Chapter 523

As for the characters in Summer Holiday's Fun, Jiang Heng favors having the original cast reprise their roles, since the original performances were indeed good—truly the pinnacle of the Happy Ma Hua film series.

Translation: Regarding the characters in Summer Holiday, Jiang Heng prefers that the original cast reprise their roles, after all the original performance was indeed good, worthy of being the pinnacle of the Happy Ma Hua series films.

We need to keep it concise but faithful. Let's produce: Regarding the characters in Summer Holiday, Jiang Heng prefers the original cast to reprise their roles, after all the original performance was indeed good, worthy of being the pinnacle of the Happy Ma Hua series films.

So he didn't plan to use his own agency's actors; he simply wanted to cast Yin Zheng, who is not from Happy Ma Hua, in the role of Yuan Hua.

Translation: So he does not plan to use his own artists, but merely wants to use Yin Zheng, who is not from Happy Ma Hua, to play the role of Yuan Hua.

After all, if left undisturbed, the role would almost certainly go to Wang Ning, since he played it in the stage version.

Translation: After all, if no one intervenes in the casting of this role, it would almost certainly be Wang Ning's, since he played it in the stage version.

The problem is that Wang Ning's acting looks rather awkward, and he tends to play everything the same way, giving off a somewhat foolish impression.

Translation: The problem is Wang Ning's acting looks rather awkward, and he almost always performs the same way, giving a rather foolish impression.

This acting style works fine for 'Loser Brothers,' and surprisingly the first four seasons all scored above 7 on Douban.

Translation: This acting style works for Loser Brothers; surprisingly, the Douban ratings for the first four seasons are all above 7.

But using him to play Yuan Hua—a character of good background, good grades, and handsome looks—really feels off.

Translation: But using it to play Yuan Hua, a character of good background, good studies, and handsome looks, really feels somewhat off.

So Jiang Heng didn't think much and vetoed several supporting roles, including Yuan Hua.

Translation: So Jiang Heng didn't think much and simply vetoed several supporting roles, including Yuan Hua.

Seeing this, Zhang Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

Translation: Zhang Chen, seeing this, actually breathed a sigh of relief.

Because in his expectation, he had already prepared himself to give up the roles of Qiu Ya or Ma Dongmei.

Translation: Because in his expectation, he had prepared himself to give up the roles of Qiu Ya or Ma Dongmei.

Seeing that Jiang Heng had only rejected a few male supporting roles, he hurriedly asked Director Jiang for suitable candidates.

Note: The line says that seeing Jiang Heng only vetoed a few male supporting roles, he hurriedly asked Director Jiang for suitable candidates.

Jiang Heng only said, 'I'll keep looking on my end, you keep looking on yours, let's talk about it next time!' Seeing this, Zhang Chen stopped asking.

Translation: Jiang Heng only said, "I'll pick a few more on my side, you also select some on your side, let's talk about it next time!" Zhang Chen, seeing this, then didn't ask further.

He secretly wondered if Wang Ning had offended Director Jiang at the premiere a few days earlier.

Translation: He secretly speculated, perhaps it was because Wang Ning offended Director Jiang at the premiere a few days ago.

If that were the case, whether Wang Ning stays or leaves, he would no longer insist.

Translation: If that's really the case, whether Wang Ning stays or leaves, he will no longer insist.

After all, the Happy Ma Hua team had just entered the film industry; offending Jiang Heng and iQiyi would make future work difficult. Zhang Chen went back and first thought about the casting.

Translation: After all, the Happy Ma Hua troupe had just entered the film circle; offending Director Jiang and offending Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company would make things difficult later on! Zhang Chen went back and first pondered the casting matter.

However, Ma Li used the excuse of visiting Shen Teng on set and directly went to ask Jiang Heng.

Translation: Ma Li, however, used the excuse of visiting the set to see Shen Teng, and directly came to ask Jiang Heng.

Upon hearing she could play Ma Dongmei, she was overjoyed, quickly bowing and saying, 'Thank you, Director Jiang, thank you, Director Jiang!'

Translation: Upon hearing that she could play the role of Ma Dongmei, she was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed, saying, "Thank you, Director Jiang, thank you, Director Jiang!"

Jiang Heng merely smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.

Translation: Jiang Heng merely smiled and nodded, saying nothing more.

Ma Li, seeing this, gave Zhang Ruozhi an embarrassed smile, then turned and ran away.

Translation: Ma Li, seeing this, gave Zhang Ruozhu an embarrassed smile, then turned and ran off.

Upon reaching Shen Teng, she could no longer contain her excitement, exclaiming, 'I got it! I'm playing Ma Dongmei, I'm playing Ma Dongmei!'

Translation: Upon reaching Shen Teng's side, unable to contain his excitement, he exclaimed, "It's done, I play Ma Dongmei, I play Ma Dongmei!"

Shen Teng asked, 'Has everything been approved?'

Translation: Shen Teng asked, "Has everything been approved?"

'Um, Director Jiang said he vetoed a few?'

Translation: "Uh, Director Jiang said he vetoed a few?"

