Chapter 271: Filming

The excellence of Three Body is beyond doubt, and Jiang Wen truly loves this book; at the press conference she said many praises, leaving the reporters stunned, thinking to themselves: Is it really that good?

But since the two great directors Jiang Heng and Jiang Wen both approved, one would expect it not to be inferior to The Matrix, right?

The actor playing Wang Miao is Liu Yijun, born in 1970, now in his early thirties, roughly the same age as Wang Miao's on‑screen age.

But what Jiang Heng values most is his scholarly aura.

When this person was still unknown, he was chosen to play Ning Caichen, co‑starring with Liu Mintao in the mainland version of A Chinese classic — Ghost and Human Romance, showing his outstanding temperament.

Moreover, his role as Ouyang Yi in Parents' Love, though small, is highly stylized and very eye‑catching.

At this moment, he is still not famous, coming with a try‑it‑out attitude; the instant he learned he was selected, he felt a heavenly joy.

Until now, he still feels a bit dizzy, not quite accustomed to so many reporters.

"I really thank Director Jiang Heng; what I want to say is that I will do my best and strive to play this role well!"

Perhaps feeling insignificant, Liu Yijun's remarks were brief. Of course the reporters were reluctant to waste footage on him; he seemed to have no topics, so they thought they'd better explore the unfamiliar girl beside him to see if any sensitive topics could be found.

"Hello everyone, I'm Wan Qian, playing Yang Dong in this film. I thank Director Jiang Heng for giving a small actor like me a chance to join a big production; I will work hard to play this role well."

The reporters, hearing this, snapped photos nonstop; the girl before them wasn't a great beauty, but possessed a rare affability.

With Jiang Heng's connection, she is bound to become famous sooner or later.

After the actors who attended the press conference expressed their attitudes, the event concluded.

While the media reporters left, Jiang Heng led the cast in a vehicle to the China Film Digital Base.

The film's title matches the book's, both: Three Body: Earth Past.

Plot‑wise, it's somewhat like a dual‑male‑lead; Jiang Wen's Shi Qiang thread follows a mystery‑investigation mode, probing the series of scientist suicides.

During this process, the ETO Organization's interference brings in some action scenes.

Wang Miao's side naturally experiences the Three Body game, with the famous dehydration scene being a focal point.

In the end, Shi Qiang and Wang Miao cooperate: one proposes the Gu Zheng Plan, the other supplies nano‑flying knives, shredding Ivins and his cruise ship into fragments.

It bears mentioning that Ivins is portrayed by Tom Hitlerston in this film.

After all, they previously collaborated in Pacific Rim 2; he carries a noble air, making the role of a slightly neurotic super‑rich heir easy.

Thus, the film's shooting includes both on‑location filming and studio special‑effects work.

Arriving at the China Film Digital Base, the crew prepared for shooting; Jiang Heng inspected everywhere, occasionally uttering a casual remark directing staff to arrange equipment and props properly.

Beside him, Jiang Wen, seeing this, showed surprise and thought to herself that Director Jiang, though young, truly excels at scene coordination, no wonder he continuously produces special‑effects blockbusters.

As they say, a hundred people bring a hundred faces. When the numbers rise, management difficulty spikes.

Let alone a crew with high personnel turnover and large numbers.

At present, the number of domestic teams capable of directing and successfully producing special‑effects blockbusters is definitely fewer than ten.

"Hey, Director Jiang, may I discuss something?" Jiang Wen said with a grin.

"Can I say no?"

"Don't refuse yet, listen to me!"

"I think you probably won't say anything good!"

"Hey, if you keep nagging, I'm leaving!" Jiang Wen pretended to walk away.

Jiang Heng laughed: "Speak up, is there a particular scene you have your eye on, wanting to direct for fun?"

Jiang Wen, surprised, said, "Whoa, how did you know?"

Jiang Heng thought, how could I know? You've always loved slipping in personal projects and playing gloom; a scene as good as Ye Zhetai's, it's no wonder you're eyeing it.

Jiang Heng said, "I not only know you want to shoot, I also know which scene you want!"

Jiang Wen replied, "Then we are like kindred heroes; entrust it to me, I guarantee I'll shoot it well for you!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "I'm afraid you'll ruin my film!"

Jiang Wen quickly waved her hand, "Not that bad, not that bad; it's just about passing censorship, right? I guarantee this part can pass, okay?"

Jiang Heng fell silent; honestly, he wasn't fully confident about this part either. He could only proceed and see; if it truly fails to pass, they'd have to revise, but it must be released domestically.

The mainland alone guarantees a box office of 700–800 million, with over 200 million in revenue; failing censorship would be a huge loss.

Since Jiang Wen volunteered, let her try; at worst she'll just revise it herself.

Later, the Three Body crew officially began shooting. Jiang Heng brought a team into the studio to film various scenes from the Three Body game, as well as space, the Three Body star system, and the Three Body fleet's expedition.

Jiang Wen took a group next door to shoot Ye Zhetai's scenes.

Because Jiang Heng's content was too abstract, those idle in the crew went to watch Jiang Wen's filming.

In the Netflix version, Lan Xiya's role shines. In this film, the part is played by Ma Si Chun.

Ma Si Chun, born in 1988, graduated from Media University last year; by most accounts, she lacks acting skill.

But her aunt is Jiang Wenli, so her desire to act naturally receives various recommendations.

Jiang Heng, having spent these years in Jingcheng, inevitably interacts with people across the circles.

When preparing a new film, the main roles are definitely decided by oneself; you can't just insert anyone.

But some less important supporting roles will still be arranged as appropriate.

On set, looking at the erected platform and the young men and women in period‑style clothing, Jiang Wen felt a surge of heroic spirit.

She waved her hand and said, "Action!"

On Jiang Heng's side, people occasionally ran over to inform him of Jiang Wen's shooting status.

It wasn't that he deliberately ordered it; the timing arrived, so naturally someone reported.

"Director Jiang, Director Jiang Wen is filming very aggressively; could it…"

"No problem, let her film for fun; at worst I'll do a reshoot!"

In that scene, the only key figure is Ye Wenjie; the rest can be swapped at any time. Though the set is large, it's mostly extras, making reshoots relatively easy.

The main reason is that Jiang Wen is a renowned director; acting is her second role, and she's in post‑production of The Sun Rises as Usual, so taking the Shi Qiang role is difficult, and Jiang Heng must repay her favor.

Just like Jiang Heng right now, his main role is director—he can act as an actor in a part, but it's not something you can just brush off with a small fee; you have to remember a favor owed and repay it.

Speaking of Jiang Wen's side, Ye Zhetai's drama filmed for a week; after looking it over, it's indeed good—if it doesn't need any cuts during approval, that would be even better!

(End of chapter)