Chapter 105: Project Launch, Casting, and the Rivalry of the Top Actresses at the Premiere

"President Wei, have a look at these resumes after the initial screening; is there anyone who meets your requirements?"

Five days ago, the company had already announced the project launch of *Zhu Xian*, and the casting had officially begun.

Wei Jin did not intervene in the casting work this time, leaving it to the project director, Wu Jinyuan, to handle.

*Beauty's Rival in Palace* had already wrapped up filming, and for this *Zhu Xian*, Wei Jin still entrusted it to this director who excelled at period xianxia. Because of this, many directors in the company felt a bit jealous, and they didn't know why this Hong Kong director was so favored by the boss.

Wu Jinyuan certainly understood all this. Beyond being secretly grateful for Wei Jin's appreciation, he could only do his job well, so he was very diligent with this casting, striving to satisfy Wei Jin.

The casting work over these past few days had not been easy at all. Many well-known actresses had inquired through various connections, and only after learning that the two female leads had already been decided did they settle down.

However, the competition among the male actors was also extremely fierce. It was no wonder they were crazy; it was just that there were too many hit dramas produced by Wei Jin Company. Hearing that this project was a key one personally overseen by Wei Jin, each of them hoped to latch onto a powerful figure and soar directly.

When flipping through one of the annotated resumes, Wei Jin became slightly interested: "How is this Chen Xiao's acting?"

"It's passable; he is at least professionally trained, but his period look is quite handsome."

Wu Jinyuan knew the resumes submitted by heart. Upon hearing the name Chen Xiao, he immediately had an answer in his mind: "How do you feel about him playing the male lead?"

Wei Jin had some impression of this actor, known as the "campus heartthrob" of the Beijing Film Academy 05 Class, and the photo on the resume indeed showed it.

In his past life, he had even heard anecdotes about him; it was said that he was almost subjected to "hidden rules" by a male financier and jumped out of a moving car to escape.

"That's fine."

Wu Jinyuan spoke without hesitation. In fact, the resumes handed to Wei Jin were basically ones he felt passed the mark.

"Alright then, you handle the rest. Mainly consider acting skills and character fit. If the company's own artists want to participate, you also keep an eye on it; what I want is quality."

The reason Wei Jin didn't really want to sign artists was that he considered that many times he would have to take care of his own people, but in fact, everyone's acting path was different, and they might not really be suitable.

"President Wei, I understand."

Wu Jinyuan also breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Wei Jin's words. As long as Wei Jin delegated authority to him, he had confidence in this type of TV drama.

"By the way, President Wei, a friend of mine also wants to sign with our company, what do you think..."

"Oh? What is her name, and what works has she directed?"

"Her name is Lin Yufen, also from Hong Kong, but she has been in Mainland China for quite a while. She previously collaborated with Tangren quite a bit. Seeing that I'm developing quite well at the company, she also..."

Hearing the name Lin Yufen, Wei Jin knew who it was. She could be considered one of the few well-known female directors in the country, and she was quite skilled at idol dramas.

"Fine, notify her to come for an interview directly."

"Alright, President Wei, but she currently has a project on hand, so she probably has to finish this busy period."

"Mm, notify me when the time comes."

On the evening of July 27th, *Time-Space Cohabitation* held its premiere at the Shanhe Cinema Line Beijing flagship store.

At 6:00 PM, Wei Jin brought the cast and crew to the entrance of the cinema. There were already many media reporters and fans on both sides of the red carpet.

As the domestic box office record holder, a Silver Bear Director, and a Cannes Palme d'Or winner, Wei Jin's new work was not only highly anticipated in the industry, but even the media and fans had been looking forward to it for a long time.

Seeing that the red carpet walk was about to begin, Jing Tian and Gao Yuanyuan, who had come to join the fun, got into a dispute.

Gao Yuanyuan felt that as the female lead, it was only natural for her to walk the red carpet with the director.

Jing Tian, however, felt that Gao Yuanyuan, as the female lead, should walk the red carpet with the male lead Lei Jiayin, and that she and Wei Jin, as a married couple in the film, walking together was the proper thing to do.

Seeing that the two would not give in to each other, the situation reached a stalemate, and the reporters were almost surrounding them. Wei Jin decisively pulled off a "double kill," letting both of them follow him to enjoy the "blessings of all," leaving only poor Lei Datou walking alone behind them.

Thus, the media reporters saw Jing Tian and Gao Yuanyuan holding Wei Jin's arms on the left and right as he appeared on the red carpet. Suddenly, the cameras in their hands flashed in unison, almost blinding everyone, and many fans shouted:

"Gao Yuanyuan, I love you!"

"Tian Tian, you're so beautiful!"

"Wei Jin, husband, look here!"

"..."

Since the release of the Forbes Celebrity List in March, Wei Jin had inexplicably gained quite a few "wife fans." Hearing himself called "husband" at this moment, Wei Jin almost stumbled. Jing Tian and Gao Yuanyuan were also suppressing laughter at his side, managing not to make a fool of themselves in front of the media cameras.

"I can't tell, Director Wei, you even have wife fans?"