'Exactly how many?'

Translation: "Exactly how many?"

'I, I didn't dare to ask!'

Translation: "I, I didn't dare to ask!"

'You, you...!'

Translation: "You, you……"

Shen Teng wore an exasperated expression, saying, 'You didn't just go over there for nothing to ask once?'

Translation: Shen Teng wore an expression of frustration at wasted effort, saying, "You didn't just run over there for nothing to ask once?"

'Well, it wasn't for nothing—my Ma Dongmei role is confirmed!'

Translation: "Uh, it's not completely for nothing, my Ma Dongmei role is confirmed!"

After Ma Li said that, she couldn't help but beam with joy.

Translation: Ma Li said that, and then couldn't help but beam with joy.

Shen Teng also knew his role as Xia Luo was likely fine; he was just concerned about the other characters.

Translation: Shen Teng also knew his role as Xia Luo was likely fine; he was just concerned about the other roles.

He had wanted to ask Jiang Heng, but then realized Zhang Zong already knew! He remarked that his morning complexion looked off, and it turned out Jiang Heng had vetoed several roles.

Translation: He originally wanted to go ask Jiang Heng, but then thought, Director Zhang also knows! I said his complexion wasn't looking good this morning; turns out he was vetoed by Director Jiang on several roles.

Thinking of this, Shen Teng called Zhang Chen.

Translation: Thinking this, Shen Teng called Zhang Chen.

'Was Wang Ning vetoed? And what about Huang Cai Lun?'

Translation: "Was Wang Ning vetoed? And Huang Cai Lun?"

……

Translation: "……" (ellipsis). We'll output as "……".

Huang Cai Lun was also an actor whom the Happy Ma Hua team heavily promoted later on, but his performances are painfully awkward, and the Douban ratings of the films he appears in are mostly below 5.

Translation: Huang Cai Lun is also an actor whom the Happy Ma Hua troupe heavily promoted later on, but his acting is really awkward, and the Douban scores of the films he appears in are basically all below 5.

Jiang Heng really didn't think much and vetoed it on the spot! Filming of 'Hello Mr. Billionaire' continued; in the original story, the female lead Xia Zhu's idol is Wang Leehom.

Translation: Jiang Heng really didn't think much and vetoed it on the spot! Filming of Hello Mr. Billionaire continued; in the original story, the female lead Xia Zhu's idol is Wang Leehom.

However, during preparations for this version, Jiang Heng directly asked Zhang Ruozhi which singer she liked; her answer was Zhou Jielun. Consequently, in the film, Wang Duoyu invites Zhou Jielun to the castle to move Xia Zhu.

Translation: But during the preparation of this version, Jiang Heng directly asked Zhang Ruozhu which singer she liked; her answer was Zhou Jielun. Thus, in the film, Wang Duo Yu, to move Xia Zhu, invites Zhou Jielun to the castle.

For an ordinary production crew, inviting Zhou Jielun would be extremely difficult.

Translation: For an ordinary production crew, inviting Zhou Jielun would be extremely difficult.

But for Jiang Heng, it's just a matter of making a phone call.

Translation: But for Jiang Heng, it's just a matter of making a phone call.

Starting in April this year, Zhou Jielun held his 'Magic Lun' world tour in Sydney, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, and elsewhere; he's quite busy, so his availability for the 'Hello Mr. Billionaire' crew is just one day.

Translation: Starting April this year, Zhou Jielun held the "Magic Heaven Lun" world tour concert in Sydney, Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, etc.; overall he is still quite busy, and for the Hello Mr. Billionaire crew he only has one day's schedule.

Fortunately, the shooting went smoothly and was finished in a morning.

Translation: Fortunately, the shooting went relatively smoothly and was finished in a morning.

In the afternoon, Jiang Heng gave the crew the day off and invited Zhou Jielun, Shen Teng, Zhang Ruozhi, Wei Xiang, Yan Fei, Peng Damo, and others to go to the beach for drinks and barbecue.

Translation: In the afternoon, Jiang Heng gave the crew a day off and invited Zhou Jielun, Shen Teng, Zhang Ruozhu, Wei Xiang, Yan Fei, Peng Damo, etc., to go to the seaside to drink alcohol and eat barbecue.

The main filming location of 'Hello Mr. Billionaire' is Wen Cheng Castle in Yantai; the hotel is built by the sea, with a grand and impressive appearance, and the scenery is still nice.

Translation: The main filming location of Hello Mr. Billionaire is Wencheng Castle in Yantai; the hotel is built by the sea, its exterior is grand and imposing, and the scenery is still quite nice.

Jiang Heng and the others drank, gazed at the sea, ate barbecue, and chatted, feeling completely relaxed.

Translation: Jiang Heng and company drank alcohol, gazed at the sea, ate barbecue, and chatted leisurely, feeling extremely content.

Upon learning that Jiang Heng, though a producer, was acting as director, Zhou Jielun laughed and said in somewhat non-standard Mandarin, 'You guys are really lucky—with Director Jiang's guidance, this film will surely make at least a billion.'

