Chapter 13

There are so many handsome guys in the entertainment industry, but only Wu Yanzu has a lot of 'XX points ancestors'.

Twenty years later, his handsomeness has become a specific noun and adjective.

Some guys who are quite confident about their looks call themselves 'some points ancestor', but few call themselves Jin Chengwu or Wang Leehom.

It seems Yan Zu fills most of the country, becoming the synonym of handsomeness in countless people's minds, showing how outstanding his looks are.

And the savior Neo he plays in the movie is even more handsome to the point of dropping crumbs, causing countless women present to swoon.

Don't overlook the impact of looks on achievements in the film world; the most typical example is Li Lianjie, who can firmly hold the title 'Kung Fu Emperor' because those who are more handsome than him can't beat him in a fight, and those who can beat him aren't as handsome as him.

His suave and graceful movements perfectly combine with sunny handsomeness, and his harmless yet righteous, fight-ready appearance is incredibly appealing to audiences.

At this moment, Wu Yanzu shows signs of becoming popular; although he's still a newcomer with no released works, once the main crew took the stage, he quickly became the focus of media photos and questions.

"Hello, Mr. Wu Yanzu, may I ask how you joined the crew?" a female reporter wearing glasses asked.

"Um, actually I never thought I'd make a movie one day. I just felt that this year, I definitely should go to Xianggang to take a look! After traveling there, having spent almost all my money, I thought about earning some to go back, so I became a model, and then I was introduced to Director Jiang Heng!"

Perhaps it's because he was born to eat this bowl of rice; facing the guests and many media reporters below, Wu Yanzu was completely calm and spoke eloquently.

"Director Jiang's first sentence left me stunned; what he said afterward made me doubt life for a long time!"

The reporters had their curiosity piqued and all asked what he had said at that time.

"Director Jiang said, the probability that we live in the real world is less than one in a billion; I was completely confused at the time, how could that be possible!"

The guests and reporters below were even more dazed; they had only seen the most exciting fight clips and hadn't yet been exposed to the movie's worldview.

Moreover, in 1997, domestic information was blocked, so almost everyone in the auditorium had never heard of virtual world theory.

"How is that possible!"

"This, this is also too sci-fi!"

The reporters discussed heatedly, Wu Yanzu smiled and said, "I also thought that at the time; then Director Jiang began to lecture me on various theories and evidence, we chatted for maybe an hour, which left my brain in a muddle, then he gave me the script outline, I felt the worldview was completely overturned, I thought the story was too cool. Even if the pay isn't much, I'm willing to participate."

Upon hearing this, the reporters and guests became even more interested in "The Matrix"; of course, mainly because they felt there was plenty of material to write about for this issue.

"Xianggang First Handsome Guy", "First Chinese-language Sci-fi Film", "Humans Live in a Virtual World"...

Among these gimmicks, the most contagious is actually "Xianggang First Handsome Guy"!

As the saying goes, there is no first in literature, no second in martial arts.

Everyone's aesthetic differs, so naturally not everyone thinks Wu Yanzu is the most handsome.

As long as the viewpoint "Xianggang First Handsome Guy Wu Yanzu, surpassing the Four Heavenly Kings and outshining Haonan Ge" is put forward, it will surely spark heated discussion among movie fans; furthermore, posting Wu Yanzu's posters all over the bus stops and outdoor billboards in major box-office cities will surely attract large numbers of boys and girls to go watch the film.

Although Li Meiqi's looks can't be called "Xianggang First Beauty", she has a strong mixed-race vibe.

Plus, with her gorgeous and cool image in the film, her posters will definitely sell out after release.

There's a saying that looks equal justice; before the premiere, Wu Yanzu and Li Meiqi were unknown in mainland China, yet at the event site they were swarmed by reporters taking photos and asking questions.

Yuan Hua and Yuan De are also somewhat notable figures in the Xianggang film circle, but after going on stage they became invisible, with hardly anyone asking them questions.

If Yu Dong hadn't arranged a few reporters in advance, these two would have been ignored, which would be too embarrassing.

After answering the questions, another clip from the film was played.

But it was Wu Yanzu playing Neo, who touched the mirror, was immediately covered in mercury, and then a bald naked man with tubes all over his body appeared in the petri dish.

"Holy shit, this, this!"

Everyone present found it hard to believe that this monster-like figure in the petri dish was actually the handsome and cool Wu Yanzu.

But as the male protagonist's gaze rotated, people saw more culture dishes, each containing a human with tubes inserted.

