This top guy is crazy!

The announcement issued by Myth Company this time is as follows:

The Mythology: Epic of Chinese Mythology series sets sail, with the grand opening production—Journey to the West—officially launched!
In the announcement, Myth mentioned that the entire Journey to the West series will consist of 41 episodes, each of which will be filmed to movie-level production standards, with a budget of 5000 million RMB per episode and a total project budget of 25 billion RMB. The budget will be adjusted as production progresses and there is no upper limit.

Furthermore, to ensure that each episode has a unique style, Myth will invite 41 top directors in the Chinese film and television industry to participate in a director relay model, with each director independently directing one episode.

Cheng Cheng will personally serve as the project's chief director, responsible for controlling the style and coordinating the narrative pace of the entire series, and personally directing key episodes to ensure that the 41 episodes form a complete whole.

Finally, the official account of Shinhwa Company stated:
"This journey is destined to be arduous, but we will embark on this modern-day pilgrimage to the West together, just like Tang Sanzang and his disciples, enduring eighty-one tribulations, questioning the heavens, and creating a legend together!"

The news caused an uproar in the Chinese entertainment industry:

"I, the heavens, challenge the heavens, to create a legend together!!!"

"Damn, 25 billion? Did I see that right?"

"Holy crap, I almost cried while watching it!"

"This is a miracle! It's something that ordinary people can't do!"

"That's so damn cool! I got goosebumps!"

"Only mythology can have such a grand scale!"

"I can't even imagine how impressive the final director list will be!"

"The pressure is on every director who is invited! If their episode is outshone by their peers, they're finished!"

Will Lü Zhuofeng appear? Will Master Gong appear? Will Tang Ping appear?

The most pressing question is—who will play Sun Wukong, Tang Sanzang, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing?

Everyone knows that whoever can star in a super-production with a total investment of 25 billion yuan, personally directed by Cheng Cheng, and created by 41 top directors, will reach the pinnacle of their career!

This is not just a role; it is a role that can be recorded in history and make one's name last forever!
He won't have to worry about anything for the rest of his life! He can live off this one role for the rest of his life!

Therefore, as soon as the news was released, the entire Chinese entertainment industry was excited and eager to get involved!
Given the style of mythology, they probably won't just select from within; they'll likely open up auditions, right?

For a time, online discussions and speculations about the casting reached a fever pitch:

"The choice for Sun Wukong! He must be the king of kings, possessing acting skills, martial arts prowess, charisma, and popularity all in one! Only someone like that is worthy of the role of Sun Wukong!"

"We need to find someone who has the temperament of a holy monk and can also portray a stubborn and pedantic character. Just being handsome is not enough; he also needs to have depth."

"Why don't we let Cheng Cheng play the role? His Fahai is really handsome!"

"I support Cheng Cheng playing Tang Sanzang!"

“I don’t think it will work. Cheng Cheng is too handsome and has too strong an presence. If we really let him act, he will overshadow the others.”

"That's right, the main character of this drama is Sun Wukong, not Tang Sanzang."

"Tang Sanzang absolutely cannot marry someone too handsome!"

Countless posts about casting appeared on various forums and social media platforms, with netizens arguing heatedly.

First, there's the casting of Sun Wukong. From Shen Ze (Liu Peiqiang), known for his action scenes and relentless effort, to Jiang Jun, who possesses both monkey-like appearance and agility, to Li Yang, a master of acting with exceptional versatility, and rising star Xu Rui, all the suitable and talented male actors were singled out and analyzed one by one.

The casting of Tang Sanzang has seen a range of popular choices, from the most handsome monk Cheng Cheng to the refined Zhu Long, the deep and experienced Yin Hao, and even the young actor Zhuo Ming, who has gained recognition for his serious dramas.

There are also speculations about Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, with netizens nominating a wide range of people, from well-known comedians like Zhang Zijie and Ma Xi (Cheng Cheng, the male lead in "This Killer Is Not Calm") to low-key but talented actors.

And so, the public opinion fermented for four or five days, and netizens were still immersed in their great enthusiasm for casting the roles for Shinhwa!

Amidst this uproar and widespread discussion, Myth Company officially released another announcement:
[Mythological Journey to the West Global Cast Recruitment Program Launched – Searching for the Pilgrims]

"In order to find the most suitable actors for the roles, Myth Company officially launched the global actor recruitment plan for 'Journey to the West' starting today!"
This recruitment is open to all nationalities, qualifications, and backgrounds!
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newcomer, as long as you believe you were born for a role, we welcome you!

Please submit your information and audition footage through the following official channels.

Again, no qualifications required! No background restrictions!
Although Myth has done this many times before, it still makes countless people inside and outside the industry feel incredulous. You have to know, this is a super, super, super big production with a budget of 25 billion!

Are they really going to let completely inexperienced newbies shoot this?
Before the shock caused by the official announcement from the mythology company had subsided, Cheng Cheng posted another update on his personal account:
"Whether she's a fairy or a goddess, she has to be beautiful. This time, I'm going to choose the most beautiful girl in the whole country! That's it!"

Cheng Cheng's words immediately sparked outrage online.
puff--

Isn't this statement a bit too direct and vulgar?
"Holy crap! Frog Bro, do you want to hear what you're saying?"

"So direct? Although it does seem to make a lot of sense!"

"The words may be rough, but the principle is sound! If the demons in 'Journey to the West' weren't beautiful, what would we watch it for!"

"Looking forward to the Queen of the Women's Kingdom!"

-

And so, the casting process for "Journey to the West" began in a grand and unprecedented manner!

Countless people are vying for just one or two roles! Nobody knows who will emerge victorious!
In Hengdian, a stuntman who had been filming action scenes for over a decade but remained relatively unknown recorded a fight video of himself on his phone, uploaded it to an email, and sent it to the official Myth team.

In the practice room of a drama academy, student Lin Su uploaded her photos and dance videos, writing in the target role section:

I'm open to any immortal or demon character; I'm eager for an opportunity.

Evelyn, a Chinese-American girl studying performing arts in England, bought a plane ticket back to China.

In a small city in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, young Zhang Xiaoyan returned home for the weekend.

Born into a family of monkey opera performers, he is the eighth-generation successor. He made his stage debut at the age of nine, displaying exceptional talent and was once his father's hope for bringing glory to the family.

However, traditional folk arts have declined irreversibly. Coupled with the sudden death of his father when he was eighteen, he was forced by reality to give up the monkey show that his family had passed down for hundreds of years, leave his hometown, and become an ordinary cog in the machine of modern city.

At this moment, in the dusty attic of the old house, he opened the wooden box his father treasured, took out the painted clay mask from the bottom of the box, solemnly painted a monkey face on himself, and recited a line from Journey to the West about Sun Wukong's havoc in Heaven:
"Because I find the mortal world too cramped, I am determined to live in the Jade Heaven!"

"The Lingxiao Palace is not his long-standing residence; it has been passed down through generations of emperors!"

"The strong should be respected, and I, a hero, dare to be the first!"

After reading it, his chest heaved violently, and a hot tear slid down his face, which was covered in face paint. (End of Chapter)