Huayu: Everyone's been reborn, who's still going to be an actor?

Cheng Yuan didn't stay at home for more than a few days before returning to Yanjing.

Just like last time, I brought a lot of local specialties.

"Will it be enough time?"

Jiang Wen looked at Cheng Yuan, while Jiang Wu was pouring wine for the two of them.

"It should be fine," Cheng Yuan said. "Whether it's filming or post-production, I'm not like you."

What can you catch up with?

That would naturally be the Cannes Film Festival.

Cheng Yuan was quite confident in his speed.

After all, with the original version as a reference, Cheng Yuan had already thoroughly figured out this movie.

"How can you rush making a movie?" Jiang Wen said. "A good show is worth the wait, and good wine is worth the spice. Let's drink."

It's common knowledge that Jiang Wen is a slow filmmaker.

"When are you planning to start filming your movie?"

Cheng Yuan took a sip of wine, put down his glass, and asked.

"It's still forbidden," Jiang Wen said. "If we act now, it'll give people something to talk about, and there's no rush in the next few months."

"There are some things we can start to consider."

Cheng Yuan nodded and said, "I've already made a move that could be used against me, but I don't think I will."

"The actors?" Jiang Wen asked. "Who do you think is more suitable, Huang Silang or Ma Bangde?"

These two roles are very important, and the actors have to carry them.

What are your thoughts?

Cheng Yuan did not answer, but instead asked a question.

"Huang Silang is domineering, arrogant, cruel, and greedy; he's the embodiment of power. He's a man who will stop at nothing and has no bottom line," Jiang Wen said. "Most actors can't carry that aura. What do you think of Chow Yun-fat?"

"He can act, of course, no problem," Cheng Yuan said. "However, the cost-effectiveness is too low. He now earns tens of millions per film, but he doesn't actually have much appeal in the international film market. Don't be fooled by his Hollywood career; he mostly plays supporting roles or minor characters. His starring films, such as 'The Replacement Killers,' 'The Edge of the Battle,' and 'Anna and the King,' have not performed as well as expected at the box office, and some have even lost money. He has been labeled a box office poison."

He was labeled "box office poison" in Hong Kong, and he wasn't spared in Hollywood either.

"Is cost-effectiveness something the director considers?" Jiang Wen said. "I only consider whether he is the most suitable."

"One actor earned tens of millions in salary, what was the budget for this movie?" Cheng Yuan asked. "Didn't the director consider the production costs?"

Jiang Wen fell silent.

If an actor receives tens of millions in salary, the film's investment would need to be over 100 million.

This investment is not easy to secure.

"Who do you think is suitable?" Jiang Wen asked. "There aren't many actors who can carry this role."

"Liang Jiahui, Zhang Guoli!" Cheng Yuan thought for a moment and then said, "Their acting skills are good enough for this role."

Jiang Wen nodded, somewhat noncommittally.

As for who?

We can just invite them to audition later.

Besides, the investment for this movie hasn't even started yet.

"Where is Ma Bangde?"

Jiang Wen then asked.

"Ge You!"

Cheng Yuan said without even thinking.

Jiang Wen smiled, raised his wine glass, and clinked it against Cheng Yuan's.

The meaning is self-evident: great minds think alike.

As for Zhang Muzhi?

It goes without saying who will play this role.

Jiang Wu didn't say anything. He knew very well that since his brother had acted in the movie, the chances of him acting in it were slim.

The two brothers look somewhat alike, which can easily distract the audience.

"I have a classmate; you can give him a role if you see what you're looking for," Cheng Yuan said, looking at Jiang Wen. "That won't be too difficult, will it?"

"A woman?"

Jiang Wen smiled and looked at Cheng Yuan, her smile carrying a hidden meaning.

"A guy." Cheng Yuan rolled his eyes and said, "Let me put it this way, if I'm down on my luck and he's doing well, he'll definitely lend me a hand."

In his past life, Zhu Yawen had helped him more than once.

He tried it a few times, but it didn't have much effect. Maybe he really doesn't have much talent as an actor.

Zhu Yawen also helped him transition to working behind the scenes.

"OK!"

Jiang Wen nodded; he had to give Cheng Yuan this much face.

Besides, there are quite a few roles in this play; the sixth and seventh brothers are both suitable.

"And the county magistrate's wife?" Jiang Wen continued to ask. "Beneath her captivatingly beautiful face lies a man's ambitious heart, fearless and daring."

"How is Xu Qin?"

Cheng Yuan thought for a moment but did not name the actress who played the county magistrate's wife in the original version.

"You know what, it actually suits you perfectly."

Jiang Wen thought for a moment and nodded.

As for Zhou Yun?

Needless to say, she will definitely play "Sister Hua" again.

"Aren't you going to give Brother Wu a role?" Cheng Yuan said. "You two are brothers!"

"We look somewhat alike," Jiang Wu said with a smile, "unless we play brothers in the movie."

Jiang Wen nodded.

"That's not hard to handle," Cheng Yuan laughed. "We can just give Brother Wu a full beard, grow his hair long and permed to create an afro effect, and he can play a domineering and fierce-looking martial arts champion, right?"

Jiang Wen glanced at Jiang Wu and frowned.

"I'll try on the makeup later."

Jiang Wen then nodded.

The original Jiang Wu had that "curly-haired lion king look," and he wasn't the first actor chosen; he was called in to save the day.

The actor initially stood Jiang Wen up and went on to star in a flop movie.

Upon returning to the capital, Cheng Yuan not only had a drink with Jiang Wen, but also visited Wang Jinsong and Tian Zhuangzhuang.

In the living room of the Zhuang family in the farmhouse, I saw the legendary "ban on guiding".

It's just a piece of paper, nothing special, but it has extraordinary significance.

They also sent some local specialties to Han Sanping.

After that, Cheng Yuan went back to post-production for the film.

A few days later, Ning Hao came to the company.

"I heard you took your novel 'The Green Grass' to Berlin?" Cheng Yuan looked at Ning Hao and said, "How was it? I've been busy lately and haven't paid much attention."

"Green Grassland" appears to have been selected for the screening section.

Cheng Yuan didn't pay attention in his past life, and he doesn't pay attention now either.

If you're shortlisted, you can naturally sell the copyright.

Judging from Ning Hao's expression, it was clear that sales weren't very good.

"We sold the copyright, but barely broke even," Ning Hao said, shaking his head. "To be honest, we even lost a lot on travel expenses."

"What are your plans for the future?" Cheng Yuan asked with a smile. "Continue making art films?"

"There's nothing wrong with pursuing art, but you have to eat first," Ning Hao said. "My next film is a low-budget commercial film."

"Did you bring the script?"

Cheng Yuan nodded and asked.

Ning Hao's idea is actually not bad.

He needs to prove that his films can make money first, then he won't lack investment if he wants to make art films again.

"It's still being improved," Ning Hao said. "I came here to ask how much investment is available for remote film and television?"

"What's your budget?"

Cheng Yuan asked, realizing that Ning Hao was not prepared to sign a contract with Remote Films.

He wanted to do it himself.

Cheng Yuan had no objection to this.

Remote Films invested in his comeback film, so if his future films don't rely on Remote Films, what will people in the industry think of him?

Unless remote video platforms discontinue their operations themselves.

If I can get a job with the company, that would be the best.

If we can't sign a contract, cooperation is also an option.

"The script isn't finished yet, but I estimate it will cost around five million," Ning Hao said. "Why don't you take a look at the script outline first?"