Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 264 Preparing for "The God of Cookery"

In Hong Kong, Stephen Chow and the crew were initially full of confidence in the film "A Chinese Odyssey".

However, the negative news in the newspapers caused the film to fail to gross even ten million yuan in its first two weeks, and investor Cao Jian was unable to save it.

The experts in Hong Kong films who had always looked down on Stephen Chow were overjoyed.

Weren't you, Stephen Chow, so great? For the past few years, you've dominated the top spots at the Hong Kong box office. Now you've embarrassed yourself, haven't you?

And then there's investor Cao Jian; his judgment seems rather poor.

It looks like you're going to lose money this time.

"Ah Jian, I'm so sorry."

On the set of "Comrades: Almost a Love Story", Stephen Chow made a special trip over to apologize because he had caused Cao Jian to lose a lot of money this time.

"No problem at all. How's your company? When's the second movie coming out?"

Cao Jian had hoped that his appearance would change the unprofitable outcome of "A Chinese Odyssey".

Unfortunately, the ending was the same: audiences still didn't really appreciate this groundbreaking film.

Although it may seem like I lost money, I actually didn't lose anything by acquiring the VCD rights to "A Chinese Odyssey," and I can make a fortune in the future.

"Sigh, I'm afraid it's going to go bankrupt. Director Liu Zhenwei is too embarrassed to see me and has gone to Canada."

Stephen Chow sighed deeply. The failure of his business venture was a big blow. He smiled bitterly and said, "The second film, 'A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella,' will be released around New Year's Day. I hope the box office will be better."

"You're so rich, this little loss is nothing, right?"

Cao Jian patted Zhou Xingchi on the shoulder. He knew very well the strength of this king of comedy. He owned several properties, so losing tens of millions was nothing to him.

"How can it not be anything? That's my hard-earned money."

Stephen Chow has earned a lot of money from his films over the years and has saved up quite a bit. After a film flopped, he was thinking of making a comeback.

Seeing how excited Stephen Chow was about money, Cao Jian could understand.

After all, he came from a poor background and knew the importance of money. Even so, he was still quite generous in some ways.

Cao Jian laughed and said, "How about I invest in you to start another film company? I have a good script here, you can try to film it, but I want to take the lion's share of the profits."

"Yes, of course."

Upon hearing that Cao Jian was going to invest in him and that he had a good script, Stephen Chow immediately regained his confidence.

Get up where you fall.

He quickly asked, "Where's the script?"

"I'll call you when I'm done. You should rest for now."

As Cao Jian spoke, he also advised, "Actually, I quite like the story of 'A Chinese Odyssey' and admire your talent. From this movie, you can see how serious you are about love."

"A bosom friend."

Stephen Chow was deeply moved when he heard this.

Hong Kong filmmakers couldn't understand it, but Cao Jian understood the meaning of "A Chinese Odyssey".

If I didn't want to start my own business, I really would like to join Cao Jian's company.

But then I thought, if Cao Jian is helping me invest in a company, then it's like I'm working for him too, it's the same principle.

After a day of filming, Cao Jian returned home and began working on the script for "The God of Cookery".

"Honey, you've had a long day, why don't you get some rest?"

Wang Fei walked over at this moment, tugged at Cao Jian's clothes, and urged her boyfriend to go to sleep early.

"You go to sleep first, I'll write a script."

Cao Jian knew what Wang Fei wanted to do, but he promised Zhou Xingchi that he would finish the script in a week.

"What script?"

Wang Fei certainly didn't want to sleep alone.

If I fall asleep before you get into bed, then we won't have a chance to be intimate.

Sitting in Cao Jian's lap, he picked up the script he had just begun writing and asked, "The God of Cookery? Stephen Chow is in it? What's the female lead like? Can I play her?"

"you?"

Cao Jian looked at Wang Fei's face and laughed, "The female lead in this drama has a scar on her face, and she also has big buck teeth. She's not good-looking, and there's a scene where she acts seductive. Do you want to act in it?"

"Scar? Buck teeth? Being a slut?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Fei could immediately picture the female lead's unattractive appearance and said, "Aren't you just making a fool of her?"

“Stephen Chow likes this kind of thing.” Cao Jian understood Stephen Chow’s habits; this wasn’t the only “Star Girl” whose image had been ruined.

