Chinese entertainment starts with Hong Shixian

Chapter 508 Why I Rejected Zhang Yimou's "The Great Wall" (4 Updates)
A few days later, the roadshow was over, and I could finally take a break.

After running this long lap, even Qi Hui, let alone others, was finding it a bit too much to handle.

I get annoyed just looking at airplanes and cars; I just want to stay home and be a shut-in or something.

A few days ago, before the roadshow was even over, "Mojin: The Lost Legend" had already surpassed 1 billion yuan at the box office. There was a burst of cheers within Huayi Brothers, and Wang Zonglei specially called Guo Fan and Qi Hui to plan a celebration banquet.

When you return, we'll have a welcome dinner to celebrate your trip.
But Qi Hui and Guo Fan both refused, saying they were tired and told the others to do what they wanted without dragging them into it.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zonglei felt somewhat resentful, and after thinking about it, he suppressed the idea.

That makes sense. It's not too late to hold a celebration banquet after the box office reaches 2 billion.

However, Wang Zonglei's phone call wasn't all nonsense; there was something important to discuss.

Besides the celebration banquet, he also told Qi Hui and Guo Fan that they had decided to postpone the release of "Mojin: The Lost Legend" by one month.

Guo Fan should remember to tell the other actors about this.

Upon hearing this, Qi Hui and Guo Fan didn't think much of it, nodded and said they understood, and then informed the crew members.

If the theatrical run is extended, then the box office revenue sharing will also be extended, and their box office dividends will naturally be postponed as well.

I'm a little annoyed, but it's not a big problem.

Compared to the 2 billion yuan box office, this delay is nothing.

……

Back home, Jing Tian became lazy, rarely leaving the house, spending all her time playing on her phone and watching dramas, and even stopping practicing her usual dance basics.

Revengeful shut-in!
Qi Hui didn't do that. After resting for two days, he went to the company to handle some matters. After a brief look, he went to the studio to oversee the post-production work of "The Vanished She".

Back in the office, I continued working on the preliminary work for "Sito".

The art director and production manager would frequently visit Qi Hui's office to discuss the shooting plan and related matters.

I'm free now, but not completely free; I still have to keep busy.

Around noon, Xiao Yang asked his assistant to get lunch, and then took the lunchbox to find Qi Hui.

At first, Qi Hui thought the large lunchbox was his own.

But to his surprise, as soon as he sat down, Xiao Yang opened the large lunchbox he had brought.
After comparing his own physique with Xiao Yang's, Qi Hui wisely refrained from saying anything more about it.

Xiao Yang didn't notice Qi Hui's unusual behavior and instead brought up business: "Boss, why did you turn down Zhang Yimou's blockbuster film 'The Great Wall'?"

"The male lead!"

"Moreover, Hollywood is involved in 'The Great Wall,' what a great opportunity!"

As far as she knew, not only did the boss reject the male lead, but the boss's wife also rejected the female lead.

As expected of you two, you even refuse to act in sync!
The male lead that Jing Tian mentioned is not fake. Qi Hui's current fame and status are indeed of interest to Zhang Yimou.

"It's just a bad movie," Qi Hui said calmly. "Zhang Yimou's movie is doomed to flop; no one can save it."

"Huh...?" Xiao Yang, holding her chopsticks, was somewhat shocked, not expecting this answer:
"Um... this is Zhang Yimou plus a 10 billion investment, big stars, big production, can't be true, right?"

The last big-star, big-budget movie was actually *Mojin: The Lost Legend*.

With several Best Actor winners, one Best Actress winner, and rising star Yang Tianbao, it's truly a gathering of celebrities.

With a massive investment of 2.3 million yuan, the success of "Mojin: The Lost Legend" was unexpected, but also quite reasonable.

Then you turn around and say that other people's big stars and big productions are bad movies?
It doesn't make sense.
“That script was written by a foreigner,” Qi Hui said. “A Chinese historical drama script written by a foreigner, plus a Chinese director… don’t you find it awkward and strange?”

Qi Hui waved his hand and continued, "Zhang Yi is probably stuck in a path dependency."

"His last big-budget production with a star-studded cast and massive scale was 'Hero,' and I reckon he's trying to replicate the success of 'Hero.'"

"Then... will it work?" Xiao Yang pressed.
"impossible."

"What?"

"Times have changed!" Qi Hui said calmly.

The success of "Hero" can be attributed not only to its star-studded cast, beautiful visuals, and grand scale, but also, importantly, to its compelling story.

