Actor: Thank you.

After the meeting, he handled a number of related matters over the next few days.

I also met with Tsui Hark to discuss the project.

The other party still hoped he could act, mainly because they valued his martial arts skills.

It was recommended by Li Lianjie.

He declined again and called Lao Li to express his gratitude.

He had a little free time, so he was having a cup of tea at home, stretching, and casually saying something.

"I'm so bored, I'm not used to it." These are insincere words.

After all, who doesn't like to rest? There are only a handful of true workaholics in the world.

Just like the taboo thing to say when on duty at a hospital is "Why are there no patients?"

Before closing time, the worst thing a restaurant can do is shout, "There shouldn't be any more customers."

God loves to torment people; after saying such things, someone will immediately appear.

Then the on-duty doctor and the chef who was just about to take a break to have a smoke or grab some ingredients to take home would start cursing.

Zhang Yuan encountered a similar situation.

After saying this, a group of people from their family drank all the tea they had just bought.

First, Wang Jing came to me, saying there was a new play.

The previous film was "The Spy Who Loved Me," a heavily modified version of Stephen Chow's "Forbidden City Cop."

It wasn't a great movie, but it still grossed 1.2 million yuan!

Make big!
This time it's pretty much the same.

Wang Jing seems to have figured out his temperament. Whether the play is bad or not, Zhang Yuan doesn't care, as long as he doesn't act in it.

There's only one goal: to make money!

Therefore, he was completely uninterested in the previous film, "Future X-Cops".

After that, Wang Jing approached him again and gave him several scripts, such as "The Kidnapping Storm" and "Beauty Mission," but he refused them all.

He then approached other investors, including Bona Film Group.

As a result, very few of these films even exceeded 50 million yuan in box office revenue, let alone broke 100 million yuan.

In addition to other things, some Hong Kong people believe that Zhang Yuan has some kind of mystical ability, like turning stones into gold.

This is actually putting the cause and effect backwards, but it does seem that way from the perspective of appearance.

Wang Jing came this time with another cheesy comedy called "The God of Wealth Inn".

It's good that it's rotten!

Zhang Yuan got excited as soon as he saw it was this kind of thing.

This is what Wang Jing is best at.

On the contrary, the films he made that received good reviews, such as "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," which audiences waited decades for, were the ones that were finally released.

They lost a fortune.

But he has basically never lost money on these kinds of cheesy comedies.

After glancing at the proposal, Zhang Yuan frowned slightly.

They had no objections to the budget, shooting schedule, or project content.

The male lead has been cast as Nick Cheung.

Nick Cheung was brought into the film industry by director Wong Jing and is also a member of Wong's "Stephen Chow replacement plan".

Because no one can replace Zhou Xingchi.

Back in the day, in "The Tricky Master," Nick Cheung was the main character, but when Stephen Chow's character, Wong Siu-hu, appeared, all the viewers assumed that Stephen Chow was the main character.

The complete falling out between Wong Jing and Stephen Chow was also due to this film.

Wang Jing is no saint either; he's incredibly cunning.

In a sense, he is actually quite similar to Feng Xiaogang.

He wanted to promote Nick Cheung in this film, so he cast Stephen Chow in it, saying it was a cameo role, but he paid him the salary of a supporting actor.

In the final trailers and promotional materials, Stephen Chow was always in the center.

It's like getting paid as a supporting actor while being promoted as the main character.

If the box office is good, Nick Cheung, the lead actor, gains prestige; if the box office is bad, everyone says Stephen Chow has failed.

The most crucial issue is that they didn't pay enough...

The benefit was that through this film, Nick Cheung realized that he could never become the next Stephen Chow, so he began to actively transform his career.

The downside is that it opened the door to the so-called "explosive acting skills".

Many people praised his performance in police and gangster films, but Zhang Yuan felt that his acting was exaggerated and often went too far.

It's the typical Hong Kong style of acting.

He is clearly inferior to Leung Ka-fai, Leung Chiu-wai, and even Andy Lau, who is often criticized as an idol, is better than him.

Zhang Yuan tossed aside the proposal and rubbed his temples.

When Wang Jing saw him like this, she thought the relationship had fallen through.

"I will talk to the company and say that it will be distributed under the name of cross-strait film companies, and the production cost will be detailed again."

"Go ahead and film. The audience needs to be happy, even if it's a low-level kind of happiness."

Wang Jing shrugged; he didn't care about things like low or high levels.

"A Chinese Odyssey", "King of Comedy", and "Crazy Stone" are all relatively sophisticated comedies.

