Rebirth: I'm filming extra scenes on the set

Chapter 281 What? Jet Li was also kicked out of the crew.

Chen Cheng's decision not to release his "Lost on Journey 2" during the Spring Festival has caused an uproar in the industry.

Various producers and producers in the circle sent messages to Chen Cheng one after another.

"Director Chen, thank you very much."

"Director Chen, I'm so grateful for your kindness. Please let us know any time you need a schedule, and we will definitely cooperate."

"Director Chen, thank you for giving up your Spring Festival slot. Let's have a drink sometime."

"Director Chen..."

Looking at these text messages, Chen Cheng smiled slightly.

Some of the producers are acquainted with each other in these text messages.

There are also some that I don’t recognize.

But whether you know me or not.

Chen Cheng took the initiative not to appear in the Spring Festival period, but he won the favor of many domestic producers.

Chen Cheng actually didn't care about it.

He has released too many films before.

It also won a lot of box office and broke a series of records.

Although the Spring Festival period is good, there is no need to dominate this period all the time.

It would also be good to leave some space for other domestic filmmakers.

……

Lunar calendar December 2010, 12.

Chen Cheng returned to his hometown to celebrate the New Year.

This year's Chinese New Year is more relaxed.

Although there are three films released, all three films were invested by Chen Cheng, so Chen Cheng does not need to worry too much.

As for Lost on Journey 2, it has not been released yet.

So Chen Cheng could go home and celebrate the Spring Festival with peace of mind.

As always.

When Chen Cheng returned home, he would chat and have dinner with his old classmates.

On New Year's Eve, Chen Cheng returned to his hometown ancestral hall as he did every time before and took the lead.

Don't know why.

This year's first shot is more lively than in previous years.

At 11 o'clock in the evening, a group of friends from the same village were waiting in the ancestral hall for midnight to arrive.

See Chen Cheng appear.

A bunch of childhood friends who grew up together said, "Director Chen, you just arrived."

Chen Cheng smiled and said, "What's going on, everyone? It's only 11 o'clock and you're already waiting?"

"That's not right. We can't let you always be the first."

Chen Cheng said, "I haven't always been first, right? Look at the situation now. You are cheating. We agreed that you can't light firecrackers before 12 o'clock."

Everyone laughed. "It's a must. If anyone orders before 12 o'clock, we will kick him out of the family."

"Correct."

A group of childhood playmates are scattered all over the world and only get together once a year.

Like everyone else, Chen Cheng sat casually by the tea pavilion in the ancestral hall.

A man named "Xin Gu" nearby said, "Chen Cheng, which movie did you release during the Chinese New Year this year? We looked and it seems we didn't see it."

Chen Cheng said: "The schedule is not arranged well this year, so it will not be released during the Spring Festival."

“So when will it be released?”

"It depends, maybe in March."

"March is such a slow season. Besides, we are all working in March. How can we watch your film?"

"I also want to be in the Spring Festival period, but there are too many movies during the Spring Festival period, and it would be inconvenient for me to be in it."

"Is this because they are afraid that other films will be beaten to the point where they don't even make 1000 million at the box office?"

For a moment, everyone laughed.

Another friend named "Lin Gu" also said at this time: "Chen Cheng, do you think I can play a role?"

"sure."

"Really?"

"What's our relationship? If you want to come, come to Hengdian to find me anytime."

"It was agreed that I would play the villain."

"What kind of villain?"

"He is the villain who is surrounded by beautiful women."

"This villain looks low-class at first glance."

"I don't care. I want a villain like this."

"Okay, okay, come here, I'll set one for you personally."

Without realizing it, time passed quickly.

Everyone had a great time chatting.

Although many people admire Chen Cheng, we are no longer children.

Everyone has their own path.

Chen Cheng’s ability to become a great director is a honor to the Chen family.

Seeing that 0 o'clock is approaching.

Chen Cheng said: "Everyone get ready, it will be midnight soon."

Dozens of people stood up and took out lighters, ready to start the fire.

Chen Cheng came up with a suggestion and said, "Brothers, I have an idea."

"what idea?"

"Look, we're all trying to get first place, but there's only one first place, and it's not good if we don't get it. How about this, we connect all the firecrackers together, and when the time comes, we light them all together. That way, all of us will be first, how about that?"

"This is good."

When Chen Cheng said this, everyone applauded.

Then they connected the firecrackers they brought together.

The time came to 0 o'clock.

Red...red...bang bang bang...

The firecrackers made by a group of friends looked like a fire dragon, crackling in front of the entrance of the Chen Ancestral Hall.

