I'm not mentally ill, I'm a master of a thousand faces!

Chapter 436, "I'm Not a Medicine God"

Even if Li Yun claims that "Dying to Survive" is a commercial work, probably not many people would believe it.

After all, from a thematic perspective, commercially oriented works don't have this kind of...

"Does this mean they've lost their drive and are just going to make niche, art-house films?"

At this moment, Wang Chen scoffed, laughing out loud at the so-called "Dying to Survive".

The films, with their nonsensical titles and themes, are so poorly made that it's impossible to discern their target audience at first glance. As for the TV series "The Three-Body Problem," it's an even more nonsensical and heavyweight production.

In Europe and America, there is "Stranger Things".

Hollywood has "Sense8".

Even South Korea has a drama called "My Love from the Star" that is clearly aimed at a specific audience and is in the process of preparing to film it.

This is "The Three-Body Problem".

What the hell does the title mean?

The title of the script itself feels nonsensical.

"Xie Qingya, oh Xie Qingya, the person you've found seems to be on the verge of losing his creative spark."

Wang Chen squinted as his phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, he saw it was Zhang Mouzi.

It's still because of the Great Wall incident.

Sino-US co-productions, with Hollywood's technical and personnel support, are a devastating blow to domestically produced goods.

The movie, a Sino-US co-production, is unbeatable.

"The Three-Body Problem? What does that mean?"

Liu Shanhe was also puzzled when he learned about the television project proposed by Li Yun.

If it weren't an adaptation of an existing IP, who would have guessed it was a sci-fi TV series at first glance?

The name itself is filled with a sense of incomprehension.

At this time, Liu Shanhe also brought in the team that filmed the "Wesley" series. The top team from the August First Film Studio, along with Zhang Dahuzi, Yu Mingsheng, and Li Liguo, gathered here to discuss the script.

Filming started with "The Blue Blood".

The narrative structure and pacing are somewhat similar to Gallen Lo's Wesley series from back then, with an emphasis on filming chapters that are different from his earlier work.

The three directors weren't particularly keen on this idea—after all, each of them was a dominant force in their own field, and if they wanted to collaborate, how could they clearly define the roles of leader and subordinate? It would most likely end up with none of them yielding to the others.

However, once they learned that the subject matter of the film was science fiction and specifically "Wesley", the three began to discuss it.

Ni Kuang, a writer who was on par with Mr. Jin Yong in the last century, had an influence that was second to none.

These three directors, if not all of them are his fans, have at least grown up watching his works.

I also have a biased view of Mr. Ni Kuang.

This has sparked some interest in them, who initially found science fiction uninteresting, and over time...

They joined the production team, and the three of them were equally famous, each responsible for their own area of ​​expertise.

Character design, setting, storyboard.

Everyone is responsible for their own area of ​​expertise, filling in the gaps, and with an excellent script, interestingly, this TV series seems to have some potential.

"Regardless of what 'The Three-Body Problem' means, I believe that given Li's personality, he would never speak without reason," Zhang the Bearded Man joked. "Perhaps it really is a work that can offer some pleasant surprises?"

From the furnace.

Then there's Let the Bullets Fly.

Li Yun's ability to write and direct is evident, and it should be considered quite good.

And the so-called Three-Body Problem and I am not a medicine god seem to have been self-written, self-directed and self-acted when they were reported.

"I don't think Xiao Li would do something like fraudulently claiming subsidies; he still has his own pursuit of art," Yu Mingsheng agreed with this statement.

"I've discovered something really strange. The three of us don't really have any connection, but if I had to pinpoint a reason why we're all connected, it would probably be that we've all worked with Xiao Li before."

Li Liguo spoke with great interest about the connections between the group.

The common cause-and-effect relationship between them is probably that they have all cooperated with Li Yun.

Everyone has a different experience.

This is truly a rather poignant matter.

Whether it's someone as outstanding as Li Yun, or the interesting matter of collaborating with Li Yun, it all evokes countless thoughts.

