Chapter 215: Turning a snake into a dragon

Whether Li Yapeng ate soft rice or not, Wu Yuchen didn't care, as long as *Laughing in the Wind* wasn't affected.

Half a year had passed from last year to now, and a part of Xiangshan had also been built. Of course, they were all built by picking the crew sets that needed to be filmed first, such as *Laughing in the Wind*, which had already entered it. The sets proposed by Zhang Dahu had all been set up.

Xiangshan's set construction was indeed done first with Ming and Qing scenery. After all, these two dynasties were the closest to the present, and many costume dramas mostly chose these two dynasties as backgrounds. Wu Yuchen himself didn't film braid dramas, which didn't mean he wouldn't let Xiangshan do braid dramas. In fact, Qing costume dramas were still very popular; if they didn't do them, they would drive away many crews.

After hanging up the phone, Wu Yuchen calculated. Miracle Film and Television, in fact, except for his personal films, the main income indeed relied on TV series. This was also a matter of no choice. This era was the lowest point of Chinese cinema, but it was the golden age of TV series. Many famous domestic actors, such as Chen Daoming, Ning Jing, and the like, would also often come to act in TV series. It wasn't that they didn't want to act in movies; it was just that movie production was low, opportunities were few, and they didn't make money.

Although Wu Yuchen was also constantly investing in some domestic films every year, the general environment was there. Relying on him alone couldn't turn it around. It must wait for the economy to go up before the market could be made big and strong.

Of course, the reform of the cinema chain in the middle was also a very important link. Currently, the country hadn't lifted the ban on private capital for cinema chains, but it didn't mean nothing could be done. On the surface, every cinema chain must be state-controlled, but one could participate as a small shareholder first, and wait until it was lifted in two years before acquiring those high-quality cinema chain assets that one fancied in one fell swoop.

Wu Yuchen thought about it and dialed Cai Yinong's phone to communicate this matter with her. While chatting, Cai Yinong talked about F4 and Huang Huang Xiao Ming again:

"A while ago, when *Laughing in the Wind* was making a lot of noise, Huang Huang Xiao Ming even wanted to go and compete for Linghu Chong!"

"He wants to act as Linghu Chong?"

"Isn't that so! But I stopped him. I called Producer Zhang and asked. This filming of *Laughing in the Wind* would take five or six months with the crew. F4 is going to hold an Asian tour concert in the second half of this year. Where would he have the time to follow the crew for so long!"

"Wu Dao, there are a few more good scripts. I will fax them to you later. You can take a look when you have time."

In the past two years, hit by the financial crisis, all walks of life in Hong Kong were not prosperous, and the film circle was especially short of money. Hong Kong films were visibly declining, hot money had basically fled cleanly, and in the general environment, no one was willing to do high-risk, money-losing business. This 100 million USD of Little Bai Xiong popped out, naturally attracting all kinds of attention. Since then, those inviting Cai Yinong to attend various parties and those coming to her door to pull investment were truly endless.

Wu Yuchen smiled at the few people, had people serve a few cups of tea, and smiled: "Guidance is not worth mentioning; we exchange and explore with each other."

Before, Wu Yuchen had been busy with the Oscar matter, just letting Cai Yinong put these investment-pulling people aside first, waiting for him to finish his work before considering. Now that the Oscar matter had come to an end, he also had time to consider it.

Quite a few media outlets in Hong Kong had tried to dig, but they didn't know who the big water throat (investor) behind this was. There were guesses that it was red capital, and there were guesses that it was money from the US side. They only knew that it was definitely very close to Wu Yuchen. Didn't you see that this was letting Cai Yinong preside over the work?

Regardless of whose money it was, having money is great!

Wu Yuchen roughly calculated. The box office of this *Shaolin Soccer* project in Hong Kong in his past life was 60 million, 2 billion yen in Japan, and the global total box office was about 43 million USD. Investing in it would definitely make money, and it also swept 7 awards including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actor at the Hong Kong Film Awards next year.

"Okay, Cai Zong, how much of a gap is there in this film, we will make it up. But the total cost must be controlled under 40 million."

