Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 590 Little Fatty's Troubles

Zhang Chen had a clear vision for Fan Xiaopang: to take the business route.

"If you can carry the box office, then you can stay popular forever. By the way, does anyone hand you scripts?"

"Yes~" Fan Xiaopang nodded.

"Then why have I never heard you mention it before?"

Fan Xiaopang shook his head: "They say it's the female lead, but most of them are just pretty faces, nothing interesting, and I don't want to take them. I only want to act in the movies you direct~"

Zhang Chen was speechless. "I mostly direct female-centric dramas, where the female lead has the most screen time, so of course you'd be willing to do them!"

Zhang Chen sat on the sofa, while Fan Xiaopang nestled in his arms and chuckled to himself.

“If there’s a good script, you can take it too, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the route I’ve set for you.” Zhang Chen said, while playing with the other person’s hair.

Zhang Chen does not forbid Fan Xiaopang from taking on foreign film roles.

Fan Xiaopang's salary is now $1500 million plus 5% of the box office revenue.

While not the absolute highest, she is certainly among the highest earners. The only Hollywood actress whose salary consistently surpasses hers is Angelina Jolie.

At the same time, this salary also shows that she has box office appeal.

"Actually, I've always been a bit anxious about gains and losses..." Fan Xiaopang raised his head.

"What are you so worried about?" Zhang Chen asked with a smile, pinching her chin.

“I just feel that the movies I’ve made, like *The Shallows*, *Pacific Rim*, and *2012*, are all special effects films. Although they did very well at the box office, I always felt that the audience went for the special effects, not for me as a person, so…”

"So you're afraid to accept roles from other directors because you're afraid of messing up the performance?"

"Hmm~"

Little Fatty nodded like a little bird.

Seeing the other person's expression, Zhang Chen stopped teasing him: "What you're thinking isn't unreasonable. We're in the era of special effects now. In the era of special effects, the role of actors is diminished, and special effects have replaced actors as the guarantee of box office success..."

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Fan Xiaopang curled his lip.

You asked me for comfort, but instead you're giving me a detailed analysis.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Chen changed the subject: "However, I don't think we need to worry too much. What I just said only applies to pure special effects movies."

What is a purely special effects movie?
Jurassic Park, or something like 2012.

After watching the movie "Jurassic Park", does anyone know the name of the male lead?
The real protagonists of this film are actually the dinosaurs.

The same logic applies to "2012". What people want to see is the apocalypse and the destruction of the world. Even if you and Jackie Chan were replaced by other people, the box office of this movie would not be much worse.

Purely special effects films like these don't offer much of an advantage to the actors, but you don't need to worry too much because these kinds of movies are easy to distinguish; films like "Harry Potter" and "Transformers" are examples of this.

Just avoid these.

In most countries around the world, movies are still mostly made with regular films enhanced by special effects.

Special effects are not the main focus, but merely a supplementary means.

Actors are extremely important in this kind of film.

Both "The Shallows" and "Pacific Rim" are this type of film.

In these two films, the actors are the key to the story; if the actors' performances are not up to par, no matter how good the special effects are, it's useless.

For example, in "Pacific Rim," will the audience be able to distinguish you from Red Storm?

of course not.

You are Crimson Storm, and Crimson Storm is you.

After Zhang Chen finished speaking, Fan Xiaopang was momentarily lost in thought until she felt a hand playing tricks on her, which pulled her back to reality.

"Didn't you say we'd just chat today and do nothing else?"

Fan Xiaopang looked down at the mischievous hand.

Zhang Chen chuckled sheepishly, "Hehe, I'm used to it, I'm used to it~"

The day after tomorrow is the domestic premiere of "White House Down," so they have to catch an early flight tomorrow.

"I wish we could keep making movies with leading female characters!"

Zhang Chen chuckled: "You're really greedy. There aren't that many movies with a female lead, and yet one of them just happened to fall into your lap~"

He paused, as if remembering something, and continued, "I understand what you mean. If you want to maintain attention, it's not that complicated. You can try playing a villain, and you'll achieve the same effect..."

"Rebel?"

"Well, most movies are male-centric, and the female lead's presence isn't strong. Even if you get a role in such a film, the benefits are limited. Playing a villain, on the other hand, is a great opportunity to stand out..."

Following Zhang Chen's train of thought, Fan Xiaopang suddenly had an epiphany.

"Because of his political stance, the male lead can't be too unconventional, so it's hard to expect any big surprises."

