Chapter 459

The Chinese-language film market is a place where box office miracles repeatedly occur; simply put, there will always be bad movies that make big money.

As for specific film titles, I won't mention them here.

As for their money-making formula, it's nothing more than relying on a luxurious cast, adding some eye-catching gimmicks, and then carrying out extensive marketing.

If executed properly, it can let unscrupulous producers reap huge profits.

A film starring Jiang Heng naturally cannot be a bad movie.

But just look at the current cast—no need to think, you know it will be a box-office smash!

Although this is only a martial arts film, the shock level of its special-effects scenes is limited.

The problem is that the film features many action stars such as Jiang Heng, Cheng Long, Li Lianjie, Sammo Hung, Donnie Yen, Wu Jing, and Yuen Biao.

One could say that nearly all of the finest action stars in Chinese-language cinema over the past thirty years appear in the film.

For example, Zhou Bili, who once played Fujita Gou, will play Ah San, who excels at the Mighty Vajra Finger.

And Qian Xiaohao, who shouted "My fate is up to me, not heaven" in *Tai Chi Zhang Sanfeng*, will play Hebi Weng, one of the Two Elders of Xuanming.

One could say that every named role in the entire film is played by an action star.

This caused countless martial arts and action fans at the scene to become excited and ecstatic.

"Director Jiang is truly awesome; only he could gather such a shocking cast!" an excited fan's voice choked with emotion.

"Yeah, just thinking about all these kung fu superstars gets me excited!"

"It probably won't turn out like *The Kung Fu King*, right?"

"With Director Jiang here, what's there to joke about!"

"Isn't the director Wang Jing?"

"Haven't you heard of something called a supreme director?"

While the fans argued downstairs, Jiang Heng and Cheng Long, among others, took their seats onstage.

Indeed, because there are too many famous actors, even saying a few words takes a long time.

Therefore the organizers placed many chairs onstage, making it resemble a variety show interview, while those seated in the front row—Jiang Heng, Cheng Long, Li Lianjie, Sammo Hung, and others—sat on sofas.

"Wow, this scene is really too lively!"

Cheng Long loves a lively atmosphere; after going onstage, his smile never ceased.

Sammo Hung was even more so, lounging loosely on the sofa with a presence even greater than that of the big boss he played in *Kill Zone*.

Director Wang Jing, on the contrary, seemed like a nobody, sitting at the far edge of the front row.

When the interview came, reporters asked him what he felt.

Wang Jing laughed and said, "Of course I have to thank my bosses, Director Jiang and General Manager Yu; without those two, there would be no this film.

As everyone knows, I directed *The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*'s cult leader twenty years ago; originally I planned to make an upper and lower part, but the upper part's box office failed and it was quickly pulled from theaters. The lower part has been indefinitely delayed, and Zhao Min's line "Come to the capital to find me" has kept audiences waiting twenty years! Now Zhang Wuji finally comes to the capital, so let us give him the warmest applause to welcome the most handsome Zhang Wuji in history onto the stage!

After Wang Jing finished speaking, thunderous applause filled the hall, and countless attending fans shouted in unison, "Director Jiang! Director Jiang!" Cheng Long's and Li Lianjie's faces changed somewhat, indeed because Jiang Heng's popularity was too high, making them feel a bit uneasy.

Even that fleeting change in expression was captured by the reporters on site, making for a good bit of hype—no need to elaborate.

Now let's talk about Jiang Heng, starting from his upbringing.

In his youth, it was the golden age of Xianggang cinema, and he grew up watching films by Cheng Long, Li Lianjie, and others; one could say he had dreamed of becoming a kung fu superstar since childhood.

However, in recent years the action film market has been sluggish, and he has been immersed in effects-heavy blockbusters, so he has rarely dealt with action films.

As for this time summoning the brothers to jointly star in *The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber*, it can also be seen as fulfilling a childhood dream; after he finished speaking, the audience again burst into thunderous applause, and the atmosphere could be said to have reached its peak.

Afterwards, top stars like Cheng Long and Li Lianjie each said a few words, and even those with slightly less fame had their say; the whole event lasted nearly two hours before ending.

After the press conference, as usual, a banquet was set out.

A group of martial artists gathering to drink could not be described as merely lively; it was boisterous and did not disperse until the early hours.

The next day, the crew headed straight to Hengdian to begin filming.

Of course not everyone went together, since some were just cameo appearances lasting only a few minutes; as long as they could join the set on schedule according to the shooting plan, that was enough.

As for the lead actor Jiang Heng, he basically filmed from start to finish.

On set, whenever Jiang Heng filmed a scene, a large crowd would gather to watch.

Everyone wonders just how good the action scenes of Jiang Heng, who is touted as the number one martial artist in the Chinese-language film and TV circle, really are—could it all be hype?

People like Zhou Bili don't really believe in Jiang Heng's ability.

After all, in literature there is no first, in martial arts there is no second; if you say his filming is superb, everyone accepts that.

But if you claim your kung fu is how it is, people are less convinced.

The result was that when people saw Jiang Heng perform fight scenes himself without a stunt double, many of their expressions changed.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Qian Xiaohao said with a smile to Zhou Bili beside him.

The two had previously worked together in *Fist of Legend*; Qian Xiaohao's Huo Ting'en and Zhou Bili's Fujita Gou had fought each other, and while their private relationship wasn't especially close, they were at least acquainted.

Moreover, both had moved from Xianggang to the mainland to film, their standings were roughly similar, so they naturally ended up hanging out together.

Zhou Bili nodded slightly, with a solemn expression: "Director Jiang's reactions are quick, his movements very standard, his coordination excellent—he really does have some skill!"

Qian Xiaohao laughed and said, "You also overlooked one point: Director Jiang's memory!"

Zhou Bili blinked, then realized, what Qian Xiaohao meant was probably the set forms.

The specific moves in action scenes are not designed far in advance; rather, they are created by the action director shortly before filming, and the actors run through the set forms.

Of course, sometimes they skip the set forms and just fight as they see fit.

And those set-form movements are basically improvised on the spot by the action director.

But Jiang Heng's reaction is that he can clearly remember all the moves and present each one perfectly.

If put in wuxia novel terms, he learns at a glance—this is a born martial arts genius! Thus, although Zhou Bili thinks Jiang Heng would surely lose to him in actual combat, he still has to admit that he is a great talent.

"By the way, when you're acting opposite Director Jiang, pay more attention!" Qian Xiaohao suddenly said.

Zhou Bili gave an embarrassed smile, "I understand—I definitely have to control the force; if I really hurt him, even paying out his entire salary wouldn't be enough!"

Thinking about this, he felt somewhat vexed.

Sometimes when they really get into the fight, they can't hold back, and end up injuring the opposing actor; as a result, it becomes ever harder to get roles.

Not long after, they were filming the scene where Zhang Wuji battles Ah San, and he again heard that phrase that made his heart pound—"real fight"! Wang Jing beside him jumped in fright, hurried over to persuade, saying, "Director Jiang, this is a martial arts film, it shouldn't come to that!" (End of chapter)