Cai Yinong was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately agreed. Actually, when Zhou Xingxing came to pull investment, she wanted to invest, but unfortunately, Wu Yuchen was busy with the Oscar and didn't pay attention. Now that the big boss had nodded, naturally there was no problem.

Cai Yinong suddenly asked on the phone:

"Know, know, an Oscar big director!"

To tell the truth, the film environment in Hong Kong before the return was indeed very chaotic. If there was no backer to support you, you would really be played to death by the societies. Just say that Chow Yun-fat ran to Hollywood in 1995. In fact, it was because the real big boss behind Cinema City, Golden Princess, didn't play anymore. Without a backer, he was really forced by the societies to film, so he directly ran to Hollywood to join Wu Baige.

"On one hand, his cost this time is relatively high, requiring 35-40 million in funds, and the box office of his previous *King of Comedy* wasn't enough to top it; there are also some external reasons. He and the Xiang family have a grudge."

When Hong Kong films were at their peak, there was a saying of "Two Chows and One Cheng." Now Cheng Long and Chow Yun-fat had both gone to Hollywood, leaving only Zhou Xingxing, this big box office star.

Cai Yinong sent the scripts, and Wu Yuchen roughly scanned them, sighing in his heart that Hong Kong films were really declining. This was either love or horror films. However, there was no way. In the past two years, these two types were the most profitable. Love films went without saying, and horror films had an extremely stable audience, and the cost was low, and the risk was far smaller than other themes, so they emerged in the decline of the general environment.

This, whether in commerce or reputation, could be said to be a sure-win business, and it was also not bad to use it as the first film investment of Little Bai Xiong Media in Hong Kong.

Before opening the script, Andrew Lau gave a thumbs up and said: "Once this name is changed, the artistic conception is higher by more than one layer, full of philosophical meaning. Wu Dao is really incisive!"

Because *Shaolin Soccer* was in front, Wu Yuchen didn't look up to these few scripts much either. However, when he saw the last script, he couldn't help but let out an "eh."

In the office, Andrew Lau brought Zhuang Wenqiang and Felix Chong, holding their fists and bowing slightly to Wu Yuchen, smiling:

"Wu Dao, it's a pleasure to meet you! We few have come over from Hong Kong specifically to seek your guidance, Wu Dao. Our 'The Departed' still has many shortcomings, so I hope you can offer us some pointers!"

Beijing Airport, three people in a hurry came out of the airport, called a taxi, and after reporting the address, they talked to themselves.

Andrew Lau lit a cigarette and took a puff: "Big and small film companies in Hong Kong, I ran to no less than a dozen. After reading it, they all shook their heads. The undercover theme has already been filmed rotten in Hong Kong. This time, it's not easy to find someone interested. How can we not try? When you see Wu Dao later, keep your heads clear!"

Little Bai Xiong Media Company in Hong Kong, in fact, when it was first established, it was a shell company. Later, with F4 and *Meteor Garden*, it became famous for a while. However, the Hong Kong film and television circle didn't pay much attention at the time, just sighing at its good luck, operating such a blockbuster. One combination could support a company.

Wu Yuchen smiled at the few people, had people serve a few cups of tea, and smiled: "Guidance is not worth mentioning; we exchange and explore with each other."

"Not only that, I heard it's a shareholder of Little Bai Xiong. Cai Zong said whether to invest or not depends on whether Wu Dao fancies it!"

"Cai Zong, is there anyone who catches your eye?"

As soon as Wu Yuchen heard it, he knew what it was. Wasn't it *Shaolin Soccer*!

Felix Chong beside him was also exhausted. He received Cai Yinong's phone call last night and flew from Hong Kong to Beijing early this morning. This was also his first time coming over. However, this "Strong Brother" that Felix Chong said wasn't him.

The two sides had completely fallen out. I heard that Zhou Xingxing wanted to immigrate to Canada a few years ago, but was obstructed by the Xiang family. They found someone to report that he was mixing with the underworld and provided quite a lot of information. As a result, his several applications were rejected by Canada. This project of his actually started preparation two years ago, but with the obstruction of the Xiang family, it had never been successful."

"Wu Dao, now quite a few people in Hong Kong have come to the company to pull investment. It's not once or twice. Should I still reject them all?"

