Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 632 The Arrival of the Heisei Era

Japan is a major horse racing nation, with an almost fanatical passion for the sport.

However, in the mid-1980s, the Japanese horse racing world entered an exceptionally dull phase. It was widely believed that the horse racing world during this period was very boring, the races were not exciting enough, and there was a lack of outstanding horses.

Until 1988, a new racehorse with a reed-haired body suddenly appeared, breaking the boring horse racing game of the 1980s.

This horse was born unable to stand on its own due to an illness and required hoof amputation. Although it was a thin foal throughout its life, it had a big appetite and would eat anything, so it eventually grew into a strong racehorse.

Ultimately, by a twist of fate, it became an unavoidable name in the Japanese horse racing world.

'Little chestnut hat'.

Of course, its current name is 'Gugu Hat'.

……

……

Since 1988, a series of chaotic events have occurred in Japan.

For example, in 1989, Emperor Hirohito passed away in Tokyo from duodenal cancer, and his passing was not peaceful.

The following day, Crown Prince Akihito became the new Emperor of Japan, and the Japanese era name was changed from Showa to Heisei.

In 1991, after nearly a decade of extravagance and debauchery, Japan's economic bubble finally burst, and the lives of its citizens plummeted.

Despite this, the wealthy remain just as wealthy.

Even the five major Japanese film companies were significantly impacted, and Toho's path to the top in Japan began in that year.

Because Toho couldn't compete with other film studios in the 1980s, it shifted its focus from film production to operating a cinema chain and investing in building movie theaters.

As a capital-intensive industry, cinemas are less affected by economic crises, which ironically made Toho the only one of Japan's five major film companies to achieve industry monopoly after the bubble economy burst.

Even Toei is a level below in this respect.

In the same year, Emperor Akihito of the Heisei era met with Akira Furuya, an actor he had always admired, at the Imperial Palace and awarded him a special medal, the Order of Culture of Japan.

……

……

In September 1991, during the autumn season, Gu Mingfang boarded a passenger ship bound for Tianjin.

Some people were greatly affected in 1991, but he wasn't.

Gu Ming didn't do anything else, he just accepted some cheap real estate and a few buildings, and incidentally, he formalized things a little.

'91 Video,' which was established based on videotape distribution, may not be as established as the five major film companies, but it is still a significant player below them. It has branches in many Asian countries and accepts and distributes videotapes of various independent films across Asia.

Everything at Mangoku Company is thriving. Although some of their productions aren't particularly impressive, they're far better than the half-dead state they were in the original timeline.

However, Gu Ming came to Zhou State this time for only one thing.

CCTV's "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

As early as 1989, Zhou Guo had the intention to film Romance of the Three Kingdoms, but it failed to materialize due to funding issues. At that time, NHK contacted Zhou Guo, but the cooperation failed to be reached for various reasons.

Gu Ming came here this time on behalf of NHK, Toei, and Akihito, with the intention of securing the deal.

The stories of the Three Kingdoms period are very popular in Japan, a fact that Gu Ming wasn't the only one aware of. However, Zhou Guo had its own bottom line; it wouldn't easily accept acting roles, let alone investments, and would only agree to copyright collaborations at most. That's why Gu Ming had the opportunity to come to Zhou Guo to negotiate, receiving commissions from multiple companies simultaneously.

As the passenger ship entered the port, Gu Ming, carrying a small briefcase, disembarked with Tanaka and the other two.

Someone was already waiting for him with a sign in hand.

"Mr. Furuya, welcome, welcome!" The visitor was all smiles and had the typical features of an old-fashioned scholar.

Zhang Shaolin participated in both Romance of the Three Kingdoms and Water Margin.

Gu Ming maintained a reserved smile and nodded slightly.

Speak Chinese, I can understand it.

"Ah...that's wonderful."

Zhang Shaolin breathed a slight sigh of relief, though he wasn't very good at speaking Japanese.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Zhang Shaolin made no attempt to hide his expression as he peered at the two people behind him through the rearview mirror.

"Mr. Furuya is truly a renowned figure, with considerable influence and numerous works published in Japan and the United States. Not long ago, his work won his second Palme d'Or at Cannes, France, and..."

Zhang Shaolin paused for a moment, thinking of certain rumors and Gu Ming's close ties with Hong Kong.

Although some things are not easy to deduce, the person in front of me is undoubtedly pro-China.

Gu Ming smiled reservedly: "I'm just an actor. The excellence of the work is thanks to the entire crew. Rather, I should thank them for winning the Palme d'Or with an excellent film, which also benefited me."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the car drove along the road towards Baijing, when Gu Ming suddenly spoke.

"Let's skip the formalities. The story of the Three Kingdoms period has always been popular in Japan. We have also produced several films, TV series, and even games related to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. So this time, I am here on someone's behalf with the idea of ​​cooperation."

Zhang Shaolin suddenly gripped the armrest, looking somewhat nervous.