Back then, he was just a small actor under my supervision, but now he has grown step by step to where he is today.

One can only lament the relentless changes brought about by the passage of time.

It also makes one marvel at how the younger generation surpasses the older.

but.

He's just a young man after all.

Now, with the sci-fi Chongyun Project, the August First Film Studio, represented by the three of them, should still have an advantage over Li Yun.

We have a solid, long-standing intellectual property.

An entire generation's worth of fans.

Moreover, the three directors, Zhang Dahuzi, Li Liguo, and Yu Mingsheng, are also quite a formidable gimmick.

Each of the three has their own fans.

Each of them has its own box office and viewership appeal.

They are all renowned figures in their respective fields.

At least in this round of science fiction subsidies, the three of them have attracted enough attention.

Reboot Wesley.

It stands out as the best among this series of science fiction works.

Many well-known actors also came to lend their support.

This included someone who surprised everyone.

Chow Yun-fat, Brother Fat.

This Hong Kong superstar volunteered to play Wesley.

Besides his love for the Wesley series, he also wanted to step out of his comfort zone and try science fiction, otherwise Wong Jing would always ask him to go back to play the God of Gamblers.

He doesn't want to continue being the God of Gamblers unless he's broke.

Various attitudes.

However, some people still mocked Wesley.

For example, Wang Chen found it somewhat ridiculous. The reason why domestic science fiction needs subsidies is to prevent people in the industry from relying on outdated ideas. However, domestic TV dramas still choose to rely on outdated ideas.

There has been no progress.

ridiculous.

It's nothing more than an old project that's halfway to the grave; it's a work based on themes from the last century.

They're nothing but dry bones in a tomb.

It's just an old relic.

He's just an old man who's not worth worrying about.

Yet this seemingly insignificant old thing is already acting like a leader even though it's only just been launched. What a question for such a science fiction project.

How can it not be laughable?

How can we possibly defeat Western science fiction, which is ambitious and constantly explores the unknown limits?

no way.

Can't do it.

But thinking about it carefully, the mentality is indeed different. How many years has China been able to eat its fill? Back then, the United States had already landed on the moon.

Chinese domestic themes.

Let's stick to those old-fashioned historical and romance novels and adapt them.

Science fiction is not a field that people in China should get involved in.

"His choice of subject matter is always impressive, whether it's a science fiction work or a modern art piece."

Liu Lili had heard about the subject matter that Li Yun was working on, and it left a deep impression on her.

It could even be said to be somewhat unexpected.

The science fiction project Chongyun is subsidized. Although the name Three-Body Problem is somewhat nonsensical, it's not too hard to accept from the perspective of receiving subsidies.

The fact that I am not a medicine god is somewhat puzzling.

This topic.

It's really strange.

Does that sound like you're going down the artsy route?

Frankly speaking, it is indeed impressive for a director to be able to shine in art films, but ultimately, the most core attribute of a film is that it is a commodity.

This is actually why Liu Lili doesn't think much of those circles in China.

Niche arthouse film directors, with few box office hits, whine about nothing, and then fawn over each other.

Two or three people gather to form the core of a circle.

Then it became a place that stank horribly.

If the film is poorly received and the box office is gloomy, people will think that it's all because the audience doesn't know how to appreciate it.

This is the current state of things in the domestic entertainment industry.

A place that can only be described as utterly nonsensical.

In fact, Liu Lili particularly dislikes the genre of art films.

They take pride in low box office returns and in being incomprehensible to others. They claim they were born to win awards, but in reality, they just have such high viewing barriers that they don't want people to understand them.

Art that is lofty and unattainable is not art at all.

How can something that cannot be appreciated by people be called art?

Li Yun has now chosen to work in this field.

It seems like he's run out of creative ideas.

At least that's what Liu Lili's intuition tells her.

"I'm going to act in Brother Li's Three-Body Problem and I'm not a medicine god," Liu Qianqian said frankly at this time.

