Chapter 525

In the film and television industry, following trends is very common.

Translation: In the film and television industry, following trends is very common.

Jiang Heng's works have rarely been imitated before, mainly because they are too difficult.

Translation: Jiang Heng's works have rarely been followed in the past, mainly because the difficulty is too high.

For mythological subjects, ordinary film and TV companies are reluctant to invest even two or three hundred million yuan, so how could they compete with Jiang Heng's hundred-million-dollar blockbusters? Hollywood studios do have that capability, but due to cultural barriers, they are unlikely to spend heavily on Chinese mythological stories.

Translation: For mythological subjects, ordinary film and TV companies are reluctant to invest even two or three hundred million yuan, how could they compete with Jiang Heng's hundred-million-dollar epic? Hollywood studios do have that capability, but due to cultural barriers, they are also unlikely to spend heavily on filming Chinese mythological stories.

This time is different; "Star Divergence" was originally a Western sci-fi pulp novel, and the cultural core expressed in the book is also Western-leaning.

Translation: This time is different; *Extraterrestrial Divergence* was originally a Western sci-fi pulp novel, and the cultural core it portrays is also Western-leaning.

Moreover, Jiang Heng's global box office exceeding three billion dollars this time truly made those Hollywood giants envious; even if it's risky, they are preparing to jump on the bandwagon.

Translation: Moreover, Jiang Heng's global box office this time exceeded three billion US dollars, truly making those Hollywood giants envy him to death; even if it's risky, they must prepare to join in.

Therefore, trying to stop it is very difficult, and suing is not the best strategy.

Translation: Therefore, it's hard to stop, and suing is not the best strategy.

Those companies all have professional legal teams, with Disney's legal department even dubbed "the strongest on earth," leaving few loopholes.

Translation: Those companies all have professional legal teams; Disney's legal department is even dubbed "the strongest on earth," leaving few loopholes.

Thus, after half a day of discussion among the executives, the best strategy is still to follow the trend themselves, collaborating with Columbia Pictures to produce an American version of "Star Divergence."

Translation: So, after half a day of discussion among the executives, the best strategy is still to follow their own trend, cooperate with Columbia Pictures Company, and film an American version of *Extraterrestrial Divergence*.

"Following the trend ourselves? Well, that's not impossible!" Jiang Heng muttered, recalling an amusing anecdote from the Hong Kong film scene.

Translation: "Following our own trend? Well, that's not impossible!" Jiang Heng muttered, suddenly recalling an amusing anecdote from the Xianggang film circle.

Speaking of which, after Xu Lao Guai's two "Wong Fei-hung" films became hits across Hong Kong, countless imitations followed.

Translation: Speaking of which, after Old Monster Xu's two *Wong Fei-hung* films became a hit across Xianggang, countless imitations followed.

Seeing this situation, Xu Lao Guai teamed up with Yuan Baba to produce "Young Wong Fei-hung: Iron Horse Steed," with Xu writing the script and Yuan He Ping directing.

Translation: Seeing this situation, Old Monster Xu teamed up with Uncle Ba Ye, producing *Young Wong Fei-hung: Iron Horse Steed*, for which he wrote the script and Uncle He Ping directed.

Unfortunately, due to insufficient promotion and the lead's lack of fame, "Young Wong Fei-hung" felt more like clickbait, telling the story of his father Huang Qiying, resulting in a dismal box office of just over six million Hong Kong dollars—worse than those parody films.

Translation: Unfortunately, due to insufficient promotion and the lead's lack of fame, *Young Wong Fei-hung* felt more like clickbait, telling the story of his father Huang Qiying, resulting in a box-office disaster—only earning over six million Hong Kong dollars, worse than those parody films.

In light of this, Jiang Heng feels it's necessary to learn some lessons, at least ensuring that the American version's box office and reputation aren't too poor.

Translation: In light of this, Jiang Heng felt it necessary to learn some lessons, at least ensuring the American version's box office and reputation aren't too poor.

"If we co-produce, let Columbia Pictures find the director; I can serve as a nominal producer… The remaining materials, sets, and props from before can also be used directly… As for casting, the male lead would be a Hollywood A-lister, the female lead would be one of ours… Investment-wise, each side puts up half."

Translation: "If we co-produce, let Columbia Pictures Company find the director; I can serve as a nominal producer… the remaining materials, sets, and props from before can also be used directly… as for casting, the male lead will be a Hollywood A-list star, the female lead will be one of ours… investment-wise, each side puts up half!"

After a lengthy discussion, Jiang Heng delivered a concluding speech, and executives such as Du Huan and Li Xiaoping had no objections.

Translation: After a lengthy discussion, Jiang Heng delivered his concluding remarks; Du Huan, Li Xiaoping, and the other executives had no objections.

