Unboxing, Director!

Chapter 139: I've acquired the role of a scumbag!

After the initial promotional program was released, the ratings for the show "Entertainment Live" reached a new high, and it also sparked heated discussions about "The World's Number One" in the real world.

For example, who plays whom, and who will break through their own limitations in the drama.

Some of them discussed other topics.

For example, the "original" nature of this drama.

Some people had said earlier that Lu Jiang's first two works were adaptations, and that his success was somewhat undeserved.

Now that an original work has arrived, many people are looking forward to it, while others are skeptical, discussing Lu Jiang's screenwriting abilities and the project's viewership prospects.

In short, with two hugely successful works preceding it, the third work is sure to generate plenty of discussion.

However, the current discussions in the real world remain relatively formal.

The topics reported by various media outlets are generally not too unconventional.

Most of the topics were based on the press releases issued by Dawn Films.

Compared to real-world discussions, online discussions are much more unrestrained.

After the promotional program "Entertainment Live" was released, Dawn Films also released the online video version and character costume photos on its official website.

Various discussion threads have also appeared in online forums about F4, "The World's Number One", and other similar topics.

"Lu Jiang's body is amazing!"

"Lu Jiang looks quite handsome in period costume too."

"Eight-pack abs, I'm drooling!"

"That upstairs is disgusting, count me in!"

"Qiao Zhenyu looks so handsome in period costume!"

"Big surprise! Qiao Zhenyu and Fan Binbin play villains!"

"Shancai falls in love with Ximen, Huaze Lei and Daoming Si are caught in a love triangle again, and Meizuo is focused on making people laugh."

"Both the good guys and the bad guys are showing off, but Yu Bo is the only one getting beaten up."

"They still got beaten up by the Japanese devils."

What role exactly is Deng Chao playing?

"It is said that one of the important characters was a eunuch."

"Really? I'm really looking forward to it!"

"."

By the second half of 2001, the number of internet users in China had grown to nearly 3500 million.

The massive increase in the number of internet users, most of whom are young people, has made the internet far more vibrant than ever before.

The audience of "Meteor Garden" is basically all young people, so when the information about "The World's Number One" came out, it immediately became the most discussed project on the mainland internet.

Besides the mainland, the promotional programs also generated a lot of buzz in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia after airing in the early stages.

Just like how mainland Chinese fans of Korean dramas pay attention to new projects by Korean stars.

Fans in Southeast Asia and other regions are also paying close attention to information and news about "The World's Number One".

This immense popularity has made "The World's Number One" the hottest project in the Asian region right now.

The producers and sponsors were overjoyed.

The investors who couldn't get involved are either stuck in the dark or have already extended invitations to Dawn Pictures.

The most astute group, such as Mr. Wu from Taiwan, have already come knocking on our door with their earlier letters of intent.

That day, Boss Wu brought Jia Jingwen to negotiate with the production team of "The World's Number One" in a high-profile manner.

Two other investors from "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" also joined the project.

One is Hong Kong's Asia Pacific Film & Television, and the other is Singapore's MediaCorp.

With the addition of Wu's Taiwan-based Changhong, the three parties are the main producers of the original Su Youpeng version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

International cooperation between Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

It's also one of the most popular Jin Yong IPs right now.

This already indicates that the project will be significant.

Wu had discussed this matter with Lu Jiang earlier.

However, Lu Jiang did not say he would act in the film at that time; they only discussed capital cooperation.

He originally thought that if he was busy, he would let Deng Chao and the others do it.

By then, they will have enough popularity and status to be competent.

But Mr. Wu moved a bit too quickly. I thought he would do as Jia Jingwen said, that it would be another six months before formally discussing the project.

Now he has everything in order, and all that's left is for Lu Jiang to give his approval.

As long as Lu Jiang agrees to cooperate, filming can begin after "The World's Number One" wraps up.

So, in reality, based on the current situation, Lu Jiang is truly the only one in the entire Dawn Films who can carry the role of Zhang Wuji in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber".

