Huayu: This producer has no bottom line.

Chapter 163 Taking the Initiative

The four main versions from the previous life each had their own supporters and their own flaws.

Let's start with Hu Bayi.

Pan Yueming's version is undoubtedly the most widely accepted and also the most down-to-earth.

Ren Pingsheng admitted that Pan Yueming brought to life a down-on-his-luck veteran plagued by a curse and living in the streets. His Beijing accent was relaxed and natural, and his portrayal of fate and inner demons was particularly spot-on.

However, his flaws were equally fatal. Book fans complained that he was too dejected, turning a cynical veteran into a frustrated laid-off worker, and almost completely eroding the soldier's spirit.

More importantly, there's the issue of body management. A ruthless character who is agile and capable of hand-to-hand combat with a zombie in a crisis cannot be a bloated, middle-aged man. This was a huge hidden danger during the series' development, which lasted for several years.

In addition, Pan Yueming's height is not advantageous on screen. When he encounters taller co-stars, this physical disadvantage will directly weaken the persuasiveness of his character.

Moreover, Pan Yueming's performance was generally "restrained." The "wildness" of Hu Bayi in the original work—who was usually unreliable and full of nonsense, but could go all out at crucial moments—was diluted in his performance by a heavy melancholy.

If Pan Yueming is "similar in spirit but not in appearance," then Chen Kun in "Mojin: The Lost Legend" is the exact opposite.

His looks are off the charts; he's devastatingly handsome.

But his problem is that he's too handsome. Even with long hair and a dirty face, he's still a down-on-his-luck playboy at heart. You can't tell that he's a rough guy who makes a living by dealing in secondhand goods in Panjiayuan.

The script cut a lot of the witty banter scenes, and coupled with Chen Kun's own aloof and reserved acting style, it directly turned Hu Bayi into a taciturn and aloof wandering swordsman.

As for Jin Dong, Ren Pingsheng considers his performance in "Candle in the Tomb" to be the most complete TV series, which is still thanks to the skill of the Daylight Entertainment production team.

Jin Dong's performance in the drama is also remarkable. He exudes righteousness and military spirit, and his portrayal of the era is solid, perfectly matching the character of Hu Bayi, who has just come out of the army in the timeline of "Candle in the Tomb".

But this became the biggest problem. In the words of netizens, he maintained the demeanor of an old cadre throughout the entire process. Even when telling a joke, it sounded like a political commissar doing ideological work. He had none of the "carefree" nature of a street urchin.

Moreover, Ren Pingsheng knew that this wasn't just his role in this one film; his future acting roles were practically set in stone.

If a few more installments are made, "Ghost Blows Out the Light" might turn into "The Adventures of an Old Cadre".

The last one, Mark Chao, can basically be ignored.

The script was drastically altered, and the actor's own temperament and accent issues made him the worst of all the versions.

Wang Pangzi was also in a dilemma.

Jiang Chao's appearance is that of a chosen one; he is broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, looking like a human shield that can withstand heavy blows.

It has a strong down-to-earth vibe, and when paired with Pan Yueming's Hu Bayi, the chemistry is quite good.

However, the comedian's path to acting is too reliant on comedic roles, with too much rambling and chattering, turning a fugitive into a fussy househusband.

In the original story, our Fatty was the strongest member of the three tomb raiders. He was afraid of heights and didn't know how to write the word "fear." When he fought, he really went all out.

Jiang Chao's version amplifies greed and cowardice while weakening the inherent ruthlessness of a bandit. His fighting ability fluctuates wildly, and he often becomes purely a comedic character.

Huang Bo's acting skills are undeniable, but his appearance is a major flaw; his slender frame is completely unable to support the character's role as a human shield.

Moreover, his personal style is too strong. He always brings a Bo-style smoothness to every role he plays, lacking the honest and reckless nature of a northern man.

Zhao Da gained weight for the role, which shows his dedication, and his action scenes were also very skillful.

However, his problem is the same as Jin Dong's: the comedic pacing is a mess, the banter is extremely awkward, and he's tense throughout, lacking the carefree and relaxed attitude of the fat guy who can handle anything.

