Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 284 The Actresses' Pursuit

Dover Castle, around 3 p.m., on the set of "The Other Boleyn Girl".

Sunlight filtered through the gray-blue clouds, casting a bronze glow on the stone pavement of Dover Castle.

Scarlett Johansson had just come out of the dressing room, listening to a phone call as she walked.

"We've heard that Paramount got a very promising development deal in exchange for 'Black Swan'."

It's said that Fox Searchlight and Paramount had their eyes on this script several years ago. If it was born from the same source as *Black Peony*, then it definitely has Oscar potential.

On the other end of the phone, her agent spoke urgently, as if afraid she had missed something.

Occasionally, lights would flash in the film crew's studio, and staff would walk back and forth, their busy footsteps carrying the unique tension of a film set.

Scarlett's fingers trembled slightly, and her heart suddenly started racing.

She started out making art films, but the closest she ever came to an Oscar was a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy for "Lost in Translation." Which actress in Hollywood doesn't dream of winning an Oscar?
For many years, Leonardo DiCaprio has been a superstar who has yet to achieve such a feat.

“You’ve worked with Wu Chen before, I think you should go see him yourself.” The agent lowered his voice, his tone firm. “You have an advantage over the others.”

“OK, I’ll go see him tomorrow, but I’m here right now,” Scarlett said without hesitation.

"We'll talk to director Justin Chadwick. You can say hello to him first. But I have to warn you, the competition for this film will be fierce, so be prepared for failure."

The agent's tone revealed a hint of helplessness; she was well aware that there were quite a few A-list and near-A-list actresses eyeing "Black Swan."

Because every film that clearly has the potential to win an Oscar is a key area that actors are vying for.

When Martin Scorsese last announced the filming of "The Departed," many superstars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, contacted Scorsese immediately after learning about the original novel.

Many people hadn't realized it yet.

Scarlett put down her phone, let out a long breath, and was about to turn around when she suddenly felt someone watching her.

She turned her head and saw Natalie Portman coming out of the dressing room, her eyes fixed on her through the light and shadow.

Even she had to admit that this woman's presence was always so strong.

Scarlett had always harbored a secret rivalry with Natalie.

This rival has consistently outshone her with films like "Léon: The Professional" and "V for Vendetta." If it weren't for the huge success of "Now You See Me" last year, she would be far inferior to her.

In the movie currently being filmed, she is only the second female lead, while the other party is the female lead.

Scarlett smiled slightly, nodded to Natalie, and walked quickly toward director Justin Chadwick.

The latter also replied, after all, they were on set, and every word and action would be magnified by those with ulterior motives.

However, she already knew about "Black Swan" from her agent, who even emphasized the need to pay attention to Scarlett Johansson, as she had previously worked with Wu Chen.

Directors generally prefer to use actors they have worked with before.

Wu Chen was indeed very busy at this time. Blake Lively, who had previously worked with him on "Get Out," and Jessica Biel, who had worked with him on "Now You See Me," also called.

Although both of them rose rapidly in North America, they still did not meet Paramount's standards for near-first-tier and first-tier status, so Wu Chen declined, expressing his regret.

Cate Blanchett's phone call caught him somewhat off guard.

"Kate."

“Wu, I saw it when I went back to Australia. I really liked Black Peony. You know, I come from a stage and drama background, and I think I'm very suitable to be the ballerina in Swan Lake in Black Swan.”

Cate Blanchett is very confident in promoting herself.

"Kate, you should be filming 'Indiana Jones 4' right now, right? Are you sure you have the time? The movie might enter the production cycle relatively quickly."

Wu Chen thought for a moment. If he remembered correctly, Spielberg's movie was just starting to be filmed and would take at least three or four months.

After a brief pause on the other end of the phone, a soft sigh tinged with helplessness came through: "Oh, what a pity!"

Kate's voice carried a hint of disappointment.

She has won numerous awards, including Golden Globe and BAFTA awards, but has yet to win an Oscar for Best Actress. Just when the opportunity presented itself, scheduling conflicts prevented her from doing so, leaving her feeling incredibly frustrated.

