Chapter 393: The Premiere

Speaking of TV dramas, the Wu Xia series adapted from Jin Yong's works are a hurdle you can never get around.

After all these years, who knows how many times they've been adapted and remade.

To this day, the entertainment industry is still happily remaking them, never tiring of it.

Every single time it causes quite a stir — high-rising buzz, and a flood of attention and discussion.

And among Jin Yong dramas, when it comes to making stars, "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes" are second to none.

Thinking back to the last remake of "Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils," wasn't it that one from not long ago where some South Korean guy played Duan Yu?

A stubble-faced, nouveau-riche, good-for-nothing-looking Duan Yu, plus a village-girl getup for Wang Wang Yuyan — truly an eyesore.

And before that, there was the version produced by Zhang Zhang Jizhong. Wang Wang Yuyan was played by Liu Liu Yifei.

The same goes for the "Return of the Condor Heroes" remake Yu Zheng is planning now.

The last eye-catching remake was still Zhang Zhang Jizhong's version — Huang Huang Xiaoming as Yang Guo, Liu Liu Yifei as Little Dragon Girl.

Think about it carefully: it's been over seven years since it aired; if you count from when filming started, it's now only three months short of nine full years.

Truly full of youth and memories!

The casting for the new Yang Guo and Little Dragon Girl is undoubtedly the focus of the entire entertainment industry's attention.

Every actor below A-list has their eyes on it — after all, these are the roles that make stars!

But since it's a remake, comparisons are inevitable.

At the very least, the casting of Little Dragon Girl is something the media, netizens, and industry actors alike are all concerned about.

After all, the last Little Dragon Girl who wowed everyone is now a top-tier actress, an international star, and also a major producer and capital player in the industry!

Vast numbers of netizens are recommending their favorite stars and actors, hoping they'll get to play Yang Guo and Little Dragon Girl.

Plenty of second- and third-tier industry artists are also volunteering, eager to land the roles and use them to blow up overnight, leaping to A-list.

Yu Zheng has always been good at hyping things — this kind of heated discussion across the entire internet is exactly what he wants.

"This 'Return of the Condor Heroes' remake will definitely respect the original work; it won't be adapted like 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer.' The props, costumes, and styling will also be more rigorous and well-researched."

"As for casting, it's already underway. We'll definitely benchmark against Huang Huang Xiaoming and Liu Liu Yifei — pick a Yang Guo that dazzles the audience, and a Little Dragon Girl that takes everyone's breath away!"

"Anyone who has actors or stars they want to recommend can leave a comment on Weibo and please repost so more people see it and join in…"

Yu Zheng's few Weibo posts really opened people's eyes — not a single wasted word among them.

First, he took the chance to promote the two TV dramas; then he cleverly dragged in Huang Huang Xiaoming and Liu Liu Yifei, riding the hype and manufacturing talking points;

Finally, he mobilized the broad netizens' enthusiasm and participation, expanding the influence!

You can only say Yu Zheng is truly a "good seedling" for the entertainment industry.

Under Liu Liu Yifei's Weibo, there are already many stills and short videos — all of her as Little Dragon Girl back then.

A figure in white, cool and aloof, wearing a flower wreath, with an otherworldly air;

Suspended on wires, doing a beautiful split atop an oil-paper umbrella;

Long hair loose, two lines of clear tears on a heartbreakingly beautiful face;

Lively, flowing, and aesthetically gorgeous fight-scene footage;

And clearly behind-the-scenes extras — Liu Liu Yifei wielding twin swords, dashing and valiant in a martial-arts practice shot; one look and you can tell she's a formidable wudan actress!

Lin Nan scrolled through Weibo, watching Liu Liu Yifei's stills and behind-the-scenes clips, his thoughts drifting back to those days without his control.

A smile unconsciously spread across his face, his mind filled entirely with reminiscence.

"In the blink of an eye, so much time has passed — really fast, Miss Long…"

Before Lin Nan could continue his musing, Yue Jun had already entered the office.

"Lin Dao, the premiere for 'About Time' is all set. Tomorrow you and Liu Yifei need to arrive early."

"Mm, no problem."

Lin Nan nodded — as long as Miss Liu gets up early, he won't be late.

…………

Jiang Wen's "Gone with the Bullets" officially released its cast list to the public.

As expected, another extravagantly star-studded creative lineup: Jiang Wen, Ge You, Zhou Yun, Shu Qi, Wen Zhang, Wang Wang Zhiwen…

When this guy posted on Weibo, he even took a jab at Lin Nan.

"After making movies for so long, this is the first time someone's turned down my cameo invitation. Lin Nan, are you afraid big brother Jiang's box office will smash your record with this film? Haha…"

Plenty of industry filmmakers left playful comments.

