Chapter 119: This is fucking Hollywood!

"Sylvester, cool your temper. I have called the director and producer of the crew."

Although Shi Tailong has a trend of going downhill, he is still a guest of the Big Eight. If he is willing to take the initiative to join *Frequency*, then Sony Columbia naturally welcomes it with both hands. After all, Shi Tailong's fame has been resounding for 20 years!

Shi Tailong snorted coldly upon hearing this:

"I heard this director is only 20 years old? Can a hairy kid film a good movie? And he didn't even send me an invitation. Stanton, how about changing a director?"

Stanton narrowed his eyes, knowing that the other party was testing himself, and asked with a smile:

"Who do you want to change to?"

"Renny Harlin."

Renny Harlin is a famous director in Hollywood. The reason Shi Tailong recommended him is that the director of his last successful film *Cliffhanger* was Renny Harlin.

Stanton was quite moved when he heard Renny Harlin's name and said to Shi Tailong:

"We have a contract signed with Wu Dao and cannot fire him. If Renny Harlin is willing to accept co-directing, we are very willing to invite him. Of course, it's just nominal co-directing, the crew must be his call!"

Shi Tailong picked up his phone and dialed Renny Harlin. A moment later, he hung up the phone.

"Renny said he didn't want to bully young directors. Why did you sign this kind of contract?" Shi Tailong complained.

"The script is the director's own. Sylvester, Wu is still very talented, so we should have more confidence in geniuses~"

Stanton also tried his best to coax Shi Tailong. This guy has been popular for more than 20 years, and his temper has long been smelly and hard, but who told him to be popular enough?

Subsequently, Stanton asked: "Sylvester, are you really interested in *Frequency*?"

"Of course, do you think I'm here to joke with you?"

"Oh, I just think that for a small project like *Frequency*, it might not be able to afford your salary~"

Stanton also started his own testing. If the salary problem cannot be discussed well, then there is no need to let the crew be delayed because of him, wasting effort.

"What do you mean? Do you not intend to increase the budget after I join the crew?!" Shi Tailong glared at the other party.

"Of course we will! However, our funds are not very ample now, and we can increase it by at most 5 million."

Stanton saw that the other party was about to get angry, and then continued:

"Sylvester, I heard that you only took a salary of 3 million in *Cop Land*."

"That was an exception! And I have box office shares!"

"We can also give you box office shares, 8 million fixed salary plus box office shares, how about that? Compared to Harvey, we at Sony Columbia are very sincere!"

Everyone understands that box office shares are a means for the production side to reduce risk.

Shi Tailong was unhappy in his heart. This is naturally different. That was an art film, and this is a commercial film. A commercial film must be paid according to the commercial film salary.

This group of snobs in Hollywood is just looking at his poor results in the past two years to offer such conditions. In the past, how could his fixed salary be lower than 10 million?!

However, Shi Tailong is not really brainless. He knows that he is not as popular as before, and if he really asks for the same salary as before, the other party will not be willing.

"8 million salary plus 12% North American box office share!"

"Oh God, Sylvester, you are robbing. 20% is impossible, 5%!"

Finally, after a tug-of-war between the two, it was tentatively settled with 8 million fixed salary plus 12% North American box office share.

……

Wu Yuchen and Jeff were on their way, both of them heavy-hearted.

For Jeff, if Shi Tailong had come from the beginning, he would have welcomed it with both hands. But now he had already reached a deal with Dennis Quaid and promised the role to him, and was about to sign the contract. Now that he was interrupted, he was naturally irritable.

"Jeff, why did Shi Tailong suddenly intervene?" Wu Yuchen asked.

"Who knows? Maybe he is considering transforming. After all, he is already 51 years old. He can't fight for a lifetime. However, if he really joins the crew, whether there are action scenes or not is not up to us!"

The crew wanted to invite someone in their 40s to play a father in their 30s, but if you find someone over 50, that's a real father. Therefore, the recruitment requirement publicly released by the crew was for actors born in the 50s, so they didn't ask Shi Tailong, who was already 50, at the beginning.

Wu Yuchen was even more annoyed upon hearing this. He hated this feeling of being out of his control. Originally, the contract was signed, and he could start filming after preparation. Now it was suddenly interrupted.

He has deeply felt that filming in Hollywood is full of constraints everywhere. No wonder Europe says Hollywood is a director's graveyard. He, this director, cannot make decisions at all.

