Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 195 The Ordinary Louis Koo

In the entertainment industry, keeping everything to yourself is a major taboo.

Especially in the Hong Kong entertainment industry before the handover, relationships and backgrounds were intricate and complex.

If you try to eat alone, you'll likely become the target of everyone's criticism.

Although Cao Jian had secretly arranged for a few of his men to come to Hong Kong through a smuggler, he was a money-maker and wanted to protect himself from being bullied.

Unless absolutely necessary, it's best to avoid fighting and killing.

Therefore, he planned to include Anita Mui in his "Young and Dangerous" series.

On the one hand, putting aside the slight ambiguity between the two, Anita Mui can be considered a benefactor to me after I came to Hong Kong. She has always taken good care of me and helped me a lot.

Furthermore, with Mei Yanfang, a respected elder sister figure, stepping in, relationships from all sides can be coordinated.

Mei Yanfang was very happy to hear that Cao Jian had rejected Golden Harvest and Win's Entertainment, but instead invited her to join him.

She asked, "By the way, we've acquired the adaptation rights to the 'Storm Riders' comic. When will it be filmed?"

"Let's wait a bit longer for this movie, because it has high requirements for special effects."

Cao Jian acquired the copyright to "Storm Riders" to secure it in advance, so that it could be made into both a movie and a TV series in the future.

The TV series is even more popular than the movie.

Especially the name side that says "Don't come any closer".

However, the female lead is just an ordinary woman, yet she insists on playing an absolute beauty, which is a bit of an eyesore. We'll definitely have to replace her with a prettier one.

That night, the two talked until very late, and Mei Yanfang got a little drunk, so she stayed there.

Anyway, they're sworn siblings, so it doesn't matter.

During the Spring Festival, Cao Jian spent most of his time with the women around him, except for networking, visiting people in the industry, and exchanging New Year's greetings.

This Spring Festival, Li Xiaoran, who is already eighteen years old, and Chen Hong also spent the New Year in Hong Kong.

Cao Jian, of course, also took good care of them.

In addition, he also made a trip to Taiwan.

Chen Derong and Lin Xinru also accompanied them, and they also interacted with relevant personnel from TTV and CTV.

Before we knew it, the Spring Festival was over.

Just after the Lunar New Year, Cao Jian arrived at TVB as promised. His first drama this year is "The Legend of the Condor Heroes".

"Fairy Zixia, I've arrived."

Cao Jian was humming the tune of "A Lifetime of Love" in his heart when he arrived at the entrance of TVB and bumped into a man.

"Ah Le, you're here so early too?"

The man was none other than the unremarkable Gu Tianle. He had been released from prison a year ago and joined the TVB training class. Now he was a contracted artist under TVB.

"It's Cao Sheng! Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity!"

Gu Tianle was somewhat flattered that Cao Jian, who is now very famous in Hong Kong, would take the initiative to greet him.

After calming his excitement, he said, "I'm here to try my luck and see if I can get a role in 'The Legend of the Condor Heroes'."

Stephen Chow started out as an extra in the 83 version of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, but now he has become one of the most bankable actors in Hong Kong, a story that has become a legend in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. Koo Tin-lok also wants to follow in Stephen Chow's footsteps.

"You're so handsome, and you're a model, you can play Yang Kang, but other roles aren't suitable for you."

When Cao Jian saw him, the first person he thought of was Yang Guo.

If the unremarkable Gu Tianle can play Yang Kang now, and then Yang Guo in the future, that would be a remarkable story in the film and television industry.

"I might not be able to do Yang Kang."

At that time, Gu Tianle was still a nobody in the entertainment industry. Even though he had been a model, he didn't think he could land such an important role as Yang Kang.

Cao Jian laughed and said, "It's worth a try. Maybe there'll be a chance. If not, I'll help you out."

"you help me?"

Did Gu Tianle feel like this was a windfall?

Cao Jian, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, not only took the initiative to greet me, but also offered to help me get a role?

This superstar is such a nice person.

"Let's go, it's not certain whether it will work out."

Cao Jian just wanted to try his best, after all, this brother built so many schools in mainland China in the following years.

For that reason alone, I should help this person.

The two walked into the "Legend of the Condor Heroes" set together and saw that there was another person auditioning, so it seemed that some roles had not yet been decided.

"Cao Sheng, congratulations!"

The director of this film is Lee Tim-shing, who also directed the 84 Tony Leung version of "The Deer and the Cauldron".

Even a renowned director like him, upon seeing Cao Jian arrive, still quickly congratulated Mr. Cao on the recent box office success of his films.

"Director Li, you're too kind. Congratulations on your fortune."

Cao Jian cupped his hands in greeting and smiled, "Still auditioning? Which roles haven't been decided yet?"

"Neither Yang Kang nor Mu Nianci has made a decision yet."

Lee Tim-shing has been having some troubles lately. In the original novel, Yang Kang is an eighteen-year-old nobleman, but the actors recommended by the producers are all over thirty years old.

