Chapter 73

Jingcheng, in front of the newly inaugurated Beautiful Times Special Effects Company, Jiang Heng, Han Sanping, and the relevant department leaders stood in neat rows, all using scissors to cut the red silk before them.

CCTV reporters then used cameras to record this historic moment.

As the nation's first film and television special effects company, Beautiful Times enjoyed considerable preferential treatment in its establishment, even its office premises were provided by the government.

Of course, Jiang Heng was not lacking in that rent, and he even had the mind to build his own office building.

After all, property prices in Jingcheng have been on an upward trend since 2000.

However, Jingcheng's land is eyed by too many people; without a suitable plot, it's not wise to move in forcefully, so the matter has been postponed.

Thinking that after Pacific Rim is finished, he must settle the land issue before preparing the next film.

After the ribbon-cutting, Jiang Heng led the leaders on a tour of the company, looking at the various advanced equipment in the office area, as well as the diverse faces recruited, even foreign staff; the leaders were very pleased, offering Jiang Heng encouragement, hoping he could produce more and better films and make a greater contribution to the Chinese-language film market.

Jiang Heng naturally also had to state his view, saying that the decline of the Chinese-language film market is merely a temporary trough.

With China's economy continually developing and urbanization steadily advancing, more and more people will develop the habit of consuming movies.

And as the number of moviegoers increases, various genre films gain a foothold, gradually grow, and ultimately present a splendid scene of a hundred schools contending and a hundred flowers blooming.

The leaders, hearing this, were somewhat surprised and smiled, saying: "I didn't expect that this young comrade not only makes good films but also has high awareness!"

Jiang Heng chuckled: "I just feel that with China's five-thousand-year civilization and over a billion people, the film market is such an important cultural propaganda front; we cannot let Hollywood run roughshod over it!"

Good!

But before the leader could speak, an old comrade interjected with praise.

Perhaps because of his age and having no desires, he spoke his mind directly: "I just don't like those American films—what nonsense, all day promoting their stuff, that 'Saving Private Ryan' thing—isn't that just bullshit? To save one soldier, a whole squad dies; is that kid's life a life while the others aren't? To drive out the Japanese devils and chase away Chiang Kai-shek, our soldiers charged forward bravely, one after another—how many died? If we had to consider whether each was the family's last son, how could we fight this war at all!"

The old comrade launched a fierce barrage of criticism at Hollywood blockbusters.

The others also voiced their opinions, expressing their thoughts.

Finally, the leading official summed up, hoping Jiang Heng would continue to play the role of the "lead sheep," making more and better special-effects blockbusters to drive the prosperous development of the Chinese-language film market...

After the event ended, the leaders departed, but Han Sanping stayed behind.

In the chairman's office of Beautiful Times, he expressed surprise: "I didn't expect you to be so conscious; how about it, want me to fix you up with an identity?"

Jiang Heng waved his hand, smiling: "You heard what the leaders said just now—making good special-effects blockbusters and being the vanguard of Chinese-language cinema is the mission the era has given me; if I don't focus on fulfilling it properly and instead ponder other things, isn't that putting the cart before the horse?"

Han Sanping nodded: "That's right—do your job solidly, and what you deserve will surely not be lacking."

Though that's what he said, he remained shocked and for a moment didn't know what to say.

Jiang Heng then said: "Columbia Company has already replied; they will send a project team over to discuss the investment ratios among the three parties, as well as production and distribution duties. As for the cast, the male and female leads will definitely be Chinese, while the rest will mainly be Hollywood."

Han Sanping replied: "No problem—international blockbusters are about humanity united against monsters anyway. As for the male lead, what do you have in mind?"

"I still lean toward Yan Zu—his appearance, acting, and fame are all fine, and Columbia won't object either!"

Han Sanping, hearing this, felt a bit disappointed, but also knew he himself was being a bit impatient.

In his view, he naturally hoped Jiang Heng's films would continually employ mainland artists, thereby cultivating a batch of mainland stars recognized by the market.

However, for an internationally co-produced blockbuster as huge as Pacific Rim, having a mainland newcomer as the male lead would really be a stretch.

But regarding the female lead, Han Sanping thought he could try to contend for it.

"How about selecting the female lead from within the mainland?"

Jiang Heng blinked, then laughed: "If you say that, I certainly agree!"

In fact, Jiang Heng himself had not considered using Li Meiqi as the new film's female lead.

After all, she has already worked twice with Wu Yanzu; a few more collaborations would lock her into that IP.

Furthermore, Jiang Heng is not like Jiang Wen or Jia Zhangle, who completely ignore audience opinion and almost always cast their wives as the female lead.

He still hopes that each of his films can give the audience some new feeling.

As the news spread that Jiang Heng's new film would select its female lead from among mainland actresses, the Chinese-language entertainment world instantly erupted.

Especially those actresses in their prime with good looks all felt it was an opportunity.

Not long after the craze of Lion's Ridge Mountain subsided, the box-office prospects of the new film could also be anticipated.

It was also heard that the film is a co-production of Outstanding Rising Film Company, China Film Group, and Columbia, with Hollywood talent involved, which made those actresses even more excited.

Jiang Heng's first three works could only be called Chinese-language films; this one is truly an international blockbuster—anyone who lands the female lead will surely see their value skyrocket.

For a time, these artists each showed their prowess, inquiring through various channels.

Many investors and bigwigs also sprang into action; moreover, a coal boss came straight to Outstanding Rising Film Company, entered the general manager's office, and had his aides dump a sack of cash with a clatter, saying: "Please tell your boss that as long as I can get my girlfriend the lead role, I'll put up ten million!"

The general manager overseeing company affairs was dumbfounded; he had heard coal bosses were extravagant, and today he finally saw it.

Furthermore, although he is the boss, he is also a wage earner—who has ever seen so much money, so much cash?

"What amount of money is this, really? Can a sack hold ten million?"

The boss stared for a good ten or more seconds, during which the coal boss sat loosely on the sofa, puffing a cigar, smiling without speaking.

"Um, this boss, I understand your desire to promote your girlfriend, but our boss isn't short of money either—a film can gross hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide, and the profit isn't any less than yours!"

Hearing that, the coal boss's face changed, then he immediately laughed: "I mean no offense—I just admire Director Jiang, want to befriend him, and incidentally recommend my friend; the terms are absolutely non-negotiable, and if it works out, everyone wins, right?"

The general manager, hearing this, felt helpless and could only call Jiang Heng to ask for instructions.

(End of chapter)