All that remained was his straightforwardness and irritability, turning what should have been a team lubricant into a burden that repeatedly caused trouble.

The most difficult one was Shirley Yang.

Shu Qi is cool, independent, and very charming in "Mojin: The Lost Legend".

But her aggressiveness was too strong, completely lacking the reserved and scholarly demeanor of a Chinese-American archaeologist.

In the original novel, Shirley Yang is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, and she is very proper in her dealings with others. Shu Qi's version is too wild.

Zhang Yuqi is even more unruly, acting like a leading lady who always tries to outdo the male lead, reversing the roles and making her the core of the trio.

Moreover, his poor delivery of lines, coupled with his hoarse voice, prevented him from portraying the character's inner softness.

Chen Qiaoen's acting style in idol dramas is a fatal flaw. She has a blank expression and empty eyes throughout the entire performance, turning a highly trained and independent woman with strong wilderness survival skills into a background character who needs protection and has no presence whatsoever.

Ren Pingsheng mentally sifted through these people again and again, and found that each version had its highlights, but also its undeniable flaws.

Although an actor's performance is influenced by countless factors such as the script, the director, and the actors he is acting with.

The effects of these past lives may not be repeated in this life.

But some flaws are ingrained, such as temperament, accent, and acting style.

What he wants is a stable cast that can last four or five years, spanning both TV series and movies. Any weakness could be magnified infinitely during the long filming period, ultimately dragging down the entire series.

Now that we've been reborn, there's no reason to settle for less.

Perhaps we should try a different approach.

Instead of picking and choosing among these "finished products" that each has its own regrets, it's better to go back to the beginning and figure out what kind of picture the author had in mind when creating these characters.

"Teacher Zhang," Ren Pingsheng looked up at Zhang Muye, who was quietly flipping through documents.

"When you were creating the Iron Triangle, did you have any specific prototypes or sources of inspiration? I'd like to know what their initial image was like in your mind?"

Upon hearing this question, Zhang Muye paused for a moment, then laughed, seemingly lost in some kind of memory.

"There really is," he put down the documents in his hand and leaned back in his chair. "When I was writing about Hu Bayi, I was actually thinking of Zhong Yuemin from 'Blood Romance,' I don't know if you've seen it?"

"Liu Ye plays Zhong Yuemin?" Ren Pingsheng immediately realized.

"Yes, that's him!" Zhang Muye slapped his thigh, his eyes lighting up. "Look, they're both from the same compound, both experienced the hardships and pure love of the lower classes during the Cultural Revolution, and both were officers with considerable skills. But for their own reasons, they were demobilized and returned to civilian life. One sells pancakes and drives a taxi, while the other deals in secondhand goods and runs a street stall. They're usually carefree and irresponsible, always joking around, and a bit of a rascal. But when it really comes down to it, they're more reliable than anyone else. They're responsible, have principles, and are the kind of old-school rogue who can live a fulfilling life in any era."

Hu Bayi, Zhong Yuemin...

The answer to the most difficult puzzle was already right in front of us.

Yes, it's Liu Ye.

A Beijing man who grew up in a compound and exudes the air of a rebellious hoodlum.

Having served in the military and possessing exceptional skills, he chose a down-to-earth way of life amidst the tides of the times for various reasons.

On the surface, they seem cynical and carefree, with jokes that could bring the dead back to life, but deep down they are more loyal and righteous than anyone else, and have their own principles and bottom lines.

This kind of person, if you put him in any era, in any corner, he can live a fulfilling and wonderful life.

Isn't this Hu Bayi?

Pan Yueming portrayed a sense of destitution and fate, but lacked the romantic idealism and fearless wildness.

Chen Kun portrayed melancholy and handsomeness, but lacked the roughness and down-to-earth charm of the characters in the alleyways.

Jin Dong portrayed the integrity and composure of a soldier, but lacked the roguish charm of a rogue.

They all grasped one aspect of Hu Bayi, but Liu Ye was unique in that he naturally embodied these seemingly contradictory traits.

Her temperament.

He can play both the sensitive and vulnerable artistic youth in "Lan Yu" and the tough veteran in "Hard Man".

