Chapter 211: Male Lead

Because the director was changed, the shooting angle of Pacific Rim 2 in the previous life also differed greatly from that of its predecessor.

In Pacific Rim 1, low-angle shots and close-ups were frequently used.

For example, when rescuing the endangered wanderer fishing boat, from the boat's perspective, a 'Celestial Giant Hand' descends from the sky and lifts it up.

Moreover, the battle-damaged version of the Endangered Wanderer slowly walks from the sea to the shore, revealing that even half of its leg does not fit on the screen. Placing two humans beside it as reference perfectly illustrates what is meant by 'steel giant'.

But in Pacific Rim 2, too many eye-level shots and long vistas were used, plus distant downward shots from helicopters, making the mechs look even tinier, and the sense of impact vanished.

Jiang Heng this time naturally wants to learn from these lessons: first, to add substance to the plot; second, to work on visual impact.

If you want the visual effects to be super exciting, you naturally need to film super impactful mechs.

Considering domestic sentiment and box office, Jiang Heng this time plans to focus on developing two mechs: one is China's 'Storm Crimson Red' (upgraded version), the other is America's 'Challenger' (latest model).

In terms of height, the two mechs have been increased from 79 meters and 76 meters to 109 meters and 107 meters respectively.

In terms of power, both are nuclear-powered mechs, emphasizing that their strength is roughly equal.

Additionally, the mech power levels of Russia, Japan, and Australia have all been improved to varying degrees.

As for making a phone call just to chat about this, it really hasn't happened before.

'Director Jiang, hello. I know this call is too abrupt; you must be wondering why I'm calling—could it be to plead for someone?'

Chen Daoming laughed, 'I really don't like speaking up for others; today I'm calling because I was asked to give you a suggestion—whether you listen is up to you, just for reference.'

'Director Jiang, do you still remember the assault incident that occurred on the set of *The Young Heroes* last year?'

It involved Huang Xiaoming, Nie Yuan, Lu Yi, Hu Ge, Xie Tingfeng, and others.

But compared to China and the United States, they are slightly inferior.

Even fourth- and fifth-rank monsters cannot withstand being hacked a few more times.

On the Xianggang side, someone actually suggested Teacher Chen, but Jiang Heng rejected it outright.

Unexpectedly, in the evening I received a call from Chen Daoming.

Jiang Heng laughed, 'Go ahead!'

The true protagonists (the mechs) have all been designed, and the models needed for filming are ready; however, the nominal male lead of the film has not yet been decided.

After auditions, Jiang Heng favored Huang Xiaoming and Xie Tingfeng, but deciding which one to choose remains difficult for now.

The Challenger compared to the previous film's Endangered Wanderer has also seen a substantial increase in power.

Jiang Heng laughed, 'There is some truth to that, but I don't think you'd go that far!'

In terms of weapons, Storm Crimson Red wields a weapon similar to a 'modao' (sabre); in Pacific Rim 1, a third-rank monster with a sickle-head could be cut down in one strike like a child.

After all, the monsters in this film are more numerous and stronger; if humanity does not boost its strength, it will merely suffer passive attacks.

The next day, a host of popular young male stars from the Chinese-language entertainment industry came to Outstanding Rising Film Company for auditions.

Jiang Heng couldn't help but feel puzzled; he had interacted with Chen Daoming on the set of *Heroes*, and their relationship was not bad.

Since they both lived in Jingcheng, they could be considered acquaintances, and they had drunk together at private gatherings.

Jiang Heng was startled upon hearing this; he indeed knew about the incident, which had caused a huge uproar at the time.

The matter is simple: mainland actor Wang Bozhao played the major villain Jiang Biehe in the film, and there is a scene where Jiang Biehe is violently beaten by Xiao Yuer and Hua Wuxue.

The result was that Zhang Weijian and Xie Tingfeng actually carried it out, punching and kicking Wang Bozhao into the hospital.

After a medical examination, Wang Bozhao's injuries were found to be very serious.

After the incident blew up, many mainland artists jointly issued a statement, including Li Yujian, Chen Daoming, Zhang Tielin, Wang Gang, Feng Xiaogang, Ge You, Chen Peisi, Lao Liu (Sixth Teacher), Zhang Fengyi, Zhang Guoli, etc., all signing it personally.

The outcome was that Zhang Weijian, after that incident, had his 'authenticity' shelved, mainland resources were greatly reduced for him, and Xie Tingfeng also suffered considerable impact, showing that everyone still strongly resisted.

'I do know about this matter, but back then I was busy filming…'

'I understand, Director Jiang, although you're from Xianggang, you've always leaned toward the mainland; you just couldn't speak up.'

Jiang Heng said nothing; indeed, it was somewhat awkward.

Chen Daoming continued, 'I'm not a troublemaker; I didn't even know Wang Bozhao before, but that incident was truly excessive. With so many people speaking up, they only managed a half-hearted apology. If, after the new year, you were to get the male lead in your big film, Director Jiang…'

Jiang Heng hurriedly said, 'Understood; perhaps I'll consider working with him in the future, but not in the short term.'

Chen Daoming laughed, 'Director Jiang, you're righteous; we all appreciate this favor of yours!'

Jiang Heng hurriedly said, 'You're too polite; I'm just doing my part.'

Chen Daoming: 'Deeply grateful; I'll invite you for drinks later—I have a few bottles of fine aged wine at home. When you finish filming this movie, let's get a few good brothers together!'

'Alright, then it's settled.'

After hanging up, Jiang Heng felt quite reflective; he had also been so busy lately that he truly forgot about this matter.

In fact, such incidents are common; back when Li Lianjie filmed *Southern and Northern Shaolin*, he had a fierce conflict with Xianggang director Liu Jia Liang.

The most direct issue is pay: mainland actors, whether lead or supporting, and crew all earn three yuan a day, while Xianggang staff earn 150,000 per month, and even those playing corpses get 50 yuan a day.

Other aspects such as food and lack of respect are also numerous.

Li Lianjie almost retired from the industry because of this film, and he and Liu Jia Liang became estranged to the point of not attending each other's funerals.

After the new millennium, when the Xianggang film and TV circles banded together and moved north, similar incidents continued to occur frequently.

The incident of 'Wang Bozhao being beaten' should be the worst, prompting many mainland entertainment bigwigs who had little contact with him to step forward and speak up for him.

Under these circumstances, it is indeed inappropriate to use Xie Tingfeng.

The next day, Jiang Heng directly instructed his assistant to have Huang Xiaoming come to the company to sign a contract and play the male lead in *Pacific Rim 2*.

Upon hearing the news, Huang Xiaoming was truly astonished, then immediately overjoyed.

These past two years he has indeed been quite popular, with many fans.

But basically he's only known from TV dramas; in the film industry he still lacks notable achievements.

The largest production he has participated in so far is Feng Xiaogang's *The Banquet*, in which his role is minor, and the film has not yet been released.

It can be said that at this moment in the Chinese-language film world, he is essentially a newcomer without any achievements.

But now he has secured the male lead in Jiang Heng's effects-heavy blockbuster—truly a leap to stardom!

Although the main attractions of this film are the mecha and monsters, and the shocking battle scenes, the human male lead is merely there for the audience to project themselves onto, but after all, he's still the male lead of a big production!

Huang Xiaoming can be said to have arrived at the Love Outstanding Rising Film Company at the fastest speed, and signed the male lead contract.

(End of chapter)