hollywood melon man

Chapter 338 Old Wang and Little Wang

Since the two "Lord of the Rings" trilogies were released last year and this year respectively, an expected and unexpected situation has occurred.

That is, in the past two years, the number of people traveling in China has increased, and it is quite a lot, two or three times that of the past, with almost hundreds of thousands of tourists a year.

This has brought income to many places in China, and directly or indirectly created economic value of at least several billion dollars.

More importantly, through the arrangement of tourism promotion, many Westerners have eliminated their misunderstandings about China. Many people even take the initiative to learn about China's history and culture, and have been obsessed with Chinese culture ever since.

Of course, most people don't really care about this; they're here just for The Lord of the Rings.

Therefore, Jiuzhaigou, Gazi Mountain and Xilin Gol Grassland where Minas Tirith is located, the Hobbit Town of Baihua Valley at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and Zhangjiajie have all become popular tourist attractions.

Especially the beautiful scenery of Jiuzhaigou, which is unknown to outsiders. Julian Barnes, a well-known British travel writer and photographer, used his camera to record the beautiful scenery of Jiuzhaigou.

These beautiful photos were later published in National Geographic magazine, making people realize that there really are such beautiful places in the world.

There are many other pictures and travel video documentaries.

This forms a virtuous circle, attracting wave after wave of tourists.

Of course, the West can actually prevent China from being so heated. As long as they shut up the media and block the news online, the heat can be quickly suppressed.

By then, although China has many magnificent scenery, it will gradually become unknown.

But the West did not do so. One reason is that the influence of "The Lord of the Rings" is indeed very great, so great that there are many fans of this film in China.

This is a very successful case of film export and it is very effective.

The other reason is some unknown political reasons which I cannot elaborate on.

Gilbert Jr. came to Beijing from Los Angeles, accompanied by Nolan and producer Tils, who will be the producer of "The Adventures of Jackie Chan".

In fact, for Nolan, he doesn't really like to shoot this type of film.

Nolan prefers to write his own scripts, play some tricks with time, make some not-so-easy movies, and confuse the audience's minds.

However, Nolan has one advantage over those directors in the independent film industry who want to enter the mainstream film industry. That is, Nolan knows the importance of opportunity.

In other words, Nolan has the attributes of an author director in the independent film circle, but he is more inclined to mainstream movies.

So he also understood that if he wanted to make a movie according to his own ideas, he must get the trust of the film company. This is the only way.

The way to gain the trust of the film companies is to shoot one or two hit films and obtain enough capital.

Gilbert Jr. is Nolan's role model. This is how he gained the trust of the film companies step by step. Until now, he can basically shoot whatever he wants and no one questions him.

Although "Insomnia" is still in post-production, Nolan still took time out to fly to China with Gilbert Jr. for the audition.

When Nolan came to China for the first time, he saw the magnificent Forbidden City and climbed the Badaling Great Wall, and truly felt the Chinese scenery.

"I think I know why you chose this location for the shoot," Nolan said.

"Oh?" Little Gilbert raised his eyebrows: "Tell me why I put it here."

Nolan pointed to the mountains of the Badaling Great Wall and said, “Looking at the endless mountains, they are like giant dragons lying on the earth.

Everything is included here, and there is a vast world here.

I think if The Adventures of Cheng Long were filmed here, it would be a good choice as well.”

Chinese dragons are different from Western dragons, and I don’t know if Nolan can understand this.

“Hahahaha,” Little Gilbert laughed. “Chris, Old Tian will be very happy with what you said. If you want to come here to film, just find him. He will definitely arrange it for you.”

Because of the tight time schedule, Gilbert Jr. and Nolan just wandered around the capital and did not go anywhere else.

While strolling around, Gilbert Jr. and Nolan were both concerned about the casting of the film.

Several assistant directors have already participated in the preliminary auditions, selecting suitable actors according to Gilbert Jr.'s requirements and waiting for the final auditions.

Gilbert Jr. basically lived in his own courtyard house in Beijing, while Nolan stayed at the Beijing Changfuchun Hotel in the Guomao area, where the audition took place.

There are many celebrities visiting Changfuchun Hotel these days.

If you are familiar with the entertainment industry, you will find that familiar faces that often appear in TV dramas and movies come and go here.

In addition, many parents brought their children here, holding something called a script in their hands.

Those who can stay at Changfuchun Hotel are basically people of some wealth. They might be bosses from all over the country who come to Beijing to discuss business and bring their own secretaries with them.

Someone curiously asked the hotel staff: "Why are you making such a big show? Who is coming?"

The employee replied: "The famous Hollywood director Christopher Nolan is staying here and is going to hold an audition. These stars are here to audition."

"Oh!" The boss seemed to know something about movies. He asked, "Who is more famous, Christopher Nolan or Director Gilbert Jr?"

"Of course Director Gilbert Jr. is famous. He is here too, along with Director Nolan."

The boss immediately became interested: "Can you help me make an appointment with Director Gilbert Jr.? My son loves his movies, and I want an autograph and a photo or something."

