Chapter 157

In the film Inception, what audiences most enjoy discussing is whether the male protagonist ultimately returned to the real world or is still dreaming.

The Matrix trilogy also possesses a similar ingenuity.

After all, Neo can actually destroy octopus robots in the real world with his mind, which makes viewers wonder whether the "real world" the male protagonist inhabits is actually also a matrix.

Thus, when Jiang Heng went on stage to accept interviews from reporters and the audience, the first question posed to him was this one.

"Zion is of course the real world; Neo can use superpowers in the real world because he can connect to the source code of the machine city." Jiang Heng said with a smile.

But after hearing this, the reporters and audience still didn't quite understand, and Jiang Heng didn't explain further.

After all, for promotion, a bit of controversy helps spread the word.

She naturally already knew her role in the film: the second female lead, Mel, who is also the male protagonist's ex-wife.

Because of that interview at the premiere, many Hollywood actresses and agencies called, wanting to audition for the female lead.

As in the original history, Neo in The Matrix 2 was voiced by Li Yapeng.

After all, North America is the world's largest box-office market, and whether the Matrix trilogy can ultimately break the $2 billion mark largely depends on its performance in North America and Europe.

Because Jiang Heng and the rest of the main crew still had to catch an evening flight to the United States to attend the premiere event there.

Although the event ended with a banquet, it was quickly finished.

"I don't know who the lead will be this time; will Director Jiang Heng collaborate with our Hollywood actors?"

"Of course, filming here definitely requires working with Hollywood actors; for this new film's female lead, I plan to cast someone in Hollywood. As for the male lead, it's still the familiar Wu Yan Zu."

Since everyone knows Jiang Heng registered a film and television production company in Hollywood to produce his latest works, and there are reports that he aims to compete for Oscars such as Best Picture and Best Director.

Jiang Heng, however, stayed behind to prepare for the upcoming shoot of Inception.

The plot of this installment feels like: fight, find the Oracle, fight, find the Keymaker, fight, find the Architect, fight… each time they find someone, it's a lengthy dialogue that most viewers can't understand.

The subsequent questions were rather routine; Jiang Heng answered them one by one and called all the main crew onto the stage to accept media interviews.

Later films each had their own problems.

For example, The Matrix 2, which grossed over eight hundred million dollars worldwide, was a box-office smash.

After saying this, the reporters on site all laughed, feeling that Jiang Heng's last remark was insincere; he probably just wanted to find a beautiful actress who wasn't too sexy.

The reporters naturally didn't think Jiang Heng could win an award, after all, although the visual effects of the films he directed were superb, their story cores ultimately fell short.

Things unfolded just as he had anticipated; after Jiang Heng tossed out this "bait," the reporters indeed became excited and all asked him about the requirements for this role.

Moreover, it received an Oscar nomination, but unfortunately lost to the Italian film Life Is Beautiful.

Actually, the role still has a fair amount of screen time; it's just that I feel the Dream Weaver is quite challenging.

After saying this, Li Meiqi in the line appeared somewhat unnatural, while Wu Yan Zu greeted the reporters.

Many foreign films cannot gain recognition in Hollywood, and subtitles and dubbing are also major issues.

Unlike domestic audiences, viewers in Europe and the United States very much dislike subtitles when watching films.

By contrast, domestic audiences care too much about these things; of course, overacting is also unacceptable.

Jiang Heng merely felt that her figure was sexy and alluring, really not like a female student still in school.

As for the Dream Weaver role, Jiang Heng felt that as long as the acting was decent, it could be taken out for selection in Hollywood, and also used as a publicity opportunity.

Moreover, because of the "Super Microcomputer," Jiang Heng upgraded the original special effects that were not fine or shocking enough, bringing the film's audiovisual effects to the utmost.

"Director Jiang Heng, I heard you're preparing to shoot a big film in Hollywood; is that true?"

However, as a standalone film, some media criticized it for lacking story completeness, believing it merely lays the groundwork for the third installment's worldview.

As for Jiang Heng's other effects-heavy films, such as Lion Camel Ridge and Splitting the Mountain to Save Mother, American audiences just watch them for the excitement.

Her figure striking, wearing the sexy Monica Bellucci, one hand on her waist, she turned just right, her gaze toward Jiang Heng inevitably carried a hint of resentment.

However, after the premiere of The Matrix 3 in Beimei ended, Wu Yan Zu and Li Meiqi each went home to visit family, while Yuan De and Gao Xiong took a flight together back to the country.

As the director with the highest global box office in 2002, Jiang Heng enjoyed great fame in the United States, and more than half of the reporters were there for him.

Moreover, because the leads' dialogue is in original English, the film increasingly won favor with North American audiences.

「Wow, oh my God, surely not, Director Jiang is preparing to select a new female lead in Haolaiwu, could it not be Miss Bellucci? 」

Speaking of Jiang Heng's films, the one most likely to win an award is still The Matrix 1; when the film burst onto the scene, the worldview it displayed was truly eye‑opening.

The film naturally had no problems, whether in plot or special effects.

「Of course, the company, actors, props, shooting locations—many have already been settled! 」

They then asked some more questions about The Matrix 3, and formally moved into the screening session.

「For the role of the film's female lead, I want to find an actress who has a youthful, student‑like vibe and is very pretty. Of course, her acting must also be good! 」

At the premiere, the reporters first asked a bunch of questions about The Matrix 3, then asked about Jiang Heng's upcoming new film.

After a long flight, Jiang Heng, Wu Yan Zu, Li Meiqi, Yuan De, Zou Zhaolong, Gao Xiong and the others arrived in Luoshanji, and went to the hotel arranged by Columbia Company to rest.

Because Li Yapeng was hot at the time, his voice was especially distinctive; as soon as he spoke, the audience got the feeling of 「Jing Gege」 dressed as Neo, very theatrical.

They felt that this film was only a box‑office success; in overall quality and artistic merit, it simply couldn't compare to The Matrix 1.

The next day they rushed straight to the venue, where they joined Monica Bellucci and the other foreign cast members to attend the premiere ceremony here.

Jiang Heng naturally wouldn't turn anyone away; who he'd finally choose was another matter, but the audition still had to happen, mainly because he himself hadn't decided yet who to pick.

And as The Matrix 3 was released, after the opening weekend grossed 63 million US dollars, the number of Hollywood actresses vying for the role grew even more.

(End of chapter)