Huayu: Starting from joining the mainstream entertainment industry in 96

Chapter 354, Section 352: Staged Accident

In June, Hengdian was already experiencing sweltering heat.

The scorching sun beat down on the green tiles and eaves of the antique-style buildings, and even the cicadas' chirping sounded weak and listless.

The atmosphere inside the studio, which was temporarily rented by the "Hero" crew and converted from an old warehouse, was completely different from the heat outside.

On the huge workbench, there were costume sketches, scene atmosphere diagrams, and densely packed storyboards designed by Emi Wada.

The air was thick with the dull smell of ink, paint, and old wood. Several air conditioners were running at full capacity, humming loudly, but they still couldn't dispel the stagnation caused by intense concentration.

Zhang Yimou, dressed in an ordinary dark T-shirt with fine beads of sweat on his forehead, was gathered with the art director, action director, and others in front of a huge blueprint for the renovation plan of the Qin Palace.

His brows furrowed, his fingers tracing a certain spot on the drawing repeatedly, his voice slightly hoarse from days of exhaustion: "The depth here is still insufficient. What I need is the oppressive feeling of 'all land under heaven belongs to the king,' the visual impact of a thousand armies besieging the gates! The current design is too 'clever,' not 'simple,' not 'grand' enough!"

His demands were almost demanding; he sought a grand and imposing spirit that transcended material things and reached the spiritual realm.

The surrounding staff held their breath, some quickly taking notes, while others looked troubled.

Just then, the heavy wooden door of the studio was knocked on somewhat urgently from the outside, interrupting the focused discussion inside.

Zhang Yimou's assistant quickly walked over and opened the door a crack.

Outside the door, seven or eight people had gathered, each holding a recorder and a camera, with colorful badges hanging around their necks. Their eyes were eager, like sharks that had smelled blood.

"Director Zhang! Hello Director Zhang! We are reporters from Star News Weekly/Entertainment Express/Film and Television Trends. Could we take a few minutes of your time?" The noisy voices rushed in, instantly shattering the carefully cultivated creative atmosphere in the studio.

Zhang Yi's brows furrowed instantly, and a hint of annoyance flashed across his face without any attempt to hide it.

What he hates most is being disturbed by these ubiquitous entertainment reporters when he is immersed in his creative work.

The assistant tried to stop him: "Excuse me, everyone, Director Zhang is in a meeting and cannot give interviews..."

But the reporters were clearly well-prepared and were not about to give up easily.

A loud male reporter shouted through the crack in the door: "Director Zhang! Regarding Director Wang Sheng's collaboration with Jackie Chan to invest over 400 million yuan in producing 'Night at the Museum,' which officially ushered in the era of domestic blockbusters, the outside world generally believes that this is imitating the path pioneered by your 'Hero,' and even intentionally challenging it. What is your opinion on this?"

"Director Zhang, Director Wang Sheng has achieved success in commercial genre films many times before. Does his shift to fantasy blockbusters mean that he believes the martial arts genre of 'Hero' is riskier in the market?"

"Some commentators have called this a 'head-on clash between a new and a veteran director.' Do you think director Wang Sheng can succeed?"

The questions were increasingly pointed, like knives trying to pry open Zhang Yimou's mouth.

The other staff members in the studio looked at each other awkwardly.

Zhang Yi took a deep breath and suppressed his anger.

He knew these "cockroach-like" entertainment reporters; the more he responded, the more excited they became.

He turned around, facing the doorway, and uttered four words in a calm but cold tone:

"No comment."

After saying that, he ignored everything outside the door, gave his assistant a wink, signaling him to deal with it quickly, and then turned his attention back to the drawings on the table, as if the incident had never happened.

……

However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. Two days later, major entertainment newspapers and websites featured headlines like:

Zhang Yi got angry on set, suspectedly furious at Wang Sheng's "imitative" behavior.

Faced with Wang Sheng's challenge, the Imperial Advisor simply said "No comment"?