The female lead is often portrayed as a decorative figurehead.

Female villains, being villains, have fewer constraints, allowing for greater creative freedom and making it easier for them to shine.

"Yes~"

Zhang Chen was very satisfied with Fan Xiaopang's comprehension ability: "That's why many villains in movies leave a deep impression on people. In fact, many villains are clearly very bad, but the audience doesn't hate them..."

Let me give you a simple example: Shen Cheng, also known as Chen Daoming, in "Infernal Affairs 3"—isn't he incredibly charismatic?

Fan Xiaopang nodded.

"That's exactly the point. Actually, Huang Zhizhong, who played his younger brother, was also very good; he was the one who got hit on the head with an ashtray by Tony Leung."
It's a pity he had too few scenes; if he had more, the role could have been a classic.

The same applies to Ni Yongxiao in "Infernal Affairs 2," a villainous character who saved the entire film.

Back then, "Infernal Affairs" burst onto the scene alongside "Hero" and "Harry Potter," grossing HK$3000 million at the Hong Kong box office and hailed as the savior of Hong Kong cinema.

"Infernal Affairs 2" is also highly anticipated, with many hoping it can save Hong Kong cinema.

In the end, *Infernal Affairs II* didn't save Hong Kong cinema; instead, it was Francis Ng who saved it. Without the character of Ngai Wing-hau, *Infernal Affairs II* would have been a mediocre film. Even so, it's still hailed as the Hong Kong version of *The Godfather*.
Speaking of which, the best performances in this movie were all in the supporting roles. Zhang Yang, who played the undercover agent, didn't have a single line from beginning to end, but he gave a great performance. Liu Kai-chi, who played "Uncle Three," was ruthless and didn't talk much, and he could also play the harmonica...

"Alright, it's getting late. Let's stop chatting and go to sleep. We have to catch a flight tomorrow."

"One last question~"

"Alright, go ahead and ask."

"Why are you worried about the box office of 'White House Down'? I watched it and thought it was really good!"

Zhang Chen shook his head: "Actually, I regret making this film now. The formula of 'White House Down' is too outdated. Although I paid special attention to the pacing, it still couldn't hide its old-fashioned nature, and it's not in line with current trends either."

"Trends? Action movies have trends too?"

"Now everyone emphasizes teamwork. Look at Fast & Furious, it emphasizes family in every way. Mission: Impossible is also a team effort, even Taken has partners, not to mention Marvel. Audiences are already tired of the lone wolf model like Olympus Has Fallen..."

"Okay, that's the last question answered. Time for bed~"

Zhang Chen turned off the lights, plunging the presidential suite into darkness.

After a while, Zhang Chen turned the light back on: "What are you doing?" He was now holding a delicate body in his arms. "When I was in school, my acting teacher told us there's an ironclad rule in filmmaking: give the director what they want. If the director tells an actor to jump off a building, the actor has to jump. Back then, I was thinking, what if the director makes me take my clothes off?"

Then, Fan Xiaopang suddenly said to Zhang Chen, "All I can say is, 'Director, I'm all dressed up!'"

……

Domestic premiere

As China's top director, Zhang Chen's new film "White House Down" is about to hold its premiere, and naturally, all sorts of celebrities will come to support him.

Jiang Wen and Zhang Yimou both came, as did Wang Jinghua, and countless other celebrities.

Zhang Chen, the host, greeted people around the venue.

"Third Master, your seat is over there. There are a lot of people here right now, let's talk in detail later~"

"Director Yi Mou, how's the filming of 'Aftershock' going?"

"Director Jiang, I heard you're going to film 'The Thief of the Official'?"

"The Story of the Thief Official" is the same as "Let the Bullets Fly".

Jiang Wen smiled and nodded: "Yes, it's about to be turned on, that's why I came to ask for your help."

"Not enough budget?"

If the budget is truly insufficient, Zhang Chen can indeed help.

Jiang Wen is a disaster; this guy doesn't consider the budget at all when making films.

There's a joke in the industry that an investor in one of his movies initially visited the set in a BMW, but when the film was three-quarters done, he went by bicycle.

Investing in Jiang Wen's films requires being prepared to lose everything, but "Let the Bullets Fly" is one of his rare works that didn't disappoint, and it was a box office hit.

"It's not about the budget, it's about asking you to play a cameo role for me. It's nothing, just a few minutes..."

"That's no problem."

Zhang Chen readily agreed, not because he was seeking investment, which left him slightly disappointed.