After the meeting, Jiang Heng again brought those two to have detailed talks with Sanford Panic; upon hearing Jiang Heng's terms, he was both surprised and delighted, never expecting such efficiency, with disagreements only on individual conditions.

Translation: After the meeting, Jiang Heng again brought those two to discuss in detail with Sanford Panichi; hearing Jiang Heng's terms, he was both surprised and delighted, never expecting such efficiency, with disagreements only on individual clauses.

"Director Jiang, the film we want to make is our American version of 'Star Divergence'; casting a Chinese actress as the female lead would affect the box office!" Sanford Panic argued vehemently.

Translation: "Director Jiang, the film we're shooting is our American version of *Extraterrestrial Divergence*; using a Chinese actress as the female lead will affect the box office!" Sanford Panichi argued vehemently.

Jiang Heng laughed, "How could it? The real selling point of this film is an Earth civilization that has taken a wrong turn on the tech tree; after mastering faster-than-light travel, they use advanced weapons to conquer the universe. As long as most of the cast are Western-looking, having a few Chinese-looking characters won't matter at all!"

Translation: Jiang Heng laughed, "How could it? The real selling point of this film is an Earth civilization that has taken a wrong turn on the tech tree; after mastering faster-than-light travel, they conquer the universe with advanced weapons—as long as most of the cast are Western-looking, a few Chinese-looking roles won't matter at all!"

"The issue is, you want the female lead, right?"

Translation: "The problem is, you want the female lead, right?"

Sanford Panic wore a helpless expression, because before coming he had already settled on rough choices for the male and female leads and had his team initiate contact.

Translation: Sanford Panichi wore a helpless expression, because before coming he had already roughly decided on the male and female leads and had his people make preliminary contact.

After all, the original plan was that if the two companies' collaboration failed, they would prepare to forcibly jump on the bandwagon.

Translation: After all, the original plan was that if the two companies' cooperation failed, they would prepare to forcibly follow the trend.

"No, we really can't give the female lead; how about the second female lead?"

Translation: "No, the female lead really can't be given; how about the second female lead?"

Jiang Heng naturally couldn't agree, since it's a Sino-American co-production, both sides definitely want to have their actors featured.

Translation: Jiang Heng naturally could not agree, since it's a Sino-American co-production, both sides definitely need to have their own performers.

If we can't secure even a single important role, our artists would think the company doesn't care about their career prospects at all! Therefore, besides the female lead, the film should also include two to three roles played by Chinese actors, though their screen time wouldn't be as heavy.

Translation: "If we can't secure even a single important role, how would our artists think—the company wouldn't be considering their career prospects at all! So, besides the female lead, the film should also have two to three roles played by Chinese actors, though their screen time wouldn't be as heavy."

The two sides couldn't reach an agreement right away, but Jiang Heng wasn't rushed; that evening he routinely hosted a banquet for Sanford Panic and his entourage.

Translation: The two sides couldn't reach an agreement for a while, but Jiang Heng wasn't anxious; that evening he routinely hosted a banquet to welcome Sanford Panichi and his entourage.

Meanwhile, the news that the two companies plan to co-produce an American version of "Star Divergence" has already spread within the company.

Translation: Meanwhile, the news that the two companies would co-produce the American version of *Extraterrestrial Divergence* had already spread within the company.

"Definite news: Director Jiang said the female lead role must be decided by our side—what a rare opportunity!"

Translation: "Definite news—Director Jiang said the female lead role must be decided by our side; what a rare opportunity!"

At Hengdian, Liu Yifei, who was filming there, heard the news over the phone and felt somewhat excited.

Translation: At Hengdian, Liu Yifei, who was filming there, heard the news over the phone and felt somewhat stirred.

A Sino-American co-production, the American version of "Star Divergence," the female lead—this is something worth striving for! Although she currently holds a solid first-tier status domestically, her international influence is still lacking. If she could land the female lead in the American version of "Star Divergence," it would count as breaking into Hollywood, and the situation would be quite different.

Translation: Sino-American co-production, the American version of *Extraterrestrial Divergence*, the female lead—this is something worth fighting for! Although she currently holds a solid first-tier status domestically, her international influence is still lacking. If she could play the female lead in the American version of *Extraterrestrial Divergence*, it would also count as breaking into Hollywood, and the situation would be quite different.

After thinking it through, Liu Yifei thanked the person on the phone and then summoned her assistant.

Translation: After thinking it through, Liu Yifei thanked the person on the other end of the phone, then immediately summoned her assistant.

"Book me a ticket back to Beijing right away, on the earliest flight possible!"

Translation: "Book me a ticket back to the capital right away, the earliest flight possible!"

"Huh?" The assistant blinked, then immediately said they would arrange it right away.

Translation: "Huh?" The assistant blinked, then quickly said he would arrange it at once.

Liu Yifei then went to the director, saying she wanted to take three days off to return to the capital.

