Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 122 The smile gradually disappeared, it was all Wu Chen's fault

In June, the capital city is covered with green trees. The breeze blows the treetops, and the branches and leaves are glowing in the sunlight.

The locust flowers on the campus of Beijing Film Academy have passed their peak bloom, but a hint of sweet fragrance still lingers in the air.

In the distance, there were several temporary sunshade tents on the edge of the playground. Several brokerage companies and film and television companies had set up stalls to recruit people. It was bustling and lively.

Liu Yifei and a few others walked along the path, neither hurried nor slow.

"Director Wu is really domineering. He refuses things just like that." Zhou Yang sighed.

Liu Yifei replied with a smile, as if it was a matter of course: "Junior brother, you don't need to consider anyone's face. If you don't want to cooperate, then don't cooperate."

Wang Jia smiled and shook his head, "Xixi, Wang Jinghua is the most coveted ship among all the celebrities in the industry. With the resources and connections she has, many people are vying for her.

If a new person heard that she came to them, they would probably be so happy that they couldn't sleep for three days. Many production companies also wanted to cooperate with her.

But you're right, Director Wu really doesn't need to consider anyone's face."

As the three were talking, they heard some shouting from the playground not far away. Someone from an agency was auditioning a few students. The three of them walked faster to watch the fun.

On the second day of June, Wang Xiaoshuai's Cannes Jury Grand Prix-winning film "Tianhong" finally premiered in the country.

That night, many film critics and industry insiders wrote articles expressing that this work is very likely to be recognized at the box office and in terms of word of mouth, just like "Peacock", and to break the box office of 10 million.

For a time, serious films seemed to have become a hot topic in the industry again.

But as for Wu Chen, he did not appear at any related event.

The media couldn't even find him.

Ren Zhonglun personally made several phone calls in the past few days to invite Wu Chen to attend the upcoming Shanghai International Film Festival.

He even mentioned that Jackie Chan would also be there, and he heard that Jackie Chan seemed to be interested in the project "Now You See Me".

Wu Chen on the other end of the phone paused for a moment, then replied with a smile, "Could it be that Mr. Ren is here to act as a lobbyist?"

Ren Zhonglun also smiled and said, "It's just a casual chat. If Director Wu is interested, that would be great. This would be a strong alliance between our people. I would also be happy to connect the two parties and make this a success.

Of course, if you don't mind, Director Wu doesn't need to worry. I just said I wanted to invite Director Wu to participate in the Shanghai Film Festival. By the way, there are also some famous Hollywood actors attending this film festival, such as Morgan Freeman.

"Mr. Ren, I really don't have time. The new movie is about to enter the casting stage, and I have to go there in a few days. I really can't get away."

Wu Chen didn't agree, nor did he decline. He just found a reasonable reason and put the matter aside with discretion.

But the fact is indeed so. On June 10th, Wu Chen flew directly to Hollywood.

Lionsgate and Blumhouse Pictures have selected many suitable personnel in recent days and are waiting for Wu Chen to go to Hollywood to confirm them.

China Film Group inadvertently revealed the news that Wu Chen had gone to Hollywood for casting.

There was no official announcement, no media release, it just quietly circulated within the circle.

Many actor agents called as soon as they heard the news, but they couldn't get anything out of it and could only repeatedly confirm the news from some external channels.

People in the industry are not stupid, and they can understand one thing at this time - Wu Chen has no plans to conduct casting in the country.

This inexplicable loss spread like a tide among major actors and agencies.

"Is he directly bypassing the mainland for casting?" someone couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

"It seems so." Someone sighed.

"That's normal. If it were me, I probably wouldn't use domestic actors in this film."

As soon as the news came out, Zhang Ziyi was completely caught in a dilemma.

She originally tried to walk a fine line between Wu Chen and Hua Yi, trying to get a more valuable opportunity.

Now Wu Chen was far away and they hadn't even met, but Huayi began to be dissatisfied with her attitude.

"Where's Director Zhang?" Zhang Ziyi asked.

"Zhang Weiping said he would start a big production, but Director Zhang hasn't relented and hasn't said who he'll use," Zhang Zinan said bluntly. "I guess Director Zhang can't be relied upon anymore. Huayi is very unhappy right now. Either he signs the contract soon, or they'll find someone else."

