Chapter 477

Even before the release of 《Huang Dao Tian Ting Fu Mie》, Zhang Yimou had the idea of shooting a monster blockbuster.

But he is always cautious, revising the script over and over for a long time, still unable to finalize it.

During this period he wasn't idle either, having directed two artistic films with decent ratings, so it wasn't a waste of time.

This time he came to see Jiang Heng, intending to put the new film on the schedule.

"Director Jiang, I think this version of the script should be fine!" Zhang Yimou said solemnly in the office.

He previously led the screenwriting team in various revisions, and had also sent over the revised script.

But Jiang Heng would always say after reading it, "You're the director, just decide for yourself," rarely giving any suggestions.

Because in Jiang Heng's view, Zhang Yimou's ability among domestic directors is already top-notch.

As long as it's not hijacked by capital, doing whatever Sino-American co-production, letting Haolaiwu writers write scripts with Chinese elements, there's no big problem.

"Sure, I've been waiting for this film of yours for a long time! Any concrete ideas? Cast, funding?"

"Well, funding-wise, it's roughly 800 to 900 million RMB!"

Jiang Heng laughed, "Forget 800-900 million, just shoot it with a budget of one billion!"

"Then, that's really the best!"

Zhang Yimou gave a simple smile; as a director, he naturally hopes for a larger budget!

"As for the cast, I'd like to ask Yang Mi to be the lead?"

"Oh, you think she's more suitable?"

Jiang Heng countered with a question, but inside he felt no surprise at all.

Although Zhang Yimou comes from an artistic film background, he doesn't stand on ceremony when it comes to using traffic stars.

"The Zhao family team has worked with him before, let alone the currently popular drama queen! 'Yang Mi's popularity is high, her image and acting are also quite good!'"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, "Indeed not bad; actually I've always wanted her as the female lead, but it never worked out well..."

Now it was Zhang Yimou's turn to give an awkward laugh.

Among the female artists under Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company, the most embarrassed is Yang Mi. Even he knows Jiang Heng couldn't have failed to notice...

However, his status is transcendent, and he doesn't want to dwell on other matters.

Choosing Yang Mi also values her current high fame and relatively low pay.

Don't look at the new film's investment of one billion; when it comes to spending, Zhang Yimou has always been thrifty.

He also mentioned a few other actors' names; Jiang Heng generally agreed, but inexplicably rejected one.

Zhang Yimou was puzzled, but Jiang Heng didn't explain, after all the scandal would happen years later.

As for now, the person he recommends and is more optimistic about is.

After finishing the discussion about the cast, the two moved on to talk about special-effects scenes.

For this part, naturally the main company is Beautiful Times Special Effects Company; this is also the main reason Jiang Heng dares to invest one billion RMB.

After all, over 70% of the film's investment will go to special effects, so the cost is controllable! Their chat lasted over two hours, until Cui Zhenzhen knocked on the door saying she had other arrangements, and Zhang Yimou then got up to say goodbye.

"Then I'll have someone notify Yang Mi on that side?"

"Fine, for the specifics, you discuss with Du Huan!"

Although giving Zhang Yimou's new film an investment of one billion, it's not just handing over the money and forgetting about it.

Jiang Heng selected a producer for him, namely the boss of Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company, Du Huan.

This had been agreed upon in advance; even Old Mouzi wasn't surprised, and he got up to say goodbye and leave.

Returning to his office at Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company (Yi Zuo Mei Zuo), Zhang Yimou thought it over and still decided to make the call himself.

"Personal favors are better kept for oneself." "Hello, is this Yang Mi?"

"Director Zhang?"

Yang Mi, who was in a car rushing to the airport, was somewhat surprised, because she had little interaction with Zhang Yimou and didn't know why he would suddenly call her.

However, she manages to thrive in the entertainment circle, being quite sharp-witted.

"Director Zhang is looking for me; must be something good?"

Zhang Yimou laughed, "That's about right, but it's more of a heavy responsibility!"

"Please go ahead!"

"It's like this: I had been preparing a fantasy special-effects blockbuster, now getting ready to officially launch, and I want to invite you to be the female lead!"

"Really, oh, that's really great, thank you so much, Director Zhang!" Yang Mi was truly overjoyed.

Although Zhang Yimou's ability to direct fantasy and special-effects blockbusters hasn't been verified yet, and we don't know if he'll shoot another 《Wuji》, after all it's still a special-effects blockbuster, the kind with over $100 million investment! Zhang Yimou however said: "First don't get too excited; the filming task is very heavy. First, all actors must undergo professional training lasting three to six months, no exceptions. Second, during filming you cannot do other projects; you must be able to do that before agreeing to me. If you can't, just treat it as if I never made this call."

Yang Mi listened, and indeed hesitated.

Because she already has too many roles lined up; if she wants to be the female lead in Zhang Yimou's new film, she would need to free up nearly a year, which comes at a considerable cost.

Yet the temptation of being the female lead in a special-effects blockbuster is also quite strong for her.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but sigh inwardly; still, Director Jiang's projects are easier to handle, with short training and shooting periods.

"Even if I don't do other projects, I could accept it!" "You……"

Hearing Zhang Yimou's voice, the daydreaming Yang Mi hurriedly said, "I'm willing, I'm willing, Director Zhang!"

"Good, then I wish us a pleasant collaboration!"

"Pleasant collaboration!"

After hanging up, Yang Mi wore a bitter face, a very sorrowful expression, "Now I've suffered a big loss!"

The assistant also said, "Yeah, it's almost a year's time; how many fewer films will she shoot?"

Yang Mi then began to pick at her fingers, calculating that she would have to push back and cancel that contract; truly, the more she thought, the more heartbroken she felt.

"Sister Yang Mi……!" the little assistant wanted to say something but held back.

Yang Mi sighed, "Earn less, then earn less; after all, the opportunity is rare!"

The female lead in a big film can decide a female star's standing—who knows how many would be willing to take a pay cut just to be in it—but that Zhang Yimou thought of using her is already quite rare.

"I'm just wondering, are we still going to the airport?" the assistant said, with a bewildered, half‑laughing expression.

"Ah, why would we still go there? Of course we should turn around and head back to the company! If I'd known earlier, I should have chatted more with Director Zhang just now!" Yang Mi said ruefully.

Upon hearing this, the driver quickly made a U-turn ahead and drove toward the Outstanding Rising Film Company building.

Yang Mi then called Zhang Yimou again, indicating she wanted to treat him to a meal.

Zhang Yimou said he had other plans for the evening, so he politely declined.

……

Over on Dilireba's side, at noon she took the assistant out for a nice meal, and the latter suddenly said, "Should we invite Director Jiang to join us for dinner to show our thanks?"

"Ah, yes, please?"

Dilireba also felt she ought to express something to Jiang Heng, since being together puts a lot of pressure on them.

The assistant showed some excitement: "Of course! The female lead in Director Jiang's new film—a role countless people dream of, the kind that can change one's life trajectory—we definitely ought to show something!"

Seeing Pang Di still a bit unresponsive, the assistant again said, "He can choose not to come, but you can't not invite him!" (End of chapter)