Without a doubt, this is the real business. All the flattery is for the sake of this business. Gu Ming said, "Selling overseas copyrights to Japanese television stations, allowing them to conduct distribution, promotion, and other related work in Japan, is the client's request."

Zhang Shaolin nodded.

Gu Ming continued, "However, besides them, I also have some personal requests."

Zhang Shaolin suddenly looked up, waiting for Gu Ming to continue.

Gu Ming smiled, revealing a perfectly standard smile.

"I heard that the production team seems to be short of funds."

Zhang Shaolin was slightly taken aback, but immediately shook his head: "It's fake, it's all rumors. In fact, the production team's funding problem has already been solved. Mr. Gu Gu may not know, but this is a national project. Everything will be handled with the highest standards. Food, clothing, accommodation, transportation, actor training, funding is not a problem."

Gu Ming smiled but said nothing.

Funding is a huge problem!

The CCTV production of Romance of the Three Kingdoms cost over 100 million yuan and consisted of 84 episodes. It featured numerous grand scenes and had a crew far larger than that of smaller production teams. The filming process lasted for three years.

Considering the gradually increasing funds available in the 1990s, 170 million was really not enough.

Of course, the yen exchange rate fluctuated greatly in the 1990s, but Gu Ming had already taken some precautions. If he needed to spend money, he would spend Hong Kong dollars instead of yen.

Zhang Shaolin felt a chill run down his spine at Gu Ming's smile. He gritted his teeth and finally spoke.

"If Mr. Furuya is willing to invest, that would be best. However, I wonder what Mr. Furuya's conditions are?"

Gu Ming held up one finger.

"15 million Hong Kong dollars. I want all overseas video rights to belong to '91 Video'. If conditions permit, actors need to go to Japan to cooperate in promotion. All rights include various audio-visual rights, behind-the-scenes content, etc. If there are any scarce filming equipment or props, I have personal connections that can solve this problem. Other than that, I only have one condition: I want a role."

Zhang Shaolin hissed.

This matter is absolutely terrifying!
Fifteen million yen isn't a lot of money when the exchange rate is plummeting, but fifteen million Hong Kong dollars is a different story.

Fifteen million Hong Kong dollars is roughly equivalent to more than twenty million RMB in the 1990s, while the total investment for this TV series was only 170 million RMB, which had to be paid in batches rather than all at once.

but.

Zhang Shaolin was in a dilemma! The main role had already been cast, and he couldn't easily give it away!
Sun Quan, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Zhuge Liang are the absolute protagonists, and it's impossible for foreigners to play them; this involves a matter of principle.

In another world, Toei once discussed cooperation terms, requiring Sonny Chiba to play Cao Cao and Hiroyuki Sanada to play Zhuge Liang, but this condition was rejected outright.

"However, if so many problems could be solved..."

Zhang Shaolin felt a bit thirsty, so he unscrewed his thermos and took a sip of water before speaking: "Mr. Furuya, which role would you like?"

As soon as he spoke, he was surprised to find that his voice was somewhat hoarse.

He certainly couldn't make the decision alone, but it's also difficult to get others to disagree with something like this.

Zhang Shaolin's personal bottom line is 'Zhao Yun'. He has heard about the man's deeds and knows that he is an action actor. If he had to choose a role, then Zhao Zilong is probably the only choice.

Under Zhang Shaolin's nervous gaze, Gu Ming said, "I want to play Lü Bu."

Zhang Shaolin was stunned.

A foreigner!

It cost HK$15 million!

I need to buy the copyrights and play a role.

These demands are not excessive at all.

But he doesn't play Zhao Yun, nor Guan Yu or Zhang Fei.

He's going to play Lü Bu!
Zhang Shaolin covered his forehead.

Akira Furuya has gone mad; he wants to play Lü Bu!

"My God!" Zhang Shaolin wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.

"Well, Mr. Furuya, you may not know this, but Lu Bu is a negative character, and we're currently having trouble finding a suitable actor. If you want to play the role, that would be great, but why don't you try playing other positive characters?"

He's already spent the money and bought the copyright, so he feels embarrassed to let the investor play a negative role!
Gu Ming shrugged.

Lü Bu was a negative figure in the Zhou Dynasty, but not in Japan!
In Japan, Lü Bu is a pivotal figure in the Three Kingdoms culture, and he is featured prominently in any work.

Zhuge Liang, Cao Cao, Lü Bu.

The Three Kingdoms characters favored in Japan are not exactly the same as those in China.

If liking Zhuge Liang and Cao Cao is understandable, then liking Lü Bu has only one reason: because Lü Bu is incredibly skilled in combat.

All the words in the world ultimately boil down to a kind of joy from being struck by a pleasant surprise.

Zhang Shaolin shook his head violently, forcing himself to calm down.

"Don't worry, you'll definitely get this role. I'll explain it to the other directors. Mr. Furuya, rest assured, you'll definitely play Lü Bu in this film!"

(End of this chapter)