Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 337 I had nothing to do yesterday, so I wandered around the neighborhood.

"We are very grateful to your company's actor, Mr. Zhang Hanyu, for participating in the audition for the male lead in the film 'The Martian.' Your artist's professional performance left a deep impression on the production team, and we express our sincere gratitude and respect for this."

Unfortunately, after evaluation by the production team and multiple parties, the final selection of the male lead was found to have some differences between the image and character traits of your artist. Therefore, we are temporarily unable to reach this cooperation agreement with your artist.

The production team has started sending emails to the agencies of the auditioning actors.

Unless there is a very close relationship, the production team generally will not directly contact the actor to inform them of a failed audition; the required procedures still need to be followed.

Around noon, Zhang Hanyu was taking a break on set. He had just leaned back in his chair for a short rest when his phone suddenly rang.

It's the agent's phone number.

"The email announcing that 'The Martian' was rejected has arrived."

Zhang Hanyu paused, his brows furrowed slightly, and his heart sank a little, unable to hide his disappointment.

An internationally renowned director, a Sino-US co-production, a $100 million project—this kind of team is incredibly hard to find, but there's nothing that can be done about it. After a sigh, Zhang Hanyu asked, "Have they announced the male lead yet?"

"Not yet. People in the industry are all asking around; it should be announced soon."

At the same time, not only Zhang Hanyu received an email notification, but Duan Yihong, Liu Ye, Hu Jun, Deng Chao, Zhang Zhen, Wu Jing, Andy Lau and others also received emails from the production team notifying them of their rejection from the casting call.

Upon receiving the message, Liu Ye immediately picked up his phone and dialed Hu Jun's number; the two didn't hold back much.

"Senior, were you selected?"

Hu Jun on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter laugh: "No, I was not selected."

"Oh, you didn't either? I felt that role was quite suitable for you. Director Wu, who did you choose? Andy Lau?"

Liu Ye looked puzzled. Although the script was only a few pages long, the character was very well-developed. After reviewing Wu Chen's requirements for the role, he felt that Hu Jun had a high probability of being selected from the audition candidates.

"I don't know, everyone in the industry is guessing."

"."

News of the audition results spread like wildfire, and the Central Academy of Drama's QQ group was unusually lively, with everyone asking about the results of those who had participated in the auditions.

"Yezi, Jun-ge, have you two received the news?"

"Who is it? I heard that many people have received the notice."

Has anyone in the group received a notification that their application has been approved?

No one responded, because everyone had received notifications of rejection.

Media reporters quickly sensed the shift in the situation and began to investigate, sparking widespread discussion both inside and outside the industry.

Amidst the swirling discussions and speculations, at 2 PM sharp, China Film Group, Shanghai Film Group, and Star Cinema jointly released an official press release on their website:

"The Martian, a Sino-US sci-fi co-production blockbuster jointly produced by China Film Group, Universal Pictures, Star Cinema, Shanghai Film Group, Blumhouse Films, and Obsidian Entertainment, has officially completed the audition and evaluation process for its main actors and finalized the core cast list."

The film is directed, written, and served as art director by Wu Chen, with Universal Pictures participating in global distribution. It is currently scheduled to begin filming in the first half of this year.

The main cast is as follows:

Starring: Jiang Wen.

Special appearances/guest appearances (in no particular order): Christian Bale, Gong Li, Liu Yifei, Scarlett Johansson, Chadwick Boseman.

Key cast members: Chen Baoguo, Kevin Spacey, Tommy Lee Jones
All actors and their agencies who did not pass the auditions have been notified. Thank you to everyone who participated for their hard work.

The news, once released, struck the Chinese film and television industry like a hammer blow, instantly creating a huge stir on major portal websites and entertainment media. Entertainment reporters, who were glued to their computers, subconsciously rubbed their eyes, afraid they had misread something.

"Holy crap, is this for real? I'm not seeing things, am I? Jiang Wen is playing the male lead? Was he among the auditionees?"

"No way, does this really say Jiang Wen? Are you sure it's not Andy Lau? Is there a mistake, maybe a cameo role? This is so careless! Wait a minute, something's not right about this cameo role!"

The next second, many editors finally came to their senses, widened their eyes, and looked at the list again, then gasped in shock:
"Gong Li, Scarlett Johansson, Christian Bale, Chadwick Boseman, Liu Yifei, oh my god, what an amazing cameo lineup!"

"Holy crap, Wu Chen's gone mad with this lineup. If I remember correctly, it's got Best Actor and Best Actress awards from all three major film festivals. Damn, I know why they chose Jiang Wen in the end."

"."

Amidst the exclamations, major media outlets frantically updated their headlines:

[Exclusive Breaking News: Jiang Wen Confirmed to Star in Wu Chen's New Film "The Martian," a Stellar Cameo Cast Sets a Frenzy in the Chinese Film Industry!]

The male lead for "The Martian" has been confirmed: Jiang Wen will star, with Gong Li, Scarlett Johansson, Christian Bale, Liu Yifei, and Boseman making cameo appearances!

[A true clash of titans: Jiang Wen unexpectedly appears in "The Martian," bringing together Best Actor and Actress winners from three major film festivals.]

【.】

The news caused a huge stir. Within just half an hour, the cast and crew of "The Martian" instantly topped the headlines of major entertainment news outlets, quickly sparking widespread discussion both online and in real life.

Online, netizens flocked to various forums and online communities:

"This lineup is something I wouldn't even dare to dream of. What's wrong with Wu Chen's brain? How did he put together this?"

"Wu Chen is amazing! No, I should call him Director Wu!"

"This looks promising. Just looking at this cast makes me want to go see it in the cinema. Not for any other reason than to see what it's like to see these people all together."

"."

Not only were netizens stunned, but even the auditionees for the male lead were momentarily speechless upon hearing the news.

Although I know it has nothing to do with me anymore, it's still really frustrating to be left out of this lineup.

And this posture clearly indicates he's the male lead.

Reporters had already been working in shifts, searching for and interviewing the lead actors and guest stars. Of course, those who were not selected were also within the target range of some reporters.

Just like the paparazzi in Hong Kong immediately spotted Andy Lau filming "The Emperor and the Phoenix" on the stone slab street in Central.

"As I've said before, I can accept any outcome; after all, it's enough that I participated. It's truly a pity."

After giving a brief response, Andy Lau declined the reporters' invitation and quickly returned to the film set.

"Andy Lau, what a pity." Director Liu Weiqiang couldn't help but sigh and patted Andy Lau on the shoulder.

This was a rare opportunity, so he specially gave Andy Lau two days off to audition.

"To be honest, the pressure of directing this lineup is immense." Andy Lau shook his head with a smile. He knew he had missed a great opportunity, but the lineup was truly dreamlike.

"This lineup is indeed the trend in mainland China!"

Liu Weiqiang secretly envied and sighed. As a director, he was well aware of the current predicament of Hong Kong's film and television industry, especially after a major incident that broke out recently. He didn't know how long it would continue to decline, while the mainland was full of talent.
At this moment, Jiang Wen, being one of the eye of the storm, naturally received numerous media interviews. Facing the media, Jiang Wen cheerfully began to show off, speaking slowly and deliberately:
"To be honest, it was purely accidental. I had nothing to do yesterday, so I was wandering around the neighborhood when Director Wu asked me if I could come and do him a small favor."

(End of this chapter)