Translation: Zhou Jielun learned that Jiang Heng, in his role as producer, was acting as director, and smilingly said in somewhat non-standard Mandarin, "You guys are really lucky; with Director Jiang's guidance, this film will surely make at least a billion."

Shen Teng chuckled, 'It has to be—just based on Director Jiang's reputation, it should easily exceed a billion.'

Translation: Shen Teng laughed heartily, "It must be! Just based on Director Jiang's brand, it also has to be over ten billion!"

After reviewing, the version contains no errors.

Note: The line appears garbled; it likely means that after checking, the version contains no mistakes.

Wei Xiang's laugh was even more demonic, saying, 'If you ask me, surpassing 'Lost in Thailand' and 'Crazy Alien' is no big deal—at least 1.5 billion!'

Translation: Wei Xiang's laughter became even more demonic, "If I say, surpassing Lost in Thailand and Crazy New Year is no big deal, at least fifteen billion!"

'Two billion!'

Translation: "Twenty billion!"

'Twenty-five!'

Translation: "Twenty-five!"

……

Translation: "……"

A few people were shouting wildly, then burst into laughter.

Translation: Several people were shouting nonsense there, then immediately burst into laughter.

Zhang Ruozhi, listening on the side, felt pleased; the box office prospects for 'The Three-Body Problem 2' are already good, and if 'Hello Mr. Billionaire' could earn over ten billion yuan, she wouldn't need to say she'd secured her top-tier actress status—it would practically be guaranteed.

Translation: Zhang Ruozhu, listening on the side, felt quite pleased; the box office prospects for Three Body 2 were already good, and if Hello Mr. Billionaire could earn ten-odd billion, she wouldn't need to say she'd secured her first-tier actress status—it would be about the same.

Among mainland Chinese actresses, aside from iQiyi's artists, few have such box office draw! It's a pity that after finishing this film, she has to go to Beijing Film Academy for studies, and who knows when she'll be able to star in another Jiang Heng film.

Translation: Among mainland female stars, aside from the artists of Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company, who has such high box office? It's a pity that after this film wraps, she has to go to Beijing Film Academy to study; who knows when she'll be able to star in Director Jiang's film again!

While Zhang Ruozhi was lost in thought, Zhou Jielun suddenly said, 'By the way, Director Jiang, have you decided what the new film will be about?'

Translation: While Zhang Ruozhu was wandering in thought, Zhou Jielun suddenly said, "By the way, Director Jiang, have you decided what the new film will be about?"

According to past years' convention, Jiang Heng would be pondering new projects at this time, then start filming in August or September.

Translation: According to the convention of recent years, Jiang Heng at this time is usually pondering new works, then starting production in August or September.

This year, because he was producing 'Summer Holiday's Fun,' things seem to have been delayed.

Translation: This year, because he was producing Summer Holiday, it seems somewhat delayed.

Zhou Jielun glanced at Zhang Ruozhi, secretly guessing about her relationship with Jiang Heng, which seemed somewhat favored! 'The new film? I really haven't thought about it yet!' Jiang Heng took a sip of beer and laughed.

Translation: Zhou Jielun glanced at Zhang Ruozhu, secretly guessing her relationship with Jiang Heng, seeming to show some favoritism! "The new film? I really haven't thought about it much!" Jiang Heng took a sip of beer and laughed heartily.

'You want to rest again?'

Translation: "Want to rest again?"

Jiang Heng shook his head, 'No, not really—I just need a short break; I'll be leaving in a couple of days, and I can still think things over then.'

Translation: Jiang Heng shook his head, "No, not that; I'll just rest a bit lately, and in a couple days I'll leave, then I can still ponder things later."

iQiyi Pictures has been producing special-effects blockbusters for years, with all kinds of costumes, props, and shooting locations readily available, and a relatively large staff, making preparation for a new film quite convenient.

Translation: Faction: Outstanding Rising Film Company has been shooting special-effects blockbusters for years; various costumes, props, and shooting locations are all available, relevant personnel are also relatively numerous, so preparing a new film is still fairly convenient.

Upon hearing that, Zhang Ruoxi jumped in fright, and somewhat reluctantly said, "You, you're leaving?"

Jiang Heng smiled, glanced at the two official directors Yan Fei and Peng Damo, and said, "Your two levels are still pretty good; I don't have anything left to teach you here!"

Upon hearing that, the two quickly said a few humble words.

Jiang Heng then said to Shen Teng, "Your comic performance has a great relaxed feel, very natural; you must not waste your talent!"

Shen Teng, hearing this, didn't understand, "Waste? Why use that word?" To be honest, Jiang Heng looking at Shen Teng really felt a bit regretful; clearly he had great talent, yet he had turned out a whole lot of bad films, which was truly a pity.

Afterwards, he also gave a few comments on Wei Xiang and Zhang Yiming, and everyone looked both honored and startled.

Finally, he said to Zhang Ruowan, "Well, keep filming well here; later there will be more important tasks for you!"

Zhang Ruowan said reluctantly, "Oh, I will definitely act well!" (End of chapter)