Entertainment: Since 1990

Chapter 303 What is Pigsy's Rank?

Two years ago, the TV series "The Condor Heroes" and "Armed Reaction" directed by Cao Jian were not only popular in Hong Kong, but also very popular in mainland China and Taiwan.

Even television stations from many Southeast Asian countries were practically begging TVB to import the series.

This made TVB incredibly successful once again.

Therefore, when the premiere date of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" was announced, fans of Cao Jian's songs and movies immediately cheered.

After all, Duan Yu, one of the male leads in this drama, is played by Cao Jian.

But everyone is just curious about what kind of drama "Spring Bright Pigsy" that Director Cao just announced.

Chinese people are naturally very familiar with Zhu Bajie, who is the comedic relief in "Journey to the West," not only lustful but also gluttonous and lazy.

But everyone has been making films about the great hero Sun Wukong all this time, so why is Cao Jian going to make a film about Zhu Bajie?

What's so interesting about filming a character like Zhu Bajie?

While the audience thinks this way, the actors from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong do not.

The script was written by Director Cao, and he also directed it, which is much more prestigious than "Princess Pearl".

Filming for the TV series "My Fair Princess" began in May. The director is someone else; Director Cao is only the producer, executive producer, and lyricist and composer of the opening and ending themes and incidental music.

After the Zhu Bajie project spread within the industry, it received information from thousands of actors in just half a month.

"Director Cao, is this a beauty pageant?"

Cao Jian was in his office, smiling as he flipped through the documents, when Jackie Chan suddenly appeared behind him.

"Most of the beauties in the entertainment industry are already in my company, so what other beauties could there be?"

Cao Jian smiled confidently, gestured for Jackie Chan to sit down, and then tossed the documents over: "Look, are there any more beauties?"

"I'll see."

Jackie Chan and Cao Jian have a special relationship; they have collaborated many times and get along very casually.

He flipped through the pages for a while, then suddenly said, "This girl is quite nice."

"Gao Yuanyuan? You call that good?"

Cao Jian laughed and said, "Brother Jackie Chan, your judgment has deteriorated a lot recently."

"You have very high standards?"

Jackie Chan initially wanted to criticize the director, but upon further reflection, he realized that the director's standards were indeed very high.

He was surrounded by beauties like Wang Zuxian, Zhou Huimin, and Qiu Shuzhen. Even the newly acquainted beauties were better than the average celebrity.

That alone shows how high one's standards are.

Cao Jian said proudly, "I'm pretty good at judging women, but this girl named Gao Yuanyuan is really not attractive and has no distinguishing features."

Upon hearing this, Jackie Chan picked up the document, carefully examined the photos, and suddenly realized that Cao Jian was absolutely right.

She's been watching too much of Gao Yuanyuan's work; she's really just like that.

He put down the documents and asked curiously, "I'm a moviemaker, and I've heard that you're going to make a TV series about Zhu Bajie. Since so many beautiful women want to participate, I'm really curious about what kind of female lead you'll choose."

"Then when we go to Guangzhou for the audition, you can come with me."

Cao Jian had been struggling to decide who would play the role of Little Dragon Girl, but after meeting Liu Xiaoli in the United States and taking Liu Yifei as his goddaughter, he already had a plan in mind.

The TV series "Spring Bright Pigsy" features six very important female characters.

Besides Little Dragon Girl, there are several other dragon girls, Chang'e, and a cat demon.

The cat demon, in particular, is incredibly alluring.

Fortunately, my company has many actresses, so I can basically arrange them all.

As for the materials in our hands, they're just a formality.

That evening, Cao Jian arrived at the house he had bought for Liu Xiaoli and her daughter, where a delicious meal had already been prepared.

"Xiaoli, thank you for your hard work."

As soon as he entered the door, Cao Jian went to the kitchen and hugged the beautiful woman from behind.

"Is the child here?"

Although she was enjoying it, Liu Xiaoli still twisted her body, which inadvertently provoked Cao Jian's anger.

Without even eating, he picked up the beautiful woman and said, "Let's go somewhere the child can't see us."

Liu Yifei, who was watching TV in the living room, covered her eyes when she saw her mother and godfather, but secretly peeked at them.

"Xiaoli, do you want to act?"

Inside the room, the two were rinsing off the sweat they had just produced in the bathroom.

"Acting? I've never acted before."

Liu Xiaoli now only wants to be a good wife and mother, hoping that this man will come back to spend more time with her.

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

Cao Jian gently helped the beautiful woman wash her body, saying, "Sister Xiaoli is so beautiful. In this movie 'Pigsy,' there's a role for the Queen Mother of the West. I think you'd be perfect for it."

