Chapter 285

Mixing in the entertainment circle, at the end of the day, still requires connections.

Like Angelababy, who makes countless actresses envious.

In just over two years, she has been promoted from a small model to the 'Huayi First Sister'.

In the last few days of June, Huayi even held a press conference, promoting the establishment of Angelababy's studio with great fanfare, making her a 'partner' of the company.

Although the woman has no notable works to show for it, her status has risen in a straight line, which many people in the circle cannot accept, making them sour with envy.

However, most people understand that Huayi being able to give her this kind of treatment is all because of Huang Xiaoming.

It is the Wang brothers, Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei, who are winning over this former artist of theirs, now a top male actor in the mainland and a newly minted capitalist.

Even Lin Nan Film Industry received greetings from Angelababy's studio, hoping for an opportunity to cooperate in the future.

"Just reply politely; consider it giving face to the 'Leader'."

Looking at the thing similar to a congratulatory letter that Yue Jun was holding in his hand, Lin Nan couldn't help but tease.

Lin Nan has no interest in training an actor who can even confuse Liu Dehua; just thinking about it is tiring.

Besides, the company's other film and television works are the same; it's impossible to use actors indiscriminately just because of personal favors.

"Understood. To be honest, her kind is really..."

Yue Jun's tone carried a hint of playfulness and mockery.

Quite a few studios had sent congratulatory letters to Lin Nan Film Industry when they were first established, all looking forward to cooperation.

But the bosses of those studios were people like Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing, Li Bingbing, Zhou Xun, or actors and artists of the same level in the circle.

Suddenly having an Angelababy pop up now creates a special sense of contrast!

"How is she so shameless? Hahaha..."

Yue Jun really couldn't hold it back and laughed out loud.

"She's not stupid; she's very shrewd. Huang Xiaoming's connections are her connections; isn't she using them now?"

Lin Nan shook his head and teased.

…………

After two months of filming, *Kung Fu Jungle* finally released news of wrapping up.

Hong Kong media and mainland media reported it simultaneously.

"The action blockbuster *Kung Fu Jungle*, co-produced by Lin Nan Film Industry and Emperor Motion Pictures and directed by Lu Yang, officially wrapped up in Hong Kong today..."

"Director Lu Yang, accompanied by lead actors Wang Baoqiang, Zhao Wenzhuo, Bai Bing, and others, attended the high-spec wrap-up banquet hosted by Emperor Motion Pictures for the crew!"

……

The eyes of the industry and netizens were all focused on the film *Kung Fu Jungle*.

Yang Shoucheng personally attended the wrap-up banquet to stand on stage and promote the film.

"Since the two *Ip Man* films, this is the third time Emperor Motion Pictures and Lin Nan Film Industry have co-produced; there will be a fourth and a fifth time later, and it will continue..."

Boss Yeung was speaking with great enthusiasm, even talking at length about the cooperation between Emperor Motion Pictures and a group of mainland companies, which the other companies in the Hong Kong circle couldn't bear to watch.

In their eyes, Emperor Motion Pictures is an anomaly in the Hong Kong circle, a rare 'traitor' that eats alone in the mainland.

However, this kind of thinking is basically because of envy, jealousy, and unwillingness. After all, other companies cannot compete with Emperor Motion Pictures in the mainland at all and can only eat some leftovers.

But these people never think about why Emperor Motion Pictures can be accepted in the mainland and not them; of course, perhaps these people knew the reason all along, but have always been deliberately avoiding it...

……

The next day, Lu Yang took Lin Nan Film Industry's filming crew and left Hong Kong to return to Beijing.

Meanwhile, Mani Fok, representing Emperor Motion Pictures, announced a piece of news to the outside world.

"After consultation between Chairman Yeung and Lin Dao Nan, Emperor Motion Pictures and Lin Nan Film Industry will restart the *Ip Man* film series in the future!"

This news spread rapidly, and there wasn't a single person in the entertainment and production industry who wasn't plotting something.

The first two *Ip Man* films had already laid a solid market foundation; released today, the box office would only be higher.

And among the actors in the industry, no one would forget how Donnie Yen managed to rank among the A-list action actors.

He relied on the two *Ip Man* films to enter the A-list ranks directly, and his market value skyrocketed!

This is a big cake; no one isn't drooling over it.

…………

"I'm really impressed with Yang Shoucheng; is he in such a hurry to announce it?"

In the span of one morning, Lin Nan received several calls—from Han Sanping, Wang Changtian, Ye Ning, Ren Zhonglun, Xi'an Film Studio... and Wang Zhonglei and others.

They were all asking about *Ip Man 3*, inquiring when it would be officially launched and if they could get involved.

There were also quite a few talent agencies and actors looking for Yue Jun to ask about roles. Because when the project was previously suspended, there were rumors circulating in the circle.

"I suppose Emperor Motion Pictures must have realized it too; it was too reckless! Hahaha..."

Yue Jun placed a few pages of resumes in front of Lin Nan and teased.

"They say it's a restart, but it won't be that fast; at the very least, we have to wait until *Kung Fu Jungle* is released."

Lin Nan said while flipping through the resumes, then asked casually:

"Is Lu Yang back?"

"He just got off the plane half an hour ago; he'll be at the company in two days, and will also go to Tiangong Color to arrange post-production."

"Fine."

…………

Hong Kong.

