Huayu: Are you even sitting up straight? You're going to be the director?

Chapter 150 A flurry of punches! News is flying everywhere! (Please subscribe!)

Jackie Chan has handled countless scripts, so of course he knows how thick they can be.

A two-hour Chinese film script is about forty pages long, while an English film script is about ninety to one hundred pages long.

In front of Cao Zhong was a thick stack of scripts.

It's impossible to tell how many pages there are.

Jackie Chan knew that it wasn't a script, but rather a series of...

This surprised him and aroused his curiosity.

"Copied?"

Who could write so many scripts in such a short time?

Or was there stock a long time ago?
Cao Zhong and Cheng Long had previously discussed the possibility of future collaboration. Cao Zhong is expected to bring a script this time, which Cheng Long is anticipating.

After all, Cao Zhong has had several projects in the past two years, which have been well-known in the industry.

Going to the appointment is also a sign of respect for Cao Zhong becoming the highest-grossing director in mainland China.

But Jackie Chan never expected things to turn out this way!
Cheng Long felt like his brain was about to shut down!
Are all these scripts for me to read? Are you doing wholesale?!
Are you kidding me?!

Cheng Long felt a tingling sensation all over his body.

The investors in "Rush Hour 3" failed to make a profit, and after several years of box office flops, his projects in Hollywood have effectively been suspended.

In mainland China, several of his films failed to meet box office expectations, and he is trying to transform his career.

Before meeting Cao Zhong on the set of "The Forbidden Kingdom," Cao was preparing to film "Shinjuku Incident."
The script for this film has been written, and Jackie Chan has agreed in principle, requesting to serve as producer and select the director himself. Emperor Entertainment Group has also approved this. Jackie Chan has even selected Derek Yee as the director, but negotiations haven't begun yet. The original plan was to immediately go scouting locations around the world.

However, due to Cao Zhong's previous communication, the film was abruptly halted.

Cheng Long hoped that Cao Zhong could give him a surprise.
However, Cheng Long had doubts about whether Cao Zhong's script could move him.

In Jackie Chan's eyes, films like "Nanjing Photo Studio" and "My Disqualified Daughter" were absolutely impossible for him to act in. They had high box office returns, but were completely unsuitable for him.

If Cao Zhong continues to produce similar scripts, Cheng Long will not treat Cao Zhong any differently.

The Hong Kong entertainment industry has a natural bias towards mainland directors and actors, and they won't be subservient to Cao Zhong just because of his temporary success, especially since Cao Zhong has only directed one film.

They do indeed have prejudices against people from mainland China.
Seven or eight years ago, Zhang Ziyi was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 27th Saturn Awards for her role in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Insects".
In the eyes of Hong Kong circles, he was nothing more than an obedient, teachable, and subservient pest.

He was even directly confronted by Chow Yun-fat with his face pressed against his.
And the person she accepted the grapes from was Cheng Long.
As a result, Zhang Ziyi became the target of ridicule throughout the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

The so-called "Four Dan and Two Bing" are just supporting roles in the Hong Kong entertainment circle.

Fortunately, Teacher Chen managed to finish off most of the actresses single-handedly.

Cao Zhong and Teacher Chen truly ushered in a golden age for female stars in mainland China.

The soup from the "Four Dan, Two Bing, One Shu, One Tang" (a traditional Chinese dessert) is also gone.

However, Jing Tian suddenly appeared and rode on the heads of many actresses!
Although seven years have passed and Hong Kong and Taiwan are embracing the mainland market, the arrogance of Hong Kong's entertainment circle remains unchanged.

Cao Zhong knew that Cheng Long was arrogant and disdainful of all directors in the entertainment industry, and his status was enough for him to look down on all directors in mainland China.

Therefore, since negotiations are necessary, there will naturally be no holding back.

He knew that although his genre films had high box office returns, the only directors who truly respected him were Feng Xiaogang, and now Dante Lam and Tsui Hark, who were making a living off him.

Zhang Yimou and Zhang Yimou became acquainted because of the "Ailing" incident.

"Brother Cheng Long, please have a seat."

Cao Zhong remained calm and gestured with his hand.

"Director Cao, let's get straight to the point," Cheng Long said, looking at the scripts. "I'd like to read them."

Cao Zhong smiled. Cheng Long really did speak his mind, and Cao Zhong liked this attitude very much.

He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Brother Cheng Long, regardless of whether this meeting is successful or not, I hope that what we discuss will not be spread to others. Is that alright?"

Cheng Long narrowed his eyes and smiled: "You want to rebel?"

Cao Zhong: ...

He was speechless at Cheng Long's joke.

Jackie Chan, however, had already turned around and was overjoyed. "Of course you can. There are plenty of secrets and grudges in this industry."

Cao Zhong pushed the script to Cheng Long and said bluntly, "These are the scripts I've temporarily put together, and I think they're suitable for you to play the role."

Cheng Long looked at Cao Zhong, his gaze sharpening.

