Chapter 190: Approved, Dilraba

The 600-million-yuan investment "The Flowers of War" officially announced wrap!

Zhang Zhang Weiping once again stressed the film's release schedule before the media.

"'The Flowers of War' is a grand epic war film, set for the New Year season, nationwide release on December 15."

"I trust Yi Mou's ability. Our domestic box office target is over one billion, breaking the domestic film record!"

"No need to worry about other films—they're no match for 'Thirteen Flowers,' not even in our sights…"

……

Regarding Zhang Zhang Weiping's bold claims, plenty of industry insiders had objections, feeling he was getting arrogant again, but not a single person dared speak out against him.

After all, counting carefully, a domestic film with a single-project investment of 600 million yuan—there really was only "Thirteen Flowers"!

………

"Painted Skin 2" ramped up its publicity, going head-to-head with "Wu Xia" without yielding.

The month-end releases "Snow Flower and Secret Fan" and "Fortune Inn" were relatively low-key.

"Beginning of the Great Revival" was about to be released, just as the industry predicted—still relying on the group-booking route…

Lin Nan noted the awards situation at the Magic City Film Festival.

That "Hello! Mr. Tree" indeed reaped a fine harvest: the Jury Grand Prize and Best Director Award!

As per convention, this was also the only domestic film to take home an award.

The remaining major prizes, including the Best Film Golden Goblet Award, still went to foreign films—some crews with no fame at all.

Lin Nan saw plenty of media outlets that had attended the festival reporting:

Wang Wang Baoqiang was really unlucky this time…

………

Lin Nan personally contacted the China Academy of Space Technology side, bringing along the script and requirements for "Passengers."

The novel sci-fi elements in it piqued their strong interest.

"This time it's interstellar migration? You folks making sci-fi films really think far ahead, hahaha…"

"If we're making a film, we definitely have to think far—after all, sci-fi has that 'fi' in it."

They said they'd design a ship capable of holding five thousand people, but it was only design—a reasonable design from a scientific standpoint.

The visuals of a massive ship gliding through space, and the visuals of meteorite strikes—those would ultimately still have to be done with special effects.

"Cryo-chambers, interstellar intelligent navigation systems, internal functional module design for the ship, propulsion design…"

The engineers at the Academy of Space Technology, looking at the brief Lin Nan handed over, wore looks of interest one after another.

"As long as you're not asking for something that can actually be applied, just the design is no problem…"

By that morning, the Academy of Space Technology team gave Lin Nan a definite answer—they'd need roughly half a month.

………

Counting the time, Especially Reba was about to finish her freshman year courses.

Lin Nan was considering a question: should he give her a small role that didn't require acting skills, just to show her face?

"Mm, worth considering."

……

June's first blockbuster, "Beginning of the Great Revival," officially opened.

Judging from media reports, theaters could be described as "a sea of people."

Opening-day box office: 19.8 million, a flying start.

That figure was over four million higher than the opening-day box office of "The Founding of a Republic."

On the second day, "Beginning of the Great Revival" box office surged to around 26 million, and began holding steady.

China Film revised its target publicly: "This gives us even more confidence. It can absolutely push past 600 million, and then overtake 'Let the Bullets Fly'…"

In Lin Nan's view, Han Han Sanping's big talk this time came too early.

After all, within the following half month, four big-name blockbusters would all be released—including "Painted Skin 2."

Director Wu Wu Ershan had good self-awareness; he knew his influence couldn't compare to Lin Nan's, so he put extra effort into publicity.

Huang Huang Xiaoming, Zhou Xun, Ceng Li, and other main creatives also barely missed a single publicity event, running around the country with the team.

The first batch of promotional clips for "Painted Skin 2" were released.

The fox demon Xiao Wei still had a pure look, without a trace of seductive charm.

Huang Huang Xiaoming in armor—his looks were absolutely beyond question.

Compared to Mei Ting in the first film, Ceng Li in this one wore a half-gold mask, truly fitting the image of a commander who could lead troops into battle.

Zhu Zhu Yawen's demon hunter was set up as a counterpart to Watching Shu Chang in the first film;

Yang Mi's bird spirit mirrored Hu Ge's lizard spirit from back then—except this time it was a kind-hearted demon.

"Beginning of the Great Revival" box office climbed day by day, and the later films drew ever closer.

The film industry unanimously believed that the half-year-long slump in the domestic film market was finally about to end!

Just then, the script for "Passengers" passed review.

The media's reaction was far quicker than Lin Nan himself.

"Lin Nan Pictures' latest film, 'Passengers' passes review and is exposed!"

"'Passengers' is directed and written by Lin Nan; other information unknown."

……

Once reported by the media, the news quickly spread online and through the film and television circles.

"A sci-fi film? Lin Dao's company is making another sci-fi film?"

"I remember the last sci-fi film was still Guo Fan's 'Source Code'!"

"Who's the director? Lin Dao, Director Guo, or Director Lu?"

……

The internet was abuzz with all sorts of speculation about this film.

The industry was no less active—production companies, directors, casting, all drew everyone's attention.

The main cast, far away in the Demon Capital promoting "Painted Skin 2," were completely stunned.

"Xun-ge, you're something else! You actually guessed that?"

Huang Huang Xiaoming stared at Zhou Xun in astonishment—she'd really stumbled onto it.

"I was just talking nonsense, who knew they were really preparing a film." Zhou Xun said with a smile.

"It won't really be like you 'guessed'—Lin Dao directing, will it?"

At that moment, Xie Nan, who played the role of the Heavenly Wolf Queen, cracked a joke.

