Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 483 I'll act in a Taiga drama, you'll drive a jeep.

In Gu Ming's small office, the two stood there, looking at Gu Ming with slight trepidation.

Generally speaking, when Gu Ming wants to talk to someone alone, it's usually a good thing.

"To make a long story short, a producer from TBS contacted me today, hoping that Mango's new work could be broadcast on TBS. TBS is very wealthy, even richer than TV Tokyo. Considering this, I think it's necessary to produce a work to succeed Ultraman 80."

The two seemed to understand something, but they didn't dare to say it aloud.

“Zhenxia Long, you have acted in many works over the years, and your ability and fame have improved considerably. However, you have never really had a chance to take on a leading role. Therefore, I hope that you will play the lead role in this work. If the work is successful, the benefits to you will be immeasurable.”

Regardless of his excited expression, Gu Ming looked at Mori Tsuyoshi.

"Mr. Moritsugu, although you have played leading roles before, the ratings for 'Dinosaur Special Koseidon' were not very good. Although you have often played supporting roles since then, it is still a bit lacking."

Koji Moritsugu nodded, looking quite composed.

Over the years of performing, he has realized that he probably doesn't have the ability to truly take on leading roles. If he insists on playing the main character, then he will only be able to return to his hometown to inherit his family's construction company in Hokkaido.

So, he has been watching the videotapes repeatedly these days to hone his acting skills.

“There is an extremely important character in this play, equivalent to the second male lead. He is the mentor on the male protagonist’s path of training and a trustworthy and reliable captain. I need him to have a mature and steady side. After thinking it over, I think you are the most suitable for this role – Tetsutaro Tsutomu.”

Gu Ming essentially used the original case's name directly, and of course, he also used the original case's plot, so that it wouldn't be so abstract.

Koji Moritsugu nodded solemnly: "I will do my utmost."

"Talking to me is useless, just believe in yourself. I'll have someone get the script out later. You two should keep in touch during this time, and take the Jeep out for drives often. I hope that when filming starts, you'll feel like comrades supporting each other. Oh, and one more thing..."

Gu Ming paused for a moment before speaking: "Come to my house for a get-together sometime. I need to introduce you to Mr. Jin Cheng so that we can tailor a script to your needs."

After he finished speaking, Gu Ming patted the two of them on the thighs, his face full of encouragement.

On such a beautiful day, Gu Ming wanted to take his beloved Jeep for a spin. He even had Xiao Quan rent a convertible Jeep!
I believe that many years later, the two of them will be deeply grateful to him.

After seeing the two off, Gu Ming reviewed the work arrangements.

He does have some film offers. Although "Hakkenden Satomi" is good, that film is from multiple perspectives and lacks a fixed male lead. He can act in it, but it can't be his main film; he needs to have other ideas of his own.

"Hmm... a TV station, NHK? Then it must be a Taiga drama? I might want to check it out."

Come to think of it, Gu Ming realized that he had never participated in a serious drama like a Taiga drama before!
Let's leave it blank for now and go check it out later.

Gu Ming then flipped through the other film contracts.

"The Village of Doom" is a low-budget film about a famous incident in Japanese history called the "Okayama Incident." It tells the story of a young man who was about to be drafted into the army who killed more than 30 people in a village in two hours before committing suicide.

Gu Ming definitely won't take this role.

"The Imperial Japanese Navy... I think I absolutely cannot accept this film!"

Gu Ming's hand trembled, and he threw the next invitation directly into the trash can.

The film tells the history of the Japanese Navy, and they hope he will play the role of Togo Heihachiro.

However, Gu Ming doesn't want to be like Togo Heihachiro!
"And this one is, um? Kukai?"

Gu Ming paused for a moment.

Kukai was a renowned high-ranking monk in Japanese history.

This film is about Kukai's story, and Toei invested in it.

Director: Junya Sato.

The film is also a Sino-Japanese co-production, and will be filmed on location in Japan. It has a huge investment, at least several hundred million yen.

"such a pity!"

Gu Ming shook his head. The film was good, but he wouldn't act in it.

Moreover, Junya Sato is actually a rather complicated person.

Instead of doing that, Gu Ming thought it would be better to contact the Narayama Ballad production team.

I'm not trying to exaggerate, but these kinds of films that reflect the darkness, ignorance, and stupidity of Asian countries are quite popular in Europe and America!

If we submit this film to Cannes, it might even be a contender for the Palme d'Or!
"Alright, I'm not watching anymore! Togo Heihachiro is boring, and I don't want to go see Kukai either. Let's go watch that Taiga drama instead!"

Gu Ming carefully looked through the film offer invitations.

NHK Taiga drama, Tokugawa Ieyasu

This Taiga drama will depict the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu, telling the story of the turbulent Sengoku period in Japan from Tokugawa Ieyasu's perspective, until the unification of Japan.

Gu Ming couldn't help but scratch his head.

"You're not going to ask me to play Tokugawa Ieyasu, are you? I've heard Tokugawa Ieyasu is quite ugly!"

Tokugawa Ieyasu, known as the Old Tanuki, was the Japanese Sima Yi! He was the creator of Mikata-hara miso soup!
Legend has it that when Tokugawa Ieyasu participated in the Battle of Mikatagahara, he was so frightened by the enemy that he soiled his pants. Because of the shape of the soil, it was called "miso soup".

Many people are unfamiliar with Japan's Sengoku period, but once you mention Sima Yi, you'll know what kind of person Tokugawa Ieyasu was.

Gu Ming thought to himself, "It would be so boring to have him play Tokugawa Ieyasu!"

……

……

Outside the office, Manatsu Ryu and Moritsugu Koji looked at the jeep in front of them.

"Mori-kun, why do you think Furuya-san made us drive a Jeep?"

"I don't know. I guess it's because jeeps are used by the military, and riding together would give us a feeling of being comrades-in-arms!"

Koji Moritsugu wasn't too sure either, so he closed his eyes and guessed.

Zhen Xialong gave a thumbs up: "You're really smart. So, can you drive? Just so you know, I can't!"

"Driving? I'm an absolute pro!"

Koji Moritsugu grinned.

He was a forklift expert when he worked on construction sites!

He immediately got into the jeep in the open space where the cargo was being unloaded at the port, drove around and gave it a demonstration, which went quite smoothly.

Zhenxia Long couldn't stop smiling and kept clapping his hands.

That's great, that's impressive! Mori-kun really knows how to drive!
Could this be the bond that Brother Gu asked him to find?

"So I……"

As he was pondering this matter, he saw the jeep suddenly rushing towards him.

Koji Moritsugu looked terrified.

Dragon! Run! I've released the accelerator, but the brakes aren't working well!

Zhen Xialong was shocked. He immediately lunged forward and instantly hooked himself onto the lamppost, clinging tightly to it with both hands and legs. The jeep bent the lamppost and eventually stalled, emitting a thick plume of smoke.

Looking down at the scene below, Zhenxialong couldn't help but swallow hard.

This is too scary!
Why did he have this strange feeling that he was destined to clash with Jeeps?
(End of this chapter)