Huayu: Hard fight against Zhang Weiping at the beginning

Chapter 608 Zhao Benshan Asks for Help
When David finished speaking, Zhang Chen's first reaction was that it was absurd.

"Me? Playing the male lead in Inception?"

"Ah."

David nodded quite confidently.

"Are you kidding me? I'm the director!"

"A director can also be the lead actor. Not just in Hollywood, there are many examples of self-directed and self-acted actors in Hong Kong. As far as I know, Jackie Chan has directed and starred in many of his films."

"Yes~"

Zhang Chen suddenly became speechless, and after a long pause, he managed to stammer, "But I've never acted before, nor have I studied acting."

This time, David's tone was even more certain: "Don't worry, trust me, good directors are all good actors, without exception..."

Then, in a slightly seductive voice, he said, "Think about all the scenes you've directed, how you demanded things of them, and how they performed..."

And don't forget, I'm a top-notch producer. Even if you don't trust yourself, you have to trust my judgment!

"Okay, if you have nothing else, I'll hang up now."

"Promise me you'll seriously consider this proposal."

Zhang Chen hung up the phone, and the office suddenly fell silent. Zhang Chen sat in his boss's chair, lost in thought.

……

Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun arrived together at the front desk of Xingchen Entertainment.

Is your Director Zhang here?

"Uh... Director Zhang is in his office."

The receptionist clearly assumed they were a couple and hurriedly came out to greet them, but Han Sanping waved his hand, saying, "Don't worry about us, you go about your business, I know the place."

As Han Sanping spoke, he led Ren Zhonglun toward Zhang Chen's office, clearly very familiar with the place.

How could the receptionist really ignore it? She followed closely behind, and when they reached the office, she took a few quick steps and knocked on the door first.
"Director Zhang, Chairman Han from China Film Group and Chairman Ren from Shanghai Film Group are here!"

Before he could finish speaking, Han Sanping and Ren Zhonglun had already entered the office.

Zhang Chen then came to his senses, "What brings you two here?"

Then he looked at the receptionist reproachfully.

The receptionist was trembling with fear and on the verge of tears, but Han Sanping chuckled and defused her: "You don't need to blame her. I told her not to announce it. Let's see if you've done anything wrong, haha~"

Zhang Chen couldn't blame the receptionist anymore: "Go make two cups of tea."

The receptionist hurried away, and Zhang Chen then gestured for the two to sit down.

Han Sanping spoke first: "What's wrong? You looked so worried when you came in."

"It's nothing, I just got a phone call and there are some things I haven't figured out yet."

"Regarding the casting of Inception?"

Zhang Chen looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.

Han Sanping chuckled: "Don't be surprised. Don't forget, I'm also one of the investors. David called me and said there were problems with casting for 'Inception.' I happened to be with Lao Ren when I answered the phone, so we came over together."

Zhang Chen nodded: "There is a problem. I wanted to use A-list Hollywood actors, but several suitable candidates either have scheduling conflicts or, for some reason, are unwilling to work with us."

"You really only report the good news and not the bad. It's all because of Harvey Weinstein, isn't it? Too bad he's an independent filmmaker, we can't control him. But those Hollywood stars who rejected you, like Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon, we can just blacklist them like that..."

Han Sanping made a domineering suggestion.

Ren Zhonglun, standing nearby, looked on in astonishment: "This... isn't this a bit too domineering? It could hurt people..."

Unexpectedly, Han Sanping, standing beside him, looked at him with exasperation: "Old Ren, do you know why Shanghai Film Studio has failed to obtain import rights for films several times? It's because you worry too much. You consider this, you consider that, and you even worry about hurting people. I don't care about harmony with heaven or people, as long as it doesn't harm the Republic..."

"Old Han, what you're saying is a bit malicious. You can ban whoever you want, but have you considered the country?"
We've already been complained about by the WTO once; do you want a second time?

Han Sanping's words made Ren Zhonglun lose face.

In terms of age, Zhang Chen is their junior. How can you embarrass me like this in front of a junior?
Moreover, it's not that the labor and management are cowards; they are simply acting in the best interests of the company.

Zhang Chen certainly couldn't let the two continue arguing, so he immediately intervened, saying, "Alright, everyone calm down, it's for work..."

Just then, the receptionist brought in tea. With outsiders present, the two stopped arguing.

Zhang Chen quickly changed the subject: "Alright, everyone, have some tea. It's the finest chrysanthemum tea, good for cooling down!"

"Quickly calm them down," Zhang Chen thought. He hadn't expected that these two, who were so old and in such dangerous situations, would still be so hot-tempered.

The office fell silent for a moment.

Once the two had calmed down, Zhang Chen said, "Actually, a ban is really unnecessary; it hasn't come to that point yet..."