He hugged Wang Fei and suggested, "Although your image wasn't good, you became beautiful later, and this movie will be a classic. If you want to act in it, I can help you. There's also a singing scene in the movie."

"Sing?"

Upon hearing the singing, Wang Fei became interested and said with a smile, "Then I'll give it a try. Don't blame me if I don't do a good job."

"I'm too busy taking care of you to even think about it."

Disturbed by Wang Fei, Cao Jian lost his mood for writing the script, picked up Wang Fei, and headed towards the bedroom.

For the next few nights, Cao Jian wanted to write a script, but he was constantly disturbed by Wang Fei, Zhou Huimin, Chen Hong and others.

The women wanted to have sons and enjoyed the process of conceiving, so they naturally clung to Cao Jian.

Poor Mr. Cao, he could only write the script in his spare time amidst his busy work, and it took him more than half a month to finally give the script to Stephen Chow.

"Great script, I like it."

After reading the script, Stephen Chow felt that the plot was tailor-made for him and praised, "A genius is a genius. I'll start preparing now."

"Go ahead and make the arrangements. I'll take care of the money, don't worry."

Cao Jian nodded and then said, "However, I plan to cast Wang Fei as the female lead in this drama."

"Wang Fei? Is she capable?"

Stephen Chow was a little worried.

Wang Fei is not an ordinary actress, but a popular singer, known as the queen of the music scene.

Should we make this woman look ugly? Is that even possible?
Hopefully, another Gong Li will appear, or he won't be able to keep up with your nonsensical style.

"Don't worry, if I say it's okay, it definitely will be okay. If it really doesn't work, I'll teach her how to act it step by step."

Now that Zhu Yin and Chen Hong have both been "Star Girls" (actresses discovered by Stephen Chow), how can they face their daughters if they don't give Wang Fei a chance?
"Okay, it's settled then. We'll start filming at the beginning of the year."

The failure of "A Chinese Odyssey" has made Stephen Chow eager to prove himself and recoup his losses with a new film.

Regarding "The God of Cookery," Cao Jian believes that Stephen Chow can make a good film, and he doesn't need to direct it himself.

A boss should let others make money for him.

While Cao Jian was writing the script, Stephen Chow was also very efficient. Cao Jian provided 55% of the funding for the new company, which was named Xingjian Pictures.

Cao Jian simply delegated these tasks to his subordinates while he himself was busy filming "Sweet Honey" and recording his new album "Stubborn".

After more than two months of hard work, the film finally wrapped up before New Year's Day.

"A year's work is finally over."

On Christmas Day, Cao Jian announced that filming for the movie had wrapped up and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Directing and acting at the same time must be really tiring.

"Honey, I'm going back to Taiwan to spend New Year's Eve with my parents."

After filming this movie, Wang Zuxian, who is very laid-back, did not accept any other film offers.

After Cao Jian finishes filming "Sweet Honey", she will be filming "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and "The Deer and the Cauldron" outside of Beijing. The film schedule is not until after September, so she will have a lot of free time.

"Alright, I'll go check out the company in Taiwan and keep an eye on things for me."

Cao Jian doesn't want to go to Taiwan right now, otherwise he'll be pestered by TTV to film a movie, and he's really too busy to be in two places at once.

The affairs in Taiwan Province will be handled by Wang Zuxian.

Women, you always have to find something for them to do.

Just as everyone was preparing to welcome 1996, TVB officially announced the broadcast plan for "The Condor Heroes" on December 29th.

The film took four months to shoot and nearly half a year to post-production.

With Cao Jian's reputation as Hong Kong's top film director, his fans began to eagerly anticipate the broadcast.

Meanwhile, many television stations in mainland China have also sent people to contact TVB, intending to import the content.

In the past two years, with the successive launch of satellite TV channels, competition among major mainland TV stations has begun to emerge.

Therefore, if a good film can be imported, it can attract a lot of viewership.

Of course, the reason why it was so popular before it even aired was mainly due to Cao Jian's great reputation in mainland China and the Chinese-speaking world.

In addition, since the 84 Andy Lau version of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" was not introduced to mainland China, strictly speaking, Cao Jian's version of "The Return of the Condor Heroes" was the first one to be broadcast in mainland China.

In this situation, the show already showed signs of becoming a huge hit even before it officially premiered.
(End of this chapter)