Chapter 341

When the trailer was released, Jiang Heng's portrayal of Chiang Ching-kuo was cut in.

After the premiere, major entertainment media reports basically also briefly described Jiang Heng's performance in the film.

There's no other reason—who made Jiang Heng the biggest star in this film? Of course we need to give him heavy promotion.

As for the evening, it was the banquet arranged by the crew; Jiang Heng was surrounded by a round of toasts, almost drinking too much.

On the 12th, it was the audition day for the actors of the Little Soldier Legend crew.

Early in the morning, a bunch of young actors came over.

Zhang Ruoyun naturally among them; born in 1988, he was just twenty-something, and had already acted in TV dramas since 2004, and entered the acting department of Beijing Film Academy in 2007, belonging to the type that is both formally trained and has acting experience.

Of course, although all conditions met the crew's requirements, he didn't dare dream of a pie falling from the sky; with a $500 million investment, the pressure to recoup is huge—how could they give it to a small actor with no connections or background? Because his father is a director, he's heard too much of the messy stuff in the crew.

Moreover, the father-son relationship was not good, and the father didn't have that much influence; he basically came with the attitude of "if I get it, it's my luck; if I don't, it's my fate."

So when he received the news of passing the preliminary audition, his first reaction was disbelief.

"You're saying I passed the preliminary audition?"

"Yes!"

"The preliminary audition for the male lead?"

"Yes, if you're interested in participating, please come to the 8th floor of the Outstanding Rising Film Company building at 10 a. m. tomorrow!"

Zhang Ruoyun thought, "Nonsense, who wouldn't want to act?" "Okay, okay, I'll definitely be there on time tomorrow!"

After hanging up the phone, he felt the wind blowing in his face was fragrant, and the wildflowers by the roadside looked more pleasing than usual.

Director Jiang Heng's new film, a $500 million production—this time it's like a straight shot to heaven! Because the news was truly too big, he didn't dare be too happy, fearing to scare away good luck, so he restrained himself for a night.

Only after arriving at Outstanding Rising Film Company the next day, signing the actor and agency contracts, and confirming he was truly the male lead of Little Soldier Legend, did he dare tell his father and classmates the news.

Zhang Shan naturally was astonished, but still felt happy for his son.

At the Beijing Film Academy side, it caused a huge stir.

Although they knew Director Jiang Heng wanted to pick a young actor, there seemed to be many more handsome than Zhang Ruoyun!

Other several performing arts schools were also discussing this matter.

Jiang Jingfu of Shanghai Theatre Academy sighed, "I'm so handsome, why wasn't I chosen?!"

On Jiang Heng's side, preparations were proceeding in an orderly manner—first confirming the script content, then inspecting the props.

At the end of September, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Jingcheng.

That day, reporters gathered at the press conference venue, more than before, even including foreign reporters.

"Director Jiang Heng, the outside world has been saying your film's budget is as high as $500 million, while as far as I know, the highest investment in a film worldwide so far is Pirates of the Caribbean 3 at $342 million. I want to ask whether the film's investment is really that high, and how the funds are being spent?"

The questioner was a reporter from the Asahi Shimbun, obviously skeptical of Jiang Heng's publicity, with a hint of wanting to expose a fraud.

"Of course it's true, and it's only more, not less. Over eighty percent of the film's budget will go to post-production special effects, because this is a film depicting interstellar war, with over three thousand interstellar warships fighting in the dark, empty void of space—one could say every second of the film is burning money."

"Moreover, the film features many planets and cosmic vistas, so the $500 million figure is actually conservative; actual shooting could end up costing even more!"

"Whoa!"

"Hiss!"

At the press conference venue, shocked voices rose everywhere. Indeed, because this investment amount is too huge—$500 million in 2009 could do so many things!

"Director Jiang, have you considered the possibility of poor box office? After all, risk is everywhere!"

This time the questioner was a Korean reporter, and the question was equally sharp.

Jiang Heng laughed, "I've never considered it, because there's no such possibility!"

The remaining reporters, upon hearing this, actually broke into applause.

Afterward, the questions became relatively mild.

After the press conference ended, Jiang Heng directly led the crew to the China Film Digital Base.

Because most shots require special effects, this time there's no need to shoot on location; everything can be finished at the China Film Base.

As for the film market, The Founding of a Republic is hotly released, and its box office far exceeds that of the previous life.

First, the film market in this life is obviously more mature than at the same time point in the previous life.

Second, naturally, is the publicity effect brought by Jiang Heng's cameo.

The Founding of a Republic's opening-day box office reached as high as 40 million yuan; judging by current box office trends, total box office exceeding 600 million is no pressure, and there's a high chance of exceeding 700 million, making the remaining producers and directors extremely envious.

In Jingcheng, Thus output: Chen Kaige was leisurely reading the newspaper in his courtyard mansion.

He is a person with very strict habits, rarely looks at online news, and reading the newspaper is an indispensable daily activity.

A piece of news in today's newspaper made his eyebrows suddenly furrow.

"What's wrong, dear?" Chen Hong asked from beside him.

Thus output: Chen Kaige handed over the newspaper, "Take a look yourself!"

Chen Hong took it, glanced, and said, "His film is set for the Spring Festival slot?"

"Yeah, it's fine to put it in the New Year's slot, but they insist on moving it to Spring Festival—no idea how many people's plans are being disrupted!"

Actually, as early as the summer, the news that White Snake: Origins would be scheduled for the 2010 Spring Festival had already spread.

But there had been no official statement, so the market was half-believing, half-doubting.

Aside from film people who have movies released during the New Year and Spring Festival slots, ordinary folks don't really take this timing too seriously.

Thus output: Chen Kaige was somewhat concerned, because his new film Orphan of Zhao was originally slated for the 2010 Spring Festival.

Jiang Heng's White Snake: Origins actually also got moved to the Spring Festival, which gave him the idea to compete.

Of course, the investor Shanghai Film (Shangying) is likely unwilling, as they have profit and recoupment pressures! The most depressed is naturally Yang Zhi of Ju Li Film Industry; upon seeing this news, his first reaction was bewildered! Because before the filming of White Snake Legend began, he had gone to find Jiang Heng, hoping he would delay the schedule a bit, but was outright refused.

In order to be able to release in late November, the White Snake Legend crew has been busy to death these past six months, just to snatch a few days.

Just as it seemed they would achieve it, White Snake: Origins was actually pushed to the Spring Festival slot—this really hits hard.

Yang Zhi was so depressed he almost vomited blood, and at home he loudly cursed Jiang Heng.

Besides 'The Orphan of Zhao' and 'Legend of the White Snake', the affected Liu Weiqiang's filmed 'Wind and Cloud 2', which originally also aimed for the Spring Festival slot, likewise needs to change its release date.

In addition, the first film produced by Broad Sodium Film Industry, 'Person in Jeongtu', will also be released during the New Year's slot, of course its timing will be a few days later than those big films.

(End of chapter)