Chapter 195: with translation of chapter title

Journey to the West: Flat Top Mountain does not, like Lion Camel Ridge, have ultra‑exciting, melodramatic plot points.

Because such scenes are rare, especially in commercial films.

Counting the box‑office blockbusters of the past thirty years, those that are both entertaining and melodramatic are exceedingly few.

Even in the effects‑renowned Marvel Cinematic Universe, the most moving moment is the scene in Avengers 4 where Iron Man snaps his fingers; the rest are mostly lively, entertaining popcorn movies.

Journey to the West: Flat Top Mountain also falls into this category, since the four‑person team is fixed and cannot constantly use tropes like "teammates sacrifice themselves, boundless magic," or give Sun Wukong a buff by killing Tang Seng.

Moreover, there aren't many foes as powerful as the three demons in Lion Camel Ridge that could force the Tang Seng disciples to that extreme.

The "Yellow‑Eyebrow Old Buddha" of Little Thunder Sound Temple is indeed formidable, but he doesn't intend to eat Tang Seng's flesh; he seems to have come merely to spar with Sun Wukong.

Future productions will also market themselves with various duels and immortals as selling points.

In an interview, when asked why the film is less moving than Lion Camel Ridge, Jiang Heng's answer was essentially that.

Commercial blockbusters primarily aim to satisfy the audience's audiovisual experience; being "visually appealing" and "fun" must come first.

In Hollywood, even films with budgets in the hundreds of millions are made with great trepidation, fearing any misstep could lead to losses.

For a film, co‑production by multiple companies is the norm.

When they learned she came from Star Emblem Company and would appear in a film starring Zhou Xingxing, the reporters became even more excited.

It's just that Jiang Heng has a Super Microcomputer, so he never loses money and dares to invest tens of millions of dollars in a film.

Afterward, the creative team took the stage to field reporters' questions, freely discussing their experiences and impressions during filming.

Being both entertaining and moving would be ideal, but it cannot be forced.

The previous Infinity lost too much; a profitable blockbuster is urgently needed to support the market.

During the session, Han Sanping jokingly asked Jiang Heng whether he was interested in investing in Red Cliff.

Because the Heavenly Rich and Noble Flower's looks are so high, it is in no way inferior to the nearby "Immortal Sister."

As for Liu Yifei and Yang Mi, although they cameoed as minor demons, their screen time was pitifully small and essentially ignored.

Jing Tian said they are good friends, which further aroused media speculation.

Moreover, China Film plans to invest in Red Cliff; without a profitable blockbuster to back it, the executives feel uneasy.

After all, before a film is made, no matter how good the script, its profitability cannot be guaranteed.

When the event ended, the banquet continued, and the guests wished the film great sales.

A reporter then asked directly what her relationship with Jiang Heng was.

The opening scene, with a human‑shaped seductive demon whose true form was shockingly realistic, left a deep impression on the audience, making everyone intensely curious about the suddenly appearing young girl.

Among them, the reporters were most curious about and chased after Zhang Yuqi and Jing Tian.

As for Jing Tian, she also enjoyed great favor from the reporters.

She was also someone who had little news in the entertainment circle before (Da Feng had not aired yet), suddenly appearing in Jiang Heng's new film with a fairly large role, sitting in the front row close to Jiang Heng at the event, which made people strongly suspect her relationship with Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng was not particularly concerned, but Han Sanping seemed somewhat excited.

The former can be called a top actress, with slightly more screen time.

Han Sanping wanted to pull Jiang Heng along, first because he is optimistic about the project, and second because he believes Jiang Heng's judgment is sharp and can minimize risk.

When Jiang Heng heard that, he just laughed and said that in 2005 he had many expenses and currently had no investment plans.

That caused an instant lull!

Red Cliff's investment budget is eighty million dollars, roughly six hundred million yuan.

The main investors have already been secured; Jiang Heng is invited to join, not to contribute a large sum—just a token amount will do.

Given Jiang Heng's current net worth, thirty to fifty million is merely pocket money.

If he refuses even that amount, it can only be said he is not optimistic about the project.

Not optimistic about whom, the subject matter perhaps?

Definitely not.

As for the cast, it's still undecided.

He previously declined an invitation to play Zhou Yu.

Then the biggest possibility is that he is not optimistic about director Wu Yusen.

The latter also sensed this, showing a look of humiliation, anger, and incomprehension.

In his view, Jiang Heng must think that because The Wind Whisperer flopped at the box office and lost too much money, he lacks the ability to make Red Cliff well.

Recalling his days traversing the Xianggang film world, Jiang Heng used to urinate and play in mud; now he gives this senior not a shred of respect!

What's puzzling is that the two had no past grudges, so why make it so awkward for himself?

They're all from Xianggang; even if they don't "team up," they shouldn't sabotage each other!

Wu Yusen immediately stood, sneering, "Earlier Old Xu monster criticized you, and I tried to soothe him. Now it seems Director Jiang truly doesn't regard us old guys. In that case, I won't bother any longer, farewell!"

Having said that, he turned and left.

Han Sanping was astonished, never having imagined things could turn out like this!

It shouldn't have happened!

Jiang Heng gave a wry smile, took a sip of wine, and remained silent.

After all, by common sense, even if he doesn't want to join, putting in a token ten to twelve million would still be defensible.

The problem is he isn't an ordinary person clueless about the future; he knows Red Cliff will suffer huge losses after release.

He could throw some money without issue, but he fears others seeing his investment will follow suit and trap other investors.

What he fears is that during future promotion, the "Outstanding Rising Film Company" banner will deceive uninformed audiences into buying tickets.

In the end, losing money is a minor issue, but it cannot tarnish his golden reputation.

Nowadays, his films in the domestic market need little promotion to achieve huge box office, the golden reputation built by several high‑quality special‑effects blockbusters.

If he ever cheats the audience even once, his influence won't be the same.

He and Wu Yusen, although both came north from Xianggang, are complete strangers; to help someone he smashed his own signboard— isn't that having a hole in his brain?

By the way, although his cameo in Hero was also criticized, from a commercial film standpoint it was still passable; Red Cliff is completely trash!

However, Wu Yusen angrily got up and left, and not many followed him.

After all, Jiang Heng's reputation is huge now— he's an international big director and also a big boss investor; nobody dares to offend him lightly.

Zhang Chaoyang, who was watching the drama on the side, even laughed it off and changed the subject.

Liu Yifei, Jing Tian, Tang Yan, Yang Mi, Zhang Yuxi, and the others were all frightened by the sudden turn of events like startled quail.

However, after a short while, the differences in everyone's reactions became apparent.

Liu Yifei, Tang Yan, and the others remained seated at the original table, not daring to move; only Jing Tian walked over confidently to the chair Wu Yusen had just sat in, leaned forward slightly, and asked: "What's up?"

(End of chapter)