Chapter 118: Is it that I, Shi Tailong, am not hard enough?!

"This Hugh Jackman's audition performance is very good. His image, temperament, and all aspects are completely suitable for the role of the son." Wu Yuchen said.

"Oh no, no, Wu, his performance is not bad, but he is just an unknown nobody and cannot support the male lead of this play. We need to find a familiar face, a familiar face that can make the audience walk into the cinema. This is a very important standard for us to choose actors."

Jeff refuted in a calm tone.

Wu Yuchen looked at the other party: "Jeff, then who do you think should be chosen?"

He wanted to see if the other party had his own people.

"I think John Cusack is very suitable. He has already been the male lead in many films. Although he is not yet very popular, it is enough for us."

Wu Yuchen thought of John Cusack's information. He is 30 years old this year and has debuted for 13 years. He is a standard Hollywood second-tier. His later representative works are *Serendipity* and *Identity*. His acting skills are definitely no problem.

However, what Wu Yuchen was thinking about was whether he was the person Jeff supported?

Wu Yuchen thought for a while and probed: "But John Cusack's fee is a bit high, 3 million US dollars."

Jeff said: "He is worth this price."

"I reserve my opinion on this." Wu Yuchen said lightly.

Some crews with ample funds set roles one by one, auditioning for one role and setting one.

But many crews actually have to consider comprehensive situations, such as the total actor salary. If the total salary exceeds the limit, then the actor for a certain role must be replaced.

*Frequency* is not a wealthy crew, so after the audition, it cannot directly set a certain role. It still has to consider the actor lineup comprehensively, and then send a notice to sign the contract after it is set.

Jeff thought for a while and said:

"Okay, Wu, I respect your opinion. If you think John is too expensive, then Edward Norton. His three films last year were all great. Not only did he cooperate with Julia Roberts, but he was also nominated for an Oscar in the just-concluded Oscars, and his exposure is very high. It only costs 1.5 million."

Wu Yuchen turned his thoughts upon hearing this. This Jeff, who exactly is he trying to push? This attitude doesn't look like he is firmly supporting someone?

He intended to test Jeff's bottom line again: "Jeff, don't you think Edward's face is a bit tender? There is no tough guy temperament as a police officer."

"I don't think it's a big problem. Compared to the father, the son's role itself is more immature. The tougher side in the film is to be borne by the father. However, if you are very concerned, then James Caviezel. He is cheaper, 800,000. He has acted in many supporting roles and can barely be used."

Jeff frowned and said.

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "Using him is not as good as using Hugh Jackman..."

"Oh, Wu! I know you are very fond of this Hugh, you can arrange a role like the protagonist's friend for him, but you can't use him as the protagonist. Familiar face, familiar face, familiar face! This is very important to the audience!"

Wu Yuchen shrugged: "Okay, okay, Jeff, then John Cusack or Edward Norton."

Currently, looking at this role, Jeff is completely considering the crew. Wu Yuchen will not make unreasonable trouble. Wolverine really has no fame now.

When it came to discussing the female lead, which is the mother's role, Jeff spoke first:

"Diane Lane is very suitable, 32 years old, exactly the mother's age, and her acting experience is very rich. There are few film buffs who don't know her."

Wu Yuchen shook his head directly: "I don't want to pay 1.5 million US dollars for a role with few scenes. This money should be spent on the male lead."

After Wu Yuchen finished speaking, he directly took out a document:

"Gretchen Mol, she has a virtuous temperament, a typical American blonde beauty, most suitable for the audience's appetite. It can be settled for only 100,000, which I think is very cost-effective."

Jeff looked at Wu Yuchen and then said: "Don't you think she is too young?"

"25 is enough, and it's no different from 30. She can fully play a mother of a child."

Wu Yuchen said lightly.

Jeff pondered for a moment: "Okay, just do as you say!"

Wu Yuchen was slightly surprised in his heart. He didn't expect Jeff to be so easy to talk to. He originally thought he would have to argue with him more.

But it's also good. In this way, Gretchen's transaction is considered completed. Although even if he couldn't handle her, he couldn't do anything to himself, Wu Yuchen still wanted to be a person who keeps his word. After all, the other party was a nurse and a daughter, and it was quite hard.