The male protagonist looked out and saw countless culture dishes densely covering a round building the size of a skyscraper.

Electric arcs continuously flashed, as if generating electricity.

"Holy shit, could they be using humans to generate electricity?"

"What a wild imagination!"

The guests and reporters were curious, wanting to know the rest of the story, when the lights in the venue came on and the second preview segment ended.

Then a host took the stage, expressing gratitude on behalf of the *The Matrix* crew to the guests and reporters, and the premiere ceremony officially ended.

"Holy shit, they're definitely trying to tempt us!"

Jiang Wen let out a curse and decided to ask about it later.

To show gratitude, Jiang Heng booked a large private room at a nearby five-star hotel to entertain the attending guests.

Although the reporters who came could not go, they each received a "transportation fee."

It wasn't that they were reluctant to spend a little on the banquet; it's just that it's really inconvenient to bring reporters to occasions where celebrities dine.

In the private room, about twenty or more celebrities and artists who came to eat were mainly from Xianggang, while most of the guests from Neidi had left directly.

Instead, Jiang Wen casually sat down beside Jiang Heng and asked about the plot of *The Matrix*.

Jiang Heng briefly summarized the plot of the first film; Jiang Wen, hearing it, couldn't help but give a thumbs up, saying: "Brother, you're this kind of person; our filmmaking mindset is still about patriotism and grudges, but you directly question the world, and it actually seems very reasonable!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "It's just being young, daring to think and daring to shoot."

Xu Ke said wistfully, "It's not that simple; I think Yan Zu's gunfight scene—whether visuals, sound effects, or music—is classic among classics, saying it completely surpasses Old Wu (Wu Yusen) is not an exaggeration at all!"

Liu Weiqiang also said, "That segment was indeed very well-executed; did you really never learn to direct before?"

Jiang Heng looked slightly embarrassed, "No, I just paid attention to learning how a director coordinates scenes when I was an extra."

You can't learn that just by stealing the knowledge!

Liu Weiqiang shook his head slightly, but also didn't want to delve into this detail.

From the two preview clips, the final effect of *The Matrix* looks incredibly impressive; it's definitely not something a complete novice who has never directed could pull off.

Even Yuan De, the martial arts instructor, doesn't have that kind of skill.

Even if he could film it, he wouldn't understand these special effects; Jiang Heng probably has a team behind him helping.

Could it be some big company from Haolaiwu? How could there be no news leaked at all!

The meal ended on a generally happy note, and then everyone, still doubtful, went their separate ways.

On China Film's side, they were on high alert; besides Ge You voluntarily posing as a reporter to join the premiere's excitement, Han Sanping also sent people from the Beijing Film Factory to openly enter the CPPCC Hall.

After attending the entire ceremony, this Beijing Film Factory worker was drenched in sweat.

"Factory chief, it's too strong, their publicity concept is too strong! Although I've never done publicity, after one premiere I feel there's too much to report, and it's very eye‑catching!"

Han Sanping frowned slightly; the attendee of the premiere, Zhang Xiang, who could be considered a veteran of the Beijing Film Factory, dared to say such a thing—'boosting others' morale while destroying our own prestige'—which could only mean one thing: the quality of the film (or its clips) and its publicity methods in *The Matrix* far exceeded his imagination.

He must have thought *Party A and Party B* had no chance of winning, which is why he said that, laying groundwork to blame future box‑office failure on him so he wouldn't be accused of withholding information.

"Oh, what's worth reporting for the media?"

"Although the male lead in the film is a newcomer, his appearance is excellent—tough and handsome—and after the film's release he's likely to become a new idol for teenagers!"

"Is he more handsome than the recently popular Zheng Yijian?"

"Well, it's mainly his performance in the film—much handsomer than Chen Haonan when he fights!"

Han Sanping thought of the scene of teenagers admiring and imitating Chen Haonan, "If we could replace that triad guy and become teenagers' idol, that would also be a good thing!"

Zhang Xiang listened, feeling a bit dazed, not knowing how to respond.

Fortunately, Han Sanping continued, "Anything else special?"

"Two clips were shown in the test screening; the gunfight scenes can be said to completely surpass Wu Yusen!"

Han Sanping's eyes widened, his stare locked on Zhang Xiang, as if saying, "Kid, think it over before you say that!"

Surpass Wu Yusen?

What a joke—among domestic directors, each one counted, how many dare to pat their chests and claim they can handle gunfight scenes better than Wu Yusen?

Even Chen Kaige and Zhang Yimou wouldn't dare say that!