The employee shook his head and said that the appointment was unavailable: "Director Gilbert Jr. is not staying at the hotel."

At this time, the boss's secretary reminded him, "Boss, Director Gilbert bought a courtyard house in Beijing. He usually lives there when he comes to Beijing."

"Wow!" The boss was surprised to find that little Gilbert had settled down in the capital.

It's not just one or two people, but many, many people who are interested in this Hollywood crew coming to China to cast.

When little Gilbert lived in the courtyard, many people came to visit him every day, or sent invitations to invite him to visit.

Young Gilbert turned down most of them and only chose to attend some of the more important occasions.

Perhaps it was because little Gilbert was indeed special, and there did not happen a ridiculous scene like when Hawking came everyone had to stand up and toast.

Come to think of it, the people that young Gilbert met in the past few days were all national-level figures from relevant departments. They would not be so blind and they were all smart people.

In addition, some playboys from the old city would come to visit little Gilbert, and even some people from the so-called Beijing circle would come to visit.

"Come, come, try this, mung bean soup, it quenches your thirst and relieves the heat." In the courtyard of the quadrangle, little Gilbert served Nolan a bowl of mung bean soup.

It was the end of summer and the capital was still quite hot, so little Gilbert asked someone to prepare mung bean soup for Nolan, who had never tasted it before.

Nolan looked at the plain-looking mung bean soup and wanted to refuse it, but little Gilbert was kind after all, so he frowned and took a sip.

After taking the drink, his frown immediately relaxed. The sweet taste went down his throat, and the coolness of the ice seemed to have completely removed all the heat from his body.

Nolan's eyes lit up and he praised, "It's really good. This drink is delicious."

"Yeah," Little Gilbert was a little proud, "With ice and sugar, it tastes really good. It's the authentic taste of old Beijing."

On days like this, it is perfect to sit under the grape vine trellis, holding a fan in your hand, and enjoying mung bean soup, some snacks, and lying on a recliner.

This is called retiring early and enjoying life.

It's just that little Gilbert wanted to enjoy himself today, but the wind did not stop even though the tree wanted to be quiet. Many people came to visit him, which made little Gilbert very annoyed.

Although young Gilbert turned down most of the requests, there were some people he couldn't refuse and he had to meet them.

In a way, this is an alternative version of the story where even when Hawking comes, he has to stand up and toast.

But these people today were a little different. Although little Gilbert did not agree to meet with them, they still came.

Little Gilbert thought that since they were waiting outside the door, he had to give them face, so he agreed to meet them once. "Hello, Director Gilbert. My last name is Wang. My father came here two days ago and you met him." The leader, who was about the same age as Little Gilbert, looked very polite.

Little Gilbert thought about it and suddenly remembered: "Are you talking about Minister Wang? He knows that I like ancient Chinese poetry and gave me a copy of "Three Hundred Tang and Song Poems"."

That one is Lao Wang, and this one is Xiao Wang.

Xiao Wang looked very respectful: "Director Gilbert, we are all your fans. We made a special trip to visit you this time mainly to satisfy our wishes as fans..."

Before Xiao Wang could finish his words, Little Gilbert interrupted him and said, "Don't be so polite. How can there be so many fans visiting every day? Especially people of your status."

The young masters of Sijiu City were a little embarrassed when their identity was exposed, but they were thick-skinned and said they didn't care.

Several people looked at each other, and Xiao Wang spoke up, "I heard that you are selecting suitable actors and are going to hold an audition.

I am familiar with these actors and was wondering if I could come and help you?"

"Help? What help?"

Xiao Wang immediately took out a stack of photos, handed them to Little Gilbert with both hands, and then said, "I know you are looking for suitable actors. These are the actors we have selected. Do they suit your taste?"

Little Gilbert narrowed his eyes and looked at him sideways: "Aren't there auditions? Just hand in the list to the audition."

When Xiao Wang saw that Little Gilbert didn't understand what he meant, he thought to himself that this foreigner was really stupid, as the meaning of his words were different.

So he had to put it more bluntly: "Director Gilbert, what I mean is that auditions are usually just a formality, and you can't pick a better actor.

All the good actors are here, you can just choose them here.”

"Oh!" Little Gilbert acted as if he suddenly understood something, but actually he had known about this group of people's plan for a long time, it was already a pre-determined decision!

These people are really stupid. Who do they think they are? How dare they make a decision and audition for nothing? Get lost!
Little Gilbert had some understanding of the so-called four major circles in the Chinese entertainment industry, but in his previous life, it was already the era of Internet capital, and the so-called circles had long been shattered.

Little Gilbert had no awe at all for these so-called circles. Moreover, with his status, even Xiao Wang's father and Lao Wang were polite when they came. Why did Xiao Wang dare to order him around?
Is it the bad habit to stand up and toast just because Hawking is here?
Little Gilbert didn't even take the photos or the list, and waved his hand to send him away: "I'm sorry, I'm not interested in the candidates you provided.

If it wasn't for the audition, I wouldn't have come here, please leave."