After Wu Yuchen and Jeff knocked on the door and entered, what they saw was Shi Tailong sitting with his legs crossed and drinking coffee.

Stanton smiled and said to Shi Tailong: "Sylvester, these two are *Frequency* producer Jeff and director Wu."

Shi Tailong sized the two up and glared at Jeff, asking unkindly: "Why didn't you invite me?"

This tone, this expression, looked very domineering, just like a scene where a leader is about to lecture.

Producer Jeff had already put on a smiling mask at this moment:

"Oh, Mr. Shi Tailong, sorry! We never thought that a big star like you would be interested in our small crew!"

"Then why did you invite Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis, Pierce Brosnan, but didn't invite me?!"

Shi Tailong questioned further, looking like he cared very much about this question. Don't think he seems to be haggling over this question; he is just testing the personality and bottom line of the producer and director by such means. If he can suppress the two by this, that would be even better, and he will have the final say in the crew later.

Jeff was choked by him and couldn't say that he disliked him for being old, nor could he say that the other few people were not as good as him. If this spread out, he would offend the others.

Jeff didn't expect Shi Tailong to be so aggressive as soon as he came up, and was speechless for a while.

At this time, Wu Yuchen spoke up to relieve the situation:

"Mr. Shi Tailong, because all your past roles have a lot of action scenes, and although the father in our play has a tough guy image, there are actually not many fighting scenes. We thought you wouldn't be interested at all."

"Is that so, Asian kid?" Shi Tailong shifted his gaze to Wu Yuchen.

"Of course!" Wu Yuchen just looked at him like this, without any timidity.

Shi Tailong nodded and continued:

"Asian kid, now that I am playing this role, how are you going to add action scenes for me?"

Wu Yuchen shrugged:

"I don't think there is a need to add action scenes. The main attraction of our play is the novelty brought by space-time connection, followed by the father and son working together across time and space to catch the villain. If the father's role is set to be very capable of fighting, then the whole plot will collapse. After all, not every man is Rambo or Rocky."

Wu Yuchen said this not only to Shi Tailong but also to Stanton, who is an executive. It means that action scenes cannot be added. If added, it will collapse. If he can dispel Shi Tailong's interest, that would be best!

Shi Tailong stared at Wu Yuchen for a few seconds and then pointed at him with his finger: "Kid, you are right. No matter Rambo or Rocky, there is only one."

What surprised Wu Yuchen was that Shi Tailong didn't have any rebuttal opinions and stopped mentioning action scenes. Is he really planning to transform? He clearly remembered that Shi Tailong still had constant action scenes after the new century, and also invited a bunch of tough guy stars to make the *Expendables* series.

What Wu Yuchen didn't know was that Shi Tailong had just given birth to his eldest daughter last year, so he had some touches on the father role in *Frequency*, and he did indeed have the intention of wanting to try transforming.

Stanton smiled: "Sylvester, I said it before, Wu is a very talented director worthy of trust!"

Then he turned his head and said to Wu Yuchen and Jeff with a smile:

"The father's role will be played by Sylvester. The crew's budget is increased to 30 million, and he will have a fixed salary of 8 million."

Wu Yuchen and Jeff both skipped a beat in their hearts upon hearing this.

For Jeff, it was that the male lead he had set was snatched away alive. Although he had a bad premonition before coming, he was naturally depressed in his heart.

Wu Yuchen originally thought that at least he would have to discuss it with him and Jeff, but now it seems that the high-level had already reached an agreement with Shi Tailong and issued a notice directly, without any room for them to participate in the discussion at all.

Now that things have come to this, even if the two wanted to resist, there was no way. Do you dare to say to Shi Tailong's face that the old guy is too old?

Wu Yuchen had to comfort himself in his heart that 51 is only five or six years older than 45. The Shi Tailong now hasn't shown signs of aging and can still be used. If it really doesn't work, there is still makeup, and it's no problem to make him ten years younger.

The situation is stronger than people, so he can only compromise for the time being, as long as the script and plot are not modified.

This fucking is Hollywood!

Jeff's reaction was fast, and he immediately smiled and expressed welcome to Shi Tailong, a series of flattery that his arrival would make the project a blockbuster, etc.