However, none of them could match the box office of short and fast-paced comedies like "Lost in Thailand" and "Lost in Hong Kong".

Who cares who acts? As long as it makes money... Zhang Yuan comforted himself.

I already had Xixi film "A Chinese Ghost Story," so why would I care about this?

Making money is the most "high-level" thing.

I just saw Wang Jing off, and several more people came over. They were all for films that were neither big nor small. They either wanted me to act in their films, or they were using the pretext of casting me in their films to trick me into spending money.

There isn't a single major film or TV series available, and there are still social engagements to attend to. It's such a waste of tea.

Just then, the "heavyweight" one arrived.

Felix Chong, who had worked with me on "Initial D" years ago, contacted me, saying he had a new film project.

Upon seeing the script, Zhang Yuan's first reaction was...

You old bastard, are you trying to get me killed?

Because the movie is called "Guan Yu"...

My mother!

I'd have to be crazy to take this role!
Red Cliff was such a huge flop, and you Hong Kong directors still want to work on this kind of subject matter?

Andy Lau's previous film, "Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon," wasn't that great either.

So you just have to keep focusing on Luo Guanzhong, huh?

Besides, it's fine if Andy Lau plays Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun's image is classic, but it's not bad.

But who can play the role of Guan Yu better than Lu Shuming?
It's a waste of money no matter who comes.

This show even managed to get Jiang Wen to play Cao Cao.

Jiang Wen is an actress who acts out of interest, without considering the classic roles played by Bao Guoan.

Zhang Yuan recalls that the most "idiotic" thing about this show was actually casting Donnie Yen as the male lead.

Is he tall enough to play Guan Yu?
Even playing Zhou Cang wasn't imposing enough.

After the movie was released, Donnie Yen was heavily criticized.

Actually, it's his own fault. No one forced him to film it; he was just after a lot of money.

Furthermore, unlike most Chinese men, Donnie Yen is more like a North American.

For the older brother, Guan Yu was just a name, just an image to worship.

He had never read the Four Great Classical Novels, nor had he read "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and he was unaware of the significance of the old "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" TV series and its actors to mainland audiences.

When Sissi acted in "A Chinese Ghost Story", she was criticized. The most critics were fans of the original version and fans of Joey Wong.

Moreover, the criticism of this drama mainly came from the director and screenwriter; she's a case of fame bringing trouble, so the criticism was to be expected. But "Guan Yun Chang" is different!

There are a lot of people criticizing Donnie Yen, from fans of the original novel to fans of the TV series, and even casual fans—anyone can get criticized!

Because Guan Yu was different from others; he was a martial saint, unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness, and the embodiment of the noblest and most beautiful virtues of the Chinese people.

This is a symbolic figure of the nation, who has been perfected and sainted.

Some question whether Liu Bei was "hypocritically benevolent," while others fabricate modern unofficial histories, claiming that when Liu Bei entrusted his son to Zhuge Liang, there were executioners behind the curtain, ready to smash a cup if Zhuge Liang dared to agree...

Are there any fabricated stories about Guan Yu?

Who dares!

Back when he was filming "Young and Dangerous," Brother Crow didn't care about flipping tables, but after smashing a statue of Guan Sheng for the film, he ate vegetarian food for several months to "atone for his sins."

In this drama, Donnie Yen became the target of concentrated criticism, and even Jiang Wen, who played Cao Cao, didn't get much criticism.

Everyone went to criticize him.

But this is not over yet!
When the movie was released, the producers pulled some shady moves after seeing Donnie Yen being criticized.

Because of the plummeting rating on Douban, they put up a "public reward".

They said they would spend 10 yuan in cash to arrest the online trolls who were attacking this show.

Black and red are still red; that's a good idea.

Then it backfired; the crowd responded, saying that your rating wasn't low enough, and you still dared to "offer a reward".

In the end, it was Zhen Zidan who bore the brunt of it all, being targeted to the point of almost becoming despondent.

That's why Zhang Yuan felt the director was trying to "harm him" when he saw the script.

I acted it out; the autistic character was me.

A person should know their own limitations. With my appearance and age, it's not that I can't play Guan Yu, but I'm still far from being the real Guan Yu, as Lu Shuming did.

These kinds of characters with classic, iconic portrayals are the most difficult to handle; you can't easily get involved with them.

If you get involved, you'll most likely be criticized, and it might even affect your future career.

Zhang Yishan's role in "The Deer and the Cauldron" directly led to her retirement from the entertainment industry...

