Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 233 Casting for "The Return of the Condor Heroes"
The box office performance of "Rumble in the Bronx" continues to rise, reaching more than 35 million Hong Kong dollars in just one week.

Meanwhile, the film was also released in mainland China.

Although cinemas in mainland China are not yet well-developed, the film's large population base and the large fan base of Jackie Chan and Cao Jian contributed to its impressive box office performance.

However, the North American release date is set after New Year's Day, since the peak box office period of Christmas is reserved for Hollywood films.

Cao Jian only occasionally inquires about box office figures; his current work mainly involves filming "The God of Cookery".

This movie isn't particularly famous among Stephen Chow's films, but it's still pretty funny.

The scene with the urinal was particularly funny. Cao Jian found it hilarious when he first saw it, and the actual filming of it had the entire crew in stitches.

The movie was indeed filmed very quickly; most of it was shot in just one week.

Charles Heung was satisfied with the speed, but the Hong Kong entertainment industry was shocked.

If this movie does well at the box office, Wang Jing can really retire from acting.

Although Wang Jing has made many good films, he has made even more bad ones.

"Next time I'll make an erotic film! Let's see if you, Cao Jian, dare to do the same!"

Feeling somewhat out of favor, Wang Jing could only seethe with resentment in his heart, but there was nothing he could do.

Fortunately, erotic films are nothing special in Hong Kong and can still be shown in theaters.

I can make this kind of film, but do you, Cao Jian, dare to make it?
You are not only a director and actor, but also the owner of a company that is about to go public.

Wang Fei, who had just celebrated New Year's Day and had a taste of acting, wrapped up filming for the movie "The God of Cookery".

Although this movie is a comedy, it still has some special effects scenes, such as "staring into the air," so its release date is scheduled for around April.

Special effects are still quite expensive these days.

The release date for the first "Young and Dangerous" film is set for the Lunar New Year.

"Making movies is really fun."

After filming wrapped, Wang Fei felt she hadn't had enough fun and asked, "When will you start filming 'The Peerless Swordsman' that you mentioned last time?"

"Wait until I'm done with my work."

Cao Jian was surprised that his daughter, now a mother, still enjoyed playing so much. He said, "I need to hurry up and arrange auditions for the main actors in 'The Condor Heroes' tomorrow, or it will be too late. As for the movie, we'll have to wait."

"Ok."

Wang Fei felt helpless, knowing that her boyfriend was getting busier and busier as his fame grew.

She clung to him, saying, "Honey, I'm going to start working after the New Year, and the song 'Red Bean' is going to be released. Since I can't make a movie, could you write another song for me?"

"How about we sing a duet sometime sometime?"

"Yeah."

Wang Fei, of course, didn't mention this suggestion.

You've sung duets with Yang Yuying and with Anita Mui, so we should have a love duet a long time ago.

Cao Jian wrote "Because of Love" that very night.

After listening to the song, Wang Fei fell in love with it and said coquettishly, "Honey, you're so talented! I want another one."

"You're so greedy."

"I just love singing the songs you wrote."

"Ok."

Unable to resist Wang Fei's persistent pestering, Cao Jian pondered for a moment and wrote a poem called "Snowman".

This song is on the same album as "Red Bean," and as Wang Fei's comeback song after more than a year of rest, it will definitely make her popular again.

As for "Fleeting Years," that was the song that would solidify her status as a diva in two years.

The production team for "The Return of the Condor Heroes" has been assembled, and the only thing left to do is to finalize the main cast.

However, news of the search for suitable actors in Taiwan, mainland China, and Hong Kong had already spread.

Many mainland actors with connections also came to Hong Kong hoping to get this opportunity.

Rumble in the Bronx has now grossed over HK$50 million in Hong Kong, and some of his fans even watch it two or three times to support their idol.

Moreover, this film broke box office records in Taiwan, earning over 100 million New Taiwan Dollars.

Besides these two locations, it also grossed 30 million yuan at the box office in mainland China.

With such achievements, it's clear to everyone that Cao Jian is no longer just an actor, but also a renowned director.

Given that, who wouldn't want to star in one of his films and become famous?

However, Cao Jian auditioned for the male lead, Yang Guo, first.

"Cao Sheng, I think you're more suitable for the male lead role. Why don't you play Yang Guo?"

Upon arriving at TVB, assistant director Lee Tim-shing tried to persuade Tsao Kin to play the male lead.