"Director Jiang, you're too close to see it clearly. You have to invite Liu Yifei first, then lobby Lin Dao!"

"Oh no, no chance then. Producer Liu is about to join the 'Interstellar' crew."

"Free-ride failed…"

……

When Lin Nan got home, Liu Liu Yifei cheerfully showed him the news online.

"Director Jiang and the others are all @-ing you."

"He's off to Venice to be a juror — worked overtime to lock in the cast!" Lin Nan said with a smile.

This year's Venice main competition jury president is Bernardo Bertolucci, whose representative work is "The Last Emperor."

After this great director, now in his seventies, accepted the appointment, one of the jury members he picked for himself was Jiang Wen, who also accepted the invitation.

"Here, let me fire back at this guy with one line."

Lin Nan sat down, and in less than two minutes with his phone, had posted a Weibo reply.

"Cameo? I'm afraid you'll do a flip in your head, and a one-hour cameo will turn into a day, a week, even a month — straight into a starring role. Then before the film releases, another flip in your head, and you cut it all out!

Back when you were an actor, you were already a handful — picking fights with this one, cursing that one, even making some director cry. Now that you're a director, you'll only be more willful and double down. Haha — not going!"

Lin Nan's Weibo post instantly set off another stir.

"Jiang Wen's films — yeah, that does seem to be the case!"

"Good lord, Lin Dao, that summary of yours is way too on point, isn't it?"

"I just want to know — who is this 'certain director'?"

"Hahaha, you really do get me, but don't say it out loud — how am I supposed to freeload off it in the future…"

…………

The next day.

Early in the morning, the media was flooded with reports on the premiere of "Love You Forever."

As the third film produced and released this year by Lin Nan Pictures, the industry was paying extra-close attention.

The first film, "Finding Mr. Right," grossed 582 million; the second, "Kung Fu Jungle," had a total box office of 534 million.

Those two films combined had crossed 1.1 billion at the box office alone — not a single person in the production industry wasn't green with envy.

Now the third one was about to be released too, and in the August blockbuster window at that.

As for how much this film could earn at the box office, the feelings running through the industry were, to put it mildly, mixed.

The films in the same release window were also feeling tremendous pressure!

Because of Lin Nan's special request, Liu Liu Yifei had, unusually, set an alarm.

A little past eight in the morning, she dragged herself out of bed.

Only, from the moment her brain issued the command to actually getting up, it took over half an hour.

"Take it slow, no rush — it's only nine-thirty."

Lin Nan leaned against the doorframe, watching Liu Liu Yifei washing up, and teased.

Miss Liu, with an electric toothbrush stuffed in her mouth, promptly shot him a withering look — her slightly puffed-out cheeks were very cute.

"I wasn't in a rush to begin with — I'm not planning to put on makeup." Liu Liu Yifei tossed her head up and said, in a tsundere tone.

Lin Nan was taken aback — that actually made perfect sense, and he couldn't argue with it!

A little over half an hour later, Miss Liu was ready, dressed in a white printed T-shirt, high-waisted ripped jeans, and white sneakers.

Under her wine-red sunglasses, with her long hair draped over her shoulders, she radiated a youthful, bright, carefree, and easygoing vibe.

"Let's go, Little Lin Zi."

It had been ages since anyone called him that — Lin Nan almost didn't react.

He laughed, shook his head, picked up Liu Liu Yifei's clutch from the table, and hurried after her.

…………

What kind of standing does Guo Fan hold in the industry?

In the eyes of those in the circle, he is one of only two directors signed to Lin Nan Pictures from the Beijing Film Academy faction.

What's more, he was the director Lin Nan signed right at his graduate-school interview — it caused quite a stir at the time.

By now, the other signed director, Director Lu Yang, had already entered the 500-million-yuan box-office club.

So at this moment, the eyes of the industry inevitably focused on Guo Fan.

The box office of "Love You Forever" is also a test for him — Guo Fan himself surely knows it well, and the pressure can't be small.

The premiere venue could be said to be packed to the rafters, with a great many people from the film and television world showing up.

The leads of the other films in the same release window had also come, not a single one missing.

Fan Li Bingbing, glass in hand, was chatting warmly with Guo Fan.

Huang Huang Xiaoming, with Yang Ying in tow, was working the crowd.

Luo Jin, Dilireba and others weren't idle either — endless streams of people came over to greet them.

Wang Wang Changtian, meanwhile, was surrounded by a group including Deng Chao and Wang Wang Jinghua.

……

At this moment, Lin Nan was held up on the red carpet — mainly because Liu Liu Yifei had been stopped, with reporters firing questions nonstop.

"How about we wait until after the premiere, and you can ask your questions slowly then?"

Lin Nan said, holding Liu Liu Yifei's hand and smiling at the group of media reporters.

