Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 597: The male lead, but he can't film action scenes.
Although this work is primarily aimed at Europe and America, Gu Ming plans to complete filming in Hong Kong and Japan. Exterior scenes will be filmed in Hong Kong, and interior scenes in Japan.

The reason is simple: it's cheaper in Hong Kong.

At that time, Hong Kong was still under the free rein of the British, and the architectural style of some areas was not much different from that overseas, making it easier to film. Although filming permits were not so easy to obtain, Gu Ming actually just wanted a scene of a prestigious academy.

On the contrary, the male and female leads have always been an unresolved issue. Gu Ming does not yet have a suitable candidate in mind, and he is considering whether to find the original actors.

"Greefs." Before the director returned to China to begin preparations, Gu Ming pulled the tipsy Mark Greefs aside and asked him a few questions.

"Do you know any suitable actors? Preferably not too expensive, not very famous, but someone who can make a striking impression. The male lead should look serious, handsome, and a little melancholic. The female lead doesn't really matter; just highlight that she's a cheerleader."

Mark Griffiths opened his eyes, which were still half-closed.

"Hand the lantern, eh..."

"Wake up, Griffith!"

"Hey..."

After seeing Griffith vomit for quite some time, the Canadian gradually regained consciousness.

“Um, you mean actors? Actually, I don’t know many actors.” Griffith wiped his mouth, took the water Gu Ming handed him to rinse his mouth, and explained, “Anyway, you know my background. I’m just a director who has shot two short coming-of-age films. Because of family reasons, I had a working relationship with Columbia Pictures, so they came to me. You’ve asked the wrong person for actor resources.”

After Griffith finished speaking, he spread his hands: "Actually, your request isn't difficult. The actresses are easy to find. A cheerleader, you know, just emphasizes a big-breasted, brainless, and slutty woman. There are plenty of actresses like that. As long as the temperament is right, there won't be a problem. You just need to start casting, and you can easily find one. As for the male lead, that depends on how high your standards are. If you need to use stunt doubles for the action scenes, and specifically choose a male actor with a melancholic temperament and who is handsome enough, then there are still plenty of options."

Gu Ming silently added in his heart.

Apart from Brad Pitt.

Sometimes he doesn't quite understand Western aesthetics, and he doesn't know what's so appealing about Pitt's big jawline, or why so many people like it.

Gu Ming particularly admires the style of Charlie Sheen and the British Guo Da.

Gu Ming snapped out of his daze and casually patted Greifes on the shoulder.

"Then I'll trouble you to go back to the United States to make preparations, hold an audition, select suitable male and female leads, and make it clear in advance that the film will be released in North America, but filming will take place in Hong Kong."

To save money.

Even though Hong Kong has a high cost of living, it's not as high as the United States.

Mark Griffiths instantly sobered up, all traces of alcohol vanishing, and the rotten taste in his mouth seemed to disappear as well.

Ugh!
Griffiths scratched his head.

Audition, red sofa, that's for sure...

"I'll personally go to the audition site while you handle the initial preparations."

"Hi!"

Griffiths sighed.

You got excited for nothing.

Come to think of it, a director with $100,000 is only in this tier; how could he possibly be sitting across from the red sofa!

He has to sit on the red sofa!
Upon realizing this, Mark Griffiths was startled.

I am super.

A red sofa! Surely they won't actually let him sit on the red sofa!
……

……

The audition was, of course, held in Los Angeles, without a doubt, as it's the place with the most developed entertainment resources in the United States.

none of them.

Gu Ming had a general requirement for actors: female actors just needed to be good-looking and have enough audience appeal. Some actors were good-looking but didn't have audience appeal.

For example, Princess Guarjia.

To be fair, she is actually quite good-looking and has excellent qualities in all aspects, but she just doesn't have audience appeal. When she stands in front of the screen, she is only suitable for playing rebellious teenage girls.

Gu Ming naturally wanted to avoid this aspect.

The requirements for actresses are not high, but the requirements for actors are.

He needs to have a good enough temperament, outstanding looks, a melancholic face that looks like the kind of face that's easy to bully, to be considered a male lead, and also have that youthful vibe of an American high school student.

Gu Ming waved his hand dismissively without even looking up at the actor who didn't meet the requirements for the male lead.

"next."

The conference room door was pushed open, and Gu Ming suddenly heard Mark Griffiths make a sound that was clearly somewhat surprised. Gu Ming looked up accordingly.

"Huh?!"

Gu Ming suddenly sat up a few degrees.

A young, melancholic-looking actor stood respectfully before the group. He wore a denim jacket, had black hair, and appeared well-behaved, but a hint of rebellion occasionally flickered in his eyes.

No matter what, it's a movie with a budget of several million dollars, not a small project. As a new actor, you have to be careful just to stand here. I heard it's a Columbia Pictures project...

As for why there are Asians here? He didn't even dare to think about it.

Gu Ming tapped the table unconsciously with the cap of his pen and said, "Let's do a simple performance test first. Make a smiling face."

The actress, Xiaoxiao.

"Make a crying face next."

The actor is crying.

"I was beaten up."

cry.

"You win again!"

laugh.

Gu Ming leaned closer to Mark Griffith: "How are you feeling?"

Griffiths answered truthfully, "Not good. Looking at his resume, this guy is a complete newbie. His experience in TV dramas can hardly be called acting; he's just a bit player."

Gu Ming nodded, but circled the name.

Some people don't need acting skills, physical abilities, or the ability to do various things; they just need to stand in front of the camera to be the perfect role.

Putting aside domestic actors, Gu Ming immediately thought of the person in front of him who best fit this criterion.

Gu Ming deliberately asked, "What's your name again?"

Keanu Reeves.

“Reeves,” Gu Ming repeated, nodding. “I’ll give you two weeks to do some basic action training. The film will be released in North America as usual, but filming will need to be done in Hong Kong. Any questions?”

Keanu Reeves looked up, somewhat surprised.

That's it? He's not ready to perform yet!

But this hesitation lasted only a moment before Keanu Reeves nodded: "No problem."

“That’s good. Now go find ‘Tanaka.’ He’ll make the follow-up arrangements for you. You might have to come with us for a while. Also…” Gu Ming suddenly became serious: “No drinking, no drugs, you know what I mean?”

Keanu Reeves left with a heavy heart.

Gu Ming breathed a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, the male actor went so smoothly; the audition was completed in less than two hours, and the right person was found.

Unfortunately, this actor has only one problem.

He not only drank heavily, but his alcoholism was so severe that alcohol poisoning severely impaired his coordination. He also smoked excessively, to the point of feeling dizzy and disoriented; he was a notorious smoker.

Of course, Keanu Reeves has one redeeming quality.

Although his acting skills are not good.

But he is handsome!
Although his physical coordination is terrible.

But he is handsome!
Although he has long arms and legs, resembling a clumsy spider.

But he is handsome!
Keanu Reeves is just like Leonardo DiCaprio; although he had nothing in his youth, he had one thing in common: talent.

Handsome!
Being handsome is enough!

Mark Griffiths leaned closer.

"red……"

"Go to hell with the fame! Let the rest of the actors go back; we don't need them anymore."

There might be other stars who miss out, but Gu Ming doesn't care; Keanu Reeves is enough. Unless Tom Cruise is among the later actors, it doesn't matter who comes.

(End of this chapter)