Chapter 415

The Legend of Fei is merely a small-to-medium budget production; after Jiang Heng mentioned it once to Li Xiaoping, he tossed the matter aside.

When Jing Tian came over holding Zhao Liying's hand, he actually froze for a couple seconds before reacting.

"When did you get back? Is the shoot going smoothly there?" Jiang Heng said with a smile.

Zhao Liying felt overwhelmed by the favor, saying that after arriving in Jingcheng last night, everything was fine on the Hengdian side; the director, screenwriter, and other crew members treated her very well, with special care.

As she said this, Zhao Liying wore a smile, looking very sincere.

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "That's good; I just like your optimistic, sunny personality—that's why I picked you for this drama, because I think you can play Xue Shanshan authentically; don't disappoint me!"

Zhao Liying quickly stood up to express her determination: "Director Jiang, rest assured, I will definitely perform well and not disappoint you!"

Jiang Heng smiled, nodded, said okay, then turned to Jing Tian and said, "She rarely comes back; you two are good sisters, so keep her company and go out together!"

Jing Tian said generously, "Don't worry, I definitely won't let her down!"

Having said that, the two linked arms and left Jiang Heng's office together.

Phew!

Zhao Liying exhaled a breath, as if relieved of a heavy burden.

Jing Tian said, "Isn't that a bit exaggerated?"

Zhao Liying said, "Exaggerated? You truly have no idea how much pressure I feel when facing him!"

Da Tian Tian said, "He's a very nice person, so amiable!"

"He dotes on you, so it's naturally different. Someone like me, a small-time actor, fears most when the big boss gets angry!"

Jing Tian chuckled and said, "If you do your job well, how would he get angry? Besides, I've got everything covered!"

"Good thing you're here!"

"You need to be more natural; always like this, how can you be my bridesmaid?"

Zhao Liying's eyes lit up: "Bridesmaid, are you guys getting married?"

"Um, not yet, just saying that; let's go, I'll take you shopping!"

"Great!"

……

Jiang Heng's side, he was still revising the script for "Black Myth: Wukong".

Because the story was already formed in his mind, only the trimming, polishing, and finalizing remained, so he didn't bother the screenwriting team; he did it all himself.

At the same time, the crew's preparations were also proceeding simultaneously.

As for props, a new batch needs to be custom-made.

"Black Myth: Wukong", well, its visual style differs from previous Journey to the West–type films.

As for location shooting, naturally the focus is on filming in Shanxi, and everything is easy to arrange.

As for the cast, however, Jiang Heng hesitated, undecided about whether to invite Wu Jing.

In the several "Journey to the West"–type films he has made, Sun Wukong's makeup is incredibly realistic, making it basically impossible to tell who the actor is behind the mask.

Just like the Bull Demon King role in "A Chinese Odyssey", if you didn't look at the end-credits cast list, who would know it was played by Lu Shuming!

Previously, Wu Jing wasn't well known, so having him in the role was no big deal.

But in recent years his salary has risen, so inviting him again would be somewhat uneconomical.

After much deliberation, Jiang Heng still called Wu Jing to ask what he was busy with.

Wu Jing chuckled and said he was busy working on a military drama.

"Wolf Warrior" after its release had both box office and reputation extremely good.

He also wanted to make a sequel, but the script never came together; at this point he has committed to military-themed projects and does not plan to devote energy to other genres.

Aside from a few invitations he couldn't turn down or needed to repay favors for, Wu Jing no longer accepts other film offers, focusing wholeheartedly on military dramas.

His idea is that, since he's not making big military films for the time being, he might as well do a military drama to scratch that itch.

"Director Jiang, you called—do you need me to do something? You're not planning to do another Journey to the West, are you?"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "Well, but this time we're filming a relatively subversive Journey to the West–type story; you're busy there, so I won't bother you!"

Wu Jing heard this and put on a bitter face; although in Jiang Heng's Journey to the West series audiences truly can't tell who plays Sun Wukong, which greatly diminishes the boost to his stature and fame, he's still, after all, a lead in big productions!

But since Jiang Heng had already said so, he dared not press the matter, lest he provoke Jiang Heng's displeasure.

However, the desire to act still needed to be shown.

"Director Jiang, since you've decided this way, you surely have your considerations; I have no objections. If you ever need me, just give me a call."

"For example, if it's the true‑false Monkey King plot, I can play the Six‑Eared Macaque!"

Upon hearing that, Jiang Heng felt moved; the plot of Heaven's Chosen One battling the Great Sage's crippled body is still under consideration, but he can also mention it in advance.

"Well, the new film might actually feature a showdown between two Great Sages; if we do, I'll give you a heads‑up call!"

"All right, Director Jiang; one call from you and I'll definitely be there!"

After hanging up, Wu Jing's expression grew increasingly bitter; after playing Sun Wukong for so many years, he just lost the role.

Fortunately, Jiang Heng also called to give a heads‑up; otherwise, hearing it from entertainment news or others would be heart‑wrenching!

It's just unknown who will be the lucky one to replace him.

In Hengdian, Wu Yue had just finished a scene when his assistant came over and said that the Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company had just placed a call.

"Did they say what it was about?"

"They didn't say; they just said to call them back after you finish filming."

Wu Yue heard it but didn't think much of it.

He previously appeared in "Investiture of the Gods: Hou Yi Shoots the Suns", playing the River Earl, which also counts as an important early antagonist in the film.

But perhaps due to the makeup, despite the film's extremely high box office, the biggest beneficiaries are the male and female leads.

For someone like him—a supporting role or antagonist—his stature and fame increase only very limitedly.

He was only slightly better than those actors who just did walk‑on parts in big films; aside from his pay going up a little and getting a few more roles, there wasn't much change from before.

So Wu Yue's attitude toward the Love Outstanding Rising side was somewhat nonchalant.

Besides, there's no way they'd let me play the lead, so there's no need to be terrified.

"Hello, this is Wu Yue. Which department are you over there? … Casting director, new film, let me play the lead?"

Wu Yue went from being nonchalant to being careful, his body involuntarily hunched.

"Eh, yes, okay, no problem, no problem, don't be so polite, just call me Xiao Wu, eh, okay, goodbye, goodbye!"

After hanging up, Wu Yue straightened his back again.

The assistant beside him caught only fragments and looked a bit dazed.

"What does that mean?"

Wu Yue slightly lifted his chin and said nonchalantly, "Oh, Director Jiang thinks I'm not bad; he's preparing to let me play the male lead in his new film—I have to report to Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company tomorrow!"

"Ah ah, a new film, the male lead—that's great too; this, this is wonderful news!"

This assistant is young; when faced with such a thing he can't contain his excitement, thinking that if Wu Yue became a first‑tier star, his pay and benefits could also rise significantly! Wu Yue, however, still said "shocked": "Alright, don't think about what you have or don't have; hurry up and book the tickets—I must be on time in Director Jiang's office tomorrow!"

"Okay, okay, don't worry, I'll take care of it right away!"

(End of chapter)