The Birth of the Best Director

Chapter 133 The Heroic Fate of Oedipus Rex
……

"Brother, what acting skills could a 12-year-old girl possibly have?"

"and……"

Moreover, Lu Zhiyuan would occasionally make some bizarre requests.

For example, tying a young girl to a cross and throwing her into the sea during a typhoon.

Who would be willing to let him go through all this trouble?
Only if one is strong, hardworking, and willing to endure hardship.

If it were a 12-year-old girl, even if she agreed, would you ask her parents if they would agree to such an outrageous thing?

"Reba, calm down."

It's not hard for Lu Zhiyuan to understand why Dilraba has her eye on the female lead in his new movie.

After all, this movie has a higher budget than "Upgrade", and it also has a hidden Easter egg in the background.

With this in mind, Lu Zhiyuan decided to share some movie ideas with Reba.

"Dilraba, have you forgotten? In the movie 'Upgrade,' didn't I have you film a cameo scene?"

Seeing Dilraba nod, as if remembering something, Lu Zhiyuan smiled mysteriously and said, "Actually, this Easter egg is some plot from the movie."

Upon hearing this, Reba seemed to realize something and pricked up her ears, ready to listen carefully to what Lu Zhiyuan would say next.

Liu Shishi, Gulnazar, and Zhang Tianai, who were standing next to them, also put down their chopsticks and looked over attentively.

They were also very interested in how a Hollywood science fiction movie is made.

Lu Zhiyuan mentioned this in front of them, indicating that he didn't treat them as outsiders, which made them quite happy.

Of course, given their intelligence, they couldn't possibly remember something so complicated.

And even if you write it down, what then?
Telling others won't help.

The same script, different directors, and the resulting films are completely different. Not to mention, this is just a concept.

Lu Zhiyuan may change his mind at any time.

"As I said before, Real Steel is not an independent world view, but rather a fusion of the world view of Upgrade."

"In addition, it will also serve as a prequel, involving the world background of my next super heavy industry mecha movie, Pacific Rim."

"The virtual game 'Real Steel' is not simply designed to create an internet game for human entertainment. Rather, it is a superpower's way of selecting pilots from all human players who have the highest level of synergy with the Jaeger's nervous system."

"Besides, the unlimited virtual fighting game 'Real Steel' is just a training ground. It's not just a simple ring fight. To increase the complexity of the film's battles, there are also a lot of wilderness survival battles where you will encounter all kinds of monsters."

"The arena combat is not just a simple boxing match, but an unrestricted fighting game where players can use all kinds of weapons, whether it's melee or firearms. As long as players have enough points, they can equip their mechs with them."

"There's an Easter egg in here."

"The monsters that these mech pilots encounter in the wild to farm points are not created randomly; they are all simulations of the monsters that will appear in Pacific Rim."

"These monsters will appear in the post-credits scene of the movie, giving the audience a huge shock and making them realize that things are not so simple."

"Besides, the person who created this virtual training system is none other than the character Tian Tian in the movie 'Upgrade,' the genius female president of YG Entertainment."

This is also an Easter egg.

When the time comes, viewers who have seen the movie "Upgrade" will surely be amazed.

It turns out we're from the same world.

This synergistic effect will create a strong sense of familiarity for viewers who have seen the movie "Upgrade," which will definitely have a positive impact on box office revenue.

"And your character Alita, although she died in the movie Upgrade, will be re-entered into the virtual training game of Real Steel as a string of data, becoming the protagonist's guide in the game."

"To help humanity select the most suitable mech pilots."

In the ending of the movie "Upgrade", AI takes control of the world and is about to become the master of the entire Earth, but soon discovers that a wormhole has appeared in the deep sea of ​​the Earth.

On the other side of the wormhole lies a strange world of monsters.

Those monsters kept crashing against the spatial barrier.

Before long, they will break through the spatial barrier, force their way into Earth, and then use Earth as their colony, slaughtering all life here.

These monsters don't develop high technology at all.

For AI life forms, if Earth were to be occupied by these monsters, AI would be of no use and would be physically destroyed.

Whether it's to save life on Earth or to maintain their AI dominance.

At this moment, after calculation, these AI robots will abandon their idea of ​​ruling humanity and cooperate with humans again to resist alien creatures.

