Chapter 784: Chapter

"Jackie Chan, along with all members of the 'Flying Tigers,' solemnly promises: absolutely no hiding landmines in crotches, absolutely no tearing Japanese soldiers in half with bare hands, absolutely no using slingshots to hit planes, absolutely no letting bullets curve..."

The promotional momentum for *Railroad Tigers* was visibly much larger, and even Jackie Chan started playing along with the memes. But the effect was really quite good; after all, the audience had suffered from absurd dramas for too long!

However, the most eye-catching promotional material for a film had to be *The Wasted Times*.

Because Huayi released scenes of Little Zhang Ziyi's passionate performance—in a car, being taken from behind... I heard there are quite a few such plots in the final cut.

But it was truly mind-boggling that such scenes involving Little Zhang Ziyi could actually attract a large number of internet viewers, to the point where the heat and discussion topics online remained high; it really left people scratching their heads.

"Could it be because of her 'movie face'?"

"It could also be because of her status as a married woman, hehe."

"Could it be because the current film censorship environment is poor, leading to people rarely seeing such shots in theatrical films? And she even intentionally gave a close-up of her facial expression."

Lin Nan was also impressed by these two "indecent" guys, Ning Hao and Huang Bo, and immediately gave his objective analysis.

"I found Shu Qi for the female lead." Huang Bo made an abrupt turn, catching Lin Nan off guard, and he looked at the other party in confusion.

"He can also be considered a typical example of someone with wide social connections in the industry; he is not at all inferior to Huang Xiaoming." Ning Hao added nonchalantly, his tone light and breezy.

Great, now Lin Nan finally understood the fundamental reason why these two guys came to chat with him; this wasn't a chat at all, was it?

After that major "Zhao-Zhen Dispute" where people took sides, followed by the "Hu Shuba" incident; perhaps in Huang Bo's view, Lin Nan didn't have a good impression of this actress? Maybe he was even repulsed by her?

"Actually, I really don't have much prejudice against her. Helping 'relatives' over reason, debuting in Category III films... am I the kind of person who wears colored glasses? You two are insulting my character too much!"

Glancing at the two guys in front of him while grumbling, Lin Nan's emotions were written all over his face.

Huang Bo had said beforehand not to interfere with casting; Lin Nan had actually believed Ning Hao last time, thinking Huang Bo was paving the way for Zhang Yixing. It turned out to be Shu Qi after all; these two really had a way of doing things.

"Isn't it because we were worried? That's why I came along too."

"But thinking about it now, it's true. Back then, when Li Bingbing and Zhou Xun fought over changing the script for *The Message*, you stood by Zhou Xun, but you still used Li Bingbing for *Operation Mekong* later."

"Hmm, this time let's just say Huang Bo was measuring a gentleman's heart with a villain's yardstick, haha..."

Ning Hao laughed and smoothed things over, decisively "framing" Huang Bo. The latter rolled his eyes, his disdain for Ning Hao evident.

"When do you plan to start filming, Director Huang?"

Before Lin Nan could "despise" these two, the bright-eyed and white-toothed Liu Yifei was already asking with a smile from the swing chair in the distance.

The three of them heard this, and their expressions tightened instantly; the "indecent" topic just now wasn't heard, was it?

"Yifei... ah no, Producer Liu, the cast for the film hasn't been finalized yet, but I've already set the start date for early February after the Spring Festival. Everyone is quite busy at the end of the year, so at least let everyone have a good New Year first."

Huang Bo greeted her with a face full of smiles, his eyes glancing covertly at Lin Nan and Ning Hao.

"So they are all really bunching up in February and March?"

Liu Yifei tightened her hold on the fat orange cat in her arms and teased. Just from what she knew, there were already several films scheduled to start filming at that time, including their own *Dying to Survive*!

"A year's plan starts with spring, haha..."

On the morning of the 6th, the Bona You Tang International Cinema outside Chaoyang Gate had already laid out a red carpet dozens of meters long early on, with large areas of fresh flowers and isolation fences on both sides, and the media teams were also stationed there in advance.

This morning, the entire cinema would be closed for business because *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* was holding its premiere here.

In addition, Ang Lee's amateur male lead Joe Alwyn, as well as Kristen Stewart and several other leads, would also walk the red carpet and appear at the premiere.

La Peikang even used the name of China Film Group to send out invitations widely... it seemed he had maximized the scale of today's event, making it grand to the extreme!

After eight o'clock, Han Jia and Han Sanping set off from home together. However, the father and daughter didn't talk about Ang Lee's film on the way in the car, but about *Medicine God*.

"The Film Bureau gave me news this morning that *Medicine God* will be publicly announced as passed on the morning of the 15th. There's less than 10 days left, so settle your mind and start casting with Lin Nan."

