The director starts by learning from the abilities of renowned directors.

After the production team was set up, they temporarily worked at Dingxin Film and Television, with Wang Damin still serving as the production manager. However, important meetings were usually held in the conference room of China Film Group.

What are everyone's thoughts on the casting of the female lead?

Han Sanping spoke first, followed by a cacophony of voices.

"How's Li Bingbing?"

"Is the popularity a bit low?"

"What about Zhou Xun?"

"This feels good; it makes you look pitiful and can arouse a man's protective instincts."

Where is Fan Bingbing?

……

"Shen Qing, why are you acting so quiet today? You're the director, tell me about it?" Han Sanping looked at Shen Qing and called on her directly.

"Should Zhou Xun be able to handle it?"

Shen Qing recalled a scene in the movie "The Equation of Love and Death" where Zhou Xun was kidnapped. When Bao Qiang and Wang Yanhui held a knife to her neck, she delivered a textbook-level performance, conveying fear and helplessness that moved many people.

Zhou Xun playing the kidnapped female lead shouldn't be a problem.

"Let's contact Zhou Xun first and see if she's available."

Han Sanping nodded.

Yu Dong and others all expressed their approval.

"I feel like it can work."

"Then let's give it a try."

"If that doesn't work or there's no availability, try Li Bingbing again."

……

a few days later.

Shen Qing, carrying the script outline and the female lead's character biography, headed to Rongxinda.

Both parties have already made an appointment; Zhou Xun will be at the company today.

After being led into the conference room by staff, Li Xiaowan and Zhou Xun arrived together shortly afterward.

The two sat down opposite each other and exchanged a few simple pleasantries.

"Would Director Shen mind if I had a cigarette?"

Zhou Xun took out a cigarette and said to Shen Qing.

"No problem, please feel free to do as you please."

Zhou Xun lit her cigarette with a snap, took a deep drag, and exhaled a puff of white smoke.

"I've seen Director Shen's 'Fame and Fortune,' and it's excellent. What touched me most was the scene where Su Mengdie lights cigarettes for Qi Leshan twice. Could you explain why that was the design?"

"To show her thoughtfulness and kindness."

"Is that all?"

What do you think?

"Let's not talk about that. What kind of person is the female lead in the new movie?"

Shen Qing passed on the script outline and character sketches.

Zhou Xun took it and quickly glanced through it.

"I feel like I'm just a pretty face here!" Zhou Xun said, smoking a cigarette.

Shen Qing could tell that she was using Su Mengdie's lines to talk about today's script.

In the movie "Fame and Fortune", Su Mengdie has the exact same line.

"The characters are still quite interesting, such as the female lead's clever handling of the robbers, her brief escape, and the conflict between her and the male lead."

In the original "Taken", the protagonist's daughter survived because she was a virgin and therefore more valuable, while her best friend died.

Shen Qing's version changed the father-to-daughter rescue to husband-to-wife rescue, thus eliminating the precious rescue window caused by the virginity. Shen Qing's version had the female protagonist delay serving customers in every possible way, and finally escape briefly using a few tricks she learned from the protagonist. When she was caught again, the male protagonist arrived just in time.

The movie begins by mentioning that the protagonist's house was broken into once, and the female lead fought the thief to the death. After that incident, the protagonist began to train the female lead in self-defense techniques.

The female protagonist initially didn't want to learn and was very angry. She said, "I was almost raped and killed. Instead of spending a few more days with me, you only want me to learn martial arts self-defense."

As it turned out, it came in handy after being kidnapped.

"I'm sorry, Director Shen."

Zhou Xun returned the script outline and character sketches, saying, "I don't think the role is quite right for me."

Shen Qing stood up and said, "Please think it over carefully. I'll head back now."

"Director Shen, let me see you out," Li Xiaowan said, standing up.

"No need, Mr. Li, you're busy."

Shen Qing turned and left Rongxinda.

……

Zhou Xun didn't want to act, so after Shen Qing communicated with several investors, she immediately contacted Fan Bingbing.

The two parties arranged to meet in a private room at a teahouse.