After entering the cinema hall, Gao Yuanyuan began to tease Wei Jin: "Yuan Yuanjie, don't just talk about me; don't you also have quite a few male fans declaring their love?"

Regarding this behavior of "only allowing the magistrate to burn down houses while forbidding the common people from lighting lamps," Wei Jin wouldn't tolerate it:

"You two are both so popular, while I'm just a nobody..."

Just now outside, Jing Tian had the fewest fans, and the young girl was a bit unhappy now.

"Tian Tian, at least someone is calling your name; when I walked on the red carpet, no one even recognized me..." If one had to say who was hurt the deepest, it was Lei Datou; he didn't have a single fan.

"Alright, after today, you will definitely have fans, I said so!"

Seeing that the few of them were chatting more and more happily, Wei Jin ended this boring topic and urged them to enter the hall quickly.

The scale of this premiere was not large, and Wei Jin did not send out wide invitations, but there were still many people who came to show their support.

The reason was naturally very realistic. As an internationally renowned director, Wei Jin had box office success in business and was the youngest Palme d'Or winner in terms of awards. There were too many film and television companies and artists in the circle counting on building a good relationship with him.

"Old Wei, wishing you a big box office success!"

The one who spoke was Zhou Xun. Since collaborating on *Painted Skin*, the relationship between the two had been quite good, and this time she had also come specifically to show support.

"I'll take your kind words. How does it feel to join Huayi?"

At the beginning of this year, after Zhou Xun's contract with Rongxin Da expired, she joined Huayi. He didn't know what kind of sincerity the latter had offered; *The Banquet* certainly counted, but Wei Jin always felt it wasn't enough. After all, she was one of the Four Dan Actresses.

"It's alright. There are a few more projects coming up, but it's a pity you didn't sign me..."

Zhou Xun's words were not false; she had indeed approached Wei Jin's company back then, but unfortunately, Wei Jin didn't agree.

"You're joking. You're already so famous; if I signed you, what resources would I have to give you?"

Wei Jin naturally had his considerations. For an acting powerhouse like Zhou Xun who had already made a name for herself, one just needed to contact her directly for collaboration; there was no need to sign her. What the film and television industry truly lacked were high-quality projects, not actors.

"Director Wei, what are you two chatting about so happily?"

Fan Bingbing walked over and very naturally took Wei Jin's arm, making it seem as if Zhou Xun were an outsider.

It was clear that the two were not on good terms at Huayi.

To be precise, the three current leading actresses of Huayi—Fan Bingbing, Li Bingbing, and Zhou Xun—were all not on good terms, and the reason was naturally very simple: fighting for resources.

"It's nothing, just chatting about *The Banquet*; Young Master Zhou invited me to the premiere."

"Then when *A Battle of Wits* premieres, you have to come and show your support too; I am the female lead, after all."

Fan Bingbing sounded a bit sarcastic, mocking Zhou Xun for only being able to play the second female lead in *The Banquet* even after joining Huayi.

"Old Wei, I'm going to go greet some friends, excuse me."

Zhou Xun could hardly stomach such provocation; if Wei Jin hadn't been present, she would have slapped this vixen twice, no matter what.

"You, can't you just speak properly?"

Wei Jin was somewhat speechless; wasn't Fan Bingbing supposed to have high emotional and social intelligence? "It's just a habit, it's like this at the company; at most, I'll give you face in the future."

Fan Bingbing didn't care about the occasion when she started feuding with the top actresses, and it wasn't that she didn't give Wei Jin face, as she immediately asked about another matter:

"When is *Taken* coming out? A lot of people are waiting to see me make a fool of myself."

When she said this, Fan Bingbing sounded a bit resentful; her screen time was indeed too little.

"It's already been set for August 4th; because it's a global release, we had to coordinate the timing."

Usually, foreign imported films are released later in the domestic market; this time it was out of respect for Wei Jin, though it was a bit unfair to Gao Yuanyuan, as the two films were only a week apart, which would inevitably have some impact.

"Besides, I guarantee your scenes haven't been cut at all; this time you're showing your face globally."

It was necessary for Wei Jin to specifically explain this, as one had to know that Hollywood, in order to break into the domestic market, would invite Chinese actresses to participate, but in the end, the scenes with the Chinese actresses would only appear in the domestic version of the film and would not be included in the global release at all.

Just as Fan Bingbing was about to say something else, a staff member came to remind them that the premiere had begun.

After the host's opening, Wei Jin led the crew members onto the stage to accept interviews from reporters.

"Director Wei, may I ask what your expectations are for the film's box office?"

"Of course, the higher the better; I believe in my work."

"Director Wei, among the actresses you have worked with, who do you admire the most?"

This was clearly meant to stir up trouble for Wei Jin; he glanced at the reporter's press badge—oh, just some obscure tabloid.

"This is the premiere of *Time-Space Cohabitation*; I'm afraid I cannot answer irrelevant questions."

"Director Wei, may I ask..."

After a series of dull and tedious interviews, as the lights dimmed and the familiar sounds began, the film started playing. New book launch, second update today, I humbly request your subscriptions and follows, thank you everyone!

(End of this chapter)