Chapter 99

Small fame relies on promotion, big fame relies on fate!

Although it sounds mysterious and esoteric, it still makes some sense.

The simplest and most plain issue is the problem of physiognomy.

Among Xianggang's action stars, Zhen Zidan's "blooming period" can be said to be the shortest.

He starred in Yuan Heping's directed 《Laughing Taiji》 in 84, yet saw no breakthrough; in 92 he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards for his villain Nalan Yushu in 《Once Upon a Time in China III: Lions and Tigers》, and only in 08's 《Ip Man》 did he truly become a big star.

Counting from his debut in 84, it's already been 24 years!

Everyone knows he can fight, his early resources weren't bad, yet it took over twenty years to become popular—naturally, the problem lies mostly with him.

Zhen Zidan's biggest problem is that his appearance isn't "upright" enough; he looks too fierce!

And having a visage that is righteous and awe-inspiring is very important for the male lead in action or wuxia films.

No matter how beautifully you fight, if you end up with a fierce expression, the audience will instantly turn from cheering to apprehension.

Moreover, after an action performer defeats all enemies, it's inevitable that some ferocity will show on his face and body.

Those famous action stars often have their own ways to dispel that ferocity.

For example, Bruce Lee worked on his image, dressing plainly and adopting the weak-overcomes-strong trope; Cheng Long used comedic themes and humorous performance.

Hong Jinbao is even more convenient—his obese figure itself brings comedy.

But when he grew older, his natural charm faded, making him look ever more fierce with age.

When Zhen Zidan first entered the industry, his sharpness was fully exposed; his fierce look in fight scenes was hardly concealed, making it naturally hard to win audience favor.

Fortunately, as he aged, his facial lines became relatively fuller; after years of ups and downs he tempered his temperament, and he happened to encounter the relatively soft martial art of Wing Chun, allowing his ferocity to subside, ultimately achieving sudden fame.

But at this moment, Zhen Zidan is unsuitable for playing a righteous role, and also unsuitable for playing a major villain.

Jiang Heng thought it over repeatedly, decided to invite him for a cameo, playing a minor villain who has fight scenes with the male lead.

Zhen Zidan was very pleased, repeatedly saying he would do it for free, refusing any pay.

Seeing this, Jiang Heng didn't press further.

That evening they ate together; Jiang Heng phoned Wu Jing, who after Lion Camel Ridge had risen considerably in stature, though his resources hadn't increased much.

After all, the action film genre as a whole is sluggish, with too few new projects.

Upon hearing that Zhen Zidan would cameo in Jiang Heng's new film, Wu Jing hurriedly said, "I can too, Director Jiang—I'll do it for free, no pay!"

Jiang Heng laughed and cried, "Look at what you're saying, as if I summoned you just to have you act for free!"

Wu Jing chuckled, "Well, I don't have anything else to do anyway."

Jiang Heng wondered, "Any new projects lately?"

Wu Jing sighed, "After finishing Lion Camel Ridge, I can't muster enthusiasm for scripts that are just a bit lacking; and TV dramas? I don't really want to do those either."

Hong Jinbao suddenly said, "Why don't you just write your own script?"

Wu Jing blinked, turned his head toward Jiang Heng, and his eyes gradually showed an expectant look.

Jiang Heng took a sip of beer, smiled, and said, "All right, if you have a suitable script, I'll invest!"

"Oh dear, Director Jiang, you're like my big brother, my real brother!" Wu Jing spoke excitedly and incoherently, lifted his cup and drained it, then poured two more cups and drank them all.

Jiang Heng also drank a cup, laughing, "Let's agree beforehand: the script quality must pass, and during filming we can't cut corners!"

Wu Jing exclaimed, "Definitely not! We're all people who genuinely want to make good films, not those who shoot junk just to make money!"

Hong Jinbao said, "Exactly, when those two film they're truly dedicated—in that alley fight scene they broke several sticks!"

Wu Jing recalled the filming of Shatter, feeling a vague ache in his back, while Zhen Zidan gave an apologetic smile.

Jiang Heng said, "I know, people like you who truly devote themselves to making good movies are really getting fewer and fewer!"