This is the plot logic and worldview of the entire story.

Of course, the movie doesn't need to show that much; just mentioning it briefly at the very end to showcase the grand world-building is more than enough.

Such a worldview is so shocking that it will naturally bring the audience an unprecedented sense of novelty.

As for why the AI ​​doesn't control the mech hunters itself and attack the monsters directly?

The real reason...

Of course, it's because Lu Zhiyuan wants to promote new talent!

Making AI the main character is interesting, but movies are made for humans!

If the AI ​​can boost his box office, Lu Zhiyuan can change all the main characters in the movie to AI.

Of course, in a movie, you need to find a suitable reason.

For example, those alien monsters have a special ability, which seems to be due to their conquest of many technologically advanced planets, evolving an electromagnetic interference capability.

This electromagnetic interference capability can affect the computing power of AI, causing it to malfunction.

Thus, AI life faced two choices.

Either be eliminated by monsters, or return to the background as an assistant to humans... Given the choice, the ever-rational AI will of course choose to cooperate with humans!

Thus, Jing Tian and Dilraba will reappear in this movie as cameos, connecting with the world view of the movie "Upgrade".

"Brother, I don't want to be a dead AI, I want to be a mecha pilot too."

After listening to Lu Zhiyuan's background introduction and the various movie collaborations, Dilraba knew it was time for her to leave.

The character Alita has already sacrificed herself to the AI ​​cult and become a saint.

The subsequent events of humanity saving the Earth will definitely have nothing to do with her.

She was really unwilling to accept it.

Just now, Dilraba was bragging to Liu Shishi that she had become an international superstar because of Lu Zhiyuan's movie.

They can continue making Hollywood blockbusters.

With a role like Alita, even if all four top actresses and two top actresses combined, it might not be enough for her to do it with one hand.

Then, in a turn of his head, Lu Zhiyuan told her a cruel truth.

She has fallen out of favor.

Lu Zhiyuan is about to find his new little princess.

"Reba, I understand how you feel."

“But you can’t play this 12-year-old girl.”

Even though it's a series of films with the same sci-fi theme, the female lead can't always be Dilraba Dilmurat, or the audience will get tired of it.

Dilraba's Alita image is excellent and enough to sustain her for years. Lu Zhiyuan doesn't want to cling to this image and ruin the classic he created.

"Ok."

Reba is a smart person and quickly realized that Lu Zhiyuan's mind was made up.

In this situation, even if she tries to be cute, it won't work; it's a complete waste of effort.

Besides, even Sister-in-law Tian Tian didn't get the lead role, so what else can she say?

Anyway, the female lead in this new movie is only 12 years old.

What are you afraid of?
"Brother, with your concept and idea, I'll go back to a screenwriting studio and have them write 30 scripts for you. We'll strive for perfection. We can't waste your creativity and idea."

Lu Zhiyuan has explained the story's background and setting so clearly, and it's very interesting.

If the screenwriting studios still can't do a better job, Xin Yukun swears to God that he will never work with these amateur screenwriting studios again.

It's better to write it yourself.

At worst, I'll cut my clubbing time in half.

"Yes, tell them to write it carefully. Budget is not a problem."

After thinking for a moment, Lu Zhiyuan took out a painting from his backpack and handed it to Xin Yukun.

“I combined the composition of classical oil paintings with some of the fantasy color style of Pirates of the Caribbean, and added some of Renoir’s light and shadow effects.”

"This painting was completed."

"This is a 19th-century Caribbean town in South America where the game characters from the 'Real Steel' virtual game appear."

"Bananas and palm trees, wooden sailboats, mountains and towns, everything is so vibrant."

"In addition, I also incorporated some of the realistic style of French painter François Millet regarding the working style."

"You can take it to the screenwriting studio and have them refer to the style."

For the movie "Real Steel," Lu Zhiyuan plans to use a dual narrative approach, combining real-world elements with a virtual online game storyline.

Therefore, the differences between the two will also be reflected in their visual styles.

In the real world, it will continue the visual and color style of "Upgrade," using a cyberpunk aesthetic throughout. The high-tech, dreamlike streetscapes will adopt Peter Marx's pop-psychedelic atmosphere, employing highly saturated neon lights.

