Huayu Entertainment Starts with Xiang Yu, the Hegemon of Western Chu

Jiang Yang's transformation into Xiang Yu has an impact on both characters.

One of them is Xiang Zhuang.

The role that he was originally supposed to play will now be replaced by someone else, but it's just a minor supporting role, so it doesn't matter.

The second is Yu Ji.

"Farewell My Concubine" is a timeless masterpiece, and the poet Chen Shi also won the Palme d'Or for it.

Why was Yu Ji so important to Xiang Yu?

That all started with the script for "The Legend of Chu and Han".

The show has two screenwriters credited, Wang Hailin and Yan Gang, but the entire 80-episode series was not entirely written by them.

The book they took out was called "The Biography of Liu Bang".

As the name suggests, it is obviously about Liu Bang, played by Chen Daoming, and tells the story of how he went from watching dogs fight at the age of forty-eight to ruling the world at the age of fifty-four.

Gao Xixi bought their script, but didn't film it.

It's too short!

The total investment in "The Legend of Chu and Han" was 2.4 million yuan. How can they recoup such a large sum of money?

A: The length of the shot.

Because these days TV dramas are sold by the episode, the more episodes you film, the more money you make from each additional episode.

Due to economic considerations, the original 40-episode series "Legend of Chu and Han" was expanded to 80 episodes, so you can imagine how padded it was.

The original historical records barely mention how Liu Bang gained power.

At most, it won't even last eighty episodes.

Therefore, they could only focus on the supporting characters, such as the love story between Xiang Yu and Yu Ji...

A timeless love story, what a wonderful subject!

The tragic love story of "Farewell My Concubine" is featured prominently in the TV series "Legend of Chu and Han," comparable to that of Lü Bu and Diao Chan in "Three Kingdoms."

In that case, Xiang Yu and Yu Ji must be a perfect match.

The actress originally cast as Yu Ji was Li Yixiao. This was her tenth collaboration with Gao Xixi, and they were very familiar with each other.

Originally, Xiang Yu was He Rundong, and everything was fine.

Now it's Jiang Yang's turn. The two of them stand there, hmm...

Li Yixiao was born in 83, making her 28 years old, the golden age for actresses. She's definitely not considered old, but her relationship with Jiang Yang, who was born in 91, has a hint of a sibling-like romance.

It was a romance between Xiang Yu and Yu Ji, an older woman and a younger man.

Gao Xixi looked at it again and again, but still felt it wasn't OK.

Since they were old buddies, there was no need to beat around the bush, so he told Li Yixiao directly.

"Yu Ji won't do; the two of you are not a good match."

"Okay, I'll change your role. You can play Lady Qi, Liu Bang's favorite concubine."

"I know you have fewer scenes, but there's nothing we can do about it. Let's leave it at that for now, and I'll ask you to play the female lead next time."

Li Yixiao was naturally unhappy. What did it have to do with me that Xiang Yu was replaced? Did I have to leave with him?

That's Yu Ji!

But Gao Xixi had already made up her mind, and she didn't dare to disobey. She still wanted to take on more roles next time.

Li Yixiao could only console herself that it was still unknown whether a newcomer like Jiang Yang could succeed as Xiang Yu, and that acting opposite Chen Daoming would make him more noticeable.

As for Qin Lan's Lü Zhi, she was not qualified to covet her.

So here's the question: if Li Yixiao "steps down and yields the throne," what will happen to Yu Ji?

Easy to handle, much easier than Xiang Yu.

The character Yu Ji has been very busy lately.

The entertainment industry has always had a habit of following trends. As soon as a hot topic emerges, everyone rushes to film it, and they won't stop until they've completely ruined it.

This year's "Chu-Han" trend originated from the film industry.

Qin Lan had played Empress Lü Zhi once before "The Legend of Chu and Han," in Lu Taro's "The King's Feast."

Around the same time, there was also a film called "The Legend of the Feast at Hongmen" starring Lee Jen-kong, who wore a flying saucer hat.

Do you think there's only one TV series?

