Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 295 Excited Industry

The reporter then followed up with a series of questions about the technical advisory team, filming locations, and other related issues, each of which elicited gasps or excited whispers from the audience.

As the one-hour press conference drew to a close, reporters excitedly jotted down the last key information.

Wu Chen concluded by saying:
"We hope that through 'The Martian,' we can truly showcase an unprecedented Martian world and allow audiences worldwide to rediscover the science fiction capabilities of Chinese filmmakers. Thank you."

Applause erupted like a tidal wave.

After the press conference ended, the reporters quickly dispersed, making phone calls and taking notes rapidly with their recorders, their expressions excited and thrilled.

Meanwhile, the offices of major film and television companies in Beijing, especially talent agencies, were in a state of chaos.

Some media outlets that were cooperating with the agency had already sent text messages at the press conference. For the agency, Wu Chen was of great significance.

An internationally renowned director of both art-house and commercial films, an award-winning professional, and the director of major Sino-US co-productions, most importantly, he has no talent agency or signed artists.
This means that every production needs to "borrow" actors, and the opportunity is fair and open to everyone.

But equally cruelly, Wu Chen's films rarely use the same actors, even in "Painted Skin," which he produced, he almost never used the same actors repeatedly.

"A huge opportunity, an absolutely huge opportunity. We didn't have a chance with 'Now You See Me,' but this time they specifically requested actors from both China and the US. It's an excellent opportunity no matter how you look at it."

"Are they really going to shoot Mars? This time they're going all out!"

"The seven Hollywood studios aren't stupid. This sci-fi film definitely has potential. NASA, the China National Space Administration, and the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation are all involved as technical advisors, so it looks very promising."

The phones at the offices of major talent agencies were ringing off the hook.

"Hey, hurry up and contact Starry Sky Pictures, see if there's still a chance to send actors over!"

"Quickly, contact Wu Chen's people immediately. We must find a way to get involved in this movie!"

Among A-list and near-A-list actors, their hearts pound like drums, especially those artists who are already frequently involved in international affairs.

Fan Binbin looked at the message sent back by his staff, a hint of ambition flashing in his eyes.

Such opportunities are rare and hard to come by. If she can land a role, it will be considered as stepping into the international arena.

But what troubled her was how to make contact.

After thinking it over, she dialed the number of Wang Jinghua, the artist director of Orange Sky Entertainment.

"Mr. Wang, you must have heard the news in the industry..."

"I heard that. Director Wu Chen's film project is an opportunity for everyone. Binbin, you have to work hard!"

Wang Jinghua responded with a smile, her reply carrying a hint of professionalism.

Although Fan Binbin has had a good relationship with Orange Sky Entertainment recently and they are very close, she is ultimately not one of Orange Sky's most loyal artists. If there is a real opportunity, she will definitely prioritize her own people.

Fan Binbin wasn't stupid either; after exchanging a few pleasantries, a hint of helplessness flashed across his face.

The downside of going it alone is this: you may seem like you can chat with anyone, but when it comes to allocating resources, you'll never be the first person they think of.

Meanwhile, Wang Jinghua immediately called her assistant: "Is Chairman Wu in his office?"

"Mr. Wang, I'm here."

"Okay!" Wang Jinghua immediately got up, intending to go find Wu Kebo. These things should be done sooner rather than later; early planning increases the chances of success. Meanwhile, Wu Chen and his group, who were eating, received several calls from Han Sanping's phone.

As an investor in "Red Cliff," Wu Kebo was a target of Han Sanping's calls, so Han Sanping had no reason to refuse to answer. After picking up the phone, he subconsciously asked, "Mr. Wu, what's wrong? Has something happened to 'Red Cliff' again?"

Because all the news coming from "Red Cliff" lately has been bad, and there's always one bad thing happening every month, it's gotten into his habit.

Upon hearing this, Wu Kebo gave a wry smile. "Red Cliff" was definitely the worst project he had ever seen, but this wasn't the time to talk about it, so he quickly got down to business:
"Mr. Han, I want to ask about 'The Martian.' You know that Orange Sky's artists have absolutely top-notch professional ethics."

At this point, Han Sanping glanced at Wu Chen, who was communicating with Jason Blum and David Lyndon, a bright smile spreading across his face, and cleared his throat:
"Mr. Wu, you know that China Film Group rarely interferes with casting. The production team will start a global casting process later. Artists from Orange Sky Entertainment can also apply. Director Wu will carefully screen them to ensure fairness and impartiality."

These righteous words left Wu Kebo speechless for a moment.

Who would believe that if he said that? But Han Sanping's meaning was very clear: he would not interfere with the casting process. This completely blocked his attempt to pull strings for Orange Sky's artists.

Companies involved in artist management, such as Huayi Brothers, Emperor Entertainment Group, Media Asia, Hairun Media, and Rongxinda, all held intensive meetings in a short period of time.
In just one afternoon, the press conference announcing the launch of "The Martian" was like a bombshell, with major portal websites already reaping the massive traffic generated by this trend.
[Wu Chen's new film "The Martian" has been officially released: Challenging the space rescue genre, with a production budget of one hundred million US dollars, it opens a new chapter in Sino-US co-productions!]

[Mars? Hard Sci-Fi? Wu Chen, China's first director to dare to shoot a high-concept hard sci-fi film, creates a cinematic space epic!]

[NASA and Space Agency Deeply Involved! The Technical Advisory Team Behind "The Martian" Revealed for the First Time!]

[The Martian is reportedly conducting a global casting call, with actors from both China and the US having a chance.]

Meanwhile, the homepages of forums and online communities were already dominated by keywords such as "Wu Chen," "The Martian," and "hard science fiction," with traffic pouring in like crazy.

The online discussion was also in full swing.

"Hard science fiction? What's hard science fiction? Is it robots fighting monsters on Mars?"

"Are you stupid? Hard science fiction isn't about making action movies. It's all about scientific principles and rigorous logic, like NASA rocket technology and space survival!"

"Have you seen '2001: A Space Odyssey'? It's a kind of hard science fiction."

"I wonder how well it's made. It's generating a lot of buzz, and the subject matter seems pretty good, but no director in China has ever made one before, and even abroad, very few have. Can it really be made well?"

"Science fiction is good, but hard science fiction is all about technology! Can our directors make it well? Or will it just be another gimmick?"

"."

Discussions surged like a tide, with praise, doubt, teasing, and suspicion all mixed together, turning the entire Chinese-language entertainment industry upside down.

At this time, many directors who learned the news remained silent, showing both caution and a touch of emotion.

Science fiction is indeed a wasteland in China. Not to mention there are very few pure science fiction movies in China, there are not many movies that just use the science fiction theme.

Chen Kaige's expression was quite complicated on the set of "Mei Lanfang".

He wouldn't touch this kind of film because science fiction films first need a science fiction foundation, and even the Beijing Film Academy, which integrates production, doesn't have courses that cover this area. To be honest, he didn't know how Wu Chen planned to film it or what kind of film it would turn out to be.

"Director Chen, there are a lot of media gathered outside, wanting to interview you about Director Wu Chen's 'The Martian'," the assistant quickly came over and reminded him.

"I won't give any interviews, let them go!" Chen Kai waved his hand to politely decline. What else could he say at this point?

The more you say, the more mistakes you make; it's better to say nothing at all.
(End of this chapter)