Chapter 340

Jiang Heng

Cheng Long

However, since it's a sci-fi film, while needing to create various props, they could also develop peripheral products, such as selling starship models.

Feng Xiaogang

After all, the worldview of *Little Soldier Legend* differs from that of the Marvel Universe; the story recounts a battle between a federation and an empire in the cosmos.

In such a setting, if the characters in the film used Lenovo computers, Gionee phones, and drove Fit cars, it would obviously be very jarring.

Xianggang

Jingcheng

He could register a few trademarks, have their products appear in the film, then later consider whether to set up a factory for OEM production or simply sell them.

Super Microcomputer

Silver Eagle Empire

Megan Fox

Tom Hiddleston

Robert Downey Jr.

Ma Dong-seok

Li Meijing

But to avoid arousing suspicion, the process was still relatively slow; only after several days did he hand the effect sketches to the prop team, instructing them to produce them.

After entering September, the news that Jiang Heng would shoot a super sci-fi blockbuster with an investment of five hundred million US dollars had already become widely known in the Chinese-language entertainment circle.

Even in Hollywood, it was widely circulated.

Megan Fox hurriedly called, asking if there was a suitable role for her.

Jiang Heng laughed and said yes, a female officer of the Silver Eagle Empire, belonging to the antagonist side, but the uniform is very cool.

Megan Fox laughed, "Looks like you really like uniforms, huh?"

Jiang Heng said, "I like you more!"

Besides Megan Fox, old friend Tom Hiddleston also appears in the film as a villain, a senior officer of the Silver Eagle Empire.

Another, Jiang Heng originally wanted to invite little Robert Downey Jr., but his fee rose too quickly.

For Iron Man 1 it was 500,000 US dollars, and for the 2009 Sherlock Holmes it had risen to 9,000,000 US dollars.

Jiang Heng's staff at his Hollywood company contacted little Robert Downey Jr.'s agent; the other side quoted ten million US dollars, and because the invited role was a villain, they were not very keen to take it.

He certainly wanted to cooperate with Jiang Heng, but the precondition was that he play the lead; if that were the case, the fee could be negotiated!

Jiang Heng naturally could not let him play Tang Long, even though both names contain the character "Tang".

Thus, although the cooperation did not materialize, a relationship was established.

During the phone call, little Robert Downey Jr. said that if a suitable opportunity arose, he would be willing to appear in Jiang Heng's film at a low price. At the same time, he highly praised Jiang Heng's directed Three Body 1 and eagerly awaited the sequel.

Jiang Heng exchanged a few polite words, then after hanging up he thought to himself, "You wouldn't want to play Luo Ji, would you?"

Speaking from a personality perspective, Jiang Heng and little Robert Downey Jr. are actually quite suitable.

Because Luo Ji is such a carefree, irresponsible guy, yet his personality hides rationality, calmness, and a talent for thought, while also possessing strong willpower and mental strength. These traits are indeed somewhat similar to those of Iron Man as played by little Robert Downey Jr.

But Luo Ji is Chinese; if little Robert Downey Jr. were to play him, Western audiences would surely be pleased, while Chinese might curse him to death. Still, there may be a chance to cooperate again!

Considering that the film's real selling point is the interstellar war special effects, Jiang Heng did not really want to spend big money on Hollywood A-list stars, and eventually found a third-tier artist.

Moreover, he summoned Ma Dongxi from Korea to come over for a walk-on role.

The news was conveyed through Li Meijing of Korean CJ (Xiji) Entertainment; upon hearing it, Ma Dongxi was dazed at first.

International director Jiang Heng actually invited this minor actor to make a movie, even though it was just a walk-on part; Ma Dongxi still attached great importance to it, hurried over to sign the contract, then went back to wait for news.

Domestically, the handsome men and beautiful women of the entertainment industry were waiting, feeling exhausted!

Even more, they wanted to know who would finally get this windfall fortune.

On September 10, the crew of Founding of a Republic held the global premiere press conference and premiere celebration at the Olympic Sports Center in Jingcheng.

Jiang Heng went alone, got out of the car, walked onto the red carpet and signed his name, after fielding a few brief interview questions he entered the venue, and was then surrounded by a group of guests.

"Ah, you really went big this time, five hundred million US dollars. Actually I also wanted to do something this big, but I don't know where to spend the money!"

The first to come over was Cheng Long, who gave a warm hug.

Actually, after the news of the 500 million investment spread, Cheng Long had called, first advising a couple of sentences, saying the risk was too great.

He then implicitly indicated that if there were a suitable role, priority could be given to actors from Xianggang.

You are a bigwig in the Xianggang film world; you should look after the juniors to some extent.

Jiang Heng could only say, the pressure to recoup the five hundred million US dollar investment is not ordinary; really everything must be done to the utmost, not daring to be the slightest bit careless.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Long also found it hard to say anything else.

After all, Jiang Heng is using his own funds, not fooling investors to make a movie.

Li Lianjie was also on site, laughing, "Put it in the special effects, combine it with your kung fu!"

Cheng Long nodded, "That works too!"

Zhang Guoli also counts as an old friend of Jiang Heng; they had opposing scenes in Founding of a Republic. He walked over with a simple smile, "Director Jiang, the casting of your new film is tugging at everyone's heart in the entertainment industry—what kind of person are you actually looking to pick!"

"First, they must be young; wearing a military uniform must look handsome; after that, it's just about chemistry!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoli knew his son definitely had no role, yet he still wanted to squeeze him into the crew to get some face time with the audience.

"How about having dinner together tonight?"

Feng Xiaogang said, "Definitely, today we ought to have a good drink with Director Jiang!"

The crowd surrounded Jiang Heng, chatting lively.

Not long after, the press conference began, followed by the premiere ceremony.

The crew had the full version of the film playing; although Jiang Heng had seen The Founding of a Republic before, this time he still found it quite interesting.

Because Chiang Ching-kuo, whom he played in the film, was indeed handsome and even more imposing.

Therefore, the scene of the Chiang father-and-son dialogue became all the more sorrowful.

(End of chapter)