Andrew Lau and the three couldn't care about drinking tea and immediately gathered together to look. Only then did they see that the *Infernal Affairs* on this cover had been crossed out and changed to *Infernal Affairs*.

"Wu Dao, how is Zhou Xingxing's project? He came to the door before to pull investment, wanting to film a movie about football and kung fu."

After sitting on the sofa, Wu Yuchen pushed the script to the few people: "This is the script after I changed it. You few take a look first?"

If you really want to film costume dramas, I'll open a *Han Emperor* for you next year. Anyway, you and Jia Jingwen are old partners in *Meteor Garden* and have a tacit understanding. Then invite Chen Daoming to teach you face-to-face, forcing you to come to a fifty-fifty. This level can also go up a little bit.

Cai Yinong said immediately upon hearing this:

"Strong Brother, this time it's so urgent, we flew over without preparing anything. We few can't even speak Mandarin well. I don't know if we can pull investment..." Felix Chong said with a worried face.

"How much investment does he want?"

"He raised 10 million himself, and still lacks 25 million."

Wu Yuchen listened and clicked his tongue constantly. It seems Zhou Xingxing wasn't that he didn't want to run, but he wanted to run and couldn't run. The Xiang family couldn't bear to part with this cash cow of his.

However, with the news half a year ago that Little Bai Xiong Film and Television Media had invested 100 million USD in the Mainland to build Xiangshan Film and Television City, not only did it set off a public opinion storm in the Mainland, but the shock in the Hong Kong film and television circle was also very big. After all, this was 100 million USD!

Wu Yuchen thought about it and asked: "Zhou Xingxing should still have quite a bit of appeal in Hong Kong. It shouldn't be that even he can't pull investment now, right?"

Wu Yuchen chuckled and sipped his tea, knowing that the other party was deliberately putting a high hat on him, signaling them to look at the content inside.

After opening it, the three noticed that Wu Yuchen had made quite a few changes to the script. For example, at the very beginning, a scene of the two male leads accidentally meeting in an audio shop was added—one buying things, one selling things, and then sitting together listening to Tsai Chin's *Forgotten Time*.

This immediately made the screenwriter Felix Chong sincerely praise: "Wonderful! It forms a sharp contrast with the sword-drawn-and-bow-bent confrontation between the two at the end. Echoing from beginning to end, it's really wonderful!"

Subsequently, the three flipped through it page by page carefully and found that quite a few lines had also been changed. For example, the original monologue of Chen Yongren was just a simple "I have been an undercover for ten years," but Wu Yuchen changed it to "Three years after three years, three years after three years, it's almost ten years, Boss!" Comparing the two, the taste was different.

There was also a scene added where Chen Yongren met his ex-girlfriend on the street. The former lover lied that she was married and lied about her daughter's age. It was only a one-minute scene, but it enriched Chen Yongren's past, increased the thickness of Chen Yongren's character, and left a lot of room for imagination for the audience, making people couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite design.

When the three saw the scene of the two male leads on the rooftop at the end, they saw that what they originally wrote had all been crossed out by Wu Yuchen.

Andrew Lau couldn't help but raise his head and humbly asked Wu Yuchen: "Wu Dao, may I ask if you think there is a problem with this ending?"

Wu Yuchen smiled: "It's a battle of wits, after all. Why do you have to do something extra at the end and let the two people fight on the rooftop? It's very lowering of the force."

"Force?" The three asked in unison, confused.

"It means it's very lowering of status, very cheap!"

Andrew Lau and the three couldn't help but look at each other upon hearing this, and then explained to Wu Yuchen:

"But Wu Dao, in terms of the current film market, for this kind of crime-type film, if you don't add some explosive action scenes, the audience won't buy it..."

Wu Yuchen directly waved his hand:

"If this movie really lets the two male leads have a big fight on the rooftop at the end, it's really too cliché. The effect of the battle of wits created before will be lost by more than half. What is the difference from other crime films? Look at the version I rewrote later first."

Subsequently, the three hurriedly lowered their heads to turn the page and found that Wu Yuchen had rewritten a new rooftop confrontation and the final ending.