When it came to discussing the father, the male lead, Jeff also directly pulled out a document:

"Dennis Quaid, I think he is the most suitable person for the father role!"

Wu Yuchen had a thought in his heart. Looking at Jeff's attitude, it seems that this is the role he wants to fight for.

Dennis Quaid debuted in '79 and has acted in many works, and has also been the male lead in small productions, but he has never been popular. To American audiences, his face is familiar, but he cannot be said to have achieved success in either commerce or awards.

In fact, Wu Yuchen has no opinion on this candidate, because this just happens to be the actor for the father role in the original *Frequency*. He acted very well, better than the son.

Now he also understands that Jeff is equivalent to giving a female lead with no weight to her, and then gaining the opportunity for himself to make the final decision on the father, the male lead.

Even if Wu Yuchen welcomes Dennis Quaid to play this role in his heart, he has to argue with Jeff now to fight for some things, otherwise, he will appear too easy to talk to, which will make the other party push his luck in the future.

He took out a document: "I think Liam Neeson is more suitable. His fame is far better than Dennis Quaid. Isn't this Jeff's requirement just now?"

"No, Liam Neeson simply can't play this tough guy role!" Jeff refuted strongly.

Wu Yuchen smiled. Liam Neeson can't play a tough guy? Ten years later, he will be fighting all over the world in the *Taken* series!

"On the contrary, I think he has the potential of a tough father. Liam Neeson has learned boxing since he was a child, and his performance in the audition is also very good. He can not only embody the image of a tough father but also has a very warm side. His acting skills and fame are all beyond doubt."

"Wu, it was you who said just now that the fee is too high and don't use it. Liam Neeson is 3 million!"

"That's different, Jeff. Liam Neeson is world-famous for his Schindler in *Schindler's List*. He has international appeal. I think this 3 million is very cost-effective~"

Liam Neeson could only be said to be an ordinary actor before appearing in *Schindler's List*. *Schindler's List* made him famous.

"Wu, what we need to consider first is the North American local box office! Dennis is a local American, and he has a typical American appearance, while Liam Neeson is Irish!"

"Then what about the fame and box office appeal you mentioned?"

"We can use Dennis paired with John Cusack. With these two, it is enough for our film!" Jeff shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuchen figured out the plan of this old guy Jeff.

The production cost of 25 million, of which the actor salary cost was allocated to about 5 million. Jeff's person is Dennis Quaid. As long as this role is set, he can pair it with John Cusack on the grounds that the salary space is still ample, so he doesn't have to worry about the appeal of the protagonist being insufficient.

After figuring it out, Wu Yuchen said unhurriedly:

"Then I think it is also possible to use Liam Neeson paired with Edward Norton or even Hugh Jackman. This plan is also very good, isn't it?"

Jeff looked at Wu Yuchen seriously: "Wu, do you really want to be so persistent?"

At this time, the atmosphere between the two was already a bit tense. Wu Yuchen knew very well that if he answered yes, the two would probably fall out, which was not his original intention.

Seeing that the heat was almost there, Wu Yuchen smiled: "Jeff, actually Dennis is also not bad..."

Jeff's face softened upon hearing this.

"But I have one condition."

"What?"

"I want to draw an extra 2 million to find Industrial Light & Magic to do special effects."

Jeff frowned upon hearing this: "Isn't ordinary CG okay?"

This question had been discussed during preparation before, but Jeff had always thought that ordinary ones were enough, and the film budget itself was not that much.

Wu Yuchen shook his head: "The scene where the villain's hand withers instantly must be done with top-tier special effects to bring shock to the audience. This is a sci-fi film!"

The special effects of the original version were just so-so. This time Wu Yuchen wanted to change to a high-end one.

Seeing Jeff still a bit hesitant, Wu Yuchen said: "Using Dennis Quaid paired with Edward Norton can save 1.5 million in salary."

Jeff nodded after thinking for a while: "Okay!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and reached out to shake hands with Jeff. After the three main roles were set, they started discussing other roles. The two didn't have any more disputes next.

……

That night, after Wu Yuchen returned to the hotel, just as he pushed open the room door, Gretchen rushed over, hugged his arm, and asked with hopeful eyes: "Is there a result?"