Because of Deng Chao's popularity, it wouldn't be a problem for him to make a big splash in projects that need his popularity to boost them. However, he wasn't the main character in "Meteor Garden," and his starring role in "The Emperor of Han Dynasty" didn't air for almost a year, and it didn't achieve any significant success. Therefore, in the eyes of investors, he couldn't handle such a big project.

Yu Bo is in the same boat. "Xiao Shiyi Lang" is still almost a year away from airing. Before seeing the results, he is not yet capable of leading a major project.

Qiao Zhenyu is in a slightly better position than the other two, but the situation is still similar. He is slightly less capable of leading a major project and is not quite as good as Su Youpeng.

And Wu and his group couldn't possibly wait a year for this place.

So now, unless Lu Jiang gives up investing in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber", Zhang Wuji can't do without him.

Lu Jiang certainly wouldn't give up on investing.

The film is good, and the revenue is even better. It was among the top four in national viewership in 03. Why shouldn't we take it?

Thus, Lu Jiang was fortunate enough to be cast as a scumbag.

The four parties then discussed the investment.

Because Lu Jiang is currently the number one male idol in all of Asia and a top-tier singer, everything is going very smoothly.

Ultimately, it was tentatively decided that, because of Lu Jiang's involvement, the total investment would increase from the original plan of 2000 million to 3000 million.

Lu Jiang invested his salary to acquire a 30% stake, which translates to approximately 19 yuan per episode. The projected number of episodes is 48, but the exact number will depend on the actual situation, hence the package price.

This price is considered top-tier among Asian TV personalities, and it's in line with Lu Jiang's status.

After the payment was finalized, Mr. Wu asked again, "Can songs be counted as payment?"

Have you looked for someone else?

"Of course not. With a great talent like you, it would be a joke for me to look for someone else."

Boss Wu laughed so hard his tongue darted out.

The other two, including Jia Jingwen, also did not think there was a problem.

Lu Jiang nodded in agreement.

This version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" is the only Jin Yong drama he has ever watched in its entirety.

So I'm fairly familiar with the opening and ending theme songs.

With his current abilities, he could still make a replica if he wanted to, but it would be quite time-consuming.

However, now that things have come to this point, there's no reason to refuse.

Thus, the final version was determined: with two theme songs and Lu Jiang's salary as equity investment, Lu Jiang secured a 35% stake.

With the matter settled, the four parties then discussed casting on the spot.

Currently, the confirmed cast for "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre" includes Lu Jiang, Jia Jingwen, Zhang Guoli (the trio), and Singaporean actress Guo Feili. The remaining roles are still under discussion.

Regarding Zhou Zhiruo, the three parties have already made a general choice, namely Gao Yuanyuan.

Actually, Wang Yan was originally the first choice. With the recent popularity of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", Wang Yan's portrayal of Bai Feifei has captured the hearts of countless straight men, which is why she became the most popular candidate.

However, Qiong Yao has already decided to film "Princess Pearl 3", which will overlap with the schedule of "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre". Since Wang Yan is Qiong Yao's person, she naturally cannot act in it.

In addition, Lu Jiang's relationship with Qiong Yao might be somewhat sensitive because of Fan Binbin.

Therefore, the three bosses directly rejected Wang Yan and chose Gao Yuanyuan instead.

Apart from Gao Yuanyuan, the three said they had no other suitable candidates.

Of course, whether Gao Yuanyuan will ultimately be chosen depends on Lu Jiang's opinion.

What opinions could Lu Jiang possibly have?

If you hadn't chosen her, that would have been fine, but now that you've chosen her, how can I continue to be so heartless?

Firstly, he felt that Gao Yuanyuan's portrayal of Zhou Zhiruo was the best, and among the actresses currently available, there really wasn't anyone who could replace her.

Secondly, it can be considered as showing some mercy.

Having already taken her willow catkins, we should at least leave her some profit, otherwise it would become a case of "high-class scoundrels."

“I have no objection.” Lu Jiang nodded directly.

The person from Huanya then called Gao Yuanyuan directly and said, "Yuanyuan, Lu Jiang said he prefers you to play the role, it has to be you!"

Lu Jiang: "."

(End of this chapter)