Immediately after, everyone's expression turned serious, each with their own thoughts.

Only Huang Huang Xiaoming smiled and shook his head—he had no chance, having recently been in talks for a TV drama……

…………

Lin Nan was a bit busy at the moment.

Several companies he frequently worked with called one after another.

First Wanda, then Wang Wang Changtian, Ren Ren Zhonglun, Yang Yang Shoucheng, Western Film……

This time there were also Huayi, Bona, Orange Sky and other companies.

Oh right, and the utterly clueless Juli Films, Yang Zai.

Lin Nan was a bit speechless—he didn't need so many people, so in the end he only gave pointers to a few and politely declined the rest.

Liu Liu Yifei was also quite busy; she had been petting a cat when messages and calls came flooding in.

All from industry contacts who had her contact information.

First came pleasantries and small talk, then probing questions, fishing for information.

"I really don't know about the casting, why don't you just ask him directly?"

"Right, I'm not acting in it, I might be a producer."

"……Sure, next time we meet, let's grab coffee……"

"Wishing 'Snow Flower and the Secret Fan' a big hit, see you another day……"

…………

The media were like police dogs, one and all.

"At the China Film Digital Production Base, the largest 5,000-square-meter studio has been rented out. The filing information is: Lin Nan Pictures, 'Passengers.'"

"Lin Dao Nan has been in contact with the CASC team, suspected to be preparing for a new film."

"According to analysis, the director of 'Passengers' is most likely Lin Dao Nan!"

…………

It wasn't just industry insiders fishing for news—several of their own artists were watching too.

"When does this film start shooting? What roles are there?"

Dunhuang had been battered by sandstorms these past few days, and the "White Dinner" crew had suffered plenty.

As an artist of the company, Yang Mi couldn't possibly not care about a new film the company was making.

In her view, this time it was very likely Lin Nan directing.

"Just wait for the arrangement. When it's time for casting, news will naturally come.

You and that Zhao Zhao Liying are both in the crew, so your chances are probably slim……"

Ceng Jia spoke honestly.

That's how the industry works—once you take one role, you're bound to miss out on other potentially better ones.

Relatively speaking, Zhang Yi and Lei Lei Jiayin were much more calm.

Zhao Zhao Liying on the "Four Famous Constables" set was in very good spirits.

Since joining the crew, she'd completely felt the difference in treatment compared to her time at Huayi.

Before, when she joined a crew, she was like a ghost, working hard to maintain relationships with fellow actors, and sometimes getting cold-shouldered for no reason.

Now it was different—at least on the surface everyone was smiling and friendly.

She even heard some thrilling news—"Four Famous Constables" might very well be made into a series……

Regarding the company's projects, she had thoughts, but more than that a calm heart; of course, if there was a chance, even better.

…………

Jiang Jiang Xuerou's call reached the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

Especially Reba answered the phone, her heart fluttering with nervousness.

"Director Jiang?"

Her soft, sweet voice was very pleasant to Jiang Jiang Xuerou's ears.

"Originally I was going to give you a supporting role in a TV drama to try out, but you're in luck."

"Huh?"

Hearing about a TV drama supporting role, Especially Reba was momentarily nervous, then excited and puzzled.

"Lin Dao is starting a new film. The main roles definitely have nothing to do with you, but a small on-screen supporting role is possible—it barely requires any acting. Are you willing?"

In Jiang Jiang Xuerou's view, this role in Lin Nan's script was especially suited to give newcomers screen time.

In the film, the spaceship would have a high-tech AI projection that needed to appear in human form on screen.

And this role barely required any acting from the performer—just keeping a smile. In the end, it was just an AI program, only presented on screen in human form.

Hearing Jiang Jiang Xuerou's words, Especially Reba's eyes instantly went wide, and she said eagerly:

"Director Jiang, I can do it, I'm willing."

Jiang Jiang Xuerou on the other end of the phone laughed; one could tell the young lady opposite her was very excited.

"Then you'll need to clear it with your school properly, filming should start in the second half of the year. I have other things to attend to, so I'll hang up first."

"Okay, thank you, Director Jiang."

…………

Quite a few students saw Especially Reba making the phone call from a distance, especially that excited and agitated manner of hers, and they were all a bit curious.

"Could it be that her company arranged a drama for her?"

"Shanhai Media doesn't arrange dramas within the first year, and in the second year new artists can refuse. It's been exactly one year for Dilireba…"

…………

Jiang Jiang Xuerou sat across from Lin Nan, holding a set of TV drama materials.

"Some TV dramas, we all know they're good shows, but from the moment they're greenlit they're fraught with hardship, just like the 'Qin Empire' series back then…"

Before Jiang Jiang Xuerou could finish speaking, Lin Nan had already taken the materials and started reading — it was an investment invitation from Enlight Media.

Enlight Media had co-invested, Galloping Horse had co-invested, Huang Huang Xiaoming had co-invested and would appear for free, Fan Li Bingbing had also invested…

A TV drama simply doesn't need this many investors, but its filming "difficulty" is rather high.

"'Zhao Zhao Jingzhong Loyal Yue Fei'?!"

Seeing this title, Lin Nan knew exactly why they had come to him.

This subject matter was destined to be far from easy; the censorship review alone might drag on and on…

If mishandled, a group of "people" would throw obstacles in the drama's way.

"Director Jiang, you go coordinate with Enlight Media and Galloping Horse on their end."

"Invest?"

"Invest!"

"Understood, Lin Dao."

…………

"A TV drama about Loyal Yue Fei — seems there really hasn't been one!"