Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 338 What the hell are you doing wandering around for? Off to War
Jiang Wen, of course, wouldn't say that he actually went to see his screenwriter friend and got a cold shoulder.
This response is quite attention-grabbing.

The media outlets conducting the interviews were excited, feeling they already had a headline ready for their evening reports.

Soon, the transcript of the interview went viral on major websites and media platforms, with media editors seizing on Jiang Wen's "wandering around" theory and making a big deal out of it:
[Jiang Wen is too "idle"! While wandering around Beilu Road, he casually snagged the male lead of "The Martian"!]

[Jiang Wen claims his role in "The Martian" was entirely due to "shopping": Director Wu asked me for a favor, and I ended up getting the male lead!]

[Jiang Wen's "wandering around" leads to a chance encounter with the male lead, resulting in the most outrageous casting decision of the year in Chinese cinema!]

【.】

Actors and forums from the Central Academy of Drama, Beijing Film Academy, and even Shanghai Theatre Academy were abuzz with excitement.

This wave of news is not only shocking, but also somewhat "heartbreaking".

The main contenders among the male actors auditioning—Duan Yihong, Zhang Hanyu, Liu Ye, Hu Jun, and Deng Chao—fell into an incredibly awkward silence.

What the hell are you doing wandering around for no reason?
Many people were heartbroken, no one expected this plot to unfold, and their roles were snatched away by a twist of fate.

Moreover, the person who stole the role was also a director. Although Jiang Wen was no worse than them as an actor, in their hearts, Jiang Wen was still the most important person as a director. This was purely a case of stealing someone else's job, and they managed to snatch the best one.

The male actors were feeling terrible, but the female actors weren't having an easy time either.

Although there is no female lead in "The Martian", the problem is that the list of "special appearances/guest appearances" is too eye-catching, and Liu Yifei's name is also on it, which makes them feel as if they have lowered their heads.

My feelings about the Central Academy of Drama are also quite complicated; I'm half happy and half disappointed.

Jiang Wen is also a graduate of the Central Academy of Drama, so he can't be left out, but I always felt a little empty after the role was given to Jiang Wen. Fortunately, the ending is at least good.

"The teacher in the group even specifically contacted me, asking why my role came so suddenly."

Zhou Yun is also from the Central Academy of Drama. The news she's been reading these past two days has been quite fascinating, especially this afternoon.

"That's because they're useless, don't blame me."

Jiang Wen leisurely crossed his legs.

He hadn't initially planned to do this, but the offer was too tempting, and he had nothing else to do anyway.

As for the others not being able to do it, that's because they're not good enough!
In fact, such coincidences have happened before in the film and television industry.

Like Linda Hamilton in "The Terminator" and Harrison Ford in "Star Wars," one was originally just accompanying a friend to the set, and the other was just there as a practice partner, but by a twist of fate, they were both chosen by Cameron and George Lucas.
Given the highly topical casting result, Wu Chen was naturally not spared by the media.

"To be honest, it was really a coincidence. Yifei met Director Jiang Wen first, and I thought I'd ask him to give it a try, and what a coincidence!"

Wu Chen was very cooperative, and this response only added fuel to the fire.

Netizens were absolutely amused:

"Jiang Wen and Wu Chen are showing you through their actions: Stop trying so hard, just take a stroll and you might just become the main character."

Jiang Wen: I didn't steal your job, I just took the bowl away before you ate.

Wu Chen: Thank you for your efforts, but it's a pity you don't wander around like Jiang Wen!

"."

The internet was abuzz with this dramatic event all day long.

Around 10 p.m., Zhang Yi also called Wu Chen.

He was somewhat surprised when he heard the news that Jiang Wen had been unexpectedly cast as the male lead in "The Martian".

"You need to be a little careful with Jiang Wen when he's cast. He has a lot of strange and unusual ideas, so don't pay too much attention to him. However, some of his suggestions are quite good, so you need to carefully evaluate them."

He has a lot to say about Jiang Wen.

Jiang Wen is a very good actor, but his overactive mind or excessive desire to express himself leads to a constant stream of suggestions.

"Hahaha," Wu Chen laughed upon hearing this, "I understand, senior brother, I get it. I'm not filming 'The Missing Gun'."