In the darker corners of life, he continues to employ Edward Hopper's austere style and sharp techniques of light and shadow to depict the sense of alienation and wariness between people.

But in the virtual world of online games, he imitated a Polish CG artist and created a completely new color style.

It is bright and vibrant, yet full of delicacy and vitality, with a touch of fantasy and adventure.

Without any dialogue, just by seeing this scene, the audience can generally get a sense of what kind of story it is.

"Dude, this is too dreamlike!"

"Didn't you say that robot boxing matches should be made more realistic, with that heavy, powerful feeling of mechanical collisions?"

"You've changed your mind?"

When Xin Yukun saw the painting, his eyes widened immediately.

Although he has no artistic talent, he can clearly see the delicate and fantastical style of the painting.

Without a doubt, this is a romantic and magnificent adventure story.

Unlike the epic adventure style of Peter Jackson, it has a different kind of romantic and magnificent atmosphere.

More vibrant and energetic.

A clear sky, wooden sailboats on the beach, shimmering seawater, sailors carrying bananas, and two ladies in the distance, lifting their skirts and carefully watching out for trash on the beach.

Without a doubt, this is a positive and uplifting scene.

Just like when Real Steel first started, the grandfather and granddaughter entered the game with all sorts of expectations and hopes.

It gives people a sense of anticipation and longing, as if their dreams are about to take flight and they are about to embark on an adventure into a new world.

"Real Steel is a hopeful story, and the whole movie should naturally be full of the vibrancy of life."

"As for the news of the impending monster invasion, the two main characters in the movie were unaware of it at first."

"Create a beautiful fairy tale for the audience, and then at the end, ruthlessly pull them back to reality... tell them the truth, that the earth is about to be destroyed."

"All those fierce battles, exhilarating victories, and the exhilarating feeling of reaching the top were just to select a few heroes to save humanity... And since they are heroes, they must, of course, sacrifice themselves for all of humanity without hesitation!"

"How magnificent and beautiful is such a sacrifice?"

At this point, Lu Zhiyuan looked at everyone, smiled, and said, "Have you forgotten? The female lead suffers from a congenital disease, and it's clear that she's not long for this world. She is the child chosen by fate."

Good guy!
You're doing this again!
Xin Yukun finally realized that Lu Zhiyuan was a typical lover of "tragic aesthetics".

The female protagonist has a congenital disease, which gives her a natural beauty that is flawed.

However, the female protagonist's optimistic and positive attitude in fighting against fate made the audience feel her spiritual strength, fall in love with her, and have a high degree of emotional resonance with her.

Ultimately, the heroine, who was portrayed as so beautiful, still encountered an irresistible fate and chose to die a death heavier than Mount Tai.

These three elements together constitute the growth arc of the female protagonist.

That scoundrel director is a complete jerk!
He always manages to kill off the female lead.

Xin Yukun cursed Lu Zhiyuan fiercely in his heart.

However, he also knew very well that although the audience felt sorry for the female lead's fate, when she embarked on the path to becoming a hero without hesitation, she would naturally win the audience's favor.

The more tragic the death in a movie, the more heroic and beautiful it is.

In reality, this actress will become increasingly popular!
Because the audience feels that the actresses on screen are owed a debt by the whole world, and they are willing to make up for that debt.

Liu Shishi's Long Kui and Dilraba's Alita are both such characters.

It brought them tremendous popularity!
After his rant, Xin Yukun looked at Lu Zhiyuan and exclaimed, "Oedipus Rex, a masterpiece of ancient Greek tragic aesthetics."

"The protagonist, Oedipus, is exceptionally intelligent, loves his country, and is selfless. Faced with fate, he does not bow down or beg, but rises up to fight."

"He deciphered the banshee's riddle and rid the people of this scourge."

"To save the people from the plague, he relentlessly pursued the murderer of the former king. When the truth came out, he bravely took responsibility and voluntarily requested to be exiled."

Xin Yukun suddenly started talking about the aesthetics of ancient Greek tragedy for no apparent reason.

The others looked bewildered.

Only Lu Zhiyuan remained calm, revealing a slight smile.

Kun, that guy, I told him to go to fewer nightclubs and read more books, and I didn't expect him to actually listen to me.

