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

Cheng Yuan did not stay in Hollywood for long.

Negotiations with Lionsgate went very smoothly.

They participated in the investment of "Insidious 2" but made concessions on distribution, while Far East Films could also choose to invest in certain projects of Lionsgate.

Of course, it's impossible to explain the specifics in a short time.

Besides, Cheng Yuan himself needs to study it.

It seems to be mutually beneficial.

Did Yuanfang Films suffer a loss? That depends on your perspective.

Yuanfang Films now needs allies.

With an investment of over one million yuan and a box office of nearly 100 million yuan, Yuanfang Films would likely face numerous troubles if it didn't find a partner.

With Lionsgate blocking the way, it seems like a good idea to quietly make a fortune behind the scenes.

Cheng Yuan returned to China and was busy with the post-production of "Taken" and the pre-production of his new film.

There are actually only two main actors in "Love", and the other important supporting role is the daughter of the male and female leads.

When it came to casting the male lead, Cheng Yuan immediately thought of You Benchang.

Her acting skills are undeniable, and more importantly, her age is just right.

Cheng Yuan extended an invitation directly to him and even sent him the script.

Actors like them are usually very selective about the roles they play.

The key to winning them over wasn't the pay, but the quality of the film itself.

Of course, their pay isn't high either.

Not long after, the other party replied.

catch!

This is a film that's hard to refuse.

Moreover, the director is Cheng Yuan.

Cheng Yuan is now an extremely sought-after director.

The actress playing the female lead, Cheng Yuan, was Wu Yanshu.

However, trouble has arisen.

After retiring in 03, Wu Yanshu stayed home to take care of her husband and had no intention of taking on this role.

It seems like she only officially started making her way into the film and television industry about 10 years ago.

Substitution?

Cheng Yuan thought of Jin Yaqin, who played the old lady in "We Two", but he felt that her temperament was not as suitable for the role as Wu Yanshu.

The female lead is a retired music teacher, while Wu Yanshu's husband is a famous composer. Having been exposed to music by her, she has a bit of the temperament of a musician.

And she certainly has an advantage in capturing the essence of such a role.

Cheng Yuan decided to try his best and directly asked someone to contact her daughter.

Her daughter is a screenwriter in the industry.

"Mom, you turned down Director Cheng Yuan's invitation?" Zhang He couldn't help but ask. "I heard it was for the female lead?"

At this age, to have the opportunity to play the lead role in a major director's film is truly a rare opportunity.

"Um?"

Zhang Yifei looked over, but he didn't know about this.

However, he quickly guessed why she refused.

"Because of me?" Zhang Yifei said, "If the script is good, you can take it. Although my health isn't very good, I'm not so sick that I can't be without someone to take care of me."

Wu Yanshu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

She could naturally tell what the script was like.

She's a retired director.

"Do you have a script? Let me take a look."

Zhang Yifei glanced at Wu Yanshu, and he immediately understood.

She wanted to take the role, but she was also concerned about herself.

He naturally knew who Cheng Yuan was and had even read his works.

He was a very talented young director.

"have!"

Wu Yanshu nodded, then took out the script he had put away and handed it to Zhang Yifei.

The story tells of a retired music teacher couple in their seventies. The wife loses her ability to live independently after suffering a stroke, while the husband has difficulty walking and still has to take care of his wife, maintain a clean and dignified daily life, keep his dignity up when his musician students visit, and preserve his self-respect when his daughter shows concern.

The female protagonist, not wanting to continue tormented by illness and pride, ultimately smothered herself with a pillow, thus fulfilling her husband's wish.

The story is not responsible, but it is full of moral and ethical choices and questions.

Cheng Yuan's version naturally has some changes compared to the original.

After all, localization is necessary.

And the age has also changed.

"What a great script. I saw the fear of old age, and I also saw the ultimate fulfillment in marriage," Zhang Yifei said. "If you miss this film, you'll regret it. I will too. Take it, fulfill yourself, and let me fulfill you too."

"good!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yanshu nodded.

Zhang He was speechless. I hadn't even tried to persuade him yet.

Wu Yanshu accepted the role, and the male and female leads were confirmed.

The script has also been approved.

Even the one submitted by China Film Group almost failed to pass censorship.

Besides China Film Group, Beijing Film Academy also put in a lot of effort.

Because the male protagonist killed the female protagonist.

The standards for approval can sometimes be quite mysterious.

"You're moving way too fast, kid!" Jiang Wen said to Cheng Yuan. "You're already preparing for a new film before the post-production of one is even finished?"

"There's nothing I can do," Cheng Yuan said. "I'm not all alone; I have a whole bunch of people to support."

"Are you kidding me?" Jiang Wen said. "You can't even afford to support your little lousy company?"

Remote Films is not a large company. In addition to the films he directs, Cheng Yuan also invests in other films.

For example, his "Let the Bullets Fly", and Ning Hao's.

In addition, his company also produces TV dramas.

How could I possibly rely on making movies to make a living?

If he really had to make movies to support himself, what's the point of running a company?

"Then consider it as me saving up for my future wife," Cheng Yuan said. "I also want to find someone like Sister Yun, but I don't have your abilities."

"You've got some self-awareness, kid." Jiang Wen smiled, then his smile froze, and he said, "Wait, why do I feel like you're saying I'm a kept man?"

"No, absolutely not," Cheng Yuan shook his head and said, "You're not a freeloader, you're just someone who lives off a freeloader."

"To live off a woman without demanding payment? That's still living off a woman."

Jiang Wen was speechless. He never imagined that he, Jiang Wen, would be called a gigolo.

However, it seems difficult to refute.

Why can't you refute it?

Who says marrying a rich woman means being a kept man?

Do I, Jiang Wen, need to be a kept man?

joke!

"You're really not planning to go to Venice?"

Jiang Wen changed the subject; if they continued talking, it wouldn't just be him being a kept man, it would be him living off her.

This kid is good at sophistry.

"I won't go," Cheng Yuan said, shaking his head. "Let the Bullets Fly is your work. Besides, I'm too busy."

Cheng Yuan is indeed busy, busy with the post-production of "Taken" and the early preparations for "Love".

Of course, the main reason he didn't go was because it wasn't his work that was shortlisted.

Jiang Wen took the main creators of "Let the Bullets Fly" to Venice, and Liu Yifei's first Mandarin album "Liu Yifei" was released shortly afterward.

Then, sales seemed good, but the response was lukewarm. However, considering it's not a professional singer, it seems pretty good.

Whether it has met expectations is hard to say.

This year's Venice Film Festival attracted many Chinese filmmakers, naturally drawing significant attention within China.

Cheng Yuan also read the report during his free time.

"Let the Bullets Fly" seems to have received a good response at Venice, but "Still Life" seems to be more favored by the judges.

Then some media outlets attributed Cheng Yuan's satirical remarks in "The Distinguished Citizen" to Jia Zhangke, seemingly trying to incite a fight between the two.

Cheng Yuan ignored him and made an appointment with Jiang Wenli.

Jiang Wen recommended her for the role of the daughter in "Love".

As for why she was recommended, it's simply because Jiang Wen has a good relationship with Lao Gu.