Chapter 457: Celebration Banquet

"If you ask me, twenty billion is possible!"

A booming voice suddenly rang out; everyone turned toward it and saw a hefty man radiating aura stride in—Hong Jinbao, the "Da Ge Da" of Xianggang's film industry.

They say old Hong is truly restless by nature.

In his early years, he kept hopping back and forth among Xianggang's major film and TV companies.

After collaborating with Jiang Heng for a few years, he couldn't resist the lure of independent producing and moved on to other projects.

Especially in 2008, his work as action director on Ip Man was a huge hit, and he gradually reduced collaborations with Jiang Heng, turning to independent production.

The reason is simple: Jiang Heng's films have a very distinct personal style.

Audiences focus on visual effects and plot; no matter how gorgeous the action scenes, no one will remember Hong Jinbao.

And he's not the type to stay under the radar; when someone invites him, he goes, and his collaborations with Jiang Heng dwindled.

Nevertheless, their relationship remains good.

Whenever Jiang Heng has major promotional events, Hong Jinbao usually shows up.

And if a film needs a suitable role, Jiang Heng will give priority to Hong Tianming.

The entertainment world is full of personal connections! This time, Hong Jinbao will play the Golden Mane Lion King Xie Xun in New Yi Tian, a fairly substantial role.

When he arrived, Jiang Heng extended his hand and laughed, "Brother, you're flattering me too much; modern wuxia films don't have that many audiences!"

Jiang Heng truly feels he can't reach a twenty‑billion box office, because there aren't that many viewers anymore, and people no longer believe in chivalrous spirit.

Even hitting over a billion is thanks to his own hype and influence.

Frankly, people just come for the spectacle.

But Hong Jinbao seems genuinely optimistic about the film; he casually listed a few reasons it could become a hit, and they actually sounded plausible.

Jiang Heng merely chuckled and didn't follow up.

He knows Hong Jinbao so well; his actions always have a reason.

His current praise for wuxia films is most likely to promote the kung‑fu movie Tai Chi 1: Starting from Zero, which he directed as action director.

After all, Jiang Heng now stars in wuxia movies; does that mean mainland wuxia films are on the rise? Director Jiang's film won't release for another year, so perhaps we should check out the freshly released kung‑fu film Tai Chi? In an instant, Jiang Heng thought of their marketing strategy.

The problem is the film's reputation was abysmal, and its box office barely topped a hundred million—a clear flop.

Yet there's a sequel! Tai Chi 2 also released this year, a month after the first.

Worth mentioning, the film's female lead Yang Tianbao, whose popularity surged from Running Man, essentially became the box‑office draw for the movie.

At this moment, she also appears at the celebration banquet alongside Huang Xiaoming.

"Can't we try a little harder?"

In a corner of the banquet hall, Yang Tianbao coos at Huang Xiaoming, because she wants a prominent female role in New Yi Tian.

Huang Xiaoming sighs, "It's already settled; stop worrying about it!"

"I'm not being picky; it's a rare chance!" Yang Tianbao says, a bit hurt.

She's now a bona‑fide variety‑show goddess; in terms of popularity and fame, she's on par with top‑tier actresses.

But when it comes to film‑TV resources, she still lags a bit.

She originally hoped to snag a supporting female role in New Yi Tian, and after smoothing things over with Director Jiang, maybe someday she could star as the female lead in Jiang Heng's blockbuster.

If that day ever comes, she'll be an international star…

But ideals are lofty while reality is stark; she got stuck at the first step, failing to land a role, which left her deeply disappointed.

Now she can only urge Huang Xiaoming to think of a way to secure resources for her!

Under her gentle pleading, Huang the "master" quickly "succumbs," his expression firm as he says, "Fine, I'll ask again, though it may not work!"

Having said that, he took Yang Tianbao's hand and walked toward Jiang Heng.

"Congratulations, Director Jiang—36 billion mainland box office, 22 billion USD worldwide, your title as top director is well deserved!" Huang Xiaoming said, stepping forward.

Jiang Heng chuckled, quickly thanking him repeatedly! Yang Tianbao also showered compliments, declaring Jiang Heng her idol and how much she admires him.

Jiang Heng chuckled again, giving a casual reply.

After a moment's thought, Huang Xiaoming suddenly said he wanted to cameo in New Yi Tian with Yang Tianbao, for free.

Jiang Heng was taken aback; he hadn't expected Huang Xiaoming to say that publicly—refusing would be a bit embarrassing.

He kept smiling, "Thanks, thanks, it's always old friends who want to support me! But the film's roles have already been cast."

Yang Tianbao, hearing that, sighed, "Is there no other suitable part?"

Jiang Heng glanced at the youthful Yang Tianbao and the deeply affectionate Huang Xiaoming beside her.

He recalled a couple from Yi Tian and laughed, "It's not that there's none, we'd just have to sacrifice Xiao Ming!"

Huang Xiaoming was startled, not understanding Jiang Heng's meaning, but replied earnestly, "It's fine; as long as the two of us can appear, playing the ugly part or anything is no problem!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "No need to play the ugly; you'll still be a great hero, just a crippled great hero!"

Huang Xiaoming asked, "Yin Liting, Yang Buhui?"

Jiang Heng smiled, "Exactly!"

Because in the film's main plot, the Battle of Wan'an Temple, Yin Liting is recuperating and does not appear.

Thus when casting, they didn't factor him or Yang Buhui in.

Normally they just shoot; if later they feel a cameo is needed, they'll just pick someone.

If Huang Xiaoming and Yang Tianbao are willing to cameo for free, Jiang Heng has no reason to push them away.

"We're willing, we're willing, we'll act!" Yang Tianbao exclaimed, thrilled.

She quickly added, "Running Man gave me this fame; I've long wanted to support you, Director Jiang, in any way."

Jiang Heng chuckled, welcoming the two to join the New Yi Tian crew.

Those around them watched and applauded in congratulations.

Then the formal celebration banquet began; Yu Dong himself cameoed as host, announcing the box‑office successes of Black Myth: Wukong in mainland China and several major overseas markets.

As each impressive figure was announced, the guests present were all shocked and admiring.

It's too much; the box office performance is so good it's despair-inducing.

Like Splendid Arts' Wang Zhonglei, he occasionally fantasizes that Splendid Arts will one day surpass Outstanding Rising Film Company and become the industry leader.

But upon hearing the excellent box office performance of Black Myth: Wukong, the thought instantly vanished.

How to surpass? It's impossible to surpass!

The domestic market has already exceeded 3.6 billion; he really can't think of how to film, what kind of film could get over 3 billion box office!

As for the overseas market, now audiences in various countries recognize Jiang Heng's name; others, even if they could produce a blockbuster of equal quality, might not be able to take over the market, let alone when their quality is far inferior. (End of chapter)