Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 211: Two Dragons Meet and Slap Their Thighs

"Wow! Gu Sheng, it's been a long time since I saw you. You look so handsome again!"

As soon as they met, Cheng Long gave Gu Ming a bear hug, but he naturally declined.

No hugging!
I don’t know where Cheng Long got this habit from, but he kisses everyone he sees, both women and men. Everyone Cheng Long has kissed over the years has become an emoticon.

This time, Cheng Long came with Yasuaki Kurata. Since they couldn't speak the same language, they needed an interpreter.

Gu Ming did not come alone. He also brought Yuan Qiu from the Maoyan crew. Cheng Long said he came to visit the set.

Of course, most likely they were just here to have fun, and visiting the set was just a passing incident...

After some chatting and laughing, they sat down in a nearby restaurant.

"Our last meeting was truly extraordinary. After returning, my luck turned for the better. I made two films in a row, and they were box office hits!"

Cheng Long waved his thick arms repeatedly, unable to hide his excitement.

Although Yuan Qiu didn't earn that much, she was happy for her junior brother.

Gu Ming said slowly, "I wonder how much you got paid for these two movies?"

Cheng Long: ...

This hit his lungs.

By the way, Cheng Long was not called Cheng Long before, but Chen Gangsheng, with the stage name Yuan Lou. After Lo Wei signed him, he changed his name to Cheng Long, considering him as Li Xiaolong's successor. The contract he signed at that time was for a basic salary of 3,000 Hong Kong dollars, with bonuses calculated separately.

At that time, Jackie Chan was worthless, so 3,000 Hong Kong dollars was of course a good salary. Later, he made several movies, each one worse than the last. Distributors didn't want to take the role because they saw Jackie Chan in them, so Jackie Chan was even more embarrassed to ask for a raise.

Seeing that two of his movies became huge hits this year, Cheng Long finally plucked up the confidence to go to Lo Wei to see if he could give him a raise.

Luo Wei is indeed very generous.

He was offered a salary of 6,000 yuan.

It doubled!
At this moment, Cheng Long became upset when Gu Ming mentioned the issue of film remuneration.

A movie sold millions at the box office, but his salary was only 6,000!

This time I came to Japan to play, also under the pretext of visiting the set, and to relax at the same time.

Cheng Long knew that dirty laundry should not be aired in public, so he was very secretive about his own affairs, and just made excuses: "As for the pay...acting in movies is something that is very important. How can we talk about the pay? It also depends on the characteristics of the work!"

Gu Ming smiled and didn't say anything else.

If you poke Brother Long’s lungs again, he will die!

Gu Ming was too embarrassed to act like a prophet because next year Lo Wei would have Cheng Long shoot several films of the same type, which would make the audience almost sick, and he would still get a salary of 6,000 yuan.

Cheng Long became more and more dissatisfied.

Finally, Golden Harvest found Jacky Cheung and offered him a signing fee of HK$4.2 million. Jacky Cheung ran to Golden Harvest on the spot.

Of course Lo Wei was furious, but Golden Harvest was not a small company and its operations were not so clean. In the end, the two sides shook hands and made peace, and Jackie Chan was given to Golden Harvest.

Lo Wei did bring Jackie Chan to prominence, but the 6,000 yuan salary was indeed not reasonable.

If it were Gu Ming, he would also have to run away even if he was paid HK$6,000 for a movie.

Gu Ming no longer mentioned the salary, but only talked about the work, and Cheng Long was happy when he talked about the work.

"I've seen it all too clearly in Hong Kong these days. That kind of film isn't for me. This humorous style, on the other hand, can actually produce some results. Those reporters are all so annoying. When the box office isn't good, they want to beat me into a crevices. But when it's good, they only have nice things to say."

When talking about reporters, Cheng Long slapped his thigh in anger.

Yasuaki Kurata silently changed the position of his hand.

Slap your own legs! Gu Ming was very aware of Cheng Long's predicament. He drank the tea in his cup slowly and asked intentionally or unintentionally: "I heard that your two films were loaned out. I wonder how much they paid to hire you to film there?"

Cheng Long raised his palm and gestured. "Fifty thousand Hong Kong dollars, both movies are fifty thousand Hong Kong dollars."

Then he got zero...

Because this fee was given to Luo Wei, theoretically he and Luo Wei split it in half, but in reality he only received a basic salary of 6,000 yuan from Luo Wei.

Gu Ming did a quick calculation.

Not to mention, it's quite cheap! For just HK$50,000, you can borrow Cheng Long from Lo Wei to film a movie.

Luo Wei would not care about small things like a cameo appearance in Seven, but if it was a serious filming and there was a role above supporting role, he would definitely have to ask Luo Wei for loan.

Gu Ming estimated that he had to shoot it as soon as possible, taking advantage of Luo Wei's stinginess, and he could borrow the person for 50,000 Hong Kong dollars.

When Cheng Long went to Golden Harvest, the price went up dramatically. At that time, Cheng Long had a godfather, and Ho Kuan Chang set a bunch of rules for Cheng Long, and the price was incredibly high.

Gu Ming made up his mind and said, "Actually, I'm planning to make a film next year. I wonder if I'll have a chance to talk to Mr. Luo about your situation."

"Oh? Gu Sheng wants to film his own show?"

Cheng Long was quite surprised. To be able to invest on his own, he would need a lot of money!
"Come to think of it, I don't know what Gu Sheng is busy with."

Gu Ming said "oh".

It's just average. I filmed two seasons of Maoyan, acted in two seasons of Kamen Rider, and worked as a martial arts director for the Journey to the West crew for a few months. It's not a big achievement.

Cheng Long felt upset after hearing this and took a sip of tea in silence.

In comparison, I always feel that he has had a very unsuccessful year.

"If you want to film, you still have to go to my adoptive father. I can't make the decision myself. If I have 50,000 Hong Kong dollars, he should agree."

Gu Ming responded. He had originally wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.

Next year, Gu Ming plans to ask Cheng Long to make an action movie, and start secretly adding value to the Japanese and conducting invisible output.

If there is extra money, then study and make "Sailor Suit and Machine Gun". This movie itself is the work of Yaowanzi, and it tells the story of a JK and four macho men's gang journey.

"Unfortunately, I don't have much time left and can't continue entertaining you. I have to go back there and work as a killing array master in the next few days."

Gu Ming estimated the time and decided to arrange for Cheng Long to play a few guest roles before leaving.

"Are you interested in making a cameo here?"

Cheng Long's eyes lit up instantly.

This is good! He likes this!

This kind of short, impromptu guest appearance is not difficult, and you can keep the money you are paid for, without having to be humiliated by Lo Wei for charging 6,000 Hong Kong dollars.

He felt very happy.

Cheng Long happily slapped his thigh.

Yasuaki Kurata looked at him again, seeming to want to say something but stopping himself.

Gu Ming also slapped his thigh: "Then it's settled!"

Next year, Gu Ming plans to make a typical "two-hero" movie, in layman's terms, it will have two male protagonists, each with his or her own characteristics. From beginning to end, the highlight is the action design.

Without the right partner, this dual male lead drama wouldn't really work! After all, the partner has to be able to fight too.

Yasuaki Kurata also nodded, then silently took Gu Mingshou away.

When did this bastard learn bad habits from Cheng Long? Where are he clapping his hands?
(End of this chapter)