Suddenly remembering something, she asked curiously, "Who did you cast to play Huang Silang?"

Jiang Wen looked at Zhang Chen with a surprised expression: "Chow Yun-fat, I know you two have a conflict, but it doesn't have to come to this point where neither of you can stand here, does it?"

Zhang Chen waved his hand with a smile: "No, that's not true. I may not like him, but I won't make excuses for it with you. I'm just curious, have you two signed a contract?"

"It's signed!"

Did he request a detached motorhome to use as a toilet?

"Oh, so that's why," Jiang Wen said, relieved. He then laughed and said, "He wouldn't dare! I'm not Zhang Weiping; I won't tolerate his bad habits."

"That's right, as expected of someone from Beijing, they really have a temper!"

While Zhang Chen joked with Jiang Wen, his contempt for Chow Yun-fat intensified.

Zhang Weiping and Wu Baige acted all high and mighty, but why did they suddenly fall silent when it came to Jiang Wen?

It's because they know they can't do it anymore.

Turning down the lead role in "Red Cliff" and taking on a minor supporting role in "Pirates of the Caribbean" did not help his career at all; on the contrary, it alienated a large number of people who had previously helped him.

He's offended people in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and he's also lost favor with people in mainland China. If he still dares to put on airs with Jiang Wen, I guess no one will hire him to make movies anymore.

They wouldn't take the role in "Red Cliff" even with 6000 million, but accepted "Let the Bullets Fly" for 2000 million. They brought it on themselves.

He didn't talk much with Jiang Wen and continued exchanging pleasantries with the others.

Jason stayed by Zhang Chen's side the whole time. Although he was the main character, there weren't many people he knew here.

Seeing Zhang Chen flitting around the venue like a butterfly, a question arose in my mind, and I couldn't help but ask, "Director Zhang, you're already so successful, why don't you go to Hollywood?"

A voice immediately rang out from behind: "Yeah, I've always wanted to ask you that too~"

It's Han Sanping.

"The film industry in Hollywood is definitely better than in China. Why don't you go to Hollywood to develop your career? At least the censorship there is much more lenient than here..."

This is also a question that Han Sanping has been racking his brains over.

Zhang Chen smiled wryly: "Hollywood isn't as wonderful as you imagine. Besides, no matter how good Hollywood is, it's still America!"

Movies made in the United States are inevitably American stories.

What I want to film are Chinese stories. I want to make audiences all over the world interested in Chinese stories and Chinese films.

"You can make Chinese stories in Hollywood too?"

Zhang Chen shook his head: "You really think so?"

Seeing the confusion in Jason's eyes: "The China they filmed over there will only be the China they see, not the China I want to film."

I want the world to see a China completely different from the impoverished and backward portrayals in the works of the Fifth and Sixth Generation directors. I want Chinese films to go global…

Chinese films can be cool, they can be synonymous with advanced productivity, and they can be completely commercialized—there's nothing remarkable about that.

Hollywood movies are fine, and so are Chinese movies.

We have our own culture and our own stories.

Westerners can be heroes, and so can Easterners.

Westerners can save the world, and so can Easterners.

As Zhang Chen spoke, he looked at Jason and also at Han Sanping.

The two could sense that Zhang Chen's words came from the bottom of his heart.

"As a director, I hope to lead Chinese films to set sail overseas. I hope that one day our domestic films can also support big productions and be sold all over the world."

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

Han Sanping was also moved by what he was said, and his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.

It feels so good to not be fighting alone.

The more Third Master looked at Zhang Chen, the more he liked him, and he made a promise: "As long as you stay true to your original aspirations, I will always stand behind you and support you."

As the leader of the domestic film industry, he sees things more clearly than others.

If Chinese films want to develop, they need to not only attract audiences to cinemas, but also actively develop and enrich their film genres.

Zhang Chen has always been ahead of everyone else in this respect.

Even in front of him~
The more you learn, the more you understand the importance of cultural confidence.

Foreign countries have it + domestic countries don't = a beacon of civilization

Not available abroad + available domestically = nobody cares

Having it abroad + having it domestically = having it abroad is superior
Advanced foreign countries + backward domestic countries = institutional advantages
Praising foreign countries + reporting domestic shortcomings = ideological awakening
Praising oneself + reporting on the shortcomings of foreign countries = pink wolf warriors
These are some formulas summarized by Zhang Chen, which are quite representative of the understanding of a segment of the Chinese people.

Look closely, what kind of rubbish is this?
(End of this chapter)