After hanging up the phone, Wu Chen quickly sent a message to Liu Yifei and then turned off his phone.

“See, I guessed right,” Jason Blum said, spreading his hands as he saw that Wu Chen finally had some time.

Just as he finished speaking, Jason Blum's phone rang; it was Scarlett Johansson calling.

"Oh, shit, you turned off your phone and the phone still called me." Jason Blum immediately guessed the caller's purpose as soon as he saw the caller's name.

“Jason, I called Wu, but his phone was off.”

Scarlett Johansson was also completely bewildered when she made the call, and she quickly tried to find a solution. Now is the time to compete for roles, and she can't afford to fall behind.

Jason Blum handed the phone to Wu Chen, saying, "You can talk to her about your work."

Wu Chen reluctantly accepted it, then paused, surprised to hear, "You're coming tomorrow?"

“Of course, Wu, I think I’m perfect for it. I have dance skills for art films,” Scarlett Johansson said without hesitation. If she had a better opportunity than others, she would be a fool not to seize it.

"Fine!"

Wu Chen thought about it and agreed. Let's just consider it an early casting call. Anyway, the filming of "Black Swan" will start soon, in just a few months.

Meanwhile, domestic media had already turned their overseas reports back to China, and major portal websites and media homepages were instantly flooded with the bombshell news that "Wu Chen is directing 'Black Swan'".

[Wu Chen, along with her twin sister from "Black Peony," returns to Hollywood in "Black Swan," a ballet thriller that has garnered global attention!]

Following "Black Peony," Wu Chen teams up with Paramount to create another major female-led production!

【.】

Immediately, the domestic film and television industry and audiences were abuzz with discussion.

Is "Black Swan" the twin sister of "Black Peony"?

"Black Swan, the ballet version of Swan Lake, how interesting. I wonder how it differs from Black Peony."

"Wu Chen is awesome!"

The discussion among domestic audiences about Wu Chen's upcoming Hollywood film "Black Swan," a "sister film" to "Black Peony," has been exceptionally heated, especially since "Black Peony" recently won the Special Palme d'Or.

However, upon seeing the message, Zhang Ziyi and Gong Li immediately thought of contacting Wu Chen.

If this role were to be made, they wouldn't be without a chance.

Moreover, since everyone is Chinese, even if the female lead doesn't have a suitable opportunity, what about the other important supporting roles?

Both of them were a little nervous and excited.

After finishing her call with William Morris Agency's agent, Zhang Ziyi immediately picked up her phone and dialed Wu Chen's number on the set of the Beijing Film Studio's "Mei Lanfang" production.

However, a cold, impersonal voice replied: "The user you dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later."

Gong Li encountered the same situation. She raised her eyebrows slightly, then changed her number and dialed Liu Yifei's cell phone directly.

The call was answered quickly.

"Sister Gong Li, what's wrong?" Liu Yifei, who was with Xing Aina at the moment, asked in a clear voice, with a hint of surprise.

"Yifei, I want to find Director Wu, but his phone is off." Gong Li's voice carried a gentle smile, but also a hint of urgency.

"Sister Gong Li, his phone is off. I'll let you know when I can get in touch with him later," Liu Yifei replied immediately. She wasn't stupid; with the news trending, she could roughly guess what Sister Gong Li was thinking.

Gong Li smiled and said, "Okay, thank you, Yifei."

"Tsk, they've even called here?" Ning Hao stood to the side, clicking his tongue in amazement. "Looks like this film is really quite appealing."

"Nonsense, the reports say that 'Black Swan' and 'Black Peony' are born from the same source, how could they be bad? Hollywood is probably scrambling to get them. Yifei, you'd better protect your Tang Monk flesh well," Xing Aina said disdainfully to Ning Hao, and then teased Liu Yifei.

"Sister, why do you always make fun of me?" Liu Yifei chuckled and patted Xing Aina's shoulder.
(End of this chapter)