He then took on his own film contracts.

A work that seems nonsensical.

There's also a sci-fi project that seems to be trying to scam subsidies.

There weren't many good reviews.

If it were the Liu Lili of the past, she would have given a clear and unequivocal denial.

But things are different now.

She felt that she couldn't possibly openly oppose someone who had already achieved results.

Perhaps, as her ex-husband said, she should give her daughter some respect.

She is an adult and has the right to make her own choices.

Or rather, they have the right to make decisions for themselves.

Whether it's good or bad.

They are prepared to bear the consequences for their own daughters.

At that moment, Liu Lili suddenly realized that her daughter might really have grown up.

Feeling both happy and disappointed.

This feeling.

It's really amazing.

"Yes, I believe in Brother Li, and I'm trying my best to catch up with him," Liu Qianqian said with clear eyes.

The trust is in Li Yun as a person, not just in his script.

To be honest, many times Liu Qianqian couldn't tell whether Li Yun's scripts were good or bad—but she knew that what she trusted was Li Yun as a person.

Because I trust Li Yun, I've ended up participating in his script.

When will you turn on your computers?

"Well, I think 'Dying to Survive' should start filming first."

"Well, good luck to you."

This time, Liu Lili's blessings were sincere.

At this time, Li Yun was at home preparing for the start of filming for "Dying to Survive".

"The Three-Body Problem" was produced by CCTV and was produced by an official team.

"Dying to Survive" was a purely private project with a budget of around 100 million yuan. The money earned from "Let the Bullets Fly" was invested in this project.

At this time, Li Yun also started to build his own professional team.

Liu Qianqian plays Detective Cao, the younger sister of the protagonist's ex-wife, who takes over the role originally played by Zhou Yiwei.

Li Yun did try to contact Zhou Yiwei, but it seems that "Brother Jiaqian" is nowhere to be found in the entertainment industry.

Liu Qianqian's focus on the path of a professional woman makes her a good choice to play the police officer investigating the "fake drug case".

Lu Shouyi is played by Wang Chuanjun, the same Wang Chuanjun from the sitcom "iPartment". This casting choice has left many people scratching their heads. Of course, the project itself is somewhat puzzling, so this casting choice, while puzzling in itself, is not entirely unexpected.

At this moment, Li Yun, the actor who played Huang Mao, was indeed caught off guard.

The person who contacted me was Eddie Peng, who approached me as an independent actress.

Li Yun, who did not belong to any company, came to contact them.

To paraphrase Eddie Peng, if it were a company-sponsored event, they probably wouldn't have let him handle this seemingly nonsensical script.

And just in time, if it's appropriate.

He acted in both "The Three-Body Problem" and "Dying to Survive".

The TV series and the movie followed together.

Li Yun had thought that the Huabiao Awards could attract some actors of the same generation, but he never expected that it would actually attract Eddie Peng.

"Is that okay? You can't keep any of those eight-pack abs."

"it is good."

Peng Yuyan said frankly, "What you can do, I can definitely do too."

In Peng Yuyan's eyes, Li Yun saw the raging flames of war.

He said he came with the mindset of treating himself as an opponent—as an actor.

It's okay.

Li Yun smiled slightly.

"We'll be waiting for you at the launch event."

With this, the team behind "Dying to Survive" was assembled.

Eddie Peng, the lead actress, is relegated to a supporting role.

Li Yun plays the protagonist, Cheng Yong, a "medicine god" who is also a "patient".

Only through suffering can one become a god.

How can one become a god without experiencing human suffering?

To become a god of medicine.

This film, from the moment it was promoted, didn't seem to be very well-regarded.

Li Yun also heard many industry insiders say that while they could win awards, their commercial prospects were doomed.

DC has a human god, Superman.

Marvel has Thor and Loki.

Where did you come from, you 'Medicine God'?

Commercial films seem to follow this logic: Under the same conditions, why should I choose you as my movie audience?

They're all 'gods,' but I have a more captivating 'god' to watch.

