Chapter 222: Left Hand Hits Right Hand

The few people from Sony present really felt there was some truth to Wu Yuchen's explanation after listening. Stan Lee opened his mouth, wanting to explain the importance of Mary Jane to Peter Parker. After all, this was a role he created. But when he saw Wu Yuchen and thought that Wu Yuchen was now a major shareholder of Marvel, he extinguished this thought.

One of the Sony people said: "Alright, then let's not consider Kirsten. What do you think of the others?"

The director Sam Raimi, who had just participated, said actively: "I think Alicia Witt is very suitable. She is not only beautiful, but her popularity is also very high now, and she is a natural brownish-red-haired person. She is simply Mary Jane herself!"

Immediately, the attention of the few was attracted to this actress just mentioned.

Wu Yuchen also looked at Alicia Witt's information. To tell the truth, if it weren't for this trip to America, he wouldn't know this actress at all. But actually, she was quite popular in the US at this time. The films she acted in weren't very famous, but she was very popular in TV dramas and was a first-line popular actress in HBO series in the US.

However, Wu Yuchen didn't panic about this. Thinking of the meticulous and thoughtful service Anne Hathaway had provided him these two days, he hooked the corners of his mouth. He, Wu Dao, is not someone who pulls out his bird and is heartless!

"Alicia Witt is indeed not bad in terms of appearance, but there is a problem."

Sam Raimi immediately asked upon hearing this: "What?"

The other few also looked toward Wu Yuchen.

Wu Yuchen smiled and took out a piece of information, showing it to everyone: "Anne Hathaway, 18 years old, just the age for university, and very beautiful, completely meeting the requirements of a vase role!"

"Of course, do you think I would lie to you? At the latest tomorrow, your agent will receive the news."

Wu Yuchen shook his finger and emphasized again:

"No no, think about what I said at the beginning. Who is the focus of 'Spider-Man'? It's Peter Parker, and absolutely not Mary Jane. 99.9% of the audience are here to see Spider-Man and absolutely not Mary Jane. Therefore, the role of a big-name female star playing Mary Jane is not as big as you imagine. By comparison, a young, beautiful, and suitable Mary Jane is more attractive."

A mere Spider-Man girlfriend, she will show her face in front of the whole world at that time and have not-small fame. But to tell the truth, that's just how it is. The role of Mary Jane is actually not very likable.

Male audiences like female leads who are centered on the male lead in everything, but Mary Jane has always had dealings with other men, and her love for Spider-Man Peter Parker is also very limited. Male audiences find her annoying after watching her.

The people in the room, Anne Hathaway's excitement was overflowing, and she threw herself into Wu Yuchen's arms: "Really? Is the actress for Mary Jane really confirmed to be me?!"

Wu Yuchen saw her appearance and knew what she was thinking, but he didn't mind the young girl dreaming more. If she didn't chase dreams, how could she be so active in coming to find him and offer herself, begging him?

Anne Hathaway revealed an expression of infinite reverie upon hearing this, fantasizing about becoming a popular superstar at that time, then stepping into the Hollywood first line, and becoming the second big-mouthed Julia Roberts, the Hollywood number one sister.

Sam Raimi actually felt that it wouldn't be a big problem for an actress to be in her 30s with makeup. However, although he was confirmed as the director, he had just joined, and compared to Wu Yuchen, this producer and project initiator, he was still light in weight, so he didn't refute Wu Yuchen again.

The few people from Sony considered it and also felt that if they considered the trilogy, they should indeed choose a younger one. They simply asked Wu Yuchen: "Wu, then which actress do you think is most suitable?"

A moment later, their lips parted. Wu Yuchen held his little baby Anne in his arms with both hands: "Anne, after 'Spider-Man' is released, you will become famous in one fell swoop in the whole world~"

"Great! I really love you to death!" Saying this, Anne Hathaway had already used her leg strength to wrap around Wu Yuchen's waist, offering a deep kiss.