Shi Tailong had heard this kind of talk too much and just nodded. However, seeing Wu Yuchen frowning and not speaking, he asked: "Kid, do you have any opinions?"

Wu Yuchen sighed and said: "The budget is not enough. I need an extra 2 million to do special effects. I was just talking to the people at Industrial Light & Magic about this."

The salary of Dennis Quaid, who was originally set, was only 1.5 million, while now it has been changed to Shi Tailong's 8 million. Although the budget has increased by 5 million, there is still a gap of 1.5 million. If he really does this, his desire to do special effects will probably fail.

Stanton frowned upon hearing this. In fact, 2 million is nothing. Since the company gave a budget of 30 million, they can accept the film being completed within 35 million. But this money cannot be added now. This 5 million space is reserved for the overrun budget that may be caused during the filming process.

"Is it necessary to find Industrial Light & Magic?" Stanton asked.

"This is one of the few scenes in the film where the audience can directly feel the sci-fi elements from the screen. It is very necessary!"

Wu Yuchen says whatever he has now. He also realized that in Hollywood, what should be fought for must be fought for with all his might. If he misses this village, there will be no such shop.

Shi Tailong interrupted and asked: "Which scene is it?"

"The scene where the villain's hand is shattered by your gun, and in the next shot, the villain who is killing your son 30 years later has his hand wither instantly and shatter. That is, the scene where you save your son."

As soon as Shi Tailong heard this, he nodded in agreement: "I think what Wu said is not bad. Special effects should be done here."

Stanton saw that the director and Shi Tailong both said so. After thinking for a while, he asked someone to take the actor's information. If the company doesn't want to increase the budget, then they can only change actors.

He looked at the female lead Gretchen, with a salary of only 100,000 knives, which basically couldn't be lowered. Then he saw Edward Norton who played the son, 1.5 million, and asked:

"Is there anyone cheaper for this role of Edward Norton?"

Wu Yuchen immediately said: "Yes, Hugh Jackman, only 100,000 US dollars. I am very satisfied with his acting skills and image, but because his fame is too low and he has no box office appeal, Edward Norton was used."

Shi Tailong smiled arrogantly upon hearing this: "Kid, with me in the crew, there is no need to care whether others have fame or not. I am the appeal!"

Stanton also nodded: "Then change to this Hugh Jackman, which can save 1.4 million. I think it's about enough. Any other questions?"

Jeff opened his mouth, but seeing Stanton and Shi Tailong, he could only say with a smile: "No."

But he was depressed in his heart. That Hugh Jackman seemed to be Wu Yuchen's person too.

This time Shi Tailong's intrusion snatched the role he had set, but it allowed Wu Yuchen to get two roles. How could he not be depressed by this contrast?

Wu Yuchen didn't care how Jeff felt at this time. Now the situation of the crew has completely changed. After Shi Tailong joined the crew, it became a tripartite confrontation between Shi Tailong, Jeff, and him, among which Shi Tailong was naturally the strongest and he, Wu Yuchen, the outsider, was the weakest.

Now that he can take the opportunity to arrange Gretchen and Hugh Jackman in, he can also increase his right to speak in the crew. Having these two important roles on his side will make him, this director, have an easier time.

This time Shi Tailong's joining is a good thing for the crew on the surface. The actual budget only increased by 5 million, but it can bring great attention to the film when the time comes, which is not comparable to the actors mentioned before.

However, Wu Yuchen still hated this situation where accidents occurred one after another, and it was clear at a glance that Shi Tailong was not an easy role to deal with. Perhaps the real difficulty is still in the filming process that follows.

……

In the theater, Hugh Jackman is rehearsing with his partners. Years of hard work have allowed him to gain a foothold in the theater, and he has obtained the opportunity for the protagonist of the classic play *Sunset Boulevard*.

"Hugh! Hugh!"

The shouting interrupted his rehearsal. Hugh Jackman looked in the direction of the sound. It was his agent Carl. He could only apologize to the others and hurriedly walked over.

"Hey, Carl, didn't you see I was rehearsing?" Hugh Jackman complained slightly.

"Hugh! Why didn't you answer my phone call?!"

Carl also complained, but then he pulled Hugh Jackman and wanted to leave:

"Put your stage play behind you for now, your opportunity has come!"

"Wait, Carl, what opportunity? *Sunset Boulevard* is very important to me!"