A movement of pointing a gun at the head, two simple lines of dialogue, were far better than all martial arts shots. Martial arts plays are in form, and literary plays are in the heart. When seeing that Chen Yongren actually died at the hands of Big B, a policeman who was originally set as just a supporting role, it made the three even more shocked. This reversal was simply breathtaking. At the same time, it also pointed out the theme of the film: being in the infernal hell, one can only suffer, and only death can be liberated.

The rooftop confrontation and final ending that Wu Yuchen rewrote for them not only had ingenious conception and design but also directly sublimated the film! The three of them all had goosebumps rising as they watched!

Felix Chong couldn't help but jump up directly, and then bowed 90 degrees to Wu Yuchen: "Wu Dao, I am truly convinced! Admire to the extreme!"

Wu Yuchen smiled, raised his hand to support him virtually, and said: "I like this story of yours, so I made some modifications according to my personal taste. I hope you don't think it's painting a snake and adding feet!"

"Where is it painting a snake and adding feet? Wu Dao, you are painting a dragon and dotting the eyes!" Zhuang Zhiqiang said immediately.

Andrew Lau waved his hand and gestured enthusiastically: "No, this was originally a snake, but after your change, Wu Dao, it's directly turning a snake into a dragon!"

Wu Yuchen looked at the way these Hong Kong directors and screenwriters were flattering him, and couldn't see any discrimination against Mainland people at all. Every place is the same; it's just praising the high and stepping on the low.

Actually, many people wondered why a classic film like *Infernal Affairs* couldn't pull investment at the beginning. On one hand, it was because of the general environment, and on the other hand, it was because the first version of the script wasn't that classic.

At first, it was called *Killing Police*, later renamed *Infernal Affairs*. The name *Infernal Affairs* was taken by the boss after going to worship the White Dragon King after the start of filming. Quite a few scenes were changed or temporarily added when filming. For example, the rooftop confrontation and the grand finale that everyone talked about were because Tony Leung couldn't act in martial arts scenes, and Andy Lau didn't want to act like that either. The pressure from the two big leads led the crew to temporarily change the script, thereby casting a classic.

And Wu Yuchen now directly brought out the final version. Compared with the rough first version, not only did the whole script have more texture, but the realm of the whole story was also raised, naturally causing the three to marvel again and again.

Subsequently, Wu Yuchen asked: "Do you still think there is any problem with this script? Say it all out, and we will discuss it."

The three all shook their heads and waved their hands: "No problem! After passing through your hands, Wu Dao, it can't be changed anymore!"

After saying this, the three people all looked at Wu Yuchen with expectant eyes. Only then did he nod and say:

"Since this is the case, then I will invest in this project, 20 million."

Hearing this sentence, Andrew Lau and the two beside him immediately nodded and bowed to Wu Yuchen again: "Thank you, Mr. Wu! Thank you, Mr. Wu!"

A moment later, Wu Yuchen chuckled and asked: "Do you have any ideas about the cast?"

Andrew Lau said immediately upon hearing this: "Our brains are still relatively blurry now. I don't know if Mr. Wu has any good suggestions?"

Wu Yuchen wasn't polite either and said directly: "For Lau Kin-ming, please Andy Lau; Chan Wing-yan, Tony Leung; Superintendent Wong, Tony Leung Ka-fai; for Sze-keung, use Nick Cheung. As for the others, you choose as you see fit."

The Superintendent Wong in his past life was Anthony Wong, and Sze-keung was Chapman To. Wu Yuchen wouldn't use these two, so he simply replaced them.

Andrew Lau felt relieved upon hearing this. Fortunately, Wu Yuchen didn't designate all the important roles, leaving a role of Hon Sam for them to choose, otherwise, he, the director, really had no casting power.

However, he thought about it carefully and felt that these people Wu Yuchen arranged were also very suitable. He had to say that his vision was sharp.

Wu Yuchen thought of something and said to Andrew Lau with a smile: "By the way, there is also a role of young Chan Wing-yan at the beginning. When the time comes, I will let Huang Huang Xiao Ming of F4 make a guest appearance."

"Good! We welcome it too late to let Dao Ming Si make a guest appearance!" Andrew Lau naturally wouldn't refuse this popular traffic student who came to his door.

