Chapter 50

What's missing?

Besides swapping out the cast, The Matrix's scenes, music, action, and visuals are nearly frame‑by‑frame copies of the original.

Although it garnered both critical acclaim and box‑office success, Jiang Heng himself knew deep down that this wasn't his work.

One Hundred Million Years BC did decently at the box office, though its reputation was a bit lacking.

Because they wanted to compress the "book cost", they resorted to a shortcut.

The film's modern‑day segments run too long, and they deliberately cut the dinosaurs' screen time, even including a dinosaur night‑attack scene.

Without a few super‑shocking big shots, the whole film would fall apart.

If they hadn't worried about all that and gone all‑out with the effects, they could have made a Jurassic dinosaur blockbuster more thrilling than audiences' first IMAX 3D viewing of Avatar!

But he didn't do that, after all, money doesn't fall from the sky!

But this time is different: The Matrix grossed over 400 million USD worldwide, and One Hundred Million Years BC's box‑office performance wasn't far off.

What's even more enviable—and maddening—is that both films were released on a profit‑share basis in North America, the world's biggest film market.

One can roughly guess how much Jiang Heng stood to earn.

Hence, when the rumor spread that he was investing fifty million USD in a effects‑heavy blockbuster, people's first reaction was, "This kid's made too much money—he's getting full of himself!"

Rather than doubting that Jiang Heng was bluffing and lacked those funds.

Even Han Sanping, the future gatekeeper of the Chinese‑language film market, didn't question the truth of the rumor.

He had come to advise, fearing that if Jiang Heng wasn't careful, he would suffer a huge loss.

「I know, as a director, you have some obsession in your heart. You always want to fully unleash your talent and make a masterpiece for the ages. You can't put all your wealth into it, right? Why don't I help you contact some investors? 」

Jiang Heng laughed, "Forget it, the money I have is enough; I'm young and don't want to be restricted while creating. Even if the box office isn't ideal and I lose some, the remaining money is enough for me to live carefree for the rest of my life!"

Han Sanping, hearing this, didn't know what to advise for a moment.

After all, he said, "I have plenty of money; I'm not afraid of losing some!"

Moreover, Jiang Heng has successful experience with two effects-heavy blockbusters; even if the new film's box office is disappointing, he won't lose too much.

「I'm actually a bit envious, being able to do whatever I want without restraint. Unlike me, trembling and walking on thin ice! 」 Han Sanping said, overcome with emotion.

Jiang Heng laughed, "You're speaking like Han San ye! In the future you'll lead our Chinese-language cinema to defeat the Americans!"

「You brat, are you just teasing me? 」 Han Sanping laughed and cried at once.

「No, no, I truly just respect you! 」

Han Sanping restrained his smile and said solemnly, "Although we couldn't cooperate this time, if you need any help, just speak up!"

Jiang Heng laughed, clasped his hands, and said, "With your words, I am already content!"

After a few casual words, Han Sanping took his leave.

On Jiang Heng's side, he then formally launched the film project 《The Lion Camel Ridge》.

Funding, sufficient!

The script, revised over and over, for now I can't see anything else that needs changing.

Cast, Wu Jing was early on set to play Sun Wukong.

For the other roles, Jiang Heng plans to mainly use mainland actors, requiring martial arts and dance foundations, and also intends to invite some actors who have portrayed classic roles to participate in this film.

For example, Erlang Shen Yang Jian in the film, though he has little screen time, we also plan to have Jiao Jingjun make a cameo.

And the supremely classic Tathagata Buddha, naturally we will invite Master Zhu Longguang.

But speaking of the heaviest roles, naturally they are Tang Seng, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the three monsters of Lion Camel Ridge.

For these, Jiang Heng had no suitable candidates in mind for the moment, so he prepared to issue a notice inviting male actors who want to participate to come for auditions.

Because it's an action film without a love story, the female roles in this movie are pitifully few.

He also issued the same notice, asking interested actresses to come to Aiyou Teng Company for auditions.

Good heavens, once the notice came out, mainland and Hong Kong/Taiwan male and female artists went completely crazy!

Beijing will definitely come, and connections need to be cultivated in advance.

If they can't contact Jiang Heng, they look for people related to him.

Especially Hong Jinbao, as the big brother of the Xianggang film world, his phone number was blown up.

But he couldn't even take care of his own son, and his interest in others' requests was also low.

After receiving the invitation to be the action director for 《The Lion Camel Ridge》, Hong Jinbao hoped to bring his son onto the set.

This time, Jiang Heng ruthlessly refused.

The reason is also well-founded: an investment of fifty million US dollars, over four hundred million RMB, which he simply cannot afford to lose, so every detail must be handled carefully!

Hong Jinbao could also understand this, after all, the money being spent is not the investors'.

Like when Xu Ke filmed 《The Legend of the Mountain》, the initial investment was only forty million, but this person spent money recklessly, the special effects progressed rapidly, and soon the forty million was gone.

What could Xiang Huazhong do?

When the film was halfway through, there was no way to abandon it midway.

All he could do was wave his hand and invest another forty million.

After the film was completed, the Xianggang box office was only over ten million, causing Xiang Huazhong to lose so much he wanted to cry but had no tears, and Zhang Ziyi frankly said 《The Legend of the Mountain》 was not her work.

Even worse was Cheng Yijian, who at the time was wildly popular, dubbed the 'Fifth Heavenly King', but after 《The Legend of the Mountain》 released, he became box-office poison.

The number of film and TV companies ruined by directors is truly too many.

But Jiang Heng is using his own money to realize his mythic dream; as a friend, Hong Jinbao naturally couldn't press him and should instead give strong support.

On the Xianggang side, he effectively became the assistant director for casting, and anyone with intent to participate went to him to sign up.

Meanwhile, in the mainland, most people found Yu Dong, since he is Jiang Heng's partner.

In a short time, who knows how many calls were made.

Liu Xiaoqing, Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, the two recently popular 'Geges', Fan Lao Ban… Actually they also knew that in Jiang Heng's film, the female roles have little room to shine, but after all, it's a major production by the mainland's first commercial-film director.

If you don't come by now to show your face and get known, will anyone think of you when we shoot later?

In Jiang Heng's office, Yu Dong wiped the fine sweat from his forehead, chuckling: "Jiang Zong, you must definitely add my name to the cast and crew list at the end of the film; I'm all muddled, but I've ended up doing the work of an assistant director!"

Jiang Heng chuckled, poured him a cup of water, "That's for sure—not only will we add you, we'll also count you for a share of the pay; if you're interested, you could even come play a little demon!"

Yu Dong gave a simple smile, "Just getting paid is fine; forget about a cameo, there's still plenty of work to keep us busy over at Broad Sodium Company!"

Because Jiang Heng pulled strings, the Broad Sodium Film Industry co-funded by the two almost monopolized the distribution of Hong Kong films in Neidi.

Although these films' box office results aren't high— the better ones only make twenty or thirty million, the poorer ones only make a few million.

But with so many films to distribute, after all the busy work, they actually earned quite a bit.

(End of chapter)