The fastest shortcut for actresses in Hollywood is the body. This is already public information, not even counting as a secret. Even outsiders know it. And her Anne Hathaway's appearance conditions are undoubtedly great chips. Naturally, she has to choose a good target to offer herself to. Wu Yuchen, who is young and handsome and holds great power in his hands, is naturally the best choice. The result proved that her choice was truly correct!

Therefore, wanting to step into the first line in one fell swoop relying on this role is daydreaming. Not to mention the first line, it would be good to become a second-line in Hollywood. And if she goes to film movies other than "Spider-Man," she would at most get third-line treatment.

The other few looked at each other. Some were thinking, and some had doubts: "However, she seems to be a newcomer who just debuted not long ago, with no fame at all. Letting her be the female lead, would it be inappropriate?"

Anne Hathaway felt this was truly the most correct decision she had made since she was born. Although her family conditions were considered well-off, they were only a bit above the middle class and couldn't provide her with any resources or connections in Hollywood at all. In the year since she entered the industry, she had deeply realized that without resources and connections, relying solely on her appearance conditions, it was very difficult to get good opportunities.

"Age. Alicia Witt is already 25 years old this year. She can act in this first one, but our 'Spider-Man' is going to be filmed in three parts. By the third part, she will likely be in her 30s. It's inappropriate to come and act as Mary Jane. We can't just look at this one now, but have to make a sufficiently long-term plan for the trilogy!"

The few looked at each other. It seemed they felt Wu Yuchen was right again. Mainly, his very confident and determined attitude, plus Wu Yuchen's past achievements and his identity as a screenwriter and project initiator, made people unconsciously think he had a point.

Female audiences like female leads who are excellent, capable, resourceful, and witty, and who save the day at critical moments. And clearly, Mary Jane is not. Besides being good-looking, she is not good in all aspects. At critical moments, she only knows how to scream. Female audiences find her annoying after watching her.

Wu Yuchen wouldn't tell this girl these things for the time being. When she wants to continue to advance at that time, she has to continue to please him and continue to beg him. Anne Hathaway is only 18 years old now, and her flowering period is still very long. He has plenty of opportunities to play with her slowly in the next ten years~

Since Wu Yuchen came to Hollywood, he could be considered to have kept himself clean. He didn't know how many actresses who wanted to offer themselves to him he had rejected, and only gave personal guidance to the three: Gretchen, Jennifer Connelly, and Anne Hathaway.

Among them, Gretchen was just played with during the "Frequency" period, and after that, he broke up with her and didn't intend to continue. However, he intended to conduct long-term artistic guidance for the two beauties, Jennifer Connelly and Anne Hathaway. Jennifer Connelly should still have a flowering period of several years, and Anne Hathaway would be even longer.

Thinking of these two women, Wu Yuchen smiled. If there is a chance in the future, he plans to put the two women together to compare. Which of these two big white sheep is whiter and more tender~

Next, besides the male and female leads, the supporting cast of "Spider-Man" was also selected. James Franco originally auditioned for the male lead Spider-Man, but in the end, he became Spider-Man's rich second-generation friend.

Filming wasn't that fast, and there were still many things to do: selecting filming locations, Spider-Man's clothes, the design and manufacture of the villain Green Goblin's battle suit, and various matters all had to be arranged first. Also, he had to leave enough training time for the male lead Tobey Maguire, and the director Sam Raimi had to communicate fully with all parties. Therefore, the start of filming was set for after February next year.

This was quite to Wu Yuchen's liking. Stretching the progress would give him more time. Time had already entered November. The special effects for his "Pirates of the Caribbean" were almost finished. After all, some special effects were done while filming at the time. His editing here was also almost finished. Once the special effects were done, the remaining work would be music and other things. This year, it should be able to be finished before the end of the year, and he could go home for the New Year as scheduled.