Zhang Ziyi was silent for a moment, and finally smiled helplessly, "Sign it, sign it as soon as possible." And just the day after Wu Chen left the country, the press conference for the Huayi Feng Xiaogang project finally arrived.

Inside the press conference room at Huayi headquarters, the front rows were filled with media reporters, and many even stood in the back rows. Cameras were everywhere, each trained on the backdrop in front of them—a few large golden characters:

"The Banquet" Global Launch Conference.

Feng Xiaogang, wearing a neat suit and with his hair neatly combed, walked onto the stage with a radiant look on his face. Next to him was Wang Zhonglei from Huayi. After the two sat down, the flash lights suddenly sounded.

"Hello, friends from the media. Today we present Director Feng's latest masterpiece, a period epic that I'm personally very much looking forward to: The Banquet."

Wang Zhonglei opened the speech with a smile, and then handed the microphone to Feng Xiaogang.

Feng Xiaogang took the microphone, raised his head slightly, and glanced at the audience, his expression confident and even a little proud.

"I've been preparing for this play for a long time. It can be said to be the most important attempt in my life. Our investment is not low, and the production budget is 2000 million US dollars."

When Feng Xiaogang said this, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, but when he saw the reaction from the audience, which was not too excited, his mouth twitched slightly, and he began to complain in his heart:
It’s all Wu Chen’s fault.

"We will use top-tier actors, including Zhang Ziyi as the female lead, and we are currently in contact with several other heavyweight international actors.

We hope this film will not only win over the domestic market but also go global.”

When he said this, he couldn't help but look at the media reaction, which was still a bit indifferent.

Soon, the session began with questions from reporters.

"Director Feng, the budget for The Banquet sounds high, but compared to Wu Chen's Now You See Me, it seems to be quite a bit behind. What do you think?"

There was a commotion in the audience. Feng Xiaogang was slightly stunned and the smile on his face paused for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

"We customize according to demand. What matters is the artistic value, not who spends more." As he spoke, his tone began to harden.

"So, when you chose Zhang Ziyi this time, did you consider the recent rumors in the industry about her involvement in 'Now You See Me'?"

Now even Wang Zhonglei frowned slightly, Feng Xiaogang's face became obviously gloomier, his lips moved, but he did not get angry in the end.

But questions kept coming, and it seemed like every reporter was deliberately stepping on the line.

"Director Feng, this is your first time tackling a period piece. Are you worried about not being able to capture the epic feel? Director Wu Chen is so young, yet he's brave enough to take on a magic film and enter the international market. Do you feel any pressure?"

"Unlike Director Wu's style, I focus on emotional depth."

"Director Feng, 'Now You See Me' has already attracted a lot of attention in the international market. Do you have any plans for overseas distribution of 'The Banquet'?"

This series of questions made Feng Xiaogang's forehead sweat slightly. He originally thought that after more than two weeks, he could make a high-profile appearance, but gradually he had the illusion that he was under siege.

Wang Zhonglei saw that the situation was not good and quickly interrupted, "Time is limited today. We will sort out everyone's questions and respond to them collectively."

However, the reporter who was causing the trouble refused to let him go, and finally someone even shouted:
"Then may I ask, was the postponement of the press conference for 'The Banquet' also related to Wu Chen? Was it because they didn't want to clash with schedules?"

As soon as these words came out, Feng Xiaogang's eyes twitched, he slammed his hand on the table and stood up. Wang Zhonglei's face tightened and he decisively announced the end of the press conference.

Amidst the chaos, the two left the scene hastily.

That night, major portals and entertainment pages went online one after another, with a variety of headlines, some hitting the nail on the head, and some full of playful humor:

Feng Xiaogang confronted Wu Chen, but ended up giving in?

[US$2000 million vs. US$5000 million, who is the real director?]

[Director Feng is not afraid of comparison? Media questions confused the press conference!]

There is even a post that has been widely circulated by netizens with the title directly written:

["The Banquet" press conference transcript: The director remained silent for a minute, and reporters asked three consecutive questions!]

There is also a spoof post on the forum with a joke picture attached, "Director Feng's current status: his smile is gradually disappearing." Below is a screenshot puzzle, the comparison before and after is extremely funny.

Wu Chen saw all this while sitting at the sunlit breakfast table at the Hollywood Hotel, reading the domestic news updates in the early morning on his laptop.

Seeing the "smile disappearing picture", Wu Chen finally couldn't help laughing out loud
(End of this chapter)