Chapter 265

Jiang Heng waved, "Come over!"

Jing Tian cheerfully stepped forward, but halfway realized and quickly used both hands to protect his head.

Jiang Heng lightly tapped his forehead, "What are you thinking about all day? The filming's done, and you still want to change the lead?"

Da Tian Tian pouted, aggrieved: "Got it!"

"Go on!"

"Hey!"

Jing Tian went out, lightly rubbed his forehead, sighed: "Ah, I thought I could act opposite, got my hopes up for nothing, boo-hoo!"

Indoors, Jiang Heng sat on the sofa, thinking about what Jing Tian had said earlier.

Actually, at the start of preparations, he had also considered playing Tang Seng himself.

The problem is this is a series film; in other installments Ding Haifeng plays Tang Seng, but for the Daughter Country—a gentle yet difficult stretch—changing the director to act would be laughed at if it got out.

It's like the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Downey's Iron Man is doing fine, then one part gets swapped, yet later series still have him play Iron Man—that's pretty absurd.

Of course, the film Daughter Country has a relatively cheerful style, not much fighting, focusing on overcoming emotional trials; the overall style highlights the word "beauty".

Daughter Country's scenery is fantastically beautiful, and its citizens are all strikingly good-looking.

Even the elderly must retain charm, the kind that makes Cao Cao unable to hold himself back.

Overall, the shooting difficulty is relatively lower; releasing it next summer is no problem.

Jiang Heng this time indeed had the idea of "sniping" Huayi's version of Fengshen Bang.

It's not that he's narrow-minded and can't tolerate others making "Fengshen", "Journey to the West", and traditional myth themes.

You go ahead and film, no problem!

But to say you want to ride his popularity by provoking him for attention is absolutely unacceptable.

Actually there is another film suitable to bring out, namely Painted Skin.

But Jiang Heng felt it's not easy for mainland film companies to produce a commercially successful effects blockbuster, so he restrained himself from stealing the project.

After thinking it over, that's how Daughter Country came about.

Because the project was rushed and they wanted to compete with Huayi, the film was solely invested by Outstanding Rising Film Company, with a production cost of fifty million US dollars.

Among Jiang Heng's directed films in recent years, this counts as a relatively small investment.

But converted to RMB, it's over four hundred million, definitely a big production.

On set, the muscular Ding Haifeng, all sinew, sat on a lounge chair resting.

Beside him, Zang Jinsheng, who plays Sha Seng, laughed: "Old Ding, how have you been feeling these days? More comfortable than filming Lion Camel Ridge and Flat Top Mountain, right?"

Ding Haifeng sighed: "I'd rather not film Lion Camel Ridge and Flat Top Mountain!"

Although he didn't know exactly how Liu Yifei, Jing Tian, and Jiang Heng were related, he could tell their relationship wasn't ordinary.

When acting opposite, he hardly dared to glance; whenever Liu Yifei approached, he felt like sitting on pins and needles, yet he aptly portrayed Tang Seng's "panic" when facing the Daughter Country's queen.

Wu Jing beside him envied: "If you say that, you're just taking advantage and playing cute—so many beauties, tsk tsk!"

He really is a bit envious, the reason simple: he has no partner.

Before The Havoc in Heaven started filming, he briefly dated a girl who was also an actress in the industry.

They hadn't known each other long when Wu Jing joined the crew; filming took half a year, and they barely saw each other.

Meanwhile the woman discovered that Wu Jing's development over the years had been average, without much money.

Although his relationship with Jiang Heng was okay, it seemed it couldn't help her get a role, plus he had no time to keep her company; in her own words: "You can't give me time, you can't give me money, and you can't help me—what am I doing with you?"

Wu Jing heard it, dumbfounded, and reluctantly accepted the breakup.

Not long after feeling depressed, the new film Daughter Country started shooting; looking around, all were beautiful actresses, making him so envious his eyes turned green, constantly pondering which would make a good wife.

Ding Haifeng, knowing his situation, laughed: "As a teacher, I single-mindedly head west, daring not to stir worldly desires—but you seem unable to hold back!"

Wu Jing said: "Having been suppressed for five hundred years, how could I withstand this test? Hey, where's Lin Zhichong?"

"That kid, so popular with girls, he has no time to idle chat with us..."

"Director Jiang is back!"

Someone shouted, and the resting cast and crew hurriedly returned to their places to continue filming.

The Daughter Country film focuses on emotional drama, with special-effects fights as support; plus it has a seasoned crew, many materials and props are ready-made, making the shoot incredibly smooth.

Filming began in early October and wrapped by the end of November, taking less than two months total, setting Jiang Heng's shortest shooting schedule record.

Although no press conference was held, entertainment reporters stationed around the set still found out.

The articles released in newspapers and magazines read: Director Jiang Heng's new film wrapped, taking under two months, presumably preparing for the 2007 summer slot...

Because the film's content hadn't been revealed yet, it aroused great curiosity among viewers.

At the same time, audiences wanted to know when The Havoc in Heaven would be released!

The media also wanted to contact Outstanding Rising Film Company to interview Jiang Heng, only to learn he was no longer in the country.

In Australia, at a villa in downtown Sydney, Jiang Heng lay on a lounge chair by the swimming pool, beside him Megan Fox in swimwear.

But see her leap in, like a mermaid diving into the water, swimming a lap in the pool, then holding the ladder and slowly climbing out.

She tied up her wet long hair, walked to Jiang Heng, and said, "Dear, you really don't want to keep me company?"

"Tired, I'll rest a bit!"

Megan Fox laughed, "Just this tired?"

Jiang Heng thought: "I've been busy with the company and nonstop filming this year; coming to Australia was supposed to be a vacation to relax, but I ended up even busier!"

He said with a laugh: "Hey, I think you're due for a scolding?"

Jiang Heng stood up and walked toward Megan.

She turned and walked away, saying in stiff Chinese: "Your Majesty, come catch me!"

Immediately she leapt again, jumping back into the pool.

Jiang Heng also jumped in, swimming toward Meigen Fukesi.

……

In the evening, Jiang Heng skewered and grilled meat in the courtyard, Meigen Fukesi enjoyed it immensely, drinking and eating skewers while praising Jiang Heng's skill.

"So delicious, my love, in this past year, I feel these few days are the happiest!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, saying nothing.

Meigen Fukesi sighed, "If you were in Haolaiwu, that would be great, really, then you could be this happy every day! Jiang, have you ever thought about developing in Haolaiwu?"

Jiang Heng said, "The foundation of my career is in China!"

"But I'm in Haolaiwu!"

Jiang Heng said nothing, taking a sip of beer.

Meigen Fukesi said, "Then I'll go to China with you, okay?"

"That would be fine, I'm just afraid you won't adapt!"

Now it's Meigen's turn to be silent.

She naturally hoped Jiang Heng would go to Haolaiwu; that would be perfect for her.

As for her going to China, that's just talk, because it would mean she'd have to give up everything here in Haolaiwu.

"Many people come here to get a green card, wanting permanent residency; aren't you even a little interested?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "I really haven't thought about that!"

(End of chapter)