Chapter 171: with translation of chapter title

Most of the actors for the new film's roles have already been suitably chosen.

Only a few remain undecided, one being the actor to play Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Tao Huimin had been used before; her appearance was fine, but this time her schedule conflicts, so Jiang Heng must look for someone else.

People around him kept recommending candidates; Jiang Heng gave it some thought and finally chose Liu Tao.

The second is the foster mother of the Gold Horn King and Silver Horn King, the nine-tailed fox spirit; in the 1986 version of Journey to the West, she was merely an old, ugly demoness with little combat ability.

But in the film version, Jiang Heng intends to shape her into a graceful, peerlessly beautiful fairy.

After all, there are too few female roles in the film; Jiang Heng wants to maximize the characters' appeal, and an old demoness is clearly unlikable.

A somewhat tsundere female demon will always find fans among the audience.

As for the positioning of this female demon, it's just four words: "full of charm and allure."

Saying it is simple, but finding a suitable actor is truly not easy.

Zhou Xingxing said that, then added, "Director Jiang heard about her from somewhere and wants her to play a role."

Even the few who are still active are too familiar to the audience, lacking freshness, so Jiang Heng still plans to use newcomers.

After agreeing to Jiang Heng's request, he hurriedly had someone fetch Tian Qiwen and asked whether the company had an artist named Zhang Yuqi.

"Yes, boss, we signed her the year before last; she's currently studying. Do you want us to call her back?"

Not until the 2006 launch of CJ7 did her situation improve.

Because he is obsessed with films, he doesn't pay much attention to other matters.

By comparison, Zhu Zhu is relatively fortunate—coming from a prominent family, her looks are not bad either, yet she remains unpopular.

Zhou Xingxing exclaimed in surprise, though he himself didn't believe what he was saying.

After much thought, only two people seemed most suitable.

Zhang Yuqi had depended on her mother since childhood; she signed with Xinghui Company in May 2002, entered the Shanghai Theatre Academy's Opera School in 2003, and when her mother's business failed she could not afford tuition, so she sold her mother's wedding jewelry to continue her studies.

"No need, well, let her come back for a visit!"

Jiang Heng laughed and said, "My new film lacks a somewhat gorgeous role; I heard somewhere that your company has a young lady who is naturally alluring!"

Jiang Heng thought to himself, "Signing a girl from your company really isn't easy; one slip and you forget her."

Zhou Xingxing was utterly puzzled, "If you hadn't mentioned it, I'd almost have forgotten our company even had such an actor—how did you know?"

Basically, the company's affairs are also handled by Tian Qiwen.

In the TCCandler list of "Top 100 Most Beautiful Faces Worldwide," Zhu Zhu has appeared multiple times, yet she has little influence domestically.

One is Zhang Yuqi, who played Yuan Lao in CJ7 and Ruolan in The Mermaid; the other is Zhu Zhu, who has always been lukewarm.

At this moment, neither of them has officially debuted.

In Xianggang there used to be many like them, but most have now retired from the screen.

Jiang Heng felt that perhaps we should respect the audience's reaction!

After all, Zhang Yuqi's portrayal of Ruolan in The Mermaid was truly beautiful, gorgeous, and wicked, and when she walked she exuded a full-blown aura that was incredibly cool!

"Really? I think she looks quite pure!"

In the end, he called Zhou Xingxing to say he wanted to borrow Zhang Yuqi.

Tian Qiwen showed a surprised expression, "Director Jiang heard about her? It must have been Yuan De or Yuan Hua who said it; those two old rascals now hang out together, always showing off whenever they return, bringing a big crowd to eat and drink."

In recent years, the Xianggang film market has become increasingly sluggish, with many cast and crew unemployed—some deliver takeout, some work as laborers, some drive taxis, some sell real estate or insurance.

Yuan De and Yuan Hua, following Jiang Heng, not only get to act in films but are also involved in big productions, holding some authority, which surely arouses envy in many.

Even Tian Qiwen has had similar thoughts.

Mainly because Zhou Xingxing makes too few films and isn't very sociable in the industry, so although Tian Qiwen manages Xinghui Company's daily affairs, few people fawn over him, and he somewhat envies the glory of Yuan De and Yuan Hua.

Zhou Xingxing, however, couldn't be bothered with these matters; he originally wanted to send Zhang Yuqi directly to Jingcheng to find Jiang Heng, but after reconsidering, he decided to let her come back for a visit instead.

He has been thinking lately about making a film concerning aliens and father-son affection.

When he was young, after his parents divorced, he lived with his mother, sister, and brother, leading a hard life.

But as he grew up, he held little resentment toward his father.

After becoming famous, he even bought his father a luxury mansion and hired servants.

As he ages, he grows ever more nostalgic for the happy times he spent with his father in childhood.

He wants to use a film to commemorate that memory.

The script isn't finished yet, and the female lead is still undiscussed; he just instinctively feels that the film should have a beautiful, kind, motherly female teacher.

In just a couple of days, Zhang Yuqi flew from Shanghai to Xianggang and arrived at Xinghui Company.

At that moment she was completely clueless, unaware of what had happened; after inquiring, she heard nothing about the company planning a new film.

But since Zhou Xingxing sought her out, it should be a good thing!

"Hello Director Zhou, hello Manager Tian, I'm Zhang Yuqi!"

Though young, she already has a fine figure, and she greets with a bow in her distinctive accent.

Zhou Xingxing felt somewhat puzzled; this girl is only seventeen, yet she possesses a unique mature aura, indeed somewhat gorgeous.

Yet he didn't discuss it with Zhang Yuqi, merely nodding at Tian Qiwen and saying, "You tell her!"

"Ah, is that so? You know Director Jiang Heng, right?"

"I know, I know!"

Zhang Yuqi felt her heart rise to her throat; Director Jiang Heng, you really know too much.

"Director Jiang is preparing a new film and needs an actress full of charm and allure; he somehow heard about you and wants you to come for an audition! The company will arrange an agent and assistant to accompany you; if you're selected, they'll handle the contract for you—just follow their arrangements!"

Zhang Yuqi was overjoyed and quickly said, "Okay, thank you Director Zhou, thank you Manager Tian!"

Zhou Xingxing couldn't be bothered with pleasantries and didn't know what to talk about with this girl.

With a solemn expression he said, "Go on, give a good performance!"

Zhang Yuqi reiterated her stance, saying she would definitely perform well before leaving.

After a day passed, several people departed from Xianggang Airport, and after several hours of travel, they finally arrived in Jingcheng.

Before departure, they had notified the Love Outstanding Rising Film Company; the company's own staff came to pick them up, arranged their hotel stay, and after another day, finally brought them before Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng looked them over and was still fairly satisfied.

He then asked about Zhang Yuqi's dance foundation; the girl immediately performed a segment, and her performance was equally good.

The only shortcoming was her voice, but it wasn't a big issue—post-production could simply dub her.

He immediately gave the go-ahead for Zhang Yuqi to sign on and join the cast, where she would portray an alluring nine-tailed fox spirit.

Of course, as the godmother of Gold Horn and Silver Horn, her makeup certainly needed to look older.

(End of chapter)