Chapter 330

Do I really have no other choice?

All the other roles are already set; I really can't spare any for you!

Even a smaller role would be fine, like a CPPCC member or a photojournalist, that sort of thing!

Han Sanping was speechless, "Why so much nonsense, you're not busy right now, are you?"

I do have a bit; seeing how sincerely you've invited me, I'll just pick Jiang Jingguo!

Han Sanping was very pleased upon hearing this, because Jiang Jingguo's role has more screen time than Kong Lingkan's.

He naturally hopes Jiang Heng can perform even more outstandingly, for example, in the opposing scenes with Feng Xiaogang, who plays Du Yuesheng, so that they can be cut into the trailer.

Alright, this is settled then; I'll have someone send you the script later, and I'll also forward the shooting notice in advance!

After hanging up, Jing Tian asked curiously, "Brother, are you going to play Jiang Jingguo?"

Mm!

That will definitely be the most handsome Jiang Jingguo in history!

Jiang Heng chuckled, "Your focus is only on whether he's handsome or not?"

Da Tian Tian gave Jiang Heng a glance, "Besides being a bit more handsome, you don't really have anything else to say, do you?"

Hey, I think you're asking for a beating!

Having said that, he scooped her up in one motion; Da Tian Tian's face turned ashen, and she exclaimed repeatedly.

The next day, everyone reported to the set, and White Snake: Origins officially began filming.

At the same time, major entertainment media outlets widely reported the news of Jiang Heng's new film White Snake: Origins starting production.

Some, starting from the selling point of 3D effects, claimed that Director Jiang Heng would create another fantastical and splendid mythological epic, delivering super shocking visual effects domestically.

However, other entertainment media, starting from the fact that both Jili Pictures and Outstanding Rising Film Company have filmed the White Snake legend, wrote that Jili Pictures is a bold and reckless challenger, daring to shoot the same theme as Director Jiang Heng and release it in a similar time slot. When the box office results come out, they won't be as happy as they were at the new film's press conference.

Yang Zhi, Huang Shengyi, and others, upon seeing this news, were naturally furious to the point of near death.

Moreover, the media commentators' analysis was spot-on, well-reasoned and evidence-based.

If they weren't the parties involved themselves, frankly, upon seeing such reports, they would blindly believe them.

But at this moment, they were determined not to waste their effort, swearing to make the film eye-opening.

The film's progress was rushed, one hurry after another.

In the blink of an eye, it was mid-March, and Jiang Heng had to go to Shanghai's Che Dun Film and Television Base to cameo in the film Founding of a Republic.

During those days he was absent, the assistant director Yuan De led the crew to shoot some less important scenes.

Jiang Heng, meanwhile, together with Feng Xiaogang, who plays Du Yuesheng, set out from the capital and flew to Shanghai.

"I truly envy Chairman Han!!" Feng Xiaogang laughed on the plane.

Jiang Heng glanced at him and said nothing.

Feng Xiaogang continued, "To have a big director like you, with such fame and status, cameo and with so much screen time, just how much box office could it bring!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, "It's not as exaggerated as you say!"

"Saying that is just being modest; if it were my film, getting you to cameo would at least double the box office!"

"Not at all, not at all!" Jiang Heng laughed and waved his hand.

Director Feng chuckled, "How about you give it a try and cameo in Tangshan Earthquake?"

Jiang Heng restrained his smile, pondering Feng Xiaogang's suggestion.

The film Tangshan Earthquake is a joint production of Huayi and China Film; China Film, needless to say, is his old friend. As for Huayi Company, his relationship with Chairman Wang is not great, but not bad either.

When there is no direct schedule conflict, the two Wang bosses greet him warmly and politely.

Although sometimes their words are a bit insincere, at least they maintain appearances.

As for Director Feng Xiaogang, over the past few years he has remained enthusiastic toward him, though not to the extent of praising Wang Shuo with 'looking up to see the North Star,' but it's not far off.

Jiang Heng had something he needed Feng Xiaogang's help with, and this person agreed without hesitation.

Thinking about it, it would be hard to refuse.

"When does your film start shooting?"

Feng Xiaogang, hearing this, became excited: "May, we estimate shooting for four to five months; whenever you have time, the crew will fully cooperate!"

Upon hearing that, Jiang Heng found it hard to refuse, saying: "Alright, let me see when I'll be free after you start shooting."

Feng Xiaogang laughed hehe, his delight evident.

After getting off the plane, staff from the Founding of a Republic crew came to pick them up; Jiang Heng and Feng Xiaogang were pressed for time, so they went straight to the set, did makeup, and began shooting.

Feng Xiaogang's acting needs no comment; historically, his portrayal of Du Yuesheng is a standout, both on and off screen he exudes confidence.

His first scene was him sitting in a rickshaw, with a bunch of lackeys behind him, strutting down Nanjing Road.

But see Feng Xiaogang wearing a hat, with round vintage glasses perched on his nose, holding a civilized baton.

And his rickshaw was also gilded. Behind the rickshaw followed more than twenty black-clad bodyguards, full of swagger, inevitably reminding one of the gang leader of the Crocodile Gang in Kung Fu.

The second scene was Du Yuesheng's meeting with Jiang Jingguo.

Jiang Heng, dressed in a sharp Zhongshan suit, with a slicked-back pompadour, delivered his lines fluently.

Then reporters asked questions, and Jiang Heng answered, "This time, Chairman Jiang has come only to strike at tigers, not to swat flies!"

"Tigers are easy to hit, but an iceberg? I'm afraid Mr. Young Jiang can't budge it!"

Jiang Heng portrays Jiang Jingguo suddenly turning back, gazing at the civilized baton–wielding Du Yuesheng who has just arrived.

He then rose and walked beneath the enormous red flag emblazoned with a blue sky and white sun.

"Who is this gentleman?"

"Heng Society, Du Yuesheng!"

……

Jiang Heng's acting is widely recognized as good in the industry; this opposing scene with Feng Xiaogang was shot only twice, and any retakes were due to others' mistakes.

Afterward, they went to the next filming location to shoot the opposing scenes featuring Chiang Ching-kuo, Kong Lingkan, Song Meiling, and others.

The following day they went to Nanjing, where they filmed the Chiang father‑son dialogue scenes together with Zhang Guoli, then hurriedly flew back to Jingcheng to continue shooting The White Snake's Origin.

That day, Yu Dong suddenly showed up at the crew, saying the Film Bureau had gotten in touch with him and wanted to discuss the public screening of the 3D version of Lion Camel Ridge.

Jiang Heng frowned, 'What's there to discuss about this?'

Yu Dong said, 'The leadership's meaning is that nowadays the domestic summer and New Year slots are basically taken up by your films, with no one daring to compete. The remaining domestic films are basically squeezed into the May Day, National Day, and Spring Festival slots.'

Lion Camel Ridge, when it was originally released, had an excellent reputation and high box office; I believe that after its 3D re‑release, the box office should also be good.

So a number of producers and directors jointly petitioned the Film Bureau, hoping they could help coordinate to prevent Lion Camel Ridge from being re‑released in the May Day slot.

Jiang Heng blinked, then laughed, 'If you say that, just change the time. I mainly think Lion Camel Ridge has already been released; its 3D re‑release won't draw a huge box office, so I didn't think much about it.'

Yu Dong chuckled, 'But others are afraid!'

(End of chapter)