I have no plans to act in this film.

In Cao Jian's opinion, Gu Tianle's portrayal of Yang Guo is the most classic.

Furthermore, I have a good relationship with Gu Tianle, so I'll give him this opportunity. Besides, when we filmed "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," I cast him as Yang Kang precisely because I was waiting for this day.

"Brother Jian, you're really going to let me play the male lead?"

When Cao Jian told Gu Tianle about this, Gu Tianle was equally shocked.

In his opinion, director Cao Jian would also be a good fit for the role of Yang Guo.

“I played Guo Jing last time, and I’m playing Yang Guo this time. The audience might get tired of the same old thing, but you’re different.”

Cao Jian laughed and said, "Besides, you're quite handsome too."

"Actually, I'm really just an ordinary person."

Gu Tianle modestly asked, then curiously inquired, "Who will play Little Dragon Girl?"

"I've found you a beautiful woman, you'll see when the time comes."

Cao Jian kept Li Ruotong's name a secret.

Although there is a Little Dragon Girl, there are many other beautiful actresses in this drama, such as Guo Fu, Lu Wushuang, Cheng Ying, Wanyan Ping, and Li Mochou, all of whom need to be played by beautiful actresses.

"Cao Sheng, who are you planning to cast for the role of Guo Jing? Huang Rihua?"

"If we don't cast him this time, let's cast Bai Biao, who also played Guo Jing eighteen years ago."

The auditions for these roles were all very quick, and many of them were based on the original versions.

For example, Liu Dan, who specializes in playing Hong Qigong, is still playing an old beggar, and Ke Zhen'e, who specializes in playing the same character, is still playing Jiang Yi in the 83 version of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes".

These are all veteran actors from TVB.

The role of Zhou Botong was contested by Qin Huang in the 83 version and Wayne Lai in the 94 version.

In the end, Cao Jian chose Qin Huang.

The 83 version was simply too deeply ingrained in Cao Jian's mind.

With these actors cast, only a large number of female roles remain.

Holding the actor application form, Li Tiansheng asked, "Director Cao, who do you plan to cast as Huang Rong?"

There were many people vying for the role of Huang Rong. Besides Wei Qiuhua, who played Huang Rong in the original version, even Shirley, who played Li Mochou, wanted to compete for the role.

Huang Rong is the most memorable female protagonist in Jin Yong's works, appearing in both novels.

In Hong Kong, casting female roles is a highly sought-after job.

If any actress tries to get a chance, that's a perk for the director.

I wonder if Director Cao prefers mature or innocent types?

Cao Jian took the form and discovered that in addition to the slightly more mature actresses from Hong Kong, there was also Li Lili.

Many people may not know this name, but she is the woman who played Ye Erniang in "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and Ning Zhongze in "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer".

"TVB is indeed full of talented people."

Looking at these lists, Cao Jian couldn't help but admire TVB's actor training model, which was indeed ahead of its time.

Although many actresses from mainland China applied this time, most of them were young girls.

As for middle-aged actresses who are suitable for playing Huang Rong, there are probably not many applicants because they are afraid of language barriers.

In the end, Cao Jian still chose the original actress, Wei Qiuhua.

This woman is actually quite pretty; her looks are no less than Shirley's.

"Director Cao, are you planning to cast children to play the roles of young Yang Guo and young Guo Fu? Or..."

In Li Tiansheng's mind, he felt that Gu Tianle did not look old, and with a youthful makeover, he could play the role of young Yang Guo.

This way, the cost of casting child actors can be saved.

If Yang Guo were to choose child actors, then Guo Fu, the Wu brothers, Cheng Ying, and Lu Wushuang would all have to be children.

This is not in line with the stingy style of TVB.

But since I'm not the director now, the final decision on this matter rests with Cao Jian.

"Let's cast child actors!"

Cao Jian hesitated for a moment. Although it wouldn't be a problem to have Gu Tianle play the role of a child, he always felt something was off when he watched that part back then.

It would be better to find a child actor to play the role; the effect would be much better.

"Ok."

Li Tiansheng shook his head helplessly, handed the document to Cao Jian, and said, "Indeed, some child actors have signed up. Take a look."

"Xie Tingfeng?"

Cao Jian was stunned when he saw the first item on the form.

He actually signed up?

As for the role of Little Guo Fu, why not let Zhang Baizhi play it?
(End of this chapter)