Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 398 A fight breaks out, you and Wong Fei-hung are fighting.

Chapter 398 A fight breaks out, you and Wong Fei-hung are fighting.
At this time of year, there are no restaurants or teahouses to eat at; if you want to eat, you have to go to a guesthouse or one of the state-run restaurants.

Everyone knows what a state-run restaurant is; there's a line of text posted on the wall.

Beating customers is prohibited...

Foreign guests get beaten up too!
The Japanese get beaten even harder!
Therefore, Gu Ming directly ousted Zong Daochen and found a place to sit with Director Zhang Xinyan in the guesthouse.

The translator in the middle was a local staff member surnamed Zhao. He was fluent in multiple languages and his level was quite good; he could almost provide simultaneous interpretation.

"I never imagined that you were Akira Furuya. It's been a long time since I've heard of you. Even an old man like me from a foreign land has heard of you. It's truly unbelievable that you won an award at Cannes, France not long ago."

Zhang Xinyan bowed slightly, and spoke with the air of an old scholar.

Just as Gu Ming was sizing him up, he was also scrutinizing Gu Ming in front of him.

After all, no matter how you look at it, it's quite strange that someone could suddenly solve such a big problem.

Gu Ming smiled and bowed slightly: "I am very grateful for your kindness, but I was just acting according to the director's instructions in that movie. It was Mr. Kurosawa who taught me well."

Zhang Xinyan remained silent.

Akira Kurosawa certainly held a high position; the fact that no one in later generations knows about him does not mean that no one knows about him today.

Zhou Guo promoted many of Akira Kurosawa's works in the 1950s and 60s. Just because ordinary people couldn't see them doesn't mean that internal reference materials couldn't.

But you can't say these things to outsiders.

Zhang Xinyan didn't mention the Shaolin Temple, but brought up another matter.

"In that case, two years ago our country and your country collaborated on a 'Journey to the West' series. Your country's actors even came to our country to film on location. I've seen that series, although it was somewhat... well, wildly crazy. But it also had some merits."

Zhang Xinyan paused for a moment and said, "In the credits of that work, there is also a name named Gu Guming. I wonder who that person is to you?"

"Oh, that person is me." Gu Ming said with a smile, "I was fortunate enough to participate in the behind-the-scenes production of Journey to the West, including action direction and other design."

Zhang Xinyan's face remained expressionless, but his heart skipped a beat.

The Japanese version of Journey to the West was pulled from theaters in China after only one month, because many Chinese viewers could not accept its extreme absurdity.

As the old saying goes.

A fictionalized account is not a fabrication, and an adaptation is not a random rewriting!

However, insiders see insiders, while outsiders see outsiders.

As a director, Zhang Xinyan was deeply impressed by the action design and many other aspects of the film, but he had never had the chance to discuss them with the director. He never expected to see one of the directors today.

"That Journey to the West series did have some highlights, but there were some things that were hard to understand. Could it be that people could really fly on the set?"

Zhang Xinyan asked tentatively, but Gu Ming just laughed and didn't answer directly.

"It's just filming, of course it can't fly. Director, let's get down to business."

"Let's talk business, alright." Zhang Xinyan stopped beating around the bush and only spoke after verifying his identity.

“Your Excellency’s willingness to fund the construction of Shaolin Temple is truly appreciated, but the role has already been decided,” Zhang Xinyan said. “I believe that someone of your status would not lower yourself to play a small supporting role.”

Gu Ming had known this would happen, so he wasn't surprised.

Upon hearing this, Gu Ming swirled his teacup and said slowly, "So it seems your side doesn't have the sincerity to cooperate."

"Of course we are sincere. We can offer you the Japanese rights to this film as payment."

"That won't do. At the very least, you have to give me overseas rights for the whole of Asia."

"Impossible. This film has already been handed over to Hong Kong for distribution. The best we can do is negotiate the overseas rights from Japan."

After a heated exchange, Gu Ming suddenly changed the subject: "Investment is fine, and not interfering with any creative work is also acceptable. But I want the overseas copyrights from Japan and Europe and America."

Zhang Xinyan couldn't help but let out a soft "hmm".

He was actually very happy that the film could be distributed in Japan; as for Europe and America, he didn't even dare to dream of it.

This is Shaolin Temple, telling stories of the Zhou Dynasty. How could Europeans and Americans possibly understand it?