Everyone celebrated with each other and welcomed the arrival of the New Year.

"Happy New Year."

"Chen Cheng, I wish you can create new records for Chinese films in the new year."

"Thank you, and I wish you a prosperous New Year..."

……

Many films performed well during the 2011 Spring Festival.

Although there is no "Lost on Journey 2" starring Chen Cheng, the other films are also very popular.

Such as "Let the Bullets Fly" directed by Jiang Wen.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, he ranked first with a box office of over 4000 million.

Although some other films cannot be compared with "Let the Bullets Fly", they also have good box office results.

Such as the three films invested by Chen Cheng.

"Love is Not Blind", "Love Is Not Blind" and the animated film "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf".

All three films earned more than 1000 million yuan at the box office on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Especially Love Is Not Blind.

This film had the lowest production cost, but its box office reached over 2000 million on New Year's Day.

This is when the film scheduling is not very favorable.

Others such as Donnie Yen's "Wu Xia" and "Guan Yunchang" also performed well. Industry insiders predict that the box office may reach more than 1.5 million.

Although such a box office is nothing compared to the 10 billion created by Chen Cheng.

But compared with the previous National Day period when the box office of 8 Hong Kong films did not exceed million yuan, this performance is already quite good.

A number of media outlets also expressed this after compiling the statistics.

In 2011, the domestic Spring Festival movie box office rose across the board, increasing by 30% year-on-year.

Whether the films are produced in the mainland or in Hong Kong, they have received very high attention and box office.

It is worth mentioning that.

Although Chen Cheng's film was not released.

But Chen Cheng's figure can be seen everywhere during the Spring Festival period.

This is not because Chen Cheng accepted any interview.

But it is some other filmmakers who mention Chen Cheng from time to time.

Such as Zhen Zaidan.

He has two films released during the Spring Festival. When interviewed by the media, he kept thanking Chen Cheng.

He also said that if Chen Cheng had not agreed to let him play Ip Man, he would not be where he is today.

Chen Kexin and Huang Baiming were also mentioned in media interviews.

It is said that Chen Cheng was righteous and voluntarily withdrew from the Spring Festival period, which gave them the opportunity to have these films.

This interview made many fans understand why there was no Chen Cheng movie during the 2011 Spring Festival.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to go.

There is no other reason.

It was Chen Cheng who took the initiative to withdraw.

As for why you quit?
Why else.

Look at the interviews with these filmmakers, they are all for the purpose of having better box office for these domestic films.

"Mr. Dayi." "Mr. Dayi."

"Sir, righteousness..."

A group of fans went to Chen Cheng’s Weibo and Tieba and posted this message.

……

Chen Cheng didn't think he was very righteous.

He just knew.

If Chinese films want to rise, they cannot rely on Chen Cheng alone.

He just has a series of experiences and vision from his previous life.

My current situation is much better than that of many filmmakers, so I would like to help everyone if I can.

This also makes Chen Cheng more comfortable this year than in previous years.

Although the Chinese New Year had long passed, he waited until after the Lantern Festival before setting off for Hengdian.

Originally I was going to school.

However, the two TV series he produced earlier had started filming, so Chen Cheng wanted to go and take a look.

One is "Gu Jian Qi Tan" and the other is the new version of "Swordsman".

All the roles for both films have been decided.

Chen Cheng came to the crew, greeted everyone, said a few words, and then left.

Although he is the producer, he basically lets go of the TV series, either handing it over to Wu Jingyuan or Zhang Lu.

Learned that Chen Cheng came to Hengdian.

Cheng Xiaodong, who had a good relationship with Chen Cheng, excitedly called Chen Cheng.

"Chen Cheng, are you in Hengdian?"

"Yes, I just arrived."

“I’m in Hengdian too.”

"Oh, Director Cheng, do you have a new movie? It's a new movie, and the main character is Jet Li."

"Oh my god, this is a big production."

"What big production? It's giving me a headache. Are you free tonight? Let's chat about it."

"OK."

I have a pretty good relationship with Cheng Xiaodong.

On the one hand, Cheng Xiaodong and Chen Cheng are both martial artists.

On the other hand, the two also worked together on the opening ceremony of the Olympics that year.

……

That night.

Chen Cheng met Cheng Xiaodong in a teahouse in Hengdian.

Cheng Xiaodong came with a script and handed it to Chen Cheng, asking Chen Cheng to help him check it.

As soon as Chen Cheng saw the name of the script, he immediately knew what the play was.

"Legend of the White Snake".

This drama left an impression on Chen Cheng in his previous life.