How could Jiang Heng, a newcomer director, possibly film gunfight scenes better than Wu Yusen? I wouldn't believe it even if you beat me to death!

Zhang Xiang considered himself the factory chief's confidant, so he didn't know what Han Sanping was thinking.

The problem is he truly believes that the gunfight scene shown in the test screening of *The Matrix* has already surpassed Wu Yusen's previous works.

Just that special effect of a bullet tracing through the air—it's completely epoch‑making!

He hurriedly explained his viewpoint in full, and Han Sanping was utterly stunned.

"Anything else?"

Zhang Xiang then described the shock from the second test clip, finally adding, "Factory chief, I think this film's final effect could be on par with a genuine Hollywood blockbuster, and the box office will be very high, right?"

Han Sanping said nothing, slowly lit a cigarette, glanced at Zhang Xiang, and said, "You mean to suggest swapping the release slot of *Party A and Party B*?"

Zhang Xiang smiled but didn't speak, thinking to himself, "Anyway I didn't say it!"

Han Sanping said, "I've thought it over carefully: if the two films are released in the same slot, although they're competitors, they're not wholly competing by genre—one is sci‑fi, the other a comedy. If both are good, many people would choose to see both."

Zhang Xiang thought to himself, "That's true, but if people think movie tickets are too expensive, they'll still have to pick one."

Of course, he would never dare say that, even if beaten to death.

Not only would he not dare say it, he'd also have to agree with Han Sanping's words and add commentary, interpreting them.

"Well, that's exactly the case—I think we can piggyback on their fame for bundled promotion!"

"Before the premiere, *Party A and Party B*'s fame far exceeded that of *The Matrix*, but I believe it will soon reverse."

"As for *Party A and Party B*, we can instead take advantage of the two films competing in the same slot to do extensive bundled promotion."

Han Sanping quite agreed with this idea, delightedly saying, "Not bad, that's exactly what I meant! Let's borrow the east wind of Xianggang to achieve our box office!"

"Factory chief, this idea is too brilliant!"

……

The two knew *The Matrix*'s publicity offensive would be fierce, but they didn't anticipate how far it would go.

In every bus stop in Jingcheng, posters for *The Matrix* were put up, and outdoor advertising screens were no exception.

Of course, as long as one is willing to organize manpower and spend money, these are relatively easy.

But when nationwide entertainment media extensively covered *The Matrix*, it was quite shocking—when has there ever been such a scene?

Flipping through them, the focus of the coverage varied—some praised the male lead's looks, saying he would become a new teenage idol.

Some praised the film's action scenes, believing it would be a visual feast.

Some said the special‑effect visuals were incredibly shocking, a pioneering work of Chinese‑language sci‑fi cinema, and possibly a pinnacle work.

The most exaggerated part is that even a non‑entertainment outlet like *China Science and Technology Report* jumped on the bandwagon to report on *The Matrix*'s premiere.

What's worse, the distinctive 'CCTV Six Princesses' gave extensive coverage to *The Matrix*, making the audience reach far too broad.

One can say that in just a few days, too many people went from never having heard of it to knowing that a film billed as a 'pioneering work of Chinese‑language sci‑fi cinema' was about to hit the Lunar New Year slot.

Han Sanping's bundled‑promotion strategy hadn't even been carried out yet, while *The Matrix*'s publicity was already in full swing.

That's somewhat awkward!

Even more awkward were the Wang brothers of Huayi; when Jiang Heng came to Jingcheng to seek film distribution, they talked once, but not wanting their conversation to go nowhere, it fell apart on the spot.

Wang Zhonglei also scoffed, but looking at the situation now, even if *The Matrix* can't grab a hundred million box office like the 1995 release *True Lies*, it's likely to pull in sixty or seventy million.

A box office of sixty or seventy million would mean the agency's share is definitely not small—just thinking about it hurts!

The Wang brothers were half regretful, half envious, constantly staring at *The Matrix*'s publicity situation.

By the night of December 18, several cinemas in Jingcheng's downtown area that were screening *The Matrix* began to see large crowds pouring in.

Reporters who came for interviews learned that these people were all there to attend the midnight showing of *The Matrix*.

The first day's midnight show, more of a gimmick than an actual scheduling method, was indeed surprising; reporters making the rounds and asking a few questions found that almost all the viewers were students on break or white‑collar workers who had just started work.

Asked why, they replied, "I heard the movie's guys are handsome, the girls pretty, and the scenes are flashy!"

(End of chapter)