This is the logic of the market.

At this moment.

Li Yun then began preparing for the start of filming "I Am Not a Medicine God".

This mortal.

It's not as good as Thor's hammer, nor as good as Loki.

In this era where Avengers are everywhere.

The movie "Dying to Survive" would be a perfect song for future generations.

A song called "The Lone Warrior".

A lone warrior.

Moving forward with loneliness in my heart.

Burn yourself amidst the incomprehension of others.

Of course.

Li Yun would never do something as foolish as burning himself.

Because burning oneself out as a lone hero is not something a smart person would do.

"I really like your movie, and I will definitely go see it if it is released. But how should I put it, I still think the subject matter is a bit ahead of its time. It seems to convey a kind of sadness. Whether this feeling of being loved can be captured, or rather, whether it can resonate with the public, is the key to its box office success."

Lu Zhengguang truly deserves to be called a senior art connoisseur.

He immediately spotted the problem in Li Yun's script.

Judging from the rough draft of the script, it doesn't seem to be very positive.

"Whether I can achieve the desired effect is my problem. If I can't, then I'll accept it even if the movie flops."

Actually, I am not a medicine god.

Li Yun knew exactly what the most important element of this movie was.

He is an actor.

It's acting skills.

To enable the actor to bring out the feeling of the character.

That's what makes up this movie.

Wang Chuanjun.

She once starred in the TV series "iPartment".

As a television personality, his status in the industry isn't that high.

Let alone movie actors.

Even regular TV drama actors have a higher status than him because he plays roles in sitcoms, which aren't even considered serious dramas.

Television actors also have different social statuses.

Unless, like Zeng Xiaoxian, he has an opportunity to escape the cage of sitcoms.

He quickly rose to become a leading actor in serious dramas.

Otherwise, their status is only slightly higher than that of variety show actors.

Oh no, many people think that sitcom actors are just a type of variety show actor.

There doesn't seem to be much difference.

It seems they don't have much status.

He was prepared to be sidelined in the industry, honing his skills and looking for opportunities. After all, in the entertainment industry where every inch of space is precious, an opportunity is extremely valuable.

But now...

He was approached by Li Yun, an outstanding director who won the Huabiao Award.

That's right, he's a genius of unparalleled talent.

Among the younger generation of actors, there are probably not many who don't know Li Yun. In fact, Li Yun is already an idol in the hearts of the younger generation of actors.

At least I know the legends in this circle.

Yes, perhaps to important figures, Li Yun could only be considered decent, a wild horse that suddenly burst onto the scene.

However, that also brought it into the sights of important figures.

Most people are not qualified to enter the sight of important people.

Or rather, getting into the sights of important people requires paying a high price.

And what about Li Yun?

He doesn't mingle with any circles—he chose to start on Legendary difficulty.

But his legend exists in every circle.

His traces can be found in every circle.

In the eyes of young people and the new generation of actors, he is incredibly talented.

At this moment.

Peng Yuyan looked at Wang Chuanjun in front of him and wondered how this guy, who was so ordinary in terms of both status and appearance, had joined the crew.

However, since it was Li Yun who chose it.

He will inevitably have to make a choice.

All Peng Yuyan wanted to do was compete on the same stage as Li Yun.

As an actor.

He's been holding back his anger ever since the Legend of Sword and Fairy series.

"Hello." Wang Chuanjun looked at Peng Yuyan with a bit of flattery.

"Don't be so reserved. For the next six months or so, we'll be working together as co-stars."

Peng Yuyan waved her hand.

"OK."

"What are the upcoming plans for our director, producer, screenwriter, and lead actor?"

Peng Yuyan found it somewhat amusing when she said it all in one breath.

That's way too many titles.

In fact, Li Yun did make some arrangements, just like in the movie "Dying to Survive" in his previous life, there should be a segment where he goes to the hospital to observe patients.

But after contacting the hospital, it became impossible to do this.

(End of this chapter)