The protagonist is Jet Li and the female role is Huang Shengyi.

As for Lin Feng who played Xu Xian, he just became a supporting role and left no impression at all.

This is certainly not because Lin Feng acted badly.

That's how the script was originally set up.

Add to that Jet Li's films, how many people can outshine Jet Li?

Although Jet Li is a big star, his price is also high.

This is not.

Chen Cheng just looked at the script, and Cheng Xiaodong said, "Lianjie offered us 1 million yuan."

Chen Cheng nodded: "Isn't this his normal price?"

"I know, but it's still a sky-high price. Who can afford 1 million? Old Monster Xu even asked you to help him in the beginning."

"Director Cheng, do you want me to help you bargain?"

"Correct."

“How much do you want to cut?”

"5000."

"Pfft..."

Chen Cheng was choked by Cheng Xiaodong before he could even drink a sip of tea.

"Director Cheng, do you think Lianjie has no face? He cut 1 million to 5000 million. It's not like he's out of fashion."

Of course.

In general.

Jet Li is past his prime.

But even if it did, it would not have dropped so drastically.

Say.

Last year, "Flying Daggers of Dragon Gate" had such a good box office.

Although Chen Cheng is partly responsible for this, it also proves Jet Li's value on another level.

"We didn't want to either, but we did some budgeting and we could only come up with 5000 million. Even at 5000 million, it's still top-tier in China."

"5000 million is indeed a top price, but I think I'll just let it go. I'm embarrassed to bargain with Jet Li."

If it means cutting 10 or 20 million, Chen Cheng could still go.

But what if it’s half price?

Even if Chen Cheng went there, Jet Li would not give him face.

"Have you confirmed Jet Li?"

Chen Cheng asked.

"Ah."

Cheng Xiaodong nodded.

"What's going on with you guys? You said the budget didn't pass, but you confirmed Jet Li. Is this how you shoot a movie?"

Chen Cheng was extremely confused.

Cheng Xiaodong clapped his hands and said, "You know that Hong Kong has always been like this."

"Ok."

Chen Cheng nodded.

This is true.

A lot of the time when you're shooting movies in Hong Kong, you feel like you're just messing around.

Sometimes the script is not written yet, but the cast and crew have been confirmed.

Sometimes, the script runs out during filming, and the screenwriter and director have to write it on the spot.

Some people even changed actors during filming.

Anyway, most of the time, when an idea comes to them, they just go for it.

Although this production method did bring a series of classics to Hong Kong films during the heyday of Hong Kong.

However, with the decline of Hong Kong films, this production method has been increasingly criticized in the industry.

"Besides, I'm just a director, not a producer."

“Who is the producer?”

"Ms. Cui."

"It's her."

Ms. Cui’s full name is Cui Baozhu.

He can be said to be one of the big names in Hong Kong film.

She is very low-key in the Hong Kong industry.

However, she was the one who made Jet Li famous and was called by Jet Li as one of the important women in his life.

Many of Jet Li's films, such as Bodyguard from China, Fong Sai-yuk, Tai Chi Master, Fist of Fury, Once Upon a Time in China... were produced by her.

At the same time, she also participated in the planning of major works such as "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Kung Fu", "CJ7" and so on.

"What does Ms. Cui mean?"

Chen Cheng asked.

"Ms. Cui wants to use Lianjie. Her relationship with Lianjie is unmatched by most people."

Cheng Xiaodong said helplessly.

Chen Cheng smiled and said, "You don't want to use Jet Li?"

Cheng Xiaodong said: "How could that be? It's just that Lianjie's price-performance ratio is not high. He is worth this price in Hollywood, but in China, as you know, most people can't afford it. For example, during the Spring Festival this year, the box office of "The Expendables" he starred in only exceeded 1 million."

"More than 1 million is pretty good. He's not the leading male role. Lianjie is just one of the leading actors."

"But everyone went there just for his reputation."

Chen Cheng took a sip of tea and put the script aside.

"Chen Cheng, what's going on? I asked you to come and help me with some advice, but you didn't say anything."

"What can I say?"

Chen Cheng smiled and said, "You are the director and Ms. Cui is the producer. I can still kick him out of the crew."

"Hey, how did it feel to kick Brother Cheng Xi last time?"

Cheng Xiaodong secretly admired him.

For decades, the only person who could kick Cheng Xi out of the crew was Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng said, "What do you mean by kicking? Brother Cheng Xi, who dares to kick me? I am inviting you, please understand."

"Yes, yes, please... or you can ask Lianjie to leave the crew as well."

Look at Chen Cheng.