HuaYu97: Starting as a Singer

Chapter 452 [452] On the High Value of Being in the Top Tier Domestically
Wang Jing was truly moved.

People say that "The Cult Leader" was his biggest investment failure, and he must be resentful about it.

There is a viable path that would allow him to make money while proving himself again, and he would definitely be interested in that path.

Moreover, he has one advantage: the kind of thing that big directors are concerned about saving face doesn't happen to him.

If it were another director who made a movie that grossed over 100 million yuan at the mainland box office, he would never want to direct a TV series again, feeling that it would damage his status as a great director.

Wang Jing is very pragmatic. He even makes adult films. Why would he resist making TV dramas?

For him, business is business. Whether it's a TV series or a movie, they're just commodities. As long as he can make money, that's all that matters.

Wang Jing got into the swing of things very quickly and was already discussing with Qi Yuan how to film the TV version of "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre".

Wang Jing became more and more excited as he spoke, already envisioning a bright future.

“Jin Yong’s copyright is easy to obtain. He previously sold the copyright to CCTV for one yuan. Zhang Jizhong also didn’t spend much money when he bought ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes’ and ‘Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’ from him. If you buy it in your company’s name, Jin Yong might even pay us out of his own pocket.”

Wang Jing was very certain of this.

It's still related to some of the remarks Jin Yong made in Ming Pao in his early years. Jin Yong really wanted to have a good relationship with this side. This is what they call being a wise man when you know when to yield. Making money is not shameful!

Wang Jing glosses over the copyright issue with a single sentence, then asks Qi Yuan very seriously, "Are you going to act in 'Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre'?"

Judging from Qi Yuan's tone just now, she seemed to be somewhat interested in the future movie version, but Wang Jing wasn't sure if Qi Yuan would agree to act in the TV series.

If Wang Jing could capture Qi Yuan and film a TV version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," he was confident that he could surpass all the classics and create the most exquisite and exciting version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber."

With Qi Yuan's involvement, the TV series' investment will definitely be much higher, and since it's related to future film plans, he, as both director and screenwriter, will certainly put in his best effort.

These are not the most important things.

Most importantly, Qi Yuan played Zhang Wuji in the TV series. If the casting of other roles is done well, the new generation of Zhang Wuji, Zhao Min, Zhou Zhiruo, and Xiao Zhao will be deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Years later, people recognized this version as a classic, and when the original cast was brought back to start a movie project, Wang Jing didn't even dare to imagine how explosive the box office would be.

Qi Yuan glanced at Wang Jing, who was hesitating.

Zhou Zhiruo is Gao Yuanyuan, and Zhao Min is Jia Jingwen. Their past lives created the famous internet meme of Su Youpeng, who is surrounded by women on both sides, and Shi Xiaolong, who suffers hardships.

After filming "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" and "The Legendary Siblings", he didn't film any TV series for a long time.

The main reason is that filming TV dramas takes too much time, and his salary is too high, so no production team can afford to hire him.

If you organize your own event, you can convert the actor's fee into a share, and that's something you can do.

Jackie Chan returns to Hong Kong every year to film movies, and he faces the same situation as Qi Yuan: his film fees are too high, so he can only organize his own productions and take a share of the profits.

Qi Yuan has not had any new film or television works broadcast or released for more than a year.

It's January 2002 now. "Bouquet" was released two years ago, and "Hero" won't be released until the end of the year, so there's a two-year gap in between.

Qi Yuan has a large number of eager movie and drama fans.

As a responsible idol, one should sometimes consider the feelings of fans.

Wang Jing, being a shrewd man, saw through Qi Yuan's concerns and patted his belly confidently.

“You know how fast I am. Give me thirty days, and I can finish filming your scenes.”

As Hong Kong's first Super Boy contestant, he has the right and the confidence to say this.

Qi Yuan clinked glasses with Wang Jing again: "Let's see how it goes."