When Ren Zhonglun saw Zhang Chen helping him, he immediately thought, "See? This is what they mean by 'a just cause attracts much help, while an unjust cause finds little help'..."

Zhang Chen, of course, couldn't let him escalate the conflict any further, so he waved his hand to stop him from speaking: "If the actor isn't suitable, we can find another one slowly. As the old saying goes, there's always a solution to every problem..."

Han Sanping suddenly said, "David said he suggested that you take on the lead role yourself, directing and starring in this 'Inception' movie. I think it's quite suitable..."

Ren Zhonglun also said, "I think this is a good idea~"

Zhang Chen was speechless. Wait, weren't you two arguing like it was going to kill each other just now? How did you suddenly become allies?

Han Sanping recalled the time David called him before:
If a director of Zhang Chen's stature were willing to act in it himself, it would definitely be a huge draw.

Warner Bros. could certainly contact other A-list actors, but I'm sure that no matter who it is, it wouldn't be as effective as Zhang Chen himself starring.

Thinking about all this, Han Sanping became even more determined to persuade Zhang Chen to take the role himself.

"But I've never received any acting training."

Zhang Chen was still making excuses when Han Sanping interrupted him: "You're a director, you've met more directors than anyone else. Who would believe you if you said you can't act?"

What he said is true; if a director doesn't understand acting, how can he instruct the actors?
Ren Zhonglun chimed in, "I remember you told me that commercial films don't require exceptional acting skills, just above average. Even if you're not a genius actor, you should at least be above average, right?"

Zhang Chen felt like he had shot himself in the foot.

"Alright, alright, stop talking. Is this what you all came here for?"

"Uh~"

Seeing Zhang Chen lose his temper, the two dared not say anything more.

"No, we're actually here for the special effects company."

Zhang Chen looked at the two of them.

Ren Zhonglun said, "We wanted to ask you if Tiangong Yicai needs investment. If needed, Shanghai Film Group and China Film Group can both invest some money..."

Han Sanping glanced at the other party, somewhat displeased that Ren Zhonglun had deliberately placed Shanghai Film Group first, but he didn't show it. Instead, he said, "Yes, special effects will definitely play an indispensable role in the future film industry. As the industry leader, China Film Group is willing to support it..."

It's true that the two support the special effects industry, and it's also true that they want a deeper connection with Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen hesitated for a moment, then finally extended his hand: "Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"

In the special effects industry, no matter how amazing your technology is, ultimately you still need business.

By accepting investment from China Film Group and Shanghai Film Group, at least in the future, the special effects for films produced by these two companies will definitely be handled by Tiangong Yicai.

This is quite a large piece of meat.

Moreover, special effects companies are very expensive in the early stages, and it would be a real pain for Zhang Chen to do it all by himself. Now that someone is helping to share the burden, it can reduce a lot of pressure.

Having finalized the cooperation, the two left in high spirits. Before leaving, they reminded Zhang Chen that he could try directing and acting in the film himself. Zhang Chen personally saw them off, and when he returned, he saw Lu Yang receiving someone in the reception room.

Through the transparent glass, Zhang Chen could see that the person was wearing glasses. He slowed down and vaguely felt that the person looked familiar.

The bespectacled man inside noticed Zhang Chen and immediately stood up. Lu Yang followed his gaze and realized it was Zhang Chen, so he quickly opened the door and came out.

"Who is this person?"

Zhang Chen had a feeling of déjà vu, but he could never quite place it.

Lu Yang asked in surprise, "You don't recognize him?"

"Should I know him?"

"The graduate student supervised by Director Tian Zhuangzhuang is named Wen Muye. He said that Director Tian has already spoken to you..."

Zhang Chen slapped his forehead: "Oh, yes, that's right. Director Tian called last night, but I was too busy and forgot for a moment. Wait, what did you say his name was?"

Zhang Chen seemed to realize something.

“Wenmuye, ah.”

Zhang Chen glanced at Lu Yang, then at Wen Muye on the other side of the glass.

I knew it! He looked so familiar. Turns out he's the younger version of Wen Muye.

Wen Muye's path to fame in later generations was quite strange.

He was relatively unknown until he suddenly became famous because of the movie "Dying to Survive".

"Dying to Survive" is truly amazing.

Putting aside box office revenue, its impact alone was enormous, and it can be said that it pioneered the genre of realistic films.

After "Dying to Survive," filmmakers realized that realistic themes could be made.

Then, movies based on real events began to emerge, and even Zhang Yimou made "Twenty-One Demands".

Wen Muye, as the director of "Dying to Survive," took on a risk.

He's a new director, and if "Dying to Survive" is really banned, his directing career will probably be over.