After a while, Reba was the first to react.

She looked at Lu Zhiyuan with shining eyes.

"Brother, when we went to Muztagh Ata to scout locations, you seemed to have mentioned that we should find the robot 'Qin Palace Guard' for the main trio and design a puzzle game like 'The Da Vinci Code,' and that we should place the clues in the Dunhuang murals."

"I understand now. This clue from the Dunhuang murals is the riddle of the Gorgon in Oedipus Rex that Brother Kun just mentioned?"

Clues from the Dunhuang murals: the image of flying apsaras represents a riddle about a female demon.

And now, the most dazzling of the 30 banshees is sitting right next to her.

Should I take the initiative to slay the demons and help the female protagonist end her misfortune as the King of Heroes?

Naza, no need to look around anymore, I'm talking about you!

"Smart, here's a shrimp as a reward."

Just now, Zhang Tianai didn't want to eat this shrimp, but Lu Zhiyuan had already peeled it all, so he simply gave it to Reba.

"hey-hey."

Dilraba took a bite, revealing a sweet smile, and her gaze towards Lu Zhiyuan became even more intense.

My brother is really awesome.

It's so artistic and sophisticated.

Unfortunately, she was in poor health and looked like a sickly beauty.

If my brother's brain were combined with my strong body, and we had three children together, they would definitely be three of the highest quality humans!

Encouraged by Lu Zhiyuan, Dilraba continued, "Brother, the female lead in this new movie, the one who supposedly tracks down the murderer of the former king... does this former king refer to me?"

"The female protagonist discovers that I am an AI, not a real person in the real world."

"So she began to doubt my motives for contacting her, and the true nature of the game... In the end, she discovered the truth and realized that it was not an entertainment game, but a training ground!"

"It's all for the purpose of selecting suitable mecha pilots!"

"And she chose to sacrifice herself without hesitation, to become a hero, to save the world... just like Oedipus."

Dilraba feels that she is also super smart.

After Kun Ge finished speaking, she quickly connected the dots to the second half, a plot twist that Lu Zhiyuan had set up for the female lead.

In just this one scene, Dilraba felt that the little girl in Lu Zhiyuan's new movie had an IQ that directly caught up with her own Alita character.

really.

Although Lu Zhiyuan never said it, he must have been fond of smart and beautiful girls in his heart.

She is smart and beautiful.

It's not that I look down on any of you here. You are all beautiful, but when it comes to intelligence... well, we're all good friends, so I won't say anything that might hurt your feelings.

Haha!

"That's pretty much it."

"However, we still need to find someone to write the specific script."

Reba is so smart, Lu Zhiyuan is very pleased.

After chatting for a while, Lu Zhiyuan suddenly remembered something: "By the way, Dilraba, how's your preparation for the art exam going?"

Dilraba is taking the art exams in February, and she's been busy with gigs every day, so she shouldn't miss it.

"Brother, are you kidding me? With my face, my figure, my current fame and influence, if I went to apply to the Beijing Film Academy, wouldn't they treat me like royalty?"

Dilraba feels that if she were to apply to the Beijing Film Academy now, she would immediately become the most famous actress in the history of the academy.

Unless the admissions officers at Beijing Film Academy are completely insane, they wouldn't cross her name off.

"It's almost time, let's call it a day."

Lu Zhiyuan checked the time. They had been chatting for a long time, and it was almost 9 o'clock. It was time to go home and have some soup.

……

Xin Yukun drove Lu Zhiyuan away.

Liu Shishi sighed and left silently, not wanting to stay and face her three little rivals.

"Brother, remember to come and cheer me on the day I go for my art exam."

Dilraba and her two girlfriends stood at a distance, slowly waving goodbye.

Seeing Xin Yukun's car disappear around the corner, Reba prepared to turn around and go home.

She took a few steps and suddenly realized that Nazha was standing there motionless like a statue waiting for her husband, her neck craning out as she stared at him endlessly.

Dilraba was speechless for a moment, then pulled Nazha back and advised, "Nazha, stop looking. My brother likes smart and pretty girls. You silly girl, just give up."

Naza looked completely unconvinced.

Who says I'm a little fool?
I'm super smart, I was just pretending to be stupid!

(End of this chapter)