Huayu: King of Kung Fu

After dinner, Lin Hu and Zhang Jin sat together and had a long talk.

Zhang Jin is also an action movie enthusiast and has a dream of making movies.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have given up his job within the system to become a stuntman in the Yuan family stunt team.

He does have some knowledge of action movies.

The world's action movie center is in Hong Kong.

Action movies filmed elsewhere, especially those involving action scenes, are unwatchable.

Even Hollywood, as powerful as it is, is still a haphazard force.

Mainland China and Taiwan, which share the same language and culture as Hong Kong, have also produced action films, but they haven't been very good.

In the 1980s, after the huge success of "Shaolin Temple," mainland film studios followed suit and produced a large number of action films.

What are these: "Wudang", "Shaolin Lay Disciple", "King of Southern Fist", "Young General Yue Family"...

They also invited various martial arts champions to film it, intending to replicate the glory of "Shaolin Temple".

Unfortunately, due to a lack of proper methods, not only did the filming result in poor quality, but the reckless approach also led to heavy casualties, and the project was quickly abandoned.

Hong Kong started making action films in the 1960s, and decades of technical accumulation led to its later achievements.

Mainland Chinese films simply don't have the foundation for this; forcing it into production will naturally lead to failure.

By the late 1990s, Hong Kong action films had declined, and mainland China had not produced a single watchable action film.

There's a movie called "Swordsman of Double Flag Town" that's pretty awesome, but it's more like a Western because there's not much fighting action.

In Zhang Jin's view, if he wants to make action movies, going to Hong Kong to try his luck is the right way.

Zhang Jin's idea was certainly correct, but unfortunately Lin Hu was a cheat code.

Lin Hu said dismissively, "In today's Hong Kong action films, the actors don't know kung fu, they rely entirely on stunt doubles, and they overuse wires."

The footage was shot with floaty movements and was edited into tiny fragments, making it completely unwatchable.

I want to restore the original look of kung fu movies, no fancy moves, no wire work, no stunt doubles, real fighting throughout, every punch feels real…”

Lin Hu explained his action philosophy of performing his own stunts without stunt doubles, wire work, or special effects, and also took a jab at current Hong Kong films.

Zhang Jin was surprised to see that Lin Hu actually wanted to create an action film on his own, without relying on Hong Kong's martial arts choreography team, and even surpass Hong Kong's...

I immediately thought, how is this possible?

He felt that Lin Hu was a bit young and impetuous, and didn't know his own limitations.

Zhang Jin advised, "Your idea is good, but I think if you really want to film it, it would be safer to hire a Hong Kong team. After all, they are more experienced than us who are completely clueless."

Lin Hu chuckled: "Of course I know Hong Kong people are more professional at making action films, and I could actually choose to go to Hong Kong to try my luck, but do you know why I insisted on making my own?"

"Why?" Zhang Jin asked, puzzled.

"All action stars in the Chinese-speaking world were nurtured by Hong Kong."

Chen Long and Hong Jingbao are not worth mentioning; they are originally from Hong Kong.

Li Lianjie and Zhao Wenzhuo were also promoted by Hong Kong.

We haven't produced a single action star in mainland China.

To be honest, I'm not convinced!

We are all Chinese, so why can they do it but we can't?

I believe that if they can film, I can film too, and I can even film better than them!

Lin Hu made some bold and impressive remarks, which really surprised Zhang Jin.

He never expected that Lin Hu's ambition would be to become an action star who rises to prominence on his own, without relying on Hong Kong films.

This person... is so arrogant!

However, he had to admit that it was a great ambition, and it made him feel quite excited.

In fact, Lin Hu's words were not entirely driven by passion; he also had his own plans.

With the original film as a reference, he was confident that he could present "Ong-Bak" very well.

Hiring a martial arts choreographer from Hong Kong is of little use, as he can't possibly film the action sequences designed by the choreographer.

Most importantly, as a time traveler, Lin Hu clearly understands the environmental changes in the future world.

More than a decade later, with the economic boom in mainland China, the local consciousness of mainland netizens will become stronger and stronger.

As some Hong Kong filmmakers who have moved north to the mainland act inappropriately and frequently do disgusting things, mainland netizens' perception of them will become increasingly negative.

By then, Hong Kong entertainment will have completely declined, and Lin Hu, as the only pure local action star who rose to fame without relying on Hong Kong, will definitely be incredibly valuable.

One day, his boastful words to Zhang Jin might even get out...

He couldn't even imagine how he would go viral on social media...

Lin Hu said, "I'm not being arrogant. In the past few years, besides practicing martial arts, I've been studying how to shoot action movies. I shot some samples recently, let's go take a look!"

Zhang Jin followed Lin Hu back to his room out of curiosity and watched the footage he had filmed on television.

The scene is very simple: Lin Hu and Wang Baoqiang are fighting.

Both men were incredibly agile, their moves swift and clean, immediately captivating Zhang Jin.

After fighting for more than a minute, Lin Hu leaped up and delivered a powerful double elbow strike to Wang Baoqiang's head.

With a "crack," a breathtaking sound effect rang out, and the opponent instantly collapsed to the ground.

Zhang Jin was shocked!

Zhang Jin has watched countless films, but he has never seen such intense action scenes.

The "Double Peaks Strike" move shown on TV was incredibly fierce and impactful, making it seem as if Wang Baoqiang had truly been killed by Lin Hu.

After watching the sample footage, Zhang Jin had to admit that Lin Hu really had something special.

Lin Hu turned off the TV and said sincerely, "Brother Jin, everyone who fights in my movie must have real kung fu skills."

I need your help because I must find a master fighter who can match me for the final showdown in the movie.

Zhang Jin is a bit older than Lin Hu. He has participated in two National Games and is already 24 years old this year.

He thought Lin Hu was a bit too young and impetuous, but after seeing the sample videos Lin Hu showed him, he had to admit that he was tempted.

His original plan was to join the Yuen Clan as a stuntman, hoping to gradually work his way up and get acting opportunities.

Now, working with Lin Hu allows him to directly film movies and play important, leading roles.

Regardless of how well the movie turned out, at least his resume now includes an experience as a lead actor.

Zhang Jin asked, "How long will it take you to film this movie?"

"Two or three months, it won't really interfere with your work. After the movie is finished, if you want to join the Yuen Clan, just go for it. With your abilities, they will still welcome you."

Lin Hu's words made sense. It wouldn't make a difference if Zhang Jin went a little later. With his abilities, the other party would definitely give him a warm welcome.

Going to Yuan's troupe is profitable, staying with Lin Hu is also profitable, and you can even get a lead role in a movie.

After weighing the options, Zhang Jin finally agreed.

"Alright, given your lofty ambitions, I'll accompany you on this journey!"

"Very good!"

With Zhang Jin secured, Lin Hu's film team is basically complete.

The next step was just one more thing: getting Han Sanping's support and obtaining a permit to travel to Hong Kong for filming.