"Okay, if you want me to act, I'll act." Liu Xiaoli originally wanted to refuse, but when she thought about being able to be with Cao Jian while filming, she immediately agreed.

"It's perfect. With Liu Xiaoli in the cast, this show is truly packed with beauties."

Cao Jian was secretly pleased. He would go to Guangzhou to finalize the cast after filming "Rush Hour" was completed.

July 1, 1997, the day that made the whole nation jubilant, finally arrived.

As a guest, Cao Jian witnessed all of this at the ceremony.

Although it was his second time watching it, he still couldn't help but feel his heart surge with emotion when the national anthem played.

Hong Kong has finally returned to China.

But the Qing Dynasty's debts were not yet fully repaid.

Hong Kong naturally celebrated its return to China, so the film crew took a break.

Two days later, Cao Jian had just returned to the film set when Stephen Chow, who was filming "King of Comedy" next door, came looking for him.

"Brother Jian, could you do a cameo role for me?"

"A cameo? A cameo in what way?"

"He played the cameo role of the actor who was shot and killed."

"Oh fine."

Cao Jian did not refuse when he heard that he was to play this role.

Back when Stephen Chow was filming "King of Comedy," Jackie Chan was filming "Gorgeous" next door, and the two made cameo appearances in each other's films.

Although "Glass Bottle" had only moderate box office performance, Stephen Chow, despite appearing for less than a minute in the film, was firmly remembered by the audience.

Thinking of this, he laughed and said, "I'll make a cameo appearance for you, and you can also make a cameo in the movie I'm making?"

"no problem."

Stephen Chow had no reason to refuse, after all, he would need to rely on this nice "Brother Jian" in the future.

After chatting for a while, Cao Jian suddenly asked, "How did you film the kissing scenes with Zhang Baizhi?"

"Of course it's a misplacement. How could I dare to kiss Brother Jian's person?"

If Stephen Chow were a smart person, he would certainly be able to see that the relationship between Zhang Baizhi and Cao Jian was definitely not ordinary.

However, in "King of Comedy", the way Liu Piaopiao sits on the windowsill, enjoying the sea breeze, is truly beautiful.

His girlfriend, Karen Mok, is nice, but she's not quite as good as Cecilia Cheung.

I envy neither the mandarin ducks nor the immortals, but I envy Brother Jian every single day.

The next day, Cao Jian arrived at the set of "King of Comedy".

The filming of this movie is already more than halfway done, with only the on-set scenes left. Once those are finished, the movie will be wrapped up.

Cao Jian first looked at the footage, which was almost identical to the original. Zhang Baizhi performed very well and already showed signs of stardom.

"Director Cao, what brings you here?"

When Zhang Baizhi saw Cao Jian, he immediately came over and said, "Why haven't you been looking for me lately?"

"I've only been back for a few days. I was mainly worried you'd be too busy, but here I am now."

Cao Jian had only been back from the United States for a little over a week, and he was surrounded by women; it wasn't his turn to spend time with Zhang Baizhi yet.

"You promised me you'd write me a song when I turned eighteen. Where's the song?"

Zhang Baizhi extended her hand. Now that she's become a "Star Girl" (a term referring to actresses discovered by Stephen Chow), she plans to release an album after the film's release to boost her fame.

"You little rascal, you're in such a hurry."

Cao Jian patted Zhang Baizhi on the head and laughed, "I'll write it for you these next few days, and I'll also write a script based on this song."

Zhang Baizhi is now pure and beautiful, and could star in "Wish Upon a Star".

"I love you to death."

Upon hearing that there was not only a song but also a movie, Zhang Baizhi excitedly hugged Cao Jian and kissed him.

The people around immediately turned around and pretended not to see anything.

Of course, although his cameo appearance was only a short one minute long, Stephen Chow knew that it would be a major highlight of the film.

That evening, Cao Jian accompanied Zhang Baizhi home and quickly wrote the song "Wish," which the little girl loved.

Although the script hadn't been written yet, Zhang Baizhi used all his skills that night to give Cao Jian a wonderful experience.

In late July, "Rush Hour" also successfully wrapped up filming a few days after "King of Comedy" did.

"Let's go to Guangzhou and see the beautiful women."

After filming wrapped, Jackie Chan couldn't wait to drag Cao Jian along to Guangzhou to check out the casting for the TV series "Spring Bright Pigsy".

Because he was genuinely curious about what kind of actress Boss Cao would cast as the female lead.

Anyway, after finishing filming "Rush Hour", Jackie Chan planned to take a break and decided to accompany Cao Jian to Guangzhou to see his skills.

(End of this chapter)