Both screenwriters of "Hero" are art film writers. Although they can't deliver the same level of excitement as commercial films, the overall story is still compelling.

It has not deviated from the inherent perceptions of the Chinese people.

Most importantly, audiences back then had never seen such a grand spectacle, and their expectations for "Hero," despite its somewhat weak story, were not high.

But The Great Wall is different; it's a story about China written by a foreign screenwriter!
They are not Chinese to the core, how can they write clearly?
Do you know I don't have that ability? Besides, today's audience is completely different from what it was back then.

Today's audiences are used to grand scenes and special effects blockbusters.

Special effects are just a spice to them; the story itself is what they need.

Without a good story, even the best special effects are of little use.

The last movie with excellent special effects but a terrible story was called *Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe*.

The outcome is clear for all to see!
"Great Wall"?
It's just a larger version of "Chronicles of the Ghostly Tribe"!
After listening, Xiao Yang smacked his lips, feeling that it was somewhat unrealistic, or rather, unbelievable.

If what the boss said is true, then wouldn't this investment of 1 billion RMB be wasted?
As they were talking, Qi Hui's phone suddenly rang.

I picked it up and saw that it was Ling Hong calling!
Qi Hui raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised. After thinking for a moment, he answered the call:

"President Ling?"

"Haha, Qi Hui, did I disturb you?"

"Oh my goodness~ What are you saying? How could that be?" Qi Hui quickly replied, his attitude extremely polite.

On the other end of the phone, Ling Hong laughed, but inwardly she became more vigilant.

Rumor has it that the better Qi Hui's tone and attitude, the lower the chances of him getting things done.

This kid is never one to be swayed by either soft or hard tactics!
I don't know who spread this, but it's probably true!

“It’s like this.” Ling Hong carefully chose her words and said, “I’m currently a producer on Zhang Yimou’s ‘The Great Wall.’ They initially offered you the lead role, but why did you refuse?”

The producer… Qi Hui tried to suppress his smile, but in the end he couldn’t.

Ling Hong is really unlucky... First she stumbled in "Chronicles of the Nine-Story Demon Tower", and now she's stumbled again in this larger version of Chronicles of the Nine-Story Demon Tower, "The Great Wall".

"Oh, you mean that?" Qi Hui's tone was full of sudden realization. "I'm preparing for a new movie, and filming will start soon."

"Yunnan Province provided a lot of support, but I simply didn't have the time, so I couldn't go to the Great Wall."

Upon hearing this, Ling Hong frowned, but her tone remained as relaxed as before, as if she were chatting casually: "I see."

"What about Jing Tian? Didn't she agree to the lead role before? Why did she change her mind?"

“She’s the female lead in my new film,” Qi Hui said matter-of-factly. “I’m unavailable, so of course she’s unavailable too.”

"As for why the decision was changed... actually, it wasn't a change of decision, it was that a new temporary worker at her agency didn't understand the situation and made a mistake."

"Jing Tian told me that she has already had someone handle it, please forgive her."

As he spoke, Qi Hui sent a message to Jing Tian and they began to exchange statements.

The new guy, a temporary worker... On the other end of the phone, Ling Hong gritted her teeth in frustration. This kid is really slippery!

Qi Hui didn't hang up immediately. He pulled Ling Hong aside and started talking about the situation of "The Vanished She". He talked on and on, his words flowing like a river.

Finally, Ling Hong couldn't hold back any longer, said a few words, and hung up.

Zhang Yi listened quietly to the sound, his expression remaining largely unchanged.

"It seems they really aren't coming," he said with some regret. Qi Hui and Jing Tian are both at the peak of their careers right now.

If they come to "The Great Wall", they will be of great help.
Unlike typical art-house film directors, he never felt there was anything wrong with using big stars; the bigger the star, the more he liked them.

Because he makes commercial films, not art films.

“In that case, let’s find another actor,” Zhang Yi said, without being demanding.

So many people want to pay to act in his plays, but none of them have it. It's not like he absolutely needs Qi Hui and Jing Tian.

Ling Hong felt a little regretful; if Jing Tian had joined, many things would have been much easier.

……

Yixin Pictures

I had just hung up the phone when it rang again.

Qi Hui thought it was Ling Hong calling again, but when he picked it up, he realized it wasn't his call, but Xiao Yang's.

"Uh...it's Director Kong from noon!" Xiao Yang said in surprise.

A call came in at noon... What do you want?

(End of this chapter)