"I'm sorry I'm late. Director Shen, look how young he is! Truly, heroes emerge from among the young."

Shen Qing arrived first, and Fan Bingbing arrived right on time, extending her hand from a distance when they met.

"It's not late, it's not late. I arrived early. Please have a seat." Shen Qing smiled and added, "I dare not claim to be a hero among the young; I'm a year older than you."

After the two sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries, Shen Qing took out the script outline and character biographies.

Fan Bingbing quickly glanced through the text, then smiled and said, "I really like the character..."

The two chatted for another half hour, then Shen Qing extended his hand: "Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation."

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The two held hands.

……

The film crew was being set up, and there were endless meetings.

After Fan Bingbing was basically confirmed to play the female lead, the main creators and investors met again at China Film Group.

Who should we hire as the martial arts instructor?

The person who asked this question was Han Sanping.

"With such a large investment, shouldn't the martial arts choreography be top-notch? What do you think of Sammo Hung?"

"And Yuan Heping? The world's number one action choreographer."

Who was the action choreographer for "Hero"?

Top-tier action choreographers aren't cheap. Shen Qing has already acquired Cheng Long's abilities through a photo opportunity, so he can handle the action choreographing himself. He just needs to find some experienced stuntmen.

"The Cheng family troupe is very famous in this industry, so why don't we invite the Cheng family troupe?"

Yu Dongdao said, "Inviting the Cheng family troupe is no problem, the key is the position of action director or martial arts choreographer."

Shen Qing said, "The best of the Cheng family stunt team are more than capable. The most famous martial arts choreographers are certainly expensive, but their abilities may not be much better than these veteran martial arts performers. Generally, the younger the person, the more willing they are to accept new things and study new fighting styles. My idea is to find a few elites from the Cheng family stunt team and some martial arts performers from the mainland, and use them in a mixed way. Just don't get ripped off."

"The filming location is set on the border between Beijing and Yunnan Province. Who will lead the team to scout locations in Yunnan Province?" Han Sanping asked.

Shen Qing said, "I personally led the location scouting team and the chief art director there to scout locations and draw storyboards."

……

After returning home from the meeting, Shen Qing called Wan Qian.

As soon as the call connected, the person on the other end asked, "What's up, missing me?"

Shen Qing smiled and said, "I want to."

"If you want to come find me in Shanghai, no one's holding you back."

"Not for now. I'm going to Dehong in Yunnan Province to scout locations in a while. There's a supporting actress role in my new movie, and I've recommended you. It's up to you whether you want to play it or not."

"Really? What role?"

"You don't have many scenes, but if you play the part, we can add some more. You'll play the female lead's best friend, who gets kidnapped while traveling in Southeast Asia. She'll be forced into prostitution and controlled with drugs. If the scenes are a little more explicit, it will really test your acting skills."

"Let me think about it some more."

"Take your time thinking about it, no rush. I'll reserve the role for you."

In mid-October, Shen Qing, along with the location scouting director and chief art director, went to Dehong, Yunnan Province for location scouting and sketching storyboards.

I returned to Beijing at the end of October and began auditioning for some supporting roles.

The main character's colleagues are still played by Guo Jingfei, Lei Jiayin, and Zhang Songwen, while the villains are played by some character actors and foreign actors, and some will be found locally in Yunnan Province.

As November approached, the production team entered its final stages of preparation. Several members of the Cheng Family Troupe had arrived in Beijing. The leader of the team was Li Zhongzhi, a senior member of the Cheng Family Troupe. He was the person Han Sanping personally contacted and arranged after Shen Qing mentioned looking for members of the Cheng Family Troupe.

Li Zhongzhi is considered a core member of the Cheng family stunt team and is more than capable of being an action director, but Shen Qing, who has acquired Cheng Long's abilities, will certainly not entrust him with all the action scenes.

"Director Li, let's get this straight: I will personally participate in the design of the action scenes, and everything will be based on my ideas. Just refer to the working style you use with Jackie Chan. You can treat me like Jackie Chan and work with me accordingly."