He can showcase the spirit of an era in "Blood Romance" and also act crazy and silly in "The Chef, the Actor, and the Scoundrel".

Standing at 1.86 meters tall with an upright posture, he perfectly supported the physique of a veteran who had worked in the field for many years, thus resolving Pan Yueming's physical concerns.

His acting skills are versatile, capable of being both profound and restrained, as well as outward and unrestrained, making up for the limitations of Chen Kun and Jin Dong's acting styles.

More importantly, he possesses a unique sense of youthfulness and brokenness, which perfectly embodies the inherent sense of destiny within the character of Hu Bayi.

The most moving aspect of the character is the contrast between the seemingly strong man and the deep-seated curse and guilt he feels for the loss of his comrades.

Now that we know the prototypes, isn't it obvious who to choose?

"What about Shirley Yang?"

"Well..." Zhang Muye scratched his head. "Back then I was playing Tomb Raider. Who doesn't love Lara Croft?"

Long legs, a high nose, agile movements, knowledgeable in archaeology, and incredibly wealthy—I just wanted a cool and capable female explorer like that in *Ghost Blows Out the Light*, and that's how Shirley Yang came about. Later, seeing Angelina Jolie in *Tomb Raider*, hey, that's the vibe!

No wonder Shu Qi was chosen for "Mojin: The Lost Legend". Her full lips and healthy sexiness are indeed similar to Angelina Jolie.

523 grasped this point, but overlooked the reserved nature of Chinese scholars.

"As for Fatty Wang," Zhang Muye shrugged, "he doesn't really have a specific prototype. I grew up in a geological team in the north, surrounded by those loud, seemingly rough-around-the-edges uncles and elders who were actually quite shrewd. They loved to boast and take advantage of small things, but when their brothers were in trouble, they were always the first to rush in with a brick. Fatty is a character I created by combining many traits of that generation."

After listening to Zhang Muye's description, the vague images of the other two characters in Ren Pingsheng's mind instantly became clear.

Since Hu Bayi is Liu Ye, the candidate for Fatty Wang also comes to the fore.

The pen paused on the paper for a moment, then decisively wrote down a name: Liu Tianzuo.

He was also the same Fatty Wang from his previous life, only this time he was not the same Fatty Wang.

A native of Jilin Province, he was the former head of the acting troupe of the Political Department of the Shenyang Military Region, and had impeccable revolutionary credentials.

Since his debut in 06, all the works he has participated in have been hardcore military dramas with a large male cast, such as "Soldiers Sortie", "Night Raid", "My Chief and My Regiment" and "Life and Death Line".

He was also burly and broad-shouldered, standing at 1.8 meters tall. Just standing there, he was a human shield, capable of both physical and physical combat, perfectly fitting the description.

It conforms to the original work's setting.

Although he has not yet shown any comedic talent, Ren Pingsheng knows that there is an interesting soul hidden inside this man.

The upcoming TV series "The Sword and the Brocade" and "The Lost Tomb" will prove that he is completely adept at handling comedic roles like Fatty Wang, who appears simple and honest but is actually insightful.

The "iron triangle" has already been decided, with two members already selected.

Looking at the two names on the paper, Ren Pingsheng felt half at ease.

The remaining one, and the most difficult one, is Shirley Yang.

First of all, you need to be tall, have long legs and a perky butt, big eyes, a beautiful face, and a high nose.

This was not only to fulfill Zhang Muye's fantasies, but also out of business considerations.

Since "Ghost Blows Out the Light" is a work aimed at male audiences, the female lead's physical appearance is a crucial factor, perhaps even one of the most important.

For ordinary viewers who haven't read the original work, a stunning female lead is the most direct motivation to watch the show.

A female lead with an Eastern face but a Western figure is enough to attract countless eyes.

Furthermore, judging from the character setting and the description in the original work, Shirley Yang is an American of Chinese descent, a descendant of a family of archaeologists, and an overseas student.

He returned, nimble and agile.

She is also the granddaughter of Partridge Whistle, a descendant of the Zaglama tribe, and has Western Region blood. The original text clearly states that her nose is a bit hooked and her eyes are slightly blue.