Wu Yuchen thought to himself, Huang Xiao Ming, your Teacher Wu can be considered not treating you badly!

A few days later, Wu Yuchen boarded the flight to America.

To tell the truth, this Oscar and Disney disrupted some of his filming plans. Originally, he planned to return to the country to film a Chinese-language film this year, but now, in order to mess with Disney, he had already brought out *Pirates of the Caribbean*, so he could only prioritize this project first, and the Chinese-language film project could only be shelved until next year.

Wu Yuchen had heard rumors before that Johnny Depp was a very difficult person. And this first meeting between the two, or rather the first sentence, made him understand that this was a fact.

When Wu Yuchen originally intended to reach out to shake hands with him, Depp took the lead and choked:

"You made me wait for three weeks. Don't you think you should say sorry to me first?"

Wu Yuchen narrowed his eyes and smiled. If it were two years ago, he would definitely have apologized first, and then it would be convenient for the two to communicate further.

But now it was different. On one hand, his status was different, and his mentality had changed; but more importantly, the actor he was facing now was Depp, a weirdo actor in Hollywood.

The reason why this kind of actor was called a weirdo was that it wasn't as easy to communicate as ordinary people. Sometimes there were super many farts and requirements. If he apologized and softened first when the two met for the first time, letting the other party see that he valued him very much or even that he was indispensable, then the other party would definitely be even more inch-by-inch during the filming process.

So Wu Yuchen simply nodded and smiled: "But aren't you here now?"

"I'm not here for you!" Depp's voice rose a degree.

It wasn't that he hadn't refused big directors. Back then, *Titanic* had looked for him to play the male lead Jack, but he directly refused Cameron.

Wu Yuchen said leisurely: "I know, you are because of Captain Jack. You like this kind of subversive weirdo role, and I created him. Who plays Captain Jack, I have the final say~"

At this time, Depp's agent hurriedly inserted himself between the two sides and smiled at Wu Yuchen:

"Sorry, Wu Dao, Depp is not malicious. Actually, he likes the role of Captain Jack very much, and he is also very suitable for this role. I believe no one in Hollywood is better at this kind of role with special charm than him!"

Wu Yuchen looked at Depp, who was silenced by his agent, and smiled:

"That's not necessarily true. Actually, I think Jim Carrey is also not bad. As for the specific effect, I want to see it~"

In his past life, the first person sought for *Pirates of the Caribbean* wasn't Depp. The role of Captain Jack, actually, it was hard for everyone to imagine that when the screenwriter wrote it, what he had in mind was Hugh Jackman. That's right, it was the male hormone-exploding Uncle Wolf...

Then the producer and the film party naturally disagreed. What they fancied was Jim Carrey. Unfortunately, this Hollywood comedy king couldn't fit his schedule at the time, and only then did Johnny Depp audition and win the role of Captain Jack. Therefore, Wu Yuchen knew that this role was actually very tempting to Depp, otherwise he wouldn't have taken the initiative to participate in the audition.

Hearing Wu Yuchen's words, Depp couldn't help but speak again: "Hey, do you think Jim Carrey would be more suitable for Jack than me?"

Wu Yuchen shrugged: "Why don't you prove it to me now?"

In the dressing room, the agent kept whispering instructions into Depp's ear:

"Johnny, don't be willful anymore. This is a 140-million-USD big production. You know, it's very, very rare to have a male lead in this level of big production that fits your style. Maybe you will only encounter this kind of opportunity once in your life!

Wu is the core of this project, and he holds all the authority of the crew. Don't have conflicts with him anymore. You also know how successful his past few films are..."

Depp said impatiently: "Hey, buddy, you are really more long-winded than my grandmother right now!"

Seeing his indifferent appearance, the agent grabbed his shoulders and said seriously: "Johnny, you are different now. Think about Lily!"

As soon as Depp heard the name of his daughter, who was not even a year old, he immediately quieted down, and then remained silent for a while before saying: "I know."

Hearing this, the agent finally breathed a long sigh of relief. This Depp, who had always been unable to grow up, was much easier to manage after having a daughter. I hope he can win this opportunity and formally enter the commercial mainstream big production! ===== CHAPTER 216 =====