Chapter 174

The cameo of the four beauties was just a minor interlude; after they left, the crew resumed the tense shooting process.

During this period, Zhang Yimou and Zhang Yiping came to visit the set.

Because the film Hero earned a lot, Xin Hua Film Company launched another big production, Ten-Sided Ambush, which had already wrapped shooting at the beginning of the year.

All the special-effects shots in the film were completed by Jiang Heng's company, Beautiful Times Special Effects.

For this reason, Zhang Yimou frequently ran over to Jiang Heng's side, and moreover he had agreed to cameo a role in the film.

In the rest area, Zhang Yimou discussed the shooting plan for his next film, saying he wanted to shoot a historical epic with an investment reaching an astonishing 400 million.

Jiang Heng thought briefly and realized it must be City of Golden Armor.

In fact, during that period Zhang Yimou also filmed Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.

However, judging by the situation, it seems Zhang Yiping was eager to make money, so the artistic film was postponed.

If you think Zhou Runfa's only issue is his disagreement with Zhang Yiping, you are completely wrong.

Zhang Yiping was startled by the words, then hurriedly said, 'It's a joint lead role, and the salary can be negotiated!'

The two argued endlessly over this; Zhou Runfa insisted it was a necessary condition for him, while Zhang Yiping repeatedly stressed the limited budget.

Jiang Heng let out a light breath, thus refraining from uttering the word 'roll'; he had originally wanted to remind them, but now he couldn't be bothered.

Unfortunately, the film not only failed to make money afterward, but actually lost quite a bit.

Jiang Heng heard this and snorted coldly, 'What are you saying?'

This film cost forty million in remuneration, inviting Zhou Runfa to star.

All sorts of messy matters also surfaced, such as Zhou Runfa throwing his weight around.

'Well, I still have things to do on my end; let's entertain you two another day!'

I won't mention the script changes and his frequent threats to quit, but during the film's release, Zhou Runfa's refusal to participate in the publicity arranged by the crew was somewhat ungracious.

Generally speaking, Neidi filmmakers and audiences in the early years viewed Xianggang stars through a rosy filter, only later realizing it wasn't quite so.

Having said that, he rose and left, leaving only the two of them staring at each other.

Years later, his old friend Wu Yusu prepared to film Red Cliff, hoping to cast Zhou Runfa as the male lead Zhou Yu. In the end, Zhou presented over a hundred suggestions based on Haolaiwu standards, which the crew could not naturally satisfy; Zhou Runfa ultimately withdrew, leaving Wu Yusu in a very passive position.

In the end, under Zhang Yimou's mediation, the crew still provided a motorhome.

But at this moment, Zhang Yiping was determined to have Zhou Runfa as the lead, and also wanted Jiang Heng to play the second prince, the role originally played by Zhou Jielun in the original film.

The reasons, well, are many.

What infuriated Zhang Yiping even more was that during filming Zhou Runfa's family hardly used the motorhome at all, which was extremely aggravating.

Zhang Yiping was clueless and could not guess why Jiang Heng was angry.

The price was not really an issue, after all Zhou Runfa's fame and standing at the time were what they were.

This demand immediately met strong opposition from producer Zhang Yiping, who thought the set already had a lounge, hotels were already arranged, and providing a motorhome would be purely redundant.

However, when the formal contract was about to be signed, Zhou Runfa added an extra request: a luxury motorhome must be provided for the convenience of his family visiting the set.

'What's wrong? Everything was fine.'

Zhang Yimou, lost in thought, said, 'Perhaps it has something to do with Zhou.'

'Really? They're both from Xianggang, and their relationship has always been good, right?' Zhang Yiping said.

In his impression, Jiang Heng's relationship with Zhou Runfa should be quite good.

During the preparations for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, it was Jiang Heng who suggested Li An invite Zhou Runfa, and Zhou Runfa later even did a free cameo in Jiang Heng's The Mountain Rescue Mother; no matter how you look at it, their relationship was good!

Zhang Yimou gave a wry smile, 'Who knows? Maybe it's Director Jiang not wanting to play someone else's son.'

'This……'

Zhang Yiping thought to himself, 'This damn thing can even count as a reason?'

As a professional actor, the role……

After pondering halfway, he realized that Jiang Heng had run errands as an extra in his early years, later switched to directing; aside from starring in The Mountain Rescue Mother and cameoing in Hero and Sha Po Lang, he had not acted in any other roles.

Thus, from the standpoint of professional identity, he certainly cannot be considered a professional actor, and his mindset naturally is not that of a professional actor.

From this angle, it really could be that reason.

Upon thinking this, Zhang Yiping gave a wry smile and said, 'This whole thing got messed up; the matter wasn't settled, and it seems we even offended the person.'

Zhang Yimou said, 'We'll make up for it later!'

Zhang Yiping nodded, 'That's all we can do!'

At this moment, he still dared not offend Jiang Heng.

As for Jiang Heng's fame and prestige being greater, offending him would be of no benefit.

Furthermore, Jiang Heng is a shareholder of the domestic top cinema chain Zhongying Chihong; if he were truly offended, it would affect the chain's scheduling.

But he feels he himself is also a major figure in the film and television circle; Jiang Heng's lack of courtesy also makes him somewhat resentful.

He secretly thought to himself, 'Without Zhang the butcher, I won't eat hairy pigs; young people's idols aren't only you—I could spend more money to find Zhou Jielun just as well. If this film makes a killing, humph!'

Zhang Yimou and Zhang Yiping left without further mention, but it is said that afterward, over a period of time, various directors came to visit the set in succession.

Though they claimed to be visiting the set, in reality they were all there for new film shoots—some wanted to ask Jiang Heng for a cameo, others wanted to discuss special-effects production.

For example, Feng Xiaogang had already completed the script for The Banquet, but he still felt somewhat unsure, so he came just to shoot the breeze.

Stephen Chow's CJ7 had entered the preparation stage; he came over to ask Jiang Heng whether he would be willing to participate in the investment.

Stephen Chow really is someone who, having been bitten by a snake once, fears wells for ten years; after losing money on A Chinese Odyssey, he has since made mostly profitable films, but he simply dares not invest independently and insists on having capital participate.

In his view, Jiang Heng, with ample funds and great fame and status, is simply the best partner.

As for Stephen Chow's proposal, Jiang Heng naturally agreed without hesitation.

Such a profitable opportunity—what reason is there not to accept it?

Stephen Chow expressed his thanks, then immediately felt a bit sentimental and said, 'After this film is finished, I will no longer appear on the big screen!'

Although Jiang Heng had long known these things, he still showed an expression of surprise.

"Why?"

Zhou Xingxing smiled, "Because, I'm old now, I'm no longer handsome—why bother filming? Just age decently and leave the opportunity to the young."

Jiang Heng couldn't help but stick out his right thumb.

To be honest, some in the circle who try too hard to look young are quite off-putting.

"Amazing, to have such awareness—truly amazing!"

Zhou Xingxing laughed, "What's the big deal! By the way, do you need me to cameo in your film? I won't be acting anymore after this!"

Jiang Heng understood his meaning: basically, say the unpleasant things up front; after Long Jiang Seven, don't bring up the cameo again—he won't agree, it's not about refusing to give face.

"Okay, like that, to support your final starring film, I'll also cameo in your movie."

Zhou Xingxing, hearing this, solemnly said, "Thank you!"

(End of chapter)