Wang Jing was satisfied with the reply; Qi Yuan's lack of a direct rejection meant they were open to discussion. If they were open to discussion, he would use every trick in the book to persuade Qi Yuan to participate.

……

Throughout January of 2002, Qi Yuan stayed in Beijing and did not go anywhere else.

The new Wuliangye commercial will definitely not be filmed until after the new year. By the time Wuliangye invited Qi Yuan and Fan Xiaopang, there was already too little time.

This isn't a big problem for Wuliangye. "Love Comes Like Spring Tide" is too classic; it can continue to be broadcast on TV.

For the past month, Qi Yuan has been busy producing his second English album, and occasionally he also has to take time to participate in the Spring Festival Gala rehearsals.

Wang Jing, on the other hand, sent some good news.

After the celebration party for "My Sassy Girl" ended, Wang Jing went straight back to Hong Kong and personally went to talk to Jin Yong.

Then Jin Yong started again, saying directly to Wang Jing: "Zhang Wuji is tall and handsome, with thick eyebrows and bright eyes. He is a dashing young swordsman."

Qi Yuan is absolutely the best choice. If you can get him, I'll not only sell you the copyright for one yuan, but I'll also personally sponsor the production team with 200,000 yuan.

Jin Yong had said something similar before.

That time, Zhang Da Hu Zi wanted to invite Qi Yuan to continue filming Jin Yong dramas, and planned to have Qi Yuan play Yang Guo.

Qi Yuan was busy releasing an album at the time, and considering that Louis Koo's version was too classic and difficult to surpass, she declined the offer.

Jin Yong felt quite regretful, but now that there's another opportunity, it would be great to have Qi Yuan play Zhang Wuji.

Soon, Hong Kong media got wind of it.

[Breaking News! Qi Yuan May Return to Television? Wang Jing Approaches Mr. Jin Yong to Purchase Film and Television Rights for "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," and Mr. Jin Yong Claims Qi Yuan is the Perfect Choice for Zhang Wuji!]

[Could this become the most classic version of "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber"?]

[Shocking! Superstar Qi Yuan's alleged love life exposed; is he cheating on six women at the same time?]

……

The last report would leave not only passersby and fans stunned, but even Qi Yuan himself would be taken aback for a couple of seconds upon seeing it.

Scrolling down to read the article, I realized that the six women referred to were Zhu Jiuzhen, Yin Li, Yang Buhui, Zhou Zhiruo, Xiao Zhao, and Zhao Min—six women in the original novel who had romantic entanglements with Zhang Wuji.

These news reports from Hong Kong media spread from Hong Kong to the mainland, sparking further media coverage and countless online discussions.

"Does anyone with inside information have any scoops? Is it true or false? Is Qi Yuan really going to film 'Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre'?"

“It’s been so long since he’s had any film or television works. He can’t just focus on his music fans; he has to consider us movie fans too. I support him acting.”

"Qi Yuan's version of 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' is already the best TV version. I hope the news is true and I sincerely hope that Qi Yuan can play the best version of 'The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber'."

"If the news is true, this will be the most anticipated martial arts drama in the next one to two years!"

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Dahuzi looked utterly bewildered: "???"

"Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre" is the most anticipated martial arts drama, so what about his "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils"?
Okay, if Wang Jing can really get Qi Yuan to write this, he has to admit that his "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" is really no match for "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre".

He was even a little envious of Wang Jing. Why could that fatso invite Qi Yuan but he couldn't?
After the news spread throughout the country, the two coal mine owners who had previously invested in "Hua Wuque" contacted Xingkong and Wang Jing, asking when they would have time to have a positive energy gathering, insisting that they treat them to a meal.

Qi Yuan was equally stunned. Some media rumors that he might play Zhang Wuji had caused such a sensation. He realized that he had underestimated his influence in the domestic film and television industry.

Those in the industry have once again witnessed firsthand just how prestigious Qi Yuan's talent is, placing her in a league of her own.

(End of this chapter)