"A Hero Meets a Museum: Zhang Yimou Coldly Responds to a Junior's Challenge"

In their reports, journalists went to great lengths to exaggerate, interpreting Zhang Yimou's natural impatience at the time as "ashen-faced" and "suppressing his anger"; and analyzing his formulaic "no comment" as "disdain to respond" and "hidden sarcasm."

It seemed that tensions had already reached a breaking point between Zhang Yimou and Wang Sheng.

This trend quickly spread from print media to television programs.

Enlight Media's entertainment news program "Entertainment Live," personally overseen by Wang Changtian, naturally wouldn't miss this hot topic.

The program featured a special report titled "Two Domestic Blockbusters Stand Side by Side: Which New Force Will Prevail?"

On one side of the screen are scattered scenes of the intense preparations for "Hero" in Hengdian (although the production team is very secretive, some information still leaks out through various channels), accompanied by a grand narrative of "internationally renowned director, martial arts epic, and Oscar ambitions"; on the other side are Wang Sheng shaking hands and signing a contract with Jackie Chan, the stunning debut of the concept art for "Night at the Museum", and a brand-new model of "young leaders, fantasy innovation, and cultural tourism linkage".

The host spoke with suspense, saying, "Director Zhang Yimou's *Hero* undoubtedly ushered in a new era, but director Wang Sheng's *Night at the Museum* has surpassed it with a more subversive approach. Is it inheritance or challenge? Is it moving forward side by side or a head-on collision? This dialogue concerning the future of Chinese cinema has already begun..."

Other television stations' entertainment programs followed suit, inviting various so-called "industry observers" and "well-known film critics" to the studio to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both sides and predict box office success or failure, making the "battle" atmosphere increasingly intense.

……

Zhang Weiping, the instigator of the incident and the head of New Pictures Film Company, looked at the numerous "duel of the two heroes" reports in the newspapers and the heated discussions on television. Instead of being angry, he stroked his chin and grinned.

"Make a scene! The louder the scene, the better!"

Think of how much advertising money this will save!
He was indeed resentful that China Film Group and Han Sanping had refused to invest in "Hero," and he also harbored a strong sense of unwillingness to admit defeat when Wang Sheng, this young man who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, joined forces with Jackie Chan to create such a grand production.

Especially after seeing the reports repeatedly comparing the two leading actors' lineups—"Li Lianjie vs. Jackie Chan"—it was generally believed that Li Lianjie was indeed slightly inferior to Jackie Chan in terms of international influence, especially in terms of global box office appeal. This made him feel even more frustrated, as if he had lost the game at the starting line.

"Damn it, Han Sanping, Wang Sheng... even if you don't vote for me, I can manage on my own!" Zhang Weiping cursed inwardly. "When 'Hero' comes out, let the box office and awards speak for themselves!"

Despite the criticism, he had to admit that Wang Sheng's "leveraging marketing opportunities" was a brilliant move.

Although it seems like they were being "targeted," objectively speaking, the immense popularity of "Night at the Museum" did indeed drive market attention and anticipation for "Heroes."

……

This complex competitive relationship filled the Chinese film industry in the summer of 2001 with both tension and energy.

Just as this trend of "blockbuster showdown" was gaining momentum, another powerful entertainment force was also joining the summer blockbuster frenzy with an undeniable presence.

Directed and starring Stephen Chow, and co-invested by Sheng Ying Media and Beijing Film Studio, with Sheng Ying Media and Beijing Film Studio deeply involved in the distribution and promotion in mainland China, "Kung Fu Soccer" (formerly known as "Shaolin Soccer") has officially launched its global simultaneous release promotion plan.

Unlike the original timeline, thanks to the efforts and resource integration of Wang Sheng and Zhou Xingxing, "Kung Fu Soccer" is now scheduled for release on July 12th, and will be simultaneously released in major Asian markets including mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia!
The promotional posters, featuring Stephen Chow's signature exaggerated expressions and the novel concept of combining football and kung fu elements, instantly attracted the attention of a large number of young viewers.

Slogans like "Stephen Chow is back, kicking Asia with laughter!" and "Let's play kung fu football together this summer!" have begun appearing on movie theater posters, bus stop signs, and television commercials.

(End of this chapter)