"

Gu Bei shrugged and said casually.

"The good news is that everything you used to hate has been swept away. I've fired both producers and Sam Raimi."

"Right now, the Spider-Man project only has two people: you and me!"

Amy Pascal said to Gu Bei with a hint of confidence.

Gu Bei looked at Amy with a hint of surprise.

This woman's palace intrigue skills are top-notch; she swept away the key figures of the trilogy.

He continued, "And the bad news?"

Amy smiled and said, "The producer is gone, and the headquarters doesn't have enough funds. We'll have to figure out how to make Spider-Man's production costs ourselves."

Gu Bei heard this.

Are you sure this isn't good news?

(End of this chapter)