Xiao Wang's face froze. He didn't expect this foreigner to be so disrespectful.

But he still kept a low profile: "You really don't want to take a look? They are all very good?"

"Humph, we are not selecting a princess. We are selecting actors. Please go through the formal channels." After saying this, little Gilbert didn't want to pay any more attention to them and turned away.

Two burly men stood in front of Xiao Wang and others, and they could only leave helplessly.

After they went out, one of the younger brothers was still very angry: "Brother Wang, look at this foreigner, he is so arrogant and doesn't even give me face at all."

"Of course they don't need to give us face. They are world-class directors and foreign guests." Another person said with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.

Someone immediately suggested: "Why don't we create some trouble for him? Who in this Forty-Nine City dares not to give face to our Young Master Wang?"

Xiao Wang turned around and glared at the man: "Don't mess around. He is not someone you and I can afford to offend. You all should behave yourself."

Although a few people were indignant, they had no choice but to give up.

Xiao Wang is right. Given little Gilbert's identity and status, if they cause any trouble, it would be a diplomatic incident.

Even though this group of people are either rich or noble and can act arrogantly in the city, their families will definitely punish them if they cause such trouble.

What Xiao Wang and his friends didn't expect was that their behavior today had made little Gilbert very angry.

In my previous life, I couldn't get rid of the manipulation of various so-called capital tycoons, and I couldn't choose suitable actors according to my own wishes and make better movies.

Now that I have changed my world and my status and position are higher, do you still want to try to influence me?
This is intolerable. No, I must retaliate.

Nolan, who didn't understand Chinese, didn't understand what was going on and asked Gilbert Jr., "What are they doing?"

"Those who took the back door..."

"What is the backdoor?"

"They just give us a list of actors in advance and let us decide on them. The audition is just a formality."

Nolan was stunned: "Is this still possible?"

"Of course, there are many such things in Hollywood, you should know that." Little Gilbert didn't think there was anything surprising about it.

Indeed, there are many people in Hollywood who use backdoors, and young Gilbert is one of them.

If he hadn't used a backdoor, he wouldn't have successfully directed his first film in his twenties. But the problem is that the conditions for using a backdoor are all familiar people.

These people are not familiar with little Gilbert. Maybe Xiao Wang’s father, Lao Wang, is a little familiar with little Gilbert and also tried to use the back door. Am I overthinking it?

It is possible that they thought little Gilbert was stupid and did not understand these principles.

Little Gilbert felt that you had to teach this kind of person a profound lesson.

So little Gilbert turned around and said to the assistant who was following him: "Go contact Minister Wang. Didn't he say he was talking about his son? Let him know about this."

The assistant called Lao Wang immediately, so after Xiao Wang returned home, Lao Wang picked up a feather duster and beat him up in front of Xiao Wang's stunned eyes.

Xiao Wang still didn't understand what was going on and felt quite aggrieved: "Dad, why did you hit me?"

"Beating you is the least of your worries. Look at what you have done. You actually went to someone's house, used your connections, and even threatened him?" Old Wang was furious.

Xiao Wang felt very aggrieved and knew that his father knew about this, so he could only complain: "I really didn't do that. I just wanted to help him. He didn't ask me to do that and I didn't force him!"

"Haven't you forced him yet?" Old Wang hit him twice more, making Little Wang scream.

Lao Wang continued, "Does anyone know his status? He is a state guest. Because of his contribution to promoting cultural exchanges, the higher-ups are preparing to give him a set of state porcelain as a gift.

I have to be polite to people like this, how dare you harass them? And force them to use the back door?"

"I..." Xiao Wang wanted to explain himself, but he had indeed done it, so he was speechless.

Lao Wang sighed and said, "It seems that we have spoiled you too much. From today on, you should stay at home and don't go out until Director Gilbert leaves."

This is equivalent to putting Xiao Wang under house arrest, and Lao Wang is also protecting his son.

The incident with Xiao Wang was just an episode, and Gilbert quickly forgot about it. He came to China not just to audition, otherwise Nolan could have come by himself.

The most important thing is that a few days later, he was invited to attend a banquet in the hall, and he heard that many big bosses would attend.

In addition, according to the information revealed by Lao Tian, ​​he may get a set of state gift porcelain, which is a great honor, at least for little Gilbert.

This shows that little Gilbert has been recognized here and his influence can penetrate this land.

A few days later, Little Gilbert attended a banquet in the auditorium and met many big bosses. He also chatted with the No. 1 big boss for more than ten minutes.

But it’s a pity that little Gilbert did not get the state gift porcelain, perhaps because he was short of some conditions.

After the banquet, it was time for the audition, which was filled with swordplay. The swordplay in the audition made little Gilbert feel as if he were on a battlefield.

However, this time he is the judge, and the final victory depends on him.

Therefore, it is particularly important to please little Gilbert.

Xu Qing and Zhang Ziyi, who had come into contact with little Gilbert, as well as several Chinese directors who participated in the audition, became the objects of flattery by the female stars.

(End of this chapter)