"What do you mean I'm casting with Senior Brother Lin? I'm leading the auditions, and Senior Brother Lin is assisting from the side. Besides, he doesn't have time to help me with the *Medicine God* auditions all the time."

Han Jia rolled her eyes, very unhappy with her father's words; was he looking down on her?

"What do you mean?" Han Sanping was a bit confused.

"*Medicine God* and *The Wandering Earth* will be casting at the same time. I'll be on the *Medicine God* side, and Senior Brother Lin will be on *The Wandering Earth* side, though he will come over from time to time to offer his opinions."

"Heh, is it a major project then? Then don't count on him; I'll go and keep an eye on things with you when the time comes." Han Sanping was worried about his daughter after all, and decisively "sacrificed" this magic weapon of his!

"Hey, don't say that, that works! Father and daughter on the battlefield, you're going to be my assistant? Hmm, not bad, I agree, haha."

Ignoring Han Jia's "arrogant and triumphant" smugness, Han Sanping turned his gaze to the car window; they had arrived.

"Tsk tsk tsk, as expected of Ang Lee's film, what a grand formation, so many people... hmm, why is Senior Brother Lin hugging a foreign woman?"

Han Jia also glanced outside, and the scene that suddenly occurred at the end of the red carpet truly shocked her.

At this moment, Lin Nan was also helpless. In the distance, Liu Yifei, who had just stepped into the cinema, was winking at him with a playful look.

"Lin, long time no see."

Finally, she let go, and Lin Nan let out a huge sigh of relief.

If it were Kristen Stewart from when she was filming *Twilight*, he wouldn't mind hugging her a bit longer.

Back then, this girl still had a delicate, rosy appearance. But now? She had long since lost her former delicacy. Her appearance was much rougher, and her temperament was even more strangely indescribable.

The series of changes caused by the change in sexual orientation was truly magical! So much so that when Lin Nan gave her a polite hug, he felt strange inside—well, in short, he was just uncomfortable.

"It has been a long time, Kristen. I wish this film of yours great success."

"Thank you, Lin."

After chatting briefly, Lin Nan walked quickly toward Liu Yifei, and Kristen Stewart was also called away by the Sony people; the cast members had to prepare to gather.

"Haha, look at the micro-expression you had when you were just being hugged; was it that awkward?" Liu Yifei whispered and giggled, holding Lin Nan's arm.

"Was it that awkward? Does that even need asking? Do you know what thought flashed through my mind just now?" Lin Nan was speechless to the extreme.

"What thought?" Liu Yifei blinked her eyes, her curiosity doubling.

"It's fortunate that she is a woman; if it were a man who had become like that... if I were hugged like that, I would get goosebumps. Although I respect her/them, I am a very traditional person!"

"Hehe... are you trying to laugh me to death, haha..."

Liu Yifei couldn't help it anymore, her head resting on Lin Nan's arm, laughing non-stop.

The standard of today's premiere was indeed very high; whether it was for the sake of China Film Group, Sony, or Ang Lee, in short, all the big shots in the industry who had time had all come.

Gu Changwei was already standing openly beside Dong Ping and Xu Zheng; many people in the industry were surrounding Zhang Yimou, seemingly recommending actors... Feng Xiaogang and Wang Zhonglei were holding forth, with Little Zhang Ziyi on the side...

At 9:40, the lights in the huge cinema hall went out, and the film officially began... Lin Nan and Liu Yifei also put on their 3D glasses. To their left and right were acquaintances, Jiang Wen and his wife, as well as Han Jia!...

"Ugh..."

"Hiss... my eyes hurt..."

"I just feel like something is wrong everywhere?"

"It's just like making a normal person use their left hand to use chopsticks or write; it's too awkward, completely unharmonious..."

"This completely subverts traditional viewing habits; it makes me feel completely uncomfortable..."

"I just feel chest tightness and shortness of breath, and I'm dizzy... feeling nauseous..."

"Is this how it's done?"

"120 frames/3D/4K is indeed clear and awesome, but this picture makes the eyes unbearable..."

Although the chattering sounds behind them were small, Lin Nan and Liu Yifei heard them clearly.

However, Lin Dao was also a bit "unwell." When he watched this movie, his eyes naturally wanted to squint or widen, and after a while, they became sore and dizzy. At this moment, he was leaning on Liu Yifei's shoulder to recover a bit.

But Miss Liu was different; she was completely unaffected, watching with great interest, and occasionally praising how great the picture was!

For the sake of Ang Lee, China Film Group, and Sony, no one at the scene dared not to give face, and of course, no one would throw cold water on it.

After the film ended, it was all positive praise: groundbreaking shooting techniques, breaking through traditional lens frameworks, the application of new film technology was stunning to the extreme, the box office would definitely be a big hit...