Afterward he looked at Zhen Zidan, "If you have a suitable script over there, you can also come directly to me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Zidan was overjoyed and hurriedly toasted Jiang Heng with three cups.

Hong Jinbao coughed, his expression somewhat awkward, "Mr. Jiang, I toast you!" After saying that, he also drank three cups.

Jiang Heng then hesitated a bit; to say that Hong Jinbao in his youth could be called a pillar of the Jiahe company.

But as he aged, he began to lose his grip on market trends.

But at this moment, Wu Jing and Zhen Zidan have both agreed; if Hong Jinbao, this senior figure of Xianggang's film world, toasts three cups and we give no promise, we'd embarrass him terribly.

Jiang Heng pondered briefly, then said, "Big brother, if you have a suitable script, you can also come to me!"

Anyway, I didn't promise a definite investment; we'll decide later.

Hong Jinbao was overjoyed, raised his cup and said, "Mr. Jiang, you've truly taken great care of Xianggang's film circle; this time you're self-directing and self-starring in a new film—I think everyone should pitch in. After the meal I'll head back and rally everyone to come cameo!"

Jiang Heng was taken aback, "Everyone come? My film doesn't have that many roles!"

Zhen Zidan laughed, "We can add roles on the fly; no matter how small, we'll get stars to appear—just the sight of many names will draw audiences to the theater."

Wu Jing said, "I'll notify the Neidi side and rally everyone to come!"

Jiang Heng laughed and cried, "This…"

Hong Jinbao said, "Mr. Jiang, don't overthink it—it's all in the drink!" Having said that, he downed another cup.

After the meal, Hong Jinbao first returned to the hotel to rest; the next morning he went back to Xianggang and helped Jiang Heng recruit people for the crew.

Zhen Zidan also called a few people he felt close to, while Wu Jing contacted several friends in the Neidi entertainment circle.

Soon the news spread throughout the entertainment world: everyone heard that Jiang Heng's self-directed, self-starred new film would have many stars joining as unpaid cameos.

Even Zhang Yimou called, urging Jiang Heng to be sure to reserve a role for him.

Speaking of Old Zhang, he too had been a lead when he was young.

He and Gong Li co-starred in 《The Great Battle of the Qin Terracotta Warriors Across Time》, which can be regarded as the progenitor of time-travel dramas.

And Jiang Wen and Ge You, with whom he has prior connections, also called to join the fun, insisting on getting cameo roles.

At this point Jiang Heng felt his head swelling, because according to the original plot outline, it seemed they wouldn't need so many actors!

Upon hearing the news, Han Sanping was extremely excited, supporting Jiang Heng to revise the script: "In the Chinese-language entertainment world, only you have this pulling power—you can assemble a blockbuster packed with stars!"

Jiang Heng hurriedly said: "Ah, you can't say that; there's also someone who has this ability!"

"Who is it?"

"You!"

"Ah, I don't have..."

"You do!"

Han Sanping didn't argue about this; instead, he was curious how Jiang Heng would change the script.

"Originally I wanted to add a primordial wilderness setting in the film, but I feared the background would be too grand and the plot too thin to support it. With so many stars making cameo appearances, though, it could be considered!"

"'Primordial Wilderness?' Han Sanping muttered, not really understanding what the term means."

Jiang Heng didn't explain either, only saying: "Director Han, you know the Investiture of the Gods, right?"

"That's definitely understood!"

"The Investiture of the Gods sealed many heavenly deities; have you ever wondered what the Heavenly Court was like before the Investiture?"

"This......"

Han Sanping, hearing this, couldn't help but start to ponder.

Jiang Heng also didn't elaborate further, feeling a faint inspiration flash in his mind, about to vanish instantly.

He rushed to his desk and typed out whatever came to mind.

Seeing this, Han Sanping then left first.

However, after the news spread that many stars from Neidi and Xianggang would cameo in the production, it caused a huge uproar in the Chinese-language entertainment circle, and moreover prompted countless actresses to vie for the female lead role.

After all, with so many stars gathering for cameos, the female lead's stature and attention would surely increase dramatically!

(End of chapter)