Mu Nianci, a great beauty in the original novel, was surprisingly recommended by TVB to be played by Kwan Po-wai, who has a bit of a background and comes from a prominent family.

Li Tiansheng was actually not satisfied with either of these two people, but if there were no better candidates, he could only follow the producer's and company's arrangements. "I recommend someone to play Yang Kang."

As Cao Jian spoke, he tugged at Gu Tianle beside him and asked with a smile, "What does Director Li think of him?"

"Him? Who is he?"

Although Lee Tim-shing works at TVB, he doesn't actually recognize the current Koo Tin-lok.

“I was a student in TVB’s artist training class last year. My name is Gu Tianle.”

"Just a student."

Upon hearing the introduction of this rather handsome man, Li Tiansheng thought that his appearance was indeed acceptable.

Cao Jian is indeed quite handsome as Guo Jing.

If Yang Kang were too ugly or too old, it would definitely not be good.

The young man in front of me looked quite sunny, and his appearance was about the same level as Cao Jian's. I was actually a little tempted.

It's a pity that he was still a trainee last year and probably had no acting experience, yet he was cast as Yang Kang right from the start.
Although he was tempted, Li Tiansheng said, "His appearance is alright, and his acting skills, as someone who came from a training program, should be pretty good. I'm just worried that he lacks experience. I'll discuss this with the producer."

"Okay, then I'll wait for news."

"be right back."

Director Lee Tim-shing actually wanted to give Koo Tien-lok a chance.

But after so many years at TVB, he also knows that directors don't actually have much autonomy.

After the director left, Gu Tianle said, "Brother Jian, thank you for helping me."

"I was born in 72, how old are you?"

"Age is not a problem. I have always liked your songs and your movies. This greeting, 'Brother Jian,' has nothing to do with age."

"Oh Well."

Having lived in Hong Kong for so long, Cao Jian understands the ins and outs of the Hong Kong entertainment industry.

Phrases like "Brother Xueyou," "Sister Mei," "Brother Zhang Guorong," and "Master Xing" all refer to their status in the entertainment industry.

Now that he has become the director of blockbuster movies and started a film and television company, being called Brother Jian doesn't seem wrong.

As the two were talking, Li Tiansheng returned with a regretful look: "Mr. Cao, the producer said that Gu Tianle has no acting experience, so he can play minor roles in the drama first. We should find someone else for the role of Yang Kang."

"What's the point?"

Cao Jian disagreed with this reasoning at all, saying, "Back then, when Liang Chaowei had just graduated from the training class, he played Wei Xiaobao in 'The Deer and the Cauldron,' which is a precedent."

“I understand, but you’re just the lead actor and I’m just the director. If the producer doesn’t approve it, there’s nothing I can do.”

Li Tiansheng shrugged, looking as if he was truly powerless to do anything about it.

"Then I'll go talk to the producer."

Cao Jian can be a bit too serious at times. Even though TVB is very powerful, he really wanted to help Gu Tianle.

"Brother Jian, forget it, I don't mind playing a minor role."

Actually, Gu Tianle came here this time just to try out roles like Yin Zhiping, or any minor character, to gain experience first.

"It's okay, it's me."

Cao Jian patted the other person on the shoulder and said, "Since you're calling me Brother Jian, I'll definitely protect you."

He went to the producer's office, recounted what had just happened, and added, "Yang Kang and Guo Jing are about the same age, so I think Gu Tianle is suitable to play Yang Kang."

“Cao Sheng, casting is the director’s and producer’s job. You just need to do your job well.”

Being able to produce major TVB dramas naturally indicates a high status within the company.

Although Cao Jian is quite famous in the entertainment industry now, producer Gu Jiahui has a higher status and doesn't give Cao Jian any face at all.

"When we select actors, I think image is more important than experience."

Cao Jian also got stubborn: "If you find someone too old to play Yang Kang, then I'd rather not play Guo Jing."

"What did you say?"

Producer Gu Jiahui was initially surprised, then slammed his hand on the table and angrily said, "Not going to act? Then you can leave."

"Brother Jian, don't do this."

When Gu Tianle saw that his actions had caused Cao Jian to want to quit the performance, he felt even more embarrassed.

Actually, Cao Jian didn't necessarily have to act in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes".

He did this to test TVB's bottom line.

In the future, I need to find TV stations to cooperate with, understand their bottom line, and then I can strive for more benefits.

Besides, the 94 version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" was a perfectly good show. Putting aside some of the poor martial arts choreography, it was almost ruined by the terrible costumes, props, and a few bad casting choices.

"I really think you are a very promising actor."

Cao Jian genuinely wanted to be friends with Gu Tianle and also wanted him to make a name for himself soon.

The argument here has attracted a lot of onlookers.

Just as Cao Jian was about to leave with Gu Tianle, a woman's voice suddenly came from the crowd.

"If Cao Jian leaves, then I won't act anymore!"

Cao Jian looked closely in the direction of the voice and saw that the speaker was none other than Zhu Yin, who played Huang Rong.

(End of this chapter)