Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 232 Falling Out of Favor

The fact that "Rumble in the Bronx" broke the Hong Kong film box office record on its opening day instantly shocked the entire Hong Kong film industry.

Is this really Cao Jian, who has only been in Hong Kong for a little over three years and has never attended university?

He used to write songs, sing, write scripts, and act in movies; if you could call him a genius...

But judging from the box office performance of this movie, his performance can no longer be considered genius, but rather monstrous!

"Five million two hundred and one thousand?"

Xiang Huaqiang was equally surprised when he learned the number.

If this box office figure remains unchanged for ten days, it will be over 50 million.

Moreover, the film received very good reviews in the newspapers.

While there may be an element of hype from Golden Harvest, these box office figures suggest that the film must be quite good.

If that's the case, the box office performance in mainland China, Southeast Asia, and Japan will probably be quite good as well.

"It seems we need to increase our cooperation with Cao Jian in the future."

True to his word, Xiang Huaqiang immediately called Cao Jian: "Congratulations, Mr. Cao."

"Congratulations for what?"

Cao Jian worked hard to conceive last night and is still half asleep.

Especially since he had just finished filming "Legend of the Condor Heroes" after working overtime these past few days, he wanted to take a good rest for a couple of days, as he would be auditioning for "The Condor Heroes" after New Year's Day.

"Boss Cao, are you still asleep? You must have had a tough night."

Xiang Huaqiang wanted to get closer to Cao Jian, so he made a casual joke and then said, "Of course, I congratulate 'Rumble in the Bronx' on breaking the single-day box office record."

"Thank you, Mr. Xiang. We're on the same side, so please feel free to speak up."

Cao Jian knew perfectly well that Xiang Huaqiang's call wasn't to congratulate him.

"Mr. Cao, filming for 'Forensic Heroes' has wrapped up. Are you interested in collaborating on another movie?"

"I really don't have time. I'm busy preparing for next year's TV series and promoting my new album."

"Mr. Cao, now that 'Rumble in the Bronx' has broken records, it's big news. Why not take advantage of this momentum and hurry up and make another one? It won't be long."

Charles Heung originally wanted to say that when Wong Jing was filming "Tricky Master," he wrote the script and filmed it in just over a week.

You're a genius; you can't be worse than him.

But considering their relationship, he didn't say it aloud.

After hearing this, Cao Jian felt that there was some truth to it.

Since "Rumble in the Bronx" broke the single-day box office record and definitely made the news, it would be good to take some time to make a sequel.

While making a quick buck, he also left Wang Jing, who had a grudge against him, with nowhere to turn.

Thinking of this, he agreed, "Okay, I'll think of a story today. As for the script, I'll write it at night and film it during the day, and try to finish it in ten days."

"Okay, Mr. Cao, what type of film should we make?"

"Of course, it's comedy. I still prefer working with Stephen Chow. If we invest ten million together, it will be enough."

"That's it."

Xiang Huaqiang was overjoyed, feeling that Cao Jian was indeed very understanding.

If Cao Jian could shoot a movie in ten days, and it were to be a box office hit, wouldn't Wang Jing be shocked?

If you've been provoked, shouldn't you work even harder at filming?

No matter how you look at it, it's a win-win situation for both of us.

clever!

"Honey, who's so annoying, calling you so early?"

Zhou Huimin, who was standing to the side, snuggled into Cao Jian's arms and muttered dissatisfaction.

"To Boss Xiang."

"Oh, it's him. What does he want with you?"

When Zhou Huimin heard that it was Boss Xiang, she didn't dare to say anything more.

"filming."

Cao Jian already had a movie in mind, which was "The God of Cookery" which ranked third at the box office in 1995.

This was the last film that Stephen Chow truly collaborated with Wong Jing on after he established his own company.

Of course, this doesn't include "The King of Gamblers 2000".

However, the female lead in this movie is someone he plans to use his own woman.

I wonder who would want to dress up as Little Steel Teeth?
Vivian Chow is a pure and innocent beauty, so that's definitely not an option, and Wang Zuxian can't ruin her image either.

Zhu Yin would probably be willing, but she'll be filming "A Chinese Odyssey" right after the New Year, so she'll pass.

The same principle applies to Li Zi.
Wang Fei really wants to act now. In her previous life, she acted in Wang Jiawei's "Chungking Express" this year, and her performance was quite good.

Now that he missed out on this role because of having a baby, Cao Jian plans to make it up to the diva.

He just didn't know she was unwilling to play the ugly character. After getting up, Cao Jian went to another unit in the building where Wang Fei lived.

"Honey, congratulations on the movie's huge success."

Wang Fei woke up early and immediately congratulated her boyfriend upon seeing him.

