HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 118 [118] Either don't use him, or if you do, let him play the lead role.

Just then, two more people walked over.

“Yuanzai, look who I brought to see you, Director Du Qifeng.”

Approaching us was Andy Lau, dressed in a black suit.

He was the first of the Four Heavenly Kings to take the initiative to show goodwill to Qi Yuan.

Previously at the Top 100 Awards ceremony, he proactively congratulated Qi Yuan on winning the award.

At the time, Hong Kong and Taiwanese media were hyping up the idea that Qi Yuan and Ren Xianqi were challenging the Four Heavenly Kings.

This may be related to the admonition he received from the White Dragon King.

Hong Kong's celebrities and wealthy people believe in these things.

Andy Lau once visited the White Dragon King during a low point in his career.

The White Dragon King told him not to be impatient, and that as long as he was humble, he would definitely become famous, and would continue to be famous.

Later, he truly learned humility, and he would actively help his friends when they were in trouble.

Over time, he not only became famous, but also gained a good reputation and many friends.

In 2002, the Hong Kong film market continued to be sluggish, with too many police and gangster films, and investors were not interested in scripts like "Infernal Affairs".

Andy Lau was very optimistic about the script. He not only invested his own money, but also persuaded Lam Kin-yuet, the boss of Media Asia Films, to invest.

Whether it was an act or not, at least on the surface he managed to be kind to people in the entertainment industry.

"Hua brother."

"Director Du, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Qi Yuan said with a smile.

“You have a very good image, are you interested in making a movie? Andy Lau and I are planning to make a movie, an action crime film,” Du Qifeng invited.

Qi Yuan hesitated for a moment. Could this be the movie "Running Out of Time"? The one that gave Andy Lau a great performance?

It was from this movie onwards that Andy Lau's status as a talented actor was finally recognized by everyone.

Before "Running Out of Time," people's impression of Andy Lau was that he was just a handsome idol who could only act cool in movies, and had nothing to do with acting skills.

It's probably because they can't offer Qi Yuan enough pay. Qi Yuan is too famous now; he can easily earn more from a single commercial performance than they could from acting.

He added, "If you agree, I'll have Andy Lau contact you later. You don't need to reserve any time slots; you've probably heard about how fast Hong Kong directors make films."

Every director who came from the golden age of Hong Kong cinema was a quick shooter, except for Wong Kar-wai.

In my previous life, the movie "The Dark War" was filmed in just 19 days.

If you're not a lead actor, it might end in just a few days.

The movie "Running Out of Time" is very good; it would definitely be in the top ten of a list of Hong Kong crime films.

Since there was no need to deliberately reserve a time slot, Qi Yuan agreed: "Okay, Director Du will let me know later."

Qi Yuan and Du Qifeng had just finished their conversation when Liu Weiqiang and Guo Fucheng returned.

The two were somewhat surprised. Liu Weiqiang exclaimed, "Yuanzai, you're really amazing, even Director Du wants to invite you to make a movie. Chengzai and I were originally thinking of introducing you to some directors, but it seems we don't need to now."

It's true that "The Storm Riders" was a success, but Liu Weiqiang wouldn't dare compare himself to Du Qifeng.

Du Qifeng's directing skills are far superior to his, and he has produced far more excellent works.

Liu Weiqiang made a joke and then introduced Qi Yuan to some Hong Kong directors, the most representative of whom was Wang Jing, the Fatty.

The fat man immediately put his arm around Qi Yuan upon meeting her and joked in fluent Mandarin, "Ah Yuan, are you interested in making an 'umbrella-themed' film? As long as you nod, you can pick any Hong Kong actress you want, I can get her for you." Wang Jing knew that Qi Yuan would never make such a thing.

Some female celebrities film this stuff to become famous overnight, but once they're famous, who would touch this kind of controversial stuff?

On the other hand, he was indeed a little itchy to try it out.

If Qi Yuan agrees, he is confident that he can make the highest-grossing adult film in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately, Qi Yuan ignored him.

At the celebration banquet, Qi Yuan met many Hong Kong celebrities.

He could tell that most people were friendly to him on the surface, but in reality they were wary of him, or even hostile.

It's very simple; we're ultimately not from the same circle.

They fight tooth and nail for even the smallest resources, and there's not enough meat for them to share. How can they be happy when Qi Yuan, this mainland guy, has to compete with them for it?

In her previous life, Tang Yan wanted to make it in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, and even called Wang Jing "Dad," but she still didn't get any resources and slunk back to the mainland.

Qi Yuan sees things very clearly; he will always prioritize the mainland market and treat the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets as secondary.

At the beginning of his acting career, a reliable Hong Kong director approached him. The film was acceptable, and the money was good enough. He was willing to consider making it because it was profitable!
It didn't matter if no Hong Kong directors approached him; he could work in the mainland film industry. Chen Kaige had invited him to make movies more than once.

Old Chen is now very obsessed with the script, and he seriously distrusts Old Chen, who is in charge of the script.

……

While Qi Yuan was in Hong Kong promoting his work, Du Qifeng took Andy Lau, Liu Qingyun, and Lin Xue to Thailand to visit the White Dragon King.

Many Hong Kong directors would come to the White Dragon King for good luck before filming began.

Between the two titles, "The Negotiator" and "The Dark War," the White Dragon King suggested that Du Qifeng use the latter, mysteriously adding that the latter would make the movie more successful at the box office.

Hong Kong's entertainment industry stars have unwavering faith in the White Dragon King, and Du Qifeng is no exception.

He took the White Dragon King's advice and decided to use "Dark War" as the film title.

Then he took out Qi Yuan's photo and asked the White Dragon King, "I'm planning to ask this person to play Balya, what do you think?"

The White Dragon King picked up Qi Yuan's photo and looked at it for two or three minutes before slowly speaking: "His fortune is on the rise, but it hasn't reached its peak yet. Either you don't use him, or if you do, let him play the lead role. It's not good for you to play a supporting role, but it's very good for you to play the lead role."

Du Qifeng and his men all looked astonished.

Either don't use him, or let him play the lead role.

Furthermore, your fortune is still on the rise, but has not yet reached its peak.

Their popularity has surpassed that of the Four Heavenly Kings, and their records have sold out, yet they haven't reached their peak yet.

How popular will Qi Yuan become when he reaches his peak? Will he become popular throughout East Asia or throughout Asia?

If these words came from someone else, they would find them absurd.

But these words were spoken by the White Dragon King, and they believed them without a doubt.

After leaving the White Dragon King, Du Qifeng was in a dilemma. Using Qi Yuan as the protagonist was very good to him, which could be interpreted as Qi Yuan bringing him good fortune.
But the lead role in "Running Out of Time" has been cast as Andy Lau, so we can't let him kick Andy Lau out, can we?

The investors weren't happy about him kicking out Andy Lau!

Furthermore, people in the Hong Kong film industry will condemn him to death. Using mainland stars as the main characters and Hong Kong stars as supporting characters, is he crazy?
Liu Dehua was also a little flustered. He introduced Qi Yuan to Du Qifeng, not so that Qi Yuan would come and kill him!
He said to Du Qifeng, "Director Du, didn't you say you were going to make another low-budget film after 'Running Out of Time'? You've shown me the script, it seems to be called 'The Mission'. Why don't you just get Yuen Jai to play the lead role?"

These words were like a wake-up call; Du Qifeng suddenly realized. That's right! He had another script.

(End of this chapter)