Chapter 501: Casting the Lead

"Long time no see, how have you been developing these years?" In the office, Jiang Heng smiled and asked casually.

Ma Dongxi looked somewhat embarrassed, saying, "To be honest, it's embarrassing; after returning home I rode the coattails of *Little Soldier Legend* for a brief spell of fame, but since I couldn't find a suitable role type, I'm still just playing supporting parts everywhere!"

Jiang Heng nodded slightly, without commenting.

Actually, in the film *Train to Busan* that made him rise to fame in his previous life, Ma Dongxi also played a supporting role.

How to put it? In an era when modern-action films were declining, having such a "villain" look and getting any roles to earn a living was already not bad.

To actually blow up in popularity was something unexpected.

"Don't worry, I believe from now on you'll become a star, because this time I invited you to play the male lead number two, Shi Qiang!"

"Male number two?"

Ma Dongxi was truly astonished to the point of jumping up. He stood stunned for a couple of seconds, then bowed to Jiang Heng in apology, and then bowed again in thanks.

He was familiar with the character Shi Qiang.

He had previously watched *Three Body 1*, which features a dual male lead setup; Jiang Wen's portrayal of Shi Qiang mainly involves investigating the ETO, the Three Body invasion organization, with plenty of chase, fight, and explosion scenes.

While watching it, he had even thought, "I wish I could play this role."

Unexpectedly, after a few years, such good fortune actually fell upon him, leaving him so excited he didn't know what to say.

It was either an apology or gratitude; his excitement made his speech incoherent.

Jiang Heng was used to people's tears of gratitude, so he chuckled and waved his hand, indicating he should sit down.

Then he mentioned Jiang Wen's situation—they were preparing a new film, so he had no time to shoot. He recalled having worked with Ma Dongxi before, so he had someone call him over, only he hadn't expected him to arrive so quickly.

He then asked, "Everything's fine on your end domestically, right?"

Ma Dongxi hesitated for a few seconds, then decided to tell the truth, after all, with Jiang Heng's influence, if he really wanted to investigate his situation in Korea, he couldn't keep it hidden.

After hearing Ma Dongxi's account and his original plan, Jiang Heng laughed and said, "It's fine; once the news of your casting as Shi Qiang in *Three Body 2* gets out, they won't just refrain from suing you—they'll even loudly announce that you're filming the movie!"

Ma Dongxi blinked at the words, then suddenly realized, "Right! If I become famous thanks to *Three Body 2*, that low-budget film I shot earlier will end up reaping a windfall!"

He couldn't help but give a foolish grin, saying, "Having this kind of opportunity is all thanks to Director Jiang's care—I don't know how to repay him!"

Jiang Heng smiled and said, "No problem, just give a good performance when you're filming!"

He glanced at his Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, then said, "Alright, that's it for today. Later, someone will take you out to sign the contract; any further scheduling or payment matters will be handled by a dedicated person."

Ma Dongxi hurriedly rose upon hearing that, bowed, and left.

Jiang Heng then stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, and stretched.

Shi Qiang's role in the film isn't that heavy, because the plot of *Three Body 2* mainly adapts the novel's second part, namely the well-known *Three Body 2: Dark Forest*.

Therefore, the plot centers on Luo Ji as the protagonist, with the main conflict being the struggle between the Wallfacer Plan and the Wallbreakers.

In terms of special effects selling points, the most spectacular image is the scene where the Trisolarans' "droplet" probe destroys over two thousand human space fleet starships.

And the film's ending falls on Luo Ji grasping the "dark forest" law, deterring the Trisolarans here while humans plunge into despair and apocalyptic revelry.

In other words, the absolute male lead of this film is Luo Ji—a person who, upon first appearance, is a carefree, unrestrained, irreverent young scholar.

In old age, he also has a resolute visage and a cold disposition.

For this role, many male actors in the industry are vying for it.

For example, Liu Dehua, upon hearing the news, immediately flew to Jingcheng to arrange a meeting with Jiang Heng.

Jiang Heng's reply was that he needed some time to consider.

How to put it? Liu Dehua is getting on in years; playing a youthful scholar would lack that youthful vigor.

As for acting, he also seems a bit stiff, always maintaining a tense state, which feels rather unsuitable.

As for mainland artists, Huang Xiaoming has also come by. Jiang Heng thinks his appearance is roughly suitable, but having played many domineering CEO roles lately, the idea of him portraying Luo Ji still feels a bit off.

Besides these two, many more male stars from the Chinese-language entertainment circle have thrown their hats in the ring; Jiang Heng looked through the materials but couldn't yet decide who to use.

However, for the female lead Zhuang Yan, he had long ago decided on Zhang Ruonan.

Of course, Zhang Ruonan's appearance does not entirely match the original description.

Jiang Heng also didn't think Zhuang Yan, as written by Da Liu, was all that beautiful—about 1.6 meters tall, her frame so slender a gust of wind could blow her away...

After all, adapting for film and TV certainly can't follow the original exactly.

He chose Zhang Ruonan because of her pure, sunny looks and her "national first-love face."

One could say that *Three Body 2* only got underway in 2014, largely because they were waiting for someone to grow up—Zhang Ruonan, born in 1996, was still in high school then, and would attend Hangzhou Dianzi University in 2015.

That year, a classmate recommended she join the campus beauty pageant; she posted a Weibo with her photo and ultimately made the top 30 of the competition.

Later on, Zhang Ruonan used her spare time to become a print model, shooting ads, gradually gaining some fame in the circle.

By 2017, the crew of the film *Love Like the Galaxy* found Zhang Ruonan and invited her to appear in it...

Looking at her later career development, her university education was utterly lonely—she might as well have taken the entrance exams for Beijing Broadcasting Institute and Central Academy of Drama to at least hone her acting skills! Thus, regarding the possible impact on Zhang Ruonan's studies, Jiang Heng feels no guilt, only worries whether she'll sign up for the auditions.

Probably, right? It's not like they'd have to send a few scouts to linger near her school—that would be too deliberate! In front of Leqing City Vocational High School's gate, a group of students happily burst out of the school doors, with Zhang Ruonan in her uniform and her female friends chatting and laughing as they walked home.

Seeing a crowd gathered not far ahead, she hurried over a few steps to join the fun.

"What are you looking at? What are you looking at?"

The little girl tiptoed, craned her neck, and peered inside.

The tall boy in front turned his head, seeing it was Zhang Ruoruo, he immediately grinned, "Nannan, there's good news, Director Jiang's new film Three Body 2 is currently holding open auditions, they want girls aged over 18 and under 22, pure-looking, to be the female lead. You're so pretty, you'll definitely get the role!"

What a buddy, as soon as he opens his mouth, it's pure simp tone.

Zhang Ruoruo was taken aback; the idea of being a movie star female lead was something she had never even considered, feeling it was too far away for her.

But if it could happen, that would be pretty good too! (End of chapter)