Chapter 416: Black Myth

From the perspective of film adaptation, the role of Yang Jian in "Black Myth: Wukong" perhaps makes it easier to boost an actor's popularity and stature than Sun Wukong's.

After all, Yang Jian shows his face, while Sun Wukong, once made up, you simply can't tell who's playing him!

Therefore, Jiang Heng considered the choice for the role of Yang Jian more carefully.

As of now, there are three options.

One is to play it himself, after all he played the young Yang Jian in "Saving Mother by Splitting the Mountain".

However, the plot of "Black Myth: Wukong" takes place after the journey to the West, so the makeup for a young Yang Jian definitely won't do; it needs to be made to look more mature.

Moreover, he's swamped with affairs and really can't be bothered to act, so Jiang Heng merely gave this option a brief thought before rejecting it.

Next, naturally, is to invite Jiao Jingjun, who is called the most handsome Yang Jian in history.

Speaking of which, he has previously worked with Jiao Jingjun.

It was in the film "Lion Camel Ridge", where there are brief flashbacks of Sun Wukong recalling the past.

Jiao Jingjun's cameo as Yang Jian appears there, lasting only a few seconds.

Although it's just a flash, Jiao Jingjun's Yang Jian still leaves many fans unforgettable, with strong demand.

If Jiao Jingjun is chosen, I believe many fans will be very meticulous.

Furthermore, the option is to pick someone else or hold an open audition.

However, time is tight, so an open audition would definitely be too late.

Moreover, in the current entertainment circle, it seems hard to find anyone else who could replace Jiao Jingjun as Yang Jian; surely we can't cast an extremely ugly actor to play the Second Lord Yang Jian!

After thinking it over, Jiang Heng felt it's still best to invite Jiao Jingjun.

Upon this thought, Jiang Heng summoned the casting director, asking him to contact Jiao Jingjun's agent to express the desire to have him play Yang Jian in the new film.

As the casting director was about to leave, Jiang Heng couldn't resist adding, "It's not a cameo; the role is substantial."

The casting director hurriedly said, "Director Jiang, rest assured, he'll agree!"

Jiao Jingjun will certainly agree, after all, it's Jiang Heng's film.

Although he's famed as a historical-drama male god and once popular across Asia, those achievements are all in television dramas.

In film, his achievements are pitifully few.

To appear as Yang Jian in Jiang Heng's big production is absolutely a rare opportunity.

So, upon receiving the invitation, Jiao Jingjun and his agent agreed without hesitation and came as quickly as possible to Outstanding Rising Film Company to sign the contract and pay the deposit.

Besides that, Jiang Heng subsequently cast the actors for Huang Mei Dawang, Kang Jinlong, Purple Pearl, and Zhu Bajie, and the film's preparations are now in full swing.

By mid-September, "Black Myth: Wukong" held a press launch and groundbreaking ceremony in the capital.

The event took place in the capital, at the Shangri-La Hotel, with over a hundred domestic media outlets attending. Everyone wondered what "Black Myth" meant—would everyone be turned black? Moreover, many viewers still look forward to sequels to the "Journey to the West" series, such as "True and False Monkey King", which could easily be made.

"Director Jiang, may I ask what significance your 'Black Myth' holds?" a reporter asked.

"Because it's a film utterly different from traditional Journey to the West, bearing symbolic meanings of fate and rebellion…."

"Director Jiang, hello, I'm a reporter from Xinlang Entertainment. You just mentioned fate and rebellion, which reminds me of an excellent 'Journey to the West' work, namely the once wildly popular online novel 'Wukong Biography', which Director Chen Kaige once wanted to film, but unfortunately it was later shelved."

"I'd like to ask Director Jiang, is your so-called 'Black Myth: Wukong' adapted from 'Wukong Biography', or have you drawn inspiration from it?"

Jiang Heng laughed and shook his head, "My work has nothing to do with 'Wukong Biography', and I haven't even read that novel!"

The Xinlang Entertainment reporter wore a look of great surprise, "You say you haven't read 'Wukong Biography'—is that really true?"

Jiang Heng laughed, "With so many companies under my name and constant filmmaking, I really have no time to look at those literary works!"

"That's truly a pity!" the Xinlang Entertainment reporter lamented.

Given Jiang Heng's fame and status, the reporters didn't dare ask overly outrageous questions, merely picking those that might spark controversy and attract attention. After the event, Jiang Heng led the crew to China Film Digital Base, set up an offering table, presented offerings, performed a brief worship, and then the groundbreaking ceremony concluded.

Since it was already afternoon when they finished, and many actors' makeup takes time, Jiang Heng directly gave the crew half a day off, to resume filming the next day.

Upon hearing this, the crew members happily dispersed.

Jiang Heng, however, kept some of the crew's behind-the-scenes core staff, detailing matters such as prop placement and where various equipment should be set up.

Jiang Heng remembers every detail clearly, and his offhand remarks are always spot on, earning everyone's admiration.

Yuan De and Yuan Hua, the two brothers, admire Jiang Heng immensely.

Having worked with Jiang Heng for over ten years, these two can say that the longer they cooperate, the more they feel Jiang Heng is formidable—equivalent to one person being able to shoulder an entire team.

Actually, many film and television productions turn out well not only because of the director's contribution, but also due to the efforts of screenwriters, art staff, cinematographers, prop masters, and others.

Some directors' early works are brilliant, not only because of their outstanding talent at the time, but also because they initially had a group of excellent partners.

Later, their careers declined, and they couldn't shoot anything well; largely this is because the team they once fought side by side with has disbanded.

And Jiang Heng's strength lies in the fact that he seems to have stored……uh, should be many classic works in his mind, often managing to do by himself the work of half the team.

It can be said that the closer one is to Jiang Heng and the more they interact, the more they admire him.

Da Tian Tian is such a case; having stayed by Jiang Heng's side as his assistant for a while, she can't think of anyone who could be more talented than him—her eyes are full of little stars!

"Brother gave everyone a day off, yet you're busy working?"

After everyone left, Jing Tian stepped forward and said with a grin.

Jiang Heng said, "It's not a matter of that half day; if everyone rests well today, the crew might work even more efficiently tomorrow!"

Jing Tian nodded, "That makes sense!"

The two then left the China Film Digital Base and wandered around Huairou City.

In the evening they ate Da Tian Tian's favorite hot pot, then returned home to rest.

Of course, this so-called home is merely a spacious flat luxury villa that Jiang Heng bought here.

Anyway, he spends at least half the year here, so having a luxury villa for himself is more convenient.

The next day, after Jiang Heng woke up and exercised a bit, he went downstairs to buy breakfast, and upon returning found Da Tian Tian still sleeping soundly.

Jiang Heng came to the bedside, gazing at the sleeping beauty, and muttered, "You said you'd be my assistant, yet all I do is wait on you!"

"Huh, what are you saying?"

Da Tian Tian's eyes weren't even open; she kept them closed and asked.

Jiang Heng laughed, "Awake?"

"Not!"

"Can you talk if you're not awake?"

"It's sleep talk!"

"Get up if you're awake—we still have filming later."

"Oh, can we skip filming?"

"If we don't film, you'll have to support me?"

"I'll support you!"

Da Tian Tian suddenly sat up, a mischievous smile on her face.

(End of chapter)