She had served Wu Yuchen wholeheartedly these past few days, and of course, she felt quite happy herself. Although Wu Yuchen said he couldn't guarantee success, she naturally wanted a return after paying.

Wu Yuchen curled his lips: "Female lead, 100,000. Have your lawyer come to the crew to sign the contract in these two days."

Gretchen instantly showed ecstasy, and then excitedly hugged Wu Yuchen and offered a fragrant kiss.

"Hey, have you brushed your teeth?"

Gretchen thought of the service he provided before going out in the morning and couldn't help but glance at him with her beautiful eyes: "Of course!"

She didn't care about Wu Yuchen's attitude towards her. Anyway, it was a transaction, not a real relationship. She excitedly picked up the phone and talked to her lawyer.

The next day, Wu Yuchen was holding his storyboard and explaining the special effects scenes he wanted to the staff of Industrial Light & Magic.

"Do you only need to do the withering process of one hand? Does the surrounding environment not need to change?"

"Yes, just one hand."

"That's very simple. Just charge according to the normal standard. We will follow the crew when the time comes, and it will be done in two or three weeks after filming the footage."

Wu Yuchen breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Fortunately, his shots were relatively simple, otherwise, just one special effect might take a long time to do.

And just at this time, his phone rang. After answering, he found it was Gretchen. Before he could speak, he heard a somewhat sharp voice from the phone:

"Wu! They said the signing was stopped!"

Wu Yuchen frowned immediately upon hearing this:

"Gretchen, hand the phone to the crew's lawyer."

"Hello, Wu Dao."

"What's going on? Why was Gretchen's signing stopped?" Wu Yuchen asked with dissatisfaction in his tone.

"I'm very sorry, Wu Dao. Actually, it's not just Gretchen's signing, but the signing of all actors has been stopped. I also just received the phone notification 10 minutes ago."

Wu Yuchen's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. What kind of moth is this again?!

Wu Yuchen comforted Gretchen a few words and then hung up the phone. He was just about to call producer Jeff when he saw him walking over with an ugly face.

"Hey, Jeff, what's going on? Why was the crew's signing stopped?!" Wu Yuchen hurriedly greeted him and asked.

"Wu, something happened. Now follow me back to the company immediately. Someone has taken a fancy to our project."

"Who?"

"Shi Tailong."

……

In Columbia Pictures, inside a certain executive office, an executive asked his secretary to serve a cup of coffee and then smiled and said: "Wow, Sylvester, I didn't expect that you would be attracted here!"

Shi Tailong didn't touch the coffee, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and said with a cold face:

"Stanton, you know? I am very unhappy now!"

"What's wrong? Who provoked you?" Stanton asked with a smile.

"A tough father role, you invited Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis, Pierce Brosnan, but you didn't invite me!

Why? Do you think I'm not as popular as them? Or do you think I'm not a tough guy enough?!" Shi Tailong questioned.

"Sylvester, I think this must be a misunderstanding. The whole United States knows that you are Hollywood's number one tough guy!"

Stanton said nice things to coax the other party, but he was sneering in his heart. You guy really hasn't been as popular as those few people in the past two years. The old guy started to go downhill and is still so arrogant.

Shi Tailong has been nominated for the Golden Raspberry Awards for consecutive years. Of course, this is not important. What is important is his film box office results.

*Judge Dredd* filmed in '95 cost 90 million, but the North American box office was only 34 million, and the total global box office barely exceeded 100 million. If you add the promotion fee, the production side lost quite a bit, and could only rely on video tapes and discs to slowly recoup.

*Daylight* filmed in '96 cost 80 million, and the final box office was 32 million, a huge loss...

Although this is not enough to shake Shi Tailong's foundation and status, it also made many people in Hollywood think that he has started to go downhill.

Shi Tailong himself actually considered transforming. Last year, he was invited by Miramax to film *Cop Land*. This is an extremely rare male lead for him in recent years with no action scenes, and he took a pay cut to appear. After all, the cost of the entire production was only 15 million. It is highly probable that he was fooled by this fat guy Harvey who wanted to rush for awards, but ended up getting nothing.

Recently, his agent suddenly brought him the script of *Frequency*, which moved him after reading it. A tough father fits his persona very well, so he made this trip to find them himself. ===== CHAPTER 119 =====