This means that her appearance cannot be that of a traditional, gentle, oriental beauty; her features must be three-dimensional, her contours deep, and she must have a certain exotic flair in order to create a sense of identification for the audience.

Therefore, actresses from ethnic minorities or of mixed race are the best choice.

Finally, the female lead's height must match that of the male leads.

Liu Ye is 186 cm tall and Liu Tianzuo is 180 cm tall. With these two tall men from the north standing there, if the female lead is not tall enough, she will appear too short when they are in the same frame, and her aura will be immediately suppressed.

Thinking of this, Ren Pingsheng couldn't help but think of Gulnazar.

Her physical attributes are almost perfect, but unfortunately her acting skills are still too immature to support such a complex role.

As for Tong Liya, who is also from an ethnic minority, her temperament leans towards classical gentleness, which is quite different from Shirley Yang's capable and decisive nature.

In the previous versions, Zhang Yuqi's appearance was actually quite good. She was a Shandong girl with a large frame, a full figure, and bright and three-dimensional features.

But at 166cm, she still looked rather petite next to Liu Ye and Liu Tianzuo; you wouldn't want to see a little potato leading the way.

Are those two burly men leaping and bounding through the primeval forest?

Moreover, she exudes too much of a domineering "I'm the best in the world" aura, lacking the humility and restraint expected of a scholar.

Shu Qi has a strong personal charm and a unique temperament, but her Hong Kong and Taiwan accent and flat facial features always create a barrier between her and the character of a "Chinese scholar of Western Region descent".

These two can be kept as backup options, but they are not the optimal solution.

Ren Pingsheng rubbed his temples, quickly filtering through other actresses who met his criteria in his mind.

Celina Jade?

He is of mixed Chinese and American descent, 168 cm tall, and has practiced martial arts since childhood, so action scenes are definitely no problem for him.

This is a good choice, but unfortunately her Mandarin is even worse than Shu Qi's, and she mainly works in Hong Kong, so her fame in mainland China is almost zero.

Michelle Reis?

He is of mixed Chinese and Portuguese descent, stands at 172cm tall, and has an exceptionally beautiful face.

However, she is already forty years old this year, and it is unlikely that she can support a series of shoots that lasts for four or five years. Moreover, she has already married into a wealthy family, so it is estimated that she cannot be hired.

Maggie Q?

With her Asian heritage, 170cm height, and exceptional physique, she has been making waves in Hollywood and Hong Kong in the past two years, making her the perfect Asian version of Laura.

But Ren Pingsheng remembered that she was about to start filming the American TV series "Nikita," which would establish her international status, and the schedule didn't match.

After much thought, I'm looking for a Shirley who meets all my requirements in terms of height, appearance, temperament, acting skills, and availability.

Yang, the difficulty was far greater than he had imagined.

This role is like an impossible intersection, perfectly avoiding all actresses in the Chinese entertainment industry.

Should we really let Nazha give it a try?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, Ren Pingsheng felt a chill run down his spine.

No, the iron triangle is the foundation, and there can be absolutely no weaknesses.

Since we can't think of the most suitable one right now, we might as well cast the net wider and wait for the fish to bite.

"Sister Wang, release a casting announcement in the name of Shengping TV and the 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' production team."

Wang Li was somewhat surprised: "Released now? The project hasn't even been officially announced yet."

"Send it now," Ren Pingsheng said firmly. "Don't mention any other characters, just choose Shirley."

Yang.

He paused and added, "Let's make the casting requirements a bit stricter: age 18 to 30, height 168cm or above, fit physique, preference will be given to those with dance, martial arts or long-term fitness experience, and must be able to speak fluent Mandarin."

"Is this going to be a public audition?" Wang Li immediately understood Ren Pingsheng's intention.

"It's not just an open audition," Ren Pingsheng said with a smile. "I want the entire entertainment industry to know that 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' is here, and we are using the most serious attitude to find the most perfect actors."

Instead of passively waiting, it's better to take the initiative and turn the casting process into a large-scale marketing event.