However, today, Wu Yuchen specifically found a Chinese restaurant to host a banquet for a group of dusty visitors.

Wu Yuchen smiled and said: "Come, this is a Chinese restaurant I found in Los Angeles that is considered authentic. You guys try it~"

"Thank you, Wu Dao. We ran for so long, eating those banquet meals of the foreigners is really uncomfortable. We miss Chinese food so much! Only now do I experience what you meant by Oscar public relations being miserable, Wu Dao. Wu Dao was truly hard-working last year!" Bill Kong said to Wu Yuchen, cupping his hands.

"Haha, fortunately, this suffering of mine wasn't in vain."

Wu Yuchen turned his head to Ang Lee again:

"Director Lee, congratulations, congratulations. The Toronto audience voting award, the most popular film at the New York Film Festival, and today I saw the audience response in the cinema was also very good. The film critics also have a good impression of 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.' It seems there is great hope this time!"

Ang Lee hurriedly said modestly:

"Where, where, Wu Dao, you are elevating me. 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' received quite a few criticisms when it was released in China. I am still terrified now, not daring to think too much. Let's see if it can get a nomination first!"

That's right, a few months ago, after "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was released in the Chinese-speaking region, the box office and reputation suffered a double blow.

In terms of box office, 15 million yuan on the mainland, 14 million Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong, 60 million New Taiwan dollars in Taiwan, which converts to about 14 million yuan. That is to say, the total box office of the three Chinese-speaking regions added up to only about 45 million, and it is estimated that only 15 million fell into the hands of the investors. And the investment? It was 15 million US dollars!

If this film didn't have the Oscar bonus and the contribution of the American people, it would really have cried from losing money!

Why did this film encounter coldness in the Chinese-speaking region?

Because it didn't meet everyone's expectations. The audience all wanted to see what this martial arts film, which claimed to have an investment of over 100 million yuan, was like, but discovered that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" wasn't martial arts at all!

What is the martial arts expected by the public?

It's the flash of swords and shadows, it's the happiness of gratitude and revenge!

It's despising the powerful and punishing the evil!

It's being righteous and punishing the violent and bringing peace!

It's being loyal and righteous, and acting on behalf of heaven!

It's the carefree happiness of not being constrained by the imperial court, it's the spirit of "the great hero, for the country and the people" of the recognized hero Guo Jing, who helps the world.

But Ang Lee's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" is neither happy with gratitude and revenge nor carefree and happy. Li Mubai and Yu Xiulian are always cooperating with the Prince's Mansion, which represents the officialdom. Their world is full of helplessness.

Actually, several martial arts writers who became popular in modern times, such as Jin Yong and Gu Long, their popular novels are also "cool" novel routines, just not as "white" and direct as later internet novels.

But "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has no "cool" feeling at all. In the end, none of the protagonists have a good ending. The audience doesn't even have an emotional vent. As a result, when they finish watching, they are even a bit confused. What the hell is this?

This provoked consistent complaints from the audience and media: the plot is dull, the rhythm is poor, the protagonists are not likable...

Everyone walks into the cinema, what they want to see in two hours is refreshing martial arts, not this tangled thing of yours. How many people have the heart to carefully savor the protagonist's inner emotional entanglement?

Therefore, not only was it cold at the box office, but public opinion even directly attacked "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," asking what kind of thing this was.

This naturally made Ang Lee's heart depressed. He could be said to have exhausted his heart and blood to film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and even specifically required the actors to speak Mandarin, not for foreigners to listen to. The details were also various and exquisite. He didn't expect to be sprayed in various ways.

However, fortunately, flowers bloom inside the wall and are fragrant outside. The various Western film festivals and awards that came over gave "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" high praise, making Ang Lee feel better, and he placed all his hopes on the Oscars here.

"Director Lee, no need to be modest. Based on my experience, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' has great hope this year. Now everyone is result-oriented. As long as you win the Oscar, the public opinion and trend in China will turn around."