Wrong. At the same time that "Legend of Chu and Han" was being prepared, there was another drama about Liu Bang and Xiang Yu called "The Battle of Chu and Han," directed by Chen Jialin, who had directed "Kangxi Dynasty."

Let's not argue about who followed the trend; they all crashed hard anyway.

Of the three versions of Yu Ji mentioned above, the most famous is Liu Tianxian from "The Legend of the Feast at Hongmen," while the other two versions are relatively unknown.

The pressure is now on "The Legend of Chu and Han".

Gao Xixi's requirements are young and beautiful, and maybe one more thing: being able to dance. Are actresses like that hard to find?

You could find a dozen in a minute!

Although Gao Xixi likes to work with acquaintances, the actresses he often works with are all around the same age as Li Yixiao. It's hard to imagine someone as old as Jiang Yang.

To avoid bothering two people with the same matter, it's best to ask the person directly.

"Do you know any actresses around your age who are suitable? Preferably those who have acted before."

Yu Ji isn't the female lead, so she doesn't need any big stars.

Jiangyang does indeed have it.

"A junior from the Shanghai Theatre Academy, a year younger than me, who came from the Western Regions Song and Dance Troupe."

"She just starred in a major CCTV drama called 'Anarhan,' where she played the female lead."

"They just finished filming there, so they should be available."

Upon hearing this, Gao Xixi exclaimed, "The Western Regions' Yu Ji?"

In the legend of Chu and Han, Yu Ji's background was given: she had an older brother who served as a general under Xiang Yu and followed him all the way to the Battle of Gaixia.

In other words, Yu Ji must have been a woman from the Central Plains.

In this sense, it seems inappropriate, but is Gao Xixi someone who cares about "setting"?

There was one thing that really touched him.

Most actresses around twenty years old haven't even debuted yet, but she has already played the lead role in a major CCTV drama, which is quite a high starting point.

Dramas with ethnic themes may not necessarily become hits, but they are very likely to win awards.

Gao Xixi asked for a photo and saw that she was alright looking.

"Why don't you ask her to audition?"

Upon receiving the news, Dilraba rushed to the film set, where she was greeted by Jiang Yang himself.

"Senior brother, are you really going to let me play Yu Ji?"

"It depends on your audition performance, but don't be too nervous, this role isn't difficult."

"Understood, I will try my best!"

"Don't be too serious, just relax."

Dilraba's audition went very smoothly.

Because she debuted in serious dramas, she hadn't acted in idol dramas yet at this time, so she hadn't picked up any of the bad habits of idol drama actors.

The actors I worked with in "Anarhan" were all very experienced veterans, which was like attending a master class for three months.

Gao Xixi took a look and realized that the approach was correct.

Although Xiang Yu and Yu Ji in "The Legend of Chu and Han" also have a sweet and romantic relationship, it has to fit the overall tone of the drama, which leans towards a serious tone.

At least the background music "You are the wind, I am the sand, entwined to the ends of the earth" won't play.

Gao Xixi made the decision on the spot.

"Okay, you're the one."

Judging from Gao Xixi's casting habits, he is not enthusiastic about casting, so he felt that Dilraba was capable of the role and decided on her directly without even considering other candidates.

Dilraba was both surprised and delighted.

She didn't dare to have too much hope until Gao Xixi personally agreed.

Yu Ji, she tried...

Lu Taro organized a large-scale casting call for the role of Yu Ji in "The Last Supper". Dilraba Dilmurat went to participate but only had a minor role and didn't get anything.

She was aware of her physical limitations and was initially constrained by labels such as "Western Regions Beauty" and "Foreign Princess," essentially being used as a character actress.

The "Hu Ji" genre.

What's more valuable about playing Yu Ji in "The Legend of Chu and Han" is perhaps not just being the second female lead in a major drama, but rather expanding the possibilities of more roles.

If you can play Yu Ji, why can't you play any other character?

Dilraba cherished this opportunity and expressed her gratitude very sincerely.

"Thank you, senior!"

Jiang Yang looked at Dilraba, who was only nineteen years old, and thought she was indeed too young.

Tender in every sense of the word.

He pointed at Gao Xixi and reminded her.

"Thank you, Director."