Chapter 110

Liu Weiqiang and the others were momentarily stunned; although as investors, even if the female lead is pre‑determined, promoting one's "girlfriend" is not a problem, but when they were creating the script, the casting for the main roles had already been decided.

"Er, Mr. Jiang, what do you think about using Liu Dehua and Liang Chaowei as the two leads?"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "I have no objection to those two!"

Liu Weiqiang and the others instantly breathed a sigh of relief; as long as Liu Dehua and Liang Chaowei aren't replaced, the rest of the casting is easy to discuss.

At this point the discussion was going smoothly; Liu Weiqiang and the others did not want to cause complications, and said that after returning to Hong Kong to finalize the other roles, they would fax the list over.

Jiang Heng had no objection, and let the three of them stay a few more days in the capital, arranging their food, lodging, and sightseeing himself.

But the three were eager to prepare for the film; once the contract and payment were settled, they hurriedly rushed to the airport and left.

Just as they returned to the crew, the assistant director came over and said, "Director Jiang, Monica has disembarked; we've arranged for her to go to the hotel first and join the set tomorrow."

Jiang Heng said, "Fine, after flying such a long way, she definitely needs a day to rest and get over the jet lag!"

In the sequel to The Matrix, Monica Bellucci's role isn't large, but it is quite stunning.

In the original, Carrie-Anne Moss's Trinity, while not exceptionally beautiful, is still striking and capable.

But when she shares the screen with Monica Bellucci, she is instantly outshone.

Li Meiqi's figure and looks are also sexy and charming, but compared to Monica Bellucci she seems like a minor witch beside a great one; Jiang Heng genuinely looks forward to this woman dubbed the "Earth's flower."

The next day, Monica arrived at the set with her assistant, wearing a silk black dress paired with ruby and diamond necklace and earrings; her striking figure was unmistakable, her aura overwhelming, leaving the entire cast and crew stunned.

Someone busy asked, "Who, who is this?"

"Could it be Director Jiang's girlfriend, flying in from abroad?"

"I heard she's an Italian actress named Bellucci, also a cast member of this film."

Around 2000, Chinese-language internet information was not well developed, and one could not know international female stars as readily as later.

Very few in the crew had previously known Monica Bellucci, and even fewer could speak with her.

"Director Jiang, Ms. Monica has arrived!" said the reception supervisor, then stepped aside, but couldn't help glancing at Monica.

"A heavenly beauty!"

Jiang Heng also lost himself for a moment, then extended his hand, smiling, and said, "I am the director of this film, Jiang Heng; welcome, Ms. Monica!"

The latter does not speak Chinese, and her assistant isn't very proficient either.

Jiang Heng repeated it in English, and Monica smiled and said, "I know you, Director Jiang; I've seen your films, especially *The Evil Land* (Shituo Ridge), which is truly amazing and unbelievable. *Pacific Rim* is also great—when will there be a sequel?"

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "Thanks for the praise; a sequel will probably have to wait a few years. Just like the *Matrix* sequel we're about to shoot—the first film came out five years ago!"

"Oh, all I can say is that time really flies—I entered the industry only twelve years ago!"

Perhaps because of Jiang Heng's wealth and status, Monica did not display any unwarranted sense of superiority; instead she was quite talkative, and she and Jiang Heng chatted very well, leaving the rest of the people staring agape.

"Is this the power of money?"

"Director Jiang is also quite handsome, right?"

"This woman must have some ulterior motive, right?"

The staff members whispered among themselves.

Jiang Heng also felt they had chatted enough; he glanced at his watch, smiled, and said, "Ms. Monica, coming here is no easy feat, so the crew plans to finish your scenes within a week—how about doing your makeup and changing clothes now?"

Monica smiled, her eyes somewhat alluring, and said, "Then thank you very much, Director Jiang; I'll go change clothes first!"

After saying that, she blinked and walked away with a swaying grace.

"Director Jiang, this little vixen isn't a good person!" said the bald-headed Yuan De, staring at Monica's back with his eyes wide open.

Jiang Heng said, "Don't talk nonsense; get to work!"

However, with Monica Bellucci's arrival, the entire crew seemed to become restless.

And when, having finished her makeup, Monica emerged from the dressing room in a white tight-fitting dress and high heels, it seemed as if countless people were sighing softly.

In 2002, China was still relatively conservative.

Even if some dared to wear revealing outfits, they didn't have such a good figure.

Li Meiqi, not without jealousy, said to Wu Yan Zu, "If I were you, I'd do a few more NG takes later!"

Wu Yan Zu hurriedly replied, "No, we can't do that; filming is the most important!"

"Really?"

Li Meiqi wore a sneering expression and outright didn't believe that.

Not far away, Jiang Heng also felt a flash before his eyes, lost himself for a moment, then smiled and said, "Ms. Monica, your participation is truly the right choice!"

Monica gave an alluring smile and said, "I also feel that this acting experience is a great fortune in my career!"

"All right, let's begin!"

After Jiang Heng said that, the assistant director led everyone to the prepared set.

The filming of the Matrix sequel mainly took place in two large soundstages: one for set construction, using foam, wood, plastic, and real objects as props to create realistic indoor scenes.

The other is green‑screen filming, using motion capture and CG technology to shoot those flashy special‑effects action sequences.

The role Monica plays mainly appears indoors, so she films in the set‑construction soundstage.

In the constructed "restroom," Monica kisses the male lead, naturally to avenge her on‑screen "husband," the Frenchman Merowen Jia.

The male lead naturally wants to refuse, because he and Trinity are already a couple.

But in order to find the "locksmith" hidden by the Frenchman, he ultimately gives in.

Though not a complex scene, it actually took two NG takes before it passed.

Afterwards, Monica leads the male and female leads, Morpheus and others, through the kitchen and the splendid staircase to a room full of books, where they use silver‑bullet guns to kill the Frenchman's vampire underlings.

One must say, although Monica looks like a big‑breasted bimbo, her acting is certainly not just for show.

Whether it's her physique, blocking, or lines, her performance is very good.

In just one day, they managed to shoot a considerable amount of footage.

After wrapping up in the evening, Monica suddenly said, "Director Jiang, I'm not used to riding in too‑small a car; could I ride in your car back to the hotel?"

Jiang Heng was stunned for a moment, then immediately smiled and said, "Good!"

Jiang Heng took his BMW 728, carrying Monica away from the set.

Many men watched the disappearing taillights and sighed, "Comparing people makes people angry!"

Such a beautiful woman, on the first day she saw him, she voluntarily got into Director Jiang's BMW; it certainly wasn't because of love!

(End of chapter)