Wu Yuchen smiled and encouraged Ang Lee. When he invested in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" at the beginning, on one hand, it was for the Oscars, and on the other hand, it was for its high box office.

Because he had already won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film last year, this title of the first Chinese Oscar had already been snatched by him, so he didn't value the Oscar honor of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" that much. What he cares about more now is the box office revenue that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" can bring. 200 million US dollars, 10 times the profit beyond everyone's expectations!

This "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" still went through the Taiwan submission.

It's not that Wu Yuchen didn't want to fight for it, but there were quite a few films on the mainland competing for this quota for Oscar submission, especially after Wu Yuchen won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the beginning of the year, a group of directors became more active, and quite a few people wanted to learn the style of "Love" to imitate filming and then win awards. Therefore, this film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" filmed by Ang Lee couldn't grab the submission quota on the mainland at all.

Then Wu Yuchen wanted to arrange for "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" to go through Hong Kong for submission. After all, the investor White Bear Film and Television Company and Bill Kong's Edko Films were both Hong Kong companies, and there was also Tony Leung, the Hong Kong male lead. It could completely go through Hong Kong for submission, but it still couldn't be done. Because the Hong Kong Film Association didn't look at "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," the one they wanted to submit to the Oscars this year was Wong Kar-wai's "In the Mood for Love."

Wu Yuchen also sighed. I sent the honor to your door and you didn't want it. In the end, I could only let Ang Lee take "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" back to Taiwan for submission.

At this time, Ang Lee suddenly asked Wu Yuchen: "Wu Dao, will you go to the Golden Horse Awards this year?"

"Hmm?"

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this and then asked: "How come, the Golden Horse Awards invited you to be a lobbyist?"

Last year, "One Sentence Worth Ten Thousand" was sent to the Golden Horse Awards, but because it involved political reasons—after all, it was a direct satire of the Alliance Party—neither the Best Film nor Best Director awards were given to it. They only gave a Best Actress award to Gong Li and the Best Screenplay award to Wu Yuchen. Of course, Wu Yuchen didn't attend at the time because he was busy with his Oscar campaign.

Ang Lee explained to Wu Yuchen: "The Golden Horse Awards have reached a consensus with the Government Information Office on the 'three principles of political figures not going on stage, not giving speeches, and not presenting awards.' This year, they very much want to invite you, Wu Dao, to go."

Wu Yuchen chuckled. Isn't this because after he won the Oscar, his status became firmly established, and he became the number one Chinese director? Many people were criticizing the Golden Horse Awards last year for not giving the award to "One Sentence Worth Ten Thousand," so this year they probably want to invite him over to make up for it.

Wu Yuchen thought for a moment and asked Ang Lee with a smile: "Director Lee, if I go, wouldn't I be fighting with 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'?"

Ang Lee shook his head and said: "Wu Dao, I didn't report for this year's Golden Horse Awards. It's not too late to participate next year~"

Wu Yuchen was slightly surprised upon hearing this. He remembered that "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" participated in this Golden Horse in his past life and even won multiple awards.

Bill Kong smiled on the side: "Wu Dao, anyone with a discerning eye can see that it must be given to you this year. If you win an Oscar and can't win a Golden Horse, then the Golden Horse shouldn't be held!"

Wu Yuchen thought for a moment and it was true. It seems that now, influenced by him, Ang Lee simply didn't sign up to participate in this year's Golden Horse, but changed it to next year.

Wu Yuchen thought for a moment and said: "Let's look at my time here. If I can finish 'Pirates of the Caribbean,' I will go there once."

To tell the truth, a Golden Horse Award now has no bonus for him. At most, it's just one more trophy in the collection cabinet. On the contrary, "Pirates of the Caribbean" is more important to him, and he must definitely take this as the priority.