Zhang Yi couldn't help but chuckle when he heard Wu Chen's words.

Back when "The Missing Gun" was being filmed, Lu Xun originally wanted to tell a crime story about the subtle psychological breakdown of a character, but Jiang Wen's "desire to perform" led it to become a "Jiang-style mystery." The entire atmosphere changed, the structure was disrupted, but the effect was surprisingly good.

But this depends on the person. If Jiang Wen's opinion had dominated the adaptation of his novel *Red Sorghum*, it wouldn't be *Red Sorghum* anymore.
He believed Wu Chen understood this.

"What did Director Zhang say? Was it related to Director Jiang?"

In the bedroom, Liu Yifei was squatting by her suitcase, packing her things. When she heard Wu Chen mention "Looking for a Gun" on the phone, she couldn't help but ask a question.

Before Wu Chen could respond, his phone rang again.

"Speak of the devil, and he appears."

Wu Chen raised an eyebrow as he looked at the caller ID on the screen and answered the call.

"Director Wu, I just had an idea."

On the other end of the phone, Jiang Wen's voice was different from usual, seemingly carrying the tension that comes with deep thought.

"Ok?"

"I've been thinking about yesterday's lines, and that line, 'Today, on Mars, I've successfully grown potatoes,' feels a bit off."

"What's wrong?"

Wu Chen did not directly reject Jiang Wen's idea.

Because dialogue is not "the words on the script," but something that actors have to say and "live" out, when an actor has a deep understanding of a character, he will naturally offer suggestions for revising the dialogue.

Especially for excellent actors, they will definitely think about whether the lines are smooth and whether they fit the character's current state.

If the actor understands the concept deeply and can make better changes, then this is acceptable.

"I think the original dialogue reads like a diary entry, lacking a bit of humor. Do you think my version would be better?"
Today, I, Jiang, have turned a dead planet into a green oasis.

Wu Chen chuckled upon hearing this, but he was also seriously considering the sentence.

It has to be said, this statement is very Jiang Wen's.

"Director Jiang, you should know the context in which I said that, right?"

"I get it, the scientist's tone, a touch of self-deprecation to alleviate loneliness, that's very Hollywood-esque," Jiang Wen couldn't help but remark, having pondered it for a long time before he grasped it.
Compared to them, Wu Chen clearly understands Hollywood better.

"What was originally a down-to-earth statement in the style of a science and engineering guy—rational, calm, and with a touch of dry humor—has been transformed into a typical 'romantic hero' tone' by you."
We can consider doing a test shoot when we start filming, editing out A and B versions to see the effect.

Wu Chen did not directly reject Jiang Wen. He pondered Jiang Wen's words, which were indeed quite good in terms of the tension and emotion of a one-man show.

However, a final decision on whether to keep the footage or use it as behind-the-scenes material or in the director's cut can only be made after a test shoot and review of the footage.

"Okay, I'll just mention it briefly. If you disagree, then it's still up to you."

Jiang Wen added, "Wu Chen isn't Lu Xun; he can't let this double celebration fall through."

While the number of reports related to "The Martian" continues to increase, news about the Oscars ceremony is also appearing in entertainment pages at an unprecedented rate.

Just like the Oscar frenzy surrounding "Hero" back then.

At Beijing Capital International Airport, the cast and crew of the film "Hero" were seen off and interviewed by media outlets including CCTV, Southern Weekly, China Youth Daily, Xinhua News Agency, and Film News before their departure for the United States.

This time, "Black Peony" also enjoys the same treatment, and even more so.

A large group of people made their grand entrance amidst the vast crowds and media cameras at the airport.

Before seven o'clock in the morning, in the waiting hall of Beijing Capital International Airport, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the light shadows of rolling suitcases were reflected on the glass wall.

Besides Wu Chen, Liu Yifei, Han Sanping, and Wang Changtian, Li Qin, Xiang Zhuo, Li Xiaoping, Zhang Qiang, and sixteen other related personnel accompanied them.

The surrounding crowd was bustling with activity. Photographers carrying their long lenses and microphones, and reporters holding microphones and recorders, stood in front of the makeshift interview table that had already been set up. The lights were turned on one by one.
"coming!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and immediately countless eyes and cameras focused on the entrance to the hall.
(End of this chapter)