But after Gu Ming said that, Zhang Xinyan readily agreed.

Gu Ming pretended to have a conversation with Zhang Xinyan, but Zhang Xinyan was indeed unyielding and guarded his position strictly. He was willing to take the money and give up the copyright, but he would never agree to anything else.

Having secured the overseas rights, Gu Ming decided to call it a day, raising his teacup in a gesture of acceptance: "Then let's leave business at that. I wish you all the best in advance!"

"Of course, of course..."

Gu Ming suddenly changed his mind: "Speaking of which, I was planning to recommend an actor. He is also from your Zhou Kingdom, and he is quite skilled. Director, why don't you take a look at him? Even if you don't give him a leading role, a supporting role would be good too."

Zhang Xinyan was about to refuse, but then he remembered that he had just secured an additional investment of two million yen, and that the other party had also agreed to renovate several buildings in the Shaolin Temple for filming, and would not interfere with any of the filming content.

It would be too inhumane to refuse even to the supporting actors.

Zhang Xinyan's tone softened somewhat as he said, "In that case, please come and meet me. But we must first say the unpleasant thing: the lead actor for this film has already been decided. That kid is outstanding; he's a five-time national martial arts champion. I'm afraid most actors can't compare to him."

Gu Ming couldn't help but want to laugh again.

Of course he knew he couldn't compete; that's why he agreed.

Before long, the two boys were brought before them. There was an immediate spark between them upon meeting.

The two are almost the same age, both born in 63. Donnie Yen is currently an American citizen of Chinese descent, well-informed, and proud. Jet Li is no ordinary person either, having won the national martial arts championship five times in a row. He became famous at a young age and is full of youthful vigor. He is usually treated like a star in the martial arts team. Both of them are equally proud.

The moment they met, sparks flew.

Gu Ming stepped forward and whispered a few words to Zhen Zidan.

"Dennis, whether you get the lead role depends on this. If you beat him, you'll be the lead!"

Zhen Zidan gave a thumbs up.

Don't worry! We'll definitely win!

"I'll find you a set of protective gear later. The actor said he was afraid of hurting you."

Zhen Zidan's eyes widened instantly.

Are you kidding me! He's amazing!
What kind of protective gear is this? I won't wear it! It's completely unnecessary!
Gu Ming then turned to look at Zhang Xinyan.

"Can I say a few words to the main character?"

"Of course, please."

Gu Ming and the translator Zhao then stepped forward together.

Li Lianjie looked up at Gu Ming, showing no sign of nervousness.

He's met even the President of the United States, let alone a Japanese person.

"I never imagined you were the male lead in this movie. You're truly young and promising."

Li Lianjie glanced at the translator before replying, "You flatter me."

Gu Ming nodded: "That one is the son of an old friend of mine. He is from Zhou, just like you, but he grew up in the United States. His kung fu is also very good. If possible, I hope you can have a simple spar and exchange some moves."

Li Lianjie slightly raised his head, about to refuse; he was his precious son, and he couldn't be easily harmed.

Gu Ming suddenly spoke up: "By the way, you should wear protective gear, he hits really hard."

Quack!!

After hearing what the translator said, Li Lianjie immediately looked across at the other side.

Zhen Zidan responded with a look that was almost provocative.

Hey!
Li Lianjie raised his hand and rolled up his sleeves.

"You hit me that hard? What a big mouth you've got! You want to spar? Fine, I agree!"

Gu Mingfang responded and turned back to his seat.

After Gu Ming sat down, he didn't forget to talk to Zhang Xinyan next to him.

"Don't underestimate Dennis just because he's a kid. He's already acted in many productions and is a very good action actor. He also has his own ideas about how to shoot action movies."

The translation will proceed as usual.

Zhang Xinyan heard this and his heart stirred slightly.

Put it this way.

This young man actually knows how to shoot action movies?
He gave a few perfunctory replies, then looked at the two of them together with Gu Ming.

The two already disliked each other, and Gu Ming had been fanning the flames. Now, at his command, they instantly stepped forward and attacked.

Gu Ming was well aware of the outcome, but Zhen Zidan was quite confident.

After a few moves, Zhen Zidan suddenly looked up and realized something.

Damn, he'd be easy to get killed if he didn't wear protective gear!

No, he can't go on!

Die, die, die!

When he was kicked over by Li Lianjie, Zhen Zidan had only one thought in her mind.

It’s over.