Ang Lee smiled bitterly in his heart. It seems that the Golden Horse Awards Organizing Committee entrusting him to be a lobbyist cannot succeed. The holding time of this year's Golden Horse Awards is very early, December 2nd, so looking at it, it's only half a month left. It is estimated that Wu Yuchen can't go either.

However, he just said one sentence about this kind of thing, and repeated persuasion would be annoying, so Ang Lee didn't mention it again, but instead exchanged Oscar experience with Wu Yuchen.

On December 2nd, the 37th Golden Horse Awards proceeded as scheduled. Wu Yuchen didn't arrive, but the two awards for Best Picture and Best Director were still awarded to "Love." Cai Yinong, who went on his behalf, also went on stage to read the acceptance speech for him.

Wu Yuchen also smiled after receiving Cai Yinong's call. It seems the Golden Horse Awards still have sincerity. When he has time next time, he will give face and go there once.

During this period, he also paid attention to the situation of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." It could be said that it was invincible in the Oscar outpost Best Foreign Language Film award, and it also won Best Director twice.

At the same time, Wu Yuchen also saw another film he invested in, "Traffic." This film was also conducting Oscar public relations. Director Soderbergh was Ang Lee's direct competitor for Best Director.

Wu Yuchen smiled after seeing this situation. This time it was truly his left hand hitting his right hand. However, according to the situation in his past life, it was likely still Soderbergh, because he also had another film "Erin Brockovich" with high acclaim, which would make him win a double nomination for Best Director. Plus his Jewish identity and his qualifications in Hollywood, this ability to pull votes was still stronger than Ang Lee's.

However, two days later, his good mood was destroyed.

"Wu, I have a friend here who wants to meet you~"

David Geffen, one of the three giants of DreamWorks, made an appointment with Wu Yuchen. Now Wu Yuchen is cooperating with DreamWorks, so he must definitely give him face.

However, when Wu Yuchen followed David Geffen into a private room and saw a fat guy with a face full of flesh, his heart was a bit unhappy.

"Wu, you are truly hard to make an appointment with! I had to entrust Geffen to invite you out!" This person was none other than Harvey Weinstein, who wanted to meet Wu Yuchen before.

Looking at the fat body that smiled, opened his arms, and walked over wanting to hug him, Wu Yuchen simply took the initiative to reach out and shake his hand:

"I'm sorry, Mr. Weinstein, I am truly very busy now. The post-production of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and the preparation work for 'Spider-Man' have already made me a mess, and I have very little free time."

Harvey Weinstein's hug failed, so he reached out and shook hands with Wu Yuchen:

"Hmm, I naturally know. Operating two 100-million-dollar big productions at the same time, and I heard you also made a trilogy plan for 'Spider-Man,' very impressive!"

David Geffen smiled and said to Wu Yuchen: "Harvey, you should have heard of him too. He is very good at producing independent films, and Oscar public relations are even more his specialty. You two can communicate well. However, before that, I think we can taste the Italian food in this restaurant, which is very good~"

The Italian food in this restaurant indeed had a good taste, but Wu Yuchen's mind wasn't on the food. He was pondering what Harvey's intention was for making an appointment with him again and again?

The few chatted while eating, talking about this and that, and later shifted to the romance of Hollywood.

"Wu, I have seen the newly selected female lead for 'Spider-Man.' I have to say your vision is very good!"

Harvey smiled at Wu Yuchen and even winked, making an expression that all men understand.

"Anne's conditions are very good, very suitable for the role of Mary Jane." Wu Yuchen responded with a smile.

"Wu, if you like this type of actress, I can introduce you to more in the future. Believe me, I absolutely guarantee you will be satisfied~"

However, Wu Yuchen didn't want to communicate with this guy about these things: "Thank you, but I think Harvey, you misunderstood."

Harvey spread his hands: "Hey, Wu, there are no outsiders here. It is a matter of course for us producers and actresses to have some intimate relationships. There is nothing to hide~" ===== CHAPTER 223 =====