Chapter 500

Three Body

Moreover, the story timeline of Three Body is drawn out too long, lacking a character that can run through the whole story, so in casting, it is not necessary to stick with the original cast.

Three Body

Jiang Wen, Three Body, Jiang Heng

One Step Away

But in this world, One Step Away has already been released, yet it bombed both at the box office and in reputation—what is he busy with? Surely he didn't spend several years in advance putting together Let the Bullets Fly? Only after careful inquiry did he learn that the box‑office failure of One Step Away had given him a severe sense of guilt.

After all, in history the whole industry wasn't particularly profitable, with most movies losing money, so Jiang Wen didn't feel anything unusual.

But the reality is, Jiang Heng's films are a hit one after another, each one earning more than the last.

Zhang Yimou, Wang Jing, Xu Zheng, Ning Hao

Moreover, some investors still recognize Jiang Wen's abilities, knowing that he often cannot control his artsy tendencies.

Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Three Strikes Against the White Bone Demon

Personal touches can be added, but not too much.

Jiang Wen couldn't let go of face for a moment, so he agreed; it was also the film's preparation stage, and he received Jiang Heng's invitation call.

"Brother, I'm really sorry; if the role isn't big, I can just show my face a few times and I'll manage. But if I have to shoot for one or two months, I really can't make it!"

Jiang Heng laughed: "No problem, I'll just look for someone else; it's been over six years, the audience might not even remember you!"

"Impossible, a good role is something the audience won't forget for years!"

Jiang Heng smiled and didn't pick up the thread; that's the reasoning—classic scenes from Let the Bullets Fly have been played with by netizens, so how could one forget the characters in the film?

But Jiang Wen is, after all, a big director with his own films to attend to, so Jiang Heng didn't want to go through the trouble of three visits; he simply had to invite him over.

Ma Dongxi

Little Soldier Legend

He gave the order, and there will be dedicated people to handle the contact.

In South Korea, Ma Dongxi, who was filming on set, suddenly heard his phone ring.

"Ah, shit, you damn it, who let you not turn off your phone while shooting?" the director shouted, standing up.

Ma Dongxi hurriedly apologized, saying something had come up at home and, because he was waiting for a call, he had forgotten.

The director spat out unpleasant words, and Ma Dongxi didn't dare to explain further, just apologizing repeatedly before walking out of the shooting area to take the call.

(none)

Because he could tell the call was coming from China, Ma Dongxi faintly felt a good omen; although he was a tall, broad‑built man, his tone was very gentle.

"Hello, may I ask if this is Mr. Ma Dongxi?"

"Yes, yes!" Ma Dongxi replied in non‑standard Chinese.

"Hello, I'm from the Artist Relations Department of Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company in China; I'm now notifying you that the company intends to invite you to appear in Three Body 2—do you have time to come for an audition?"

"Ah, yes, yes, may I ask when you'd like me to arrive?" "Hmm, within a week; of course, the sooner the better. If you've booked your ticket, you can call this number to reply, and our side will arrange someone to pick you up at the airport."

"Okay, I'll definitely make it there as soon as possible!"

After hanging up, Ma Dongxi straightened his back; warm sunlight fell on him, giving him a feeling of bursting energy.

"Director, starting tomorrow I want to take a leave of absence!"

"What, you bastard, do you even know what you're saying? Don't think that just because you do a cameo in Director Jiang's big film you'll become an international superstar! If you leave, you won't even have to act in this film—you'll get no pay at all and will have to compensate the crew for their losses."

Seeing this, Ma Dongxi sighed, bowed, and turned to leave.

Little Soldier Legend

Unfortunately, there was no suitable script and no capital to back him; his good days lasted less than a year, and after the hype of Little Soldier Legend faded, he was knocked back to his original state, still appearing only as a supporting role in various film and TV dramas.

The film he is currently shooting is the same—his role isn't big, and finishing it will take only another half month or so.

His plan is to go to China first to settle the contract; since Three Body 2 is still in preparation, the earliest it could start shooting is a month away, and it's not certain that they'd begin with his scenes right away.

That way he could first return domestically to finish his scenes here, which would also avoid delaying either side.

Unexpectedly, this director not only uttered harsh words, but his very opening was a threat.

If it weren't for the entertainment company behind him that he couldn't afford to provoke, with his puny little‑chick physique he could take on eight guys by himself!

Seeing Ma Dongxi completely ignore him, the director flew into a rage and shouted to the nearby crew, "Quick, grab him!"

The rest of the people looked at the director as if he were an idiot—"What, grab Ma Dongxi?"

"How much can we earn in a day? You're making us risk our lives!"

"That big lump—you couldn't even punch him, let alone run into him and not get hurt!"

A bunch of people turned a deaf ear, just watching Ma Dongxi walk away, and the director, fuming, cursed loudly on set.

Ma Dongxi drove home, packed his clothes, and then booked the earliest flight to China.

Love Outstanding Rising Film Company

But at this moment, he dare not take that kind of risk!

Seoul, Capital City

Seoul, Love Outstanding Rising Film Company

After explaining his purpose to the front desk, that person made a few calls, and soon a supervisor‑level staff member came down to meet him, remarking that he had arrived remarkably quickly.

Ma Dongxi wore a simple‑minded expression and spoke in non‑standard Chinese: "Director Jiang's films are an opportunity countless people dream of; if I dilly‑dally, that would be too disrespectful to Director Jiang!"

The supervisor from Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company laughed, "You look simple‑minded but you're actually quite sharp! Consider yourself lucky—Director Jiang has time to see you!"

"Ah, that's really great!" Ma Dongxi was genuinely surprised.

Jiang Heng

This time, it's longer than when he flew here from Korea! (End of chapter)