He slowly opened the script to read it, but his expression changed drastically after just one glance.

"A Hollywood movie?"

“Yes,” Cao Zhong said. “In the current Chinese film market, even a few Jackie Chans can’t break through the ceiling.”

Jackie Chan continued looking at the script.

The private room fell silent.

Cheng Long looked up at Cao Zhong and asked, "Gunfighting? Are you planning to make me change my style?"

“Why not change your style?” Cao Zhong said. “If you want to continue making kung fu comedies, that’s fine, but occasionally showing off your killing skills is not a bad thing.”

Jackie Chan didn't answer and continued reading the script.

And it's flipping through pages faster and faster.

An hour and a half later, Jackie Chan finally finished reading all seven scripts.

Two complete series, but different in style. They have the feel of Hollywood B-movies, but the plots are incredibly exciting. Just by reading the scripts, Jackie Chan can already imagine himself acting in them, which seems quite suitable.

A fantasy adventure comedy with a kung fu element, it has a strong sense of contrast and looks like an A-list production, which fits his current style quite well, but it lacks some kung fu.

Jackie Chan looked up in surprise several times during the filming, and his breathing became heavy at the end. The roles in several scripts completely hit his turning point in his career transition, but Jackie Chan still joked and teased:
"When you wrote the script, you even wrote it in both Chinese and English. Did you think I couldn't understand English?"

Cao Zhong shrugged: "I just wanted to make it easier for you to read. Reading Chinese is always faster than reading English, right?"

Jackie Chan pushed the script back and couldn't help but ask, "These scripts... you wrote them all?"

"Yes."

“As far as I know, you’ve been trying to transform your image,” Cao Zhongdao said. “But the whole of Hollywood, and the entire mainland, has realized that whatever you play, it’s all Jackie Chan style. And since the millennium, none of your Hollywood films that have been box office hits have featured tough guys. Brother Jackie Chan, you’re already over fifty. How much longer can you keep going? A transformation is inevitable.”

Cheng Long glanced at Cao Zhong and said intently, "Your script involves too many murders; it's impossible for it to be released in China."

"Then we won't go through the domestic route," Cao Zhong said dismissively.
"From now on, you'll be based in Hollywood. You can choose between these two series. After that, we can start planning to build a 'Killer Universe'."
You can even participate in casting and investing in the production of several films featuring the same main characters.

I can also tailor-make scripts for some large-scale productions just for you.

Back in China, I'll also write some suitable scripts to give you a fresh perspective.

Cao Zhong didn't mind giving way to Cheng Long.

Rather than waiting for Edko Films to become a cash cow and be devoured by the Big Six, it's better to proactively offer concessions to its own people. Bill Kong is a complete scoundrel; as long as "Split" achieves good box office results, he will definitely be targeted.

Unlike James Wan, who initially had Lionsgate backing him.

Moreover, after gaining enough fame ten years later, he established his own film company, but still maintained a good working relationship with Lionsgate.

Jiang Zhiqiang is different. Edko Films doesn't have a film company like Lionsgate for protection. To survive in Hollywood, it needs a stabilizing force.

Cheng Long can be this pillar of strength.

In his previous life, only four Asians received the Academy Honorary Award: Akira Kurosawa, Hayao Miyazaki, Indian director Satyajit, and Jackie Chan.

As a symbol of Chinese culture in Hollywood and one of the top five superstars globally, Jackie Chan is an actor who can get six major film studios to rewrite his scripts.

Although they've suffered setbacks in recent years, at least they've been able to negotiate with the six major powers.
Whether it's negotiation, cooperation, communication, avoiding their intrigues and power struggles, or selecting a suitable director in Hollywood,

Cao Zhong is not suitable to come forward, and if Jiang Zhiqiang wants to talk, he will lose face.

Together, Cao Zhong, with the help of Cheng Long's connections and Jiang Zhiqiang's support, was able to completely establish Edko Films in Hollywood.

Making money naturally involves other film options, such as low-budget horror films and politically correct films. With a solid foothold, Cao Zhongcai can act boldly.

Jackie Chan suddenly fell silent, and after thinking for a moment, he said:
"I do have my own production company in Hollywood, but Hollywood isn't an easy place to make money. If you don't make money, you'll be kicked out immediately."

Moreover, production, marketing, distribution—it's a whole mess. Unless you're going to Hollywood, you can't handle all of that.

Cao Zhong glanced at it and laughed.

“Jiang Zhiqiang is already here, and our first film shot in Hollywood will be released in the next couple of days. It was directed by Shyamalan.”

"Who?"

"Boss Jiang."

Cheng Long's eyes glazed over for a moment, then he said in disbelief,

“I know Mr. Jiang went to Hollywood to try his luck, but I didn’t follow it closely. I thought it was Ang Lee who invited him after ‘Eileen Chang’. You mean, you arranged it?”

Jackie Chan was completely stunned!
It was like the world was spinning.

Cao Zhong's words were like a flurry of punches, shattering Cheng Long's worldview.