Donnie Yen was very excited; he finally heard the definitive news about *Ip Man 3*!

His agent walked over, half-happy and half-worried:

"Donnie, quite a few media outlets are contacting me, asking if you've received an invitation for *Ip Man 3*."

Hearing this, Donnie Yen's emotions instantly calmed down, "How did you answer?"

"Ambiguously."

The agent knew that this was the most favorable response for Donnie Yen at the moment. As for how the media writes it, that's the media's business.

"Mm. Is Mani still not seeing us?"

The agent shook his head, "Can't get an appointment with Mani Fok. But looking at it, it'll be a while before this film is officially launched; we still have a chance, we can't give up..."

"No matter the cost, help me get this film."

…………

Liu Yifei has started to get busy again.

Although Lin Nan is a director in the film circle, he doesn't know much about things in the fashion circle.

Every year, when and which big-name magazines start shooting, even Liu Xiaoli knows better than Lin Nan.

He only knows that Liu Yifei must have been invited by some top fashion magazine again.

Her fashion blockbusters will appear in the second half of the year's periodicals, and the cover photo will also be her.

……

*The Four*, amidst much anticipation, was released.

At the same time, Enlight Media officially announced the sequel to the outside world:

"*The Four 2* will be the first 3D martial arts film directed by Gordon Chan, and it will start filming in Hengdian in a few days.

The cast remains the original crew, with Deng Chao, Zhao Liying, and others starring. Additionally, there will be new supporting roles: Liu Yan, Zhou Haimei, Bao Bei'er, etc."

Wang Changtian is taking big steps, directly benchmarking against Bona and Tsui Hark's *The Flying Swords of Longmen*, and starting to produce 3D martial arts films.

Lin Nan was just wondering why the number of people Tiangong Color planned to send this time was 20% more than for the first film. The reason turns out to be this—because it's a 3D film!

……

News of the premieres for the two films *Tai Chi 0* and *Caught in the Web* also spread.

The two films are being released on the same day, with less than a week left.

"Jiajia, for the premiere of *Tai Chi 0*, who from the company is coming?"

"Zhang Yi, Lei Jiayin, and the others will all come to show their support, and they're all taking time off from the crew to come."

"I'm talking about Lin Dao and the others."

Yang Mi looked at Zeng Jia and corrected her. How could the latter not understand what Yang Mi meant?

"It's different. *The Four* is an Enlight Media film; it's only right that Lin Dao and Yifei attend in person.

But *Tai Chi 0* and *Caught in the Web* have their premieres on the same day; do you think Lin Dao didn't receive an invitation from over there? Which side will he go to?"

Yang Mi nodded; she understood what that meant. It's just that thinking of Zhao Liying's treatment, she suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable inside...

"Is Director Yue coming?"

"No, it's Director Jiang Xuerou."

…………

The next day, quite a few people in the circle were concerned about the box office situation of *The Four* yesterday.

After all, this is the first major blockbuster of the summer season, and it concerns the morale of domestic films in the second half of the year.

News on the portal websites was posted early in the morning, placed brightly on the headlines.

"*The Four* box office on the first day reached 17.5 million, injecting a shot of adrenaline into domestic films for the second half of the year."

"The film is adapted too much from the original work; audience reviews are polarized, with both good and bad..."

"It cannot be denied that this is a rare good result for a martial arts film in recent years, second only to the 3D film *The Flying Swords of Longmen*."

"Shanhai Media artist Zhao Liying, first appearance on the big screen..."

"In a few days, the three films *The Four*, *Tai Chi 0*, and *Caught in the Web* will clash head-on."

"Shanhai Media artists, Zhao Liying vs. Yang Mi..."

……

Lin Nan also kept an eye on the box office of this film.

It wasn't in vain that he spoke to Wang Changtian back then to ask for the female lead role; Zhao Liying's big-screen starting point can be considered established.

Under Enlight Media's Weibo, there were already a large number of congratulatory messages from artists in the circle.

Quite a few actors and stars were even recommending *The Four* on Weibo, taking the initiative to show favor to Enlight Media.

……

Liu Yifei had been shooting fashion blockbusters for three consecutive days; at this moment, she was leaning lazily on the sofa, holding a cat in her arms.

"Finished?"

Lin Nan placed Liu Yifei's legs in his lap; her fair, tender feet with nail polish felt good to the touch.

"Not yet, I'm resting for a day and continuing tomorrow. I have to take many photos, and change into different evening gowns, and finally pick and choose the best ones; it's very time-consuming..."

Regarding fashion magazines, Miss Liu had been familiar with the ropes for a long time; April, September, October, and so on—she just kept rambling on and popularized a whole bunch for Lin Nan.

"That's a pity, I have to go to Director Chen Kaige's premiere alone."

Lin Nan said, feigning regret.

"Then when you come back, remember to tell me what story that film tells, that it could actually make Director Chen boast about himself in front of the media every day."

Liu Yifei lifted one leg and dangled it in front of Lin Nan with a provocative smile on her face, which the latter immediately grabbed.

"Ouch, don't tickle, it's so itchy, I was wrong..."

Liu Yifei retracted her feet, sat cross-legged, bit her lip, and glanced at Lin Nan with watery eyes.

This expression is amazing!

"Miss Liu, shall I invite you to sit in the room?"

…………

(End of chapter)