Chapter 199

Even though both films are excellent, neither was borrowing from the other.

Xu Can wanted to show the world that Huaxia also has hero stories, also has wonderful legends.

The original Drug God's producer and lead actor Xu Zheng had just finished filming "Love Call Transfer" and was currently filming "Love Call Transfer 2" and "Night Shop."

Xu Can had originally wanted to find him to film, but after contacting his agent, discovered a scheduling conflict.

Xu Zheng was very surprised by Xu Can's contact and proactively invited Xu Can to dinner.

Originally Xu Can wanted to bring Taimai, but this girl had completely turned into a homebody, wanting nothing but to lie in the hotel and binge-watch shows.

"Go by yourself. If I go I won't understand a word, it'd be really awkward."

"Fine, then you stay at the hotel... come, give me a kiss!"

Before leaving, Xu Can leaned over and kissed her,

Taimai stared fixedly at the computer screen watching her show, merely tilting her lips to the side and perfunctorily letting Xu Can kiss her.

"You don't love me anymore." Xu Can deliberately acted very disappointed.

Taimai panicked this time, hurriedly tossed aside the computer, hugged Xu Can and planted several kisses in a row.

"Enough, enough, I love you, alright!"

"That's more like it, I love you too." Taimai gave a sweet smile, then crawled back onto the sofa and picked up the computer again.

Xu Can smiled faintly and went to the banquet alone.

……

In a quiet, elegant private dining room in the capital, several old familiar faces sat inside.

Of course it wasn't that Xu Can was familiar with them, but rather familiar faces from his past life.

Besides the bald-headed Xu Zheng, there were also his wife Song Qian, "Crazy Stone" director Ning Hao, and the original director Wen Muye.

At this time Song Qian was in her thirties, much younger than during "A Little Reunion," quite charming.

When introducing each other, the two exchanged a glance, and she lowered her head with a girlish shyness.

"Boss Xu, what an honor. I really didn't expect you to think of me. I truly hope we can collaborate! Unfortunately I've already signed a contract, I really can't get away. Sigh…"

Xu Zheng's expression showed he was genuinely quite regretful.

Although Xu Can had little publicity in Huaxia and was basically absent from entertainment news,

who in the industry didn't know him?

Being able to thrive in Hollywood, Xu Can's stature had already surpassed Cheng Long's and was on par with Li Xiaolong's trajectory.

This was simply a height that many Huaxia entertainers and directors cannot even dream of reaching.

The great beauty Li Binbin had to fight tooth and nail, and could only take some second or third female supporting roles.

Liu Tianxian did star as the female lead—"The Forbidden Kingdom" counted as the female lead—but she was basically just a vase role, nothing to see.

The later "Mulan" didn't fare well either.

Although Xu Can's starting point was high, his subsequent development was almost hellish difficulty,

reaching today's position relied entirely on film quality and god-tier acting, a bloody path carved out from the cracks.

In Xu Zheng's view, it was simply harder than ascending to heaven.

Xu Can was willing to film a story about Huaxia, and he and Ning Hao were of course very supportive.

Moreover, this story was related to the "Drug Hero case" that had caused a huge stir the past two years.

"Drug Hero" Lu Yong, just like in the past life, as a knitwear factory boss, his little life was fairly happy.

Until he himself contracted leukemia, and Novartis's sky-high priced medicine of tens of thousands per box nearly drained his family's savings.

In 2004, he learned about the generic drugs from the Third Brother's side, priced at a fraction of the genuine article, with the same efficacy.

He began taking the generic drugs and shared them in patient groups, helping fellow patients purchase them.

At least a thousand patients thus got a chance to save their lives.

More and more people came to him to buy medicine. Lu Yong saw the coldness of the world, and driven by compassion,

he was completely selling medicine at a loss, with a "group purchase price" of only 200 yuan per box, 1% of the genuine price!

In his past life Lu Yong persisted for 10 years, saving countless families,

until 2014 when they tracked Lu Yong's anomalies through his credit card, arrested and prosecuted him.

In 2015 Lu Yong had the charges withdrawn and was released without guilt,

and medical insurance also brought the high-priced drugs into the plan, so more people could afford the genuine medicine.

However, the current world line had changed. Lu Yong hadn't had time to save more people before being reported by Novartis in early 2008, and was currently still locked up inside!

This was also one of the reasons Xu Can planned to film this work,

he hoped more people could see the Drug Hero's story.

Ning Hao lit a cigarette and said seriously:

"It happens that I know some people on my side, I can arrange a gathering for you. Whoever you want, I'll do my best to contact them."

Xu Can roughly described the lead character's setup,

Xu Zheng was the first to suggest: "The lead Cheng Yong, you could consider playing yourself. I watched 'John Wick,' that world-weary feeling, you can absolutely handle it."

Ning Hao and Wen Muye both nodded in agreement: "Yes, acting-wise there's absolutely nothing to say."

"Honestly, later I plan to film a sequel to 'Crazy Stone,' there's a story about a race car driver, and I still want to invite you."

"I'm afraid it'll be hard for me to free up my schedule. You should still look for mainland actors—Huang Bo, Guo Tao, they're all excellent actors."

"Alright, then we'll collaborate when there's a chance in the future." Ning Hao was equally regretful.

If they could invite Xu Can, not only could it carry the box office in the Huaxia market,

it also meant the film could be exported to Hollywood! Earn North American money!

Then after some discussion among them, combined with Xu Zheng and Ning Hao's suggestions, Xu Can roughly figured out the situation of several actors.

Officer Cao Bin can use the original version of Zhou Yiwai.

Currently, Zhou Yiwai is an assistant professor at Beijing Film Academy, has played many roles in theater and television dramas, and his acting is fundamentally solid; his schedule is also no problem.

Patient Lv Shengyi, portrayed by actor Wang Chuanjun, is not currently filming "Love Apartment"; he has just finished filming "The Prince of Tennis" and is now rehearsing for a theater play.

Wang Chuanjun's acting is certainly no problem; he previously collaborated with Zhou Yiwai and can be contacted directly.

The actor playing Little Yellow Hair, Zhang Yu, has had experience in a few films but remains unknown; even Xu Zheng and Ning Hao have no memory of him.

Ning Hao said he could use connections to reach his agent, and his schedule shouldn't be a major issue.

The actors portraying Pastor Liu and the pyramid scheme leader Zhang Changlin are both veteran performers.

Teachers Yang Xinmin and Wang Jianhui also pose no problem; both can be arranged.

The only issue lies with the dancer role.

The original actress, Tan Zhuo, has not yet debuted; Xu Zheng and Ning Hao have never heard of her, so naturally they don't know where to find her.

"Do none of you remember her?"

"No, we've never heard of her."

"What about Hao Lei?"

Xu Can suggested another well-known actress, Hao Lei, who resembles Tan Zhuo somewhat but has greater status and more experience.

She has already gained some recognition through TV dramas and films such as "Young Huang Feihong," "Young Emperor," and "The Summer Palace."

Ning Hao made a phone call for a long time, and the conclusion was disappointing.

"Her schedule conflicts; she's going to film the military drama 'My Brother Is Shunliu,' and it's unlikely she can take on a role before next summer."

This is now difficult—the dancer role is a supporting part, but still quite important.

We can't just pick any pretty face.

At this moment, Xu Zheng proposed:

"I have two candidates you might consider…"

"I'm all ears."

"The first is the person next to me—I believe she should meet your needs… The other candidate is your classmate from Beijing Film Academy, Yang Mi."

Xu Can was slightly bewildered.

Wait, who?