First came seven incredibly impressive screenplays, which already left Jackie Chan feeling overwhelmed.

Cao Zhong then directly expressed his willingness to invest together, which made Jackie Chan feel his sincerity. This meant that Cao Zhong would provide qualified Hollywood scripts, and Jackie Chan could be his own boss.

Then, out of the blue, I learned that Cao Zhong had a movie that was about to be released in Hollywood.
Cheng Long was completely dumbfounded.

Cao Zhong whetted Cheng Long's appetite and said, "To be honest, when I was preparing all of this, you were the last piece of the puzzle for me."

"Would you like to spend another ten years in Hollywood?"

Cheng Long went from being somewhat dazed to completely blank.

In all his years in the industry, this was the first time Cheng Long had ever seen a guy like Cao Zhong. The confidence radiating from his eyes made Cheng Long's pupils shrink slightly.

He asked in surprise, "What exactly do you want to do? If you really want to go to Hollywood, why don't you just go yourself? I don't believe you can write such a great script but can't direct."

Cao Zhong said helplessly:
“I can’t go. I’m in China now, and I have two bodyguards sent down from above. I’ve offended not only Wang An and Wang Xiaoshuai, but also some people behind them. Chairman Han can see it, and so can those above.”

Those Westerners like to have Jet Li act as a lackey in Hollywood, like to have Zhang Ziyi and others play geishas in Hollywood, and they even like to have Jet Li play a three-headed black dragon in Hollywood.

Then I can certainly have yellow-skinned Chinese people slaughter Western whites, and I can certainly portray the intelligence, kindness, and courage of the Chinese people in Hollywood movies...

If you can hold your own in Hollywood, I'll support the rest of you, and it will definitely not be a movie like Jet Li's that insults the image of Chinese people.

But I cannot go; I have many battles to fight.

"Is it that exaggerated?"

“I wouldn’t dare risk my life, but you’re in Hollywood, so you know very well how those corporations treat you if you don’t make money for them.”

Leaving aside long-term concerns, let's talk about immediate worries. I caused Focus Features' "Ailing" to be unable to be released in mainland China, and I sent Wang An, a director they had nurtured for many years, back to Hollywood in disgrace. Do you think they will tolerate me?

Even if it doesn't cost me my life, my name is only bad for the movies we make in Hollywood. That's their territory, and they don't ban guns there.

Cheng Long suddenly laughed. Cao Zhong's words reminded him of the years before "Rush Hour".

Jackie Chan tried to break into Hollywood twice, but the stereotypes held by Westerners at the time disheartened him. As a big star from Hong Kong, he felt like an extra.

Only after he made a fortune with "Rush Hour" did the entire Hollywood become his fans overnight.

"Damn it, just based on what Director Cao said, let's do it!"

"Which series should we choose for the script? Or should we choose both?" Cao Zhong asked.

“I think I’m more suited to ‘The Equalizer’.” Jackie Chan felt that compared to the cool character in “John Wick,” the kind of good-natured man who never looks back at the explosion was more suitable for him.

"So, let's get ready and go to Hollywood?"

"it is good."

"I'll keep in touch with Jiang Zhiqiang and you to confirm the director and martial arts choreographer details. I'll leave that to you," Cao Zhong said. "Does Instructor Yuan have some free time lately?"

"Leave these things to me." Cheng Long copied the script away. "I just glanced at it. I'll study it carefully when I get back."

"Please."

……

Cao Zhong was very excited after reaching an agreement with Cheng Long.

In Cao Zhong's eyes, the preparations and arrangements for Hollywood were finally complete at this moment.

Compared to him going there to be a director, it's clearly more important for him to be an operator, to work behind the scenes.

It also saves more time.

For many low-budget productions, Cao Zhong simply arranges for people to do the work. As for directors, unless they are given editing rights, they are practically just tools for Hollywood B-movies.

Anyone could do it. Not to mention Da Peng and Jia Ling, David Leitch from "John Wick" is a martial arts choreographer and a big fan of Yuen Woo-ping.

If you have good storyboarding and visuals, things will be very simple.

……

The next day.

Cao Zhong began to collaborate with local screenwriters from Chengying Film Studio to hold meetings on the two core concepts of "Driving a Truck with My Daughter" and "The Last Transfer in the Northern Desert of the Tang Dynasty".
Writing a script
They are also recruiting screenwriters across the internet.

Cao Zhong deeply understands the fundamental principles of a play.

The core framework is out; the script for the first film is relatively simple.
The second part needed the support of the history department, so Cao Zhong called Han Sanpin and asked him to help with the selection process.
But the Chinese film industry was soon shaken by another piece of news.

The news of Jiang Zhiqiang's film, directed by Shyamalan, started as a small piece of news in Hollywood, but after it reached China, it instantly became a bombshell!
Because Yang Mi is the female lead in this movie!

The industry exploded!
Countless actresses were stunned! They were incredibly envious!

Yang Mi, when did you go to Hollywood?
(End of this chapter)