Chapter 430

The film "The Wilderness: Houyi Shoots the Suns" recorded a box office of 2.273 billion, the film "Heavenly Court's Downfall" was also mentioned, and "Mainland" (Neidi) was noted. The named entities are "The Wilderness: Houyi Shoots the Suns", "Heavenly Court's Downfall", and "Mainland". (The phrase "domestic box office" is not a name.)

The bosses of other film companies (no specific names given).

The Chinese-language film market (a generic term).

Even writers have crossed over into the film industry, become directors, and there is more than one.

Guo Jinming, Yang Mi, Tiny Times. Also maybe "beginning of the year" not a name.

Guo Jinming is just an outsider to the entertainment circle; crossing over is not easy, and his confidence isn't that strong.

Preparing to film whatever just got slower, plus having to coordinate the actors' schedules, by year‑end they still hadn't started shooting.

Jiang Heng and the 2013 Spring Festival period (a time frame, not a name).

Another is Han Han; he's not unfamiliar with the film and TV circle, has had contact with Jiang Heng, actually had the idea to make a film long ago, but never put it into action.

This time it wasn't him who actively wanted to make a film; it was Yu Dong who talked with him about having an investment idea.

None.

…… (ellipsis) no.

The entertainment industry (a generic term).

The title "Black Myth" (which could be a film or a game) and the wrap‑up banquet (a generic term).

Some say he went abroad, some say he's in Jingcheng; anyway, they all say he's busy with post‑production work on the film.

The film "The Flowers of War".

Zhang Yimou and Ni Ni (an actress).

"Director Jiang, hello, there have been rumors lately saying that starting after the New Year you want to suspend filming for a year—is that true?"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "It's true—not after the New Year, but right now!"

"Then may I ask what considerations you have?"

"There's nothing special about it—I've just been busy filming, nerves taut, needing a good rest. Like everyone working five days a week needs a weekend to relax!"

The reporters heard this and gave an embarrassed laugh, because many of them can't guarantee weekends off!

"Director Jiang, hello, I'm a reporter from Xinlang Entertainment. I saw online a claim that you want to suspend filming work because you've run out of good inspiration and creativity, and your career is at a bottleneck—is that right?"

Jiang Heng laughed heartily, "Of course not—I have plenty of ideas, too many to film. Rest assured, in 2013 I will surely return as king!"

The reporters laughed loudly, and didn't even think Jiang Heng was arrogant.

After all, given his current achievements and status, he is the absolute ruler of the Chinese‑language film market.

Even counting Hollywood, there aren't many who can match him on equal footing! After the premiere, as usual there was a thank‑you banquet, but this time many premiere guests came, mainly film company bosses and directors.

The purpose and intention were obvious—they just wanted to hear Jiang Heng's vacation plans firsthand; for a while glasses clinked, and those coming to toast flowed continuously.

"Director Jiang, hello, I'm Guo Jinming!"

"Hello, I know you, bestselling author!"

The Outstanding Rising Film Company (likely a typo for "Outstanding Rising Film Company") and Guo Jinming have a cooperative relationship.

And Guo Jinming's ability to thrive is also due to his being a smart person who knows how to say pleasant things.

He says Jiang Heng is his idol—young, handsome, extraordinarily accomplished; his novels couldn't write such a male lead, so perfect it seems unreal.

Jiang Heng chuckled, giving a casual reply.

He doesn't have strong likes or dislikes toward this person, nor toward *Tiny Times*; to put it another way, he actually feels the film was shot too early.

If we could wait until the short‑video era, when audiences see those rich people's lives and their ostentatious faces, perhaps the reputation wouldn't be so bad.

Of course, the film isn't one he invested in, so saying anything would be useless; naturally he couldn't be bothered to talk about it.

Han Han also came, staying by Yu Dong's side like a little younger brother.

After toasts, Yu Dong mentioned that Broad Sodium Film Industry was preparing to invest in Han Han's self‑written, self‑directed film; Jiang Heng politely praised it a couple of times, saying the future is limitless! Yu Dong gave an embarrassed smile, saying Han Han's first cross‑over film is funded by us, so when you have time you must give him some guidance.

Jiang Heng glanced at Yu Dong, seeing his smile and knowing what this guy was up to—he wanted Jiang Heng to be a nominal producer! After all, he only said he was suspending filming work; being a nominal producer doesn't conflict with what he said.

Besides, having Han Han's film carry his name as producer brings many promotional benefits.

One has to say, Old Yu's abacus beads are clicking loudly enough!

Jiang Heng didn't dead‑end his words either; he only said if he had time.

Everyone around is smart, eyes gleaming, pondering whether, given their current friendship, they could get Jiang Heng to be a nominal producer.

If this were realized, they could surely sell another hundred million more! Guo Jinming beside them, hearing this, was full of envy, occasionally glancing at Han Han nearby.

Unfortunately, he and Jiang Heng have just met, and he lacks a big‑shot intermediary like Yu Dong; asking Jiang Heng to be producer is absolutely out of the question.

As for asking Yang Mi to intercede, that probably won't work either; one would need to find Liu Yifei or Jing Tian to have any hope.

Who knows, even if he spent more money, Jiang Heng could never be linked to *Tiny Times*!

After the banquet, Jiang Heng originally wanted to go straight home.

Zhang Yimou, on the other hand, said he wanted to find a place to drink some tea and chat.

Jiang Heng thought to himself, "You wouldn't also be planning to start a new film, would you?"

As it turned out, when they arrived at the teahouse and sat down, their chat really was...

Zhang Yimou's idea was, "After all these years of aiming for the Oscars, this time our hope is the greatest."

If it succeeds, he will definitely not make similar films afterward.

If it fails, he will never again attempt an Oscar run.

So, after *The Flowers of War*, he is preparing to transform.

But he hasn't decided yet whether to make a purely artistic or purely commercial film.

Not wanting to run into Jiang Heng's suspension of filming work, Zhang Yimou's thoughts became rather active.

"I'll also make big films—*Hero* was the first major film in Chinese‑language cinema apart from Jiang Heng's works, and he's been doing commercial blockbusters these years!" Jiang Heng couldn't help asking, "What kind of film do you want to make now?"

Zhang Yimou said: "What do you think about shooting fantasy and special effects?"

Jiang Heng gave an embarrassed smile, "Not bad!"

"Well, that's what I think. The cost of special-effects blockbusters is too high; relying solely on the domestic market to break even creates great pressure, so we could consider a Sino‑American co‑production!"

Jiang Heng quickly raised his hand and said, "No need, no need for a Sino‑American co‑production; we can afford to invest ourselves. At worst I'll do a cameo, slap on an executive producer credit, and handle overseas promotion—you don't have to worry about it!"

Zhang Yimou heard this, cracked a grin, and said, "That works. With you saying that, I feel reassured!"

Jiang Heng asked, "What genre do you want to shoot?"

Zhang Yimou said, "I think, Director Jiang, in the midst of all those genre films, monster movies are just a dabble—you can really develop them further! Moreover, with the hot popularity of The Overthrow of the Heavenly Court, everyone is especially interested in the ancestral witches and the monsters mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas!" (End of chapter)