When Stephen Chow played Sun Wukong in "A Chinese Odyssey," he was heavily criticized.

Of course, Liu Cixin also deserves credit for this, as he criticized "A Chinese Odyssey" quite a bit.

Zhang Yuan could only pretend to be deep in thought, as if he had been considering it for a long time.

He then spoke earnestly.

“I feel that I am not up to the task; I lack confidence.”

"An actor cannot fool the audience or himself when he lacks confidence and assurance."

"I am a responsible artist, so I would like to sincerely apologize to you that I am unable to perform."

Zhuang Wenqiang was a little embarrassed by what he said; it was too sincere.

They were telling the truth, so they were sincere.

"If you don't want to act..." Director Zhuang raised his eyebrows: "Are you interested in investing?"

Zhang Yuan: …

What's the budget?

"$2000 million."

Zhang Yuan scratched his head. "With this money, I could have a hot pot meal with lamb, which would have been more worthwhile than filming this thing."

"To be honest, ever since 'Red Cliff,' I've lost confidence in dramas based on the 'Three Kingdoms' theme."

"Therefore, I will not be investing in this type of drama for the time being."

Zhang Yuan's excuse was very successful. Zhuang Wenqiang cursed Wu Yusen in his heart for cutting off other people's escape routes.

His words were flawless, and many people were genuinely frightened. If China Film Group lost so much money, ordinary investors could go bankrupt.

“However, I can point you in the right direction,” Zhang Yuan said after thinking for a moment.

"You can go to Bona for investment."

"Because their boss, Mr. Yu, likes these kinds of money-losing, no, big-budget productions." Zhang Yuan almost blurted it out.

You offended the abbot and you still want to run away!

Leave these "good works" to Bona Film Group; I'll just make lowbrow comedies like Wang Jing's.

After seeing this person off, Zhang Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"What a piece of junk..."

Hong Kong blockbusters are really getting worse and worse.

Historical films of this kind are very likely to lose money if produced in Hong Kong, unless costs are strictly controlled.

"The hope for the film and television industry in the next ten years still lies in mainland China." Zhang Yuan looked up at the sky and sighed, "We still need to cultivate our own team and young talents."

He was constantly dealing with the backlog of official business and documents, which gave him a headache.

Looking up, he saw Yang Siwei, who had brought him the materials, wearing a gloating smile.

Haha, when I said I felt unwell, you said I was fat.

Now you understand, don't you?

"By the way, you'll be working as a producer on the 'A Chinese Ghost Story' set later. Study hard." Zhang Yuan pretended not to see it.

"Understood," the fat woman immediately stood at attention and replied.

"While you're at it, help me connect with the visual effects company."

"Also, under the guise of coordinating special effects, I'll let you also visit the set of 'Flying Swords of Dragon Gate'."

"Remember to get along well with Han Jia Nu, she'll be there too."

"Definitely!" Yang Siwei knew what was good and bad; this was an opportunity for him, given by his boss, to build connections.

"But while you're doing these things, you also need to keep an eye on the situation of the special effects company, especially its organizational structure."

"Have Shu Chang send you another financial report so we can check it."

"You think there's something wrong with this company?" She became suspicious after hearing Zhang Yuan's words.

“Every company has problems, and I don’t have much time to manage it personally.”

"I just want to know how big the problem is and where the problem lies."

"Remember to keep a low profile and keep it a secret."

"understood."

Even a fool could tell there was a problem.

The number of projects is increasing, but we still can't make money every year, and sometimes we even lose money.

And just like other categories in the film and television industry, its future lies in mainland China.

However, in order to quickly establish the company, he made sure that the leadership team consisted entirely of people from Hong Kong.

So investigate first, suppress the problem, and don't rush it.

Focus on the big picture and let go of the small details; don't let the company fall apart.

After Yang Siwei received this task, his back pain and leg pain disappeared.

"Isn't this the job of an imperial envoy?"

Yang, the imperial envoy, was indulging in self-admiration and giving himself a pep talk.

Zhang Yuan then received a call from Teacher Guo.

"Junior brother, how have you been lately?"

"It's fine, but I'm just busy doing nothing, and it's exhausting."

"Sigh, I'm tired too... Let's meet up and have a meal."

"Okay." Zhang Yuan readily agreed, hearing the other person's extremely tired voice.

He knew why the other person was tired, and why they had sought him out.

Because the Deyuan Society is now in a critical moment.

Multiple departments jointly ordered all small theaters affiliated with the crosstalk troupe to suspend operations for rectification... (End of Chapter)