Chapter 206

Han Sanping's eyes lit up upon hearing that.

Because that Pacific Rim film a few years ago was truly a huge success.

In terms of box office, the global cumulative reached $9.39 billion, making it Jiang Heng's highest-grossing work to date.

Moreover, besides its excellent box office performance, its video release, video-on-demand, and peripheral toy development were all very successful.

Especially in the Chinese market, due to first-mover advantage, huge quantities of mecha model toys are sold each year.

In Shenzhen, Dongguan and similar areas, many small factory owners and traders have gotten rich off pirated "mecha" toys.

The later-entering Chinese market "Transformers" turned out to be less popular.

That's why Han Sanping has been thinking about a Pacific Rim sequel these past few years.

Fans have also been calling online, hoping Jiang Heng will start shooting sooner.

If he wants to make a sequel, he must discard the original and craft a completely new story, considering every aspect carefully, which is why he's kept postponing it.

Jiang Heng raised his cup and said, "Thanks!"

Jiang Heng naturally knows all this; he has delayed launching the Pacific Rim sequel, first waiting for the domestic market to develop, but mainly because the original Pacific Rim 2 was a real flop.

Han Sanping mentioned the amount China Film could invest, and also noted that many people are now willing to invest in his films.

Especially when they learned that Paramount and DreamWorks had already started filming Transformers 2, these fans became anxious, often writing letters and calling Outstanding Rising Film Company, hoping Jiang Heng would shoot Pacific Rim 2 soon, lest Transformers 2 steal the spotlight.

It was also by chance learning that Transformers 2 had quietly started production that he firmly decided to shoot Pacific Rim 2, and the principle was definitely not to let them get ahead.

Han Sanping wore a puzzled expression, "A loss? Surely not? You go ahead!"

Jiang Heng nodded, "That's for sure!"

"Amazing!"

Han Sanping raised his cup to Jiang Heng, "In this circle, I've seen too many people who, after a little achievement and fame, get carried away, stop worrying about business, and just eat, drink, and play all day. Someone as successful and hardworking as you is as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns—no, actually, absolutely one of a kind!"

"Pretty much, it's basically set; these two months I've been busy with nothing else, not even taking a break over the New Year!"

Of course, if Jiang Heng were willing to accept other investors, it would still be easy to raise the money.

"No, I'm not just flattering you; I sincerely praise you! But honestly, in life one should relax when it's time to relax, can't stay tense all the time—you have so many beauties around you, so when the moment comes, make a move!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "I'm just saying that as a precaution; filming carries risk, so investment must be cautious."

The $120 million from 2005 is roughly equivalent to one billion RMB—truly a huge sum!

China Film's funds are still fairly strong at the moment; at most they could put up a hundred million, any more and they truly couldn't come up with it.

Han Sanping said, "If you make a movie and don't earn money, there aren't many directors worldwide who can! No worries—whether you lose or gain, we'll support you here."

The two took a sip, Han Sanping set his cup down and asked, "By the way, how's the script coming along?"

Han Sanping, upon hearing that, stared wide-eyed.

Jiang Heng laughed, "This film carries great risk; I'm not sure if it'll make money, so I won't recklessly take others' money. If it loses, I'd hate to be chopped up by investors."

"This time I'm preparing to go big—total investment of $120 million!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "You're just trying to fool me!"

"All talk and no action—are you not young, or are you just dazzled?"

Seeing Jiang Heng's modest smile, Han Sanping said, "You're not really taking my words to heart, are you? But honestly, the few around you are all not bad—Liu Yifei, Tang Yan, Jing Tian… when flowers bloom they must be plucked."

Jiang Heng said, "Hearing you say that, are you very experienced?"

Han Sanping laughed, quoting Li Yunlong from Bright Sword: "Of course, back in my day I was a well-known handsome young lad in the surrounding villages!"

After saying that, both burst into laughter.

Afterward, Han Sanping again asked Jiang Heng about his ideal cast, especially the actresses.

"Such an important role—you wouldn't give it to an outsider, would you?"

In Jiang Heng's mind, the first name that naturally came up was Da Tian Tian, and he involuntarily shuddered.

He definitely couldn't choose her; Da Tian Tian must not appear in Pacific Rim 2, and she should come to the set as little as possible.

The rest were to be chosen from among Liu Yifei, Tang Yan, Yang Mi, and Zhao Liying.

Jiang Heng still favored the first two, but hadn't decided which one; naturally he couldn't leak it easily, so he just said he was still considering it, and Han Sanping didn't press further.

The next day, Jiang Heng returned to the company, continuing to polish the script, but his work had become sporadic.

He spent more time on the crew's preparations, such as model design for shooting and storyboard drawing.

"Director Jiang, Miss Tang Yan is here!" the assistant said, knocking and entering.

Jiang Heng nodded slightly and ordered her to bring her in.

Not long after, Tang Yan entered, wearing a white coat, her hair in a bun, and light lipstick.

"Director Jiang!"

"Hmm, have a seat. What would you like to drink?"

"Coffee, please!"

"Two coffees!"

After Jiang Heng told the assistant, he turned to Tang Yan and asked, "How do you feel about joining the crew?"

Tang Yan smiled sweetly, "It's great; everyone is very friendly and looks after me. Plus, I really love the role of Zixuan—thank you so much!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Of course; how many days can you stay this time?"

"Maybe two days; I have to return to the crew the morning after tomorrow."

At that moment, the assistant brought in two cups of coffee.

Jiang Heng picked up a cup, blew on it, and suddenly said, "By the way, have you seen Pacific Rim?"

Upon hearing that, Tang Yan felt her heart jump.

As one of the leading ladies of Outstanding Rising Film Company, Tang Yan also has supporters, who had already told her the gossip.

So before coming today, she already knew Jiang Heng was writing the script, had the props department order custom mecha models, and was preparing for the shoot of Pacific Rim 2.

Asking her this now, they must be considering letting her play the female lead!

"Hmm, I've seen it, and I really like this movie!"

"What do you think of the role Gao Yuanyuan plays in the film?"

"Sister Yuan Yuan did an excellent job—she's beautiful and stylish, really awesome!"

"If you were to portray a female mecha pilot, how would you interpret the role?"

Tang Yan hearing this had the illusion that the air was freezing; she almost could hear Jiang Heng's and her own heartbeat.

Tang Yan said a lot; roughly, she meant that to portray a female mecha pilot, one must show her efficient, cold side in battle, as well as her everyday, little-girl side—it is the incessant attacks by the monsters that make this little girl grow into a qualified warrior.

Jiang Heng heard her words, nodded slightly, and was generally satisfied.

After chatting a bit more, they let her leave, because they still needed to interview Liu Yifei in the afternoon before making a decision.

They didn't expect that in the afternoon the assistant would come to report, saying Liu Yifei didn't look well, as if she had been crying.

Unexpectedly, in the afternoon the assistant came to report, saying that Liu Yifei's complexion didn't look good, as if she had cried.

(End of chapter)