Not to mention Ang Lee, at least La Peikang's smile never stopped. Lin Nan couldn't bear to watch; wish him luck.

Not attending the banquet, Lin Nan took Liu Yifei and slipped away after the interview session ended. Having the time to waste here, watching that group of people blow smoke up each other's skirts, was not as good as going to a private kitchen restaurant for a world for two.

The 6th ended in a hurry, and the 7th was another day.

After receiving Yan Fei's call on the morning of the 8th, Lin Nan put down the storyboard drawings in his hand and went to check the box office of the film market.

*Doctor Strange* had been released for 4 days, and its box office trend was overwhelming, powerfully cutting down 350 million.

And during these four days, *Mr. Donkey* was also beaten into having no power to fight back; the daily box office had already fallen to 4 million, with a cumulative total box office reaching 170 million.

To be honest, Lin Nan had no way to deal with this situation and could only pin his hopes on the film's word-of-mouth. He believed that there should still be a chance to hit 200 million at the box office during the release period.

Near noon, Daylight Entertainment released the finalized cast list for *Nirvana in Fire: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin*.

The dust settling on this major IP sequel also made many actors in the industry feel regretful... the industry always had more wolves than meat!

"Director Jiang has already returned. They set the start date for the 15th of next month, giving the actors a month of rest and preparation time; Zhao Liying's *Duckweed* happens to wrap up at the end of this month, so it won't delay joining the crew."

"Also, tomorrow is the opening press conference for *Pacific Rim 2*. Although our company didn't directly invest, Lin Dao, do you really not plan to go over? The two Chairmen Wang from Enlight and West Movie Group both have itineraries to attend the opening press conference!"

"I'm too lazy to move. Since you brought it up, then you go on behalf of the company; leave this afternoon."

Lin Nan simply "solved" the person who raised the question directly. Yue Jun sighed with a wry smile, "Alright then, if I have to go, I'll go."

After hanging up the phone, Lin Nan continued to busy himself. He didn't know when, but a pair of feet wearing colorful cotton socks had already appeared in his arms.

Liu Yifei was lying lazily on the sofa like that, watching a movie on her tablet; noticing Lin Nan's gaze, she blinked at him with a smile; Lin Dao was helpless and could only tighten his hold on these two chubby feet again.

Outside, the focus of the entire internet was no longer on the country, but abroad, on the Americans across the ocean!

Within 24 hours, the new president would be born. Lin Nan felt that Tom should be very happy because this guy craved Ivanka's body—despicable!

However, even if Tom were happy, it would only be for a moment; the days of crying were ahead.

Because the days of Crystal Pictures were destined not to be easy afterward; after all, the film and television culture industry had always been the weather vane of the struggle between East and West, and the most forward-looking position and bridgehead when the wind started to blow.

"Hold on, hold on as long as you can; when you really can't hold on anymore, at worst..." Lin Nan muttered to himself.

Qingdao, Oriental Movie Metropolis.

Jing Tian, Especially Reba, and domestic supporting actors like Zhang Jin and Lan Yingying had all arrived and checked into the hotel smoothly.

Among the domestic and foreign actors, Jing Tian and Especially Reba were undoubtedly the most eye-catching.

The former was also the female lead of the first installment, personally decided by Lin Nan, while the latter was an artist under the Lin Nan system. In short, they were all people related to Crystal Pictures!

"Opening press conference tomorrow morning, official start of filming the morning after tomorrow; studio scenes plus location scenes, the filming cycle totals 5 months, special effects production time is about 6 months... planned for global simultaneous release in the first half of the year after next..."

Inside the 10,000-square-meter studio, the Warner producer was introducing the film's production cycle to Wang Changtian, Wang Yong, and Liu Xiaobin, and the three of them listened very carefully.

"Lin Nan really isn't coming?"

"Didn't Yue Jun's call just now make it very clear?"

"Lin Dao is really big-hearted, hehe..."

In the distance, Lu Zheng had come along for the last time in his capacity as Jing Tian's agent.

"The studio is currently being registered. Once all the procedures are completed, I will immediately transfer all your contract affiliations over. From now on, you'll have to rely on yourself."

Jing Tian's mood was slightly heavy, but she still gave Lu Zheng a smile, "Thank you, Uncle Lu."

"No need to be so polite with me. One *The Great Wall*, one *Kong: Skull Island*, one *Pacific Rim 2*—three blockbusters are enough to ensure you have smooth sailing for several years."

Speaking of this, Lu Zheng paused for a moment, his eyes looking toward Wang Changtian and the others in the distance, and after a moment, he looked at Jing Tian again:

"When I leave, I will go and visit Lin Dao again."

(End of chapter)