"No, no! What's most important to you now is to go to the crew with me and the lawyer to sign the contract! Immediately, right now!"

"Sign what contract?" Hugh Jackman asked suspiciously.

"*Frequency*, male lead!" Carl patted his shoulder excitedly.

"What? Didn't you say I was eliminated? Wasn't Edward Norton confirmed?!" Hugh Jackman couldn't believe it for a while and hurriedly asked.

"Listen, Hugh, Shi Tailong has joined the crew, and Wu Dao took the opportunity to help you fight for the opportunity! You are going to partner with Shi Tailong as the male lead!"

"Shi Tailong! My God, Carl, you are not joking with me, are you? I remember April Fool's Day has already passed..."

Hugh Jackman was stunned by this news for a while. He is still just a role running errands in various film and television dramas, and he can actually ascend to heaven in one step and partner with Shi Tailong to play father and son.

For him, this is absolutely an opportunity to change his life!

"I also feel like I'm dreaming, but it just happened!

You hurry up and go to the crew with me to sign the contract. Also, after entering the crew, you must listen to Wu Dao. Remember whose person you are!" Agent Carl urged Hugh Jackman seriously again.

"Of course, of course! I will definitely keep Wu Dao in mind! Also, thank you, Carl!"

He knew that if it weren't for the fact that Carl was also Wu Dao's agent, he wouldn't have this opportunity at all.

……

"Wu, was there really an aurora in New York in 1969?"

"Maybe there was, who cares?"

Wu Yuchen shrugged and said: "Just an excuse for the audience to have a time-space travel, and the aurora is beautiful enough!"

What Shi Tailong just asked was the background setting in the film.

In October 1969, New York, two things were most worthy of attention. One was the aurora in New York, and the other was the baseball game of the Mets team. The Mets, as a dark horse, won the baseball league in one fell swoop, stunning all New Yorkers. Even if the New York citizens that year didn't know who the president was, they all knew the Mets.

But Shi Tailong in the radio station obviously didn't know, and it was precisely because of this that Hugh Jackman, the son, doubted the identity of the man talking to him on the radio station, and guessed that the person on the opposite side was his father through some conversation content and details.

The original setting was the son in October 1999 and the father in October 1969, a full 30 years apart. The date timelines on both sides are synchronized.

But now the filming time is only '97, so Wu Yuchen shortened this time difference to 25 years. The son's time is set to October 1994. This is a small problem and has no effect on the plot.

After Wu Yuchen answered Shi Tailong, he called the prop master over to explain:

"Here on the table, I want to film a process of the table being scorched and leaving a mark. The whole process is best to be 3 seconds."

This doesn't need special effects. The prop master can complete it. It's better to burn it for real, and it's much cheaper to waste ten tables than special effects.

What is being filmed here is that the father and son have already connected through the radio station. After Hugh Jackman said his guess, the Shi Tailong in the 60s obviously felt that the dialogue across 25 years was nonsense, accidentally dropped the cigarette butt on the table, ignited the flammable items on the table, and caused the table to be scorched.

And a scorched mark appeared out of thin air on the table in front of Hugh Jackman 25 years later, which verified his conjecture and led to the subsequent plot of him wanting to communicate with his father through wireless to change his family's destiny.

After Wu Yuchen finished speaking, he looked at Shi Tailong on the side. As an action star, he is quite self-disciplined in many aspects and doesn't have the bad habits of taking pills or being unable to endure hardship.

But the old guy is not just an actor. He, like Jackie Chan, started as a director and actor, so he often wants to give orders on the set, and from time to time wants to pick on him, the director, or put forward opinions.

Wu Yuchen had foresight and chose to film Hugh Jackman's scenes first. This is his own person, who is obedient to him and works hard. By establishing the director's authority and trust in the crew through a week of filming, everyone is naturally willing to listen to him when the crew is running well.

Otherwise, if he filmed Shi Tailong's scenes first, it would be difficult to handle if the old guy gave him a hard time and seized power as soon as he came up.

Fortunately, Shi Tailong didn't have a "Shi Tailong Class" similar to the "Jackie Chan Class" in the crew, otherwise the whole crew would really have to listen to him.

Wu Yuchen is now coaxing Shi Tailong as much as possible, trying his best to accommodate him. As long as he doesn't change the script and plot, some unimportant requirements can be promised to him. ===== CHAPTER 120 =====