Fortunately, "Dying to Survive" was a success.

Just then, Wen Muye stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Senior Brother!"

Zhang Chen nodded: "Director Tian told me that I should learn and observe more here, and experience the differences between actual film shooting and what is taught in school."

Wen Muye nodded quickly.

He graduated with his bachelor's degree last year and then got into the directing program at Beijing Film Academy, all for the sake of getting real exposure to the film industry.

Among domestic art schools, only Beijing Film Academy, Central Academy of Drama, and Shanghai Theatre Academy can be said to have resources. The others basically lead to unemployment upon graduation. Although the schools are film and television schools, they cannot provide any resources or assistance in this regard.

"Lu Yang, I'm entrusting this person to you. Have him be your assistant director for 'The Equalizer.' Don't refuse; it's a tradition at the Beijing Film Academy..."

Back then, Lu Yang hadn't even graduated yet when Fu Donglai, under the pretext of broadening his horizons, put him into the film crew to learn from Zhang Chen.

If this scene were to repeat itself, Lu Yang would simply become the same character as Zhang Chen.

……

Gravity's box office successfully surpassed 400 million in its second week.

Guo Fan was at the height of his fame, even surpassing many veteran directors.

Online sources say Guo Fan is currently the second-ranked director in China, because purely in terms of box office revenue, Guo Fan is indeed the second-ranked director in all of China.

In terms of box office revenue, only Zhang Chen can consistently outperform him.

But Zhang Chen is a prodigy, that's a consensus among ordinary people.

In the following days, Zhang Chen received numerous calls from friends in the industry, all inquiring about his self-directed and self-acted project.

The news somehow leaked out, and people are saying all over the internet that Zhang Chen's new film, "Inception," will be his directorial debut.

Fan Xiaopang and Director Chen both called specifically to inquire about his self-directed and self-acted project.

Fan Xiaopang, in particular, is quite looking forward to playing a couple on screen with Zhang Chen for the first time.

"You can, absolutely you can, I can do it, so of course you can too~" This is Fan Xiaopang.

“Acting isn’t that difficult, especially for you directors.” This is Director Chen’s statement.

"David specifically called me to ask me to talk to you. I also think it's not that serious. Staging it yourself is just a bit tiring..."

Cheng Long encouraged Zhang Chen to be brave enough to try.

Zhang Chen was indeed somewhat swayed by what they said, but he had not yet made a final decision.

Jingle bell bell~
The phone rang again. Zhang Chen glanced at the caller ID; this time it was Zhao Benshan.

"Uncle Benshan?"

"Haha, it's me. What's up? I heard you're going to direct and star in this yourself?"

"I haven't decided yet, but the news is already spreading like wildfire!"

"Haha, this is what it's like to be a celebrity."

"You're not here to try and persuade me too, are you?"

"I won't advise you; only your feet know if the shoes fit."

Zhao Benshan's words always possess a magnanimity that others lack.

"I'm calling you today because I need your help with something."

"What is it? Tell me~"

"I still have no idea about the skit for this year's Spring Festival Gala. It's almost August, and I still can't find a suitable script. I'm running out of time, so I thought of you and came to ask you for help..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen was caught in a dilemma.

In the original timeline, Lao Zhao's work in 09 was "Not Short of Money," but in this timeline, Zhang Chen created "Not Short of Money" ahead of time. Could this be considered a butterfly effect?

When Zhao Benshan heard that Zhang Chen had stopped responding, he assumed he was having trouble and laughed, "It's alright, little brother. If you don't have a good idea, just pretend I didn't say anything. I'm getting a bit anxious too..."

It is no exaggeration to say that every year during the Spring Festival Gala, half of the audience across the country tunes in specifically to see Zhao Benshan.

Let me put it this way: the Spring Festival Gala production team dared to bring Feng Gong's performance forward.

But Zhao Benshan really wouldn't dare.

If they dare to bring it up earlier, the show's ratings will plummet after Zhao Benshan's appearance.

The uncrowned king of sketch comedy is no ordinary title.

Many people watch the Spring Festival Gala just to see Zhao Benshan's skit.

Southerners may not feel it as deeply, but Northerners have a true love for Lao Zhao.

However, the 'uncrowned king' now seems to be facing the awkward situation of having no projects to film.

Zhang Chen recalled that after Zhao Benshan's song "Not Short of Money" became a hit in 2009, he gradually withdrew from the Spring Festival Gala stage.

Even if Zhang Chen wanted to help him, he wouldn't have any works to copy.

Wait a minute, who said there isn't one?
Zhang Chen suddenly realized that while Lao Zhao might not have any good works, others might.
But which one should I choose?
(End of this chapter)