Translation: Liu Yifei then went to the director, saying she wanted to take three days off to make a trip to the capital.

The director frowned upon hearing this, as filming was currently busy, so he naturally didn't want to grant leave.

Translation: The director frowned upon hearing this; with filming currently busy, he naturally didn't want to grant leave.

However, Liu Yifei usually cooperates well with the crew, never throws tantrums, so of course we should give her some consideration.

Translation: However, Liu Yifei usually cooperates well with the crew, never throws her weight around, so of course we should give her face.

Moreover, for someone at her level, the crew often has to coax her into shooting, using stand-ins and such! "Alright, then go quickly and come back quickly—nothing serious, right?"

Translation: Moreover, for an artist of her stature, the crew often pampers her during shooting, using stand-ins and such—"Alright, then go quickly and return quickly; nothing serious, right?"

Liu Yifei smiled and shook her head, "It's just that I have something urgent; I must go back for a trip and handle it, then return soon!"

Translation: Liu Yifei smiled and shook her head, "Just have a bit of urgent business; I must go back for a trip, handle it, and return soon!"

"Done handling it?"

Translation: "Done handling it?"

"In every version examined, there is not a single error!"

Translation: "In one look, no mistaken version!" (This line is odd; likely means "At a glance, there's no error version!" We'll translate literally: "At a glance, there is no erroneous version!")

The director thought, "If you don't finish handling it, you won't keep not coming back, right? Things have come to this point, but it's also not appropriate to say anything more."

Translation: The director thought, "If you can't finish handling it, you won't keep not coming back, will you? Things have come to this point, but it's also not appropriate to say anything more."

Meanwhile, Liu Yifei, upon receiving the news, rushed back to the capital at once.

Translation: Meanwhile, Liu Yifei, upon receiving the news, rushed back to the capital at once.

Jing Wan, Tang Yan, Yang Mi, Liu Shishi, Zhao Liying, Gulnazar, and many other female artists under iQiyi, all came from across the country to the company.

Translation: Jing Tian, Tang Yan, Yang Mi, Liu Shisi, Zhao Liying, Gulina Zha, and many other female artists under Aiyouteng rushed from all over the country to the company.

Many of them also know their chances of being selected are slim; they just want to give it a try.

Translation: Many of them also knew their chances of being selected were slim; they just wanted to give it a try.

After all, once selected, they could become international actresses who have starred in Hollywood films.

Translation: After all, once selected, they would become international female stars who have starred in Hollywood films.

The next day, the first to enter Jiang Heng's office at iQiyi Pictures was Jing Wan.

Translation: The next day, the first to enter Jiang Heng's office at Aiyouteng Film Company was Jing Tian.

The older sister previously took a break from acting to work as Jiang Heng's assistant; after a while she grew bored, so Jiang Heng arranged for her to join the development of Douyin.

Translation: The young lady had previously retired from acting to serve as Jiang Heng's assistant; after a while she grew bored, so Jiang Heng arranged for her to participate in the development of Douyin.

But this person isn't the type to sit calmly in an office; after staying a while she went back to making movies, yet with limited investment, her reputation and box office were merely average, making her feel increasingly unfulfilled.

Translation: But this person couldn't just sit peacefully in an office; after a stint she went back to filming movies, yet with limited investment, her reputation and box office were merely average, making her feel increasingly unfulfilled.

Seeing that "Keep Running, Brothers" remained wildly popular, Jing Wan went on to appear as a guest for several episodes; because of her cute personality and pleasant temperament, the older sister's popularity surged dramatically.

Translation: Seeing *Keep Running, Brothers* continue to be a hit, Jing Tian then became a guest on several episodes; because of her cute, clueless personality and good temper, the young lady's popularity surged dramatically.

Jing Wan found that being a variety show guest was hassle-free and lucrative, so she became somewhat indulgent, appearing on many variety programs recently and feeling overjoyed.

Translation: Jing Tian found that being a variety show guest was hassle-free and brought quick money, so she became somewhat unwilling to return to Shu; recently she appeared on several variety programs, overjoyed beyond measure.

So, seeing her suddenly walk in, Jiang Heng felt a bit puzzled.

Translation: So, seeing her suddenly enter, Jiang Heng felt a bit strange.

"Has the show finished filming?"

Translation: "Have the shows finished filming?"

"No, it hasn't!"

Translation: "No, they haven't!"

"Then what's this, you heard the news?" Jiang Heng merely blinked, but his reaction was still quick.

Translation: "Then you're here because you heard the news?" Jiang Heng merely blinked, his reaction still swift.

Jing Wan stepped forward, put her arms around Jiang Heng's neck, and said, "Is there a chance that I simply missed you?"

Translation: Jing Tian stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Jiang Heng's neck, and said, "Is there perhaps just a possibility that I simply missed you?"

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "I don't believe it!" (End of chapter)