"You know it all?"

Cao Jian pulled Wang Fei into his arms: "Why didn't you come to me when I called you last night?"

"I want to stay with your daughter."

Wang Fei and Zhou Huimin have a good relationship now, and the three of them are often together, but it's usually Zhou Huimin who comes over, while the proud Wang Fei rarely goes.

"Ok."

Cao Jian laughed and said, "I'm planning to make a movie. The male lead is Stephen Chow, and there's a female lead. Would you like to act in it?"

"Yes I do."

When Wang Fei heard that it was the female lead role, she was naturally willing to film her boyfriend's scenes.

Vivian Chow starred in "Rumble in the Bronx," and although she was the second female lead, the movie was a box office hit. How could she not be envious?

And it would be great if I could act alongside Stephen Chow.

Cao Jian laughed and said, "But, would you be willing to wear braces and play a little braces?"

"willing!"

Wang Fei hugged Cao Jian's neck: "So what if I have to look ugly? You don't care, so why should I?"

"Then it's settled."

Cao Jian's plans for this year have been completed. His first drama in 1995 was surprisingly "The God of Cookery," which really didn't expect it.

However, he had seen this movie before. The setting was very simple; it was filmed in a school and could be completed in ten days, so there shouldn't be any major problems.

Since filming for "The Return of the Condor Heroes" won't start until March, let's first recoup the money invested in "A Chinese Odyssey".

This Christmas, Cao Jian invited Yang Yuying, Wang Zuxian, Zhou Huimin, Qiu Shuzhen, Zhu Yin, Chen Hong, Yuan Jieying and others to his villa to spend Christmas together.

Although it was supposed to be a gathering of friends, everyone knew the real reason behind it.

Many of these women were realizing for the first time that they had so many sisters.

But thinking of Cao Jian's affection for her, she didn't expose the truth and pretended to be Cao Jian's friend.

One baby is already six months old and is babbling, while the other is not yet 100 days old.

The two children became the darlings of a group of women; before they even grew up, they already had many aunts.

Children really are a lubricant for women.

Seeing the women enjoying themselves, Wang Luyao, who had come with Chen Hong, felt like an outsider.

She increasingly looked forward to the day when she could fit in.

However, she also admired how Boss Cao managed to get these women to tolerate his philandering.
Is he really planning to become the next Joseph Lau?

But thinking about it, Mr. Cao seems to be better than the legendary Liu Luanxiong; at least he didn't just dump him after he was done with him.

After Christmas, Cao Jian began assembling the film crew.

Fortunately, Stephen Chow also planned to go to the mainland to film "A Chinese Odyssey" after the Lunar New Year, and was still in Hong Kong at the time.

Hearing that Cao Jian's film would only take ten days to shoot and that he would be paid three million Hong Kong dollars, he readily agreed to participate, and also brought along his former classmate "Ru Hua".

Although it's a popcorn movie, the cast is actually quite large.

The male lead is Stephen Chow, the female lead is pop diva Wang Fei, the second male lead is Uncle Da, the second female lead is Lin Xinru, and there's also Xu Jinjiang who says "I want them all".

Cao Jian previously said that the script for this drama was written while filming, but in fact, the script had already been in his mind for a long time.

Especially in the first scene, Cao Jian asked Stephen Chow to rinse his mouth with milk and then vomit on the bed. This scene made everyone feel that, although it was a last-minute script, Director Cao's level was really high.

"hehe."

Cao Jian just smiled at this. This scene was later imitated by Shen Teng in "Hello Mr. Billionaire".

Although this is Wang Fei's first time playing the lead role, she is naturally quite lively, and the women around her boyfriend have all acted in many films.

Therefore, in this drama, she actually performed better than the original Liang Yongqi.

She even sang a song in the movie, which attracted Stephen Chow and became the beginning of their relationship.

These changes make the plot development more logical.

While Cao Jian was busy filming "The God of Cookery", Wang Jing naturally knew about this matter.

After all, Uncle Da's scenes in "God of Gamblers 2" were not yet finished, and he sometimes ran between two film sets in a day, so this matter could not be kept from him.

"Have I fallen out of favor?"

This was Wang Jing's first reaction upon learning of this.

Before "Forensic Heroes" was even released, Boss Xiang asked Cao Jian to act in the film, which meant that his position in Boss Xiang's eyes was already in jeopardy.

Is Cao Jian really that good? Can he really make a movie in ten days? Is he challenging me?
Am I going to lose to Cao Jian in every way?
Shouldn't I have sought revenge for the loss of my wife in the first place?

The thought that he might fall out of favor with his boss made Wang Jing feel pressured for the first time, and he also felt a little regretful.
(End of this chapter)