He then pulled Miss Liu, who was grinning just as broadly, into the venue.

……

Any company that had sent Lin Nan Pictures a premiere invitation would receive a reciprocal one in return.

As a result, at today's premiere, Lin Nan saw quite a few people he hadn't expected.

For instance, Wang Wang Jinghua, with Dong Dong Zijian in tow, was over there calling people "uncle, uncle, big sister, big brother…"

And then there was the clearly cold-shouldered Guo Guo Jingming and his group — there were very few industry people around them, but he was still eagerly pressing his warm face into the crowd…

"Lin Dao, Liu Yifei — we've all been waiting for you two."

"We shouldn't be late today, should we?" Lin Nan replied with a laugh.

"But you two are the heart of the premiere — the producer and the producer's wife."

That follow-up from Huang Huang Xiaoming was really smooth!

Just as "Teacher Huang" had said, the moment Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei arrived, they were surrounded by a crowd.

The female lead of "Interstellar" — many people came up to congratulate Miss Liu, and to ask when filming would start.

……

Guo Fan took the microphone and, accompanied by Luo Jin, Dilireba, Wan Wan Qian, Tang Yan, Sun Sun Yizhou, and Deng Deng Jiajia, walked up onto the stage.

The venue instantly fell silent; everyone sat in their seats, eyes forward.

"'Love You Forever' is my second film, still soft sci-fi, and once again with a script provided by Lin Dao.

So you can trust that the story of this film will absolutely not disappoint…"

Guo Fan's second half of the sentence directly amused quite a few people — that flattery was way too stiff!

After more than twenty minutes of banter, the premiere moved on to the main event.

"Enough talk — once everyone's finished watching the film, we'll pick the conversation back up…"

Guo Fan's words had barely landed when the big screen slowly descended, and the film officially began.

Unlike other films, Lin Nan considered the story of this "Time-Traveling Lover" to be very plain and very profound.

From the moment the old father told his son that the family's men possessed the supernatural ability to travel through time back to the past and alter reality, certain things were already destined.

After the male lead traveled back in time to save his sister, then returned, and discovered his child's gender had changed, he was dumbfounded.

As the story deepened, change begat change — the butterfly effect was everywhere.

……

"Holy crap, what an awesome setup! Traveling through time actually changed the seed at conception, causing the child's gender to switch…"

"On one hand, he goes back to see his old father; on the other, it definitely affects his little son — the male lead is probably going to be in agony…"

The murmuring around them grew louder and louder, showing everyone had gotten drawn in.

This film had not only the setup of a sci-fi movie, but also placed great emphasis on emotional resonance.

The two hours seemed to fly by; after the film ended, applause rang on without end.

Guo Fan once again led the main cast up onto the stage, glanced toward Lin Nan's side, and said with a smile:

"Lin Dao, the producer and executive producer — why don't you come up too?"

"Lin Dao, Liu Yifei."

"Lin Dao, Producer Liu — we're waiting for you."

……

A round of heckling rose from the scene; Lin Nan and Liu Liu Yifei met eyes, smiled, and stood up.

The media reporters were thrilled — they wouldn't have to track these two down separately later.

The first question was always about the box office!

Most people at the scene were very concerned about this question; Lin Nan Pictures' films had always enjoyed a sterling reputation.

Guo Fan didn't hedge at all: "Box office target? First catch up to Director Lu Yang's 'Wu Lin,' then keep climbing!"

"I'm letting him have a taste of the summer season's box-office champion, crushing the films in the same window — hahaha…"

Lin Nan added a remark with a laugh. His words instantly set the room buzzing.

The lead actors and creators of the same-window films in attendance all wore helpless smiles.

Though none of them dared to talk back to Lin Nan's words, not a single one was willing to take it lying down.

……

After several more questions, the media reporters finally steered off-topic and began asking other things.

"Was 'Interstellar' something Lin Dao helped arrange for Liu Yifei?"

Although that was the rumor outside, the parties involved had never responded.

Once this question was asked, almost everyone pricked up their ears.

"It wasn't really arranging anything. Director Nolan and Liu Yifei had worked together on 'Inception' — I just mentioned it, he thought it was a good fit too, and that was that."

Liu Liu Yifei's face was radiant with a smile as she looked at Lin Nan.

That answer left quite a few people feeling sour — what a show-off!

"'The Return of the Condor Heroes' is being remade; casting has been underway these past two days. Liu Yifei, what's your take? Do you think the new Xiaolongnü can compare to you?"

The questions kept drifting further off-topic — anything and everything was coming out now.

Even Huang Huang Xiaoming in the audience couldn't help laughing when he heard this question; he'd been bothered with plenty of meetings these past couple of days too.

…………

(End of chapter)